COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Hundreds of people filled Woodruff Riverfront Park on Tuesday evening for Recovery on the River, an annual celebration of hope, healing, and community for those impacted by addiction and mental health struggles.
Hosted by New Horizons Behavioral Health, the event capped off National Recovery Month and served as the final stop of the statewide Georgia Recovers Bus Tour.
The free event featured live music, food trucks, and information booths with resources for people in or seeking recovery. Organizers say the goal is to bring the community together, reduce stigma, and remind families that help is available right here in Columbus.
“Addiction affects everyone. It’s happened in most everyone’s family,” said John Burdeshaw, a local recovery coach. “it’s really become a, epidemic across the country. it’s important for everyone to know where we’re at and how we can help each other and to come together, because recovery is tough. Someone that’s been through a similar struggle to me, helped me to get where I’m at, and I’m passing that on to other folks in recovery.”
New Horizons Chief Operating Officer Denise Wade McLeod says the event is an important reminder that recovery is real and worth celebrating…