September is National Recovery Month, a time to acknowledge the challenges of substance use and celebrate the progress of those on their journey to recovery.

For me, this month resonates deeply. Throughout my childhood and life, I’ve witnessed firsthand how substance use can profoundly affect a family. My family, like many others, knows this struggle all too well.

For years, substance use has been heavily stigmatized. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, stigma is “a strong feeling of disapproval that most people in a society have about something.” Personally, I’ve always viewed substance use as a symptom of a larger issue—often a coping mechanism for life’s most difficult challenges: the loss of a parent, overwhelming financial hardship, or deep, internal emotional struggles. We also can’t ignore the role of large opioid companies, which have preyed on vulnerable communities, significantly contributing to this crisis.

We know, and what the research tells us is, that substance use is strongly linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Adults with a history of ACEs are 4.3 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder.

While life’s adversities are unavoidable, there’s much we can do to mitigate their impact. Recent studies show that positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can help buffer the effects of ACEs, particularly when it comes to reducing the likelihood of substance use in adulthood, including cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Need a refresher on what positive childhood experiences are? Check out our blog here. 

This month, UNSHAMEKY will collaborate with Bloom Kentucky and other organizations to explore the connection between ACEs, substance use, and how we can foster hope through positive childhood experiences and evidence-based practices. By addressing these root causes and promoting healing environments, we aim to reduce addiction-related stigma and provide paths toward recovery.

UNSHAME Kentucky is a public health campaign dedicated to reducing addiction-related stigma across the state. Run by Shatterproof, a national nonprofit committed to ending the addiction crisis, in partnership with the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE), we are working to change the conversation around addiction.

This Recovery Month, let’s focus on sowing seeds of hope. Through collaboration, awareness, and action, we can help people in our communities build resilience and move toward recovery. Register here for the September 26th webinar to learn more about the relationship between ACEs and substance use, and join us in fostering a future where hope takes root.