IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 729 

Supporting the designation of September 2023 as ‘‘National Recovery 

Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 

Mr. TRONE (for himself, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Ms. KUSTER, Mrs. MCCLAIN, Ms. 

SPANBERGER, Mr. PAPPAS, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. WILD, and Mr. SABLAN) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of September 2023 as ‘‘National 

Recovery Month’’. 

Whereas the theme for National Recovery Month in 2023 is 

‘‘Hope is real. Recovery is real.’’; 

Whereas nearly 110,000 individuals in the United States suffered a fatal alcohol or drug overdose during 2022, with 

fatal overdoses increasing more than 50 percent compared to 2019; 

Whereas, as compared to 2019, increased isolation and reduced access to treatment programs during the COVID– 

19 pandemic contributed to an increase in individuals reporting anxiety and depression disorders, with an increase in individuals reporting first-time substance use 


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2 

•HRES 729 IH 

for prescription pain relievers and prescription stimulants, a decrease in first-time use of cigarettes, marijuana, hallucinogens, inhalants, prescription tranquilizer, 

cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, and equivalent 

levels for first-time use of alcohol; 

Whereas, in 2021, there were approximately 20,900,000 

adults in the United States with a lived experience of alcohol or drug addiction; 

Whereas, in 2020, the total cost to the economy of the 

United States due to prescription opioid misuse, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, and involvement of the criminal justice system, was estimated at 

$1,470,000,000, as that figure grew significantly during 

the COVID–19 pandemic from an estimated 

$990,000,000 in 2019; 

Whereas trauma is a risk factor for substance use disorder, 

and there is a strong link between adverse childhood experiences or traumatic events and experiencing substance 

use disorder later in life; 

Whereas individuals with substance use disorder may face 

stigma from health professionals as well as from friends 

and family; 

Whereas it has been demonstrated that stigma can be a barrier to accessing treatment and engaging in recovery for 

individuals with substance use disorder; and 

Whereas peer-supported communities offer individuals with 

substance use disorder better success in recovery by addressing the personal and emotional effects of addiction 

and easing reintegration: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 729 IH 

1 (1) recognizes the importance of patient, pro2 vider, and societal education for the prevention of 

3 substance use disorder; 

4 (2) acknowledges that factors such as increased 

5 social isolation, mental health challenges, and re6 duced access to substance use disorder treatment 

7 during the COVID–19 pandemic have contributed to 

8 an increase in the number of deaths related to sub9 stance use disorder; 

10 (3) supports efforts to explore the means by 

11 which integrated care, community, and helping indi12 viduals obtain a sense of purpose can lead to effec13 tive and sustainable treatment of substance use dis14 order; 

15 (4) shows appreciation and gratitude for family 

16 members, friends, and other individuals who support 

17 individuals in recovery from substance use disorder; 

18 and 

19 (5) supports the designation of ‘‘National Re20 covery Month’’. 

Æ 


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