College can be a stressful time for many trying to balance academic pressure, part-time or full-time jobs, raising children and more. For some, ongoing stress and mental health struggles can contribute to substance use, addiction or suicidal thoughts.
The numbers underscore how common these struggles can be. According to Compass Health Center, 75% of young adults struggle with some form of depression, anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by the age of 24. Focusing on college students alone, the American Addiction Center reported that 27.1% of college students had a substance use disorder (SUD) involving hallucinogens, opioids, marijuana, alcohol or prescription medicine.
During these difficult moments, a strong sense of community can make a meaningful difference. Recovery allies, including friends, family members, peers and trusted mentors, can provide encouragement, connection and support to help individuals feel less alone as they seek help and work toward recovery.
What is National Recovery Month?
Each September, National Recovery Month recognizes individuals recovering from substance use and mental health challenges while highlighting the people, communities and resources that support them.
Guided by the theme “Recovery Happens Together”, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlights the important role family members, friends, peers and recovery allies can play in guiding loved ones through their recovery journey.
How to Be a Recovery Ally
Being a recovery ally for someone battling substance abuse or mental health issues goes beyond kind words or checking in on them every once in a while. It means showing up consistently, listening without judgment, respecting boundaries and knowing when to help someone connect with professional support or other resources.
You don’t have to have all the answers to be an ally. Small, intentional actions can help create an environment where someone feels supported, respected and less alone throughout recovery.
1. Educate Yourself
One of the most important things you can do as a recovery ally is educate yourself. Become familiar with what addiction and poor mental health habits look like and understand how someone becomes dependent on a substance or why someone’s mental health starts to decline. There are different ways you can become an educated recovery ally:
- Complete formal training from an organization, national advocacy group, health center or a university to develop support strategies and foster empathy
- Review official guides and toolkits offered by accredited resources such as SAMHSA, Recovery Research Institute, Faces and Voices of Recovery and more
- Learn to recognize triggers and signs of relapse and mental health issues to be able to respond with empathy instead of panic
2. Be An Active Listener
Being an active listener during recovery not only shows that you respect and care for your loved one, it also helps build trust in your relationship. Creating a safe space where someone feels comfortable expressing and sharing their feelings can make them more receptive to seeking and receiving help, attending therapy or using other recovery resources.
Tips for active listening:
- Give others your undivided attention by putting away your phone, minimizing distractions and maintaining an open, engaged posture
- Limit or avoid interruption while a loved one is speaking
- Ask open-ended questions, or questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”
- Set aside any judgment or biases while interacting with someone recovering
- Don’t give any unsolicited advice or try to “solve the problem”; in most cases, people in recovery just want to feel seen and heard
3. Respect Boundaries
When supporting someone through recovery, it’s important to respect their boundaries. These may look different for each person, but honoring their wishes can help create a supportive environment and avoid potential triggers.
Always remember to:
- Accept a “no” without giving any kind of reaction
- Honor their privacy by not sharing any details of their recovery with friends or family members without their permission
- Do not ask any intrusive questions such as, “Are you staying clean?” or “What happens if you relapse again?”
- Avoid hosting events where substances are present or offering or bringing substances around someone who is actively in recovery.
4. Use Person-First Language
Person-first language, also known as identity-safe language, is essential because it puts the person before their addiction. It can also help them feel more like a human being rather than someone who is defined by their diagnosis or addiction.
- Always ensure you’re putting the person first; instead of saying “addict” or “substance abuser use “person with a substance abuse disorder”
- Avoid using stigmatizing language, labels or slurs that could be hurtful or discouraging to someone working toward recovery
- Refrain from using pity words like “victim”, “suffering” or “afflicted”
- Ask your loved one what their preference is before addressing them
- Only mention their addiction and recovery when relevant to the conversation or situation
5. Challenge the Stigma
Challenging the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health is more than offering support; it includes intentional and mindful choices to ensure that the person feels safe and heard. Language and education are both great places to start when trying to remove misconceptions about substance abuse, but it’s important to:
- Correct or challenge jokes or comments about recovery
- Talk openly about addiction and mental health as public health issues
- Advocate for fair treatment and resources like housing, healthcare and employment for those in recovery
- Promote greater understanding by sharing factual information about addiction, recovery and mental health.
6. Receive Formal Training
After you’ve educated yourself on addiction, mental health and recovery, receiving formal training can equip you with the tools needed to support someone’s recovery. Training opportunities are available through approved organizations, healthcare providers and state health departments, and many do not require previous experience or personal connection to addiction or recovery.
If you wish to take your studies further to support individuals and families battling addiction, you can pursue a certification or degree. Depending on your career goals, you may pursue academic opportunities in recovery coaching, addiction counseling, social work and other behavioral health fields.
Abilene Christian University offers an online pathway into the social work profession through its online Bachelor of Science in Social Work. The undergraduate program provides foundational knowledge and practical skills to prepare students for entry-level social work opportunities or graduate study.
Students who want to continue their education can pursue ACU’s online Master of Science in Social Work program, which prepares graduates for advanced practice and leadership opportunities in settings such as schools, healthcare organizations and community agencies.
7. Connect With Resources
National and local resources can help recovery allies connect loved ones with the support and care they need. Tools like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) treatment locator can help individuals find treatment facilities, outpatient programs and behavioral health providers in their area.
Recovery allies can also explore local mental health centers, crisis services and nonprofit organizations that offer counseling, education and support for individuals and families. There are other well-known organizations, such as Faces and Voices of Recovery and Recovery Centers of America, that provide educational materials, networks for allies and even 24/7 assistance.
For immediate health or suicide-related crises, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can connect individuals with trained crisis counselors and more.
Support Those In Recovery With ACU
Recovery is rarely a journey someone takes alone. Having a strong foundation in family, friends, peers and recovery allies can help individuals feel seen and valued while they work toward a healthier life. Whether you educate yourself, listen without judgment, respect boundaries or connect someone with professional resources, your willingness to show up can make an impact.
Being a recovery ally also means recognizing when someone needs support beyond what you can provide. Treatment providers, mental health professionals, crisis services and community organizations offer specialized care and resources through the recovery process.
If you feel called to make supporting others part of your career, ACU’s online programs can help you take the next step. Through ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Social Work programs, you can develop the knowledge and skills to advocate for individuals, strengthen communities and serve people through some of life’s most challenging moments. Because when people have the right support around them, recovery doesn’t have to happen alone.