**[2^nd^ ANNUAL ART OF RECOVERY EXPO TO OFFER]{.underline}**

**[EDUCATION, RESOURCES & EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH
ADDICTIONS]{.underline}**

*Keynote Speaker William C. Moyers to be Featured on September 16 at
Phoenix Civic Plaza*

 

Addiction. The mere sound of the word conjures up negative images,
hopeless situations and often times an inescapable journey filled with
personal demons. For some, it often leads to a path of self-destruction.
For others though, it can be a life-changing experience. This passage to
self-revitalization can be found at the 2^nd^ annual Art of Recovery
Expo which will be held in Hall E at the Phoenix Civic Plaza on
September 16. There will be free admission for the general public.

The Art of Recovery Expo is part of the celebration of National Recovery
Month and will provide positive wellness solutions to individuals who
are currently facing challenges whether they are drug or alcohol
addiction, eating disorders, marriage or relationship problems, gambling
addiction and financial recovery and credit restoration, among many
others. Nearly 125 exhibitors will be on hand and will be comprised of
counselors, treatment facilities, out-patient clinics, family therapists
and other prominent specialists from the Valley of the Sun.
Additionally, workshops will be presented throughout the event covering
numerous topics of interest.

"We created the Art of Recovery Expo to offer positive solutions to
people who are currently facing challenges and for those who may meet
those challenges head-on in the future," said Barbara Nicholson-Brown,
Founder of the Art of Recovery Expo. "So often people are reluctant to
get the help they so desperately need because they are scared,
embarrassed or unable to locate professionals that can

 assist them. The Art of Recovery Expo is their resource for help and
after the tremendous response we

received from last year's event, we continue to be better-equipped to
reach out and help so many who need it. We also want to remove the
stigma of addiction that is currently pervasive in our society and
replace it with a kinder sense of understanding and eventually positive
treatment."

Enhancing the overall experience of recovery, Cirque Du Monde of Los
Angeles, the social action division of Cirque Du Soleil will be at the
event demonstrating and teaching skills that help build self-esteem,
confidence, balance and coordination. "Many of these same skills are
used in their workshops in LA to help connect with at-risk youth," said
Nicholson-Brown.

Performances by Destiny Dance International under the artistic direction
of Sheryl Cooper will also be featured at this year's Art of Recovery
Expo. With dance styles ranging from ballet, tap, jazz to hip-hop,
Destiny Dance will provide a musical complement to the Expo.

The keynote speaker for the Art of Recovery Expo will be William C.
Moyers, Vice President of External Affairs for the Hazelden Foundation
in Minnesota.

Moyers embarked on a personal journey earlier in his life that was
filled with alcohol and drug abuse and after years of struggles,
persevered and today is a leading advocate on recovery and programs like
The Art of Recovery Expo. His personal experiences was the basis for the
1998 public television series, \"Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home.\"
"Today\'s reality is obscured by our nation\'s persistent belief that
addiction is somehow different than other illnesses, if it is even
considered an illness at all," said Moyers, son of noted PBS commentator
Bill Moyers. "Many patients striving to overcome

addiction must also hurdle persistent and debilitating mental issues
too. That is why The Art of

 Recovery Expo is such a marvelous vehicle to reach out and help those
who not only need the help, but want it as well."

Moyers, who has appeared on Larry King Live on CNN, Oprah Winfrey Show
and the Today Show has been honored by numerous organizations including
the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug dependence (NCADD) which
awarded him and his family its highest achievement award, the Gold Key.
He has also received the Arthur Liman Public Interest Award which
salutes families and individuals whose work has advanced public
understanding of public policy issues related to addiction.

Each attendee at The Art of Recovery Expo will receive an event guide
and exhibit directory that contains contact information of health care
professionals, agencies and facilities that are uniquely skilled to
handle any kind of recovery issue and solution.

"Recovery is most certainly an uplifting experience and indeed a
celebration of life," added Nicholson-Brown. "There are literally
hundreds of thousands of people and families in Arizona in recovery and
our goal is to make our services available to everyone who needs help.
It's a long journey, but a rewarding one along the way."

For more information on the Art of Recovery Expo, visit
[www.artofrecoveryexpo.com](http://www.artofrecoveryexpo.com/) or call
(480) 767-7880.