Posted: Friday, September 04, 2015

Recovery advocates, treatment providers, elected officials and people in recovery celebrated the start of National Recovery Month at a celebration on Friday, September 4, on the Rhode Island College campus quad. The ceremony marks the beginning of a month-long schedule of events that promote the message that recovery in all its forms is possible, and also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need.

The kick-off ceremony featured recovery advocate Chris Herren, a local athlete who rose to fame as an NBA player and overcame a years-long battle with drugs. He now advocates for substance use awareness among high school and college students. Herren recounted his story and noted the importance of initiatives like Recovery Month that allow others to see that addiction is an illness and that recovery is possible.

“My life has given me a chance to make a difference,” Herren said.

Recovery Month events spread the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, and that treatment is effective. Providence Center CEO Dale K. Klatzker, Ph.D. echoed this sentiment. “Treatment works when coupled with the right recovery supports,” he said. “People can and do recover from substance use disorders.”

Recovery Month highlights individuals who have reclaimed their lives and are living happy and healthy lives in long-term recovery and also honors the prevention, treatment, and recovery service providers who make recovery possible. The audience heard from two people in recovery who have transformed their lives through treatment and the support of the recovery community.

September’s feature event will be the statewide “Rally4Recovery” on Saturday, September 19th from 2:00-7:00 p.m. at Roger Williams National Park in Providence. For more information, please visit www.rally4recovery.com.