Experts Redefine Recovery

For decades, mental health professionals have applied different meanings to mental health recovery and substance abuse recovery.  These different meanings have caused confusion when discussing recovery and have stood in the way of expanding health insurance coverage for recovery treatment services.

In August 2010, experts in the fields of mental health and addiction met with leaders from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a common definition for recovery.  One year later, a unified definition and set of guiding principles had been developed.  These were then presented in a series of public feedback forums to help ensure that stakeholders had the opportunity to comment on the new definition and principles.  Feedback was also solicited via comments on the SAMHSA blog. After a few adjustments, the new definition was recently published on the SAMHSA website.  

This is the new working definition of "recovery" in terms of both mental disorders and substance abuse:

"A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential."

SAMHSA administrator Pamela S. Hyde calls the new definition a significant milestone in promoting public awareness of recovery and increasing support for services that can make recovery a reality for the millions of Americans who need it.

SAMHSA's Recovery Support Strategic Initiative has also identified four major dimensions that support recovery:
•    Health – Overcoming or managing disease and living in a physically and emotionally health way.
•    Home – Having a safe and stable place to live.
•    Purpose – Engaging in meaningful daily activities such as a job, school, family care, volunteering or creative endeavors.  Having the income, independence and resources to participate in society.
•    Community – Developing relationships and a social network that provides friendship, support, love and hope.

Several guiding principles were released along with the new definition.  These principles recognize that hope is the catalyst for recovery and that recovery is driven by self-determination and self-direction.  The principles also state that recovery may occur via many pathways, meaning the diverse needs, strengths, goals, culture and background of each individual will affect and determine their path to recovery. 
The principles recognize that recovery is holistic, encompassing an individual's mind, body, spirit, family and community.  Finally, the principles acknowledge the importance of peer support groups and supportive social networks in the recovery process.  The presence and involvement of people who believe in an individual's ability to recovery help foster a greater sense of belonging, personhood, empowerment and inclusion in the community.