What is Recovery Month?
Welcome to Recovery Month! You may have noticed that some of our content and materials resemble those from last year. We have adopted last year’s theme of “Every Person. Every Family. Every Community.” as our permanent tagline. Moving forward there will no longer be a new theme announced each year. As a result, you may see some familiar elements incorporated into this year’s branding and content.
Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery from substance use and mental health, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
Each September, Recovery Month works to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.
Recovery Month Events
Posting events on the Recovery Month site is voluntary. Therefore, this list is not inclusive of all events that may be happening in your area. Be sure to check your local area resource listings as well.
September Kick-Off
Upload Your Proclamation
Write to representatives and local government officials, encouraging them to sign proclamations in support of Recovery Month. Remind them that this simple act demonstrates a common commitment to improving access to recovery.
2023 Ramstad/Kennedy Annual Award
The first annual Ramstad/Kennedy Award was presented in 2008 during a National Recovery Month reception at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Systems Development Program (SSDP) conference. In subsequent years, the Recovery Month Planning Partners have continued working to focus our national efforts on expanding recovery support for the millions of Americans in early recovery. They work to strengthen recovery support programs through local community efforts honoring recovery; they also continue to help those in their communities who are still suffering from addiction to find recovery and to support the countless hurting family members who are in need of support to address and recover from addiction's impact.
Background: The Planning Partners have witnessed with appreciation as the SSAs have increased their critical role in supporting and promoting recovery and Recovery Month activities, materials and awareness in their states and within their agencies. The Planning Partners (200+ organizations and agencies), energized by the extraordinary and long-time efforts and passionate leadership of the Honorable Jim Ramstad (R-MN-deceased 2020) and the Honorable Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-ret.) in the development, understanding and promotion of public policies to bring equity to care for people with substance use disorders and their impacted children and other family members.
The Ramstad/Kennedy Award was established in 2008 to recognize an SSA Director who demonstrated outstanding leadership in support of recovery and Recovery Month and to acknowledge Congressmen Ramstad and Kennedy for their commitment to recovery and recovery-oriented policies. The 2023 Award will be presented as part of an online event in conjunction with NASADAD Awards. (EVENT DATE TO BE DETERMINED).
To nominate an SSA director, please refer to the criteria below, and complete and return the application form on the next page by 11:59 pm (ET), Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Criteria: Single State Agency Director who has:
Provided outstanding leadership and innovation in promoting the goals of National Recovery Month during 2023, including support of the permanent tagline, “Every Person. Every Family. Every Community.”
Strengthened and expanded Recovery Month activities within their agency and throughout other state agencies.
Provided support to strengthen and expand Recovery Month activities and programs that supported individual and family recovery throughout their state.
Expanded the number and impact of National Recovery Month activities in their local communities.
