When you hear the word recovery, what comes to mind? People have different associations, so for the purposes of this blog, here’s a working definition of recovery from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

My experience of recovery

I went through a mental health crisis in May of 2022, and when I started intensive therapy, I encountered the word recovery for the first time in a mental health context. I immediately starting using it with my family and friends because it helped me define the thing that comes after a crisis. Even if my life and health weren’t even close to being figured out, recovery implied forward motion, the next phase. I remember it feeling empowering to use the word recovery to describe where I was.

Learning more about it over the years, I’ve come to understand recovery as a lifelong process, its focus on evolution rather than an end point. Much like life, it’s about what you learn, and how you grow, as you go along.

Substance use and mental health disorders

Many people assume recovery only has to do with substance use disorders. The truth is, as mental health and substance use have become grouped under what’s known as behavioral health, the language and concepts of recovery apply to both.

I don’t have personal experience with a substance use disorder, so that won’t be the focus of this blog, but I hope that folks who do can find community here as well.

The purpose of this blog

My intention for this blog is to share my personal experiences related to recovery, both as a creative outlet and a point of connection for others going through similar experiences. In it, I will explore many topics adjacent to recovery, like mental health, chronic illness, relationships, family, health, and wellness. My hope is for this blog to be a platform for conversation, learning, community, and connection.

What aspects of recovery resonate with you? Leave us a note below!