Getting help for your addiction to drugs or alcohol is a critical first step toward your recovery. Addiction treatment can help you understand the underlying causes of addiction and guide through strategies and techniques that will enable you to live a healthier life. September is National Recovery Month, a time to focus on continuing to put your addiction behind you and a more successful future in front of you.
Celebrating National Recovery Month
This year’s National Recovery Month theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections.” Although there are millions of Americans who have been able to transform their lives through addiction treatment programs, those successes often go unnoticed. September’s Recovery Month emphasizes that your success should be celebrated. These successes and the stories behind them also help to increase awareness and further a greater understanding of the disease of substance use disorder.
Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month works to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible. The theme of connections reminds us all that you cannot do this alone and that you do have the help and support you need along the way.
Supporting Recovery
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) emphasizes that recovery is a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. There are four major dimensions that support recovery:
- Health—overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms and making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being.
- Home—having a stable and safe place to live.
- Purpose—conducting meaningful daily activities and having the independence, income, and resources to participate in society.
- Community—having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
It is the community of connections that forms the basis for this year’s focus, encouraging everyone to “Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections.” The process of recovery is supported through relationships and social networks. This often involves family members who become the champions of their loved one’s recovery. Families of people in recovery may experience adversities that lead to increased family stress, guilt, shame, anger, fear, anxiety, loss, grief, and isolation.
The Importance of Resilience and Hope
In addition, SAMHSA explains that hope, the belief that these challenges and conditions can be overcome, is the foundation of recovery. Each person’s path toward overcoming addiction is different. However, each path is typically characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness that may involve setbacks.
Those setbacks are a natural part of life, and so being able to pick up and continue moving forward is also a key component of recovery. The concept of resilience is also vital for family members who need access to intentional supports that promote their health and well-being. Families of people in recovery may experience adversities that lead to increased family stress, guilt, shame, anger, fear, anxiety, loss, grief, and isolation. The support of peers and friends is also crucial in engaging and supporting individuals in recovery.
Meaningful Elements
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) conducted a study to determine the most meaningful elements of recovery. ASAM’s study results are also a useful tool for reducing the stigma that is associated with addiction, because the definition clearly demonstrates the many positive “ways of being” that define recovery. Here are a few examples of those elements, describing recovery as:
… being honest with myself
… being able to enjoy life without drinking or using drugs like I used to
… living a life that contributes to society, to your family or to your betterment
… being the kind of person that people can count on
… being about giving back
… striving to be consistent with my beliefs and values in activities that take up the major part of my time and energy.
CONTACT BRC RECOVERY FOR HELP
Addiction to drugs or alcohol is a chronic, progressive disease. Acceptance of your addiction is not a failure; rather it is the first step to a successful recovery. At BRC Recovery, our team of experts focuses on holistic healing so you can experience real recovery from your addiction.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we offer a safe, clean environment so you can continue receiving the highest quality of care. To learn more about our services and to get the help you need, please call BRC Recovery 1-866-291-2676 to speak to our team.