Atlanta-based author and entrepreneur Willie Harris will share the story of his recovery from a 10-year cocaine addiction on Sept. 13 at the DeKalb CSB Lecture Series in Decatur.

The Reach for Recovery event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Bohan Auditorium of the Richardson Health Center, is sponsored by the nonprofit DeKalb Community Service Board in recognition of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

Special musical guest is the DeKalb CSB’s Brighter Tomorrows Choir.

DeKalb commissioners are expected to proclaim September as Recovery Month in DeKalb at their Sept. 11 meeting.

Harris travels the country sharing his decade-long battle with cocaine abuse. He recently turned his story into a book, “Whose Will,” a powerful testament for those on the road to reclaiming their lives.

A strong proponent of treatment, Harris has implemented the 12 steps to living a life free of drugs and alcohol.

Theresa Schaffer, who serves as director of Addictive Diseases for the DeKalb CSB, also advocates treatment.

“Addiction is a treatable brain disease and recovery is possible,” Schaffer said in an Aug. 6 statement. “Effective treatment offers people hope by teaching them new skills to cope with and manage their symptoms.”

National Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which educates Americans on the fact that addiction treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

More than 23 million Americans age 12 and older – nearly 9 percent of the U.S. population – need treatment for drug and alcohol use, according to the government’s 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. However, less than 10 percent receive treatment. According to this study released by SAMHSA, 2.6 million people age 12 or older who needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem received treatment at a specialty facility in the past year.

Reach for Recovery is open to individuals in recovery and their families, the public, advocates, and professionals and is designed to raise awareness that treatment works.

The DeKalb CSB offers community-based behavioral health care, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment and developmental disabilities programs. It helps more than 11,000 DeKalb residents and their families annually.

Richardson Health Center is at 445 Winn Way. R.S.V.P. at events@askaprillove.com. For more information, visit www.dekcsb.org or call 678-732-0559.