If you do a quick search on what recovery means, you’ll likely find a lot of varying definitions. Recovery is a pretty broad term, and while we could narrow it down a bit by adding the context (recovery from a sports injury, recovery from cancer, recovery from alcoholism, etc.), that still doesn’t exactly tell us what it means.
The term “recovery” gets used a lot, but did you know that it’s actually quite subjective? We all have different approaches to recovery and what that means for us, so it’s important that while you’re navigating your own road to recovery, you explore the different components that make up that road for you.
Recovery and Addiction
When we talk about alcoholism recovery, there are a few recovery components that typically come to mind: sobriety, group therapy (maybe 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous), and relapse prevention. There’s a lot more that can come from this, however, because alcoholism and other addictions can affect nearly every aspect of our lives – our relationships, our finances, our health, our career success, and more. A few years ago, researchers wanted to take a peek at how others overcoming substance abuse defined recovery; they found four different domains with 35 recovery elements total. Here is a brief (but not complete) breakdown of what the participants talked about during the study:
- Abstinence – withholding from using substances, living a life of sobriety, etc.
- Essential Recovery – being honest with oneself, being able to enjoy life without drinking, etc.
- Enriched Recovery – reacting to the ups and downs of life in a much more balanced and healthy way than before, accepting responsibility for the things one can change, etc.
- Spirituality of Recovery – giving back, helping others, incorporating spirituality or religion, etc.
Recovery from Addiction Isn’t Something You Finish
People who have been sober for 20 years will tell you that recovery never truly ends. Recovery is not passive. Every day, you are actively choosing to say “no” to your addiction and find a better, healthier way forward. While this can feel daunting, it is encouraging to know that there are many people who have done it. Here at Cumberland Heights, many of us have walked the road of recovery and love helping others do the same.
Believe it or not, there are advantages to living in recovery. Those who have come out of addiction carry with them a greater sense of gratitude than the average person. That sense of gratitude often equates to a richer quality of life and a sense of purpose that helps people find meaning in how they choose to invest their time.
What Does Recovery Mean to You?
The way you describe your story of recovery could inspire others to take a stand for theirs. Specific challenges shape you, and the accomplishments are what make it all worth it. As you continue to navigate your journey of recovery, write down some keywords that stand out to you. Explore what have been some of the most transformational lessons for you so far. Recovery is a lifelong journey, but with each step forward, you are broadening your horizon and expanding the possibilities of what you can achieve.. As TV host, comedian, and author Craig Ferguson once stated, “I got sober. I stopped killing myself with alcohol. I began to think: ‘Wait a minute – if I can stop doing this, what are the possibilities?’ And slowly it dawned on me that it was maybe worth the risk.”
Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit alcohol and drug-addiction treatment center located on the banks of the Cumberland river in Nashville, Tennessee. On a sprawling 177-acre campus, we are made up of 2 12-Step immersion campuses, 12 outpatient recovery centers and 4 sober living homes. We believe that each person has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we always put the patient first.
