Recovery Month Kit

Year after year, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) witnesses tremendous success and commitment from people and organizations across the country. For more than 20 years, the campaign has joined together millions of people to celebrate recovery and educate communities about addiction. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) has created this toolkit to aid you in planning your Recovery Month events, and to provide you with the tools and educational materials to distribute in your community.

This year, Recovery Month is raising awareness about the increasing level of stress in society and the impact it has on addiction. Nearly half of Americans reported in 2008 that their stress level had increased over the past year, with as many as 30 percent rating their average stress level as extreme, according to the American Psychological Association.

Stress and other external circumstances can lead to the onset or relapse of addiction, particularly among specific groups who face stressful life situations. That’s why this year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!,” emphasizes how high levels of stress may contribute to or exacerbate alcohol or drug use, which can lead to a substance use disorder or relapse. In 2008, more than 23.1 million people needed treatment for a substance use disorder according to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, making now the time to act and help anyone who needs addiction services to achieve recovery.

This toolkit gives you useful information in printed form, with extended versions and additional materials posted exclusively online. The toolkit contains three separate sections:

Order hard copies of some of these materials. Download the complete 2010 toolkit. Thanks to your hard work year after year, Recovery Month continues to be a fundamental part of raising awareness outside the treatment and recovery community. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of everyone — from those who suffer from addiction and need treatment, to individuals already living healthy and productive lives in long-term recovery.