By: Rashetta Fairnot, Public Health Advisor, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
We had the pleasure of hosting the latest Recovery Month Twitter chat on behalf of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) with co-hosts Linda Kaplan, M.A., Senior Public Health Advisor, Marsha Baker, LCSW, Public Health Advisor. It was facilitated through the @RecoveryMonth Twitter handle, using the hashtag #RecoveryChat, and embraced the theme:  “Recovery Support:  Prevention, Collaboration, and Recovery Management.”  The event focused on how society can proactively promote behavioral health, as …

Written By: Paolo del Vecchio, Acting Lead, Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, Acting Director CMHS
In December 2011, SAMHSA released a working definition of recovery and a set of guiding principles.  The December release of this definition represented the culmination of a lengthy process that began with an August 2010 Dialogue Meeting and ended with a formal public engagement process (via the SAMHSA Feedback Forum) in August 2011.  At the time SAMHSA released the working definition, we indicated that we would continue dialogue with the field to refine the definition and principles.  …

Written By: Rashetta Fairnot, Public Health Advisor, CSAT Consumer Affairs

On March 21st from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET, Recovery Month will be hosting our first Twitter chat of 2012 to help spread the word that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover. Our co-hosts, Marsha Baker, LCSW, Public Health Advisor, and Linda Kaplan, M.A., Senior Public Health Advisor of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, will share their expertise and insights on the topic of Recovery Support: Promoting Prevention, Collaboration, and Recovery Management.
This is an opportunity for the prevention and recovery …

This post is one in an ongoing series of blog posts introducing SAMHSA’s Recovery Support Strategic Initiative.
By Mary Blake, Coordinator, Community Dimension of Recovery, SAMHSA Recovery Support Strategic Initiative Work Group
Relationships are at the core of recovery. People heal and grow with the support, guidance, and encouragement of others. People with lived experience of behavioral health conditions—or peers—are a critical source of recovery support. Peers have “been there” and can help people feel heard and understood, while fostering a welcoming and accepting community for supporting recovery.
In Alfred’s case, peer support …