JBS International believes in the quiet power of recovery across communities, including our own. As a person with nearly 25 years of long-term recovery from opioid use disorder and a team member at JBS, my story is not unique; I am one of the 22.3 million American adults who consider themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered from substance use disorders (SUDs) and 44.1 million from a mental health condition.¹ The data show us that recovery is not only possible—it is probable. 

None of us in recovery got here without support, resources, or loving guidance from trusted allies. The road to recovery might not be linear or “typical.” People discover healing through a variety of pathways that may include peer-led support groups, clinical treatment, medication, or community-based networks. The pathway does not matter; the support along the journey does. Stigma frequently isolates individuals and prevents them from seeking help. Progress despite persistent societal stigma should be celebrated.

National Recovery Month

National Recovery Month began in 1989 as a way to celebrate individuals in recovery and the service providers and communities who make it possible and educate the public.² Each September, individuals and their families, providers, organizations, and communities promote the many pathways that support recovery from SUDs and mental health conditions. Additionally, International Recovery Day is celebrated on September 30 worldwide. These celebrations create space for storytelling, community-building, hope, and resilience.

Pillars of Recovery

Recovery is supported by a variety of social, material, clinical, occupational, physical, and spiritual supports. The core pillars that make recovery possible include:

• Safe and stable housing provides a foundation for healing.
• Community support reduces isolation and provides belonging.
• Holistic wellness includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
• Purpose and meaning can be found through employment, education, and serving/volunteerism. 

Recovery is an individualized process without a one-size-fits-all roadmap. It offers individuals ongoing opportunities to build meaningful lives and to heal from generational trauma. It is a daily process built on small victories, and it thrives entirely on connection and community. Recovery requires the collaboration of healthcare providers, first responders, employers, and family allies.

Healing Communities

JBS International is committed to a shared vision with our many partners to advance recovery across the country. Through our technical assistance (TA) partnerships with federal agencies, our team addresses the nationwide behavioral health workforce shortage by creating learning collaboratives and helping health centers maximize efficiency. Our TA teams help providers address the unique barriers faced by rural populations, support family preservation, and reunification, and respond to emerging challenges. Our expertise, including team members with lived and clinical experience, ensures that individuals and their families thrive by promoting multiple pathways to recovery that empower them to choose support that fits.

A Shared Vision

Through our commitment to collective responsibility, we advance substance use and behavioral health initiatives by strengthening health systems, training specialized workforces, and implementing community-driven care. True, sustainable recovery thrives when healthcare providers, first responders, employers, and family allies collaborate seamlessly. JBS International knows that whole-family healing creates healthy communities. 

National Recovery Month is a powerful reminder that when we build "recovery-ready" environments and support the healthcare workforce, we are not just optimizing systems; we are opening the doors of hope for thousands of real families. To learn more about how you can promote National Recovery Month, check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service’s Digital Toolkit. 

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2026). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP2607-010, NSDUH Series H-61). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-andhealth/national-releases
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 27). National Recovery Month partner toolkit. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/php/toolkits/national-recovery-month.html

Learn more about what we do at JBS and discover how you can partner with us to improve the lives of real people, every day.