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Increase Awareness

A West Virginia pastor wisely said, "Churches are not neutral bystanders: What they don't say is just as important as what they do say."

Finding a supportive community is essential to recovery. However, old conventions, based on misunderstandings about substance use disorders (SUDs) and other behavioral issues, can too often stand in the way of a community's willingness to provide the critical support and connections people need.

It is critical that behavioral health issues, like SUDs, are increasingly understood as treatable, chronic, medical conditions - and not personal or moral failing. Our hope is that, in time, prejudice and shame will be replaced by a spirit of compassion and hope that opens doors, hearts, and resources to those suffering with addiction.

Getting Started

To help increase awareness, you can partner with local community and public health experts, law enforcement agencies, and others to help educate your community on:

  • Addiction as a Treatable Disease and Long-Term Chronic Condition: Help community members understand the need for long-term support of people in recovery.
    bit.ly/PCPT-1
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): MAT is the life-saving use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a "whole-patient" approach to the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUDs).
  • Pain Management: Increase patient awareness of pain treatment alternatives and management. www.GO.USA.gov/xP7gW
    • "Is this an opioid?"
    • "Is an opioid necessary?"
    • "Are there alternatives to using opioids for pain relief?"
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)/ Trauma Informed Approaches: Help others learn how childhood adversities can actually increase a person's risk for substance misuse and challenging their recovery efforts. bit.ly/PCPT-4 
  • Safe Drug Disposal: More than half of those who abused prescription painkillers actually obtained them from friends or family. Promote safe drug disposal tips and participate in your community's "Take Back Drug Days" to help reduce the supply of prescription opioids getting into the wrong hands. bit.ly/PCPT-5
  • Good Samaritan Laws: Invite local law enforcement officials to talk to your group about the laws in your state that may protect those who are providing and/or calling for help when someone has overdosed. bit.ly/PCPT-6
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