Key Harm Reduction Strategies
Harm reduction isn’t explicitly a pathway of recovery — although some do identify that way — it is however, a health strategy aimed toward reducing the harm associated with drug use. One of the most established organizations that advocates for harm reduction is the Harm Reduction Coalition, formed in 1993 by a working group of…
Read MoreThe Power of Story—in Song
My previous blog, titled The Power of Story came from an idea from reading John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. He wrote about storytellers and their importance to some semblance of well being in the California camps and the gatherings during the depression, drought, and dust bowls— the “dirty thirties.” He wrote: “And it came about in the camps that the storyteller grew into being, so that the people gathered in the low firelight to…
Read MoreRecovery Capital: Its Role in Sustaining Recovery
Recovery Capital is a phrase that’s gaining in popularity as we broaden our understanding of the recovery process. However, it can feel a little academic. What does it mean in real terms? What is recovery capital? According to author and researcher William White, the concept of recovery capital was introduced by Robert Granfield and William…
Read MoreMedication-Assisted Recovery: What you need to know
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or medication-assisted recovery, combined with counseling and behavioral therapies, is an effective pathway to treat substance use disorders and to prevent opioid overdose. Medication-assisted recovery is now the preferred phrase, which is considered less stigmatizing than MAT. For more information, visit our blog on language. These medications are approved by the Food…
Read MoreFaces and Voices’ Public Comment on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: 42 CFR Part 2
Submitted via E-Rulemaking Portal September 24, 2019 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Attn: Suzette Brann, SAMHSA 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 13E01B Rockville, Maryland 20857 Re: Comments on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding 42 CFR Part 2 (SAMHSA-4162-20; RIN 0930-AA30) Dear Ms.…
Read MorePathways of Recovery
1 in 10 Americans — an estimated 22 million — live in recovery from substance use disorders. While it’s important to celebrate our stories of recovery, it’s equally important that we not lose sight of the fact that less than 10 percent of the 21 million Americans with SUD receive treatment. We need to continue…
Read MoreThe Impact of Wellness on Recovery
The Impact of Wellness on Recovery Wellness matters. It can have a profound effect on people in recovery in terms of successful recovery outcomes and overall physical health and well-being. Overall health is especially crucial for people in recovery because research shows that individuals with substance use disorders die years earlier than those without these…
Read MoreNational Recovery Month: Let’s Build A Movement
Recovery is the expectation, not the exception — Unity Recovery, a Recovery Community Organization Each year, September kicks off with National Recovery Month — a time when we see thousands of Americans come forward to publicly share their stories of recovery. This visibility is crucial; it helps fight the stigma associated with addiction and increases…
Read MoreNon-12 Step Recovery Options
While millions of individuals may attend and recover through 12-step fellowships, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), there is a common misconception that this is the only way to recover. But that isn’t an accurate picture of the recovery landscape today. In fact, just under half of those who recover do so without 12-step recovery. At a…
Read MoreSober Curious: Can We Afford to Be So Judgmental?
The term “sober curious” has been increasing in popularity in recent years. It is a movement that is gaining traction among millennials who are more health-conscious. Perhaps some have been drawn to the sober lifestyle by social media influencers who give us a glimpse into the expansive life that can be found in recovery. For…
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