A Beacon of Hope and Community

National Recovery Month in New Hampshire

By:  Donna Marston – CRSW, Sharing With Out Shame

National Recovery Month happens every September. It is a time to celebrate people who are recovering from addiction and to highlight the importance of mental health and addiction treatment.

Addiction, at its worst, is akin to having Stockholm Syndrome. You’re like a hostage who has developed an irrational affection for your captor. They can abuse you, torture you, even threaten to kill you, and you’ll remain inexplicably and disturbingly loyal.
Anne Clendening
Writer and Yoga Instructor

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration started National Recovery Month in 1989. Initially, it was focused on helping people with addictions. In 1998, it expanded to include mental health issues as well.

Recovery is all about using our power to change our beliefs that are based on faulty data.
Kevin McCormack
Addiction advocate, Public speaker

Purple is often used during National Recovery Month because it symbolizes recovery and staying sober. The Recovery Month logo features a series of connected circles, representing the support people in recovery offer to one another. These symbols help individuals feel a sense of belonging and pride in their recovery.

There are many ways to celebrate Recovery Month. Traditional events like walks, rallies, and community gatherings are popular, but did you know there are also online events? These include online campaigns, webinars, and social media challenges to spread awareness and reach more people.

In New Hampshire, there are special recovery rallies and events that celebrate recovery while educating people about addiction, reducing stigma, and fostering a sense of belonging within a community that understands addiction and mental health.

Here are some places in New Hampshire where you can find Recovery Community Centers:

(The Recovery Hub will be posting a full directory of Recovery Month events soon!)

These centers organize and host recovery rallies and events, providing a space where people in recovery and their families can meet, share their stories, and support one another. Recovery rallies and events are valuable because they bring people together, allowing those in recovery, their families, and friends to share their experiences and offer mutual support. This helps everyone feel less alone. The rallies remind us that recovery is possible and that there is an entire network of people who understand and want to help.

By coming together and sharing our stories, we can foster understanding, compassion, and support. Let us continue to stand united, spreading hope and breaking down barriers, so that everyone can see that recovery is possible and that no one has to face these challenges alone. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels valued and supported on their journey to recovery.

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