National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 2016

Proclamation 9479 of August 31, 2016

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery
Month, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every day, millions of Americans prove that recovery
from alcohol and substance use disorders is possible--
yet at the same time, millions more are struggling with
the disease of addiction. These individuals are our
family members, friends, and neighbors, and when they
are not able to get the help they need, our communities
and our country are not as strong as they can be. It is
up to all of us to help our loved ones seek life-saving
services when needed and steer them toward recovery.
Throughout this month, we celebrate the successes of
all those who know the transformative power of
recovery, and we renew our commitment to providing the
support, care, and treatment that people need to forge
a healthier life.

Substance use disorder, commonly known as addiction, is
a disease of the brain, and many misconceptions
surrounding it have contributed to harmful stigmas that
can prevent individuals from seeking the treatment they
need. By treating substance use disorders as seriously
as other medical conditions, with an emphasis on
prevention and treatment, people can recover. This
month's theme is, ``Join the Voices for Recovery: Our
Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery!''. Focusing on the
importance of family support throughout recovery, it
invites families, loved ones, and other individuals to
share their stories and triumphs in fighting substance
use disorders to inspire others that may follow in
their footsteps. I encourage all Americans looking for
assistance to use the ``Treatment Locator'' tool at
www.SAMHSA.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP.

This disease can touch any American in any community,
and my Administration has made combatting substance use
disorders a priority. Under the Affordable Care Act,
insurance companies must now cover substance use
disorder services as essential health benefits. The
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires
health plans that cover mental health and substance use
disorder treatment to provide coverage that is
comparable to that of medical and surgical care.
Through our National Drug Control Strategy--a 21st
century approach to reducing drug use and its
consequences--we have promoted evidence-based health
and safety initiatives that aim to prevent drug use,
increase opportunities for early intervention and
integrated treatment in health care, and support
recovery. In response to our Nation's opioid overdose
epidemic, we are highlighting tools that can help
reduce drug use and overdose, such as evidence-based
prevention programs, prescription drug take-back
events, medication-assisted treatment for people with
opioid use disorders, and the overdose reversal drug
naloxone. That is why, in my most recent budget
proposal, I proposed investing $1 billion to expand
access to treatment for prescription opioid misuse and
heroin use. I will continue urging the Congress to fund
treatment like I have proposed--because if they fund
these efforts, we can help more individuals across our
country seek help, complete treatment, and sustain
recovery.

During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery
Month, let us thank health care professionals, support
groups, and all those dedicated to helping individuals
in need find assistance and reclaim their lives. Let us
continue

working to address substance use disorders in our
communities and promote the health, safety, and
prosperity of the American people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim September 2016 as
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I
call upon the people of the United States to observe
this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-first.