Together on Pathways To Wellness

by Thalia Yunen, Communications Intern, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

September is recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as National Recovery Month. Organizations and governments across the United States are encouraged to endorse this month through proclamations, and recovery-focused events. In its 24^th year, the goal of National Recovery Month is to promote the education and celebration of recovery, as well as prevention and treatment.

SAMHSA outlines the “10 Guiding Principles of Recovery.” After reading the following principles, I gained a better understanding of National Recovery Month, and its importance.

1. Recovery Emerges from Hope - Hope gives one the motivation to start and continue the process of recovery.
2. Recovery is Person-Driven - “Self-determination and self-direction are the foundations for recovery as individuals define their own goals and design their unique path(s) towards those goals.” Being self-driven provides empowerment throughout your recovery.
3. Recovery occurs via many pathways - “Recovery is built on the multiple capacities, strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent value of each individual.” Everyone can suffer from an addiction but the recovery process is unique to the person recovering.
4. Recovery is holistic - Holistic as in complete and total, it “encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body, spirit, and community.”
5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies - “Mutual support and mutual aid groups, including the sharing of experiential knowledge and skills, as well as social learning, play an invaluable role in recovery.”
6. Recovery is supported through relationship and social networks - “Family members, peers, providers, faith groups, community members, and other allies form vital support networks.”
7. Recovery is culturally-based and influenced - “Services should be culturally grounded, attuned, sensitive, congruent, and competent, as well as personalized to meet each individual’s unique needs.”
8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma - “The experience of trauma (such as physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, war, disaster, and others) is often a precursor to or associated with alcohol and drug use, mental health problems, and related issues. Services and supports should be trauma-informed to foster safety (physical and emotional) and trust, as well as promote choice, empowerment, and collaboration.”
9. Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibility - My favorite portion of this step, “Individuals in recovery also have a social responsibility and should have the ability to join with peers to speak collectively about their strengths, needs, wants, desires, and aspirations.”
10. Recovery is based on respect - R-E-S-P-E-C-T! “Community, systems, and societal acceptance and appreciation for people affected by mental health and substance use problems - including protecting their rights and eliminating discrimination - are crucial in achieving recovery.”  

To celebrate people in recovery, the Council will be participating in the upcoming 5^th Annual Worcester Cares About Recovery Walk and Celebration on Saturday, September 14th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be live entertainment, children’s activities, a BBQ, and most importantly, information about prevention, treatment, and recovery as it pertains to various addictions. If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Sasha: 617.426.4554/sasha@masscompulsivegambling.org. If you can’t make that event, check out this list of other National Recovery Month events in your area.

Though National Recovery Month is just one month out of the year, taking steps towards your own recovery or learning to help with someone else’s is important, every day of the year. The Council recognizes that recovery is an emotionally rigorous (and even more rewarding) challenge. This is why on November 8^th - 10^th, the Council will be hosting “Your First Step to Change: A Gambling-Free Weekend.” The Weekend Retreat is designed for people who are struggling with gambling problems and/or their family members. If you are interested in starting your journey toward recovery, you won't want to miss this event! Topics to be addressed include: Decision Making, Not Betting No Matter, What Co-Occurring Disorders, Support Systems, Whose Problem Is It Anyway?, and Money and Debt. Apply for a scholarship today!

Remember to “Like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: MassCouncilCG – let us know how you plan to celebrate your recovery. Happy Recovery Month!