Ok …. Welcome to my new blog-home … hope you like it … I’m settling in (smile).
Well, let me pick up where we left off . . . once upon a time I promised to explain the meaning of RECOVERY as it relates to addiction.
But first, let us see how it relates to common English. At 56-years-old, I still refer to good-ol’ Merriam-Webster for my first choice of definitions:
recovery – noun re·cov·ery \ri-ˈkə-və-rē, -ˈkəv-rē\
: the act or process of becoming healthy after an illness or injury : the act or process of recovering
: the act or process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty
: the return of something that has been lost, stolen, etc.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Now, believe it or not, our taxpayer-dollars actually pay folks to sit at tables to come up with common definitions for words.
And in this case, it is a good use of tax-dollars because the word defined is – RECOVERY.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
posted an article, “Definition of Recovery”, where various definitions of RECOVERY were published:
FIRST: SAMHSA posted their Working Definition of Recovery:
“Recovery is a process of change whereby individuals work to improve their own health and wellness and to live a meaningful life in a community of their choice while striving to achieve their full potential.”
SECOND: In November 2014, the Alcohol Research Group at the Public Health Institute posted its definition of recovery: 
“. . . Alcoholics who no longer drink, and are trying to pursue an improved way of living/being, say that they are ‘in recovery.'”
THIRD: Then in 2007, the Betty Ford Institute created a Consensus Panel to define Recovery–their definition follows:
“Recovery from substance dependence is a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship.”
Now, the definition I use with my clients comes from a person “in recovery”, an ex-offender and a nationally recognized correctional training specialist, Ned Rollo. In his book, MAN, I NEED A JOB! he defines RECOVERY as:
“Nothing is more important than our recovery and the growth that follows healing. This includes recovery from addictions, depression, anger, fear, bad relationships, isolation, and false expectations of ourselves and the world.
Never forget that our recovery is the key to a positive future. And if you wonder what recovery is, think of it as achieving balance and harmony in the way you think, act and relate to the world around you. By working to balance all the different parts of ourselves and our lives, we will find everything is richer and far more meaningful.”
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
So, basically they are all saying the same thing–with different slants.
I just wanted us (my readers and myself) to have a general definition of RECOVERY so that we can be “roughly” on-the-same-page when this blog refers to recovery, and those who are in it.
THE ROY-BLOG BITE:
And of course, we wouldn’t be complete without Buddy Roy’s very own answer to the question. Roy, “What does Recovery mean to you?”
“A healthy way to deal with life without using substances to try to escape life.” Even Roy couldn’t find humor in a word as serious as RECOVERY.
STAY-TUNED: Within the last week I’ve stumbled across some GREAT topics for future postings ~ So, tighten your laces . . . check out the topics to come:
- What are Oxford Houses?
- The Legalization of Marijuana in Washington, DC . . .
- How to address a co-worker who is drinking on the job?
- How to help a friend who has relapsed (on crack and/or chemicals as severe)?
- How to become a Substance Abuse Counselor?
- And more …….
THIS WEEK’s RECOVERY QUOTE:
♦♦♦ by Marianne Williamson, spiritual teacher, author and lecturer ♦♦♦
Thanks for stopping by, thanks for letting me share—let’s keep in touch!
