National Recovery Month 2021
September 13, 2021Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.
September is National Recovery Month. Observing Recovery Month helps to increase awareness and understanding of substance use disorders, increase knowledge of recovery resources and provide support by sharing personal stories of addiction and recovery. This year’s theme for National Recovery Month is Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.
Substance use treatment and mental health services can support those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life. Recovery month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart disease. There are many different approaches to recovery but regardless of how people achieve recovery, their lives, and the lives of those they touch – their families, friends and loved ones – are vastly improved as a result. By expanding our understanding of recovery, we are able to participate in conversations aimed to educate others about recovery from mental health, substance use, the effectiveness of treatment and recovery support services, and provide hope that recovery is possible.
To heal ourselves, our communities must also heal. Personal recovery can translate into collaborative recovery when individuals begin to see their story as part of a larger story. Recovery is for Everyone works to inspire people across the country to transform the “I” into “we” and build bridges between families, communities and groups. Recovery Month reminds us that when communities and people feel empowered, we can engage in healing that extends beyond the individual.
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium encourages all Alaskans to celebrate Recovery Month and spread the message that recovery works. We also encourage all Alaskans to help others by sharing your own recovery story. Your story can help other people who feel alone in their struggles and build community connections. Share your recovery story by emailing ANTHC’s Substance Misuse Prevention team at saprevention@anthc.org.
Note: Recovery stories shared will be featured on ANTHC social media and recovery-related events.
Recovery Month Activities in Alaska
For this year’s event, ANTHC is promoting the organization, Recover Alaska. Recover Alaska is working toward a solution-based approach to reduce excessive alcohol use and harms across the state by making connections, elevating the conversation and shifting perceptions around alcohol misuse.
Recover Alaska is supporting multiple events throughout the state to promote the process of recovery and celebrate those who have made the active decision to live in recovery. A full calendar of Recover Alaska virtual events as well as recovery resources, frequently asked questions, and personal stories of recovery can be found on the Recover Alaska website, www.recoveralaska.org.
Help and resources are available:
• In an emergency: Call 911
• The ANTHC Behavioral Health Wellness Clinic: https://www.anthc.org/behavioral-health-wellness-clinic/
• Substance use/mental health disorders resources in Alaska: Call 211 or visit 211.org
• Treatment options in Alaska: Visit treatmentconnection.com
• Need someone to talk to? Call the Careline at 1 (877) 266-4357
• Local, in-person or virtual support for behavioral health or substance use management needs: Call SAMHSA’s 24/7
• National Helpline at 1 (800) 662-HELP (4357)
• Harm reduction resources and free supplies, including free Narcan overdose response kits and safe medication disposal bags, available at: iknowmine.org/shop
• Recover Alaska: www.recoveralaska.org/