September is National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. The 2020 Recovery Month observance and theme, “Join the Voices of Recovery: Celebrating Connections” will work to inspire people across the country to recognize the strength and resilience of individuals living in recovery as well as to support those with mental health and substance use disorders to consider seeking treatment. We need to spread the message that help is effective and available and that healthy and rewarding lives are in reach, knowing that our humanity is the cornerstone that connects us all. The Recovery Month observance reminds us that when we Celebrate Connections and share our personal accomplishments and struggles, we combat the stigmas that can impede the recovery journey and send a message to positively impact lives for the better. Together, we will spread the message to people seeking recovery that “You are not alone. There’s hope, help, and support available from others.”
Oftentimes, individuals who experience a mental or substance use disorder feel isolated and alone. It’s important that we offer support to individuals facing mental and substance use disorders. In fact, we need to create environments and relationships that promote acceptance. One of MSU’s strategic priorities for the student experience within the 2016-2021 Long-Range Plan is to, “Ensure all students experience a sense of belonging and personalized connection to Missouri State.” We need to show every person with a mental health and/or substance use disorder we care and they belong.
Why this matters…all Americans are impacted1:
- 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental health changes in any given year
- 1 in 20 adults experience a co-occurring mental illness and addition each year
- 1 in 7 individuals experience addition at some point throughout their lifespan
- 1 in 2 individuals know someone impacted by addiction
Why this matters…recovery is real1:
- 2 million Americans (8.2% of the U.S. population) identify as a person in recovery from a drug/alcohol use problem
- 8 million Americans (12.5% of the U.S. population) identify as a person in recovery from a mental health issue
Why this matters…college students are impacted2:
- Annual marijuana use at historic highs among college students – 7% increase from 2013 (35.5%) to 2018 (42.6%)
- 1 in 17 college students (5.9%) report used marijuana on 20 or more occasions in the past 30-days
- Past month nicotine vaping doubles among college students – 2017 (6.1%) to 2018 (15.5%)
- Rx opioid misuse has significant 5-year drop – 2013 (5.4%) to 2018 (2.7%)
- Binge drinking (5+ drinks in a row in last 2 weeks) below 30% for the first time among college students – 28%
Word Choice Matters1: Data suggests that using positive language increases public support for:
- Effective substance use & mental health disorder policy
- Additional funding for substance use & mental health disorder services
- Interactions and engagement with those who are affected by substance use & mental health disorders
Positive: | Negative: |
Person with a substance use disorder | Addict or alcoholic |
Alcohol or drug use | Alcohol and drug abuse |
Recurrence of use | Relapse |
Death by suicide | Committed suicide |
Person in recovery | Clean/sober |
Person with a mental health disorder | Crazy |
Image Choice Matters1: Keep in mind there are many potentially stigmatizing labels and images that are used without regard, and oftentimes even with good intentions. In addition to words, the images chosen with covering addiction and mental illness matter.
- Please do not use sensationalized labels and images: chaos, drugs & paraphernalia, criminal, needles & syringes, straitjackets, etc.
- Please use recovery-orientated labels and images: community, treatment and recovery & person
MSU Resources:
- MSU Counseling Center | Alcohol and Other Drug Services
- MSU Online Screening Information (anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, depression/manic depression)
References:
1 Your Choices, Our Lives: A Quick Guide to Fair and Accurate Coverage of Addiction and Mental Illness
2 Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2018