MSM hosts group to inform students about addictions

For teenagers in the United States, the odds are high that they will try drugs or alcohol during these formative years. In fact, statistics say 9 of 10 teens get addicted to these substances during those important years and usually begin as early as age 13.

But a more recent addiction: social media. More and more schools are banning cell phones from school hallways, classrooms and facilities because of the addictive and distracting nature of the devices.

With many parents and teachers not sure how to best handle this growing problem, one organization, Hope Is Alive, is visiting schools and holding events where speakers share their experiences. Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School recently hosted one of the talks – “Social Media and The Teen Brain: Understanding the Effects of Digital Life.”

Visiting The Mount, as part of the Hope Is Alive school support team were Ann Sandager, HIA’s senior development manager, and Courtney Davis, HIA’s school support coordinator.

Sandager told the Sooner Catholic the program “empowers students to make good choices that are biblically based.” This takes the form of the organization’s many resources, revolving around videos and online sources, as well as places to stay and be encouraged in a Christian environment.

The featured speaker accompanying Sandager and Davis at the talk was Trevor Berger, a native of Texas eager to share his story.

The story of his descent into addiction was intense and moving and captured the attention of the students who were struck by his honesty and humility as he described his issues and his eventual rise out of the depths of despair.

“It was neat to hear him share his (difficult) path through high school and he came out of his addiction,” senior Wayne Hygema said. 

As noted on its website, hopeisalive.net, this engaging ministry first began in 2013 and is led by Lance and Allyson Lang, who had their own addiction problems to deal with as a young couple, where Lance ran a big company and had turned to drugs and alcohol to relieve the stress. After getting sober, the Langs started Hope Is Alive here in central Oklahoma.

Since that time, HIA has spread to 12 cities with a total of 26 homes. According to the organization’s website, HIA “has become a leading voice in the recovery community, developing a unique program with unmatched results.”

Sandager said in an interview in the days after the event that HIA “keeps growing and expanding,” and even has a fleet of vehicles to serve those struggling with addiction.

In early 2013, with a dream in his heart and two years of sobriety under his belt, Lance and Ally began looking at homes to start Hope is Alive. Since then, they’ve received more than 10,000 inquiries for help and over 250 graduates. Recovery homes are in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Claremore and Weatherford, with additional homes in Texas, Kansas, Colorado and North Carolina.

Sandager said the feedback received from the recent visit to Mount Saint Mary was “great” and that those in attendance – students and faculty – have requested they return.

Andrew W. Griffin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
​
Photo: Andrew W. Griffin/Sooner Catholic.