Muskingum Behavioral Health, in partnership with other organizations in the community, hosted the third understanding addiction event Tuesday.

This year, MBH went with a speaker that’s a little closer to home than others in years past. Dr. Brad Lander, Clinical Director, Talbot Hall, Addiction Medicine at the Ohio State University came to Muskingum County to present his “Squirrel Logic” about understanding addiction to departments in the community and community members.

“He uses a lot of human physiology and the way the body works to explain addiction, but he does it in such a plain language that most anybody can understand,” Steve Carrel, Executive Director of Muskingum Behavioral Health, said. “It explains that addiction behavior is just that, addiction behavior. It’s not a choice. It’s behavior that you would expect when the brain has become hijacked by a drug.”

Lander’s day began with presenting to doctors and other healthcare professionals at Genesis and then to first responders at the Zanesville Fire Department.

“Both groups, people were coming out of it saying, ‘this was really good stuff to understand,’” Carrel said. “It’s easy to blame the addict for what they do, but when you listen to Dr. Landers talk about it, it’s just really a natural thing, this crazy behavior is a natural thing for an addict to do.”

Before Lander’s presentation to the community, which began at 6 p.m. at Secrest Auditorium, a resource fair was held in the basement of Secrest with organizations in the community who provide services to those who are struggling with addiction.

Organizations including Muskingum Behavioral Health, Ohio Means Jobs, Cornerstone Church, United Way, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and more were present at the event.

One of the tables at the resource fair represented Allwell. The organization will start providing drug and alcohol services in mid-October, Melissa Johnson, the Muskingum County Director for Allwell, said.

“About 80 percent of our clients that come in also have drug and alcohol issues, so we are just here to put out some resources to let people know what we do,” said Johnson.

There are many organizations in the community that provide services centered around addiction. While it’s important to seek help once addicted, Carrel and the organizations present urge community members to become educated on addiction as well.

“Drugs become just as important to the human body as food and water,” Carrel said. “So, the brain says, ‘I need this to live.’”

The resource fair began at 4 p.m. and led up to the beginning of Lander’s presentation at 6 p.m. which was followed by a panel and a question and answer session at 7:30 p.m.