Sometimes it seems as if there are nearly as many definitions of recovery as there are people in recovery.
Recovery is the process of getting over, getting better, finding new ways of doing things, making a new life for yourself. If you have a simple illness that has a cure or is cured with time, such as a common cold, then it seems fair to view recovery as a destination.
If you have a more complex disorder, then you will almost certainly do better in the long term to view your recovery as a journey. Alcoholics Anonymous realised this many years ago and most alcoholics who have stopped drinking will see themselves as `in-recovery', in that they can never be 100% safe should they drink again.
Bipolar disorder is not so different in that no matter how many years we are free of serious mood swings we cannot say for certain that some events in the future will not trigger a new crisis.
It is equally true though that an understanding of recovery principles and a willingness to act according to these will continue to reduce the risk of relapse.
Five Recovery Principles
1. HOPE
2. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
3. SELF – AGENCY (using your strengths)
4. EDUCATION
5. SUPPORT
See - A useful discussion of these 5 recovery principles
A lot more has been written about recovery...
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