Minnesota man walks 1,300 miles to compile alcohol addiction advice

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by Change | 2 Aug 2010

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A man from Minnesota has set off on a 1,300 journey across the US to raise alcohol abuse awareness.

A recovering alcoholic is halfway through a 1,300 -mile trek from Minnesota to the White House as he tries to make people aware of alcohol abuse and its dangers.

John Overby began his journey at the beginning of July and hopes to reach Washington DC next month in a bid to educate children, teenagers or adults who "seek or know someone who seeks recovery from alcohol or drug addictions".

He continues to document his journey through interviews with other former addicts and will create a film which he says is borne out of his own struggle with alcoholism.

"At 49 years old, my world came crashing down and I realized the common denominator was my alcohol use," Overby told wane.com. "I didn’t have a drinking problem; I had a thinking problem for which drinking was always my solution."

Mr Overby's walk coincides with Minnesota's National Drug and alcohol addiction recovery Month which will be held in September, and is aimed at educating people on the perils of alcohol abuse.

The 21st Recovery Month celebration will include live concerts and talks designed to educate people on why alcohol addiction is a treatable illness. The event is organised by the US Department of Health, along with other recovery groups. 

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