September is National Recovery Month, a time to honor the strength of people living in recovery, raise awareness about substance use disorders and mental health, and highlight the hope that recovery brings to families and communities.
This year, the SAMHSA (Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration) theme for National Recovery Month is Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life). At CCC, this message resonates deeply with us. We see every day that recovery is more than the absence of substance use—it’s about rebuilding health, finding stability, fostering meaningful connections with others, and discovering a unique sense of purpose.
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The Building Blocks of Recovery
At CCC, our approach to recovery is grounded in three pillars: home, health, and jobs. These are more than just services to us. They’re essential building blocks for long-term recovery.
Home: A Place to Heal
Having a safe and supportive place to live makes healing possible. It’s about much more than shelter. Home means a space where people feel seen and safe.
Many CCC clients share that housing is where their healing truly began. A stable home also provides the foundation for reconnecting with family and building community. With support from peers, staff, and loved ones, home becomes a place to grow stronger each day. CCC offers a wide variety of housing options because we know people have different needs and are at different stages in their journeys.
From recovery housing to supportive housing, CCC provides a welcoming, caring space where clients can focus on building new lives without worrying about where they’ll sleep at night.
“My life was going no where when I was actively using. I was a college graduate and the best job I could hold was as a lifeguard for a 4″ deep pool. Once I got into recovery my world changed dramatically. I was able to do things that I never thought possible. Each day is an opportunity for me to give back, since what I give to others will never equal all that I have been given in recovery.” – CCC Staff Member
Health: Believing in Recovery
The first step towards recovery is believing it’s possible. At CCC, we’ve witnessed incredible transformations when people receive the right care and support. Many clients we serve walk through Hooper as their “front door,” beginning their journey to recovery.
Our staff provide everything from integrated primary care, mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and so much more. We meet people where they are. Honoring every individual’s pathway to recovery. Whether that’s medication-assisted recovery, peer support groups, or a combination of methods to start and maintain stability, CCC is here to help.
From detox services to long-term outpatient care, we focus on health—body, mind, and spirit—because recovery touches every part of life.
One concrete action CCC took this year was opening the 16 x Burnside Recovery Center (16 x Burn), a new drug- and alcohol-free 74-bed residential treatment center. 16 x Burn supports people exiting Hooper Detox, individuals needing extended residential treatment before transitioning to recovery-supportive housing, and those preparing for substance use disorder (SUD) intensive outpatient care. 16 x Burn is an extraordinary leap forward in Portland’s recovery landscape.
“Recovery to me means taking responsibility for where I have been, and in doing so finding responsibility for where I go from here. That one has been bouncing around my head for a couple years now.” – CCC Staff Member
Jobs: A New Chapter
Purpose is a powerful driver of recovery. Through CCC’s employment programs, including the Community Volunteer Corps, Clean Start, and Employment Access Center (just to name a few!), people gain skills, find work, and build confidence.
A good job brings much more than financial stability, but also dignity, routine, and hope for the future. For many CCC clients, finding meaningful work becomes a turning point in their recovery journey.
“The struggle is part of the story. You don’t get to tell people who you are, you get to show them.” – CCC Staff Member
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National Recovery Month reminds us that recovery is not only possible, but that it is happening all around us, every day. Each story of recovery is a story of strength, courage, and resilience. At CCC, we are honored to walk alongside people as they rebuild their lives and know that everyone has a role to play whether that’s by supporting a loved one, advocating for recovery-friendly communities, or simply offering compassion.
This month, and every month, we celebrate the truth: Recovery is REAL!
There are a lot of ways for you to get involved!
You can attend events and support recovery efforts in your community; share stories of recovery on social media; advocate for policies supporting recovery; or donate to recovery organizations like CCC.
