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 suf-
fered a fatal alcohol or drug overdose during 2022, with 
fatal overdoses increasing more than 50 percent com-
pared to 2019; 
Whereas, as compared to 2019, increased isolation and re-
duced access to treatment programs during the COVID– 
19 pandemic contributed to an increase in individuals re-
porting anxiety and depression disorders, with an in-
crease in individuals reporting first-time substance use 
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•HRES 729 IH 
for prescription pain relievers and prescription stimu-
lants, a decrease in first-time use of cigarettes, mari-
juana, 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 al-
cohol or drug addiction; 
Whereas, in 2020, the total cost to the economy of the 
United States due to prescription opioid misuse, includ-
ing the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, and involve-
ment 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 ex-
periences 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 bar-
rier 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 ad-
dressing the personal and emotional effects of addiction 
and easing reintegration: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 729 IH 
(1) recognizes the importance of patient, pro-
vider, and societal education for the prevention of 
substance use disorder; 
(2) acknowledges that factors such as increased 
social isolation, mental health challenges, and re-
duced access to substance use disorder treatment 
during the COVID–19 pandemic have contributed to 
an increase in the number of deaths related to sub-
stance use disorder; 
(3) supports efforts to explore the means by 
which integrated care, community, and helping indi-
viduals obtain a sense of purpose can lead to effec-
tive and sustainable treatment of substance use dis-
order; 
(4) shows appreciation and gratitude for family 
members, friends, and other individuals who support 
individuals in recovery from substance use disorder; 
and 
(5) supports the designation of ‘‘National Re-
covery Month’’. 
Æ 
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