National Recovery Month: A Time to Reflect and Support
Thu, Sep 5, 2024 -
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Posted by
Jodi Mitchell
Since its designation in 1989 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the month of September has been recognized as National Recovery Month — a month dedicated to promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the service providers making recovery possible.
As National Recovery Month shines a light on the importance of recovery and celebrates the achievements of those who have navigated the challenges of addiction and mental health, let’s examine what recovery is, the stigmas that prevent individuals from seeking help, and educational events and resources available.
The Importance of Treatment and Recovery
SAMHSA defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.” Recovery can look different for every person and can include medications, peer support, clinical treatment, faith-based approaches, self-care and more.
SAMHSA lists four major dimensions of recovery:
- Health – Overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms. This can include abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medication, if one has an addiction problem, and making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being.
- Home – Having a stable and safe place to live.
- Purpose – Conducting meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society.
- Community – Having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
According to a report released by SAMHSA, 70 million adults aged 18 or older perceived that they ever had a substance use and/or mental health problem. For substance use specifically, 72.2% (or 20.9 million) considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered from their drug or alcohol problem. For mental health, of the 58.7 million adults who perceived they ever had a mental health problem, 66.5% (or 38.8 million) considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered from their mental health problem.
Substance use and mental health conditions impact individuals from all walks of life, and across all age groups. Thankfully, these often-serious conditions are common, preventable and treatable. SAMHSA provides resources for those seeking recovery. You can find treatment near you by visiting findtreatment.gov or drughelp.care.
The Northeast Ohio Opioid Consortium Efforts and Upcoming Event
As the heroin and opioid crisis continues to destroy communities across the United States, including Ohio, behavioral health providers and law enforcement struggle to address the crisis.
The Center for Health Affairs’ Northeast Ohio Opioid Consortium works collaboratively to address the region’s opioid epidemic by sharing and implementing evidence-based practices, promoting policy changes, and increasing prevention efforts. Strategies have included education of hospital employees and healthcare providers across the healthcare continuum, reducing stigma and promoting harm reduction.
On Sept. 20, the Opioid Consortium is hosting an event at The Center’s headquarters in Cleveland, “Using Collaboration to Address the Opioid Crisis in Northeast Ohio.” Designed for Northeast Ohio stakeholders working in partnership to address the opioid crisis, this day of programming will serve as a kick-off for year two of the Overdose Data to Action: Limiting Overdose through Collaborative Actions in Localities (OD2A: LOCAL) grant and will feature presentations on local efforts in response to the opioid crisis, engagement with peer supporters in promotion of recovery, and pharmacologic treatment for opioid use disorder.
The keynote panel, “Innovative Response Models for Treatment and Recovery” will feature speakers from the Cleveland Department of Public Safety, The MetroHealth System and Hamilton County Office of Addiction Response. The convening will also host a hybrid clinical conversation, “Opioid Use Disorder as a Chronic, Treatable Brain Disease,” and this session will be available for virtual participation as well. You can learn more and register, here.
OD2A: LOCAL funds 40 city, county, and territorial health departments to build a strong foundation of cooperation and partnership across public health, behavioral health, health systems, community organizations, and public safety. This is necessary to build cohesive programs that reach people throughout communities and close gaps in access to services.
Breaking the Stigma of Addiction and Mental Health
One of the central themes of National Recovery Month is reducing the stigma associated with addiction and mental health disorders. Despite significant progress in understanding these issues, stigma remains a strong barrier that can discourage individuals from seeking help.
In the path of addiction recovery, stigma can be separated into several types, including:
- Public stigma: The negative attitudes and beliefs held by the public toward individuals with addiction issues. These can contribute to a negative social perception and deter individuals from seeking help due to fear of judgement or discrimination.
- Self-stigma: Can include feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy. These negative beliefs can make it more difficult to seek treatment or embrace the recovery journey.
- Institutional stigma: This is embedded in policies, practices, and structures such as healthcare systems or legal systems, making it more difficult to access necessary resources and support.
By encouraging the sharing of stories of recovery and promoting open dialogue, the month aims to challenge misconceptions and help build a more compassionate society. Instead of viewing a person dealing with addiction and mental health disorders as someone with moral failings or personal weaknesses, the month asks us to view them as individuals dealing with medical conditions deserving of empathy and support.
Recently recognized with a Viddy Gold Award, The Center for Health Affairs’ 2023 documentary, Igniting Compassion, was created to allow people in recovery and clinicians who care for patients with addiction to share their stories in an effort to combat stigma. Along with a series of video shorts, including one featuring a recovery journey and another that speaks directly to the topic of medical stigma from a physician’s vantage point, this project personalizes the opioid epidemic with the ultimate goal of reducing compassion fatigue among clinicians.
Resources Surrounding National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month is a powerful reminder of the progress made — and still needed — and the collective effort required to support those on the path to recovery. By recognizing achievements, breaking stigmas and barriers, and fostering a supportive environment, we can all contribute to a society where recovery is possible and celebrated.
SAMHSA provides access to resources that promote physical and emotional well-being, emphasize the importance of stable home environments, encourage individuals in recovery to engage in meaningful activities, and highlight the vital role of social connections in fostering and sustaining recovery. You can find treatment learn more about National Recovery Month at SAMHSA’s website.