Mental health, substance use recovery a process, but always possible
If you were to go online and search for the definition of “recovery,” your results would likely include those from Dictionary.com, which provides two definitions. The first definition — “a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength” — is what many of us envision when we think about recovery.
For example, when you have the flu, recovery usually means being able to go back to work or school, enjoying the activities you did before being sick, and no longer feeling fatigued or achy. If you broke your arm playing football, recovery may mean your cast has been removed, physical therapy completed and being able to throw the ball or block your opponent as you did before.
In these examples, recovery means returning to the state of health and functioning you had before your illness or injury.
For individuals living with mental illness or substance use disorders, the meaning of recovery can be similar — but also very different. It is similar because mental illness and addiction recovery means regaining health and daily functioning.
But different because mental illness and substance use disorders are often chronic conditions, meaning they must be managed through a combination of therapy, medication and other supports.
A more important distinction is mental illness and substance use recovery is focused on moving forward. For an individual with mental illness, life before recovery may have meant feeling depressed or anxious, perhaps experiencing extreme paranoia, hearing voices, not wanting eat or wanting to hurt oneself.
Likewise, an individual with addiction may have spent most of his or her time seeking or being under the influence of drugs — perhaps losing jobs, friends, family or a home.
Understandably, most individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders who are working toward recovery don’t want to go back to how things were “before.”
The second definition for recovery on Dictionary.com — “the action or process of regaining possession or control of something stolen or lost” — may be a more appropriate way of thinking about recovery for individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders.
Although in one sense this definition speaks to having
something returned (as in, detectives recovered the stolen painting), individuals living with mental illness or substance use disorders can likely relate to this on a different level.
Indeed, many seeking recovery might feel mental illness has robbed them of their independence, addiction has stolen their self-respect, and their confidence and self-esteem have been lost.
In this sense, recovery is about regaining — health, wellness, a self-directed life and more — rather than returning.
Unlike a traditional treatment model that focuses on treating what’s “wrong,” the recovery model is person-centered and builds on an individual’s strengths, preferences and goals.
While it is true that individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders may not be “cured,” it is always possible for them to recover — to learn to manage their illnesses in ways that support physical health, stability, independence and community engagement.
What’s also notable about the second definition above is the word process — and recovery is indeed a process. Just as recovering from a serious injury or physical illness may require weeks or months — or in some cases, years — mental health and addiction recovery takes time and requires many different interventions and supports. This is why you rarely hear individuals living with mental illness or substance use disorders say they are ‘recovered,’ but rather living in recovery.
If you or a loved one is challenged by mental health or substance use issues, it is important to seek help from a qualified behavioral health provider — whether it is Highland Rivers Health or another provider in your community.
Recovery is a process to be sure, but recovery is always possible.
The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can be on the path to recovery and living your best life.
Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An audit has found instances in which executives for the nation’s largest public utility overspent on travel.
The inspector general’s report Wednesday audited about $1.8 million worth of Tennessee Valley Authority executive travel expenses from October 2016 through July 2018.
The report cites instances in which executives didn’t comply with federal travel regulation and TVA policies, including overpaid per diems; excessive meal costs while traveling; use of car services instead of less expensive options; foreign travel problems; lodging issues; and travel costs unreported to the utility’s board.
“The actions by some TVA executives indicate a “Tone at the Top” that could send a message to TVA employees that management is not committed to the TVA Code of Conduct” and complying with existing policies and procedures, the audit states.
TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash, who started in April, said the utility is clarifying its policies and will follow them better. Lyash said that the expenses questioned make up less than 8% of the $1.8 million audited.
The utility also contends the report does not say anyone is misusing resources.
“I think it’s an area where we can improve the policies, the training, the record keeping and the execution,” Lyash told The Associated Press. “I’m all in on that. But the scale of this problem, in broad context, is relatively small and easily addressed.”