That’s the “short version”. The longer one is rather interesting, because what Recovery Month is for has shifted a few times over 37 years. And what it stands for today could say something about how the country has come to think about the addiction recovery space.

When Is National Recovery Month?

National Recovery Month runs throughout September every year. In 2026, that means September 1 through September 30.

There’s no single national Recovery Day. States, cities, and organizations host their own events throughout the month, and many local governments issue statements in recognition of the recovery journey. If you’re looking for something to attend, think in terms of a whole month, not a date.

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What Recovery Month Is For

Celebrating People in Recovery

The first purpose of this month is simple. Millions of people in the United States have endured a substance use or mental health condition and built a beautiful life on the other side of it. Most individuals still do this quietly because saying it aloud can carry a cost.

Recovery Month exists in part to mitigate that “cost”. When recovery is visible, it becomes believable. Someone at their lowest, who can’t envision a way out, is much more likely to believe that a way out exists after meeting someone who has found it.

Recognizing the People Who Do This Work

The observance began as a way of showing gratitude to treatment professionals, and that sentiment hasn’t disappeared. Counselors, nurses, peer specialists, social workers, prescribers, and recovery coaches do challenging work often with limited resources.

Changing How We Talk About Addiction

The third purpose of Recovery Month is significant in its own right. Addiction is one of the few health conditions where the language people use is still unquestionably moralizing. Where the assumption of personal failure stays stigmatizing enough to keep people from asking for help they so desperately need and deserve.

That assumption has real consequences. Individuals often put off care because they expect to be harshly judged. They avoid telling their doctor just how hard it’s been. They worry about a job, a license, or their children finding out. The hope for Recovery Month as a yearly campaign is to remedy that.

A Short History

1989: Treatment Works! Month

The observance began in 1989 under the name Treatment Works! Month. The focus was fairly narrow: recognize the work of addiction treatment professionals and make the case that treatment does, in fact, work.

That “framing” tells us something about where the field stood at the time.

1998 and 2011: The Name Changes

In 1998, the observance became National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. The change moved the focus from professionals to the people, from treatment as a service to recovery as an outcome.

In 2011, it was shortened to National Recovery Month and broadened again. This time to include mental health with substance use. This reflected a true clinical shift. The two conditions co-occur often enough that treating them as separate problems in separate facilities was no longer sensible, sustainable, or helpful.

2020: Faces & Voices of Recovery Takes Stewardship

For most of its history, the observance was coordinated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which delivered an annual toolkit and theme.

In 2020, stewardship of Recovery Month was passed to Faces & Voices of Recovery, a national recovery advocacy organization that works alongside SAMHSA and a comprehensive network of partners.

The benefit is that Recovery Month is now led by the recovery community itself, rather than a federal agency. Materials, themes, and campaign assets now come from both organizations, and either is a reliable place to start if you’re planning something.

The 2026 Theme

SAMHSA’s 2026 toolkit features the theme “Recovery Happens Together.” The framing centers on connection, with the research showing that meaningful human connection supports resilience, hope, and sustained recovery. 

The campaign builds its weekly messaging around advancing research, normalizing help-seeking, prioritizing whole-person care, and building connection through community.

Week 1 leans into recovery-ready communities, the idea that families, employers, faith communities, and local leaders all have a role in supporting someone’s recovery. Week 2 turns to storytelling, encouraging people in recovery to share what changed for them, the milestones reached, relationships rebuilt, and lives that look different now.

It’s a shift from last year’s theme, Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life), which made the case that recovery isn’t only the absence of a substance but the return of everything a person lost along the way.

The through line between the two years holds true. Recovery isn’t something a person does alone, and it isn’t measured only by what “stops.” It’s also measured by what returns.

What Recovery Actually Means

There’s a working definition, and it’s worth knowing because it’s broader than most people assume! 

SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and well-being, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.

Notice what’s missing from that sentence. No particular substance, or particular treatment. No mention of total abstinence, either. It describes a direction of travel rather than a final destination, and it puts the person, not the clinician, in charge.

