GRAYSON — Addictions have become a growing concern across the nation, but Kentucky and West Virginia have been particularly hard hit. Because alcohol, narcotics and prescription drugs cause disease by rearranging patterns in the brain, those impacted by this disease need help to recover and lead productive lives.

Fortunately, Pathways, Inc. in eastern Kentucky has opened two recovery centers serving the needs of approximately 200 men with these addictions. The first of these, the Morehead Inspiration Center, has received outstanding results in providing lasting recoveries since 2007.

Pathways has now opened its newest center, the Genesis Recovery Kentucky Center, located at 400 C.W. Stevens Blvd. in Grayson. The facility, which opened in October, has now nearly reached its capacity, serving 100 men.

On Friday, the Genesis Center will host a public open house and community education program. Tours of the facilities will be at 10:30 a.m. and 1:05 p.m.

Between 11 a.m.-1 p.m., a panel of speakers will address the community on the services being provided. Speakers include Jay Davidson, former executive director ad current chairman of the Healing Place in Louisville, and Dr. Burns Brady, who is an addiction consultant for the Healing Place, as well as a clinical instructor on alcoholism for the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky and the Pikeville School of Medicine. In addition, brief sessions will explain the Recovery Kentucky and the Needle Exchange programs.

Because a light lunch will be made available, it is requested that potential participants register for the event by going online to www.pathways-ky.ors, opening the marked “Events” tab, and following the registration guidelines under the event date and title, “Genesis Recovery Center Open House and Community Education.”

Registration can also be completed by contacting Dr. Karen Beck at 606-329-8588.