National Recovery Month: Understanding the Challenges and Triumphs of Recovery

Recovery: It’s a powerful word with many different meanings and interpretations. To us at Resurgence Behavioral Health, it means success and victory, and it’s something to celebrate and commemorate. That’s why we’re taking the time during National Recovery Month to highlight the importance of achieving recovery from addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. We know that recovery comes with very real challenges that need to be considered — but it also is a cause of celebration for those who achieve it and maintain it. Let’s explore what National Recovery Month is all about and how we help people achieve something to celebrate. We share inspiring messages from Resurgence’s recovery community not to brag about our past successes but to make it clear to others that they, too, can succeed in this fight.

What Is National Recovery Month? 

Since it was created in 1989, National Recovery Month has served as a national observance in America each year. It is all about embracing mental health and addiction treatment and the successes of those in the recovery community. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) aims to use the awareness month to increase public understanding of all of the issues behind mental health and addiction recovery, announcing things like grants and new programs during the month.

But it’s not just an agency-led effort, and in the decades since it was founded, National Recovery Month has been embraced as a major public awareness push by local groups, private organizations, and public bodies alike.

It’s also become a public chance to celebrate the millions of Americans who are a part of the recovery community — and to help raise awareness of the challenges and triumphs of their recovery journeys.

When Is National Recovery Month?

National Recovery Month is observed across America each September, with events, announcements, and special efforts taking place all through the month — in communities all over the country. 

For example, during its 2024 observance, SAMHSA organized its Walk for Recovery event in Washington, D.C., on the evening of September 5. During this walk, which aimed to celebrate the month and raise awareness about the possibility of recovery from addiction and mental health struggles, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon led SAMHSA and other groups, organizations, and agencies during the walk from Freedom Plaza to the Washington Monument.

SAMHSA also organized events like panel discussions, presentations, and other activities throughout the rest of the month, drawing advice and updates from experts and those affected by recovery issues alike.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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All of the staff and nurses at resurgence are phenomenal. They helped me a lot and gave me hope at my lowest.—the two different times I came to both of their locations. Costa Mesa and riverside locations. I would recommend their programs to anybody! That is if you are looking for detox AND 30 day residential, not just detox. Thank you Resurgence! <3
  
 
  
 
 
 
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This was my first time in treatment and I was pretty scared but muse and staff have been incredible. Steve(o) and corrina have been my favorite! Make sure to go on the outings with Steve(o) he’s amazing! Corrina spoiled me and is easy to talk to! All the staff is amazing if I’m being honest! They work hard and always have our backs ❤️
  
 
  
 
 
 
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I would recommend this place to everyone I know. This is the best treatment experience I have ever had. I was treated like family and all the staff was caring and amazing. I was able to work on myself from the inside out. I love Resurgence.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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Best decision we ever made. The staff is amazing. Thank you to Lauren Sean and Nikki you guys are great we really appreciate all you did at Riverside thank you to all those amazing staff as well Derek Tyler Sarah Oscar and April you guys did so much for us we can never repay you. However you guys pick your staff continue because you guys do a great job once again thank you and mad love
  
 
  
 
 
 
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This is my first experience with a rehabilitation center and I couldn't have gone to a better place or asked for a better staff or facility! I've truly found my home away from home here! Nikki, Lauren, Mike, and Cortez, just to name a few have truly made a significant impact in my life and of course made my recovery process possible...without these people I would not be clean and sober today. I've found my family through Resurgence and I owe my life to them! There are no words to describe how grateful I am!!!!! THANK YOU RESURGENCE I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️????????????????????
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 

What Is the Color of National Recovery Month?

If you attend a National Recovery Month event or celebration, expect to see a lot of purple — and that’s by design. The official color of the month is purple, which is why it’s not uncommon to see participants and spectators showing up in purple wardrobes or wearing purple buttons or ribbons. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to stick to only purple if you want to be a part of the commemoration of this important awareness month. Shades of blue or other closely related colors can complement the overall purple theme, and you can also wear any color you want — add a message to your shirt or poster, or a special image to symbolize the message you want to share. There are a lot of options to celebrate or observe this month, so while purple is the official color of National Recovery Month, feel free to be creative with how you express your own role in the recovery community.

Ways to Celebrate National Recovery Month

There are many ways to celebrate Recovery Month — and you don’t need to look for a SAMHSA-organized event or discussion in Washington, D.C., to do so.

One option is to observe other awareness days and weeks throughout the month that tie into the overall goals of National Recovery Month. For example, World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 is a chance to be a part of the community working to celebrate successes and prevent future losses to suicide. It’s a direct tie-in to National Recovery Month’s overarching goals of raising awareness and celebrating victories in recovery.

National Opioid Awareness Day also takes place during the month (on September 21), highlighting this especially dangerous drug issue in the country and spreading hope and awareness of a better future for us all through addiction treatment and prevention efforts.

National Recovery Month also offers a chance to celebrate an important group of people at the forefront of helping others achieve lasting recovery: addiction professionals. Scheduled for September 20, National Addiction Professionals Day has been held since 1992 to affirm the work of these professionals with events across the country. The day also coincides with the announcement of the Association for Addiction Professionals’ national awards.

Chances are there are organizations or governmental agencies in your own community that have specific plans to celebrate or observe National Recovery Month. But there’s another option — take a chance during the month to personally congratulate or reach out to someone in your life who is in addiction recovery. Celebrate their ongoing victories and remind them that you’re proud of everything they’ve done. You don’t need to wait for a public presentation or large event to mark this important month with one of your friends or family members.

Resurgence Behavioral Health: Giving People a Chance to Celebrate National Recovery Month

In California, Resurgence Behavioral Health is proud to be at the forefront of helping people of all ages and all walks of life achieve lasting recovery. We know that overcoming addiction can feel like a lonely, unending struggle — but we also know how to help people who turn to us truly succeed in overcoming these challenges and find the tools, strength, and help they need to have a better, brighter future. 

We’re here all year round, offering the best evidence-based therapies, medical interventions, and support that our experts know can help people like you and your loved ones truly succeed. Whether it’s marking National Recovery Month in September or putting the spotlight on our dual diagnosis treatment during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we’re honored to be able to share success stories and the latest information on treatments that work. We offer a full continuum of addiction and dual diagnosis treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, at our premier addiction treatment facility in Riverside. But we’re not just a building — we’re a team of passionate, experienced addiction treatment professionals who are ready to help. So, don’t wait. Call us today at 855-458-0050 or contact us online. We’re here to help.

External Sources

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — Recovery Month

The Association for Addiction Professionals — National Addiction Professionals Day

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial