Great American Recovery Initiative Letter

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requested public comments to inform the Great American Recovery Initiative.  At Shatterproof, we knew our first step was to listen to our community. 

Before shaping our recommendations, we invited people and families affected by addiction to share what they want federal leaders to understand about prevention, treatment, recovery, and family support. More than 125 people responded, including individuals in recovery, family members and loved ones, healthcare providers, treatment professionals, recovery advocates, and others whose lives and work are deeply connected to this issue. 

What we heard was clear: addiction must be treated as the chronic disease it is. Recovery should be celebrated, and people should have the support they need to sustain it. Stigma continues to prevent many people from seeking help. Families need better resources. And too many people still struggle to find treatment that is accessible, affordable, evidence-based, and trustworthy. 

Those perspectives helped shape the recommendations we submitted to the HHS. They call for stronger prevention efforts; expanded access to high-quality care; better coordination between addiction treatment, mental health care, and other healthcare services; greater transparency so people can make informed choices about treatment; stronger insurance accountability; long-term recovery supports; and a meaningful role for people with lived experience in shaping federal policy. 

We are grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, expertise, and honesty. Your voices helped strengthen our recommendations and reinforced what we know to be true: people and families need a system that makes it easier to find effective care, supports recovery for the long term, and treats every person impacted by addiction with dignity. 

Shatterproof will continue partnering with people with lived and living experience, families, providers and advocates to advance policies and solutions that reflect the needs of those most affected by addiction and help ensure recovery is possible for more people, families, and communities.