Celebrating National Sober Day (video)

September 14 is National Sober Day, a day that embraces people living with sobriety.

Part of National Recovery Month, National Sober Day motivates people to celebrate sober life and to bring awareness to addiction. The day is meant to show support for friends, family members and others who are living with sobriety, and that being sober is OK. (Credit: National Day Calendar)

“We’re glad to support them along the way,” said Megan Stiles, clinical director at Syracuse Recovery Services (SRS). SRS has an office on Euclid Avenue in the city of Cortland, and offices in Syracuse and Auburn.

National Sober Day also supports detaching the dishonor associated with addiction, and opens the lines of communication that lead to a better understanding with those fighting through what endured in their past lives. (Credit: National Day Calendar)

“It’s important to reduce stigmas, especially for ones that create barriers for people who are trying to access treatment,” Stiles said. “People stop receiving treatment because they are worried about the impact it will have on families and friends, and their jobs.”

The best way to observe National Sober Day is to spend the day sober for those friends, family members and others taking it day-by-day. National Sober Day encourages people to choose activities that provide a distraction:

  • Trying to cook some new recipes
  • Binge watching a new show
  • Puzzle or board games
  • Jogging
  • Going on a road trip by yourself or with friends
  • Going to the zoo or seeing animals at an animal shelter
  • And more

 

There are organizations in the Cortland area that provide support for those who are living with sobriety, while also promoting substance-use prevention.

Cortland Area Communities That Care, an organization located on Crandall Street in the city of Cortland, has two programs: 

 

 

  • The second program is Upstream Parent, which helps parents with guidance to protect their teenagers from using alcohol and marijuana.

 

There are also a variety of AA service centers and meetings spread throughout central New York to support those who are working through their sobriety.

Other local organizations include the Beacon Center on Crawford Street in Cortland, and Tully Hill Treatment & Recovery in the town of Tully.

Stiles noted that SRS offers support groups in the community of Cortland, with the premise being “people who support each other.”

“It allows people to share hope,” she said.