DENVER (Dec. 13, 2021) — To provide extra support to people living with addiction this holiday season, the Recovery Cards Project is increasing its order limit of free greeting cards that can be sent to anyone and provide hope and motivation to people in recovery. The initiative is part of Lift The Label, an opioid use disorder anti-stigma campaign led by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH).
All Coloradans — including those who have previously received cards — can order up to six free cards or download digital versions from RecoveryCardsProject.com. The initiative commissioned 21 artists to design 49 cards, six of which are in Spanish. Many of the artists are in recovery themselves or are a loved one of a person in recovery, and several have lost someone to overdose.
“For many people, and especially those in recovery, the holidays can feel isolating and challenging,” said Robert Werthwein, director of OBH. “We are glad to make six cards available per person so more Coloradans can hear these powerful messages and feel validated in their recovery.”
The Recovery Cards Project aims to spark positive conversations between people in recovery and their loved ones, who may struggle to talk about addiction. Since launching in September 2019, the Recovery Cards Project has sent out more than 57,000 cards.
"As a mother of a son in recovery, it's an honor to send support through these cards and remind people that they are not alone," said Barb Miller, a retired educator and Recovery Cards Project artist from Boulder. "Addiction can be a heavy topic, especially during the holidays. These cards are like holiday lights: they brighten hearts and help lighten the load."
The campaign gains new urgency as overdose rates continue to rise in Colorado. Nearly 1,500 Coloradans died from an overdose in 2020, a 38% increase from 2019, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
The Recovery Cards Project is funded through Colorado’s State Opioid Response grant, a federal grant awarded to states by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to increase access to medications that treat opioid use disorder.
Colorado organizations that serve people who are struggling with addiction or in recovery can request a free Recovery Cards Project kit here. The kit includes cards and a display.
Coloradans concerned about their substance use or a loved one can speak to a trained professional by contacting Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or texting TALK to 38255. Learn more at coloradocrisisservices.org.
Media contact:
Madlynn Ruble, Deputy Director of Communications
madlynn.ruble@state.co.us
303.866.3411