The same “framework” recognizes 4 dimensions that can support a person in recovery: health, home, purpose, and community.

Recovery Month in Georgia

Where Georgia Stands

Georgia has seen verified improvement in overdose deaths over the past couple of years, in line with the wider national trend. In 2025, 1,663 people died from overdoses in the state, according to CDC data reported in mid-2026.

That marks a significant year-over-year decline, part of a multi-year drop that has continued since deaths peaked earlier in the decade, though Georgia’s rate of improvement trailed slightly behind the national average.

Part of that progress traces back to how the state has spent its opioid settlement funds. Georgia’s Opioid Abatement Trust is expected to provide more than $1.3 billion over the next 18 years, and more than $112 million has already gone out in grants for treatment, prevention, and harm reduction. This also includes mobile treatment units and naloxone kits distributed to every school system in the state.

That’s good news, and it deserves to be reported on because the story people hear about addiction is almost never one about things getting better.

The story is also incomplete. Fewer deaths isn’t the same as less need. Non-fatal overdoses, stimulant and polysubstance involvement (fentanyl now often turns up mixed into cocaine and methamphetamine). 

The gap in access between rural counties and metro Atlanta looks different from the headline number. For the most current figures and how they’re collected, the Georgia Department of Public Health’s drug surveillance page is the primary source.

Events Across the State

Local Recovery Month events run throughout September across Georgia. Expect a familiar mix, including recovery walks and rallies in metro Atlanta, smaller vigils and resource fairs in North Georgia, county proclamation signings, and gatherings organized by local recovery community organizations farther from the metro area.

Because dates, venues, and organizers shift from year to year, sometimes week to week, the most reliable way to find what’s happening near you is the Faces & Voices of Recovery event calendar. It’s regularly updated as organizers submit their own listings, as well as listings by your county public health department or the nearest recovery community organization.

Georgia Organizations Doing This Work

A handful of organizations rally recovery support across Georgia:

• Georgia Council for Recovery is the state’s leading recovery community organization. It runs the CARES Academy, which has trained more than 450 certified peer recovery specialists whose services are billable to Medicaid. The council also leads statewide advocacy and stigma-reduction work, including the Georgia Recovers campaign.
• Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition provides naloxone distribution, overdose prevention education, and harm reduction services statewide. The coalition has a strong presence in metro Atlanta and Stone Mountain.

Ways to Take Part This September

If You Are in Recovery

You don’t have to do anything. That’s important to say first. September brings a lot of encouragement to share your story publicly, but that’s not right for everyone, especially those in early recovery.

You could go to a meeting you haven’t been to in a while. Reach out to someone who’s also in recovery, or show up at a local event.

If You Are Supporting Someone

Start by learning the appropriate language. The small changes in how addiction is talked about can change how people respond to being asked about it.

Why not attend an open meeting? Most 12-step meetings run open sessions anyone can join, and an hour in that room will teach you a lot.

If You Are a Veteran

Veterans carry a higher risk for substance use conditions for reasons related to service, not character. They’re also among the least likely groups to ask for help. If that describes you, or someone you love, the Veterans Crisis Line is available at any hour: dial 988, then press 1.

If You Work in Health Care, Education, or HR

You’re in a fortunate position to make a lasting change this month. How about reviewing a policy or making your employee assistance program more visible? Look at the language in your own notes and forms. Find out where you’d refer someone if they told you they needed recovery support.

Recovery Month FAQs

Is September National Recovery Month?

Yes, National Recovery Month has been honored every September since 1989.

What Color Represents Recovery Month?

Purple ribbons are commonly seen in September, representing various causes, although this is more a convention than an official designation. The same color is also used for overdose awareness.

Who Runs Recovery Month Now?

Faces & Voices of Recovery has led Recovery Month since 2020, working alongside SAMHSA and an extensive network of national and local partners. Both organizations publish freely available materials every year.

