III 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 778 

Supporting the designation of September 2022 as ‘‘National Recovery 

Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 

Mr. KING (for himself, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. MANCHIN, and Mr. LUJA ́N) 

submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of September 2022 as ‘‘National 

Recovery Month’’. 

Whereas the theme for National Recovery Month in 2022 is 

‘‘Every Person. Every Family. Every Community.’’; 

Whereas more than 107,000 individuals in the United States 

suffered a fatal alcohol or drug overdose during 2021, an 

increase of almost 15 percent as compared to 2020; 

Whereas, during the COVID–19 pandemic, increased isolation and reduced access to treatment programs contributed to an increase in individuals reporting anxiety and 

depression disorders as compared to 2019, with 13 percent of individuals in the United States reporting starting 

or increasing substance use during 2020; 


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•SRES 778 ATS 

Whereas, in 2020, there were approximately 21,000,000 individuals in the United States aged 18 or older in recovery 

from alcohol or drug addiction; 

Whereas, in 2018, it was estimated that the total cost to the 

economy of the United States of prescription opioid misuse, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, 

and involvement of the criminal justice system, is 

$78,500,000,000 annually, and that figure has grown as 

a result of the COVID–19 pandemic; 

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 Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the importance of education for 

3 the prevention of substance use disorder; 

4 (2) acknowledges that factors such as increased 

5 social isolation, mental distress, and reduced access 

6 to substance use disorder treatment during the 


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•SRES 778 ATS 

1 COVID–19 pandemic have contributed to an in2 crease in the number of deaths related to substance 

3 use disorder; 

4 (3) supports efforts to explore the means by 

5 which integrated care, community, and sense of pur6 pose can lead to effective and sustainable treatment 

7 of substance use disorder; 

8 (4) shows appreciation and gratitude for family 

9 members, friends, and other individuals who support 

10 individuals in recovery from substance use disorder; 

11 and 

12 (5) supports the designation of September 2022 

13 as ‘‘National Recovery Month’’. 

Æ 


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