Chef Derrick Rogers, owner of D’Cater Man Catering, is the creative force behind Recovery From The Recoverer, an upcoming one-day conference for recovering alcohol and substance abusers and their loved ones.
A certified peer recovery specialist, Rogers has been sober for 10 years. His Recovery From The Recoverer conference is set for January 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cordova Community Center located at 1034 Sanga Rd. in Cordova. Admission is free.
While he acknowledges the sensitivity surrounding alcohol and drug addiction, Rogers said the conference is crafted to provide information, encouragement, support and – above all – hope.
“I want to give people hope from every side. There is hope for anyone impacted by addiction. They can make it,” he said.
“The key is to separate yourself from negativity and surround yourself with positive people who are in the word of God. With Him, all things are possible.”
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, drug overdose is a leading cause of death among persons under the age of 45, and over 70,000 drug overdose deaths occur in the US annually. There are also 95,000 alcohol-related deaths in the United States each year.
Twice a week, Rogers volunteers with a local substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation program. “The road to recovery isn’t easy, but it’s worth it,” he said.
The Recovery From The Recoverer conference will embrace and encourage those who stand alongside recovering individuals.
“Often, people only think of the person with an addiction. However, this disease affects so many others,” said Rogers. “We’ll explore how it impacts them, their spouse, their kids, and their parents … who are also in recovery and need guidance to support their loved one’s journey to sobriety.”
The conference will feature break-out sessions led by counselors, mental health experts, and others with firsthand recovery experiences, including some who have lost relatives and friends to alcohol and drug addiction and who will be on hand to talk about processing grief.
The keynote speakers are national gospel recording artist and preacher Danny Cosby and Dr. Telisa Franklin, a prominent minister, radio and television personality, entrepreneur, counselor, certified peer recovery specialist and mental health professional.
Cosby’s entanglement with the perils of drugs and alcohol led him to prison. He now uses his music and ministry to spread hope.
Franklin will share her testimony of having parents who suffered from drug addiction and and supporting her mother’s successful recovery journey of 18 years.
(To register for the Recovery From The Recoverer conference, visit Eventbrite. For more information, contact Derrick Rogers at 901-907-5145 or Andre Williams at 901-834-4952.)
