When Doug Doucet was struggling with drug addiction, he found the road to recovery had to start with his own desire to get clean.

“I could not do it for my daughter and my family or my job. I had to do it for Doug,” Doucet said.

Now eight years sober, Doucet hopes to help other former addicts who have completed their path to recovery celebrate the accomplishment, while also encouraging struggling addicts to have the strength to get and stay clean.

As a board member with the Recovery Oriented System of Care, Doucet helps to organize Recovery at the Riverfront. The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

The event is hosted through a partnership with the ROSC and the Community Healing Centers and coincides with National Recovery Month.

The celebration will include free food and music and a panel of speakers from 12-step fellowships, who will share their story of “strength, hope and experience.” A number of resources for those who need help recovering will also be available.

For those who attend, Doucet hopes the event can be an uplifting way to connect with those who have shared a similar struggle and for those still working to beat addiction, Doucet said he hopes they know there are options.

“Knowing that there is a way out [of addiction] and that we do have the ability to recover,” Doucet said. “There will be information from the fellowship there. It is a great thing to have in Niles. We try to do it every year.”

Across Berrien County, a number of resources are available for those that need help recovering, finding housing, as well as health care and recovery sources. Representatives from some of those organizations or information for how to reach them will be available at the event.

When an addict can successfully recover and get back to living a normal and functional life that is something to celebrate Doucet said.

“[Addiction] is affecting everybody,” Doucet said. “The government recognized that addiction is a disease, not a moral deficiency. It is great that we celebrate the awareness in the community.”

Doucet owns and operates his own business, Michiana Trailer Services. Through the ROSC, Doucet seeks to help those in need have access to a variety of services that seek to prevent, intervene and treat drug addiction.

“Anyone in recovery can be a responsible person in society. There is a stigma that an addict is bad,” Doucet said. “They can fully recover and live a happy, joyous and free life.”

Doucet encouraged the community to visit the event. The event has grown each year since its inception and this year, Doucet is expecting more than 100 people to join in the celebration.

“Enjoy a great afternoon of fun, food and fellowship and learn a little bit more,” Doucet said. “As well as meet other people in recovery and those struggling to come out and get resources.”