September is Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Month
September is Recovery Month every year and this year is no different. That means that the focus this month is on the benefits of drug and alcohol addiction treatment as well as the needs of those who are in recovery whether they are enrolled in an inpatient drug rehab, an outpatient alcohol treatment center, a prescription drug detox or a club drug rehab.
What is Recovery Month?
The benefits of drug and alcohol rehab extend well beyond the individual and into his or her family as well as the larger community. Everyone benefits when someone gets the medical treatment they need for drug addiction and Recovery Month shines the light on those advantages of continuing drug and alcohol addiction treatment research and ensuring that those facilities are continually available to those who need them.
Across the country, communities rally in support of drug and alcohol rehab during Recovery Month. According to the Recovery Month website, “the growing support from elected officials, policymakers, education leaders, judges, health providers, the faith community, and many other sectors, result in a public awareness effort of impressive magnitude.” This public awareness helps generate an annual resurgence in raising funds, continued public education and renewed attention to local laws that address drug addiction treatment.
Recovery Month: Everyone Can Get Involved
Local communities of every size participate in Recovery Month. With marches, rallies, tables at street fairs and festivals, and a heavy drive to educate and inform the public on the need for continued drug rehab resources and the local laws that govern substance abuse treatment, there is a way for anyone who wants to to get involved. Recovering addicts can find a forum to share their story. Family members who have lost their loved ones to drug addiction can talk about what might have saved the drug addict in their family and how you can protect your loved ones. Victims and family members of victims of DUI can share their story, as well. Help advertise for Recovery Month events or even just attend and learn something new. Because it is for everyone in the community, events that highlight Recovery Month are accessible to everyone in the community, as well.
Recovery Month: Focusing on the Future
A big part of Recovery Month, aside from keeping the public aware of what’s available in terms of drug addiction treatment and reminding everyone what resources are available, is to push for new change in drug addiction treatment. Whether it’s new laws or new research, if you have a message about drug abuse treatment that you’d like to bring to the public’s attention, then Recovery Month is the time to get it out there. Go online to the Recovery Month website to find associated events in your area or to download a kit for 2009. Friend them on Facebook to help get the message out to your friends and family. Even the smallest action can have an impact.
