Since 1989, National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.
Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those managing other health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. This observance reinforces a positive message: behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.
Every person, every family, every community
National Recovery Month adopted "Every Person. Every Family. Every Community." as the official tagline because recovery is possible for everyone. Although we all have different journeys, no one is alone in the journey through recovery. We are all in this together.
From the field of desperation to addiction deliverance
In honor of Recovery Month, we want to highlight one of our favorite episodes on Positive Recovery MD, featuring Randy Grimes. Randy is a Baylor University graduate and an award-winning 11-year veteran of the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Randy spent nearly 20 years battling an addiction to painkillers that developed while treating career-related injuries. Today, he uses his story of recovery and his 10-plus years in the addictions industry to help others. As an interventionist and founding advocate at Athletes In Recovery, Randy helps people recover from drug and alcohol abuse.
As Randy shares his story with humility and honesty, he transforms the narrative to focus on prevention, intervention, and treatment for substance use disorders and other health challenges. One of the most important lessons Randy learned on the field and throughout his recovery is the importance of unconditional love.
Recovery Is Possible for Anyone
If someone you love is struggling, our admissions team can help you figure out the next step. Confidential, 24/7.
How to love unconditionally despite addiction
If you have a loved one who struggles with an alcohol or drug addiction, it is not always an easy road. There is often deeper-rooted pain or trauma that has never been brought to light. When going through painful experiences, especially as a child, it is easy to suppress unwanted feelings by covering them up with substances.
No matter how hard the road or how long the journey, the most important thing we can do for a loved one is to love them unconditionally. Loving them at their best and loving them through their toughest times. It is important to encourage their growth and positive transformation. By celebrating strengths and wins, they are reminded that they are worth fighting for. They start to recognize that they are worthy of love.
More often than not, they have a tough enough time loving themselves, much less knowing others love them too. When we extend kindness, grace, and compassion despite their shortcomings, they begin to learn how to apply those forms of love to themselves. It is not about loving them if they get better. It is about loving them while they are healing. The best place to heal is where they feel safe enough to do so.
Love them through the pain and through their bleakest moments by shedding light on their darkest days. They may not see it in the moment. The more we offer hope, the easier it becomes for them to heal.
Big Texas Rally for Recovery
For nearly a decade, the Big Texas Rally for Recovery has delivered a recovery-centered program that celebrates the recovery of people, families, and communities across Texas. The Houston Botanic Garden has hosted the event with live music, food trucks, exhibitors, guest speakers, and family activities.
In need of care?
If you have a loved one who needs addiction treatment but are not sure where to begin, call us at 713-904-4699. We have outpatient locations across Texas and a full continuum of care from medical detox through aftercare.
A new life in recovery may just be a phone call away.