Every September, organizations and individuals across the United States celebrate National Recovery Month. Started in 1989 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Recovery Month gives health and addiction service professionals the opportunity to educate the general public about issues surrounding substance abuse.
Likewise, these organizations can provide tools that equip communities to reduce stigma and bring hope and help to those struggling with substance abuse and other life-controlling issues. In addition to education, Recovery Month also provides an opportunity for those in recovery to celebrate and share their unique journeys in breaking the chains of substance abuse.
In 2020, SAMHSA turned Recovery Month over to Faces & Voices of Recovery, a nonprofit dedicated to educating, organizing, and mobilizing the recovery community and its supporters to promote recovery resources throughout the nation. Faces & Voices maintains a Recovery Month website, hosts and promotes events, and selects a unique theme for each year. The 2021 Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”
In their annual toolkit (click here for the toolkit in Spanish), Faces & Voices explains, “[R]ecovery belongs to all of us. We are all called to end gatekeeping and welcome everyone to recovery by lowering barriers to recovery support, creating inclusive spaces and programs, and broadening our understanding of what recovery means for people with different experiences.” The Adult & Teen Challenge National Office recognizes the reality of this statement. To promote the diverse experiences of those in our community, we will publish blogs throughout the month of September highlighting unique perspectives and programs within ATC.
Looking to bring recovery to your community? Many ATC centers and corporations celebrate Recovery Month via social media and blog posts, volunteer opportunities, and community events. If you are interested in participating, or if you or a loved one are looking to start the journey toward recovery, you can connect with centers near you using our website’s Find a Program tool. You can also check out Ready Now Recovery, our support group ministry. A great way to get involved in bringing recovery to your community is to become a group facilitator.
Stay on the lookout for ATC’s Recovery Month blog series, where we will celebrate and showcase God’s grace and transformative power through recovery!
