Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride proclaimed September as “Recovery Month,” as requested by Fairfax Hospital, Residence XII Treatment Center for Women and Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers.

During the Sept. 1 City Council meeting, several officials from the local hospitals accepted the proclamation, including: Judi Bixby, senior vice president Patient Services, Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers; Sharon Chambers, executive director, Residence XII; Nicci Noteboom, marketing communications director, Residence XII; William Adams, MD, medical director, Fairfax Hospital and Suzanne Wietting, community resource liaison, Fairfax Hospital.

The mission of Recovery Month is to improve the lives of those suffering from addiction, to celebrate individuals and families in long-term recovery and to acknowledge those working in the field that provides recovery services.

Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Recovery Month is and essential element of SAMHSA’s strategic initiatives that focuses on public awareness and support.

Thousands of people across the United States are living happy, healthy and productive lives in recovery from substance abuse disorders. Educating our community about substance abuse disorders is essential to combat the misconceptions associated with addiction.

For more than 20 years, Recovery Month has worked to improve the lives of those individuals suffering from addiction—by raising awareness of the disease and educating communities about the treatment and recovery resources available.