Every September, millions of Americans observe National Recovery Month, a powerful celebration established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 1989. This annual observance promotes and supports evidence-based treatment and recovery practices while celebrating the nation’s vibrant recovery community and honoring the dedication of service providers who make recovery possible.

The theme for 2025, “Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life),” emphasizes SAMHSA’s comprehensive approach to recovery, focusing on four major dimensions that serve as the building blocks for healthy, independent lives: Health, Home, Community, and Purpose. These dimensions represent the foundation that all people need to live fulfilling lives and reach their full potential.

The Reality of Recovery: Hope in the Statistics

Recovery is not just possible—it’s happening every day across America. According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 50.2 million American adults considered themselves to be in recovery from their substance use and/or mental health problems. This represents a remarkable testament to the power of recovery:

74.3% of those who perceived they ever had a problem with their use of drugs or alcohol considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered
66.9% of those who perceived they ever had a mental health issue considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered

These statistics demonstrate that recovery is not only possible but prevalent. While 48.4 million Americans aged 12 or older (16.8% of the population) met criteria for a substance use disorder in the past year, and 61.5 million Americans aged 18 or older (23.4% of adults) had a mental illness in the past year, the high rates of recovery show that with proper support and resources, individuals can and do recover.

Week 1: Health - The Foundation of Recovery

The first dimension of recovery emphasizes that recovery includes whole health—not just the absence of substance use or mental health symptoms, but comprehensive wellness encompassing physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being.

The Scope of Behavioral Health Challenges

Understanding the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders helps contextualize the importance of health-focused recovery efforts:

♦ Among the 48.4 million Americans with substance use disorders, 27.9 million had alcohol use disorder, 28.2 million had drug use disorders, and 7.7 million experienced both
♦ Young adults aged 18-25 show particularly high prevalence, with 25.9% (9.1 million) experiencing a substance use disorder
♦ Among adolescents aged 12-17 in 2024, 18.8% had moderate or severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, including 10.6% with moderate symptoms and 8.2% with severe symptoms

Treatment Access and Recovery Outcomes

Despite the challenges, the data reveal both opportunities and successes in treatment and recovery:

Treatment Gap Reality:

♦ 80% of people who needed treatment for a substance use disorder in 2024 did not get treatment, highlighting the critical need for expanded access
♦ For mental health treatment, the gap is smaller but still significant: 40% of adolescents with major depressive episodes and 48% of adults with any mental illness did not receive treatment in the past year

Recovery Success Stories:

The high recovery rates demonstrate that treatment, recovery support services, and community connections make recovery possible. Evidence-based approaches continue to show effectiveness:

♦ Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has proven highly effective for opioid use disorders
♦ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) show strong outcomes for various mental health conditions
♦ Innovative treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy and ketamine treatment offer hope for treatment-resistant conditions

Holistic Health Approaches

Recovery-oriented health care recognizes that whole health includes:

♦ Physical Health: Managing chronic conditions, addressing nutrition, and incorporating physical activity
♦ Mental Health: Treating co-occurring disorders and building emotional resilience
♦ Spiritual Health: Finding meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater
♦ Social Health: Building healthy relationships and communication skills

Advanced treatment methodologies, such as qEEG brain mapping and GeneSight testing, allow for personalized treatment approaches that address individual genetic and neurological factors affecting recovery.

Week 2: Home - The Safety of Stable Living

A safe and supportive home strengthens recovery. Housing stability serves as a critical foundation that enables individuals to focus on their recovery without the additional stress of housing insecurity or homelessness.

The Housing-Recovery Connection

The relationship between stable housing and successful recovery is well-documented in research and statistics:

Homelessness and Substance Use:

♦ On a single night in 2024, 771,480 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States
♦ 18.4% of the homeless population reported having a serious mental illness, while 14.5% had conditions related to chronic substance abuse
♦ According to SAMHSA, 38% of homeless people abused alcohol while 26% abused other drugs
♦ 152,585 individuals experience chronic homelessness on any given night, often cycling between the streets and emergency services

Evidence-Based Housing Solutions

Housing First Approach:

Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of Housing First programs:

♦ 79% of individuals remained in stable housing at six months when provided Housing First assistance, compared to only 27% in the control group
♦ Studies show 9 out of 10 people remain housed a year after receiving Housing First assistance
♦ Housing First is three times cheaper than criminalization approaches
♦ The approach is associated with decreased homelessness, reductions in substance use, increased access to mental health and substance use services, and decreased criminal justice involvement

The Family Dimension

Recovery is a family affair.

