Have you ever wondered how we can define recovery?
What are the common traits that work for most people?
The project “What is Recovery?” was started in August 2010. It has been a four-year study on what recovery really means. Some people believe recovery is being completely sober from all drugs and alcohol. Other people don’t necessarily agree.
Most of the information has come from scientists and research panels. This study is different. The information in the study is based on people who live and experience recovery every day.
As you probably know, people who have successfully changed are too often invisible, which leaves the larger community in the dark about what recovery really means. This only leads to more stigma and shame for those seeking a better life.
Communities at large usually only see the problems connected with drug or alcohol abuse. They are rarely able to see the positive aspects of someone who is in recovery.
The What is Recovery? The project is now sharing the results of its study, which help define recovery for all of us.
Recovery is an acceptance that your life is in shambles, and you have to change it.” ~ Jamie Lee Curtis
The Project
Dozens of people were interviewed about their personal definition. They surveyed people from 12-step groups, other support, treatment, medication-assisted recovery, moderation, and doing it on their own. They also looked at websites and books.
Through interviews and more surveys, they reduced 167 potential items down to 47. They asked 238 people for their opinions on which definitions belonged.
Next, almost 10,000 people in recovery from different pathways weighed in on whether these definitions aligned with their experiences. After more surveys and more analysis, they were left with 39 items to represent the elements of recovery.
The Results
This project has taken four years. After waiting until the main paper was published, they were able to share their results. Based on the results of the 9,341 people who completed the online survey from different pathways, there is now a very specific way to define recovery.
There are many positive “ways of being” that define recovery. Here are a few examples of what recovery looks like:
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 and values in activities that take up the major part of my time and energy.
Different Views
Different views were included in the final recovery definition. At the Recovery Definition page, you can read the complete list of 39 items that represent the elements of recovery.
William Moyers (from the Betty Ford/Hazelden programs) has written an article about how he is going to use the definition in connection with his view that addiction is a chronic disease.
Be sure to share the survey results from the What is Recovery? project. Consider sending an email to your friends or family with a link to their study website. You can also share on social media or your website.
The hope is that these results can be used to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and recovery by highlighting the positive aspects that define recovery.
The article was based on information originally published in the journal article listed below.
Kaskutas, L. A., Borkman, T. J., Laudet, A., Ritter, L. A., Witbrodt, J., Subbaraman, M., Stunz, A., & Bond, J. (November 2014). Elements that define recovery: The experiential perspective. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 75(6), 999-1010. www.jsad.com/jsad/link/75/999.
Reprinted with permission from Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc., publisher of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (www.jsad.com).
Thank you for reading. You can get more tips in my email newsletter. Every other week, I share tips and ideas to help parents motivate their son or daughter to change if they are struggling with substance use. Join us by entering your email now.
