In honor of National Recovery Month, Houston is gearing up to host the much-anticipated Rally for Recovery, a day-long event that aims to break the stigma around substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Now in its 13th year, the rally, held across major cities in Texas, is a chance for the community to come together and celebrate the power of sobriety.

Rally for Recovery reflects the collective commitment of groups across Texas to provide a platform for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. At the Houston celebration, happening on September 9 at the Houston Botanic Garden, attendees of the event will get to revel in live music by local artists, enjoy food from some of the city’s best restaurants and food trucks, and connect with support networks. Guests will also be able to hear from influential people in the recovery movement.

This event, which is free and open to the public, will also be a chance for the wider public to learn more about the healing process and ways they can help. Loved ones of those celebrating their rehabilitation journey are encouraged to attend and show their support as well.

Devon Anderson, chair of the Party Sober Partnership, a nonprofit group of 13 organizations that put on sober social events, emphasizes the idea that sobriety is not just a solitary journey, but a shared experience that involves the entire support group.

“If you have somebody who might be suffering from one of these issues, mental illness or substance use disorder, just bring them and you never know what could happen,” Anderson says. “There’s just a wide range of resources that can help people…even if you don’t have any connection to recovery, you’re welcome to come as well to learn about it.”

One notable highlight of this year’s Rally for Recovery is the participation of former Houston Astros player and coach Jeff Bagwell. A beloved Houston baseball figure, Bagwell will be sharing his own journey on the stage. He is now a little over five years sober, and Anderson believes his presence at the event underscores the notion that no one is alone in their path toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.

“To have somebody like Jeff Bagwell, who is a Houston hero [and] Hall of Fame baseball player, get up on stage and admit his issues… Ten years ago he probably wouldn't have been willing to do that or it wouldn't have been as welcomed as it is now,” Anderson says, emphasizing the importance of such influential figures openly discussing their struggles and the subsequent transformation that comes with sobriety.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez will also be making an appearance and delivering a speech in a show of support.

Rally for Recovery also places a special focus on providing support for young adults dealing with the same issues. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by this demographic, the event offers a dedicated space for them to connect, share their experiences, and enjoy a supportive environment.

Anderson understands that young people can face peer pressure and expectations that make maintaining sobriety particularly challenging. Organizations catering to this demographic, such as Palmer Drug Abuse Program and Teen and Family Services will also be in attendance.

With a lot of teenagers’ social activities involving gatherings where alcohol and illegal substances may be present, Anderson believes creating alternative spaces for young adults to connect and thrive without the pressure or stigma to partake in those habits to fit in is essential.

“I think that most kids, that’s how they socialize, is getting together, and doing something to alter their mind whether it’s getting drunk or getting high,” Anderson says. “You go to these alternative peer groups and you meet other kids struggling to find friends who are sober and find things they can do together. But there also needs to be a social, fun component too so they can see that life after recovery can be done.”