What is a Recovery Ally?
Individuals and families are more successful in their recovery when they have the proper support. While each recovery journey will look different, recovery allies can be part of all recovery journeys. Recovery allies can be parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, employers – anyone who believes that recovery is probable and that they can support the healing process.
Recovery Allies are individuals who
- Learn about the illness of addiction and pathways of recovery
- Believe in the potential of all people
- Educate themselves and others to end stigma and discrimination
- Believe that substance use disorders are not a choice
- Believe that substance use disorders are a disease that need to be treated with the same level of compassion and support as other chronic conditions
- Remind people that recovery is possible and that there are many paths to recovery
Being a recovery ally is not a one time thing or something that happens overnight. Allies must practice empathy, understanding, and remain teachable.
One of the first things recovery allies do is learn about addiction and recovery. Below are a few resources to help you begin to learn about addiction and recovery.
The Addiction Policy Forum is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. Our national headquarters are located in Bethesda, MD with resources and services in every state. Our vision is to eliminate addiction as a major health problem.
The Recovery Research Institute is a leading nonprofit research institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, dedicated to the advancement of addiction treatment and recovery.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
Shatterproof – Just 5 educational series
a free online tool for Pennsylvania to enhance education and awareness about substance use disorder (SUD). With just six short learning modules, it is a self-paced program that aims to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and provide education about SUD prevention and treatment which inspires conversations with family, friends, and coworkers.