35th National Recovery Month

This September marks the 35th National Recovery Month, an observance held every September since 1989 to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible. This year’s theme of celebration is “The Art of Recovery.”

In May of this year, the Office of Recovery launched the “Gallery of Hope: Artistic Expressions of Recovery Across the Nation.” This digital platform features over 280 selected artworks and is open for viewing until September 30. Through inviting visual art submissions from people with lived experience and their families, creative expression as a means of connection, healing, and empowerment is meant to break down societal stigmas and foster greater understanding and support. Categories for viewing pleasure include photography, painting(abstract, landscape and plants, people and animals, and word), or mixed media, and can be found at 2024 Gallery of Hope.

As part of Recovery Month, #AddictionProfessionalsDay is celebrated on September 20, marking the 32nd Anniversary since National Addiction Professionals Day was established by NAADAC (National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors) in 1992 to commemorate the dedicated work that these vital players of the health system and continuum of care do on a daily basis. Visit NAADAC for more information.

According to information published by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), peer support workers are those who have been successful in the recovery process and are able to help others who are experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the daily environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process.

Peer support workers engage in a wide range of activities that include advocating for people in recovery; sharing resources and building skills; building community and relationships; leading recovery groups; and mentoring and setting goals. Peer support roles may also extend to providing services and/or training; supervising other peer workers; developing resources; administering programs or agencies; and educating the public and policymakers.

Peer support workers may need to develop additional core competencies to provide services to specific groups who also share common experiences, such as family members. The shared experience of being in recovery from a mental health and/or substance use condition or being a family member is the foundation on which the peer recovery support relationship is built.

Previously, Recovery Month was sponsored by SAMHSA. In 2020, the federal government “turned the reins over” to the recovery community to sponsor and manage this yearly observance. Although SAMHSA remains an active Recovery Month Planning Partner and supporter, Faces & Voices of Recovery, a long-standing Recovery Month Planning Partner, now hosts the Recovery Month website, managing the social media outreach, developing and disseminating promotional materials, and is the central location for all Recovery Month events. More information can be found at Faces & Voices of Recovery.

Local counseling is available at the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc., at 585-593-6738. Seven in ten adults who have had a mental health or substance use condition are in recovery. Let’s support those in need of services and remember that recovery is real and possible!