September is National Recovery Month: Addiction Awareness Month History
National Recovery Month is an addiction awareness month that happens in September every year. The events surrounding this time of year were developed to fulfill the need to increase public awareness about drug addiction and mental health. National Recovery Month also celebrates the success many people have had on the road to recovery.
The staff at Zinnia Health supports the treatment of various substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health conditions. They often go hand-in-hand, so addressing any dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders is essential. No matter your needs, you can trust that we’ll walk you through every step of the treatment process. For more information, call our 24-hour drug abuse hotline at (855) 430-9439.
What Is National Recovery Month?
National Recovery Month is a special addiction awareness month set aside to support substance use and mental health treatment and recovery. September was established as the month of observance and is celebrated annually throughout the US.
Who Started National Recovery Month?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is credited with establishing National Recovery Month (Recovery Month). In 1989, SAMHSA sought ways to promote and support treatments to help people recover from drug abuse and mental health disorders. Since then, September has been a national observance of awareness building.
Purpose of National Recovery Month
Recovery Month was established for several reasons. According to the SAMHSA Recovery Month website, the purpose of addiction awareness is to promote and support the following:
- New evidence-based treatment and recovery practices
- The nation’s strong and proud recovery community
- Service providers and community members who make recovery possible
As part of Recovery Month, SAMHSA makes an effort to announce various initiatives and grant funding. In addition, there are many collaborations between private and public organizations. They all aim to celebrate individuals and their long road to recovery.
Recovery is undoubtedly a cause for celebration, as overcoming drug abuse or alcohol addiction is hard work. If you’re still trying to get your life back on track, we can help. Contact Zinnia Health to speak to an addiction specialist about how to get started. You can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (855) 430-9439.
History of Addiction Awareness Month
The history of National Recovery Month and Addiction Awareness Month goes back decades. Following SAMHSA’s 1989 creation and promotion of Recovery Month, many individuals, companies, and organizations established their own initiatives and collaborations.
These programs focused on everything, from drug and alcohol abuse recovery to addiction awareness to substance abuse prevention.
2001 CDC “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnered with Faces & Voices of Recovery, an organization formed during the 2001 Alliance Project’s Faces & Voices of Recovery Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their tagline, “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” stands for the notion that any American can recover from alcohol and drug abuse.
2011 Addiction Recovery and Prevention Month Proclamations
In August 2011, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation — National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Former President Obama declared September as Recovery Month, calling on people to observe the awareness month through relevant programs, activities, and ceremonies.
In an effort to reduce substance abuse and highlight the transforming power of recovery, the Administration released a 2011 National Drug Control Strategy to support long-term recovery through research, education, treatment, and community-based support.
That same year, in October 2011, a proclamation declared October as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. The Administration included prevention as a key National Drug Control Strategy component. As a result, it developed the first National Prevention Strategy.
This new approach stressed the power of community-based prevention organizations. It also suggested that science-based practices driven by State and local partnerships with the needs of a community in mind are most effective.
2013 SAMHSA “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign
SAMHSA also established the “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign in 2013. This was a national youth substance use prevention campaign designed to inform parents, educators, caregivers, and others on how to be prepared and prevent underage drinking and drug use.
2022 Youth Substance Use Prevention Month Proclamation
In 2022, the White House published another Proclamation on National Recovery Month in response to over 20 million Americans recovering from substance use disorder (SUD). Along with a recovery focus, the White House issued proclamations in 2022 that were geared toward prevention.
It was reported that a record number of 107,000 Americans died as a result of fatal drug overdoses. The National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month proclamation was made in response to the thousands of teenagers who died from overdoses.
How Is National Recovery Month Celebrated?
Recovery Month is celebrated in various ways as the movement has exploded throughout the US. Some of the ways you can observe Recovery Month include:
- Post on social to promote recovery, treatment, and anti-stigma messaging using social media. Download resources from Recovery Month toolkits. Use #RecoveryMonth, #RecoveryIsForEveryone, and #RecoveryIsPossible to join the conversation about recovery on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Host or attend a Recovery Month event either locally or online. For example, you could host a Recovery Art Show featuring work from those in recovery, plan a Recovery Walk to garner awareness, or develop a RecoveryCon even with speakers discussing healing.
- Encourage leaders in your area to issue their own Recovery Month proclamation. In turn, this helps them to be committed to making changes that support access to addiction treatment and recovery.
- Educate family members, friends, and others about your personal recovery success stories. Or become and advocate and share information about addiction as a public health issue and the importance of treatment.
There are many sober ways to celebrate Recovery Month. Sometimes finding events or starting your own takes a little extra effort.
Evidence-Based Treatments and Practices
The CDC indicates that millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. An SUD is defined as a chronic disease involving drug or alcohol use that causes impairment or distress. Side effects depend on the substance consumed, along with many other factors.
Regardless, it’s vital to seek evidence-based treatment plans, such as some of the following:
- Medical Detox
- Inpatient Rehab
- Outpatient Rehab
- Therapy Treatment
- Residential Treatment
- Sober Living House
- Aftercare
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to recovery from addiction, and treatments aren’t all created equal. Evidence-based therapies are backed by science and designed to help you stay sober even after leaving a rehab center.
Get On the Road to Recovery and Overcome Addiction
Recovery Month is a great time to celebrate the milestones you have achieved to overcome drug or alcohol addiction. While Recovery Month officially falls in the month of September, addiction awareness, prevention, and recovery should be ongoing. From healthcare workers to community members to government leaders, it takes a village to make changes that help save lives.
Substance use disorder is considered a chronic disease. The bad news is that it can lead to harmful side effects, overdose, and even death. That’s the driver for addiction awareness months. The good news is that SUD is curable. You can get treatment right way and achieve long-term recovery, but you must take that first step.
Zinnia Health has just the drug and alcohol recovery program you need to achieve and maintain a sober life. Consider all we offer if you or a loved one are challenged with substance use disorder. Simply contact us online or via phone today at (855) 430-9439.