What: September is Recovery Month, a time to emphasize that recovery from addiction and other mental illness is possible. The story of recovery is important to share as the United States remains in an opioid overdose epidemic. The American Psychiatric Association has leaders and experts available to discuss different aspects and types of addiction, prevention, treatment, and recovery. Spanish language interviews are available upon request.

Key Statistics:

According to a June 2023 APA poll on addiction:

• 93% of Americans believe addiction can be treated
• 76% agree that addictions are medical disorders
• 76% agree that they are preventable
• U.S. adults were divided on whether addictions are a result of personal weakness (47% say yes, and 53% say no)

Who:

• APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A.
• APA Council on Addiction Psychiatry Chair Smita Das, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

More Information: Contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] for interviews.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.