What Is Recovery?
Recovery is a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
-NIH, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Many people mistakenly believe that recovery is simply a matter of abstinence. Help the individual stop drinking, using, or engaging in addictive behavior – detox them – and they’ll be in recovery. Simply detoxifying someone and expecting him or her to go on to live a life of continued abstinence is both, unrealistic and short-sighted. Clearing the toxic substances from a person’s body does nothing to address the many problems that may have contributed to the addiction in the first place.
· Recovery is a process of change through which an individual achieves abstinence, as well as improved health, wellness and quality of life.
· Recovery is increasingly being defined as long-term and wellness-centered. It involves an ongoing process of growth, self-discovery, self-change, and reclaiming self.
· Recovery from drug addiction is a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment. Research indicates that the best outcomes in treating addiction occur with longer durations of treatment.
· Recovery has shifted from a crisis-oriented, professionally-directed, acute-care approach with its emphasis on isolated treatment episodes, to more of a recovery management approach that provides long-term supports and recognizes the many pathways to wellness and health.
Common Forms of Addiction & Recovery Treatment
· Individual and group counseling
· Inpatient and residential treatment
· Intensive outpatient treatment
· Medication Assisted Treatment
· 12-Step fellowship/Recovery-based support groups