OVERVIEW
Held annually in September, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month), is sponsored by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The month-long observance unites public and private sector partner organizations nationwide in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with treatment of substance abuse and to advocate for better policies and infrastructure to increase access to treatment. Recovery Month also celebrates people in recovery and those who serve them. Each year, Recovery Month provides a platform for thousands of treatment programs around the country to celebrate their successes and share them with their neighbors, friends and colleagues in an effort to educate the public about treatment, how it works, for whom, and why.
In support of these efforts, CSAT and as many as 70 or more public and private sector partner organizations develop and distribute a Recovery Month kit to various national and local organizations; Federal, state and local government agencies and officials; grantees; professional treatment associations; and private treatment organizations. This user-friendly, comprehensive package of materials is designed to assist the recipients with localized efforts to promote treatment effectiveness to the media, key constituency groups, and special audiences, and through its theme, encourage communities to invest in addiction treatment services.
The kit is filled with resources for individuals seeking substance abuse and treatment information. A sample proclamation is provided to encourage national, state and local governments to dedicate September as Recovery Month in their jurisdictions. In addition to the kit, CSAT produces a large commemorative Recovery Month poster and 8.5" x 11" fliers used in mailings and conference exhibits prior to distribution of the printed kits.
CSAT hosts a Recovery Month interactive web site where materials are downloaded or ordered, news is distributed, and events are posted by locality. During Recovery Month, various events are held across the country; the activities are numerous and vary according to the resources and effort put forth by the national and local sponsors. For example, CSAT hosts a national kick-off media event in Washington, D.C. and a live web chat concerning Recovery Month and treatment. Activities taking place at the local level include community forums at which experts and legislators host a dialogue about local addiction treatment issues; health and information fairs sponsored by concerned community organizations; and other creative community-based events, such as Walks and Runs. Many communities also focus their efforts on the placement of special news features about people in recovery and the promotion of radio and television coverage about addiction treatment-related issues.
To complement the local media efforts, CSAT produces broadcast and print public service announcements (PSAs) that highlight the effectiveness of treatment and encourage individuals with substance abuse problems and/or their loved ones to call CSAT's 24-hour, toll-free National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP. Each year, a new theme or emphasis is selected for the Recovery Month observance and both the kit and the PSAs address the theme.
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