Stable housing benefits not only individuals in recovery but their entire support network:

♦ Family-based recovery approaches show improved outcomes when entire households have stable housing
♦ Healing happens when you feel seen and safe at home, creating an environment where family relationships can rebuild and strengthen
♦ Sober living environments provide structured, substance-free housing that bridges the gap between treatment and independent living

Housing as Healthcare

Stable housing serves as a platform for accessing and maintaining other recovery services:

♦ Individuals with stable housing are more likely to attend therapy appointments and medication management visits
♦ Housing stability is a key contributor to long-term recovery and reduces relapse for people who have experienced homelessness
♦ Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing with coordinated services, helping people with chronic health issues maintain both housing and recovery

Week 3: Community - The Power of Connection

Building social networks and a sense of community can support recovery. The community dimension recognizes that you are not alone, and together we can make a difference.

Breaking Through Stigma

One of the most significant barriers to recovery is stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders. Research shows that SUDs are highly stigmatized compared with other psychiatric disorders by both the general public and health professionals. This stigmatization can be rooted in misconceptions about addiction and mental illness.

Community Education and Awareness:

♦ Be the voice of recovery—nothing about us, without us. Individuals with lived experience play crucial roles in education and advocacy
♦ Workplace education programs can reduce stigma: 13.3 million workers (nearly 9%) report that they are in recovery or have recovered from substance use problems
♦ Community-based education helps people understand that recovery is a process of growth and healing, not a moral failing

Social Support Networks

You have not met all the people who will love you. Recovery communities provide vital connections:

♦ Peer support services have proven effective in maintaining long-term recovery
♦ Support groups, including 12-step programs and alternative recovery communities, provide ongoing connection and accountability
♦ Family, friends, and peers together put the “we” in wellness

Recovery Communities

Strong recovery communities are characterized by:

♦ Mutual support and shared experience: Individuals in similar stages of recovery supporting each other
♦ Diverse pathways: Recognition that there are many routes to recovery, respecting individual choices
♦ Celebration of milestones: Acknowledging progress and achievements in recovery journeys
♦ Advocacy and voice: Speaking out against discrimination and for recovery-supportive policies

Building Inclusive Communities

Effective recovery communities address the diverse needs of all individuals:

♦ Cultural competence: Understanding how cultural, racial, and ethnic factors impact recovery experiences
♦ LGBTQ+ inclusion: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in recovery

♦ Trauma-informed approaches: Understanding how trauma affects recovery and building healing-centered communities

Week 4: Purpose - Finding Meaning and Direction

Many voices, multiple pathways, one hope. The purpose dimension focuses on how a sense of purpose drives positive change and fosters resilience, recognizing that where there is hope, there is recovery.

Employment and Recovery

Work provides structure, income, social connection, and a sense of contribution—all crucial elements for sustained recovery:

Recovery in the Workplace:

♦ 70% (about 13.6 million workers) of all adults with an alcohol or illicit drug use disorder are employed, making the workplace an important setting to address SUDs
♦ The 13.6 million workers with an SUD represent nearly 9% of all employed adults
♦ About 1.9 million workers (1%) receive treatment annually for a SUD
♦ 13.3 million workers (nearly 9%) report that they are in recovery or have recovered from a past or present substance use problem

Workplace-Supported Recovery

Forward-thinking employers are implementing Workplace Supported Recovery (WSR) programs that:

♦ Prevent work factors that could cause or prolong SUDs
♦ Lower barriers to seeking and receiving care and maintaining recovery
♦ Create recovery-supportive workplace cultures
♦ Provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and health benefits that cover addiction treatment
♦ Offer flexible scheduling for treatment appointments and recovery activities

Career Growth in Recovery Fields

The recovery field itself provides meaningful career opportunities:

♦ Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations
♦ About 48,300 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year
♦ Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors held about 483,500 jobs in 2024
♦ The median annual wage for these professionals was $59,190 in May 2024

Purpose Beyond Employment

Purpose in recovery extends far beyond traditional employment:

Volunteer Service:

♦ Be part of other people’s recovery journeys through volunteer work in recovery organizations
♦ Mentoring newcomers in recovery programs
♦ Advocacy work to improve treatment access and reduce stigma

Creative and Personal Pursuits:

♦ You are worthy of joy. It is closer than you think. Recovery often involves rediscovering interests and talents that were lost during active addiction
♦ Artistic expression, sports, music, and other creative outlets provide meaning and connection
♦ Educational pursuits and lifelong learning contribute to personal growth and purpose

Service to Others:

Many individuals find deep purpose in helping others navigate their own recovery journeys, whether through formal peer support roles or informal mentoring relationships.

