National Recovery Month

In the US 54.2 million people aged 12 and older were in need of treatment for a substance use disorder. However, only 23% received the treatment they needed. This September, join us in recognizing National Recovery Month.

Recovery Month is a time to honor people in recovery, the families who support them, and the professionals who walk beside them. It is also a reminder that recovery is possible, and that no one has to do it alone.

Recovery looks different for everyone

There is no single path. For some people, recovery includes counseling and support groups. For others, it includes medication prescribed by a doctor, along with therapy and community support. All of these approaches can be valid. What matters is finding the care that fits the person.

Stigma keeps too many people from asking for help. Kind, plain language makes a difference. Saying a person with a substance use disorder, instead of a label, reminds us that we are talking about a neighbor, a parent, a friend.

How a pharmacy can support recovery

Your pharmacist is one of the most accessible members of your care team. You can walk in without an appointment and ask a private question. At CarePoint, we can:

• Answer questions about medications used in treatment, privately and without judgment.
• Review all your medicines for interactions.
• Talk with you about naloxone, a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose.
• Help you safely dispose of medicines you no longer need.
• Point you toward local and national support resources.

Recovery is possible. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Safety at home

Many people who misuse prescription medicines first get them from a friend or family member. Store medicines in a secure place, keep track of what you have, and clear out old prescriptions. Keeping naloxone at home is a simple step that could save a life. Ask us how to get it and how to use it.

Where to turn

If you or someone you love is struggling, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free, confidential and open every day at 1.800.662.4357. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.

This September and all year, we stand with our Palmdale community. Our door is open, and our pharmacists are here to listen.

Families need support too. Loving someone who is struggling can be exhausting and confusing. Support groups for family members, counseling, and honest conversations with trusted people can help you care for yourself while you care for someone else. You are allowed to set boundaries and ask for help. Our pharmacists can share resources for families as well as for the person in recovery.

Have questions about anything in this article? Call us at 661.480.2373 and talk with a CarePoint pharmacist. We are happy to help, and there is never a charge for a conversation.

This article is general education, not medical advice.