Renz Center recognizes 30th anniversary of National Recovery Month

Renz Addiction Counseling Center recognizes National Recovery Month each September.

This year's theme is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger," emphasizing the importance of community-building and sharing resources with community members - families, neighbors, educators, employers, and religious organizations - can make a strong positive impact in helping individuals in their recovery.

During the 30th anniversary of Recovery Month, communities across the nation will reflect on their positive strides and their plans to make recovery support services more accessible so people can live meaningful and productive lives.

Over the years, recovery-oriented organizations have also played an essential role in states, cities, towns, and neighborhoods to help countless people start and sustain their recovery.

Building local connections is essential as substance use continues to affect communities.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 20.7 million people in the United States needed substance use treatment in 2017, but only 4 million received treatment.

Prevention remains a key component to building strong communities, and Renz Center is proud to be a member of two local coalitions, the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin and Carpentersville Community Coalition Cares.

Both coalitions include local government, business, health care, and faith-based organizations working in our community to address underage drinking and substance use.

For more information about National Recovery Month, visit the National Recovery Month website recoverymonth.gov.

Renz Center provides a continuum of care dedicated to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of addictive behaviors related to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Services range from prevention programs for youth in the schools to outpatient treatment programs for adolescents and adults. Priority is given to pregnant women and women with dependent children. Offices are located in Elgin, St. Charles and Streamwood.

Renz Addiction Counseling Center is a nonprofit organization funded in part by the federal government, the Illinois Department of Human Services, Hanover Township, Geneva, and St. Charles 708 boards and other local community organizations.

To find out more about Renz Center's programs, call (847) 742-3545 or visit www.renzcenter.org.

Client finds hope in community, recovery

I entered Renz in January 2018 after seeing a staff member in the Employee Assistance Program who referred me to substance abuse treatment. I had been fortunate enough to have an understanding boss who saw my needing to talk to someone. I had been missing work because of being in jail for domestic violence and having court dates that would entail missing work. I have a history of domestic violence with girlfriends. All of the cases involved being under the influence of alcohol at the time. When I came into treatment I did not know what to expect, but I knew I needed some type of help to change my life.

I did everything I was told to do and soon began to understand that I needed to change on many levels.

After about four months of treatment, I attended my first AA meeting, where I just listened to people talking about some the same problems I had. I was grateful I still had a driver's license, a car, a job, and a place to live.

During the groups, I listened to people that did not have any of these things and were making changes in their lives and staying sober. I am still in treatment by my choice and have gained insights in each group and individual session.

In the year and nine months I have been in treatment, I have made many changes that have helped my sobriety. I have become involved with the AA community and attend three meetings per week.

I also help at the social functions AA holds. I attend one of the Renz SMART Recovery groups and (Renz alumni group) Jim's Friends.

All of these things have been out of my comfort zone, but I have grown because of doing these things.

I have learned to live one day at a time and focus on the day I have, and not worry about what could happen.