Definition of Recovery

Individuals who are “in recovery” know what it means to them and how important it is in their lives. They need no formal definition. But for the general public and those who research, evaluate, and develop policies about addiction, recovery is a concept that can sometimes seem unclear.  Essentially, recovery is a...

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The Joy of Recovery

Over twenty million people are in recovery from addiction in the United States. This is something to celebrate! When people give up alcohol and drugs they already have something great to enjoy. Yet, the longer they stay sober the more reasons they will have to feel even better about life. Recovery opens...

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Self-Help/Recovery Support Groups

Self-help groups, also known as mutual help, mutual aid, or recovery support groups, play a vital role in substance abuse treatment in the United States, and research has shown that active involvement in support groups significantly improves the likelihood of remaining clean and sober. In a self-help group, the members share a...

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The History of Anonymity: An Enduring Safeguard

When Marty Mann first established the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism (NCEA) in 1944, now known as the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was only nine years old and still working its way through the trial and error process that would ultimately lead...

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Recovery Stories

Overcoming Addiction After Injury

When I was in the Army I was shot by a sniper in 2007. I was in the hospital for three months. I was on a constant morphine drip and...

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Taking Steps and Making Choices

I was barely 17 and I was an alcoholic.  My life revolved around drinking.  I hit the ground running at 14 and I came to a screeching halt when my...

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Recovery Happens

If you asked anyone five to ten years ago where I would be in ten years, you would likely get answers like “in jail,” “strung out,” or “dead.” Back then...

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Alcohol Feen to Sobriety Queen

I can remember the first time tasting it and being hooked at 23 years old.  All the feelings of insecurity, doubts and fears after the first taste were all removed. ...

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