The Interconnected Nature of the Four Dimensions

The four dimensions of recovery—Health, Home, Community, and Purpose—do not exist in isolation. They work together synergistically:

♦ Stable housing supports health by providing a safe environment for rest, medication compliance, and treatment attendance
♦ Community connections enhance purpose through social support, shared activities, and opportunities for service
♦ Meaningful purpose improves health through increased motivation, structure, and self-esteem

♦ Good health enables community participation and the energy needed to pursue purpose

A Holistic Approach to Recovery

Understanding these interconnections helps explain why comprehensive, holistic treatment approaches tend to be most effective:

♦ Addressing housing instability can improve treatment outcomes
♦ Building social support networks enhances long-term recovery maintenance
♦ Incorporating vocational rehabilitation provides both purpose and practical skills

♦ Treating co-occurring mental health conditions alongside substance use disorders improves overall outcomes

The Role of Treatment Centers in Supporting All Four Dimensions

Modern addiction treatment centers recognize the importance of addressing all four dimensions of recovery. Effective treatment programs incorporate:

Health Dimension Support:

Home Dimension Support:

Community Dimension Support:

Purpose Dimension Support:

Hope, Healing, and the Journey Forward

The statistics are encouraging: millions of Americans are living proof that recovery is possible. The 50.2 million adults who consider themselves in recovery represent not just numbers, but individual stories of hope, healing, and transformation. Each recovery journey is unique, but all are united by the fundamental truth that with the right support across the four dimensions of health, home, community, and purpose, recovery is not only possible—it’s probable.

As we celebrate National Recovery Month 2025, let us remember that recovery is REAL. It restores every aspect of life, from the individual to the family to the community to society as a whole. Whether you are in recovery yourself, supporting a loved one’s journey, or working to create more recovery-supportive communities, you are part of a movement that is literally saving lives and transforming communities.

You are not alone. Building social networks and a sense of community can support recovery. Together, we can make a difference.

The evidence is clear, the hope is real, and the future is bright for recovery in America. Let us continue to work together to ensure that everyone who needs treatment can access it, everyone in recovery has the support they need to thrive, and everyone in our communities understands that recovery is not just about overcoming addiction or mental health challenges—it’s about reclaiming the fullness of life itself.

Recovery is REAL. Recovery is happening. Recovery is restoring every aspect of life, one person, one family, one community at a time.

This resource page is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or substance use challenges, please reach out to a healthcare provider or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential, free, 24/7 treatment referral and information services.

Sources and References

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Release of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Leveraging the Latest Substance Use and Mental Health Data to Make America Healthy Again. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/release-2024-nsduh-leveraging-latest-substance-use-mental-health-data-make-america-healthy-again
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2025). State of Homelessness: 2025 Edition. Available at: https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness/
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2024). Health – National Alliance to End Homelessness. Available at: https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/what-causes-homelessness/health/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2024). Workplace Supported Recovery. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/substance-use/workplace-supported-recovery/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Workplace Supported Recovery: New NIOSH Research Addresses an Evolving Crisis. Available at: https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2022/11/30/workplace-supported-recovery/
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Available at: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Strong growth projected in mental health-related employment. Available at: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/strong-growth-projected-in-mental-health-related-employment.htm
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2025). 2025 Recovery Month Toolkit. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/recovery-month/toolkit
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Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2024). How Stable Housing Supports Recovery from Substance Use Disorders. Opioid Principles. Available at: https://opioidprinciples.jhsph.edu/how-stable-housing-supports-recovery-from-substance-use-disorders/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Addressing Social Determinants of Health Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/addressing-social-determinants-health-among-individuals-experiencing-homelessness
Health Resources and Services Administration. (2024). State of the Behavioral Health Workforce Report 2024. Available at: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/state-of-the-behavioral-health-workforce-report-2024.pdf
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Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Sanjai Thankachen

Dr. Sanjai Thankachen graduated from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in psychiatry in 2008 at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York. Dr. Thankachen is currently working with Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists in an outpatient practice, as well as working at multiple in-patient psychiatric and medical units bringing his patients the most advanced healthcare treatment in psychiatry. Dr. Thankachen sees patients with an array of disorders, including depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, anxiety, and dementia-related problems.

More About Dr. Sanjai Thankachen

Edited for Clinical Accuracy By:

Sean Leonard, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Sean Leonard is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. He received his master’s degree in adult geriatric primary care nurse practitioner from Walden University and a second postmaster specialty in psychiatry mental health nurse practitioner from Rocky Mountain University. Sean has experience working in various diverse settings, including an outpatient clinic, inpatient detox and rehab, psychiatric emergency, and dual diagnosis programs. His specialty areas include substance abuse, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD.

More About Sean Leonard

National Recovery Month 2025

Restoring Every Aspect of Life

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