Breaking Silence, Breaking Stigma: National Recovery Month
September is National Recovery Month, a dedicated time to bring attention to evidenced-based treatment options and recovery efforts. It’s also a time to celebrate the strength of people in recovery, honor the work it takes to get there, and break down the stigma that too often keeps people from seeking help.
According to a 2024 report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2024 40.3 million people in the United States were navigating a Substance Use Disorder in 2020, with only 6.5% of them receiving treatment. Further, in 2021, about 107,000 people died of a drug overdose.
Every life lost to substance use is one too many.
At Tampa Bay Thrives, we know that silence can be just as dangerous as substance use itself. For too long, people struggling with drugs or alcohol have been met with shame, judgment, or misunderstanding. But substance use does not exist in a vacuum, it is often a coping response to deep pain. And recovery is not just about stopping a behavior; it’s about healing the whole person.
Substance use and mental health are deeply connected. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges can increase vulnerability to substance use and substance use can in turn worsen these conditions. That’s why any conversation about mental health must include recovery, and why we must meet people with compassion, not condemnation.
Recovering from a mental health condition isn’t just about relieving your symptoms, but living a fulfilling life. You’ve probably heard phrases like “recovery isn’t linear” or “recovery is a journey, not a destination”—but what exactly do those sayings mean? Recovery can be a long process, and challenges and setbacks are bound to come up as you navigate a new lifestyle. In addition to healing from immediate symptoms, conquering your recovery means learning how to manage the complications that may arise during your treatment and recovery journey.
Here are some useful resources to help with the journey of recovery:
Blogs:
- Recovery: 4 reminders when feeling hopeless | Mental Health America
- Growing up in recovery: 3 peer programs that fill support gaps for young people | Mental Health America
Webinars:
Resources for Spanish Speakers:
One of the most powerful ways to dismantle stigma is through real, lived stories. When people in recovery share their journeys, they create space for others to step forward, speak up, and seek support. That’s why we’re proud to highlight If You Know You Know (IYKYK), a storytelling campaign from our community that amplifies voices in recovery.
Meet our Storytellers:
- Jennifer Epstein, Good Day Tampa Bay Anchor – Fox 13
- Brittany Tidwell, Wife, Mom, Friend, and Nurse
- Warren Webster, Small Business Owner
We’re grateful for each of our IYKYK contributors for their vulnerability in sharing their story and battling the stigma that surrounds addiction, recovery, and mental health care. These stories remind us that recovery is possible and that we are not alone. Help exists and it’s okay to ask for it. So this Recovery Month, we invite you to listen, learn, and share these stories. Together, we can replace stigma with understanding and isolation with connection.
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