What Does It Mean to Be in Recovery?

Maintain healthy relationships to experience support, encouragement, love, positivity and hope

Addiction recovery can have different definitions, but the way someone defines recovery can significantly impact her life after addiction treatment ends. Some people view recovery as simply completing a rehab program or getting sober, but this inaccurate view contributes to people falling back into substance abuse and addiction. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery from substance abuse and mental health problems as

“a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”

SAMHSA expands upon their definition by saying recovery operates under the following 10 principles:

• It fosters hope
• Is person-driven
• Occurs via many pathways
• Is holistic
• Requires support from peers and allies
• Is supported through relationship and social networks
• Is culturally-based and influenced
• Is supported by addressing trauma
• Involves individual, family and community strengths and responsibility
• Is based on respect

People must see recovery as a journey rather than a destination, and to succeed they require personal drive along with support from others. The fact that recovery is a life-long process is evident through the people who maintain recovery by participating in aftercare programs and who constantly update their recovery methods. In fact, people who reach sobriety but avoid these steps are likely to relapse.

Maintaining recovery takes daily focus and continued involvement in aftercare programs. SAMHSA provides recovering addicts with the following four components to supporting long-term sobriety:

• Health – Make healthy choices by learning how your daily choices affect your physical, mental and behavioral health
• Home – Create a stable, safe place to live that is free from drugs and alcohol
• Purpose – Find meaning in life that wards off boredom and complacency, such as a career, school, volunteer work, creative outlets and healthy participation in society
• Community – Maintain healthy relationships to experience support, encouragement, love, positivity and hope

If you understand that recovery is a lifelong process that requires maintenance, personal drive, hope and support, then you may empower yourself to avoid a relapse.

Find Treatment for Substance Abuse and Addiction

If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse or addiction, then please call our toll-free helpline now. Our admissions coordinators are standing by 24 hours a day to help you find treatment that will work for you. Overcome addiction and start reaching your recovery goals; call now.