September is Recovery Month–an important time to increase awareness about addiction, share resources, and repeat an unequivocal truth: Lifelong recovery is possible for anyone.
That’s a lesson that Dr. Jason Miller, a Steward Medical Group psychiatrist, teaches his patients and resident physicians at Texas Vista Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. Speaking of the many resources and treatment options available, Dr. Miller believes that one of the most invaluable tools for beating addiction is your voice. Speaking up, talking candidly with loved ones, and breaking the stigma can go a long way toward helping people get to their first or next steps in their recovery journeys.
“People often struggle with addiction silently,” said Dr. Miller. “Celebrating [Recovery Month] and talking about it, helps get it out into the light. It gets people to think it doesn’t have to be this way. And unless we all talk about it, there’s a bunch of young people out there who wouldn’t know any different.”
On any given day, approximately half of Texas Vista’s patient population receiving care in the psychology unit are there for addiction issues. Dr. Miller and his team screen every patient for addiction, and counsel them on their various treatment options, including inpatient therapies, outpatient settings, medications, sober living facilities and more. “It’s not one size fits most. We have customizable options for every lifestyle out there,” said Dr. Miller.
However, despite the evidence-based treatments and recovery practices available, many people don’t know where to turn to when beginning their recovery process. According to Dr. Miller, a primary care physician or local Alcoholics Anonymous group are not bad places to start. “The first thing is just asking for help. Your primary care physician can get you down the right path. Are they going to have all the resources? Probably not. But they can get you to that next step,” he said.
Recovery Month is a celebration of the millions of Americans who achieved recovery. It’s also a time to reaffirm our support for everyone who may still be struggling–no matter their circumstances. Having experienced his own loved ones’ struggle with addiction, Dr. Monthe Kofos, a Resident Physician at Texas Vista, emphasizes, “Addiction reaches across a spectrum. You just never know who is struggling.”
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, Steward Health Care encourages you to know you’re not alone, and that recovery is achievable. Learn more about Recovery Month, and call your local Steward hospital to learn more about treatment options.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
