The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

National Recovery Month



September is Recovery Month National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month 2013


Voices for Recovery


Gene Scates (09/26/2011)

In 2009 I was tired and had no energy.  I went to the doctor who told me my liver was going bad. He said I could live up to 5 years or even longer if I quit drinking and doing drugs. I couldn’t quit. 19 weeks ago I was going to commit suicide. I was tired of living.  Tired of the pain, misery and suffering, but my higher power brought me up out of that horrible pit placed. My feet upon a rock, he put a new song in my heart. I don’t have much money but if i had a million dollars I couldn’t buy the joy and peace my higher power gave me for free.  It didn’t cost me a dime.  All I had to do was ask and believe. I was a liar, cussed all the time, also a thieve stole from my own family to get drugs and alcohol.  If he did it for me he will do it for you. He is no respectable person.  Today I have 103 days without a drug or drink and it is all because my higher power gives me the strength each day.  Don’t tell God how big your mountain is, tell your mountain how big your God is.



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  • Prevention Works
  • Treatment is Effective
  • People Recover
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

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