September is National Recovery Month! This is a month that is filled with gratitude and sharing.
National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.
Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. The observance reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.
“There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery, I’m proof of that,” noted Mr. Sell, a Nationally Certified Addictions Recovery Coach and Professional Interventionist who recently celebrated 27 years of sobriety.
“Since these successes often go unnoticed by the broader population, Recovery Month provides a vehicle for everyone to celebrate these accomplishments,” he added.
Recovery Month encourages those in recovery to speak about the gains made while in recovery and to share their success stories with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues. In doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and furthers a greater understanding of the diseases of mental and substance use disorders.
The New York Times recently reported “Bleak New Estimates in Drug Epidemic” stating that there were a record number of drug overdose death in 2017, reflecting a staggering 10 percent increase.
Drug overdoses killed about 72,000 Americans last year, according to new preliminary estimates from the Centers for Disease Control. The death toll is higher than the peak yearly death totals from H.I.V., car crashes or gun deaths.
“We hope to promote the message that recovery in all of its forms is possible,” Dr. Sell voiced. “200 people dying every day is just unbelievable, we want to help in any way we can.”
Analysts pointed to two major reasons for the increase: A growing number of Americans are using opioids, and drugs are becoming more deadly. It is the second factor that most likely explains the bulk of the increased number of overdoses last year.
Mr. Sell commented, “I agree, the opioid crisis is super sad. But, we also shouldn’t forget about the nearly 90,000 people who die from alcohol-related illnesses or accidents every year either.”
The couple said that by sharing inspiring stories like Mr. Sell‘s, they are trying help people from all walks of life find the path to hope, health, and wellness.
