For Dr. Al Mooney, Director of Addiction Medicine and Recovery at Willingway, one of the key factors that distinguishes this week's Addiction Update Conference is its "focus on the solutions rather than the problems."
        Mooney will be joined by three other professionals from Willingway and many more from across the southeast at Georgia Southern University's 21st Annual Addiction Update Conference, scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center on GSU's campus.
        The Conference is a two-day program that will focus on the ongoing search for the cure, a designer drug update, adolescent treatment perspectives, cross cultural competencies in treatment and recovery for special population groups, addiction and recovery for the emerging adult/collegiate population and process addiction.
        While the update is designed for professionals in the addiction field, it is open to nurses, social workers, educators, law enforcement, students and anyone else interested in learning more about addiction recovery. Registration for the conference is still open and you can call Mary Jernigan at Georgia Southern at (912) 478-2584 for information.
        "There is a lot of information readily available about the problems related to addiction," Dr. Mooney said. "It's refreshing to be a part of the Addiction Update Conference where the focus is on the solutions rather than the problems. This will be an opportunity to encourage recovery and healing for the alcoholics and addicts."
        Willingway in Statesboro has built its reputation as one of the premier alcoholism and drug dependency treatment centers in the nation. Willingway has treated more than 20,000 patients since 1971.
        In addition to Dr. Mooney, presenting at the conference from Willingway are Dr. Shawn Williams, Medical Director, Raymond Scott, CCS CAC II & Inpatient Program Manager and John Williamson, Counselor.
        The topic of the presentation from Dr. Williams is "Spirituality and Addiction." Williamson's presentation is entitled "You Want Me To Stay HOW LONG!?!" And Scott will discuss "Adolescents and Addiction."
        "The Addiction Update Conference is an opportunity for addiction professionals to come together and share ideas, trends, and issues currently facing the addiction treatment industry," Dr. Williams said. "Combined efforts and synergism among treatment professionals is a way of ensuring clients receive quality treatment for alcohol and drug addiction."
        Dr. Mooney will be the final presenter at the conference and his topic is: "Recovery Zone."
        Immediately following the Conference, Willingway will hold a special reception on Friday. Reception attendees will receive additional resources, including a complimentary copy of Dr. Mooney's newest edition of The Recovery Book.
        This article is sponsored by Willingway, which was founded in Statesboro by Dr. John and Dot Mooney in 1971. Dot and John's four children: Dr. Al J. Mooney III, Jimmy Mooney, Dr. Bobby Mooney, and Carol Lind Mooney remain on the Board of Directors and are involved in the operations of the rehab center. You can contact Willingway at (912) 764-6236 or (800) 242-9455.