September is National Recovery Month, which means it’s the perfect time to engage with your community, spread awareness, and distribute educational resources about substance use disorder and recovery. Here are a few ways you can join Lakeside-Milam in celebrating this yearly observance.

Become an Advocate in Your Community

One way you can support Recovery Month in your community is by sharing resources and stories with people you know. If you have recovered from substance use disorder, detailing your experience on social media or in support groups can greatly help fellow community members who are struggling with their own addictions. Promoting resources such as recovery programs in your area or helplines for people with mental illness or substance use disorder is another great way to connect your neighbors with much-needed assistance.

Donate to Impactful Organizations

Year-round, not just during Recovery Month, there are many local and national organizations actively promoting recovery through education and increased access to resources. You can donate to groups like The Voices Project, an organization that aims to “end addiction and inspire recovery.” This not-for-profit works closely with people in recovery from substance use disorder, their families, and other advocacy groups in an effort to promote freedom from addiction. Visit their website to learn more about how to spread the word and educate others.

Shatterproof is committed to combating substance use disorder in the United States. They do this by providing resources to communities in the U.S. and advocating for increased access to treatment for addicted individuals. You can donate here to support their mission.

Support Community Education This Recovery Month

StopOverdose.org is another organization fighting addiction by educating the public about substance use disorder, providing legal and recovery resources to those struggling with it, and distributing life-saving kits for emergency overdose prevention (naloxone, or Narcan). Naloxone is a medication administered as an injection or nasal spray to someone who is overdosing on opioids, reversing the potentially lethal ramifications of overdose. Learning how to administer Naxolone and distributing kits to the community can have a big impact on preventing overdose deaths, and gives people with substance use disorder a chance at recovery. Observe Recovery Month by learning where to get a naloxone kit, volunteering to distribute them, or getting more information on the Washington State Department of Health’s Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution page.

Celebrate Recovery Month by Beginning Your Own Journey

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use, now is the time to seek out treatment so you can start the journey of recovery. Contact Lakeside-Milam today to speak with our knowledgeable admissions counselors about avenues for recovery.