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It warms my heart to know that there is something called “National Recovery Month.” For far too long, addiction and other behavioral health disorders have been stigmatized as something shameful, which has kept people from knowing about and getting the help they need. The stigma still exists but, things are improving.
Recovery Month 2013 is the 24th year of its observance. Celebrated during the month of September, Recovery Month began in 1989 as TreatmentWorks! Month, and was established as a way to honor treatment and recovery professionals and the tireless work that they do. In 1998, it was re-named National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, and evolved to include the acknowledgment and celebration of people recovering from substance use disorders. Since 2011, September has been known as National Recovery Month and includes all aspects of behavioral health, not just addiction.
National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month is a national observance that takes place every September. It was established in order to educate Americans about addiction treatment and mental health services and to promote these programs as a solution to substance use disorders and mental illness so that people can lead healthy and rewarding lives. National Recovery Month is also a call to action to expand and improve accessibility to effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Recovery Month 2013
Recovery Month 2013 emphasizes the prevention of behavioral health issues, ways to seek treatment, and maintain recovery as part of living a mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy life.
Like every other year, Recovery Month 2013 has a theme: an emphasis on those who have reclaimed their lives and are living happily and healthily in long-term recovery. The theme of Recovery Month 2013 also acknowledges the prevention, treatment, and recovery service providers who make recovery possible. Recovery Month 2013 promotes the message that recovery comes in many shapes and forms and that it is indeed possible to recover.
There are events such as Sober Celebrations, Sober Gatherings to watch sports, there are Recovery Walks/Runs to participate in, seminars, conferences, kickball and softball games, and Recovery Rallies. There is live music, chili cook-offs, talent shows and more. The event is nationwide. There are websites that have all the event information for Recovery Month 2013.
Planning Partners and Recovery Month 2013
Currently, there are 203 federal, state, and local government entities, non-profit organizations and other associations that are affiliated with the prevention, treatment, and recovery of people suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders that make up the Planning Partners’ group for Recovery Month 2013. This group is responsible for the planning, promotion, and sponsorship of Recovery Month 2013.
The Importance of National Recovery Month 2013
The overall mission of Recovery Month 2013 is to show Americans those suffering from addiction and/or mental health disorders can recover and live healthy, rewarding lives. This message can change the face of addiction from one of despair and hopelessness to one of possibilities and success.
The Recovery Month’s message is that prevention and treatment work and that people can and do recover. There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. These successes often go unnoticed by the rest of the country; Recovery Month provides a way to acknowledge and celebrate these accomplishments.
If someone you know is struggling with addiction, give us a call at 1-800-951-6135.
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