Recovery Voices Matter. Let’s Make Sure They Get Counted, Too.

It’s Election Day in the United States—a great opportunity to exercise our freedom and citizenship.

For many in recovery from addiction, civic and community engagement is one of the valuable aspects of our lives that we often restore or discover after emerging from the isolation of our illness. In fact, when the Betty Ford Institute hosted a field consensus conference in 2007, the experts assembled included “citizenship” in their definition of recovery.

With that in mind, we encourage everyone in recovery, our allies, and all people affected by addiction to get out and vote today. Not just for ourselves and those who still suffer but for our friends in recovery who are unable to vote, due to their past history with the criminal justice system. For some Election Day inspiration, check out why these people in recovery are motivated to vote.

Who and what to vote for? Clearly, those are individual decisions. We are not a monolithic group and have different views, even on the issues we care about in common.

One resource to consider consulting is the Recovery Voter Hub established by the nonpartisan Recovery Advocacy Project, which held an online voter rally a couple of days ago. Another is our nonpartisan Advocacy hub at HazeldenBettyFord.org.

Beyond the presidential and governors’ races and down-ballot contests, this year’s election also will feature a number of ballot issues of interest. Voters in five states will choose whether to legalize marijuana for recreational or medical uses. Voters in Oregon will decide in separate measures whether to become the first state to decriminalize all drugs and whether to allow psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, to be used for medical purposes. And residents of the District of Columbia will decide whether to decriminalize a range of psychedelic plants and fungi.

We have been disappointed by the degree to which the nation’s ballooning addiction and mental health crises have been overshadowed by other issues this campaign season, and invite you to join us in redoubling our efforts in the coming weeks and months to raise greater awareness among policymakers and the public.

Today, though, we vote. And when you get a moment, I hope you’ll also click the link below to read this month’s Advocacy Update. It includes a poignant missive by William C. Moyers entitled “After the Election…,” a reflection by Emily Piper on the bipartisan nature of our issues and their history as a bridge-builder in the political arena, an analysis by Jenni Lohse of the recent settlement in the Purdue Pharma federal opioid case, and more.

Please let us know what you think, stay healthy and well, and—if you haven’t already cast your ballot—be safe on your way to the polls!

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