Recovery Month 2016: Our Voices, Our Stories, Our Recovery!

Healing Begins Here

By Kim Fielding-Payne
Staff Writer, Beaches Recovery Services, LLC

Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration  (SAMHSA) sponsors Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover. This year’s theme Our Voices, Our Stories, Our Recovery shines a light on those in recovery who are living full and happy lives along with families who are living self-directed lives and achieving their full potential.

Telling stories of recovery shows others who are experiencing a mental health issue or a substance abuse disorder, or both, that they aren’t alone and that people do recover. Family’s voices are powerful, too. In fact, families and those who are in recovery can help inspire others to take the first step on the path of hope, health and wellness.

Nearly 1 in 10 Americans struggle with a substance use disorder – 1 in 5 have a mental health issue

Millions of people are in recovery. Many more haven’t yet found their way to living a life where they can reach their full potential. Mental health services, addiction treatment, and recovery support services can enable those with these disorders to recover and lead healthy, rewarding, and productive lives. What’s more, the benefits of recovery expand beyond individuals and their families to include entire communities.

What do people in recovery need?

• Access to evidence-based clinical treatment
• Access to health care
• Stable and safe housing
• A job and social connections
• Access to healthy ways to have sober fun
• A sense of purpose

Unfortunately, many face barriers in these endeavors because of the stigma attached to those in recovery. However, there are things you can do to make a difference:

• Talk to local government officials about the importance of the above issues and ask about their plans to remedy them.
• Show support for recovery efforts by attending a Recovery Day event in your area.
• Start and contribute to conversations about prevention, treatment, and recovery services for behavioral health conditions.
• Learn about healthy ways to engage with loved ones who have addictive disorders and behavioral health issues.
• If you need help, take the first step. Reach out for help.

Substance abuse touches all of us. It’s a chronic illness that deserves our attention and care. Recovery is possible. Remember that recovery can—and does—happen and there’s a true sense of joy in recovery. Beaches Recovery is committed to helping people recover and go on to live happy, healthy, and productive lives. If you need help, it’s time to take the first step.

Call us at 866.605.0532. Healing begins here!

Sources

1https://www.recoverymonth.gov/

2  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UNiw9cxCf4

3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeShkiNAI58

4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chjl5JcXoBo

5https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke5hufvcIlQ

6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iutlVHK7-0

7https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeShkiNAI58&index=1&list=PLAWzAhT15N-oUrxnR96aQ3aSkAIWhjlUl