Recovery Awareness Month: Building Hope and Strength Together
Publisher: Randi Slack
Each September, we pause to recognize National Recovery Month—a time to honor the millions of individuals living in recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. This month is about raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and celebrating the strength of individuals, families, and communities who walk the recovery journey together.
Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Each path is unique, but what connects them is resilience, support, and hope. By shining a light on recovery, we remind one another that treatment works, recovery is real, and people can and do thrive after challenges.
Why Recovery Awareness Matters
- Visibility: Sharing recovery stories makes the journey real and relatable.
- Reducing Stigma: Open conversations create understanding and acceptance.
- Community Connection: Recovery involves families, providers, and peers—not just individuals.
ICOY’s Commitment to Recovery
At Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY), we are proud to co-lead initiatives that place recovery at the center of family stability and child well-being. Our Intact Family Recovery (IFR) model pairs child welfare services with recovery support teams to keep families together while addressing substance use challenges.
Through our upcoming IFR Center of Excellence (CoE) initiative, we are building nationwide infrastructure to:
- Provide training and capacity building for Recovery Coordinators, Intact Workers, and Supervisors in the child welfare and treatment systems.
- Strengthen partnerships and build system-level capacity between child welfare and treatment agencies.
- Promote knowledge sharing through research, evaluation, and collaborative learning spaces.
- Elevate family voices to shape programs and systems for recovery.
We know firsthand that recovery is not just possible—it’s transformative. By keeping families intact and supporting their healing, we reduce trauma, strengthen communities, and create pathways for long-term stability.
How You Can Show Support for Those in Recovery
- Wear Purple: The official color of Recovery Month is purple—wear it to show solidarity.
- Learn & Share Stories: Uplift recovery voices and experiences.
- Attend or Host Events: Walks, panels, and community gatherings highlight the power of recovery.
- Advocate: Support expanded access to treatment and recovery services.
Resource List
National Resources
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator – Helplines and treatment resources.
- 2025 Recovery Month Toolkit— Use this toolkit to learn more about what SAMHSA is doing to support people in recovery and how to share this information with your audiences. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of people in or seeking recovery from mental and substance use disorders.
- Faces & Voices of Recovery – National advocacy and peer support.
- Shatterproof – Ending stigma and transforming addiction care.
- Partnership to End Addiction – Family-focused resources.
- NAMI – Mental health support and education.
Illinois-Specific Resources
- Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances – 24/7 confidential treatment and recovery navigation: Call 833-234-6343 or text HELP to 833234.
- Live4Lali – Community-based harm reduction, education, and support in Illinois.
- Recovery Centers of America – St. Charles, IL – Local treatment and recovery services.
Recovery is happening all around us—quietly, powerfully, and every day. At ICOY, we’re committed to supporting families and communities across Illinois through the IFR model and beyond. By showing up, speaking out, and sharing resources, we can help create a future where every recovery journey is valued, supported, and celebrated.
Learn more about ICOY’s IFR model here!