The stigma around addiction is suffocating. Brandon, an advocate who is in recovery from substance use disorder, explains how stigma impacts those with substance use disorders. People, organizations, and society all play a role in both the problem and the solution. See how advocacy can help humanize this issue. Brandon George was arrested multiple times as a teenager for drug related offenses. By age 15, he was a person with substance use disorder. He dropped out of high school, watched friends die and go to prison, and by the time he was 21 he had multiple DUIs. Eventually, he ended up homeless, sleeping in the laundry room of an apartment building. In 2008, Brandon began his journey of healing and has been in long-term recovery from substance use disorder and opioid use disorder since.

Today, Brandon George is the Director of Indiana Addiction Issues Coalition (IAIC), which advocates for addiction recovery through public policy and education. He sits on the advisory board (MHAPAC) for Indiana's Division of Mental Health and Addiction, is on the expert panel for Indiana University School of Medicine's Project ECHO and is a committee chair on Attorney General Curtis Hill's Drug Task Force.

As a person in long-term recovery, Brandon’s personal experience, education, and professional accomplishments give him a unique perspective and outlook on both addiction and recovery. Brandon works with leaders throughout the state to develop healthy recovery communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx