Recovery Month 2026

National Recovery Month, observed every September since its creation by SAMHSA in 1989, promotes treatment and recovery practices, the strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible.

Embrace Recovery SC created its National Recovery Month Toolkit to help make it simple for partner organizations to share these important messages and connect with South Carolinians. This toolkit provides three posts a week, each focusing on a different element of our initiatives: Open Heart SC, recovery reminders, and the Language of Recovery. We encourage you to use all of the following posts throughout September or focus on the area of impact you want to share with your audience during Recovery Month.

This “plug-and-play” toolkit includes:

  • Social media content (including captions, graphics and videos) to educate social media audiences and de-stigmatize the process of recovery
  • Resources for learning about and supporting those in recovery
  • Promotional materials to spread awareness

The toolkit was created to act as a one-stop shop for Embrace Recovery SC’s partner organizations — please share with your audiences across social media channels and beyond. Download files below to get started.

Social Media Content

Week 1: Open Heart SC Graphic

Open Heart SC

Post Copy - All Platforms: Take the inspiration you need. 💟 Leaving words of encouragement for others to find is an easy way to embrace recovery. Visit OpenHeartSC.com to find the Words of Inspiration flyer, print it out and post it somewhere in your community to share anonymous support for anyone who needs it. #RecoveryMonth

Week 1: Recovery Reminders Graphic

Recovery Reminders

Post Copy - All Platforms: Progress isn’t just milestones and big moments — it’s also the choices you make daily. It won’t always be loud or perfect, but progress is always something to be proud of. #RecoveryMonth

Week 1: Language of Recovery

Language of Recovery

Post Copy - All Platforms: Substance use disorders are just that: disorders. When talking about recovery, language matters — try saying "drug of use" instead of "drug of choice." Because when someone has a substance use disorder that includes physical dependence, choice is removed. The words we use either reinforce the myth that addiction is a decision, or they reflect the reality: it's a diagnosable, treatable medical condition, not a character flaw.

Week 2: Open Heart SC Graphic

Open Heart SC

Post Copy - All Platforms: When you look in the mirror, keep an open heart. 💟 You’re the only one who knows every obstacle you’ve faced in recovery, and you should be proud of what you’ve overcome. #RecoveryMonth

Week 2: Recovery Reminders Graphic

Recovery Reminders

Post Copy - All Platforms: Let’s be honest: sobriety doesn’t erase struggle. But it does build strength in yourself and clarity in your life. What else have you built through your recovery? #RecoveryMonth

Week 2: Language of Recovery

Language of Recovery

Post Copy - All Platforms: Making subtle changes in your vocabulary can make a big difference. Instead of saying “relapse,” you can use “return to use” to recognize the challenges faced in recovery without using words that may carry stigma.

Week 3: Open Heart SC Graphic

Open Heart SC

Post Copy - All Platforms: Even the hard days move you forward. 💟 Recovery takes time, so remember to keep an open heart. #RecoveryMonth

Week 3: Recovery Reminders Graphic

Recovery Reminders

Post Copy - All Platforms: You don’t have to have it all figured out today. Just take it one day at a time. #RecoveryMonth

Week 3: Language of Recovery

Language of Recovery

Post Copy - All Platforms: Anyone can use the language of recovery! The language of recovery isn’t just for people who work in recovery services or people with years of sobriety under their belt. Visit EmbraceRecoverySC.com to see examples of easy switches to people-first language that you can make in your vocabulary. #RecoveryMonth

Week 4: Open Heart SC Graphic

Open Heart SC

Post Copy - All Platforms: Every person has a different road to recovery, and every recovery journey is unique. Keeping an open heart means supporting people no matter where they take their first step toward recovery from a substance use disorder. 💟

Week 4: Recovery Reminders Graphic

Recovery Reminders

Post Copy - All Platforms: Substance use disorders can affect more than just the person with the disorder: family, friends, coworkers, and even those beyond the inner circle. But your recovery can affect them, too. The joy of seeing your progress. The pride of how far you’ve come.

Week 4: Language of Recovery

Language of Recovery

Post Copy - All Platforms: Words matter. They shape how people in recovery see themselves, so try making simple changes in your vocabulary to embrace the language of recovery. Instead of saying someone is “clean” from drugs, say they are “substance free.”

Awareness: What is Recovery?

What is Recovery?

Post Copy - All Platforms: @samhsagov’s working definition of recovery from mental disorders and substance use disorders is “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” Through their Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, they identified four major dimensions that support a life in recovery: health, home, purpose, community.

Awareness: Home

Home

Post Copy - All Platforms: @samhsagov’s first dimension of recovery is Home: having a stable and safe place to live, which is the best foundation for healing. Home isn’t just a place to lay your head — it provides a security that makes everything else possible.

Awareness: Health

Health

Post Copy - All Platforms: @samhsagov’s second dimension of recovery is Health: overcoming or managing one’s substance use disorder and living in a way that supports your physical and emotional wellbeing. That could look like a therapy session, a morning walk, a healthy meal, or simply getting out of bed. Every small choice adds up.

Awareness: Purpose

Purpose

Post Copy - All Platforms: @samhsagov’s third dimension of recovery is Purpose: engaging in meaningful daily activities like work, school, or volunteering, and having the independence, income, and resources to better participate in society. Purpose looks different for everyone — what matters is that it’s yours.

Awareness: Community

Community

Post Copy - All Platforms: @samhsagov’s fourth dimension of recovery is Community: creating relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope in recovery. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone and there are people ready to walk with you.

Other Resources

Public Relations Template

This template provides local organizations with an easy-to-use format to promote National Recovery Month events to the local press. Simply fill in the details about your event, speakers and activities to help attract media coverage and raise community awareness.

South Carolina Overdose Awareness and Recovery Events

3rd Annual Light the Way for Hope Overdose Awareness Day – Berkeley County

August 31, 2026

6:30 PM

5th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31, 2026

6:30 - 8:00 PM

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31, 2026

5:30 - 7:30 PM

Overdose Response Demonstration

August 31, 2026

5:00 - 8:00 PM

Trinity Behavioral Care Recovery Month Schedule

August 31, 2026 - September 28, 2026

Serving Those Who Served

September 2, 2026

6:00 PM

Greer Recovery Celebration

September 11, 2026

4:00 - 7:00 PM

Rooted in Recovery

September 11, 2026

1:00 - 2:30 PM

1st Annual Miles for Recovery

September 12, 2026

8:30 AM

Recovery is Worth the Walk

September 12, 2026

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Hope. Healing. New Beginnings Recovery Event

September 15, 2026

5:30 - 7:30 PM

7th Annual River Ramble for Recovery

September 19, 2026

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Cherokee County Recovery Celebration 2026

September 19, 2026

12:00 - 4:00 PM

Recovery Month Car Show

September 19, 2026

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Run Drugs Out of Town Color Run/Walk

September 19, 2026

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Celebrate Recovery 20th Anniversary

September 22, 2026

5:00 PM

Recovery Celebration & Rally

September 24, 2026

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Recovery Walk

September 25, 2026

9:00 AM

FAVOR in Fountain Inn National Recovery Month Celebration

September 26, 2026

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

FAVOR Upstate Recovery Month Celebration

September 26, 2026

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Rocking for Recovery

September 28, 2026

5:00 - 9:00 PM

Bruce Hall’s 3rd Annual Awareness for Recovery

September 29, 2026

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Recovery Day on the Greenway

September 30, 2026

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Rooted in Recovery

September 30, 2026

11:00 AM

Charitable Golf Tournament

October 9, 2026

12:00 PM