Recovery Month in Alaska Hosts a Series of Firsts

ANCHORAGE - Aug. 30, 2023 - Recovery as something to be celebrated seems to be a theme as events pop up around the 49th state, which recognizes September as Recovery Month. From a premiere documentary screening at the Bear Tooth Theatre in Anchorage to an inaugural fun run on the Homer Spit and a first-ever partnership with the Alaska Humanities Forum on a Culture Shift event, the month features something for everyone, no matter their personal relationship with recovery.

Alaskans will gather for a kickoff event at the Anchorage Delaney Park Strip (corner of 10th and I Street) for the three-day Connection Overcomes Addiction memorial beginning Sept. 1 and hosted by the David Dylan Foundation. The event features a garden of wooden crosses honoring Alaskans who have lost their lives to substance misuse. Resources for families and individuals seeking support include information on detox, treatment, on-site peer-to-peer connections and grief support.

Throughout the month, follow @RecoverAlaska on Facebook and Instagram for inspirational messages from community nominated local sober heroes.

Cinemophiles will gather at the Bear Tooth Theatre for the premiere of a documentary that follows seven Alaskans living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders as they share their stories, challenges, strengths and strategies for success. The film, “8 Keys for Adults with FASD,” screens at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 8.

For those looking to be active, Kachemak Bay Recovery Connection is hosting a 5K Fun Run for Recovery on Sept. 16. Open to everyone, even non-runners and walkers are encouraged to join for a free afterparty with live music and refreshments at the Kevin Bell Arena on the Homer Spit. Registration is available online or onsite the morning of the event.

Recover Alaska is hosting its first-ever Culture Shift in partnership with the Alaska Humanities Forum on Sept. 27 at Rage City Vintage (3400 Spenard Rd.). The trendy boutique will transform into a stage of lively discourse with Recover Alaska Executive Director Tiffany Hall speaking on the topic of “Rosé Colored Glasses: How Big Alcohol Is Misleading Consumers” and Yaso Thiru discussing how “Our Economy Needs To Be Run Like Traffic Lights”. Tickets are available online and start at $5. 

To wrap up the month of festivities, Alaskans are invited to continue supporting recovery efforts on Mobilize Recovery Day of Service, Sept. 30. Suggestions include hosting your own event, donating to Recover Alaska to support recovery events and advocacy happening throughout the year, and sharing your own stories on social media.

A shared calendar of Recovery Month events can be found at RecoverAlaska.org/event and includes a link to add events.

About Recover Alaska: 
Recover Alaska is a statewide action group with a mission to reduce excessive alcohol use and related harms across Alaska, and a vision of Alaskans living free from the consequences of alcohol misuse and empowered to achieve their full potential. To learn more about Recover Alaska, access research and data, or read about Alaskans in recovery, visit www.recoveralaska.org.