When someone says they are “in recovery,” they usually mean they are being treated for their drug or alcohol addiction. The recovery covers a lot of territory. Many people use “recovery” as a synonym for “in remission. Once treatment is complete, whether inpatient or outpatient, the hope is that life will return to “normal”.
Recovery may be synonymous with total abstinence, but not always. From our conversations with families, this is what recovery means to them. The names have been changed, but the stories are real. Being in recovery refers to an active process of taking the necessary steps to stay sober and improve your quality of life.
Being in recovery means making a conscious decision every day to engage in behaviors that promote your physical and mental well-being. Recovery begins with seeking help for your addiction, continues with following your treatment plan, and extends through maintaining a sober lifestyle. Recovery was once a concept completely associated with 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. At first, it just meant abstinence.
With the growing need for addiction treatment, the concept of what recovery is has expanded. Now it applies more to a way of life. SAMSHA defines recovery as “a process of change through which people improve their health and well-being, lead self-directed lives, and strive to achieve their full potential. According to SAMHSA, recovery is a process of change by which people improve their health and well-being, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
Citizenship refers to giving back to community and society. In recovery, you take all the tools and skills you have learned during addiction treatment to become a healthier person, a better spouse and parent, a productive member of society, and a good neighbor and citizen. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, check out our national helpline database.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
