Recovery isn’t just about putting down the substance—it’s about healing what lies beneath.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to talk about something many people in recovery silently struggle with: mental health. Whether you’re in early sobriety or have years of recovery behind you, tending to your emotional well-being is just as important as staying substance-free.

The Link Between Mental Health and Substance Use

Substance use is often just the visible part of the iceberg. Beneath the surface, there may be trauma, anxiety, depression, or unresolved grief. Many people turn to substances as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions or untreated mental health conditions.

This is known as co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis—when mental illness and substance use disorder happen at the same time. Ignoring one while trying to treat the other often leads to relapse, frustration, and stalled progress.

Recovery isn’t either/or. It’s both/and. You can—and should—focus on both your sobriety and your mental health.

Why May Matters: A Call to Awareness and Action

Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just a calendar event—it’s a reminder to check in with yourself. Ask:

• How am I really feeling right now?
• Am I caring for my emotional health as much as my physical health?
• Do I have the support I need?

This month is an invitation to take your emotional needs seriously—and to give yourself permission to seek help without shame.

Signs Your Mental Health Needs Attention

Sometimes, we don’t realize we’re struggling until we slow down and look closely. Watch for signs like:

• Ongoing fatigue or trouble sleeping
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Increased irritability or mood swings
• Feelings of hopelessness or disconnection
• Avoiding support groups, meetings, or healthy routines

If any of this sounds familiar, it doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. Recovery is a process, and mental health support is part of that process.

Ways to Prioritize Your Mental Health in Recovery

1. Stay Connected to Support.
Therapy, peer support, and recovery meetings create a safe space to talk about what’s really going on—not just the cravings, but the feelings underneath.

2. Build Emotional Routines.
Just like you might have a physical routine (meals, exercise, meds), create one for your emotional wellness. Daily check-ins, journaling, breathing exercises, or quiet time all count.

3. Don’t Wait Until It’s a Crisis.
Mental health doesn’t need to be “bad enough” before you get help. If something feels off, reach out early. Preventive care is powerful.

4. Give Yourself Compassion.
Healing isn’t linear. Some days will be heavy, and that’s okay. You don’t have to “be strong” all the time. You just have to keep showing up for yourself.

You’re Not Alone

Prioritizing your mental health isn’t a luxury—it’s a vital part of recovery. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm, know that you’re not alone. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Let this May be more than a month of awareness—let it be a month of action. Talk to someone. Check in with yourself. And remember: sobriety is about more than staying clean—it’s about building a life that feels worth staying clean for.