for more information on national alcohol and drug addiction recovery month events in your town, and how you can get involved, visit the recovery month website at recoverymonth.gov. [music] people trapped by drug or alcohol addiction often feel like there's no hope. no way out. but for every lock, there's a key. and if you have a problem it's good to know there are real solutions to help you get free. for drug or alcohol treatment referral for you or someone you know, call 1-800-662-help. brought to you by the u.s. department of health and human services. people who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction sometimes say hurtful things. they drive the people who love them most away. if you know someone who suffers from drug or alcohol addiction-listen. try to hear what they are really saying. know that there is hope and help them find their voice again. for drug or alcohol treatment referral for you or someone you know call 1-800-662-help. brought to you by the u.s. department of health and human services. [music] hi, i'm michele monroe with the road to recovery and we're here today in maryl

2010 national recovery month observance and look forward to a successful 2011 campaign...so- join the voices for recovery: recovery benefits everyone. in 2011, national alcohol and drug addiction recovery month is expanding its reach to include the celebration and recognition of individuals, families, and communities who have overcome mental health problems and we have changed the name to national recovery month. recovery month offers help and hope not only for individuals receiving substance use and/or mental health recovery services but also for families, loved ones, friends, and communities. the benefits of treatment and recovery ripple across entire communities throughout our nation, proving there are effective treatments and people do recover. recovery month honors the millions of americans who are living happy, healthy, and productive lives in long-term recovery from substance use and mental health problems. it celebrates the tremendous success and contributions of treatment and recovery service providers, in both the mental health and substance use treatment and recovery fields, who make recovery a reality. each day, millions of people are living their lives in recovery

and the support individuals in recovery receive from their friends, families, coworkers, and their entire community. people in recovery and those who help them to reclaim their lives is the focus of national alcohol and drug addiction recovery month. each day, an estimated 20 million people in long-term recovery prove that recovery works. they are employed, have families, pay taxes, vote, and volunteer in their community. these are americans who have reclaimed their lives and are now giving back. this is the very spirit and nature of recovery month. the efforts of thousands of individuals throughout the country yielded more than 900 events nationwide supporting the 2010 theme: "join the voices for recovery: now more than ever." recovery month promotes the benefits of substance use and mental health disorder treatment and recovery- for individuals, their families, and their communities. it recognizes the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that behavioral health is an essential component of health services, that prevention works, and that treatment is effective. people can and do recover. this year's recovery month theme is "now more than ever"- it reminds us of how much has been accomplished in these ver

addiction and to find a life in the community. as we leave here today, celebrating the 21st anniversary of the national alcohol and drug addiction recovery month , let's rededicate ourselves to using our stories to speak with one voice about the reality of recovery and build strong recovery-committed communities across the country. your stories and efforts are more important than before, gaining access to treatment and peer and other recovery support services doesn't mean that people will seek them. you will help them seek them, you will help professionals and primary care and other aspects of the health care delivery system address the issue. you need to continue your efforts to keep the story of recovery out there, both within your communities and within the governmental organizations. when we address addiction from a recovery aspect, we must take a holistic approach. to truly assist an individual seekin' long-term recovery, we must address the issues of education, employment, and, most importantly, family and community wellness. mental illness and substance abuse are health care conditions, and, as health care conditions, people should expe

2010 national recovery month observance and look forward to a successful 2011 campaign...so- join the voices for recovery: recovery benefits everyone. in 2011, national alcohol and drug addiction recovery month is expanding its reach to include the celebration and recognition of individuals, families, and communities who have overcome mental health problems and we have changed the name to national recovery month. recovery month offers help and hope not only for individuals receiving substance use and/or mental health recovery services