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September is National Recovery Month, a national observance dedicated to promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, celebrating the strong and proud recovery community, and recognizing the commitment of service providers and communities that facilitate recovery in all its forms.

Comal County is home to several organizations that advocate, support, and celebrate recovery daily. RecoveryWerks!, a local nonprofit, stands out among them.

RecoveryWerks! offers recovery support services for teenagers and young adults struggling with substance use. With the aid of state-certified peer recovery support specialists, they provide counseling, peer coaching, support group meetings, sober social activities, role modeling, and accountability to help young individuals embrace a life free from the influence of mind-changing chemicals.

“Acceptance and peer groups mean everything to our young people,” said Zach Saunders, a licensed chemical dependency counselor and RecoveryWerks! youth services program director. “Being a young person and trying to live a sober life presents unique challenges these days because it’s virtually impossible to avoid contact with other kids experiencing substance abuse problems. At RecoveryWerks!, we focus a lot on putting fun into the recovery process because we want these young people to see how much fun recovery can be. It’s through this spirit of fun that we help young people find a new group of friends who prioritize recovery and authenticity.”

RecoveryWerks! extends its support to family members, ages nine and above, who are worried about a loved one’s substance use.

“Getting the entire family involved in the recovery process makes a big difference,” said Joanne Daxon, a licensed chemical dependency counselor and RecoveryWerks! program director. “We know that substance use disorder affects every member of the family in different ways. Through support group meetings and counseling, we help parents, grandparents, and guardians learn how to enable recovery versus enabling addiction. We also have support group meetings specifically designed for youth, between the ages of nine and 17, who are not using substances but are affected by a family member who does. Engaging the whole family in the process of recovery is the best way to support those we love with this disease and bring about family healing.”

The Comal County Commissioners Court has proclaimed September as National Recovery Month in Comal County, acknowledging that while mental health and substance use disorders impact communities across the nation, many local individuals have embarked on a journey of improved health and wellness.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched National Recovery Month in 1989 to raise awareness about mental health and addiction recovery.

RecoveryWerks! will host a Family Fun night on September 13 to honor the community’s support for those in recovery and the numerous lives transformed by it.

The free event will be held at 790 Landa St. in New Braunfels, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. It will feature music, games, prizes, food trucks, community resources tables, and an outdoor family movie at sunset. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and their families to join the celebration of National Recovery Month in the community. Click here for more information.