'Addiction Is Everywhere, and It's Important for Us to Recognize That'

The average dinner party just got a lot more exciting. An unconventional invitation -- which asks us to come together, pull up a chair around the table and talk about our experiences with drugs and addiction -- has inspired thousands across the U.S. and abroad to RSVP with curious anticipation. The idea of taking a taboo topic like substance use and creating an event around it originated with social entrepreneur Michael Hebb and his Death Over Dinner project. Operating from the belief that the intimacy of the dinner table can ignite the transformative power of connection, Hebb created the project in 2012 as a way to get people talking about and processing dark personal issues. Since the launch of Death Over Dinner, more than 100,000 people in 30 countries have shared their thoughts around death, including end-of-life wishes, with friends and family. Despite the somber topic, the conversations are marked by compassion and connection, with a structured dialogue designed to transform fear and avoidance into openness and a sense of community. The project is another example of how communication can be a powerful driver of social change. This next phase of Hebb's dinner campaign was catalyzed by his awareness of the staggering effects of drugs and addiction on our society, and the fact that the epidemic is largely being swept under the rug due to social stigmatization. I'm a personal friend and peer of Hebb's, and as he knew of my experience in the substance-abuse and mental-h...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news