Recovery month events planned

September is National Recovery Month, and to celebrate, everyone is invited to the 13th Annual Prevention and Recovery rally and barbecue on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Allan Witt Park in Fairfield.

In addition, the Solano Recovery Project is planning a luminary memorial on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Solano county Event Center Lawn on Texas Street across from the Government Center.

The Luminary project is aimed at citizens of Solano County to come remember loved ones lost to the disease of addiction/alcoholism and to share an evening of hope, healing, and strength. The unifying message is "Come for support, Leave with hope, and Get involved." The speakers will cover loss, their path to healing, and show they have used tragic loss to transform their own life and make a positive difference in the community. Each speaker will end with a call to action, to get involved and to make a difference.

Visitors to Saturday's rally and barbecue are encouraged to bring the whole family for an afternoon of free food, music, prizes and guest speakers.

Sponsored locally by the Solano County Recovery and Prevention Alliance, the rally and barbecue are aimed to help further educate communities about the pathways to recovery and to support people in recovery.

People throughout Solano County are in various stages of recovery from mental and/or substance use disorders, noted organizers. They are contributing members to local business, connecting with their families, and giving back to the community.

"Too many people are still unaware that treatment works, and that these conditions can be treated," Andrew Williamson, substance abuse administrator with Solano County Health and Social Services, said in a press release. "Just as we can treat other chronic, recurring health disorders, we need to work together to make recovery the expectation."

Under the Affordable Care Act, the Medi-Cal healthcare expansion has extended insurance to nearly everyone, regardless of income, so that outpatient treatment is available to everyone who wants to participate. Treatment works, health officials said, and individuals who embrace recovery achieve improved mental and physical health, as well as stronger relationships and a sense of self-worth.

In 2012, more than 1.7 million people nationwide aged 12 and older received treatment for an illicit drug and alcohol use from a specialty facility. Thanks to the treatment they received, these individuals have achieved healthy lifestyles, both physically and emotionally, and contribute in positive ways to their communities, officials noted.

"Substance use disorders do not discriminate," Williamson said. "They affect people of all ethnicities, ages, genders, geographic regions, and socioeconomic levels."

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Recovery month events planned