01/10/2026
What Do People in Recovery Say Matters Most?
A new study of more than 9,000 people with lived experience of recovery explored what truly defines recovery across many different pathways—abstinence‑based, moderation‑focused, medication‑assisted, clinical, community, and beyond.
Despite the diversity of experiences, several core elements emerged as widely shared:
• Personal growth — Nearly all participants emphasized ongoing self‑improvement as central to recovery.
• Personal integrity — Honesty with oneself and taking responsibility were endorsed by over 90%.
• Emotional balance — The ability to cope with life’s challenges without returning to substance use was a key theme.
• Joy and emotional coping — Enjoying life and managing difficult emotions without substances were viewed as essential.
• Substance use goals — Most participants endorsed abstinence or non‑problematic use as part of their recovery definition.
Bottom line: Recovery is not one-size-fits-all, but people across many backgrounds agree that it involves growth, integrity, emotional resilience, and finding joy without relying on substances.
At our clinic, we honour every recovery pathway and support individuals in building the version of recovery that feels meaningful and sustainable for them🙏❤️❤️