National Recovery Month, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) raises awareness that behavioral health and substance abuse treatment can help those suffering lead healthy, meaningful lives.
Support the recovery of your friends and families!
Social support plays a major role in helping people begin and stay on their recovery journey. Peer recovery supports self-efficacy through role modeling by those who have traveled the same path. Ongoing peer recovery support can help individuals regain meaning, purpose, and positive social connections.
How can I support them?
• Practice active listening, understanding, patience, and encouragement of them in their recovery journey.
• Help to eliminate the stigma! Join the Bergen County STIGMA-FREE initiative to inform other people so they understand the facts about mental and/or substance abuse disorders as chronic illnesses that require treatment and that recovery is attainable.
• Support recovery as an ongoing process and stay involved! Make and maintain your own commitment to getting support, and continue to show that you are concerned about their successful long-term recovery.
• Share information about support groups and recovery programs to your friends and family. Considering joining your friend/family member in recovery at an open community based support meeting.
Source:
National Recovery Month. September 2015. http://www.recoverymonth.gov/ supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
