September has been recognized as National Recovery Month since 1989. It is a time to celebrate and promote recovery from substance use disorders and mental health challenges. The month highlights the successes of those in recovery, raises awareness about the importance of treatment and support services, and helps reduce the stigma surrounding these conditions.

ZSR Library provides access to a number of titles and resources that highlight the experiences and voices of individuals in recovery. These include:

• Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction by Judith Grisel
• Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction by Maia Szalavitz
• Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction by Maia Szalavitz
• The Urge: Our History of Addiction by Carl Erik Fisher
• In Pain: A Bioethicist’s Personal Struggle with Opioids by Travis Rieder
• The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath by Leslie Jamison
• Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker
• Rat Hell to Rat Park: The Core Conditions for Recovery by Dave Higham
• The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide by Crystal Collier

In addition to these resources, ZSR Library is hosting a Recovery Month Display in the lobby display case (to the left of Smith’s Café). Stop by anytime in September to see featured books and materials on recovery.

What is Recovery?

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery as: “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” It is important to note that recovery is a dynamic process consisting of different pathways for every individual.

How does Wake Forest University support students in recovery?

Wake Forest University has the Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), a supportive network where students can connect through shared experiences and efforts to reduce or stop their use of substances or other potentially harmful behaviors. This includes substances (e.g., alcohol, cannabis) as well as process or activity-related behaviors (e.g., gambling).

Students who do not consider themselves in recovery but wish to be supportive are also welcome, with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and engage. The CRC additionally provides a lounge space where students can attend meetings, hang out, and study.

You can read more about the Collegiate Recovery Community here.

Deacs Recover Together!

Content developed in collaboration with Jonah Neville, MS, CHES, CWHC, Assistant Director of Wellbeing, Substance Use, Office of Wellbeing.