Recovery Month is Every Month

In reflecting on Recovery Month’s research and discovery, I follow a lead and have adopted the theme of Every Person. Every Family. Every Community as a permanent tagline. The Recovery Movement is dedicated to organizing and mobilizing those in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. We urged our families, friends, and allies into recovery community organizations and networks. We promoted the right and the resources to recovery through advocacy, education, and by demonstration of the power and proof of long-term recovery. 

This month Faces and Voices of Recovery held their HUB event in Sacramento, California. It was a great celebration, and The Purpose of Recovery organization was present. Each year Faces and Voices moves the Recovery Month Hub to a different major city. The event was held on September 7th this year and all reports shouted success.

​The political season is well underway, and we should listen for the substance and commitment to do the people’s wishes. There are many events going on. Hold fast to recovery and encourage the telling of stories. Please read the following and see what appeals for action:

September 30th was International Recovery Day and is celebrated every year and is dedicated to promoting recovery efforts worldwide. Founded in 2019, this is an annual observance dedicated to globally promoting all pathways to and of recovery from addiction, and to educate the global public about the value of recovery.  The day is celebrated during Recovery Month as an opportunity to tell the world that prevention works, that treatment is effective, and that people can—and do—recover from addiction.

Recovery Leadership Summit (RLS) held in St Paul, Minnesota, in early October brings recovery advocates together in person or through Zoom. More about this at Faces and Voices of Recovery website. They learn networking and resource opportunities. Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) and Peers have  developed creative approaches to peer recovery support services (PRSS) delivered by hybridizing or offering PRSS in virtual or remote contexts. PRSS are being developed with a desire to be more inclusive and meet diverse needs related to gender, ethnicity, and rural equity, among other local community needs.  Since our beginning, we have looked to support and strengthen our peer support services, and they are going and growing.

Stand up, stand out, speak out, and be proud about it. 

Merlyn Karst, Recovery Ambassador