What Is National Recovery Month: The Importance of Raising Awareness
To fully understand what is National Recovery Month, you must learn the history of this monumental and important awareness month. It started in 1989 and is now a major national observance each September, promoting new treatments and recovery practices. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) launched this campaign for public awareness about mental health and addiction recovery, and it’s only become more necessary as addiction and overdose deaths started to rise.
More recently, the opioid crisis affecting people all over the United States gave the campaign even more urgency to continue to spread the word on how to seek recovery as soon as possible with all the available resources. National Recovery Month celebrates the success and milestones of people living in recovery and offers support from their loved ones and community members. Its theme, “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” emphasizes how addiction and mental health treatment and issues affect everyone. In 2024, its focus is on promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatments for recovery.
Why Is National Recovery Month Important?
Once you learn about National Recovery Month, you will then see how it has such an important role for someone who is recovering. It highlights resources, services, and support systems for people who need them while educating people on the severity of addiction, how the recovery process works, and what resources and tools are out there. This month can also create a sense of community for people in recovery and their families and others supporting them, giving them a safe space to celebrate and acknowledge their achievements. Its events and campaigns can also help reduce the stigma of recovery through a supportive environment that encourages more advocacy and better policies.
With its events throughout the month of September each year, there’s more room for research and funding to try newer and essential treatment options. This can make more people who haven’t reached out for professional help see that there’s no shame in getting help at a facility like WhiteSands Treatment. With more admissions into an addiction treatment facility for professional help, there’s a lower chance of someone ending up in the hospital because of an overdose or relapsing, which can be prevented.
How to Celebrate National Recovery Month
Once you realize the reason for National Recovery Month, there are many ways to celebrate and observe it. It’s important to spend time celebrating the ongoing successes of someone currently in recovery, for example. Another way to mark National Recovery Month is to sign up for informational seminars that spread awareness for addiction recovery and mental health treatment. Each year, national, state, and local organizations and groups organize events across the country that provide great opportunities for supporting someone in recovery. Even if there aren’t good local events in your area, there will likely be online streaming options for national presentations and speakers.
This month is all about backing up support systems and people you care about celebrating with, so if you are part of a support group for addiction and mental health, include your peers in these activities. For example, you could organize a group outing to celebrate living in recovery by hosting an event. Even something as simple as hosting a picnic or doing an activity like a bowling night could help people celebrate this month and give their loved ones a chance to participate.
National Recovery Month Events
You might wonder about major events for National Recovery Month in September 2024. According to Faces & Voices of Recovery, one of the events for this year’s awareness month was a kick-off luncheon in Washington, D.C., showcasing the importance of achieving lasting recovery. Another national event scheduled for 2024 was the National Rally for Recovery in Chicago, hosted by the Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition. This free event was scheduled to feature a full day of live music and entertainment, community resources, national speakers, education about recovery, and food and activities.
Another option each year is to participate in International Recovery Day, set for Sept. 30, which brings together people in recovery and their friends and family in support of mental health and addiction treatment. The free online event is celebrated across the globe, with participants encouraged to wear purple and find a way to mark this important milestone.
What Is National Recovery Month? Learn More with WhiteSands Treatment
When someone is in the throes of addiction, they might feel hopeless and alone, even if they have a strong support system. Once they get the help they need, recovery can make them feel that they got their life back. They can even start celebrating and rejoicing their successes during National Recovery Month. WhiteSands Treatment is proud to offer comprehensive addiction treatment services across the state of Florida. Our experts are proven leaders in the field, and we can help people overcome addiction and mental health struggles to achieve lasting recovery worth celebrating. Contact WhiteSands Treatment at 877-855-3470 to learn more about addiction treatment options and start on the path to recovery.
External Sources
- Faces & Voices of Recovery — Recovery Month
- International Recovery Day — Registration
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
