National Recovery Month
re·cov·er·y
/rəˈkəv(ə)rē/
noun
a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
the action or process of regaining possession or control of something stolen or lost
You may have heard Kenny Chesney’s recording of ‘Better Boat’, which hit the charts in 2018, but do you know the story behind the song?
Better Boat was written by songwriter Travis Meadows and is a testament to his journey in treatment, 12-step community, and recovery. It’s a song with a message for all of us about healing through connection, and provides a few minutes to meditate on what parts of our own boats could use a little TLC today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFFo5b-7bMc
Since 1989, September has been National Recovery Month, a time to spotlight the value and importance of treatment and recovery from substance use disorders.
SAMHSA's working definition of recovery defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
To me, this definition, and the word recovery, means so much more than substance use. For many that I love, substances are a big piece of the beginning of the recovery journey, but just stopping use is sobriety and sobriety is not recovery. Not everyone has a substance use disorder, but everyone deserves recovery. The opportunity to be supported and truly and authentically connect with yourself is vital to living a fulfilled life. Healing past wounds and developing awareness and tools to rely on for future challenges builds stronger families and stronger communities.
For me, recovery looks like intentional daily choices to ask for what I need, take a breath and respond rather than react, and remember that human-ness is not about what I’m doing, it’s about how I am being. Recovery is a daily choice to make for how I want to show up in my own world. I won’t do it perfectly, but at the next step, I can get back up try again to do the next right thing.
People overcome substance use disorders every day. This National #RecoveryMonth, we encourage you to help support a friend or loved one who may be experiencing addiction.
Learn what you can do: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/featured-topics/recovery-SUD.html
#RecoveryisPossible #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryIsForEveryone #RecoveryIsPossible