The PA Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Health (PDH joined individuals in recovery, advocacy organizations, and others to highlight the importance of accessible supports for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and to kick off National Recovery Month across Pennsylvania.

National Recovery Month is observed throughout the month of September to recognize the gains made in the lives of individuals living in recovery from SUD and show that every day, people can and do recover. The 2022 National Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”

“People can and do recover from the disease of addiction. September is a time to celebrate the gift of recovery and to remind people in recovery, and those who support them, that no one is alone in their journey,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith.

In Pennsylvania, The following actions have been taken in this effort:

• Implementing Life Unites Us, the first-of-its-kind, evidence-based stigma reduction campaign has reached nearly four million Pennsylvanians in year one
• Collecting more than 1 million pounds of prescription medication across more than 889 take-back boxes in all 67 Pennsylvania counties,
• Launching Pennsylvania’s Get Help Now Hotline, which has connected an average of 21 Pennsylvanians per day directly to substance use disorder treatment,
• Expanding access to naloxone in communities through Pennsylvania’s standing order, free distribution days, and mail-order naloxone program,
• Implementing Warm Handoff Programs in 95 percent of Pennsylvania’s hospitals and referring more than 27,000 individuals to SUD treatment through those programs,
• Increasing access to medication-assisted treatment and treatment for uninsured and underinsured individuals with SUD,
• Awarding over $14 million in federal funding to recovery community organizations, and
• Expanding a new, free, and confidential SUD treatment locator resource, Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform (ATLAS) to Pennsylvania.

Individuals looking for substance use disorder treatment options or resources for themselves, or a loved one can call DDAP’s Get Help Now Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This helpline is free and confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

View the press release by clicking here.

View a full calendar of recovery events by clicking here.