Join the Run for Recovery on Sept. 10

By Amber Luffman

I run for recovery.

I run in honor of my husband who took his last breath at age 30.

I run for my young daughter who will be raised watching her mom get back up, push through and fight for better, no matter what life throws at her.

I run for my mental and emotional health and to enjoy a “healthy high.”

I run for anyone battling addiction – or loving someone who does.

 I run for recovery.

Why do you run?

Each of us has a race to run in life. Some of us have longer or shorter courses to trek; some have courses that are more difficult with greater obstacles; and some are forced to run in harsher conditions than others. But the fact remains … we each have our own race to run.

So, I’ll ask again, why do you run? 

So far, my race has been one full of grace and strength. God’s, not my own.

I started a family recovery ministry after my husband died because I knew this was part of the next portion of my run in this life. Established Family Recovery Ministries is a brand new 501(c)3 non-profit founded to mentor, support and advocate for anyone who loves someone addicted — and to help bring dignity back to those who suffer from the effects of addiction. 

I want to run my race well, and I want to help others do the same, no matter the length of their course, the obstacles they face or the conditions in which they are running.

Our ministry is here to educate family members of an addicted loved one, comfort and cheer them on, and celebrate every victory along the way with them and their family. Our mission is to partner with God to help heal a generation from the effects of addiction in our local community. 

One way we are doing this is by hosting our first EST. 5K Recovery Run & Community Event at Creekside Park in Archdale on the morning of Sept. 10.

This event is about much more than walking and running — it’s about breaking the stigma of shame and secrets surrounding the underground epidemic of substance use disorder in our community that is destroying families in droves behind closed doors.

We invite the whole family to participate in the untimed 1-mile Celebration Run or the 5K option, as well as to come enjoy food trucks, face painting for kids, a cornhole tournament for teens and adults, educational and inspirational speakers from the local community, and various table setups for the community's benefit.

Resource tables will be set up from 9:15-11:30 a.m. 

For family members, there will be information on abuse, domestic violence, counseling, grief groups, family member recovery meetings, treatment programs, deliverance prayer and more.

For those battling addiction, there will be residential treatment program information, recovery meeting information within 50 miles of Archdale, housing resources for the homeless, harm-reduction education, Narcan and free care packages. 

At the center of the event venue, there will be a memorial for loved ones lost to addiction, with “comfort packages” given out to anyone 18 or younger who has lost a loved one to an addiction-related death. 

Bring the family on Sept. 10 for an encouraging morning full of hope, education and fun around the topic of addiction recovery.

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Please contact us at ESTfamilyrecovery@gmail.com to learn more or submit your loved one’s information for the memorial banner.