Being medication-free is not equivalent to recovery and many people in recovery may need lifelong medication. They are not inferior to those who achieve complete abstinence, just like people with diabetes who need insulin are not inferior.

I'd like to see the development of a new term for 'RECOVERY' as it is appied to mental/behavioral/brain disorders. The word RECOVERY should be reserved for S/A. BH Recovery is a very different process, journey than for S/A. Words have power, and words like Re-Discovery, Renewal and/or_____(fill in the blank) might work. The rediscovery of meaning and purpose, renewal of self-hood involved in the journey are unique to each individual, and SEPERATE FROM different from Substance Abuse 'Recovery' which by tradition owns the term.

I believe that it needs to include HOPE somewhere. HOPE is the key foundation to Recovery!

Recovery means a process of healing the mind, body, and spirit; inclusive of transformation of individuals with behavioral health conditions (consumers), family and friends, communities, and care systems to equip the person in exercising their choices and rights. This transformation or change can influence individual goals, roles, skills, attitudes that result in moving from hopelessness to hopeful life, dysfunctional relationships to quality relationships, and from illness to wellness.

Many people attempting to acheive recovery fall into the trap of "doing it myself". While it is essential to emphasize personal responsibility for one's choices and behaviors, recovery also involves getting out of isolation and self-focus, and into connection with others -first by reaching out for support -and later by offering support and service to others.

I am not recovered. There is no repeating, regaining, restoring, recapturing, recuperating, retrieving. There was not a convalescence. I am not complete. What I am is changing and growing and integrating and learning to be myself. What there is is motion, less pain, and a higher portion of time well-lived.

Recovery is a belief in the capacity of every individual to lead a full, rich, productive life.

The Consumer-Survivor Subcommittee of the CMHS National Advisory Council recognized this when it unanimously adopted a recommendation that all CMHS policies and programs should be guided by, and incorporate, this understanding.

It is hard to imagine any meaningful definition of recovery that is truly compatible with poverty or economic dis-empowerment.

Recovery is a process through which individuals work and get support to improve their independence, ability to engage and participate in activities of meaning and quality of life.
Recovery must be considered differently when related to children though the client-centered and goal oriented nature is similar.

Recovery involves the dignity of risk; the ability for all of us to make our own choices and mistakes, and to learn from them, rather than be protected from making mistakes.

I was at the meeting from which this definition came and we realized that MH and SUD don't speak the same language. Is it so terrible to have 2 definitions of recovery?

Recovery:

A process of personal, relational and family change through which individuals traumatized by the effects of addiction and/or mental disorders, can learn the skills of self regulation, improve their own health and well being, live a self directed life and strive to achieve their full potential.

In terms of funding, I would think this would be huge. If one can recover all by themselves, why should funds be allocated to assist in said recovery?

I realize patient and community are part of the ten subpoints. But the definition itself should include both the patient AND their surround system (family, community, etc). Many will only look at the definition not the 10 subpoints. Thanks for asking.