The lives of millions of Americans who struggle with mental illness and substance use disorders have been transformed through recovery. In 1989, National Recovery Month was founded to acknowledge the success of those in recovery. National Recovery Month aims to educate and increase awareness within the community about the prominence and impact of substance use disorders and highlights the idea that recovery is possible for everyone.

While National Recovery Month primarily focuses on recovery from substance use and mental health disorders, it also recognizes individuals may also be recovering from other health challenges, including eating disorders. Organizations such as the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provide resources and support for individuals on their recovery journeys, reinforcing the message that healing and recovery can take many forms.

Additionally, National Addiction Professionals Day is celebrated as a part of Recovery Month on September 20 to recognize the professionals who support individuals on their recovery journey. 

In Rhode Island, Rally4Recovery hosts a free annual event for Rhode Islanders to explore resources and celebrate recovery. This event will take place on September 19. Learn more about this event here. 

Source: naadac.org, cdc.org

BCBSRI offers the following programs for members looking for recovery resources: 

• BH Link: BH Link is a community-based walk-in crisis facility which offers immediate assistance to members experiencing a behavioral health crisis. A team of registered nurses, counselors, psychiatrists, phone screeners, and peer specialists provide innovative crisis intervention services for up to 23 hours followed by connection to ongoing treatment if needed. Services are available to commercial members. Please call (401) 414-LINK for assistance.
• Child and Family Intensive Services (CFIT): CFIT provides services for children and their families through a team approach that is designed to engage the member and his/her family by improving level of functioning, promoting healthy lifestyles, and teaching community integration skills. Services are available to commercial members. To find an in-network provider offering CFIT services, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• CODAC Behavioral Healthcare Opioid Center of Excellence: Through the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and care management services, CODAC provides the tools necessary for recovery for members struggling with opioid use disorder. For more information, call (401) 275-5039 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• Equip: Equip is a virtual, evidence-based service for individuals experiencing symptoms of eating disorders. Multidisciplinary care teams support individuals and their families to achieve lasting recovery at home. Services are available to commercial members. Please contact Equip directly at 1-855-695-4003 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management for more information at 1-800-274-2958.
• Grow Therapy: Grow Therapy is a virtual behavioral health provider network and practice management platform that connects members with licensed clinicians for outpatient mental health services, including therapy and medication management. Services are provided by independently credentialed practitioners across a range of behavioral health specialties, and appointments are available via telehealth, offering convenient access to care for members.
• Headway: Headway is a provider group that delivers quality mental healthcare to both children and adults by connecting members with providers quickly and efficiently. Headway matches providers with members based on their geographic location, demographic information, care delivery preferences, and diagnosis/concerns. Services are available to commercial and Medicare Advantage members. Please call 1-888-863-7889 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958 for more information.
• HealthPath: Offered through Butler Hospital, HealthPath is a home and community-based service available to adult commercial and Medicare Advantage members that offers comprehensive behavioral health services through a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, independently licensed clinicians, peer support specialists, and substance abuse specialists. For more information, please call (401) 415-8868 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• InStride: InStride Health is a virtual behavioral health service that provides evidence-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (“CBT”) with a focus on exposure response prevention therapy (“ERP”). Services are available to commercial members ages seven-22 with a primary diagnosis of anxiety and/or OCD. For more information, please call 1-855-438-8331 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• Kids’ Link RI: A 24/7 clinical triage line to connect children and youth in crisis in need of mental health services. Services are available to Commercial members. Please call 1-855-543-5465 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• Mobile Crisis: Mobile Crisis services provide immediate access to care for children and youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis, utilizing the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) model. Services are available to commercial members. To find an in-network provider offering mobile crisis services, please contact Behavioral Health Care Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• NOCD: NOCD is a virtual therapy service that treats individuals with OCD, anxiety, and other related diagnoses. In addition to therapy, NODC offers 24/7 support service including messaging with a therapist, in-app tools and exercises, and more. Services are available to commercial members. For more information, please visit treatmyocd.com or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• Peer Recovery Coaching: Peer Recovery coaches are individuals with lived experience in recovery who have undergone extensive training to provide support to their peers. BCBSRI offers peer recovery services to commercial and Medicare Advantage members with substance use disorders. To find an in-network provider offering peer recovery services, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• Pelago: Pelago is a virtual substance use management provider that supports teenagers over 15 (16 and above for Opioid treatment) and adults with personalized substance use management and treatment. Staffed by a nationwide network of physicians, nurse practitioners, recovery coaches, and drug and alcohol counselors, Pelago uses technology-enabled clinical care delivery methods to treat substance use conditions. Services are available to commercial members. For more information, please visit pelagohealth.com or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• TalkSpace: TalkSpace is a virtual behavioral health provider group that connects members with licensed clinicians for outpatient mental health services, including therapy and medication management. Services include behavioral health assessments, individual psychotherapy, and digital therapeutic support through text, voice, video messaging, and live video sessions. Services are available via telehealth, offering convenient access to care for members.
• Urgent access appointments: BCBSRI has collaborated with providers throughout Rhode Island to ensure that our members have access to urgent appointments for behavioral health needs, such as outpatient therapy and medication management. These providers have dedicated time slots available exclusively for commercial and Medicare Advantage BCBSRI members. To find a provider with urgent access availability, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958 for assistance.