Mayor Names September “Recovery Month”

Mayor Tim Keller has officially proclaimed September 2026 as Recovery Month in Albuquerque, honoring the thousands of residents living in recovery from addiction and recognizing the organizations, providers, and loved ones who support them.

The proclamation kicks off a month of citywide celebration anchored by two signature events from Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery: an art show running all month long and the 11th annual Recovery Main Event on September 24.

“Recovery is possible, and incredible people here prove it every day,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re celebrating that truth by lifting up those who are on the journey and making sure anyone still struggling knows that help is here and this community is behind them.”

National Recovery Month, observed every September, was established to promote addiction treatment and mental health services as paths to live healthy, rewarding lives. In Albuquerque, Recovery Month is marked by a growing slate of community events, resource connections, and public recognition of the recovery community’s strength and resilience.

“Recovery looks different for every person, but the common thread is always community,” said Reina Martinez, behavioral health division manager for the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness (HHH). “These events acknowledge how far so many people have come and remind anyone who is still finding their way that Albuquerque offers amazing resources and support.”

Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery Art Show – The art show opens Tuesday, September 1, with an opening reception on Sunday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wheels Museum. It remains on display through September 30, offering a chance to experience the creativity of people in recovery throughout the month. Admission is free and open to the public.

11th Annual Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery Main Event – On Thursday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Civic Plaza, Albuquerque comes together for its largest annual celebration of recovery. More than 1,000 attendees are expected at this free family-friendly event, which will feature 50+ tables from treatment organizations and recovery resources across Albuquerque, live music and entertainment, and the announcement of this year’s Adán Carriaga Leader in Recovery Award, honoring someone who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the recovery community. The City is proud to sponsor both events and serve on the Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery Committee, established 11 years ago by Adán Carriaga, a dedicated champion for behavioral health and addiction treatment. The committee is the driving force behind the recovery events that will take place throughout September.

HHH supports Albuquerque’s recovery community through a range of behavioral health programs including the Gateway Medical Sobering Center, which provides medically supervised care for up to 50 people per day and connects those in crisis to appropriate resources; and the Gateway Recovery program, which offers transitional housing and case management for people working toward sobriety and stability. Recovery is a core pillar of the department’s mission to improve quality of life for everyone in Albuquerque.

For more information about Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery events, visit abqrecovery.org. For information about the City’s behavioral health and recovery programs, visit cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness or call 311.