Recovery, Resources and Drug Awareness

I just realized it September, which means it is *Recovery Month. Last year I set off to write an article on the “event” and got side tracked. The topic ended up being about an organization called the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. This year, I am going to stay focused and provide a giant list of all the resources that are showcased on SAMHSA’s site (as part of their drug awareness month toolkit). If you are interested in Drug Addiction, Alcoholism or Mental Health, the SAMHSA site should be bookmarked as a “go-to” resource.

This list is quite long. So, if you are not computer savvy, here is a quick tip to make searching easier. Let us say that you want to find a resource on Drug Overdoses. This is what you do:

In Windows type Control + F and enter the search term “drug overdose” in the small window
In Safari type Command + F and enter the search term “drug overdose” in the small window
Try it now ….you will remain on the same page. If you did not know this trick, you will find this very handy to use on any website.

Resources

Many options are available to help people seek treatment and sustain recovery. Whichever path a person chooses, it is important that each individual finds the treatment and recovery support that works best for him or her. To assist individuals in reaching out, a variety of organizations that provide information and resources on mental and/or substance use disorders, as well as prevention, treatment, and recovery support services are included below. Toll-free numbers and websites are also available for people to find help, obtain information, share, and learn from others. Services and supports are available in-person, via telephone and online. Through these resources, individuals can interact with others and find support on a confidential basis.

• Healthcare.gov (http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html): Contains information on how to find health insurance options, compare providers, enroll in a health plan, and on prevention and wellness resources.
• National Dating Abuse Helpline (http://www.loveisrespect.org): Provides an opportunity for teens and young adults to receive support for dealing with an unhealthy or abusive relationship by offering online chat, telephone support, and texting with a peer advocate.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (http://www.rainn.org): Connects callers to a local sexual assault crisis center so they can receive the information and support that they need.
• Addiction Recovery Guide’s Mobile App Listing (http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/resources/mobile_apps): Contains online recovery options, including self-evaluation, recovery programs, online treatment, and chat rooms.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (http://www.aa.org) and Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.na.org): Contains resources for individuals suffering from alcohol or drug dependence and allows them to find and join a local chapter.
• Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups (http://www.al-anon.alateen.org): Provides support groups for families and friends of people with alcohol problems.
• Faces and Voices of Recovery (http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org): Offers resources on recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Through nationwide regions, organizes and mobilizes Americans in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs to promote their right and resources to recover.
• Mental Health America (MHA) (http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net): Offers resources about mental illness. Through their affiliates, MHA provides America’s communities and consumers direct access to a broad range of self-help and professional services.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (http://www.nami.org/): Works in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy, and support group programs.
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) (http://ncadd.org): Provides, through NCADD and its affiliate network, numerous resources and services dedicated to fighting alcoholism and drug addiction.
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) (http://www.nacoa.org): Works on behalf of children of alcohol and drug dependent parents. NACoA provides information on its website about the ways to help children of alcoholics and other drug-dependent parents and maintains a toll-free phone number available to all.
• Psychology Today’s Therapy Directory (http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms): Allows users to locate a therapist, psychologist, or counselor who specializes in mental illness by city or zip code.
• Racing for Recovery (http://www.racingforrecovery.org): Helps people sustain recovery and improve their quality of life by promoting a healthy lifestyle, fitness, and sobriety.
• SMART Recovery (http://www.smartrecovery.org): Is a self-empowering addiction recovery support group. SMART Recovery sponsors face-to-face meetings and daily online meetings.
• SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) (http://soarworks.prainc.com): Increases access to Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Income for eligible adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have a mental and/or substance use disorder.

Governmental Resources

• StopAlcoholAbuse.gov (https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/default.aspx): Provides a comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue.
• T2 Mood Tracker (http://t2health.org/apps/t2-mood-tracker): Allows users to self-monitor, track, and reference their emotional experiences through a mobile application over a period of days, weeks, and months. The tool can be useful in self-help as well as when the person is interacting with a therapist or other health care professional.
• Young People in Recovery (http://youngpeopleinrecovery.org): Educates, recommends, and collaborates to mobilize the voices of young people in recovery.

SAMHSA Focused Resources

• SAMHSA’s Recovery and Recovery Support Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/recovery): Provides information on how recovery-oriented care and recovery support systems help people with mental and/or substance use disorders manage their conditions.
• SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatments and Services Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment): Contains information on common mental and/or substance use disorders, and how SAMHSA helps people access treatments and services.
• SAMHSA’s Recovery Month Website (http://www.recoverymonth.gov): Provides resources, tools and materials, including print, web, television, radio and social media assets, to help communities reach out and encourage individuals in need of help, and their friends and families, to seek treatment and recovery services.
• SAMHSA’s Website (http://www.samhsa.gov): Provides numerous resources and helpful pieces of information related to mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery.
• SAMHSA’s Find Help Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help): Provides various links and phone numbers to mental and/or substance use disorder treatment and recovery services locators.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD) (http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline): Provides 24-hour, free, and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org): Provides a free, 24-hour helpline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Additional Resources

• SAMHSA’s “Co-Occurring Disorders” Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/co-occurring): Contains information on co-occurring mental and/or substance use disorders and treatment options for these conditions.
• SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week (http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week): A SAMHSA-supported annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The National Prevention Week 2015 theme is The Voice of One, The Power of All.
• SAMHSA’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit (http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Opioid-Overdose- Prevention-Toolkit/SMA13-4742): Helps communities and local governments develop policies and practices to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Addresses issues for first responders, treatment and service providers, and those recovering from opioid overdose.
• SAMHSA’s Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) (http://www.nattc.org/home/): Provides research and information for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field. The ATTC Network is a SAMHSA-funded resource.
• SAMHSA’s Wellness Initiative and Wellness Week (http://www.samhsa.gov/wellness): Promotes the importance of the mental, emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life for well-being. Offers tools to incorporate wellness into recovery and life.

Good News – This list is not exhaustive of all available resources.