Blog

The Voices Project is proud to announce that Mobilize Recovery will be returning in Fall 2021. Details regarding applications, timeline, and ways to participate will be announced later in Spring 2021. Sign up today to be the first to know when details are available by registering at mobilizerecovery.org. In addition to our 2021 partners already announced, including the Sandgaard Foundation, the Mobilize Recovery team is excited and grateful that Serve You Rx will be joining us as a presenting partner for the third year in a row! Without the support of Serve You Rx and their CEO—Sharon Murillo—Mobilize would never...Read More

Foundations commit to lifting up voices of people in recovery and those impacted by addiction; support ongoing efforts for overdose response initiatives; and empower community-based solutions. The Voices Project and Sandgaard Foundation to End the Opioid Crisis today announced a major partnership to continue their not-for-profit work together in addressing America’s long-standing addiction and overdose crisis. Together, the organizations commit to increasing access of naloxone and overdose response trainings in recovery residences (also known as sober livings) across the United States; support bold media efforts to eliminate stigma for those impacted by substance use disorder; and empower people in recovery with organizing and...Read More

The ongoing 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted care provision for patients with pain disorders, as well as those with opioid use disorder. As a result, public health experts have voiced concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may worsen the opioid crisis in the United States, and the populations affected most seriously by both crises may overlap significantly.1-3 For patients receiving treatment for addiction, access to support systems, clean needles, methadone provision, and psychiatric care may be seriously interrupted or shifted to virtual platforms.1 Furthermore, the risk of overdose may be increased during prolonged periods of heightened anxiety and isolation from...Read More

The people directly affected by conditions like substance use disorder should be involved at the state and federal levels in developing policies. Starting Jan. 20, the Biden administration will be responsible for addressing three major public health crises: the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 330,000 Americans and infected more than 17 million; the mental health crisis, which the pandemic has exacerbated to the point that 40% of U.S. residents now report struggling with mental or behavioral health issues; and the drug overdose crisis, with 81,000 deaths in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest ever recorded in a year-long period. Drug overdoses don’t happen because a...Read More

The festive season has been dubbed “the most wonderful time of the year”, but for those in and seeking recovery, it can sometimes be especially hard. It is possible to have an enjoyable time while embracing a life of recovery. Take the opportunity to celebrate not only the holiday, but also your recovery, which is something to be proud of. Plan each and every day of your holiday season Make a six-week plan to get you through the holiday period. Organize your events and plan to spend time with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery. Be realistic...Read More

Oregon will become the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs, including heroin and cocaine. Voters on Tuesday passed Measure 110, which also expands addiction services using the state’s marijuana tax revenue. “I think Oregonians made it clear that they support a more humane, effective approach to drug addiction,” Anthony Johnson, one of the measure’s chief petitioners, said Tuesday night. “We took a huge step for funding more treatment and recovery services, and for ending racist drug war policies.” Proponents said drug addiction is currently treated as a crime, not as a health disorder. With the removal of punishments for nonviolent drug offenses and...Read More

Like millions of Americans, Diane Urban watched the first presidential debate last month at home with her family. When it was over, she turned off the television and climbed into the bed her 25-year-old son Jordan used to sleep in. It was where she found Jordan’s lifeless body after he overdosed on the opioid fentanyl one morning in April 2019. After watching President Donald Trump target the son of former Vice President Joe Biden for his history of substance abuse, Urban was reminded again of the shame her son lived with during his own battle with addiction. “I just think...Read More

Vote Recovery is an initiative created by the Recovery Advocacy Project (RAP). RAP is working to build a visible and effective constituency to demand community and public policy based solutions in response to America’s long-standing addiction crisis. Vote Recovery is a hub to learn about voting, your rights, and the issues that recovery voters like yourself are passionate about. It’s also a space to explore tools for engagement to get others involved. We can either imagine a world in which our elected officials court and value the votes, suggestions, and voices of us in the recovery community, OR we can...Read More

New Polling Shows Need for Immediate Congressional Action to Avert Collapse of Behavioral Health Organizations and Resulting Public Health Crisis Demand for mental health and addiction treatment services has increased significantly just as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weaken the financial viability of behavioral health organizations and reduce the availability of lifesaving treatment and services, according to new polling released by the National Council for Behavioral Health. Key findings from the survey of behavioral health Chief Executive Officers include: Demand for behavioral health services is increasing, with 52% of behavioral health organizations seeing an increase in the demand for services;...Read More

This year’s Mobilize Recovery event showed, once again, that the recovery advocacy community is diverse, dedicated, and resilient. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national advocacy event was hosted virtually by the Recovery Advocacy Project and the Voices Project, making it the largest and most accessible training to date. Advocates from across America attended to network, learn new skills, and share tactics to improve recovery outcomes during the national drug epidemic. The event included a star-studded lineup of speakers such as Elton John, Macklemore, former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and President Bill...Read More