September is National Recovery Month
Each September, the United States observes National Recovery Month, which is also known simply as “Recovery Month.” The purpose of this nationwide observance is to educate Americans about substance use treatment and mental health services that can help the millions of people suffering from addiction or mental health issues recover and live healthy, rewarding lives.
This is the 25th anniversary of Recovery Month and this year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out.” According to the Recovery Month website, this theme “encourages people to openly speak up about mental and substance use disorders and the reality of recovery, and promotes ways individuals can use to recognize behavioral health issues and reach out for help.” In a nutshell, Recovery Month spreads a positive message that tells us prevention and treatment work, behavioral health is critical to overall health, and recovery can and does happen.
In his Recovery Month proclamation of August 29, President Barack Obama stated: “For the more than 20 million Americans who struggle with substance use disorders, recovery is possible. Research shows addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, which can be prevented and treated. However, the stigma associated with this disease—and the false belief that addiction represents a personal failing—creates fear and shame that discourage people from seeking treatment and prevents them from fully rejoining and contributing to their communities.”
Consider this statistic: 23 million people each year need help for addiction; but only 3 million actually seek treatment. That leaves 20 million people who are not getting the help they need. Many of these people avoid asking for help because they are afraid or ashamed. The stigma associated with addiction and mental illness is alive and well. And it’s keeping people from getting better.
Events like Recovery Month are fantastic and very much welcome, but we still need to do more. We have to work to break the stigma 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We have to get to a point where people suffering from addiction and/or mental disorders aren’t looked at as bad people trying to get better, but as sick people trying to get well. Our job won’t be done until addiction and mental illness are viewed in the same way as diabetes, asthma, ALS, heart disease, or cancer.
The Heroes in Recovery movement strives to destroy the social stigma that surrounds addiction and mental health issues. By holding events across the country—including several 6K races (that extra K is for recovery)—Heroes raises awareness and sparks conversation. And by inviting people who are in recovery to share their stories online, Heroes sends the incredibly important message that it’s okay to talk about recovery. Real stories from real people can inspire real recovery in others.
During Recovery Month, we need to remember that, as a nation, our goal should be to work diligently to inspire the 20 million people in the United States who are suffering in silence to seek the treatment they need. We need to get the word out that addiction and mental illness can happen to anyone. But, more importantly, that anyone can be a Hero in Recovery. There’s no cape required.
If you are in recovery, or if you have a loved one who is in recovery, please consider commemorating National Recovery Month by sharing your story on the Heroes in Recovery website. By sharing, you can do your part to help BREAK THE STIGMA.
You can share your story in one of two ways:
1.) Go to the Heroes in Recovery page, share your story directly, and let them know Dean sent you.
2.) Contact me on Facebook (Dean Dauphinais) and I can help you through the process. Or we can talk on the phone and I can help you write your story.
Also, please feel free to share this blog or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear any feedback you might have.
Peace.
–Dean