The renowned addiction and trauma psychologist Dr. Patricia O’Gorman once said, “Our resilience increases as we recognize the magnitude of what we have already accomplished.” National Recovery Month has accomplished a lot. But there is still a lot more to do. Our mission at the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA) is to expand the efforts of National Recovery Month to address and protect our most vulnerable population, our children affected by addiction. More National Recovery Month awareness can help us hold to this mission and ultimately can help us change a child’s life.

What Exactly Is National Recovery Month?

The truth is that many people are still unaware of National Recovery Month, let alone what its values are and what its mission statement is. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “National Recovery Month (Recovery Month), which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.” Ultimately, it is aimed at honoring all of those who support us when issues of addiction and/or mental health arise, including those who work with children of addiction.

The Need for Better National Recovery Month Awareness

One of the best ways to honor the recovery community and service providers is to be more vocal about National Recovery Month and what it stands for. Being more socially conscious and bringing more National Recovery Month awareness not only has the potential to generate more volunteers and advocacy for children of addiction, but it could also generate more funds for much-needed research and helpful, effective treatment tools. The reality is that we need it more than ever.

Right now, we need treatment resources that can help Americans without access to treatment or the tools they need to gain sobriety and, ultimately, recovery. In the post-COVID era, we need assistance with the opioid crisis in the country for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) as well as their children and families who have as much right to healing and recovery as everyone else. 

According to a report by SAMHSA, “About 1 in 8 children (8.7 million) aged 17 or younger lived in households with at least one parent who had a past year substance use disorder (SUD),” and “about 1 in 10 children (7.5 million) lived in households with at least one parent who had a past year alcohol use disorder and about 1 in 35 children (2.1 million) lived in households with at least one parent who had an illicit drug use disorder in the past year.” Yes, addressing the needs of children of addiction warrants more attention and more National Recovery Month awareness.  

National Recovery Month Awareness: Addressing the Needs of Children

One of the ways to advocate for children of addiction during National Recovery Month is to reach out to NACoA. We have a year-round focus on the welfare of children affected by addiction and mental health issues in families.

At NACoA, we promote National Recovery Month to support all those who have attained sobriety and recovery. We also support them by supporting the children and families who often don’t get the help they need when their loved one is in treatment (this is often a longer process to work on family healing and recovery). Our “Celebrating Families!” curriculum focuses on this process and is available in English, Spanish, and with an indigenous overlay in partnership with Wellbriety.

NACoA has all of the tools, resources, and information needed to start advocating for the rights of children affected by addiction. They have affiliate members who can further expand an advocacy network and bring even more attention to National Recovery Month.

National Recovery Month Awareness and Beyond: Addressing the Needs of Children Year-Round at NACoA

While National Recovery Month is a pivotal initiative, effective advocacy must happen more often than one month out of the year. It must be a yearlong affair to focus on recovery, and helping children and families impacted by substance use disorders in their lives. This is what we do here at NACoA, focus on the kids.

At NACoA, we believe in the “it takes a village” concept when it comes to helping children of parents struggling with addiction. This is why we fully embrace and support National Recovery Month as a month to promote family recovery, including the children’s needs.

Dr. Patricia O’Gorman, in her book, Dancing Backwards in High Heels – How Women Master the Art of Resilience, states: “Our resistance is our secret weapon.” Our ultimate mission and primary purpose is to be the resilient voice for the children of addiction. After 40 years of fulfilling this mission, we know that highlighting the global impact of familial addiction continues to garner aid to the lives of these wounded children.

National Recovery Month is a great initiative. It needs further expansion into the realm of children and family addiction recovery. Children are often the first hurt and often the last helped when familial addiction is happening. A family seeking treatment to move toward recovery is a great start, but we still need to be sure the children receive help to heal. They deserve to become resilient children who have hope for their future with the new skills they can learn from the NACoA Children’s Program Kit. Also, our “Celebrating Families!” curriculum can further help families heal. For more information on addressing the needs of children and families affected by addiction, reach out to NACoA today at (301) 468-0985.