September is National Recovery Month

Some 20 million Americans battle substance use disorder. Of that number, only four million or one-fifth receive treatment. Even though much of the nation’s attention has been focused on an opioid crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 400,000 in the last 20 years, alcohol is the substance most often abused. Almost 75% of those battling addiction are addicted to alcohol. Thirty-eight percent are addicted to drugs. Eight-and-a-half million suffer from mental health disorder and substance addiction.

These alarming statistics are the backdrop for National Recovery Month in September.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors National Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and tell the stories of those in recovery.

Monday’s Smart Talk focuses on recovery with Pennsylvania Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs Jennifer Smith and the Director of the state’s Office of Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm.

For more information on addiction, plus a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare–check out WITF’s Transforming Health. Online at TransformingHealth.org. A partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital Blue Cross.

Jennifer Storm and Jennifer Smith
Director of the state’s Office of Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm and the Pennsylvania Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs Jennifer Smith, appear on Smart Talk, September 16, 2019.

If you need help, please call 1-800-662-HELP, a 24/7 hour hotline.