September is National Recovery Month

What is Recovery Month?

Now in its 32nd year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.

Each September, Recovery Month works to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.[i]

Here at the Pollard Library, we are supporting people in recovery and encouraging people seeking recovery with a display on the second floor. We have a selection of books you can check out and handouts you can take. We even have a list of resources that includes library materials, websites, databases, and places to seek assistance.

The library is currently open for browsing. Masks are required in all city buildings. If you are not comfortable entering the library, you can request items for curbside pickup during our regular hours (Monday-Thursday 9-9; Friday and Saturday 9-5). To reserve a book, place a request in the online catalog, fill out a request form, or call the reference desk at 978-674-4121.

Books

Click on an image for more information.

Databases

Databases are computerized collections of articles. You can find databases on the Electronic Resources page of the library’s website https://lowelllibrary.org/research/electronic-resources/. Look for Gale Group Databases. Once you click, choose one or more of these databases:

Gale OneFile Health and Medicine has medical and professional journals, magazines, reference books, pamphlets, and videos. It is for students, health care professionals, and consumer health researchers.

Gale Health and Wellness has medical journals, magazines, reference works, multimedia, and more. It is for researchers of all levels.

Gale OneFile: Psychology has scholarly journals and about all types of psychology. It is best for researchers, psychologists, and counselors.

Websites

These are trustworthy websites that you can find on any computer with internet access or smart phone.

Get Naloxone Now https://www.getnaloxonenow.org/ offers training to respond to opioid-related overdoses.

HealthFinder https://healthfinder.gov/Default.aspx has information about prevention, preparing people for appointments, and finding providers and services.  It has links to help in other languages. Search for “drug misuse” or select it from the Topics List.

MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ links to reliable and up-to-date information about diseases, health topics, and drugs written for the average person. You can read it in English or Spanish or link to health topics in other languages.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) https://www.samhsa.gov/  has links to find treatment and information for the public about substance use and mental health.

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Patients & Families Page https://www.drugabuse.gov/patients-families has articles geared for both teens and adults, focusing on how to know if you have a problem and treatment.

Drug Facts https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/finder/t/160/DrugFacts has articles about different dugs and drug-related issues.

Services

Lowell Community Health Center https://www.lchealth.org/patients/connect-services/treating-substance-use-disorders offers health care, including substance abuse services, to children and adults of all ages regardless of their ability to pay.

Phone: 978-937-9700

Lowell House Addiction Treatment and Recovery  http://lowellhouseinc.org/ provides inpatient and outpatient treatment and living options that support recovery from addiction. They run the Recovery Café.

Phone: 978.459.8656

Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services https://www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-substance-addiction-services oversees the MA system of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance addiction.

Phone: 617-624–5111

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Helpline https://helplinema.org/ is a statewide public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services.

Phone: 800-327-5050

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7/365-treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Phone : 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

[i] From the National Recovery Month Website https://rm.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/ (accessed September 7, 2021).