Eliminating stigma, finding resources as we observe Recovery Awareness and Suicide Prevention month
September is both Recovery Awareness and Suicide Prevention Month. Just about everyone has been impacted by one or both of these topics. In fact, more than one in six Americans reported living with a substance abuse disorder (SUD) in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A SUD is a chronic, lifelong disease from misuse of substances – both illegal and legal, including prescription medication, opiates, alcohol, stimulants, and others – that needs daily treatment and care, just like hypertension or diabetes. This disorder is not a moral failing or lack of willpower, but a complex disease of the brain. Did you know that chronic substance use can alter and change your brain’s chemistry?
There are many factors that contribute to a SUD, including a history of trauma, genetics, mental health disorders, and personality. To learn more, click here: 1.2 The Relationship Between Trauma and Substance Use Disorder
Having September serve as both Recovery Awareness and Suicide Prevention Month is fitting since substance use and mental health disorders are often co-occurring, increasing the risk of suicide. According to the information from the CDC, there are several reasons why a person who has substance use disorder may also have an increased risk of suicide:
- People under the influence of substances, including alcohol, may become more impulsive, have impaired judgment, and lose their inhibitions, all of which increase the chance that suicide may occur.
- Substances may be used to ease the distress of the act of suicide itself.
- Substance use disorder may lead to changes in the brain that result in depression over time. Suicide risk increases if a person has substance use disorder in addition to a mental health disorder.
- Substance use disorder can result in disruption to relationships, causing a person to become isolated from their supports and lose their social connections, which may also increase suicide risk.
Eliminating obstacles to recovery
Let’s face it. Substance use is often glamorized or glorified in our society, from lighthearted, joyful alcohol ads to celebrities partying and flaunting their drug use. Many believe substance use is a choice instead of a disease. People use outdated language to talk about mental health. These stereotypes, myths, and misconceptions can create immense shame and hinder individuals from seeking treatment.
There are some movies that accurately portray substance use disorder and mental health. One movie I watched in my early 20s, “Requiem for a Dream,” is realistic in its representation of the highs and lows of substance use disorder in a powerful and harrowing way. It still impacts me to this day. Movies that accurately portray mental health include “Girl Interrupted” and “Black Swan.” These profound movies can change your perspective about mental health.
The truth is that substance use and mental health disorders affect all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic statuses. Remember: Substance use disorder is a disease of the brain. Below are ways in which you can incorporate person-first language to decrease stigma, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Ways to get involved
There are plenty of training resources to learn more. The Wright Center hosts regular Mental Health First Aid Trainings, which provides the tools to assist individuals experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis and is free for all staff. Please check the Events and Volunteering Portal and click on the new “upcoming training section tab” for future sessions.
We also provide Narcan kits to the staff and community and host Narcan training. Narcan, also known by its generic name, naloxone, is a medication that reverses the effects of an opiate overdose. Even though there was a 3% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023 since 2018, there were still 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the U.S., according to the CDC. That is someone’s mother, daughter, sister, brother, father. I personally just lost two very close friends in the past month from drug overdoses. Overdoses continue to be rampant and heartbreaking, and we need to take action. Please take part in our many initiatives to learn more and educate yourself.
To learn more about Narcan, or the generic name Naloxone, please visit nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone.
Resilience as a path to recovery
Despite the often debilitating journey one endures through this illness, recovery is possible by maintaining a treatment program, which may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, support groups, and others. Remember, each individual has their own unique path to obtaining sobriety and purpose, and no one is considered “cured.” SUD is a chronic disease that needs daily management.
The Wright Center’s Pennsylvania-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence helps patients struggling with SUD. By viewing addiction through a whole-person approach, taking into consideration the spiritual and behavioral aspects of recovery, the program helps patients reshape their lives. We also have our Healthy MOMS program, which assists expecting and new mothers who struggle with this disorder, by providing mothers and their children with tools, treatment, and care.
Part of the success of these programs is the staff who have had their own journey to recovery and can offer unique approaches and deep empathy to patients struggling with substance use challenges and mental health issues. Many people in recovery will enter into careers within the substance use or mental health field to give back and help others. I have over 12 years of sobriety, and my career and life path from my struggles have led me here.
Finally, to anyone who might be struggling right now: Sometimes in life, we have to take things one step at a time, or even one minute at a time. You are never alone in your struggles. There is help and there is hope.
Thank you,
Allison LaRussa, B.A, CPS, RYT (she/her)
AVP, Health Humanities, Trauma-Informed Sanctuary Frameworks, and Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education
