The Department for National Drug Control (DNDC), under the auspices of the Ministry for National Security, in conjunction with treatment agencies across the Island, will celebrate National Recovery Month this September 2026. This will be the 37th annual Recovery Month observance spearheaded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) in the USA.
The DNDC will use the month to educate Bermuda about substance use treatment and mental health services, which can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.
The observance reinforces the positive message that behavioural health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.
There are hundreds of Bermudians whose lives have been positively transformed through recovery. Since these successes often go unnoticed by the broader population, Recovery Month 2026 will provide a vehicle for everyone to celebrate these accomplishments.
A spokesperson for the DNDC stated: “Each September, millions of prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes and facilities around the world celebrate National Recovery Month.
“They speak about the gains made by those in recovery and share their success stories with their neighbours, friends, and colleagues.
“In doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and fosters a greater understanding of the diseases of mental and substance use disorders.”
A range of activities will take place throughout September to mark Recovery Month and encourage public awareness and support for those in treatment and recovery.
Among the events, the community is invited to take part in Purple Socks to Support Recovery Day on 4 September. The community will be invited to wear purple socks in a show of support, and to attend the Harbour Light Drive-By Concert on 11 September, from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. outside the King Street facility.
A Community Information Session on 14 September at St. John’s Hall in Pembroke, from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., will bring together treatment and recovery agencies to explain the services they provide and how members of the public can access support.
Recovery Month will conclude on 30 September with the Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance at Victoria Park, from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
The vigil will honour recovery pioneers who are no longer with us, remember those who have lost their lives to addiction and reinforce the message that recovery is possible.
These events form part of a wider programme of activities taking place throughout the month.
The DNDC would like to take this time to thank our treatment and recovery partners:
- Bermuda Addiction Certification Board (BACB)
- Bermuda Assessment and Referral (BARC)- Dept. of Court Services
- Drug Treatment Court
- Mental Health Court
- Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute
- FOCUS Counselling Services
- Life skills and Counselling – Dept. of Child and Family Services
- Nelson Bascome Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (Men’s and Women’s Programmes)- Dept. for National Drug Control
- Pathways Bermuda
- Right Living House (Dept. of Corrections)
- Salvation Army (Harbor Light and Community Life Skills Programmes)
- Turning Point Substance Abuse Programme (BHB)
- Dignity House
- Churches
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Al-Anon
