National Recovery Month 2020 is here!
September marks National Recovery Month, a national observance that is designed to celebrate the progress made by those in recovery from addiction, and to highlight the benefits of treatment for substance use disorders. For 30 years, this observance has been sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This year, however, they turned the reigns over to the real voices of the recovery community, encouraging all those in the recovery journey to share their stories and connect with others.
There are currently more than 23 million Americans in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. And there are many more who are still in need of help. Statistics show that only about 1 in 10 of those struggling with addiction receive adequate treatment. This may be due to a lack of desire to stop using, concern about how it will impact their lives, or simply uncertainty about where to go for help.
The problem is, left unchecked, drug addiction progresses and becomes more and more difficult to treat.
Addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a chronic disease. Much like asthma or hypertension, overcoming addiction requires a lifelong commitment to recovery. When an addiction is left untreated for a long period of time, it typically leads to a progression of the disease – in which a person’s drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms get worse. In addition, an unaddressed substance use disorder can increase a person’s risk for overdose, suicide, or mental health disorders like depression.
While overcoming addiction may not sound easy, it is important to know that recovery is possible. Addiction is a very treatable disease, and can be managed with the help of professional intervention, ongoing therapy, meetings, supportive relationships, and healthy routines.
Recovery month and the Faces & Voices of Recovery are dedicated to promoting the power of addiction treatment, and providing resources for families, friends, and allies who are seeking advice on where to start. According to the official website of National Recovery Month 2020, “Recovery Month works 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.”
Evidence-based drug treatment plays a critical role in the recovery process. It is the safest and most effective way to jumpstart sobriety. Long-term addiction treatment, in particular, has proven benefits. It can lead to improvements in behavioral functioning, decreased criminal activity, and of course, long-term abstinence.
One WebMD article cites Brad Lander, PhD, a clinical psychologist and addiction medicine specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He explains, “The greatest myth about addiction is that people ‘struggle’ with it their whole life, [but] 60% of all people entering treatment for addiction will eventually achieve sustained remission. This number is better than rates for other chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.”
At Turnbridge, 95% of clients who stayed in our long-term treatment (270 days) program achieved at least one year of sobriety. The majority – 80% – went on to achieve two years of abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
Turnbridge’s Recovery Program
If you or your loved one is in need of help, you are in the right place. Turnbridge is a recognized drug treatment and mental health recovery center in New England, helping young men, women, and adolescents overcome substance abuse and mental health disorders. It is our goal to help teens and young adults develop the skills they need to live happy, healthy, and rewarding lives. You can explore our programs through the following links:
At Turnbridge, we believe that every client has the potential for long-term sobriety. It is our job to help them develop the mentality, the determination, and the recovery tools they need to achieve and sustain abstinence. But a successful recovery doesn’t end there. At Turnbridge, we define success as a person’s ability to:
- Self-manage the chronic nature of addiction
- Proactively manage their health, both physically and mentally
- Actively engage in a positive, productive lifestyle
- Set and achieve meaningful goals
- Restore and develop healthy, supportive relationships in recovery
This all, combined, can help those in recovery find a life of purpose, passion, and well-being, without drugs and alcohol holding them back. This September, it is our goal to help those struggling recognize that recovery is in fact possible. And for the rest of the world, we are working to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction, to share the voices of those in recovery, and to educate our communities about the disease of addiction.
To learn about the treatment and recovery programs available at Turnbridge, or to learn about how you can spread awareness this National Recovery Month, please do not hesitate to call 877-581-1793.
