For many, the Ben Gordon Center is the first step toward overcoming substance addiction.

The Ben Gordon Center in DeKalb is featuring free substance abuse screenings this month, which is National Recovery Month. Screenings consist of a short written interview followed by a 15 to 20 minute interview with one of the center’s health professionals.

“The screenings are available to anyone in the DeKalb County area, and certainly includes students at [NIU],” said Martha Carlson, an assessment and referral therapist at the Ben Gordon Center.

All information discussed remains anonymous.

“The first step is to actually pick up the phone and have the courage to talk about the issues that they are experiencing,” said Michael Flora, president and CEO of the Ben Gordon Center. “The staff at the Ben Gordon Center are very caring and want to help.”

Individuals can use the interview time to ask questions and discuss concerns about what substance abuse is and how it may affect their lives.

“Seven out of 10 illicit drug users are working full time,” said Flora, citing a statistic provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Drugs and alcohol affect the way we work, the way we live.”

The most widely abused drugs in the DeKalb area include alcohol, cannabis and prescription drugs, according to the center.

“We have many people come in and take advantage of this throughout the year, as it is offered year-round,” Carlson said.