by Bill Urell
Just as there are numerous definitions of drug addiction and alcoholism, there are many definitions of addiction recovery. It can be very confusing.
What is recovery?
One of the best definitions of recovery that I have come across is in the book entitled:
The Recovery Book, by Mooney, Eisenberg, Eisenberg. Here is what they have to say
Definition of recovery:
(It is) the ongoing process of overcoming physical and psychological dependence on mind altering substances (including alcohol) and learning to live in a state of total abstinence, without the need or desire or those substances. In recovery, one’s physical and mental states are modified so that chemical substances are unnecessary for happiness and fulfillment.
Sometimes there is a tendency to envision abstinence and recovery as living in a constant state of withdrawal and denial of the only thing they have found in life that makes them feel good or cancels the pain of day-to-day living. That hardly seems appealing.
What addiction recovery isn’t:
Recovery is not a state of constant denial of pleasure, deprivation, and miserable craving. In my experience, people who are active in addiction usually imagine recovery to be constant longing and yearning for drugs and alcohol. They tend to envision a state of constant craving and having to fight that 24/7. day in and day out.
Recovery is not all about becoming a holy roller, or a do-gooder and preaching to other people. There is no brainwashing involved, one’s life is not reduced to mindlessly repeating catchy slogans.
Recovery is not about white knuckling it day by day hour by hour constantly denying yourself something you feel you may “need”. Recovery is not complete and constant self-absorption and self-centeredness.
Addiction recovery is really about improving the quality of life. Recovery really means to recover. Perhaps it is to recover the joy that we once had, the appreciation of beauty, to recover the appreciation of self-image and self-esteem and relationships the world. Recovery is about gaining and adding self-respect, and self appreciation. In my mind, I view getting addiction help and my recovery as the process of becoming human once again.
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