September is National Recovery Month!

Recovery Month is a national observance held every September. The goal is to educate Americans that treatment and mental health services can help people live healthy and rewarding lives. Ironically, I didn’t find out about Recovery Month until after I got sober. I certainly could have benefitted from this message during my drinking days.  So, from now on, I’m doubling down with you, my fellow recovery warriors. Let’s get up, get involved, and let our recovery flags fly!  That’s probably going a bit overboard but I’m making up for lost time. You can too with these fantastic ways to help observe the occasion.

Reading in Recovery Book Club – September 9

Jan Osborn and Robin Bagwell, a couple of recovery advocates from Dallas, are hosting a virtual book club reading from “Out of the Rough: An Intimate Portrait of Laura Baugh and Her Sobering Journey” The event is on September 9 at 4:00 pm through a Facebook Group Page and will cover Laura’s story of recovery and redemption and the resources that Recovery Resource Council offers to those seeking help with addiction. Click HERE to join the Facebook Group and learn more about this event. 

P.S. The Sober Curator loves this idea and plans to borrow it in the near future. So send us ideas for the book you want to discuss with us. 

Shatterproof Virtual Fundraising Challenge – September 26

Shatterproof is a national nonprofit dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. The impact of addiction on Americans is growing in the face of COVID-19. Overdose rates have spiked every month since the virus forced millions into isolation.  Shatterproof needs your support now more than ever. We have an extra fun, super-easy way to help. This year, the annual fundraiser is virtual and Melissa Etheridge is putting on a show for the cause. Register on our team page The Sober Curator Is Stronger to get information on the concert and to help save lives. Pro Tip: Register by September 1 to get a T-Shirt and a mask. We’re looking forward to seeing your challenge photos so tag us @thesobercurator. Together, we can make a difference.

Did we mention Melissa Etheridge?

The 30-Day Recovery Challenge – September 1-30

Addiction Recovery Team (ART) is committed to helping those in the recovering community—and those seeking recovery—to find prevention, early intervention, and treatment options with community support. ART helps people in Illinois get treatment and support services for addiction to alcohol, drugs, and gambling but has incredible online resources to benefit everyone. The website provides powerful daily meditations, hotlines, Facebook Community Groups, insights, and meeting links.  With activities focused on mindfulness, relationship, goals, and helping others, The 30 Day Recovery Month Challenge is an outstanding way to spend time each day honoring recovery. Pro Tip: No need to confine these uplifting activities to just one month. Feel free to rinse and repeat as often as you’d like.

Signature – A Virtual Celebration of Artists & Musicians in Recovery

Signature is an annual grand-scale art and music exhibition. The event celebrates people who have utilized their passions and creative talents to further their recovery from substance abuse and other behavioral health issues. Participants inspire the community to embrace the arts as effective tools for sustained recovery.

This year the event was virtual so you can watch it anytime, Of course, we think Recovery Month is the perfect time to watch the show. After watching the event myself, I do not have the words to adequately describe how moving it is to see people in recovery using their talents to celebrate life and carry the message. I could not help thinking about what a tragedy it would be for these performers not to be able to express themselves or share their God-given gifts with the world as a result of addiction.  I’m thankful that they are in recovery and that I was able to witness a performance full of such passion.  

This one is a do not miss. So, gather your friends, make a night of it. You can take this a step further and start working on your own act or even produce artists in recovery events for your own recovery community.

The Sober Curator Pro Tip – virtual galleries

Signature producers curated some inspirational virtual galleries to exhibit Visual Art, Written Word, Spotlight Speakers, and Performance Art. Make sure you check these out. We promise you will not regret it. 

Help is here if and when you need it

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.