20th Anniversary Includes TV Spots, PSAs
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month will host its 20th anniversary observance in September 2009.
SAMHSA recently unveiled materials developed to help communities plan and host events and activities and to help publicize the Agency’s 24/7 toll-free substance use disorder information and treatment referral helpline, 1-800-662-HELP.
Two new public service announcements (PSAs) about SAMHSA’s treatment helpline are available in English and Spanish.
The 2009 Recovery Month theme—“Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal”—underscores the continued gains our Nation is making in addiction treatment.
The last 20 years has seen a positive change in the landscape of addiction treatment and recovery.
People in recovery increasingly identify addiction as a disease that should be treated just like diabetes, heart disease, or any other disease.
New addiction services treatment options include online communities and eCounseling.
In addition to the new PSAs, Recovery Month’s 20th Anniversary kit contains fact sheets with current data and information about recovery.
One PSA, “Black and White in Color,” is a realistic depiction of a father’s daily struggle with addiction and the emotional toll it has on his life and family. Though physically present when interacting with family and friends, he is emotionally detached from the world around him. While others thrive in color, his distance is evident by living a life in black and white. Through treatment and recovery he regains control of his life, transitioning to a life of color and reconnecting with family and friends.
“Making Sense,” the second PSA, illustrates the isolation and confusion that addiction inflicts upon a young woman’s life and the sense of community that is rediscovered through treatment and long-term recovery. Though surrounded by friends, she is unable to comprehend her surroundings and what people are saying. With treatment and recovery, she begins to see the world around her—and everything becomes much clearer. She interacts with others and enjoys what is going on around her as she takes control of her life again.
Visit the Recovery Month Web site for Webcasts and all other materials and information.