Today’s guest is Jeff Breedlove, who serves as Community Outreach Manager for Commissioner Kevin Tanner at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia School of Addiction Studies and the Regional Advisory Board for the Rx Summit.

This episode has been broken into two parts. So – come back next Saturday for Episode 059 – the second part!

So, what did we talk about? Together, we delved into Jeff's journey to recovery from addiction and shared our experiences about the deep-rooted stigma and discrimination that individuals with addiction face. We emphasize the need for advocacy and change in how addiction is perceived and treated. We highlight the importance of understanding addiction as a disease and supporting individuals in their recovery journeys, as well as the importance of connection and community in recovery.

Jeff shares his personal story to highlight the power of sharing personal experiences to inspire and support others. He also explains the role of peers in recovery and their integration into healthcare settings. He discusses the need to build a strong behavioral health workforce and advocates for policy changes and advocacy for mental health and addiction. Jeff encourages individuals to speak up and advocate for change in their communities – the power of the voice of lived experience.

We cover the role of advocacy, making a case for addiction recovery, and the importance of participating in democracy to bring about change. We emphasize the need to pay it forward and be grateful for the support received while highlighting the possibility of recovery and the importance of self-love.

Finally, by the end of the two-part series, we share our passion for education on the existence of multiple pathways to recovery and the importance of never giving up.

More about Jeff! In the past, Jeff has served as:

· Chief of Staff for DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester.

· Senior staff member to Congressman Bob Barr in the historic 104th Congress and again in the 105th Congress.

· Deputy Director for the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development for Governor Nathan Deal

· Policy analyst for the Georgia State Senate

Jeff was announced as a member of the 2023 Atlanta Business Chronicle Power 10: Health Care List as one of Georgia's ten most powerful healthcare leaders.

Jeff was awarded a personal proclamation from Governor Brain Kemp in September 2023 as an outstanding advocate for peer-led recovery in Georgia.

Jeff was awarded The Erick Allen Recovery Advocate of the Year for Georgia and has received numerous Recovery Leadership Awards from organizations across Georgia.

He was selected to serve as a volunteer for the G-8 Summit on Sea Island, Georgia. He has served as a staff vice-chair for The National Conference of State Legislatures on the Transportation Committee and as a member of The Council of State Governments Southern Legislative Conference Committee on Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs.

Jeff also served as the Georgia state director for The American Council of Young Political Leaders. He was the former Georgia state director of Sister Cities International and a City of Atlanta Sister City Commission member. Jeff Served as a Commissioner and Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts. Jeff served as PTA President at Imagine International Academy and Vice President of the PTA at Maynard Jackson High School.

Jeff is married to Kathryn Ballou; they reside in the Grant Park neighborhood in Atlanta. They have a son, Lawrence Foster “Jack” Breedlove, born in The People’s Republic of China. He is a person in long-term recovery with a passion for sharing his story so others know Recovery is real.

Takeaways

Recovery is real and should be celebrated and supported like other diseases.

Advocacy is crucial in changing the perception and treatment of addiction.

Guest Links:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teambreedlove
• X: https://twitter.com/jeffbreedlove1
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-breedlove-93057211/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffbreedlove1/
• Georgia Recovers: https://gasubstanceabuse.org/georgia-recovers/
• CARES Warm Line: https://gasubstanceabuse.org/cares-warm-line/

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