Building Community and Breaking Stigma with More Than Addiction

I’m at Roadside Park in Saint Albans for the Kanawha Valley Hustlers Podcast, talking with Shanna Wickline, co-founder of More Than Addiction. Today’s community picnic is filled with activities like inflatables, a live DJ, and arts and crafts, all aimed at bringing people together. Shanna shares that More Than Addiction was founded in 2019 to fight the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. They work to empower people, especially youth, by sharing real stories and making it easier to ask for help. She emphasizes the importance of community and connection, as disconnection often lies at the root of many struggles. For anyone facing addiction, Shanna recommends resources like Help4WV and stresses the value of reaching out before a crisis hits. As we wrap up, Shanna is thrilled with the event’s success and excited about the impact More Than Addiction is making.