By Christine Murray, HRI Director
Every September, the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors Recovery Month to raise awareness about the recovery process. Addiction and substance abuse not only affect the individual, but also their friends and family members. From now through the rest of September, our focus at HRI will be on highlighting the ways that addiction impacts the family, as well as how family members can support their loved ones through the recovery process. We are pleased to partner with Fellowship Hall and other organizations that will be featured in this series.
Substance use and abuse can be a major barrier to healthy relationships. When a loved one is facing an addiction, relationships can suffer. Watching someone you care about abuse substances is extremely difficult on many levels. Many people in this situation want to help and provide support, but they don’t know what to do. They may struggle with understanding whether the person wants to change, and they can feel devalued–as if the substances are more important than they are. The use and abuse of substances can lead to major stress and conflict in relationships and families.
On the other hand, family members can offer valuable support through the recovery process from a substance use disorder. In fact, the power of family and community connections is so critical to recovery that SAMHSA has made the theme of the 2017 Recovery Month to be “Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities.” Take 30 seconds to learn more about the importance of family and community connections for recovery in the SAMHSA video below:
Please join us throughout the rest of September as we put our own local spin on the Strengthening Families and Communities Recovery Month theme. Through our blog posts, you’ll have a chance to learn from local experts and substance abuse treatment providers about how family members can best support their loved ones through the process of recovering from a substance use disorder. In addition, we’re excited to partner with Fellowship Hall for an upcoming event on Wednesday, September 27th, at 6:30 at the Greensboro Public Library’s Central Branch, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from a panel of speakers on this topic. We hope to see you there!
Substance abuse and addiction are extremely difficult experiences for families to face. However, help is available right here in Guilford County for individuals and families to begin and thrive in the recovery process. Stay connected with HRI and Fellowship Hall in the coming days to learn more about this important issue that affects so many families in our community.