National Recovery Month

Mental health and substance use disorders affect all communities nationwide. With commitment and support, those impacted can embark on a journey of improved health and overall wellness. The focus of National Recovery Month this September is to educate others about substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders, the effectiveness of treatment and recovery services, and that recovery is possible. Recovery Month spreads the message that people can and do recover every day and to celebrate all people that make the journey of recovery possible. Through Recovery Month, people become more aware and able to recognize the signs of mental health and substance use disorders and people in need of recovery services are encouraged to seek help.

The 2021 National Recovery Month theme, “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” reminds people in recovery and those who support them that no one is alone in the journey through recovery. Everyone’s journey is different, but we are all in this together. Check out the comprehensive list of resources below for those looking for help with a substance use and/or mental health disorder for themselves or a loved one:

Addiction Recovery Programs

Alcoholics Anonymous: A fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem (https://www.aa.org/)

Cocaine Anonymous: A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from their addiction (https://ca.org/)

Crystal Meth Anonymous: A fellowship whose primary purpose is to lead a sober life and to carry the message of recovery to the crystal meth addict who still suffers (https://www.crystalmeth.org/)

Dual Recovery Anonymous: A fellowship of men & women who meet to support each other in their common recovery from two No-Fault illnesses: an emotional or psychiatric illness and chemical dependency (http://draonline.qwknetllc.com/index.html)

Heroin Anonymous: A 12-Step program adapted from AA’s 12 steps and concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of heroin addicts (http://heroinanonymous.org/)

In The Rooms: A Global Recovery Community: Information, resources, live meetings and discussion groups for individuals recovering from addiction and related issues (https://www.intherooms.com/home/)

Life Ring Secular Recovery: An abstinence based, secular, and self-empowered addiction recovery pathway offering text, voice and video meetings (https://www.lifering.org/online-meetings)

Marijuana Anonymous: A fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction (https://marijuana-anonymous.org/)

Narcotics Anonymous: A fellowship of people for whom drugs had become a major problem and who meet regularly to help each other stay clean (https://www.na.org/)

Nicotine Anonymous: Information, resources, and access to directories of in-person and virtual meetings for those struggling with their nicotine use (https://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/)

Refuge Recovery: Program grounded in the belief that Buddhist principles and practices create a strong foundation for a path to freedom from addiction (https://www.refugerecovery.org/)

Unity Recovery: Virtual meetings for those in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders and/or their loved ones (https://unityrecovery.org/digital-recovery-meetings)

We Connect: Daily virtual meetings for those dealing with substance use, mental health concerns, eating disorders, as well as any other quality of life concerns (https://www.weconnectrecovery.com/free-online-support-meetings)

Blogs, Forums & Apps

Addiction Guide’s Recovery Blog Post Collection: Inspirational and helpful blogs for men and women struggling with addiction (https://feedly.com/addiction)

The Addiction Recovery Guide Message Boards: A place to share stories and ask questions about treatment for all kinds of addictions (https://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/message_board/)

Connections App: A free smartphone app that is scientifically proven to support patients in recovery by reducing relapse and promoting pro-social engagement (https://www.addictionpolicy.org/connections-app)

Recovery Speakers: Online library of recovery audio recordings (https://www.recoveryspeakers.com/)

SMART Recovery Forum: An online meeting place for those going through the SMART program to discuss their progress and support one another (https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/forum.php#.VlfM3HarRhE)

Sober Recovery Forum: A place where people who are living sober lifestyles after suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction can openly share stories and experiences (https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/)

Helplines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline

  • Toll-Free: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
  • Support available Monday-Friday: 10am-8pm

New York State Hopeline

Partnership to End Addiction

  • Text: CONNECT to 55753 or schedule a phone call at https://drugfree.org/
  • Free and confidential help available for parents, grandparents, or another family member who is struggling with a child’s drug or alcohol abuse. Services include personalized course of action for individuals and families, as well as information and resources. Support is available in English and Spanish.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline

Organizations

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Information, resources, and support for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and their loved ones, as well as those who have lost someone to suicide (https://afsp.org/)

Drug Crisis in Our Backyard: A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families struggling with substance misuse (https://www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.org/)

Friends of Recovery New York: Recovery Support Services: Information about some of the recovery support services offered across New York State (https://for-ny.org/recovery-support/)

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults (https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/)

The Mental Health Association of Westchester: Information, resources, treatment, and support (https://www.mhawestchester.org/)

NAMI Westchester: Information and resources for those living with a mental health condition and their loved ones (https://namiwestchester.org)

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Latest research on alcohol use and its impact on human health and well-being (https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Latest research on drug use and its consequences including pertinent information on commonly abused drugs, emerging trends, and clinical resources (https://www.drugabuse.gov/)

Office of Addiction Services and Supports
Prevention, treatment, and recovery information and resources (https://oasas.ny.gov/)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Treatment, prevention, and recovery information and resources (https://www.samhsa.gov/)

Support for Loved Ones

Al-Anon Family Groups: A mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking (https://al-anon.org/)

Nar-Anon Family Groups: Information, resources, and access to directories of in-person and virtual meetings for friends and family of addicts (https://www.nar-anon.org/naranon/)

National Alliance on Mental Illness Help for Family Members and Caregivers: Information and resources including family to family programs and family support groups (https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Family-Members-and-Caregivers)

Partnership to End Addiction: Information, support, and resources for families pertaining to substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery (https://drugfree.org/)

Treatment Locator

American Psychiatric Association Foundation’s Find a Psychiatrist Tool: https://finder.psychiatry.org/?_ga=1.178573348.1294726899.1456165962

American Psychological Association’s Find a Psychologist Tool: https://locator.apa.org/?_ga=1.122738379.1939913089.1455299072

Buprenorphine Treatment Locator: https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/practitioner-program-data/treatment-practitioner-locator

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

The DAPC is also offering the following webinars during National Recovery Month to help the community learn more about the help and resources available to those struggling with a mental health and/or substance use disorder:

Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention:

Shatter the Stigma:

  • September 29th, 7pm
  • Dr. Jonathan Avery, Director of Addiction Psychiatry and an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, will present along with a panel of people in recovery who will share their stories.
  • Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f2inCU2kS4miYOlR6XSrgg 

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