September marks National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the progress of those in recovery and raise awareness about mental health and substance use disorders. For many in the jam band community, substance use disorders have touched us deeply—whether personally or through someone we love. At Jam Band Graveyard, we understand that grief surrounding substance use disorders is complex and often misunderstood. This month, we want to break down barriers, open up conversations, and provide support for those navigating these issues.
A Brief History of National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month was established in 1989 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It serves as a time to celebrate the accomplishments of those in recovery, raise awareness about mental health and substance use disorders, and remind us that recovery is possible for everyone, no matter the obstacles. Over the years, the month has grown to include diverse events, educational campaigns, and community outreach efforts to support individuals and families on the journey of recovery.
Acknowledging the Complexity of Grief in Substance Use Disorders
Losing or watching someone you care about struggle with substance use or mental health, can be overwhelming. You might feel sorrow, anger, guilt, or have unresolved questions. These emotions are valid. Often, society doesn’t know how to respond, and it can leave you feeling isolated. But you’re not alone. Grief tied to substance use isn’t always about someone passing away. You might be mourning someone who’s still living but in the grip of a substance use disorder or grieving the change in your relationship with them. This type of grief is real and worthy of acknowledgment.
What is Disenfranchised Grief?
Disenfranchised grief is when your grief isn’t openly acknowledged by society. Grief over a loved one’s illness can feel disenfranchised because it doesn’t fit into traditional molds of loss. You may feel judged, or you might even question whether your grief is “real” because your loved one is still alive but consumed by substance use disorder. This type of grief deserves recognition, just like any other form of loss.
Ways to Support and Reduce Stigma
Here are some concrete ways we can reduce stigma, support one another, and heal together:
- Join/Create Peer Support Networks: Connecting with others who have experienced similar struggles can help ease the burden of grief. Peer groups, both in-person and online, provide safe spaces to share your story without fear of judgment.
- Use Art and Music for Healing: Expressing your grief or emotions through art, music, or writing can be a powerful outlet. Whether playing an instrument, journaling, or creating art, these forms of expression allow emotions to flow and help you process your grief.
- Educate Yourself and Others: One of the most powerful ways to reduce stigma is through education. Take the time to learn more about substance use disorder as a chronic illness and share that understanding with those around you. Whether sharing an article, attending a community workshop, or even watching a documentary on the topic, spreading knowledge creates empathy and reduces misconceptions.
- Use Stigma-Free Language: How we talk about substance use disorder matters. Avoid terms like “addict” or “clean” and replace them with person-first language like “person with a substance use disorder” or “person in recovery.” Words have power, and compassionate language helps reduce the shame and stigma that often surround substance use disorder. When we use language like “junkie” or “addict,” we reduce people to their struggles. Using person-first language helps humanize individuals, reminding us that people are more than their substance use disorder. It may take time for some to shift to more compassionate language, but each conversation that counters stigma brings us closer to healing.
- Challenge Stigmatizing Attitudes: If someone makes a judgmental comment about substance use disorder, challenge it with kindness. Whether it’s an assumption that substance use disorder is a choice or a stereotype about who struggles with substance use, offering a different perspective helps change how we talk about and understand substance use disorder.
- Be an Advocate: Advocate for inclusive policies and programs that support people in recovery–this could mean supporting harm reduction efforts, writing to your representatives about improving access to substance use disorder treatment, or simply showing up for people in your life who need support.
- Normalize Conversations: The more we talk about substance use disorder and recovery without judgment, the more we normalize these topics. Opening up about your experiences or listening to someone else’s story creates a safe space where people feel seen and supported. The stigma surrounding substance use disorders can make grief even harder. Stigma keeps us silent, and it makes people feel ashamed to talk about their loss. But these disorders aren’t due to moral failing—they’re chronic illnesses. Sharing our stories and speaking openly can challenge harmful misconceptions and create a more compassionate, understanding community.
- Taking Care of yourself: It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking moments of quiet reflection can help manage overwhelming emotions. You don’t have to dedicate hours daily—small, consistent practices can make a big difference over time. By prioritizing your own well-being, you’re not just supporting yourself, you’re also setting an example for others in the community.
- Embrace Harm Reduction: Not everyone’s journey involves total abstinence. Harm reduction initiatives, such as access to clean needles and naloxone (Narcan) to reverse overdoses, provide practical, life-saving support. These tools focus on keeping people safe while they navigate their path to recovery. Although harm reduction can be misunderstood or controversial in some circles, it’s a compassionate approach that meets people where they are.
- Celebrate Every Step Forward: Recovery and healing are not linear, and that’s okay. Whether it’s one day of sobriety, starting a conversation about substance use disorder, or simply showing up for yourself, every step forward matters. Be gentle with yourself in moments of progress and setbacks alike.
Mental Health Matters
Grief, substance use disorder, and mental health are deeply connected. Whether you’re grieving someone you’ve lost or navigating your own recovery, addressing mental health is crucial. If you can, seek out support from a mental health professional, especially one experienced in substance use disorder and grief. Taking care of your mental health is part of recovery, whether you’re supporting someone or healing yourself.
Support for Families and Allies
Watching someone you love struggle with a substance use disorder, or grieving them after they’ve died, is heartbreaking. It’s essential to care for yourself too. Support groups for families, like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, provide spaces for allies to share their experiences and gain strength from one another.
Crisis Intervention Resources
If you or someone you love needs immediate help, please reach out:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Summing it Up
National Recovery Month is an important reminder that we are all on a journey—whether of recovery, healing, or supporting someone we love. Substance use disorders and mental health struggles can leave behind layers of grief and unresolved emotions, but by breaking the silence and stigma surrounding these challenges, we create space for understanding, compassion, and support.
Grief isn’t always about loss through death; it’s often about mourning those still battling a substance use disorder or grieving the relationships that have changed because of it. These complex emotions deserve acknowledgment, and your grief is real, even if it doesn’t fit into society’s traditional understanding of loss. By educating ourselves, using stigma-free language, and advocating for inclusive, harm reduction-focused approaches, we can challenge stereotypes and build a more compassionate community for everyone.
No step in recovery or healing is too small to be celebrated. Whether sharing your story, supporting someone in need, or simply prioritizing your well-being, each effort makes a difference. Recovery, grief, and mental health are interconnected, and it’s okay to seek support along the way—for yourself or for someone you care about. Through open conversations, community support, and mutual care, we can break down barriers and create a world where every person feels seen, heard, and supported on their journey.
Take a moment to reflect, and if you feel moved, share your story or leave a message of support for someone else. Together, we can continue building a more inclusive, understanding community.
Additional Resources
- GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing): Provides understanding, compassion, and support for those who have lost someone to substance use disorder. GRASP
- SAMHSA National Helpline: Free, confidential support 24/7. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit SAMHSA.
- Shatterproof: A national nonprofit dedicated to reversing the substance use disorder crisis by providing resources and guidance for individuals and families. Shatterproof
- National Harm Reduction Coalition: Provides support and resources for those practicing harm reduction as part of their recovery journey. National Harm Reduction Coalition
- Partnership to End Addiction: Offers free support and resources to families dealing with substance use disorder and recovery. Partnership to End Addiction
- Faces & Voices of Recovery: Advocates for individuals in recovery and offers peer support and educational resources. Faces & Voices of Recovery
- The Trevor Project: Offers suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for LGBTQ+ youth, including those dealing with substance use disorder. The Trevor Project
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Provides support for those experiencing mental health challenges, including those with dual diagnoses of substance use and mental health disorders. NAMI
Do you know of a helpful resource or organization that could support others in our community? Please reach out to us and let us know!