What is Recovery?

What is recovery? Sounds like a simple question, right? But, it’s not.

Not only is this a very challenging question to answer, it also opens the floodgates to more questions? Does it mean a person is no longer using alcohol or drugs? If a person relapses, are they still in recovery? Is recovery a time-limited event? A long-term process? Are you ever deemed recovered?

Research shows that most define recovery as a commitment to being totally abstinent from the substance as a way of breaking its hold. In recent years, a broader definition of recovery has evolved, one that focuses on improved quality of life. For instance, a few years ago Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) offered this definition: “Recovery from alcohol and drug problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves abstinence and improved health, wellness and quality of life.”

As one who is in recovery, this much I can tell you: The trouble with the varied definition of recovery is that most of what we know about its meaning has come from scientists and expert panels —- not from those of us who are in recovery.

Which is why I was thrilled to be part of the Alcohol Research Group project called “What Is Recovery?” —- the goal of which was to develop a way of defining recovery based on how it is experienced by those who actually live it.

Researchers interviewed dozens of people in recovery from different pathways —– 12-step groups, other support groups, treatment, medication-assisted recovery, moderation, and doing it on your own —about how they define recovery. From the interviews, they derived 167 potential items that define recovery, and asked 238 people in recovery from different pathways to indicate whether these definitions belonged in their definition. Based on their answers, a list of 39 elements of recovery emerged. Here are a few examples:

Recovery is …
… being honest with myself
… being able to enjoy life without drinking or using drugs like I used to
… living a life that contributes to society, to your family or to your betterment
… being the kind of person that people can count on
… about giving back
… striving to be consistent with my beliefs & values in activities that take up the major part of my time & energy.

No matter how you define recovery, one this is certain: If you’re battling a problem with drugs or alcohol, reaching out for help is the first step. Trained clinicians like those at Kiva Recovery can give you the guidance, support and encouragement you need to navigate the road to lifelong recovery.

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The trusted resource in addiction treatment, Kiva Recovery’s groundbreaking model focuses on the individual and the strengths within each of us. Kiva’s treatment approach aims to replace addiction with solution-focused, growth-oriented strategies focusing on Lifelong Recovery through Holistic Health, Positive Character Building through Continuous Character Growth, and Life Satisfaction through Contentment. The Kiva Recovery treatment center is located 35 miles from downtown Chicago in the beautiful northern suburbs of Lake County, IL. To learn more, please visit www.KivaRecovery.com.