More Than Just Sober

This presentation will discuss the idea of recovery versus simply abstinence. Making the necessary emotional, mental, and behavioral changes once in recovery is critical not just to sustained recovery but to a truly improved quality of life. Some of the major pitfalls will be discussed as well as some of the most key areas of focus and how to change them. This presentation will offer insights that can be valuable to those who are new in recovery, seeking recovery, their friend and family, and mental health/substance use professionals.

This free in-person event is sponsored by Maine Township's MaineStay Youth & Family Services and Chicago Behavioral Hospital. It is appropriate for parents, educators, students, community members, and professionals and includes 1.5 free CEUs for social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and nurses. Check in will be from 6:30-7:00 pm. Advance registration is requested as seating for this event is limited.

Attendees are encouraged to bring personal hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.), paper products, or diapers to donate to the Maine Township Food Pantry.

Jessie Monreal, CADC is a treatment advocate with Recovery Centers of America, a nationally accredited substance use treatment facility with locations here in the Midwest. Jessie has been in recovery herself for over 11 years, and 9 years ago became a counselor, as it is her passion to help others who struggle with the same issues she did. She is a firm believer in the ability to change and loves to share the methods that helped her and those she has worked with through the years. Jessie has loved writing since she was very young, and in recovery she has had numerous essays published about addiction, trauma, codependency, suicide, and mental health. She is also passionate about speaking about these topics, and has presented for high school students, overdose awareness events, and the IABH annual conference in both 2022 and 2023. She also volunteers for the AFSP Healing Conversations program, which provides peer support to those who need comfort coping with a suicide loss. She lives with her 16 year old son, her boyfriend Mike, and his 16 year old daughter. She is an avid strength trainer and loves the outdoors.

This program is recognized by IDFPR as providing CEUs for LPC/LCPC and LSW/LCSW under license number 159.001334, LMFT under license number 168.000223, LCP under license number 268.000070, and RN/LPN/APN under license number 236.000127.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge, United States