During the month of September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors National Recovery Month. This is the time of year in which SAMHSA, government agencies, addiction recovery services, private entities, and community organizations come together to celebrate those in recovery and create awareness for individuals and families struggling with addiction.
The observance reinforces the message that addiction recovery and behavioral health is vital to a person’s overall sense of wellness and physical health. It is important for the public to know that addiction treatment is effective and that prevention does work. Regardless of the stigma against professional treatment, addiction treatment centers in Maryland are changing lives every day.
What is the Purpose of National Recovery Month?
Many of the successes that come about as a result of addiction treatment go largely unnoticed. While part of this is due to the anonymity highly valued by treatment centers and clients alike, another reason is that addiction treatment is not a popular subject to bring up.
However, individuals and families who have gone through recovery are a testament to the quality of treatment that service provides in the community. Recovery Month strives to get the word out to the communities by giving individuals, families, and friends a platform for sharing their successes. September also provides an opportunity for treatment centers to help communities gain a better understanding of what substance abuse treatment programs are all about.
What’s New in 2020?
Each year, National Recovery Month creates a new theme and focus surrounded around the same message, which is to highlight the successes of addiction recovery services. This year’s theme is:
“Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections”
The theme serves as a reminder for those in recovery that they have the support they need to overcome their addiction and to celebrate each success along the way. Instead of focusing on what could have been differently, those in recovery move forward with hope for the future and a new life free from addiction.
Also new in 2020 is the announcement that Faces & Voices of Recovery will be sponsoring Recovery Month, as SAMHSA is stepping down. This changing of the guard will breathe new life into Recovery Month and create even more awareness about what addiction treatment facilities are doing for those in need of recovery.
How to Celebrate Recovery Month
There are several ways that you can help out and celebrate National Recovery Month, including:
- Share your addiction recovery story: Whether you attend a local event, write a blog, or post something on your social media page, you can share your addiction recovery story. Sharing your story gives others hope and courage to move forward with their recovery.
- Attend or host an event: Are you looking for an event to attend in September? If so, you can go to the SAMHSA website and find events that are happening in your area. If you don’t see anything in your area, you may want to gather some friends and organize an event.
- Write to your government officials: One of the most effective ways to create more awareness for addiction treatment is to write to your local, state, or national government officials and express the need for greater commitment to addiction treatment.
Learn More About National Recovery Month at TruHealing Gaithersburg
At TruHealing Gaithersburg, we are dedicated to helping those who are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Our addiction treatment therapies are designed to promote lifelong recovery from addiction and mental health issues.
We fully support National Recovery Month and want to continue celebrating those in recovery. To find out more about our addiction treatment therapies or how you can get involved in Recovery Month, contact TruHealing Gaithersburg at (833) 625-0398.