September is National Recovery Month

Recovery is individualized and has many pathways: clinical, non-clinical and self-management pathways. Often, people utilize multiple paths. Following are a few examples:

• Peer supported recovery involves the use of structured recovery mutual aid groups, peer recovery support specialists, recovery housing, collegiate recovery programs, and others to initiate and/or maintain recovery.

• Treatment-assisted recovery uses professional help with a therapist, a doctor, or another credentialed professional. This can include medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.

• Faith-based recovery support services are religious or spiritual frameworks of recovery that can include congregation-based support services that help during the recovery process.

• Natural recovery occurs when a person achieves recovery from mental or substance use problems on their own through interpersonal and interpersonal resources without professional treatment or involvement in a recovery mutual aid community.

What works for one person may not work for another. It is important to support people in or seeking recovery as they make their own decisions about which pathway is right for them.

(From SAMHSA's National Recovery Month Toolkit)