Recovery

What is Recovery?

Recovery means something different to everyone. Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Through the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, SAMHSA has delineated four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:

• Health: overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms—for example, abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications if one has an addiction problem—and for everyone in recovery, making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Home:  a stable and safe place to live;
• Purpose: meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income and resources to participate in society; and
• Community: relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

Self-Direction

Individualized and Person-Centered

Empowerment

Holistic

Non-Linear

Strengths-Based

Peer Support

Respect

Responsibility

Hope

Resiliency