National Recovery Day 2021

National Recovery Day 2021 is on September 30. Each September, National Recovery Month serves as a time to celebrate and honor those in recovery for substance abuse and mental health.

Recovery Month is dedicated to promoting the personal and societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery.

During this time, nonprofits, government organizations, and others promote and support:

• finding new, evidence-based treatment and recovery practices
• creating a strong, empowered community of individuals in recovery
• mental health and addiction treatment providers that make recovery possible

This year’s theme is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” a reminder that recovery is for everyone.

We should all be involved in ending the gatekeeping of addiction treatment, eliminating barriers to recovery, creating inclusive spaces, and broadening our understanding of recovery.

The Goal Of National Recovery Month

This time of celebration exists to embolden Americans to pursue recovery, and support their loved ones and community members to do the same.

Recovery Month reduces some of the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders by creating awareness, sharing stories of hope, and encouraging treatment.

The leaders of National Recovery Month want to spread messages of hope and positivity, that recovery is possible, accessible, and can help people to live healthier, more fulfilled lives.

What Different Organizations Offer For National Recovery Month

Every year, National Recovery Month is supported by a number of government organizations with events, fundraisers, online campaigns, and more.

National Recovery Month is typically sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

But this year, the government handed the project over to long-time National Recovery Month partner Faces & Voices of Recovery.

Find resources provided by federal organizations here:

• SAMHSA, National Recovery Month 2021: SAMHSA discusses 2021 initiatives for National Recovery Month.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security, September is National Recovery Month – Understanding Addictive Behavior: Find resources on addiction and getting help.
• The White House: This is the statement released to promote National Recovery Month, discussing the gaps still seen in access to addiction treatment among people of color.
• Youth.gov, September is National Recovery Month: Find information on what National Recovery Month is all about.
• Stamp Out Stigma: This organization reduces the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders and is sharing stories and resources for Recovery Month.

How You Can Celebrate National Recovery Month

You can celebrate this month individually, with your friends and loved ones, or at local events.

Events For National Recovery Month

You can get involved by attending an event happening near you. This year, there are many in-person and virtual events, such as art shows, webinars, and music festivals.

You can also plan and host an event in your local community, and submit it to National Recovery Month to get it posted on their calendar.

For a full list of nation-wide events, view this calendar from the National Recovery Month

Participate On Social Media

National Recovery Month also provides materials and graphics that you can share via social media.

When you post about National Recovery Month, use the hashtags #RecoveryMonth and #Recovery in combination with other hashtags.

When you’re promoting a local event, use the hashtag #RecoveryIn[Insert Location].

When you’re talking about destigmatization, use #LanguageMatters.

And use #MakeSeptemberPurple when you post a picture of a person, monument, or landmark decked out in purple, the official Recovery Month color.

Recovery Resources

If you’re in recovery, or you’re supporting someone who’s recovering from mental health or substance use issues, there are many resources you can reach out to for guidance and treatment.

Hotlines for mental health and substance abuse:

• Crisis Text Line: You can call this number if you’re in crisis, including issues related to substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.
• ​LGBT National Hotline: Members of the LGBTQ+ community can reach out to this hotline for support related to coming out, relationship concerns, bullying, and more.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: This is a 24/7 hotline for anyone displaying suicidal thoughts or actions.
• Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call (800) 656-HOPE to get free, confidential support 24/7.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: SAMHSA’s helpline offers free, confidential referrals and information related to treatment.

Finding support groups and treatment:

• Alcoholics Anonymous, Find Local A.A.: If you need support overcoming alcohol addiction, you can find local AA groups with this tool.
• Narcotics Anonymous: This is a 12-step group that offers support for those overcoming addiction to narcotics. Use this tool to find group meetings nearby.
• Cocaine Anonymous: Another 12-step group that offers support for those overcoming addiction to cocaine. Use this tool to find a meeting near you.
• SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: Use this tool to find a mental health or substance abuse treatment center in your local area.

Resources for suicide prevention:

• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: This organization provides many services to prevent suicide across the nation.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, #BeThere to Help Prevent Suicide: Learn about what to watch for and how to seek help for suicide.
• National Institute of Mental Health, Suicide Prevention: This resource offers information on suicide, warning signs, treatment, medication, and more.

Other helpful resources and organizations:

• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): ASAM provides education about addiction, treatment methods, and more.
• The CDC, Stigma Reduction: The CDC provides information about addiction, recovery options, strategies for relapse prevention, and more.
• SAMHSA: SAMHSA is a well of resources to help individuals and communities overcome mental illness and addiction.
• Mental Health America’s (MHA) mental health tests: Find several free tests to self-screen for mental illness and addiction.
• Psychology Today’s Brief Mental Health Evaluation: You can use this online test to self-assess your mental health.
• SAMHSA block grants: These grants can be used to cover the cost of substance abuse treatment.

Find Help For National Recovery Month

The best way to honor National Recovery Month is to seek help for a mental illness or substance use disorder if you or someone you love are ready to recover.

Call our helpline and we can make a referral to a treatment program that’s right for you or your loved one.

Don’t wait to start your recovery journey. Reach out to us to begin the process of healing and living a better life.