National Recovery Month 2022

The MIND 24-7 Team | September 21, 2022

Recovery and Mental Health: Warning Signs & Helpful Resources

According to NAADAC, National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

A 2020 Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, found that 40.3 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder, and 14.2 million adults aged 18 or older had serious mental illness in the past year. The overdose crisis continues to damage individuals, families, and communities across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were over 107,000 provisional drug overdose deaths in the United States for the year ending in February 2022.

Tragically, only about 10% of those with an addiction of some sort get treatment. Part of the reason for that is the many barriers to accessing substance use treatment in the United States. This month, as we celebrate National Recovery Month, and hope to help educate people about the fact that with help, people can recover from addiction and still live a rewarding, healthy life.

Mental health is a large factor in the development of substance addiction. Over 50 percent of those diagnosed with a mental health disorder will develop a substance use disorder in their lifetime.

If you are worried about a loved one, know that just starting the conversation can create a positive foundation for someone who is thinking about using or already using and get them on the pathway to seeking help.

START THE CONVERSATION

• Talk early and often: Do not wait until a situation presents itself.
• Correct misconceptions together: Kids and adults who aren’t properly informed are at greater risk of engaging in unsafe behaviors and experimenting with substance use.
• Be a role model: Your attitude about drugs and behavior can influence others, especially a child.
• Be realistic: Although the ultimate goal is for loved ones not to abuse drugs, we must also prioritize safety. If someone is using drugs, be realistic in situations such as drinking and driving, let them know they can call for a ride, etc. with no questions asked.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, there are people that can help! There are a variety of different types of help available such as counselors, medical professionals, and treatment centers. Reaching out for help is the first step and the most important!

SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE & ADDICTION

• Change in appetite or sleep patterns
• Decline in personal hygiene or appearance
• Frequent, unexplained bruises or other injuries
• Skipping class or declining grades
• Sudden change in relationships and friends
• Missing money and stealing
• Sudden mood changes – irritability or outbursts
• Appearing withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid

Everyone’s recovery journey is different. For those who are in recovery or reflecting on the impact of alcohol and other drugs on their lives, please know that treatment is effective and available for addiction and substance use disorders. If you are struggling with addiction and are ready to begin your path to recovery, just “walk in the door” of one of our 24-hour MIND 24-7 locations in the Greater Phoenix area.

Our team members will work with you to create a treatment plan and work on some of the difficult personal challenges, like housing, safety, employment, and mental health that exacerbate addiction, to enable you to focus on your recovery. Our centers are open around the clock, seven days a week and we assist every single person who comes through the door.

Recovery can look different to everyone. If you are recovered, in the process of recovering from addiction, or looking to start your journey to recovery, there are many resources available to help you through the process.

About the MIND 24-7

MIND 24-7 is fundamentally changing the landscape of accessible behavioral health by offering walk-in urgent mental health and substance abuse services such as Express Care, Crisis Care, and Progressions. MIND 24-7 fills the gap for those seeking help by being available right when they need it – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Using innovations in value-based care models to improve and expand access to care, MIND 24-7 not only enhances quality patient care, but reduces pressure on the system, reducing costly emergency room visits, in-patient treatment, and readmissions for crisis care. To learn more, go to www.MIND24-7.com.