Recovery Month | September 2022

Recovery Month focuses on prevention, treatment, and recovery from addiction and co-occurring disorders. The goal is to foster an understanding of how addiction works and increase awareness that recovery is possible.

Awareness is fueled by education. Participants in Recovery Month educate the public about addiction and effective treatment methods. Many lives have been saved through addiction treatment, and the right care can drastically improve a person’s quality of life.

Sharing recovery success stories is an important part of celebrating recovery during Recovery Month. These stories can be about people who’ve just begun to progress in treatment as well as those who’ve lived substance-free for years.

People with substance use disorder are often met with shame when they admit they have a problem. This stigma can prevent them from getting the help they need. But the education, hope, and compassion shared during Recovery Month encourage them to reach out and believe in a better life.

You can participate in Recovery Month in many ways:

• learn about addiction and recovery
• attend a Recovery Month webinar
• share information about proven treatments and recovery models
• invite friends and family members to recognize in Recovery Month
• spread the word that recovery is possible
• share a recovery success story (your own or that of someone you know)
• encourage people to seek treatment for addiction and mental illness
• treat addicted individuals with compassion
• celebrate a loved one’s progress in recovery

History Of Recovery Month

Recovery Month began in 1989 and was originally called Treatment Works! Month. Its purpose was to recognize addiction treatment professionals who helped people break free from substance abuse.

In 1998, it became National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, which also celebrated the people in recovery and their progress toward freedom from addiction. The movement expanded further in 2011 to include mental illnesses other than addiction.

Until this year, Recovery Month was sponsored solely by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It’s now organized by Faces and Voices of Recovery, a group of organizations that promote healing from addiction.

Recovery Month 2022

Recovery Month historically had a theme each year. In 2021, it was “Recovery Is For Everyone: Every Person. Every Family. Every Community.”

Faces & Voices of Recovery has decided to indefinitely use the tag “Every Person. Every Family. Every Community” moving forward. This change acknowledges that recovery is for everyone regardless of race, class, gender, or sexual orientation. 

There are several informational events planned for Recovery Month 2022:

• Start Recovery Month with a bang by registering for the 2022 Recovery Month Kick-Off. This event will host speakers who share their experiences of recovery. 
• North Idaho Recovery Rally invites people to come together to raise awareness and end the stigma of addiction. 

The COVID-19 pandemic affected all types of demographics across the world. The declaration of recovery being for “Every Person. Every Family. Every Community” encourages people who have never sought addiction treatment to look into their mental health. It also reinforces people currently in recovery to continue with their progress. 

10 Tips For People Seeking Addiction Help

The past two years presented many unprecedented challenges. Maby family members, jobs, and social connections were lost due to the effects of COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, there was a 25% jump in depression and anxiety worldwide. 

This was due to several factors, such as long periods of isolation, overindulgence in media, and financial insecurity. Each of these factors created stress, which some coped with through unhealthy means, such as substance abuse. There was a 21% spike in excessive and binge drinking during COVID-19. 

Recovery Month wants to offer tips and resources for those seeking help for a substance use disorder. Even with limited resources due to the pandemic, help is still available. Read on to learn 10 tips for addiction treatment and recovery. 

1. Find A Substance Free-Environment

One of the biggest influencers of substance abuse can be where someone lives or frequents. If you live in an environment where drug use is rampant or encouraged, it may benefit you to find shelter that is substance-free. Places such as inpatient programs, detox facilities, or trusted friends and family can be viable options. 

2. Stay Away From Triggers

Triggers can be anything that sets off an urge to use. People, social media, and environments can create the desire to indulge in substances. Emotions, such as being uncomfortable or bored, can be triggers. 

Some triggers are avoidable, while others may have to be faced. By identifying and incorporating healthy responses to these triggers, you can avoid resorting to old habits. 

3. Write Down Goals

Unfortunately, COVID-19 provided ample time to develop unhealthy habits. As restrictions lift, there are now opportunities to create new goals. 

In early recovery, physical sobriety is usually the main focus. However, you can still recognize and write down long-term goals. By setting the groundwork now and taking the time every day to work toward these goals, you may see them come to fruition as sobriety continues. 

4. Attend Sober Functions

As the world was sent indoors in early 2020, 12-step groups utilized video conference applications such as Zoom to continue hosting meetings. With the reopening of states, sober people wish to once again socialize. Recovery Month will host many gatherings that feature long-standing and newly sober members. 

5. Eat Right And Exercise

The relationship between body and mind is sometimes ignored. When you eat low-fat foods, such as fish, vegetables, and whole grain items, you help the body balance cholesterol levels. 

Combined with 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity, such as a long walk or playing a sport, you can lower symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues that contribute to substance use. This can curb desires to use and drink. 

6. Seek Mental Health Treatment

One of the cornerstones of Recovery Month is ending the stigma of addiction and treatment. Many people don’t understand that addiction is a mental health disorder that requires treatment. This includes individual therapy, group counseling, and rehabilitation programs.

Seeking professional mental health care can help you better understand the root issues of addiction and teach you how to handle stressful situations, triggers, and cravings. COVID-19 also made telehealth visits much more widely available, so many therapists and treatment specialists offer phone or video options, making treatment more accessible. 

7. Attend a 12-Step Group Meeting

Millions around the world have found long-standing sobriety with the help of 12-step groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Many online meetings popped up during the pandemic and created multi-state and multi-country meetings. 

As other resources were shut down or limited in the early days of COVID-19, 12-step groups provided some of the only online spaces for people with substance use disorders to connect and share. Several of these online meetings are still active. Or, if you prefer in-person connections, find a meeting in your area using the AA meetings locator.

8. Practice Meditation

Stress, depression, and anxiety levels rose for thousands of people during the pandemic. Even though we’ve gained back many of our outside privileges, these issues prevail. By taking time to put down electronics and engage in meditation, you can center an active mind. There are several free five-, 10-, and 20-minute meditations on YouTube you can try if you’re just starting out and want to explore meditation. 

9. Organize Your Time

Some found the transition to normal life from COVID-19 jarring. This can cause anxiety and discomfort, which can lead to a relapse. Knowing what is upcoming in a week or month can help relieve tension and keep your mind at ease. Try buying a planner or whiteboard and write out what every day will look like. 

10.  Ask For Help

Recovery Month was created to provide safe spaces for those seeking addiction treatment. This also includes people who may be unsure if they have a problem. Asking a friend, family member, or mental health professional about addiction is the first step in starting the path of recovery. 

Even though the pandemic started off by separating people, it has now resulted in more in-person and online addiction treatment options than before. Explore some of the resources provided by Recovery Month, or simply start a conversation with someone you trust. Recovery is possible, and help is available no matter your walk of life.