Addiction is Real, Inc.

11/16/2025

Thank you for making 2025 incredible, Happy 2 Give! Everyone at Addiction is Real, Inc. Sends a HUGE thank you!!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️🎉🎉🎉🫶

11/12/2025

So proud of Tennille Heitkamp and her son Jacob - they are saving lives by sharing their story and helping other parents understand the danger of thinking “not my child.” Love these two and can’t wait to hear Tennille’s testimony tonight! ❤️

Tonight, at Underground, meet Tennille Heitkamp, a mother of a young son who’s been fighting this disease tooth-and-nail for what seems like a lifetime, yet he’s only twenty-four years old.

Tennille’s son Jacob has been through it. And is going through it. He is currently just over 40 days clean and sober (amen!) and working a program out-of-state.

Tennille has lost countless hours of sleep, yes, but she has never once lost hope.

Come out tonight, and hear from a mom of an addict, as she bravely and vulnerably shares her family’s story of courage defeating fear, peace triumphing over chaos, and hope outshining darkness.

See y’all tonight! And, bring a friend!

Let us Pray.

-Chris

When:
5:30 - (coffee is ready!)
6pm - Let’s Roll
6:50 - Cig and a Slice (pizza provided!)
7/715 - 8/815 Meetings on Campus

*CHILDCARE PROVIDED!

Where:
2360 McCausland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63143

11/11/2025

Happy Veterans day to ALL who served!

Want to give a special shout out to one of our incredible volunteers, Vivian Behlmann Peters, who serves Addiction is Real, Inc. In honor of her son Kevin ♥️ we love hearing her stories about his time serving our country in the Army, and after as a civilian who protected all of us in so many ways 🇺🇸 we grieve for him and celebrate his life with you - every day!

11/09/2025

Had a blast telling attendees of the Missouri PTA conference how much they are appreciated for showing up as one of the best Green Flags (Protective Factors) for their communities kiddos! Thank you for bringing the great energy and for having the Addiction is Real, Inc. Team yesterday! And for letting us stick around for the Taco Buffet! ♥️🙌🎉

Ps: Hickman High wins the award for the most interesting mascot, ever! And we have been to HUNDREDS of High Schools!

11/04/2025

Major thank you to the St. Louis Teams of Actalent and Aerotek for choosing Addiction is Real, Inc.'s Friendship Bracelet Making Campaign as their recent volunteer project! Their effort supports our work and shares messages of strength, comfort, and awareness with the many individuals (adults and kids!) we empower through education, awareness, and stigma-reducing messaging in communities across the US! Below are a few examples of their work! Companies and volunteer groups like these have donated THOUSANDS of bracelets - helping us bring the message of hope to so many in 2025!

We need many more bracelets as we close 2025 and open 2026! Please consider joining this effort! Information can be found in the comments section!

11/03/2025

This is nasty stuff that can be highly addictive. Let us know if we can refer you or your kiddos to partners who can help. ♥️ most of Missouri’s age limits for sales is 18 - ask your legislators to raise the age 21 to match other controlled substances - and to AT LEAST raise the age on ALL unregulated substances.

Thank you for covering KMOV!

Governor Mike Kehoe

11/02/2025

Grab your table for the Happy 2 Give Trivia Night benefiting Addiction is Real, Inc.! This is a super fun night! Hope to see you there!!!! Can't make it? Help us build our Friendship Bracelet Making kits for 2026! ♥️ https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/OC1URZPCQYLM?ref_=wl_share

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 👻 We have a treat for those who want to save a little extra in registering for the 11th Annual Happy 2 Give Trivia Night - Benefitting Addiction is Real which will be held Saturday, November 15th!

We've rolled back the prices, so if you sign up by Sunday, November 2nd, you can enjoy our original Early Bird pricing! Don't miss out on these savings or you'll roll over in your grave years from now wondering why did 😛

Tables of up to 10 can sign up at the link below:

www.happytogive.org/trivia-night-1

**ALL TEAMS MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE THIS YEAR**
$200 Roll Back the Clock Flash Sale Rate!
$250 Per Team after November 2nd

- Teams can consist of up to 10 players.
- Mulligans are available for $20 per team
- Happy Pass is available for $105 per team
(mulligans, table scavenger hunt, multi-life heads/tails, sit down/up game)

Proceeds from this year's event will benefit Addiction is Real, Inc..

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor - Northwestern Mutual
Platinum Sponsor - Plaza Advisory Group
A special thank you to the Neeb Family Foundation

If you're interested in sponsorships, would like to volunteer, join the committee, or have any additional questions, please contact us at happytogivestl@gmail.com for more information.

Gold Sponsorship - $500 Verbal recognition throughout the event plus round sponsorship with logo displayed on PowerPoint and on answers sheets.

Silver Sponsorship - $250 Round sponsorship with logo displayed on PowerPoint and on answer sheets

#314

10/20/2025

Adopting a policy like to***co21 was a major step in protecting our youth, except when it is not enforced. Deeply appreciate KMOV and reporter David Amelotti for shining a light on underage sales. Youth all over the state of Missouri are able to walk into these shops (there are MANY responsible retailers - say thanks every time you are carded!) and purchase unregulated products containing to***co and Delta 8 - stronger than THC sold in dispensaries.

Encourage your community to do research on area oversight. The average age of v**e use onset is 13 in Missouri. Talk to your kiddos asap - link to our Toolkit that will guide these conversations: https://bit.ly/3VNFkNN

Please reach out to David - the reporter - regarding unauthorized sales in your area, or shoot us an email at erin@addictionisreal.org.

Addiction is Real, Inc. provides education regarding all drugs and their effect on kids, while equipping communities with the tools they need to spot Risk Factors and build Protective factors in children's lives. We offer interactive exhibits and presentations that can be brought in to your area (Missouri, Kansas and Illinois) to educate parents, professionals & other adults who care about kids. Let us know how we can help! (ask about our Grandparent University). For more information please visit https://bit.ly/m/Addiction-Is-Real

https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/10/15/underage-v**e-sales-teen-claims-shops-rarely-check-ids/

A child dabbling with substances under the legal age — and keeping it a secret, knowing they were doing something wrong and against the law

10/19/2025

Appreciate the heck out of KMOV for continuing to highlight stories like this! Please leave a comment on the initial story to help show our appreciation. ♥️

10/17/2025

And that is a wrap for Season 2025 of Addiction is Real, Inc. At Wildwood Middle School in the Rockwood School District! We look forward to seeing you next on February 17, 2026, at Pathways!

Parents/Grandparents/cargivers and teachers attending Teacher conferences were able to tour the interactive Hidden in Plain View exhibit, received our Toolkit books, tons of Narcan provided by MIMH - UMSL and guns locks supplied by a partnership with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs AND a bunch of Friendship bracelets (provided by our fabulous Friendship Bracelet making volunteers) were given away - and made ♥️

Special thanks to Rachel Wagner, a Missouri Baptist University Nursing student! Rachel volunteered her time as part of her program and will be returning (when available) as an employee. ♥️🙌 clearly, we are impressed 🎉🤘❤️

10/14/2025

Team Addiction is Real, Inc. Had a blast meeting so many awesome people at this event in Troy, Missouri last Saturday night! DART Lincoln County, Missouri and Core, thank you for the invitation! ♥️🙌

10/10/2025

Way to go City of Wentzville MO – Government! What kind are you? ♥️🙌