Area treatment agencies invited persons in recovery to add a leaf in celebration of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Month

During the month of September, the Jefferson Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center (JADAC), a division of Seven Counties Services, Inc., Our Lady of Peace, a part of KentuckyOne Health, (OLOP) and Volunteers of America (VOA) invites all persons in the region who are in recovery from addictions to complete and hang a “sobriety/drug-free date leaf” on the Recovery Trees at JADAC at: 600 South Preston Street, Our Lady of Peace (OLOP) at: 2020 Newburg Road or Volunteers of America of KY (VOA) at 933 Goss Avenue.

The Recovery Tree sprouted here in Louisville in recognition of September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Month. We will be celebrating the 23rd anniversary of the National Addiction Recovery Month, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recognizes people in recovery from addictions, as well as their families, friends, and treatment providers.

There will be a rally sponsored by Persons Advocating Recovery (PAR) on Saturday, September 22nd at the Harbor Lawn on Waterfront Park. The treatment centers JADAC, OLOP and VOA Kentucky will have sprouted a forest within the community to celebrate the rally.

All businesses and government offices are encouraged to create their own Recovery Trees. No workplace is immune from alcohol and drug problems and nearly all have persons in active recovery. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health, over 77 percent of all adults with alcohol and/or drug problems are in the workforce.

“Recovery Month is an opportunity to celebrate those who have sought treatment, as well as to educate our community that help is available and attainable,” said Jennifer Nolan, president and CEO, Our Lady of Peace. “Our Lady of Peace is proud to offer hope to people in recovery throughout the region.”

This year, the Recovery Month theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Make a Friend in Recovery,” promotes the need for better awareness and increased understanding about addiction, treatment, and recovery for the entire community, as well as awareness about the importance of access to treatment and recovery.

Recent research, shows that drug overdoses have surpassed car wrecks as the number one cause of accidental death. Research also shows that only a small fraction of the more than 23 million people who needed addiction treatment in the United States in 2007 had received some form of treatment. Diane Hague, vice president of JADAC states “We need to call on the community to help raise awareness about this gap. We have a wealth of very effective treatment and recovery resources in this community. It is important to showcase that long-term recovery is possible. Recovery Trees are a symbol of the benefits that result from investing in treatment and recovery for people with addictions and their families.”

“Addiction is an illness that affects us all, yet not enough people dealing with addiction have the support they need to recover,” said Jennifer Hancock, chief operating officer with Volunteers of America of Kentucky. “We are proud to be a part of this community-wide effort to celebrate recovery and educate the public about the critical need for substance abuse treatment resources and funding.”