National Recovery Month 2022

Title: Overdose Awareness Day
Date and Time: August 31, 2022, 6:30 p.m. (EST)
Location: American University
Sponsor: Dept. of Labor & HHS
Screening: Tipping the Pain Scale

In recognition of and in tribute to those we have lost to overdose, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon, will be participating in a special community event alongside Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh, on International Overdose Awareness Day in Washington, DC on 8/31/22. Join her for the pre-release sneak preview screening of segments from the award-winning new independent film, Tipping The Pain Scale, which is slated to release during National Recovery Month on 9/6/22.

Title: Faces and Voices of Recovery – 2022 Recovery Month Kick-off
Date and Time: September 1, 2022, 3:00–5:00 p.m. (EST)
Location: Virtual
Sponsor: Faces and Voices of Recovery
Speaker: Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
Description: Celebrate Recovery Month with this year’s Kick-Off Event!

The Recovery Month tagline, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community” reminds people in recovery and those who support them, that recovery 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.

Speakers will share their expression of Recovery, as we celebrate the extraordinary impact Recovery community members, families, friends and community partners have made.

Title: Recovery Rally Happens, Sacramento, CA
Date and Time: September 7, 2022, 11:00 a.m.–⁠11:15 a.m. (EST)
Sponsor: Faces & Voices of Recovery
Speaker: Tom Coderre, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use

Get more information about the rally.

Title: National Opioid and Substance Awareness Day (NOSAD) 
Date and Time: September 13, 2022, 12 p.m.–3 p.m. (EST)
Location: Virtual town hall event
Sponsor: Co-hosted by the Brigham Health Program in Opioid and Pain Innovation (POPI) in partnership with the Kennedy Forum, SAMHSA, Shatterproof and the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP).
Description: This virtual event will feature remarks from Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, a panel discussion from HHS, CDC and SAMHSA, presentations from BWH, and testimonials from persons with lived experience. This event is free and open to the public.

Title: Recovery Policy Scholars Visit SAMHSA
Date and Time: September 14, 2022, 10:00 a.m.–⁠2:00 p.m. (EST)
Sponsor: Georgetown University Law Center

Title: National Recovery Agenda Discussion
Date and Time: September 16, 2022, 9:30 a.m.–⁠10:15 a.m. (EST)
Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Building, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Speaker: Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon

Invitation Only

Title: Mobilize Recovery Bus Tour Across America in Washington D.C.
Date and Time: September 16, 2022, 11:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. (EST)
Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Building, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Invitation Only

Title: The impact of discrimination, racism and racial trauma on marginalized individuals living with substance use disorder.
Date and Time: September 22, 2022, 1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Speaker: Victoria Cargill, M.D., MSCE, Assistant Commissioner, Baltimore City Health Department
Description: Discuss the need for behavioral health equity to ensure individuals marginalized communities have access to recovery, treatment and support.

Title: Young Adults in Recovery – Making Small Choices, Every Day
Date and Time: September 30, 2022, 1:15 p.m. (EST)
Location: SAMHSA’s Facebook Page
Moderator: Tom Coderre, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at SAMHSA

This Recovery Month, SAMHSA is hosting a virtual event that will highlight the journeys of those who found the courage to seek recovery support.

Watch the full SAMHSA Live Video (40 minutes, 48 seconds).

Title: 2022 Recovery Leadership Summit, St. Paul, MN
Date: October 2, 2022 – October 5, 2022
Sponsor: Faces & Voices of Recovery
Speaker: Dona Dmitrovic, Senior Advisor on Recovery

Get more information about the summit.

Throughout the month of September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be bringing awareness to #RecoveryMonth and promoting its “Young Adults in Recovery — Making Small Choices, Every Day” event. 

Any combination of the following hashtags can be used throughout all social media posts: #RecoveryMonth, #RecoveryIsPossible #RecoveryJourney

Animations

You Got This

Post Copy: September is #RecoveryMonth and we are dedicating this month to supporting recovery for every person, family, and community. You got this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way! Learn more: samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery

 Download and Share (1:1) (MP4 | 267 KB) - 5 Seconds

Recovery Organization of Support Specialists (ROSS) is a peer-run organization in Birmingham, Alabama assisting individuals with a substance use disorder in obtaining and maintaining recovery. ROSS offers peer support to help improve an individual's emotional health, well-being, and sense of belonging.

A single recovery journey has many roads and setbacks, but with the right support, a person can find success.

"I am a person in long-term recovery since September 12, 2018. I grew up in a domestic violence environment, and both my stepfather and mother had untreated substance use disorders. I started using substances in my early teens while acting out in rebellious behaviors. Later I was expelled from school, dropped out of reform school, and began a career in active addiction. This began a journey of jails, institutions, prison, and hospitals. It’s been a long, hard struggle, but I made the decision to try a different way of life. I am now involved in a 12-step program, which has assisted my recovery and been a huge part of my healing process. In June of 2021, I became the first individual to complete the ROSS Internship program. I became a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) last October and now am a full-time employee at ROSS. I am a Call Center Specialist, front desk greeter, and a Recovery Community Services Program Instructor for the internship class. I am so grateful that my career path is no longer one of destruction and desperation and is instead one of meaning, purpose, hope, and love."

