September is National Recovery Month, and the Choices Emergency Response Team (CERT) continues its outreach efforts in Southeastern Indiana.
The team organized various activities – including a #certrecoveryrocks campaign – to spread messages of hope that people with substance use disorders can and do recover. Read on to learn more!
Fun in recovery: Aaron Spaulding and D.J. Disbro, CERT recovery support specialists, joined others from the recovery community to play softball in Shelbyville.
What is national recovery month?
National Recovery Month has been around for 31 years, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It’s held every September to raise awareness about substance use treatment and mental health services that help Americans lead healthy and rewarding lives.
National Recovery Month is also a way to recognize and celebrate the progress and resilience of those living in recovery.
About the Choices Emergency Response Team (CERT)
CERT responds 24/7 to individuals and families struggling with substance use. Call 317-205-8302 or email cert@choicesccs.org if you or someone you care about needs recovery support.
We are available in the following Indiana counties: Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland, and Wayne. Visit choicesccs.org/cert to learn more about the program.
Recovery Rocks!
If you’re out and about in Southeastern Indiana this month, look out for painted rocks with inspirational messages about recovery from substance use.
Each rock has our 24/7 CERT hotline number for those seeking treatment or recovery support. Take a rock for yourself, share one with a friend or loved one in need, create your own rock, or post your discoveries on Facebook with our #certrecoveryrocks hashtag.
You can also pick up or drop off rocks at a bin outside our office: 1201 S A St, Richmond, IN.
Free yoga for those in recovery
Eva Maloney, a CERT Emergency Response Clinician, hosts a free, virtual yoga class each week for individuals in recovery. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and has taught yoga privately and in a studio since 2014.
You’re welcome to join her Yoga in Recovery sessions this month and in the future. They are held every Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Here are the Zoom details:
- Link: https://zoom.us/join
- Meeting ID: 688-756-2606
- Password: 2XwJdu
Indiana Rural Opioid Consortium
The Indiana Rural Opioid Consortium is hosting a virtual Rural Substance Use Workshop on Wednesday, September 23 at 2-6 p.m. Eastern Time.
The event is free and open to community members, schools, parents of adolescents, individuals from the criminal justice system, and healthcare providers. Megan Huffmeyer, a CERT Project Manager, will share a brief presentation and answer any questions at about 5:15 p.m.
Register for the event at this link by noon September 22, and view the agenda here.
International Overdose Awareness Day
National Recovery Month really kicks off a little earlier than September – with International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.
This year, a few members of CERT organized a walk to remember loved ones lost to overdoses but also spread awareness that there are people that truly care and can help. Local support and resources are available to help individuals and families – without judgment or stigma.
About 125 people participated in the 1Voice Overdose Recovery Walk in Lawrenceburg, IN on August 31, 2020. Aaron Spaulding, Amanda Sampson, and Wyatt Sampson are part of CERT and also run a nonprofit organization called 1Voice. They organized the event, and other CERT employees – Amanda Brumley, D.J. Disbro, and Stephanie Hartman – came to support.
Drug Free Wayne County Partnership
The CERT team is working with the Drug Free Wayne County Partnership to encourage individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. This month, Cristina Young, a CERT Recovery Support Specialist, shared her personal recovery story in this video.
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