What Is the 2026 Theme?

“Recovery Happens Together.” SAMHSA’s 2026 toolkit centers the campaign on connection. The idea that meaningful relationships, whether with family, employers, faith communities, or peers, support long-term recovery in a way that separateness can’t.

Sustaining It After September

What changes anything is what people do differently on October 1. Maybe one policy is reviewed and amended to benefit those in the recovery space. Perhaps another person now knows how to use naloxone and carries it with them. Or how about the family that stopped using an inappropriate word?

If you or someone you care about needs help to find support in Georgia, we offer treatment options, meetings, harm reduction services, and family support across the state.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For crisis support, call or text 988. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1.

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What Is a Mental Health Day?

A mental health day off from work is a planned break from job duties to restore balance. It’s not an excuse to avoid responsibility. Instead, it creates time to care for your well-being, manage stress, and prevent symptoms from getting worse.

Some workplaces treat a mental health day as sick leave or PTO, while others have policies that openly support it. Burnout can also be connected to anxiety, depression, substance use, or a combination of the above. In those cases, dual diagnosis treatment can address the different challenges you’re facing at the same time.

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How to Recover From Burnout With a Day Off

Burnout doesn’t vanish in a single day, but stepping back can start the process of recovery. Use your time away from work to rest, reflect, and try small practices that support long-term stability.

Avoid packing your schedule with chores or errands, even if you’ve fallen behind on things at home. You really want to be intentional about resting if you feel burned out.

Instead, focus on simple acts like eating nourishing meals, hydrating, moving your body, and practicing breathing or meditation. If burnout feels severe, consider using the day to connect with a therapist or health professional for added support.

Signs of Burnout at Work

Burnout affects the mind and body in different ways and is also completely unique to the individual experiencing it. Some of the more common signs include:

Energy and Motivation

Waking up drained, struggling to begin tasks, or feeling little motivation even for work or activities that you once enjoyed.

Mood and Thinking

Feeling cynical, short-tempered, or emotionally flat. Concentration becomes harder, and mistakes can also increase.

Body and Sleep

Frequent headaches, muscle tension, and disrupted sleep cycles. You may sleep too much or too little, but still feel tired.

Performance and Connection

Struggling to keep up with responsibilities, withdrawing from colleagues, or feeling emotionally detached from your work.

How to Ask for a Mental Health Day Off Work

When requesting a day off, keep your message clear and professional. You can simply say you are unwell and will use sick leave or PTO. If possible, give notice ahead of time and briefly note how your work will be covered.

More workplaces now recognize the importance of mental health, so these requests are often met with understanding. Most employers treat mental health leave the same as physical health leave.

Making Your Day Restorative, Not Stressful

A day off only helps if it supports recovery; keep your activities intentional and simple.

Morning Reset

Begin your day with grounding routines that set a calmer tone. Drink water, eat a nourishing breakfast, and try gentle movement like stretching or a short walk. Keep phone alerts muted so you are not pulled back into work stress before you have a chance to recharge.

Midday Care

Choose one or two activities that bring you genuine relief. Reading, journaling, or attending a therapy session can provide structure without pressure. If chores feel overwhelming, focus only on simple tasks that reduce stress, such as tidying a small space or preparing a balanced meal.

Afternoon Plan

Spend the afternoon reflecting on habits that could help you avoid reaching burnout in the future. You might consider blocking short breaks into your calendar, setting clearer boundaries around after-hours work, or creating no-meeting windows. If stress feels unmanageable, use this time to look into professional support.

How to Prevent Burnout Moving Forward

A single day off can help, but prevention is what matters most when it comes to burnout. Set realistic workloads, take short breaks, and keep clear boundaries between work and personal time.

If responsibilities feel unmanageable, talk with a manager or look into the support programs your workplace may offer. These shifts reflect what global initiatives like World Mental Health Day encourage: greater awareness and workplace practices that prioritize well-being.

