OASAS Urges New Yorkers to Celebrate Recovery Month from Addiction

ALBANY, NY (09/01/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today launched New York Celebrates Recovery, honoring the New Yorkers who are living in recovery from the chronic disease of addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Joining with leaders across the nation, Governor David A. Paterson proclaimed September Recovery Month in New York, urging all New Yorkers to take part in the tradition to celebrate recovery from addiction and raise awareness of the importance of prevention, the benefits of treatment and the reality of recovery.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "Recovery month is a time for many to celebrate their recovery from addiction, as well as a time for those still struggling to reach out and get the help they need. People can and do recover from addiction and, through recovery, can and do enrich society in multiple ways."

"The recovery movement is growing in New York and across the nation and the lives of thousands of individuals and families are being changed for the better as they learn of the hope and reality of recovery," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "If you are in recovery, celebrate your recovery - come out to stand with others in recovery and share your story. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling, urge them to get help immediately. We want to celebrate their triumph over addiction and let every New Yorker know that recovery is real and it is happening every day."

On September 25, 2010, thousands of New Yorkers will come together as one voice for the 3rd Annual New York Recovery Rally in Randall's Island Park to celebrate recovery from addiction. This statewide event is open to the public, families and individuals in recovery, service providers and health and human service professionals. Bus transportation will be available from various points across the state. The day's festivities will feature the Odyssey House 5th Annual "Run for Your Life" and the "Recovery Celebration Walk" followed by live entertainment, speakers and activities.

Also at the rally this year, OASAS will introduce the next 12 spotlight stories of recovery as part of the 3rd Your Story Matters campaign. The campaign, at www.iamrecovery.com, is designed to build a better understanding of the effects of the chronic disease of addiction and to promote the importance of prevention, the power of treatment and the possibility of recovery throughout the state. The website showcases the stories of those individuals now celebrating recovery, as well as the stories of the friends and family who were once caught in the turmoil of a loved one's addiction.

OASAS is also sponsoring the 7th Annual New York State Recovery Arts Festival to showcase the achievements of individuals in recovery through artistic expression. This collection of visual art and poetry will be on display for the month of September at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, and will be viewed by thousands of people from all over the state who visit our capitol.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "I urge individuals and organizations alike to join us this September for New York's celebration of Recovery Month. If you are part of a community, religious or civic organization, encourage them to get involved or ask them to host a recovery month event such as an educational workshop, picnic, concert, or community run or walk. Together we can raise awareness with our message that recovery is real and promote a life of health and wellness for all New Yorkers."

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Addiction is a chronic disease, but New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY, staffed by trained clinicians ready to answer questions, help refer loved ones to treatment and provide other vital resources to facilitate that first step into recovery.

For more information, please visitwww.oasas.state.ny.us.

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