ENID, Okla. (AP) — By almost any measure, Jack Werner, owner of A to Z Inspections of Oklahoma City, is a successful business owner. But, when Werner speaks in public, whether it's about his business or his charitable efforts with Rotary International, he begins with a simple, and to some, shocking, message: "I am an alcoholic."

Werner, who spoke recently at Enid Rotary Club, is among a growing corps of people in the community speaking openly about their struggles with addiction, in hopes of helping others in need of recovery.

In a society where addiction remains a taboo topic, Werner said he'...