When stress continues or is tied to substance use, treatment can make a difference. Professional, guided care supports long-term stability and reduces the risk of setbacks. Mount Sinai Wellness Center is available at (800) 353-4673 to help you move forward.

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Why Do Routines Matter?

Recovery brings many changes to our lives. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by these changes and experience moments of doubt, uncertainty and even frustration. This is where routines come into play, helping you structure your time and develop new habits.

Recovery is about change, and routines provide a comforting anchor. They offer stability in a world that can often feel uncertain and overwhelming. By knowing what to expect from your daily schedule, you can reduce anxiety and increase your sense of control.

Routines create healthy habits. In the past, your life may have revolved around drugs or alcohol. Now, by establishing a routine, you can redirect your focus toward more positive activities and behaviors. This gradual shift can be a vital part of your recovery.

Structure promotes balance. Substance use often leads to chaos and instability. Routines, on the other hand, work to restore order, harmony and balance in your life. This sense of balance may help you stay committed to your recovery goals and avoid relapse.

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How Do Routines Benefit Your Recovery?

Embracing routines can offer countless benefits during recovery. Here’s how:

• Improved mental health: Routines can have a profound impact on your mental well-being. Knowing what the day holds can help you sleep better, worry less and cope with change when life feels uncertain.
• Enhanced accountability: With a daily routine, you are held accountable for your actions. It encourages you to follow through with commitments, such as attending therapy sessions or support group meetings. Having a set schedule also means there’s less room for impulsive decisions or behaviors.
• Purpose & direction: Routine tasks, no matter how small, can give you a sense of purpose and direction. Everyday routines give life more meaning, make you feel accomplished and keep you working toward your goals.
• Long-term success: Establishing routines isn’t just about the present; it’s about securing your future. By integrating positive habits into your daily life, you create a foundation for lasting recovery and personal growth.

Embrace the Power of Routines

It seems simple (because it is), but incorporating regular routines into your life is one of the easiest ways to prioritize your recovery and build healthier habits that help you stay sober. Each person is different, so it may take some time to figure out which routines work for you — but once you’ve found your rhythm, your daily or weekly routines will become second nature, providing you with a sense of purpose and balance. Embrace the power of routines in your recovery journey, and watch how they transform your life.

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Understanding Self-Worth

Self-worth is the deep-seated recognition of your inherent value as a human being. It is not dependent on external achievements or the validation of others. Unlike self-esteem, which often fluctuates based on circumstances, self-worth is a more consistent and internal sense of value. In the context of recovery, developing self-worth involves recognizing your worthiness of love, respect and kindness, irrespective of your past experiences or challenges.

Spending time alone can help you improve your self-esteem and develop your sense of self-worth by helping you get to know yourself better, ultimately providing you with the tools you need to maintain your recovery.

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Embracing Solitude

In the bustle of daily life, finding moments of solitude can seem challenging. Yet, in these quiet moments, we confront our true selves, away from the influences or expectations of others.

How does spending time alone help improve your self-worth? Solitude offers a unique opportunity for introspection and self-discovery, which is crucial for those in recovery. By stepping away from the noise of everyday life, you create space to explore your thoughts, emotions and values. This exploration is essential for building a more resilient sense of self.

Practical Steps for Inner Growth

To cultivate your self-worth, spend time alone to engage in reflective practices such as journaling, meditation and mindfulness. These activities aid in processing experiences, recognizing personal strengths and embracing imperfections. They are instrumental in developing a clearer, more grounded sense of self. As you experiment with these techniques, you strengthen your internal foundation, essential for a stable and fulfilling recovery.

Embark on a Fulfilling Journey

The quest for self-worth is ongoing and evolves over time, much like the journey from addiction to recovery. As you learn to value and understand yourself more deeply, you create a life characterized by self-respect, purpose and fulfillment. Approach this journey with patience and compassion, and acknowledge that every step forward is a stride toward a more empowered and authentic self.

