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September Recovery Month:
September is Recovery Month in Minnesota and Recovering Hope Treatment Center is always working to challenge the narrative around the stigma of substance use. As the rates of substance use disorders and mental health related disorders continue to rise, it is likely that someone you know, love or care about has been affected. Recently released data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) indicates that statewide drug overdose death has increased by 31% during the first half of 2020 as compared to the first half of 2019. The first half of 2019 (January to June) showed 373 deaths while the first half of 2020 showed 490 deaths. It is important to remember, these are not just numbers, they are our friends, family members, co-workers, and loved ones. Reducing the stigma and increasing awareness in one of the most important ways we can help those who need additional support.
As coined from the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, “Silence Equals Death”. If we continue to portray substance use and mental health disorders as the villain in the background, the stranger on the corner, or talk about people with substance use disorders and mental health as “those people” we fuel the shame and drive them further into an already isolating diseases.
This last month, Recovering Hope Treatment Center had the opportunity to talk with over 500 people in our rural community to discuss the stigma and answer questions about substance use and mental health in Kanabec County. In partnership with the Steve Rummler Hope Network, we provided over 30 Opioid Overdose Rescue Kits to community members who identified concerns about their own personal use, loved one’s use, or a co-workers use. These are lifesaving kids that include Naloxone, a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Our partnership allows Recovering Hope to be a Naloxone Access Point in our community and are available to anyone who approaches our outpatient desk in-person. In addition to receiving a kit, they receive training on how to administer naloxone from one of our staff or complete the training from the privacy of their home using a virtual option.
One the biggest challenges that we see in the work we do is how recovery is defined. Some recognize the definition of recovery to be long-term abstinence, or by the twelve-step based living program. However, there can be many ways to define recovery. For some of the clients we work with they define their recovery as being able to hold down a full-time job, regain custody of their children, obtain their GED, attend college, learn how maintain healthy relationships, overcome obstacles to get their driver’s license restored, or simply just be happier and healthier. For those of us in the recovery profession, the opposite of addiction is connection and finding a way to cultivate connection is key.
If you are looking for some ways to stay connected and celebrate Recovery Month, check out:
- Minnesota Recovery Connection Night Out with the Twins (September 14th, 2021, at 6:30)
- Rally (Caps) for Recovery – Minnesota Recovery Connection
- Minnesota Recovery Connection Walk for Recovery (September 18th, 2021, from 10:00- 3:00 PM)
- Watch the Anonymous People
- Attend a local support meeting
- Support Groups – Substance Abuse Coalition of Kanabec County (sackcoalition.org)
- Recovery Alliance Duluth Walk for Recovery in Duluth, MN (September 11th 1- 7 PM)
- National Recovery Month • Recovery Alliance Duluth
Professional Development Workshop
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