Feb 2, 2015 By Suzanne Elliott 2 min read

It is time to take the anonymity out of being an addict.

That was the message of the documentary, “The Anonymous People,” shown Jan. 31 at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library. The film looks at more than 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions, and how addiction can be switched from conversations to solutions. The movie said two-thirds of all American families have been touched by addiction.

The event was sponsored by Greenbriar Treatment Center.

“Anonymity is a double-edged sword,” said Ken Montrose, Greenbriar’s director of training and publications, during a discussion following the movie for the 50 or so people who attended. “The movie says a person can break anonymity without breaking the anonymity of the group.”

Montrose, who has been in recovery since 1988, said the problem is that breaking down the door of a crack houses garners more attention than someone in recovery.

“I encourage as many people as possible to talk,” he said. Many in the audience agreed – and shared their stories.

A woman, who identified herself only as Joanne, said she is a recovering alcoholic who has not had a drink since December 2011. “I went to the emergency room five times because of grand mal seizures brought on by dehydration,” she said.

Another man, who identified himself as Bill Griffith, said people recovering from addiction are not looking for special treatment.

“We want to be regular people,” he said. “I don’t want to be treated with kid gloves. If there is no hope, then there is no recovery.”

Karen Reifer, a Gateway Rehabilitation Center therapist, said corporate America is becoming more responsive to the needs of people in recovery, but there is still much to be done. The movie noted that $260 billion has been lost in the workplace because of addiction.

“We need laws to protect the job of someone who goes into treatment,” said Reifer, whose statement elected a strong response from the audience.

“Addiction is considered a disease,” said a man sitting in the back of the room. “But too many people still view addiction as a lack of willpower.”

And that, Montrose said, is the point that “The Anonymous People,” is trying to make.

“We are here to start the ball rolling,” Montrose said. “We need to change that perception.”