About 400,000 Coloradans know the journey of substance use recovery. An additional 100,000 are estimated to need treatment for substance use disorder.
The financial and emotional toll of drug abuse, overdoses, and deaths from acute and chronic alcohol-related causes on individuals, families, and communities is huge.
During the 12 months ending in November 2024, Colorado experienced 1,603 drug overdose deaths, including 59 in Larimer County. In 2024, 1,419 people died from alcohol-related causes, such as alcohol poisoning, alcoholic liver disease, and alcohol-related mental or behavioral disorders, with 68 of these deaths occurring in Larimer County.
August is National Overdose Awareness Month, and September is National Recovery Month. To raise awareness about substance use disorders and the complexities of recovery, the North Colorado Health Alliance will host a community event at Bond Park on Sept. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m.
In an interview with the Estes Valley Voice, MJ Jorgensen, the deputy executive officer for NCHA, said the event will include presentations on overdose prevention, naloxone training, and demonstrations on AcuDetox.
“There are five points in our ears connected to our overall mind and body wellness. We’ve got folks who will do a quick 15-minute AcuDetox session with somebody,” said Jorgensen.
Like massage, yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, and peer support groups, AcuDetox is another tool in the recovery toolbox used by many clinicians and recovery programs.
Using tiny, sterile needles placed on the ear, the technique is used in recovery and healing from substance use disorders to ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms, bring about a sense of calm and relaxation, and reduce stress, anxiety, and trauma-related tension.
The event will also feature art, music by Estes Park musician Jason Lenz, free food, local resource booths, and an opportunity to hear stories about the personal journey of recovery, which takes many paths.
“By coming together, we celebrate recovery, remember loved ones lost, and strengthen the connections that carry us forward because no one walks this journey alone,” said Jorgensen.
Event sponsors include Harmony Foundation, Northeast Health Partners, Porch Light Health, North Range Behavioral Health, SummitStone Health Partners, Signal Behavioral Health Network, AspenRidge Recovery, Northpoint Recovery, Harmony Recovery, and Colorado Health Network.
National Recovery Month, observed each September, began as “Treatment Works! Month” in 1989. The name was changed to “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month” in 1998, and then to “National Recovery Month” in 2011 to encompass mental health recovery and raise awareness about the effectiveness of treatment and the importance of a supportive community in the recovery process.