At Bounce Coalition, we believe that creating healthier communities means looking beyond labels and making space for the whole person, including their lived experience that shape their well-being. As we recognize September as Recovery Month, we are honored to share this reflection from a longtime professional in the recovery field. Drawing on more than a decade of experience, and approach recovery with greater compassion.

Guest Blog by Beth Bennett, LCSW LCADC CCS RYT

As we approach Recovery Month 2026, I reflect back on my career in the recovery field.  I began working in the recovery field around 2010 and I can articulate that so many things have definitely changed since my entry into the world of recovery treatment. Yet simultaneously that far too many have also remained the same. 

We no longer accept that abstinence based recovery is the only path to sobriety; Medication Assisted Treatment, Non-Faith Based Recovery Support Networks and more holistic modalities like yoga are no longer seen as outliers to the treatment plan. In fact, they are now lining the evidence based practices lists and making those of us that resist these treatment approach changes seem like relics in our field. 

Trauma Informed Care became the buzz and treatment centers using outdated, militaristic, “break them down” approaches began to fade into liabilities and lawsuits. Treatment staff shifted towards person-centered care and looking at the goals of the individual rather than the goals of the institution/cultures in which those individuals exist. 

Yet, on many societal and institutional levels we still continue to stigmatize those labeled with addiction. The same discussion on addiction that flavored the beginning of my career in the tag line, “Addiction knows no bounds”, from the Hope Center’s Family Day Educational Video, seems to still be the discussion that we need to continue to have many years later. Stigma continues to be the largest barrier in helping those who are struggling to make their way towards recovery. 

As a social worker, I can find so many variables that impact this conversation. Yet, I would like to highlight several for your consideration as we process what Recovery Month 2026 might mean to us individually. 

How we view certain drugs themselves and drug sentencing continue to have a disproportionate impact on black, indigenous, persons of color (BIPOC). While the crack epidemic of the past may be behind us, Addiction and Incarceration Rates of BIPOC remain quite high. A quick internet search from the Bureau of Justice reveals current statistics that people of color comprise approximately 62% of individuals incarcerated in state prisons for drug offenses while representing roughly 40% of the U.S. population. Black Americans are also incarcerated overall at approximately 4.9 times the rate of White Americans. These continued disproportionate statistics might cause one pause and consideration on the current state of our larger national systems.  

Additionally, classism as well continues to play a role in how we view and treat addiction on societal and cultural levels. Those with private insurance and access to more resources find their way to luxurious treatment centers with more expensive modalities. I’ve had clients tell me that their family found it more socially acceptable to tell others they had a nervous breakdown than to socially admit the family member was an alcoholic. Somehow we have found another area in which to other humans, “ADDICT”. 

Even with these minimal variables to consider, and so many more that flavor the conversation, I ask you to open your heart to the idea that addiction is perhaps the result of the things that have happened to other beautiful humans that they did not know how to deal with, other than through disconnection. Acute stress and trauma are a common result of living in the modern western world; We have so many demands on our nervous systems constantly. Not to mention if we add biological predisposition and childhood trauma exposure into the mix. 

As you consider Recovery Month this year I hope that you can find the humanness in this sometimes large sounding concept. May we all remember the human impact that the disease of addiction has across our state and nation. The countless families that are impacted in various ways due to this disease. May we continue to remember that “Addiction has no bounds” and that any one of our families could face this disease at any time.

With this in mind, my hope for all that read this is that we may move forth in advocacy for the recovery community. Congratulating those choosing to live their lives differently today, while also making space for those efforts to be respected within our own communities. Change begins at the individual level. Perhaps it is time for not only a bit of attraction to the recovery way of life, but also a bit of promotion for this wonderful part of our community. 

Happy Recovery Month 2026 to all who celebrate! Hard work pays off!

Beth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Drug & Alcohol Counselor. Her practice has included a wide variety of treatment settings; residential facilities, jails, community mental health & private practice. Beth has been trained in a wide has been trained in a wide variety of therapeutic techniques including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Reality Therapy, and certification in EMDR. Beth is passionate about creating safe spaces for others to explore not only the movement of their bodies, but also in finding spaces for of mental clarity, and connection to the inner spirit.