For more information on how Mount Sinai Wellness Center can support your journey to wellness, feel free to contact us at (800) 353-4673 to schedule an appointment.

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1.  Ignoring Your Mental Health

Sometimes, those of us in recovery may focus solely on our sobriety while neglecting our mental health. However, poor mental health can lead to relapse. Understanding that your mental and emotional well-being are integral to your success is essential.

2.  Pink Cloud Syndrome

Pink cloud syndrome describes an optimistic phase of early recovery where individuals feel overly confident in their ability to stay sober. While positivity is beneficial, “pink clouding” can result in unrealistic expectations, a loss of focus and the belief that recovery is easy.

3.  The Comparison Trap

Comparing your life and recovery to others can lead to feelings of frustration or inadequacy. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is unique and personal.

4.  Trying to Go It Alone

Recovery thrives on community support. However, old ways of thinking can make us hesitate to ask for help again if we’re struggling. Don’t be afraid to utilize the resources available to you and connect with others who share your goal of a sober lifestyle.

5.  Ignoring the Signs of Relapse

Ignoring or being unaware of the signs of relapse can be a critical pitfall in your recovery. That’s why it’s crucial to recognize and address early signs of relapse, which might include romanticizing past substance use, starting to isolate or feeling overwhelmed by stress.

Staying on Track

If you encounter these or other common pitfalls in recovery, don’t let them stop your forward progress. Learn to recognize them for what they are and seek additional support when you need it. By asking for help from your friends, family and sober community, you will be able to side-step these pitfalls with greater ease. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, so keep pushing, keep adjusting, and trust that you’ve got what it takes to handle the ups and downs.

For more information on how Mount Sinai Wellness Center can support your journey to wellness, feel free to contact us at (800) 353-4673 to schedule an appointment.

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Food for Thought: Does What I Eat Affect My Sobriety?

Our bodies and minds are intricately connected, and studies have shown that the food we eat has a significant impact on our mental, physical and emotional health. Drug and alcohol use often suppresses the appetite, so during active addiction, we often don’t get enough of the vitamins and minerals we need. And in recovery, poor nutrition is linked to increased rates of relapse. However, eating a healthy, balanced diet can help promote sobriety by improving mood, reducing cravings and healing some of the damage done by substance use.

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Eating Right: More than Just a Diet Choice

Eating a balanced diet benefits almost every function of the mind and body, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce mood swings and keep drug or alcohol cravings in check. Some of the most important vitamins and minerals to eat during recovery include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in foods like fish, flaxseeds and soybeans, omega-3s have been shown to improve mood, behavior and overall brain health.
• Whole grains: Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice and oats provide complex carbohydrates that help balance mood and manage blood sugar spikes.
• Protein: Made up of amino acids from plant and animal-based foods such as chicken, tofu and dairy, protein helps rebuild muscle and increase dopamine production.
• Vitamin B-complex: B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin and folic acid support digestion, brain function, hormone levels, overall cell health and more.
• Trace minerals: Mineral-rich foods such as vegetables, nuts and shellfish provide the body with magnesium, iron, and zinc, which are necessary for healthy functioning.

It’s also important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water during addiction recovery, which helps to flush out toxins and make nutrients you do eat more accessible. Overall, maintaining a healthy diet ensures you feel energized and ready to face another day of recovery.

Feast for a Fresh Start: Nourish to Flourish

As you walk this challenging path of recovery, remember that every small step counts. One of those steps is embracing a balanced diet and healthier eating habits. Think of it as giving your body and mind the best possible foundation to heal, grow and thrive. After all, isn’t that what sobriety is all about – a fresh start and a brighter tomorrow?

So, next time you’re about to make a meal choice, pause for a moment. Reflect on how this meal will serve your recovery journey. Because when we feed our body well, we also feed our soul, empowering ourselves to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

For more information on how Mount Sinai Wellness Center can support your journey to wellness, feel free to contact us at (800) 353-4673 to schedule an appointment.

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