What is recovery and how to promote and sustain recovery

Drug recovery is sometimes known as ‘rehabilitation’ and will be a different process for each person.

Individuals recovering from substance use are unique, and their pathways into, and through, recovery can be highly personal. Recovery involves a personal recognition of the need for change and transformation. How a person lives in and sustains recovery will be defined by them.

The principals of recovery are:

There are many pathways to recovery
Recovery is self-directed and empowering
Recovery involves a personal recognition of the need for change and transformation
Recovery is holistic
Recovery has cultural dimensions
Recovery exists on a continuum of improved health and wellness
Recovery emerges from hope and gratitude
Recovery involves a process of healing and self-redefinition
Recovery involves addressing discrimination and transcending shame and stigma
Recovery is supported by peers and allies
Recovery involves (re)joining and (re)building a life in the community
Recovery is a reality

The Recovery Academy Ireland is a co-operative whose members promote and champion the concept of recovery. The Recovery Academy believes that people can move from a dependence on addiction services to a life of fulfilment, wellbeing and full participation in society

Learn about their work here

How to promote and sustain recovery

Individuals that are in recovery can be part of communities or groups that are supporting recovery, however, often individuals particularly those that are 2 years or more into their journey are less connected with supports in their community. Thus, as service providers, advocacy groups, institutes of education, there are a number of things we can do to support recovery from the individual, community and broader society.

This support includes:

Connecting with individuals in recovery running campaigns through your platforms inviting persons in recovery to share your space (host a recovery café, provide mutual aid supports, host information sessions on recovery supports and assets in your community or environment).
Make recovery visible connect persons in recovery with other champions of recovery in your community to develop exercises such as ‘recovery pride walks, exhibitions, ‘story sharing’, screenings of movies, plays or art that showcase recovery.
Be an advocate of recovery, use all of your platforms to speak up and speak out for recovery.
Use your platform to educate (invite experts and persons in recovery to exchange knowledge) your community and the broader public on addiction and recovery to help inform and destigmatise persons who use substances.