As we mentioned last week, the month of September is National Recovery Month. The goal of Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. Following Recovery Month is National Substance Abuse Prevention month, during October, which focuses on the role substance abuse prevention plays in promoting safe and healthy communities.
Both the months of September and October provide great opportunities for us all to learn more, serve more and work together more to address the serious effects of drugs and alcohol in the lives of so many people. Not only are the people who use drugs affected, but often times, their families, loved ones, friends, co-workers, employees and neighbors are impacted as well. As substance abuse treatment and education providers, our role is to first help prevent substance abuse through awareness and education. However, we also provide services for people who are on the path to recovery with treatment and referrals for long term rehabilitation when necessary.
Because we experience first hand the dangers inherent with substance abuse, we take prevention seriously. But how effective is prevention if we still see people who abuse drugs and alcohol? This is a tough question to answer, and an even tougher to problem to solve. Nonetheless, we know that prevention before abuse becomes a problem is effective in helping people make better, more positive decisions in life.
Substance Abuse Prevention effectively:
- Educates both the person using drugs as well as the community to work together to get help
- Corrects the behavior of participants by educating them on the consequences of addiction as well as encouraging them to live healthier lifestyles
- Provides the basis of intervention, to encourage people to step in and get help for someone they know who is using drugs
We’ll be sharing more about substance abuse prevention during the month of October. Be sure to visit our website for more resources and information. In the meantime, learn more about how you can get involved with Recovery Month activities.
Want To Get Involved With Recovery Month?
Here are a few resources:
1. Read & Watch Their Stories
Read and watch the powerful stories and hear from people who have recovered from the use of drugs and alcohol.
2. Volunteer And Participate
There are several events across the country taking place throughout the year to create awareness about recovery as well as encourage people suffering from substance abuse to get help. Click here to find an event in your area.
3. Sign The Proclamation
Encourage your local government officials to sign an official proclamation that designates September as National Recovery Month (Recovery Month). When local officials publicly sign such a statement, public attention is drawn to your Recovery Month events and activities, and the community as a whole recognizes that local governments are committed to improving citizens’ access to treatment programs for alcohol and drug use disorders.
Proclamations can be issued by governors, state legislatures, municipalities, counties, cities, or towns. Currently in North Carolina, the state has adopted the proclamation, but only 3 cities have a Recovery Month Proclamation in place. Let’s work together to spread the message of Recovery in every city. Click here to get a proclamation for your area.