What is Recovery?

"Before I had to find out for myself, I never really understood what people meant when they talked about recovery from addiction. Recovery, of course, suggests illness, which fits with the view many addicts and drug professionals have with regard to addiction being a disease. Personally, I struggle with this concept, especially the extension that the disease of addiction is incurable. But whatever my own beliefs about addiction and recovery, I appreciate that the potential outcomes are too serious and personal for one person to disrespect the point of view of others.

However, I generally feel more comfortable thinking of addiction as a life experience that touches many of us but not all. An experience that for those who become ensnared offers a unique opportunity for choice and personal growth on a daily basis. I like the term ‘recovery’ because it implies a transitional state, with an end in sight but not yet reached. Rather than thinking of the condition as incurable, this allows me to focus ahead to a point of self-awareness which although may never be reached is nevertheless achievable."