The Chronicle

Sunrise graduates share stories of resilience

- SEAN WHITE Sean.White@thechronic­le.com.au

SUNRISE Way graduates Dan Holley and Max Evans gave an invaluable insight into the hard work required to overcome addiction to about 150 people at the rehabilita­tion centre’s Resilience Breakfast on Friday.

Rugby union legend Andrew Slack also shared his own story of resilience in both his profession­al and private life.

Sunrise Way chief executive officer Wendy Agar said it was great to be able to display the centre’s graduates’ hard work to the community.

“Our Resilience Breakfast is a way for us to share with the community of what we do and allow people to see our clients in a whole new light,” she said.

“People usually associate common stereotype­s of addiction to those suffering from addiction.

“We find that when people put a face to addiction, it changes their perception about what that actually means.”

The centre’s graduates talked about their experience­s with overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.

Ms Agar said anyone could be affected by addiction.

“Addiction does not discrimina­te. Educated people from higher socio-economic background to people from a lower socio-economic background can be affected by addiction,” she said.

“The one common component is that everyone who suffers from addiction had suffered some form of trauma in their life.”

Funds raised will be used to fund the Sunrise Way’s Family Support Group.

 ?? Photo: Contribute­d ?? OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: Rugby union legend Andrew Slack and Wendy Agar provide an insight into addiction and challenges at the Sunrise Way Resilience Breakfast on Friday morning.
Photo: Contribute­d OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: Rugby union legend Andrew Slack and Wendy Agar provide an insight into addiction and challenges at the Sunrise Way Resilience Breakfast on Friday morning.

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