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Recovery

What is Recovery?

There are many different definitions of recovery, but all have some common themes:

  • Recovery is personal: it is the person that defines their own recovery, what it means to them, and the road to get there;
  • Recovery is a process: A person enters a process that most see as life-long, rather than a sudden moment where recovery happens;
  • Recovery includes increased control over one’s life;
  • Recovery is not necessarily synonymous with cure: For many, mental health refers to living a life of meaning despite having a mental health diagnosis. For others, it may be a complete recovery. (Presidential New Freedom Report, 2001)

What some people in recovery say:

  • “Recovery is discovering and working toward my fullest potential as a human being.” (Ron Dyck)
  • “Recovery is being accepted- as the new person I have become, [and] saying goodbye to the old; being (embracing) a new me!” (Dorothy Weldon)
  • “Recovery is a unique and very personal journey. Using the best practices for the individual is what works. Instilling hope for a meaningful life strengthened experience is a main goal of recovery.” (Warren Butcher)
  • “Recovery can be defined as a process of learning to approach each day’s challenges, overcome our disabilities, learn skills, live independently and contribute to society. This process is supported by those who believe in us and give us hope.” (Unknown source)
  • “To be a taxpaying citizen” (Unknown source)
  • “Recovery is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the day’s challenges. It is not a perfectly linear process. At times, our course is erratic and we falter, slide back, regroup, and start again…. The need is to meet the challenge of the disability and to re-establish a new and valued sense of integrity and purpose within and beyond the limits of the disability; the aspiration is to live, work, and love in a community in which one makes a significant contribution.” (Deegan, 1988)
  • “Recovery is the experiential shift from despair to hope, alienation to purpose, isolation to relationship, withdrawal to involvement, and from passive adjustment to active coping.” (Ridgeway, 2001)