SAMHSA’s working definition of recovery defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery signals a dramatic shift in the expectation for positive outcomes for individuals who experience mental and substance use conditions or the co-occurring of the two.
Guiding Principles
Hope, the belief that these challenges and conditions can be overcome, is the foundation of recovery. A person’s recovery is built on his or her strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent values. It is holistic, addresses the whole person and their community, and is supported by peers, friends, and family members.
The process of recovery is highly personal and occurs via many pathways. It may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer support, family support, self-care, and other approaches. Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness and managing setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural part of life, resilience becomes a key component of recovery.
The Four Major Dimensions of Recovery
Health
Overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms - for example, abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medication if one has an addiction problem- and for everyone in recovery making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being.
Home
Having a stable and safe place to live.
Purpose
Conducting meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society.
Community
Having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
Recovery Resources
Websites
SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK)
Expands recovery support services with a focus on addressing equity to ensure underserved and underrepresented populations have greater access to these critical supports.
Start Your Recovery Nevada Treatment Locator
Start Your Recovery recently developed a comprehensive directory of support resources in Nevada where individuals can: Find local treatment options vetted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Filter to find free and low-cost support options; and Find support groups and other important non-clinical resources.
Nevada Recovery Friendly Workplace
In an effort to improve Nevada’s workplaces, the State of Nevada has developed a Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program to reduce the stigma of substance use and encourage workplaces to support treatment and recovery. Through education, and policy and procedure development to support recovery in all aspects, the program provides free resources to become a designated recovery-friendly workplace.
Faces & Voices of Recovery
Through collective efforts in recovery advocacy, community support, and education, Faces & Voices of Recovery promotes the right of every individual and family to recover from substance use disorder, while demonstrating the value and impact of long-term recovery.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery supports people in the United States, Canada, and all over the world to manage addictive and problematic behaviors. SMART Recovery is the leading, evidence-informed approach to overcoming addictive behaviors and leading a balanced life.
Tools & Resources
SPARK Resource Center
The SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK) supports transformational, recovery-oriented change for every state, tribal, and territorial behavioral health system and promotes equitable access to recovery supports in the United States. This resource center includes current information focused on equitable recovery supports including recovery-oriented care, recovery supports and services, and recovery-oriented systems for people with mental health/substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. If you have questions about these resources or suggestions for recovery resources to be added, please email the SPARK team.
Recovery Friendly Workplace Toolkit
In this toolkit, the The Peer Recovery CoE introduces substance use disorder, its impact in the workplace, and how to develop and support a Recovery Friendly Workplace.
Best Practices in Recovery Housing
This document updates a prior Recovery Housing Guideline and outlines best practices for the implementation and operation of recovery housing. The best practices are intended to serve as a tool for states, governing bodies, providers, recovery house operators, and other interested stakeholders to improve the health of their citizens, reduce incidence of overdose, and promote long-term recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders.
National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month (Recovery Month), which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Toolkit for Peer Recovery Specialists
This toolkit is a resource for Peer Recovery Specialists (PRSs) to feel equipped to discuss MOUD with providers, people seeking recovery, and others with questions about this treatment option.
Posters & Infographics
Infographic: Recovery is Real and Holistic
SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. The process of recovery is highly personal and holistic, and it occurs via many pathways.
Download the PDF infographic
SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery
Recovery has been identified as a primary goal for behavioral health care. In August 2010, leaders in the behavioral health field, consisting of people in recovery from mental health and substance use problems and SAMHSA, met to explore the development of a common, unified working definition of recovery.
View the Infographic
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Fact Sheet
This fact sheet contains important information about treatment and recovery of opioid use disorder for patients, families and friends.
Download the fact sheet
Publications
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Treatment and Recovery
NIDA. 2023, September 25. Treatment and Recovery. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery on 2024, April 24
National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA) – About Recovery
Recovery is a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
Decisions in Recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders
This handbook provides guidance on using the web-based, multimedia tool Decisions in Recovery: Medications for Opioid Addiction. This handbook and the web-based tool offers information about medication-assisted treatment. Both resources help people living with opioid use disorder compare treatment options and discuss their preferences with a provider.
SAMHSA – Recovery and Recovery Support
This publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides comprehensive information on recovery-oriented systems of care for individuals with substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. It includes resources for individuals seeking recovery support services.
In My Own Words
A compilation of essays by individuals supported by Medication-Assisted Treatment in long-term recovery.
Webinars & Online Learning
Current News & Research
The Mobile Emergency Recovery Intervention Trial (MERIT)
The Mobile Emergency Recovery Intervention Trial (MERIT) is a grant-funded research study that is evaluating the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of an ER-based intervention for opioid overdose patients treated in Nevada’s Emergency Departments (EDs). The research is currently ongoing.