The History of National Recovery Month: Then & Now

What is National Recovery Month?

As the season changes to fall, September marks National Recovery Month to honor those in recovery and help people struggling with active addiction. This month, we celebrate through events and activities taking place all over the country. Join us as we look back on how National Recovery Month began and how this month of observance sheds a light on drug and alcohol addiction, treatment, and recovery.

History of National Recovery Month

In 1989, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) launched National Recovery Month to increase public awareness surrounding mental health and addiction recovery. SAMSHA wanted to provide those in recovery a time to honor and celebrate their success stories and to illustrate to those still dealing with a substance use disorder that living in recovery is possible.

National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, and to recognize the work that service providers and recovery community members do to make recovery accessible. National Recovery Month also sheds a light on the tremendous gains made by those in recovery and reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to one’s overall health, and that prevention and treatment are effective. People can and do recover, and National Recovery Month celebrates these recovery stories.

Recovery Month Today

Since the late 90’s, deaths due to addiction have continued to increase. In Massachusetts, we have seen opioid overdose rates skyrocket to their highest level, with communities of color increasingly impacted.  There are many Americans whose lives have been affected by addiction and many who have seen their lives transformed through recovery.

Recovery Month brings together thousands of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs around the country to celebrate one another. Many organizations host special events and activities that allow people to share their progress and their recovery stories. National Recovery Month also helps foster greater understanding about mental health and substance use disorders.

Each year, there is a new focus and theme selected for National Recovery Month. This year’s theme, “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” serves as a reminder for those in recovery and those who support someone in recovery that no one is ever alone in their journey. Everyone’s journey may be different, but we are all in this together. Recovery Month will continue to educate, provide insight on the effectiveness of treatment and recovery services and make it known that recovery is possible for all.

If you are struggling with substance use and feel uncertain about where to turn, or are watching someone you care about struggle, we want you to know that there is hope, help and support out there for you and your loved one. Throughout the month, many peer recovery centers will be hosting live and virtual events for all to attend. Be sure to check out local events in your neighborhood and explore what they have to offer. Never feel you are ever alone in your addiction and recovery journey, as recovery is for everyone.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, call the New England Recovery Center today at 1-877-MyRehab to speak with a member of our admissions team, or contact us here.