Self-Defined Recovery
In the addiction treatment field, there are many terms used that others outside of the field often don’t understand fully.
Terms like “Big Book”, “sponsor”, “intensive outpatient”, “addiction”, and “recovery” are used. For many clients who enter substance use disorder treatment for the first time, learning all of these new words and defining them personally is a needed step. One of the most important words that a person in treatment must define is “recovery”.
Recovery is often spoken about in treatment as the goal. Yet, what does recovery really mean? The bottom line is that recovery is personally defined and there is no one right way to be in recovery from substance use issues.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, defines recovery from mental health and substance use issues with ten guiding principles.
- Hope
- Person-Driven
- Many Pathways
- Holistic
- Peer Support
- Relational
- Culture
- Addresses Trauma
- Strengths/Responsibility
- Respect
These ten principles can be a useful guide to the creation of a personal recovery definition.
At Club Recovery, we seek to support all of our clients in their recovery, however they define it.
Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute for clinical treatment or advice. If you, a friend, or a family member is struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues please call our main office at 952-926-2526. For emergencies, go to your nearest emergency room and/or dial 911.