Light Up the Night for Recovery event in Rhinelander on Wednesday

Mental health and substance use disorders affect all communities, people from all walks of life, and all age groups. Every September, National Recovery Month celebrates communities who are proud and stand together in recovery. It reminds us that “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”

“A substance use disorder can happen to anyone. Some individuals are at higher risk of developing a disorder. Risk factors include difficulty coping, a person’s social environment, untreated behavioral issues, and, for some individuals, genetics,” said Tekia, an instructor at Nicolet College. “It has nothing to do with a person’s character or will power. Recovery is real when people receive the support they need when they need it. As a community, we can support one another by creating an environment where resources are available and people bfeel safe seeking help.”

To better support the path to recovery, partners in Oneida County are working to reduce substance use stigma by growing awareness through a celebration of recovery and building connections to local recovery support services.

“It can be hard to understand substance use disorder,” said Jenny Chiamulera, Community Health Specialist at the Oneida County Health Department. “The Light Up the Night for Recovery Event embraces local speakers as they share their stories. Lived experience is valuable and storytelling is a powerful tool to help us understand what substance use disorder really is. This year we are excited to welcome the Honorable Mary Sowinski, an Oneida County Circuit Court Judge, as the Keynote Speaker for the event.”

All community members are invited to attend the annual “Light Up the Night for Recovery” outdoor event. This free family-friendly evening will include a community resource fair, games, refreshments, raffle prizes, and a time for story-sharing. It is a time to celebrate recovery, remember those who were lost, and connect with recovery support.