MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — At the Huntsville City Council meeting on August 22, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle proclaimed September as National Recovery Month for the city.
The movement has been around since 1989 and is aimed at people struggling with substance abuse and mental illness.
"It allows us to kind of come out and be a part of the community and talk in the community about the struggles that we faced, as well as the benefits and the success of recovery," said Aubin Cawthon, Madison County Campus Coordinator for R.O.S.S. Recovery Center. "We are seeing a greater awakening of Americans about mental health and addiction issues," said Paolo Del Vecchio, Director of the Office of Recovery for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
SAMHSA officials say over 48 million people suffer from Substance Abuse Disorder. We're seeing many people in North Alabama struggle with these issues, as well. R.O.S.S. officials in Madison County say they saw more than 500 people come in August seeking help. "In Madison County, we see about 2 to 3 people a day that just connect with us, trying to look for those immediate resources, whether it be treatment or connection to help," said Cawthon.
The message officials are relaying is simple. Del Vecchio said, "Recovery is real and it's common and it should be the expectation for when people experience these conditions, that there is hope, there is healing."
While there are a lot of negative connotations to people who suffer, the goal is to shine a light on this other side. "The story that often doesn't get told is that people do heal. People are able, in fact, to overcome these issues and recover," said Del Vecchio. "When we're able to be in the light, when we're able to kind of be in the community and talk about our struggles and talk about our successes, it gives other people hope so that they're not continuing to suffer in silence," said Cawthon.