September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the United States, a national observance held annually to celebrate the personal gains made by those in recovery as well as further awareness and education about the addiction crisis in America.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2014, 22.5 million people age 12 and older needed treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. A 2007 study found that if someone in recovery can achieve sobriety for one year, they have about a 50 percent chance of relapse, but if that person can achieve sobriety for 5 years, the chance of relapse is less than 15 percent.
There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery, either because of their own personal recovery or that of a family member, loved one or friend. The Friars of the Atonement have been involved with recovery ministries for over 50 years through their inpatient rehabilitation center for men, St. Christopher’s Inn and by assisting with maintenance of long-term sobriety by providing recovery meetings, workshops, retreats and other programs for men, women and family members through their Graymoor Spiritual Life Center.
In 1970, the Friars opened their home and established the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center on the Holy Mountain of Graymoor. In addition to its many spiritual programs, to assist individuals with their long-term efforts to maintain sobriety, the Spiritual Life Center provides a multi-purpose space to host weekly meetings for various recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alanon, and Recovery, Inc. as well as weekend retreats such as Matt Talbot retreats and other recovery workshops.
Through the ministry of the Spiritual Life Center, the Friars are able to assist with the struggles of each guest, connect with them on a human level, and demonstrate to them God’s divine love, compassion and mercy. Annually, through their recovery ministries the Friars assist several thousand people in recovering from the disease of addiction.
For more information on the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, or to view a Calendar of upcoming events , visit here.