Fighting the opioid epidemic has become a community-wide problem, and Butler County Community College is doing its part.
We told you earlier this week that BC3 hosted an event with Cranberry Township therapist Steve Treu who talked about ways to trigger endorphins, which he says can help addicts step away from their vices.
Now, the college is planning to host four classes to educate the public on how endorphin connection is the key to recovery. The teachings will surround a curriculum taught by Treu and based on his 2016 book “Hope is Dope.”
The classes are free but registration is required. All will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from April 3-April 24. The first three classes will be held at the United Way of Butler County on West Jefferson Street in Butler and the fourth will be held at the Butler Art Center.
Visit bc3.edu/reset to register. Additional classes may be added to meet the needs and situations of participants. For questions, contact Tracy Hack, Community Leadership Initiatives, at 724-287-8711, ext. 8201 or tracy.hack@bc3.edu.
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BC3’s opioid initiative is titled “Reset Your Brain,” which officials say is an objective incorporated into the college’s five-year strategic plan under a theme that focuses, in part, on quality of life.
A 32-year-old recovering heroin addict from Armstrong County said he found hope and inspiration on Tuesday night inside Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater, where Cranberry Township licensed therapist Steve Treu enlightened 250 visitors drawn to the kickoff event of BC3’s “Reset Your Brain: A Revolutionary Approach to Opioid Addiction & Recovery.”
Treu told the audience that those participating in scientifically studied activities — exercise, yoga, meditation, relaxation, improved nutrition, music and art groups, pet ownership and spiritual development – will help the brain to naturally produce endorphins, which are similar in molecular composition to opioids.
“Exercise, meditation, spirituality, those things really help to keep me sober,” said Cole, who added that he has had intermittent periods in which he has been drug-free. “They work. I go to the gym almost every day because it seriously does help a lot and it is something to accomplish.”
Cole, who partly attributes his use of opioids to injuries he suffered when he was young, and that he was 22 the first time he used heroin, added: “It is definitely positive to be educating people, the general public, which needs more knowledge about what actually goes on, because a lot of people don’t believe in the disease concept. Which is a big part, where people put a stigma on addicts because they think it’s a choice. That we choose to do the things that we do — and the things that it causes us to do.”
