"When many people hear the word recovery, they often think only of abstinence, a life free from alcohol or drugs. It tends to be centered on what we are leaving behind or what we are giving up. While abstinence can be a part of recovery, it's not the whole story, and not everyone in recovery requires a life completely free of substances."
"SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, defines recovery as a personal process of change "where individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and reach their full potential" (SAMHSA, 2024). This encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual components of well-being. It also includes having a stable home, meaningful relationships, and a purpose or finding meaning in life. For some people, abstinence is necessary to support a recovery-driven life."
Recovery from addiction is not a linear process and is not defined solely by abstinence. Recovery emphasizes building a healthier, fuller life through meaningful relationships, improved physical and mental health, purpose, and coping skills. Multiple pathways to recovery exist; some require abstinence while others prioritize harm reduction and changed patterns of use. True recovery includes mental health care, support networks, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication-assisted treatment. Recovery involves restoring stability, reclaiming dignity, finding hope, and pursuing self-directed wellness across physical, emotional, and spiritual domains.
Read at Psychology Today
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