Every September, the recovery community celebrates National Recovery Month by raising behavioral disorder and addiction awareness for not only those who have encountered addiction and recovery, but also for the substance abuse counselors, medical community and loved ones who played a part in the recovery journey along the way. September’s Recovery Month provides an opportunity to showcase the resiliency of those in recovery and strives to eliminate the stigma often associated with substance use, addiction and a sober lifestyle.
Substance Abuse in Ohio
Unintentional drug poisonings in the state of Ohio has been the leading cause of death since 2007 and the overdose death rate is among the highest in the country. As recorded in many other parts of the country, prescription opioid overdose deaths have been declining in recent years, while fatalities from illicit drugs laced with fentanyl have increased dramatically. While Ohio overdose deaths declined steadily for about a year following its peak in June 2017, preliminary CDC data reports a nearly 7% increase between 2018 and 2019.
The impact of substance abuse in Ohio reinforces the importance of a strong recovery network during drug addiction recovery, especially during a time when isolation during a global pandemic poses additional risk for those in facing addiction. Recovery Month celebrates this network.
Faces of Voices of Recovery to Host the 31st National Recovery Month
For the last three decades, National Recovery Month has been organized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For the first time, Recovery Month 2020 will be hosted by the Faces and Voices of Recovery organization, a recovery group dedicated to commending every person who has found a way to support someone on their recovery journey.
This year Faces and Voices of Recovery created a new Recovery Month website and is encouraging supporters to add any known recovery events to the National Recovery Month calendar.
Every year Recovery Month focuses on a theme. The theme of Recovery Month 2020 is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections,” which acknowledges and emphasizes the significance of connections during recovery, even during times of global crisis.
Recovery Month 2020 in Ohio
Traditionally, Ohio has held numerous recovery events located around the state to observe National Recovery Month. This year, due to the restrictions in place to limit exposure to COVID-19, many of the recovery support services and recovery month events in Ohio have moved into a virtual space.
Embracing Recovery Month During COVID-19
The recovery community has been able to support recovery from substance abuse by offering online recovery meetings and promoting virtual recovery events. Ideas for Recovery Month activities online include
- Hosting virtual fundraisers
- Hosting virtual events like 5ks, artistic competitions that showcase recovery, and
- Participate in social media campaigns that gather support for Recovery Month by promoting awareness of overcoming behavioral disorders and substance abuse.
Social media and the internet have opened the door for anyone who wants to become an advocate of recovery or offer peer recovery support in Ohio. Internet users can promote mental health awareness, overcoming substance use disorders, or become a connection in recovery by simply posting messages that support their cause and including recovery hashtags like #RecoveryMonth2020 and #NRM2020. Additionally, The Recovery Village Columbus offers a free platform for organizing online recovery meetings and chat rooms whenever you feel the need to connect and recover together.
Recovery Resources in Ohio
The Recovery Village Columbus offers an Ohio recovery resource guide by county. Each county section includes contact information for local Ohio Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous Ohio, SMART Recovery locations in Ohio, and Al-Anon or Nar-Anon Ohio Meeting locations.
Recovery Support at The Recovery Village Columbus
The Recovery Village Columbus understands that recovery from addiction is difficult and often requires professional support. Our experienced, compassionate staff of addiction medicine professionals are ready to help you start your recovery journey, from medical detox to residential or outpatient substance abuse treatment to recovery support for life after treatment.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Recovery Village Columbus has adjusted our drug and alcohol rehab programming to meet social distancing recommendations by offering teletherapy and a virtual space for online recovery meetings and support.
If you or someone you know could benefit from help with behavioral disorders or drug rehab in the Ohio area, contact us for more information regarding addiction treatment that meets your needs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Drug Overdose Mortality by State.” April 2020. Accessed August 22, 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Vital Statistics Rapid Release – Provi[…]verdose Death Counts.” 2020. Accessed August 23, 2020.
Ohio Department of Health. “Drug Overdose.” January 2020. Accessed August 22, 2020.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.