RICARES is a grassroots recovery effort located in Providence, Rhode Island that focuses on creating a socially just community for all Rhode Islanders impacted by alcohol and substance use disorders.

I am not alone in this battle and that I have people in my corner that want me to succeed.

"I am a recovering addict from opioids. I am really blessed to have been introduced to RICARES and to have met my peer recovery specialist. Before RICARES, I was using and living without any sense of direction. I knew I needed to stop, but I didn’t really have the knowledge about how to stop or how to get my life to be in a place for me to stop. I met my Peer Recovery Specialist from RICARES at the Suboxone clinic that I used to go to – that’s where RICARES would host groups on Wednesday morning. Immediately, I felt that this was not just a job for my Peer Recovery Specialist; it was a passion.

My Peer Recovery Specialist immediately helped me to get into a sober house, where I still am today. I am currently six months sober, and he helped me give my life the organization and direction that I needed to start my journey into sobriety. I had tried to enter recovery before, but I had relapsed after a few months. For once it felt like I wasn’t alone thanks to him and the program. I felt like I had people behind me that wanted me not only to stay sober but to succeed. RICARES helped me to build a better resume and to take use skills that I had not used before. The program has really helped me get my life on track, I thank my Peer Recovery Specialist and the program a lot for all the good advice and the direction that I need to get my life back into my hands. I can now proudly stand sober and in a better position in life thanks to our work together."

Mountain Comprehensive Care Center's mission is to provide quality behavioral healthcare that offers recovery and hope. Our programs have been developed to address the most pressing issues affecting people from all walks of life within our region of Prestonsburg, Kentucky. We believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.

Helping people gain control of difficulties in their life so that they can focus on what matters the most.

"Before being referred to the Healthy Workforce Program at Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, I held a high position at a university, published several research pieces, and obtained multiple degrees. After a period of mania from an undiagnosed bipolar disorder and periods of substance use, I found myself in several difficult situations, including a pending felony, complete financial dependence on my family members, and untreated mental health issues. Throughout her my year in the program, I was able to complete a diversion program with the court system, which cleared my record of my felony charge. I became compliant with my mental health treatment and produced significant progress. Once I was able to manage my mental health, I felt prepared to re-enter the workforce. The Healthy Workforce Program assisted me with job searches, interview skills, and updating my resume. I was recently offered a full-time position that I plan to accept. After nearly a decade, I will regain financial independence with an annual salary and a corporate position. I am continuing to work with the program as I prepare to relocate out of state and take on the responsibility that will come with this new chapter of my life."

Through three office locations, in-school counselors and community-based programs, Youth Eastside Services (YES) provides mental health and substance use support to ALL youth, birth-22, and their families in East King County (Seattle, Washington), regardless of their ability to pay.

Life has ups and downs but that's what makes us human.

"My pronouns are they/she; I screened into the YES program about six months ago with co-occurring untreated mental health and substance use issues. After enrolling into the YES program for only a short time period, I have already received mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and participated in various group sessions with the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills group and the 7 Challenges support group. My YES counselor has observed that group sessions have provided an outlet for me and helps me connect with peers emerging as a leader in the groups, which motivated me to sustain my recovery. By showing up for others, I have learned to continue to show up for myself. Since starting the YES program, I have not used substances and feel enthusiastic about my recovery. Getting clean and getting my mental health back was the hardest thing. I had things said to me that were not ok, and I blamed everything on myself, but I learned to make peace and leave it in the past. I proceeded to move forward. I truly found myself and where I want to go in life."

A premier provider in Pasadena, California dedicated to healing children and young adults, strengthening families, and transforming communities through quality comprehensive services and advocacy. Hillsides envisions a world in which children and young adults, families, and communities are able to heal, grow, and thrive.

A person’s recovery journey can change multiple lives, including the life of their partner and child.

"I was in the third month of her pregnancy when I was referred to the Peer Engagement & Entry to Recovery Program at Hillside. I had been staying with family and friends while also attending school to become a medical assistant. My boyfriend had been arrested and sent to jail for an extended time, leaving me to deal with the pregnancy alone. I also had a history with substance use and depression. And, although I felt like her life was a mess, I stayed vigilant and was determined to ensure that my baby, my boyfriend and I would soon be together. As the months went by, I worked with Hillsides to secure stable housing using hotel vouchers and donations from Hillsides Youth Moving On and its partner programs. With guidance and mentoring from my Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS), I was able to abstain from drugs and began seeing a mental health therapist. Through Hillsides’ support, I was slowly getting my life on track. In the spring of 2022, I gave birth to my son. In June of 2022, my boyfriend was finally released from jail and was able to see our baby son for the first time. While awaiting more permanent housing, I have continued to work with Hillside and my PRSS to build a better life together with my son and partner."