By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO
Recovery can be a long and arduous process. So, during September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes the struggle and triumphs of the estimated 70 million American adults that ever had a substance use and/or mental health problem through the observance of National Recovery Month.
Understanding how critical recovery is to those individuals plagued by debilitating diseases and disorders, SAMHSA launched National Recovery Month in 1989. According to the agency, recovery is the art of managing and gaining mastery over substance abuse and mental health disorders.
“Every September we observe National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate millions of Americans who every day find the strength and courage to reclaim their lives from substance use and mental health conditions,” said Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittman, assistant secretary for mental health and substance use in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the administrator of SAMHSA. “Recovery is real, and it transforms not just the lives of individuals in recovery, but also their families, friends, and others who support them.”
Gregory Mims, who has been living what he calls a “clean and sober” life for the past 24 years, is a testament that recovery is real. Mims is a certified peer support specialist employed by a governmental health department.
“When I began my journey on March 24, 2003, there were guys in recovery that loved on me. They told me, ‘Come on in here and sit down. We’re going to love you until you begin to learn how to love yourself,’” recalled Mims, who said he now returns the love he was given.
The national average for people who reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorders from Feb. 1-13, 2023, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, is 32.3 percent. In the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia the averages were 30 percent, 27.3 percent and 32 percent, respectively.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 105,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. in the 12 months ending October 2023. During that same year, Baltimore City experienced 1,043 drug- and alcohol-related deaths, of which 921 involved fentanyl.
“National Recovery Month is for all the people who don’t think that they can be successful in recovery. They can look to people like myself for inspiration,” said Keith Person, a clinical intake coordinator for Pathways to Housing. Person celebrated his 12th year being clean and sober on Aug. 27.
The National Recovery Month commenced on the heels of International Overdose Awareness Day, recognized on Aug. 31. The Southern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance (SNHRA) hosted its Eighth Annual International Overdose Awareness Day, drawing approximately 12,000 attendees. According to SNHRA, the event aims to commemorate those who have died of the dreaded disease while acknowledging those who have survived.
More than anything, advocates want people to know that recovery is possible; it is real.
“The longer that someone is engaged in the active programming that recovery provides, the better results they will have,” explained Emily Eskridge, detox and residential treatment specialist for Recovery Centers of America. “If they take all the suggestions and utilize everything that’s available inpatient, outpatient, detox, recovery is possible.”
Mims’ journey to sobriety echoes Eskridge’s advice.
“My recovery was possible by way of being open to suggestions from everyone—my sponsors, group facilitators, recovery-based literature–and just actually living the program of recovery,” Mims said.
If you, a friend, or a loved one is in a crisis and looking for support, the National Helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (4357), which provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referrals. You can also dial 9-8-8.
Baltimore City launched a crisis and information helpline in 2015. The number is (410) 433-5175 or (410) 931-2214.
Visit https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month to receive your Recovery Month Toolkit.
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