September marks the beginning of the 32nd annual ‘National Recovery Month,’ a holiday first developed in 1989 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The holiday was first developed to increase awareness surrounding mental health and addiction and to celebrate those who had successfully overcome addiction. Every year the celebration carries a specific theme and provides major recovery organizations with a toolkit geared towards helping people who have been struggling with mental illness and substance abuse.

According to their website, “National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery 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.”

At Guardian IOP we proudly celebrate National Recovery Month and all of our staff members and alumni who have overcome addiction and gone on to live fulfilling, sober lives. We know how important it is to provide people who have been struggling with addiction with accessible and effective treatment options and recovery resources. Our IOP programs in South Florida and New Jersey  have helped countless people of all ages and walks of life go on to lead the lives they deserve. To learn more about National Recovery Month or to learn more about intensive outpatient treatment options in your area, contact us today.

National Recovery Month 2021

Why is this national holiday so important? Unfortunately, the majority of people who struggle with addiction and mental health concerns fail to seek the professional help they need. This is not because recovery resources are unavailable to them. In most cases it is simply because they are unaware of the recovery resources in their area, or because they feel they are “not ready” to get clean and sober.

In 2015 SAMHSA reported there were roughly 21.7 million people in the U.S. who needed professional addiction treatment. Of these people, only 10.8 percent (2.3 million people) received treatment in a specialized facility. Despite meeting the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, nearly 90 percent of people failed to seek any level of clinical care.

National Recovery Month helps break the stigma surrounding addiction while providing people with the resources, encouragement and support they need to take the first step. At Guardian IOP we know how difficult it can be to reach out for help. We also understand the concerns and uncertainties surrounding treatment. You might be wondering how you can enter into a program of addiction treatment while tending to your pre-existing responsibilities. Will you still be able to go to work? How are you supposed to tend to your financial obligations while in inpatient rehab? We offer a flexible and effective IOP program, geared towards helping people in South Florida, New Jersey and all surrounding areas develop the skills and coping mechanisms they need to successfully avoid relapse and begin living a life of freedom and fulfillment.

National Recovery Events Online

To learn more about National Recovery Month via the official website, visit Faces & Voices of Recovery. The theme of this year’s holiday is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.” When it comes to active addiction, people who lack firsthand experience and who have never watched a loved one struggle with substance abuse might not fully grasp how devastating the experience can be. Some people mistakenly believe addiction is a matter of weak will-power or simply based on a lack of personal conviction or responsibility.

In truth, addiction is a complicated condition that physically changes the way the brain functions over time. National Recovery Month is important to breaking the stigmas still surrounding addiction, increasing awareness about recovery and celebrating those who have successfully gotten clean and sober. We are happy to share a comprehensive list of online events as well as in-person events in Florida and New Jersey.

Online National Recovery Month events include:

• National Addiction Professionals Day will be celebrated on September 20 as part of National Recovery Month. Started by NAADAC in 1992, the day was established to celebrate the hard work addiction professionals across the country remain dedicated to doing daily.
• Last year NAADAC joined the National Council for Behavioral Health and its partners in hosting a Virtual Recovery Month Luncheon. Over 850 people joined in, and NAADAC is screening the webinar for free on the National Council website.
• The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is hosting a Recovery Month Twitter Chat on September 14 at 2 p.m. View the Participant Guide for more information.
• The 2021 Virtual Toolkit can be found on the SAMHSA website, along with a variety of pertinent information.
• View a comprehensive list of Recovery Month events on the official calendar, included on the Faces and Voices of Recovery website.

National Recovery Month Events in Florida

National Recovery Month events taking place in Florida this year include:

• Broward National Recovery Month – The Recovery Month celebration takes place on September 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Arts Park in Hollywood, Florida.
• Run 4 Recovery – The 3rd annual 5k takes place October 2 in Orange Park, Florida.
• 4th Annual Ocala Recovery Fest – The event takes place September 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala, Florida to celebrate those on their recovery journey and to honor those we have lost to addiction.
• Driving into Recovery Fest 2021 – The event takes place on September 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Daytona Beach Christian Church, and live music, entertainment and food.
• Recovery by the Bay – Recovery organizations will offer resources and support to those in need at the event, which takes place on September 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

National Recovery Month Events in New Jersey

Below is a combination of in-person and virtual events taking place in New Jersey this year for Recovery Month:

• 5th Annual Peer Support Recovery Summit – The event, hosted by the New Jersey Prevention Network, began on September 1 and lasts through the last of the month. Help the Bergen Network reach their goal of collectively walking 24,901 miles. You have options to walk alone, join a team, track progress and participate in the challenge as soon as you join.
• 9th Annual New Jersey’s Walk/Run for Recovery – The event takes place on September 25 at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, New Jersey, and is sponsored in part by Guardian Recovery Network.

Contact Us To Get Help

If you are interested in learning more about National Recovery Month and all of the related events in Florida or New Jersey, you are welcome to use this page as a resource or contact us directly. If you or someone you love is in need of recovery services, contact us today to learn more about our intensive outpatient treatment program. At Guardian IOP we believe recovery is possible for everyone, regardless of what they have been through or how severe their addictive disorder has become over time. The moment you or your loved one makes the decision to reach out and ask for help, one of our experienced and compassionate Treatment Advisors will help you determine which level of clinical care is the best fit for you. Intensive outpatient treatment isn’t an ideal fit for everyone, but it is a great option for people who have recently completed a higher level of clinical care or who are looking for slightly more personal freedom than traditional residential inpatient treatment allows. We look forward to speaking with you and sharing our own experience, strength and hope as we help you get started on a life-changing journey of recovery.