Let’s celebrate those who have completed recovery, and encourage others who need it

September is Recovery Month. We celebrate those who have found recovery from substances like drugs and alcohol, and we give hope to those that are still struggling. While I’m not in recovery, I have at least three close family members who are. From that side of things, I recognize the anger and fatigue involved in dealing with someone who can’t seem to make better decisions. On the other hand, I can’t say no to chocolate or coffee. Or, God forbid, coffee with chocolate.

In that way, I can empathize with the struggle to recognize that my behavior is bad for me but still be unable to give it up. I have also felt the unrelenting pain of knowing that my love wasn’t enough to make someone stop using. I don’t have all the answers. In the end, I have come to a place where I understand substance use is not a one-cause phenomenon and there is no one-person solution.

What is clear is that we have a community problem with substance use and we need community solutions to protect our children, prevent more from succumbing and promote recovery. One way to do that is to celebrate the successes and keep doors open for those who need recovery.

At the National Comprehensive Opioid Stimulant and Substance Use Program Forum this month, I heard several times from people that spoke eloquently about substance use disorder as a chronic health condition. One that requires ongoing support and care. A stark contrast from how we deal with substance use most days when we let ourselves believe that person must just be weak. However, it makes sense to me when they frame it as you don’t give a person with high blood pressure six months’ worth of medication and tell them that’s how long they must get their behavior in order. You don’t refuse to pay for insulin if a patient with diabetes eats a cupcake.

I have seen recovery. I know it exists. I know the miraculous benefits it provides. Those benefits might on its face seem just to apply to the person in recovery. However, a person in recovery is a person who can make amends to the people they have hurt. A person in recovery can get a job that supports them and their families. They can pay taxes. They can raise their children. People in recovery are integral to our community.

The miracle of recovery gives me hope. Hope that I feel obligated to share with those that cannot find theirs. I fundamentally understand that people cannot recover without hope. They cannot recover if we allow them to die. We all have an obligation to do our part to support recovery. Our community cannot thrive without all of us.