Honoring those who have overcome the darkness and found a brighter path.
September is recognized each year as National Recovery Month, a time where we acknowledge and applaud the efforts and advancements that have been made in the treatment of addiction and in raising awareness about substance abuse. During Recovery Month, we celebrate the progress that countless people have made in overcoming their compulsive behaviors, the millions of lives that have been saved, and the overall betterment of our society in building a healthier and more positive place for all of us to live. From the stories that we share of emerging victorious over substance abuse, we are able to draw strength and support, encouragement and optimism. As the 2015 National Recovery Month draws to a close, it is important to remember that fighting the battle against addiction to drugs and alcohol is a year-round occupation.
Having battled my own substance abuse issues, which spanned over a decade, and finally overcoming them after finding a treatment program that actually worked for me, I have an understanding of the obstacles that face those travelling the same path that I did – the kind of understanding that only another person who has battled addiction can have. From the downward spiral to hitting rock bottom to clawing my way back out of that deep and dark hole, I understand exactly what the patients at my recovery centers, and, indeed, anybody who may find themselves fighting that battle, are experiencing. It is no easy task, and remaining drug-free after treatment can sometimes be even more difficult. That is why the recognition and celebration of overcoming those struggles, such as we see during National Recovery Month, is so important. By giving credit where credit is due, we can help to keep the positive energy flowing in the lives of those who have made it through to the other side.
Millions of Americans have undergone a lifestyle transformation as a result of recovery from addiction. That doesn’t just include those who have struggled with drug abuse or alcoholism. That also includes their friends and family, the loved ones close to them who were also affected by the choices made by a person whose life had been taken over by chemical dependency. Recovery Month aims to honor those transformations and to raise awareness about the continuing battle that our society faces, just as we honor other advancements and the progress that lies before us with other periods of observation, such as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), Autism Awareness Month (April), Mental Health Awareness Month (May), and the many other dedications to creating a better overall society.
It is equally as important to realize that, while there are millions of people whose lives have found a more positive path in overcoming addiction, there are still millions more out there who need our help. By honoring the successes that we see in effective treatment programs at professional substance abuse recovery centers, we are able to offer a ray of hope to those who might find themselves in a hopeless situation. We are able to show them that, even though they feel hopeless, there is always time to turn back. That they, too, can find a brighter path. That nobody, not even them, is too far gone to make a change for the better. As long as they still have a breath to breathe, they can turn it around and find a better way of life.
During the 26th observance of National Recovery Month, I am inclined to step back and reflect on the progress that we have made in the treatment of substance abuse. For example, the recent changes in legislation, which have resulted in affordable health insurance becoming more readily available for those who previously had no coverage, have made effective treatment programs more accessible for those who need them. As more and more research is being done on substance abuse treatment options, we have found many different ways to address the issues surrounding addiction and recovery. And, through and ever-expanding foundation of people enjoying long-term recovery from drug abuse and alcoholism, the stigmas that are attached to admitting that there is a problem in one’s life with substance abuse have been lessened and turning to someone to ask for help is no longer embarrassing or socially unacceptable. Yes, we certainly have come a long way.
But we still have quite a way to go. In America today, we have over 20 million people who are on some form of drugs, whether it is alcohol, street drugs, or prescription medication. Of those people, we have approximately 7 million that need to go into a residential treatment facility, yet we can only bed 3 million. As this year’s National Recovery Month sees its last few days, I urge each of you to push a little more and to try a little harder. Show support for those people that you may know who are in recovery. If you are in recovery yourself, reach out to those who are just starting out on that path which you have already been traversing, showing them the different methods that you have found useful in coping with the daily struggles of life without resorting to using drugs or alcohol, and offering them strength and a shoulder to lean on. Get involved in local groups or organizations that promote a substance-free lifestyle or that strive to rid our neighborhoods and communities of the menace of drugs and alcohol. Inspire those around you to take action, helping to expand awareness about these issues and to encourage progress in the extensive accessibility of effective prevention education, treatment programs and recovery centers.
The battle against drug abuse and alcoholism never ends, even as National Recovery Month comes to an end, until next year. Standing firm together, united as a society, and giving it our all, we truly can make a difference. We truly can be a stronger force in this fight. We truly can beat this thing that we call addiction.
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