"Hope, the belief that these challenges and conditions can be overcome, is the foundation of recovery."​

Source:  SAMHSA - Guiding Principles of Recovery

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We are not here to define your Recovery.   We never will.  To do so would go against the evidence-based and nationally recognized Core Principles and Values of a Recovery Community Organization (RCO).  But having the designation of  "RCO" seems to imply that we must know what "recovery" is, doesn't it?  How can we legitimately call ourselves a "recovery community organization" if we can't even tell you what "recovery" is?

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Trying to explain to someone that "my recovery is whatever I say it is" or "their recovery is whatever they says it is" has not  always gone over very well.  (OK.  I a pretty sure it has never gone over well, nor has it ever been well received - or understood.)  Thanks to SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) this particular dilemma has been resolved and can be avoided by all of us going forward.

  

SAMHSA created a "think tank" of industry leaders and subject-matter experts and tasked them with "defining recovery".  And that is how the  "Working Definition of Recovery" came to be.  You might notice that nowhere in their definition of "recovery" are drugs or alcohol mentioned.  Likewise, this definition of recovery doesn't include one single "label", negative stero-type or even a diagnosis from the DSM-V.  

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At the end of the day, this definition of recovery is less about "where we have been" or what situation, substance or event became a negative issue in our lives, and more about "where am I trying to go?"

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As people in recovery ourselves, this definition of "recovery" is what a Recovery Community is all about and why PEER Wellness Center has adopted this definition, as well.  "Where we have been" is as varied as the number of people that are in recovery.  And, irrelevant.  Because what we have in common is "where we are going".  And that common ground is at the root of "community". 

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Most importantly, how YOU define your recovery is, and should be, completely up to you.  How you approach that "process of change" and what "health and wellness" means to you is what matters. 

 

Your life.  Your recovery.  Your way. 

 

Evidence  shows that the process of recovery is highly personal and occurs via many pathways.  Your recovery should reflect and build on your strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent values. It should be holistic, address you as a whole person, include your community, and is much easier to navigate if you are supported by your peers, friends, and family members. 

 

Whether you choose:​

• clinical treatment (in-patient or out-patient),

• no treatment,

• just detox/withdrawal management

• a new hobby,

• medications,

• individual therapy or group counseling,

• trauma therapy,

• explore Faith-Based/Agnostic/Aethiest/Secular/Buddist/Spiritual  /Anonymous/Physically Acitve/SMART/Abstenent/California-Sober/Moderation/Sober-Curious/Natural  Focused Programs,

• include peer-support, family support, self-care, or

• None Of The Above

​- the long-term success that you achieve in your recovery will greatly depend on your "ownership" and a recovery support system that empowers you, honors your autonomy and respects your right to make informed choices.  ​