For the last 31 years, September has been deemed National Recovery Month. The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), embraces this month is an opportunity to celebrate the gains made by those in recovery. According to facesandvoicesofrecovery.org, the goal is to “promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation to make recovery in all its forms possible.”
Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections
The theme for 2020 National Recovery Month was Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections. Throughout the month, NADCP provided video messages of encouragement from celebrities who have a personal recovery story of their own. The Thank You Fridays messages featured actors Allison Janney, Marlee Matlin, Michael O’Neill, Taye Diggs, and Mary McCormack, as well as comedian Dion Flynn who spoke about the subtle messages around us every day that can help provide encouragement and motivation to be successful.
Members of the recovery community also participated by submitting photos that share a visual of their own Recovery Story. Some of the inspiring responses to My Story is About . . . included, “Moving Forward!”, “Purpose”, “A Better Way”, and “I Am Worthy”.
The Role of Technology in Recovery from Drug and Alcohol Addiction
The most successful interventions leverage technology in conjunction with court-ordered participation in alcohol programs. In addition to support groups and therapy, requiring offenders to abstain from alcohol and be subject to continuous alcohol monitoring has been proven to be effective in reducing recidivism. Continuous alcohol monitoring begins with a critical assessment of a client, and then enforces accountability and compliance by promoting sobriety.
Technology advancements continue to emerge that further the potential for client success. Software to help officers and agencies implement evidence-based practices, and mobile applications to provide ease of connection between officers and clients, are changing the landscape of recovery today.
The combination of these resources—alongside traditional interventions—provides the optimal method for addressing the root cause of an individual’s alcohol misuse and abuse, ultimately supporting their recovery from addiction.