New year brings new series and more Alaskans overcoming addiction

Continuing to combat Alaska’s high rates of alcohol misuse into the new year, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and Recover Alaska have collaborated to produce a new season of the Emmy-award winning series Day 001.

The new season, ‘Day 001: Recovery is a different path for everyone,’ follows the stories of eight diverse Alaskans, from Unalakleet to Cordova, telling their very personal stories of how recovery from alcohol misuse has led to positive outcomes in their lives. The concept aims to motivate those struggling with addiction to seek help and educates community members about their role in the solution to alcohol misuse.

For Alaska’s ‘Eskimo Ninja’ Nick Hanson, living a sober lifestyle presents endless opportunities.

“I don’t think people realize that there is so much more to do than drink alcohol. We have opportunities presented to us every day. When you’re living a sober lifestyle you’re ready for those opportunities, you’re ready to plant your feet on the floor and start moving,” said Hanson in his Day 001 narrative.

While the project’s message is pertinent to Alaska, where youth drinking and adult binge drinking remains high, and we are dying from alcohol at a rate twice as high as the national average, it’s a message that will also reach a national audience; radio versions of the stories will air on Native America Calling and Native Voice One in the new year. Locally, the videos are featured on RecoverAlaska.org and KNBA.org, along with a radio and television PSA about the project.

“The journey to recovery is not easy. Storytelling provides an avenue for us to be vulnerable while sharing our strength, and also allows our audience to better understand our experiences and connect with us,” said Tiffany Hall, executive director of Recover Alaska. “For those telling their story, and those who may still be struggling, it’s important to end the stigma around recovery. While it’s a different path for everyone, recovery is possible and it does work.”

About Recover Alaska

Recover Alaska is a multi-sector action group pursuing a solutions-based approach to reduce excessive alcohol use and harms across the state. Partners include Rasmuson Foundation, The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Providence Alaska, Southcentral Foundation and the State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services. The vision for Recover Alaska is for Alaskans to live free from the consequences of alcohol misuse, so we are empowered to achieve our full potential. For more information, visit recoveralaska.org.