We can verify the “biggest” part, and from the vast majority of comments we received during and since NCPHP’s Addictions Conference VIII, we can also get away with calling this one “the best ever”.  Attendance was close to 300, a major increase over previous events, and those in the know considered the program among the most meaningful ever.

NCPHP held its latest conference in Asheville at the Renaissance Hotel on October 1-3, 2004. We had some concerns about the condition of Asheville, due to the freakish hurricane activity that disrupted the important tourist season there. But we were fortunate to find that much of the area was nearly back to normal, and we experienced no weather-related difficulties.

The conference opened with our Volunteer Monitors Workshop on Friday afternoon, with presentations by Nicole Trail, NCPHP’s Compliance Coordinator, who outlined proper UDS collection and submission procedures; Dr. Warren Pendergast, who spoke about maintaining proper boundaries in the monitor/participant relationship; and Daniel Mattingly, PA-C, who discussed warning signs of relapse in participants and how monitors can recognize potential relapse behavior. Guest speakers included Dr. John Parham of Asheville and Dr. Neal Guffey of Winston-Salem, who shared their personal experiences as NCPHP monitors.

Appreciation awards were presented to Dr. Michael Russell of Kill Devil Hills, Dr. Michael Bowen of Wilson, and Dr. Thomas Brown of Greensboro, representing NCPHP’s three regions, for outstanding service to NCPHP as volunteer monitors. The workshop was well attended by both healthcare professionals who are currently engaged in volunteer monitoring for NCPHP, as well as others who are interested in becoming monitors for our program.

Friday evening, the official program was launched with a Welcome Reception, followed by Terence T. Gorski, President and Founder of The CENAPS^® Corporation. Based on his life-long work in the field, Mr. Gorski’s presentation described the basic principles of relapse prevention, the common warning signs that lead from stable recovery to alcohol and drug use, and how to establish both a relapse prevention and relapse early intervention plan.

Saturday morning, Terence Gorski again commandeered the podium and continued his relapse prevention workshop by focusing on the identification and management of high- risk situations that can lead to relapse in the critical first months of recovery.

Free time Saturday afternoon meant golf for several attendees and exhibitors, and shopping alluring downtown Asheville for others. The Biltmore Estates area continued to experience the aftermath of hurricane damage, so tour plans may have been curtailed for some. But ironically, Voices for Addiction Recovery had scheduled their Recovery Rally for Saturday afternoon, which complemented NCPHP’s conference agenda very well.

Saturday evening, an Italian Night banquet was served, and the icing on the tiramisu was a presentation by David Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer, who shared his story of rising to the top only to come tumbling down to the depths of addiction, and forfeiting all he had worked since his childhood to achieve. His high profile lifestyle subjected him to endless opportunities and temptations for abusing drugs and alcohol, which cost him his career and the resulting financial rewards. His struggle to achieve and maintain his personal recovery is documented in his new book, “Skywalker”, and he kindly held a sold-out book-signing session for conference attendees following his presentation

Following David Thompson’s talk, Margie Graves, Executive Director of NC Caring Dental Professionals, co-sponsor of our addictions conference, addressed attendees and honored Dr. Jacob Thorpe with a birthday cake to celebrate his 80^th; she then announced the formation of the CDP Dr. Jake Thorpe Scholarship Fund, established to help defray educational costs and assist with emergency funds when needed by families of dental professionals in treatment. Dr. Thorpe is the founder of the CDP program.

On Sunday morning, following a sumptuous breakfast buffet, Dr. Burns Brady, Medical Director of the Kentucky Physicians Health Program, honored us with his story – “Spirituality in Recovery – A Personal Journey”. Equal parts entertainment, inspiration, and enlightenment, even Dr. Brady considered it one of his best renditions in over 25 years of speaking. Dr. Brady is obviously skilled when it comes to connecting with his audience. Needless to say, when the lights came up, there was hardly a dry eye in the house!

We at NCPHP are very grateful that so many took advantage of the opportunity to participate in our Addictions Conference VIII, and hope each and every one there took home some valuable insights and strategies for remaining in recovery. And for those of you who missed it, maybe we will see you in 2006!