September is National Recovery Month! Celebrate the Power of Recovery

Every September, millions of Americans celebrate National Recovery Month, a national observance that educates the public about the benefits of substance use treatment and mental health services, and honors the individuals and families who have overcome the challenges of addiction and mental illness. National Recovery Month aims to reduce the stigma and misconceptions that prevent people from seeking help, and to promote the message that recovery is possible for everyone.

National Recovery Month started in 1989 as Treatment Works! Month, an initiative by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to recognize the work of substance use treatment professionals. In 1998, the observance expanded to include mental health and renamed as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. In 2011, the name was changed again to National Recovery Month to encompass all aspects of behavioral health.

National Recovery Month has four main goals:

To celebrate the gains made by those in recovery, as well as the contributions of treatment and service providers, and community members who support them.
To increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders, and the impact they have on individuals, families, and communities.
To encourage those who need help to seek treatment and recovery services, and to support them throughout their recovery journey.
To foster a culture of recovery that values and respects the dignity, rights, and potential of every person.

Each year, National Recovery Month has a theme that reflects a specific aspect or dimension of recovery. The theme for 2023 is “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”, which emphasizes that recovery is a collective effort that involves not only the person in recovery, but also their loved ones, peers, providers, and community members. The theme also highlights the diversity and uniqueness of each person’s recovery path, and the need for tailored and holistic approaches to meet their specific needs.

National Recovery Month offers various opportunities for people to get involved and show their support for recovery. Some of the ways people can participate are:

Hosting or attending a local event or activity that celebrates recovery, such as a rally, walk, picnic, art show, or candlelight vigil. SAMHSA provides a calendar of events happening across the country on its website.
Sharing personal stories of recovery or expressing gratitude to those who have helped along the way on social media platforms using the hashtags #RecoveryMonth, #RecoveryIsPossible, #RecoveryWorks, and others. SAMHSA also provides social media shareables such as graphics, stickers, frames, and backgrounds that can be used to spread awareness and hope.
Learning more about recovery and how to help someone who is struggling with a mental or substance use disorder. SAMHSA offers resources such as fact sheets, infographics, videos, podcasts, webinars, and publications that provide information on various topics related to recovery.
Advocating for policies and practices that support recovery at local, state, and national levels. SAMHSA encourages people to contact their elected officials and urge them to invest in prevention, treatment, and recovery services; to eliminate barriers to access and coverage; and to protect the rights and dignity of people in recovery.

National Recovery Month is a time to celebrate the power of recovery and the resilience of those who have overcome addiction and mental illness. It is also a time to raise awareness and understanding of these issues and to inspire hope and action for those who are still suffering. By joining together as a nation, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of people who deserve a chance to recover and thrive.