MDHHS honors those in recovery from substance use disorder during Recovery Month

LANSING, Mich. - Each September, Recovery Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the courage of individuals living in recovery and to raise awareness that treatment works and recovery is possible. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is committed to building a framework of recovery-oriented care across the state, with investments in prevention, treatment, harm reduction and long-term supports to help more Michigan residents achieve and sustain recovery.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared September as Recovery Month in Michigan.

"Recovery Month is an opportunity to honor the strength of Michiganders in recovery and to recognize that substance use disorder is a treatable condition," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. "With the right supports, recovery is possible for anyone. MDHHS is committed to ensuring residents have access to the resources they need to begin and sustain that journey."

Michigan is making the following investments and policy changes to better support long-term recovery:

• In partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the state has provided $2.5 million in opioid settlement dollars through grants to agencies to expand recovery housing capacity.
• Through the Michigan Recovery Friendly Workplace program, 32 employers across the state have completed the training process to become a recovery friendly workplace.
• Supported transportation to critical services and supports for individuals in recovery through 28 treatment and recovery organizations, with more than 20,000 rides given in FY2024, and to date in FY2025 more than 25,000 rides supported.
• Supported 22 recovery community organizations and recovery community centers, with approximately $3 million going toward better supporting individuals in recovery in their communities through peer recovery coaching, recovery events and substance-free activities.
• Launched the Recovery Incentives Pilot for Medicaid eligible beneficiaries, with more than 100 individuals invested in improving their recovery outcomes through this evidence-based intervention that provides incentives to people with an opioid or stimulant use disorder for achieving treatment milestones.
• Invested $28 million in harm reduction programs to provide naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips. Nearly 1.5 million naloxone kits have been distributed with more than 34,000 uses reported.
• Removed the prior authorization to prescribe medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) for Medicaid beneficiaries, allowing for a 20% increase in the last five years for the number MOUDs prescribed by primary care physicians.
• Launched three mobile medication units to reach individuals with an opioid use disorder who were otherwise unable to participate in treatment services.
• Through a partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections and MDHHS, more than 4,500 individuals on probation have received recovery supports through recovery coaches working within probation offices so far in FY2025.

More information about Michigan's efforts to address substance use disorder and available recovery supports is available at Michigan.gov/SUD.

###