What do Demi Lovato, Robert Downey Jr., and Drew Barrymore have in common? They all were addicted to drugs, but once they acknowledged the damage it was doing to their life, they entered recovery.

Now, they're glad to talk about the reality of overcoming addiction and to help others understand the nature of the beast. As Lovato said in a 2014 interview: "It's a mental illness and it's a disease ... people need to have compassion for it."

Even though many celebrities talk about their addiction and recovery, the conversation needs to become more frequent (or happen for the very first time) in families like yours. Here's why:

In 2013, around 25 million Americans over the age of 12 used an illicit drug in the past month; 23.5 million are now addicted to alcohol or drugs; and every 40 minutes someone dies of a drug overdose.

It's happening in every neighborhood in the country.

That's why on November 19, we're calling for a National Night of Conversation — a coming-together of folks you care about (co-workers, friends, family, kids, and elders) to share dinner and talk about addiction.

You and your loved ones can explore how addiction happens, help your kids avoid drugs, and become better prepared to help others struggling with addiction.

It will harness the power of community to help everyone find their best route to prevention and to recovery. That's a dish full of hope!