September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
This September will constitute the 20th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, and during this month, communities across the country will join together to help people recognize that substance use disorders are treatable diseases and that people undergoing such treatment are entitled to dignity and respect. Drug and alcohol use, abuse, and addiction continue to be among the Nation’s leading public health problems. Although participating in recovery programs for substance use disorders has been found to be as successful as receiving treatment for other chronic medical disorders, only 3.8 million of the estimated 21.15 million people aged 12 or older with alcohol or substance use disorders in the United States received treatment in 2004. It has been found that, amongst others, the societal stigma associated with substance use disorders constitutes a powerful barrier preventing people from seeking much needed treatment. Recovery Month is an opportunity to emphasize the benefits of treatment, remind our community that treatment is effective, and that recovery is possible.
Cheshire Youth & Social Services will take the opportunity during Recovery Month to provide the community with information regarding local alcohol and substance abuse treatment facilities and also to celebrate those people and families in recovery who have taken back control of their lives from addiction, and who have battled stigma, discrimination, and other barriers to their treatment to lead healthier and more productive lifestyles in recovery. By raising awareness about treatment and recovery services, we hope to provide the community with a better understanding of these disorders and treatments available, and to help alleviate the stigma associated with treatment.
To promote Recovery Month goals, Youth & Social Services will undertake the following in September:
- Submit press releases to the Cheshire Herald on the following subjects (i) local alcohol and substance treatment and community-support options in the Cheshire area; (ii) the family’s role in recovery, and (iii) a personal story of someone’s recovery experience;
- Distribute educational materials at Cheshire’s Fall Festival to help youth, affected family members, and other community members to become informed about treatment and support programs that are offered in the area;
- Continue to offer substance education, prevention, awareness and counseling programs to Cheshire residents;
- Continue to actively support and promote the goals of the Cheshire Coalition on Underage Drinking.
For those individuals who do receive treatment, one irrefutable fact remains: the support of their family, friends, and the community at large is a critical element in the overall recovery process. Throughout Recovery Month, events nation wide will encourage communities, civic leaders, and the recovery community to address their community’s need for treatment and overcome barriers that prevent people from seeking help. One such endeavor is “Recovery Walks!” an annual walk for recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, which will be held nationwide on Saturday, September 26, 2009. In Connecticut, it will be held on that day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Hartford’s Bushnell Park. Activities will include Live Musical Entertainment, Children’s Activities, Exhibitors and Food Vendors. The walk (around Bushnell Park) will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) website at www.ccar.us
If you have any questions on Recovery Month or would like more information please contact Cheshire Youth and Social Services at 271-6690 or by e-mail at cheshireyouthservices@cheshirect.org.
Options for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment
September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and is a time to emphasize the benefits of substance abuse treatment, remind our community that treatment is effective, and that recovery is possible. Millions of Americans struggle with drug and alcohol abuse and addiction problems, which takes its toll not only on these individuals in terms of health problems, automobile accidents, and lost work productivity, but also on their families, friends, and the community at large. The good news is that substance abuse disorders are treatable, and effective treatment services are available by qualified and dedicated professionals.
The range of treatment and recovery programs in Connecticut is considerable, and many are available within a short distance from the Cheshire area. Cheshire Youth & Social Services has therefore set out below but a few of the local alcohol and substance abuse treatment facilities and community-support groups which are available to those seeking help. For more information, please contact Cheshire Youth & Social Services, or call 211 Infoline:
For Adults:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women (and teens) from all walks of life, aiming to recover from alcoholism , by sharing their experiences, strength and hope, following a twelve step program. AA meetings are held at various locations throughout Cheshire, 7 days per week. For the times and locations of the meetings nearest you, please contact AA at 1-800-530-9511.
Connecticut Valley Hospital Addiction Services Division of Middletown (#860-262-6320 or 6321) provides hospital inpatient care for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, detox, and methadone maintenance.
Institute of Living Hartford Hospital (860-545-7200) provides a full range of outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment services (in Hartford).
New Britain General Hospital (860-224-9985) provides a full range of outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment services.
Rushford Center in Middletown and Glastonbury (860-346-0300, ext. 107) provides inpatient and outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment and detox services.
St. Mary’s Hospital Behavioral Healthcare Services in Waterbury (#203-709-3293) offers alcohol and substance abuse treatment, and detox services on an outpatient or partial hospitalization/day treatment basis.
Wheeler Clinic in Plainville (800-793-3588) provides a full range of outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment services.
For Adolescents:
Connecticut Junior Republic in Waterbury (# 203-757-9939) offers outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment for adolescents and/or adolescents with co-occurring mental and substance abuse problems.
Institute of Living Hartford Hospital (860-545-7200) provides a full range of outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment services (in Bloomfield).
Rushford Center in Meriden, Middletown, and Glastonbury (860-346-0300, ext. 159) provides a full range of outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment services.
Wakeman Hall at the Children’s Center of Hamden (#203-248-2116, ext 341) provides alcohol and substance abuse treatment services for adolescents and adolescents with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders.
Support for Family and Friends:
Family and friends of people with alcohol and substance abuse problems also need support and services to help them cope with their loved ones’ illness, understand and deal with the recovery process, and have a place to share concerns and gain strength. That is one of the many reasons why the AlAnon and AlAteen 12-step support programs were created.
AlAnon is a support group which helps friends and families of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a friend or relative. AlAnon meetings are held in Cheshire on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. For schedules and locations, please contact AlAnon at 1-888-825-2666.
AlAteen is a support group which helps teens aged 12-20 recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a friend or relative. AlAteen meetings are available in Wallingford on Sundays at 7:30pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (65 North Main Street). For more information on AlAteen or the location of other meetings and times, please contact AlAteen at 1-888-825-2666.
If you have any questions on Recovery Month or would like more information please contact Cheshire Youth and Social Services at 271-6690 or by e-mail at cheshireyouthservices@cheshirect.org
