Medical professionals today treat more than 12,000 types of
human disease. Modern medicine, tools and therapies are more
effective than ever in healing us from injury and disease. With
thousands of ways to fix ailments, we sometimes forget the
basics of wellness, which also support recovery. Diagnosis of
mental illness or substance use disorder once brought little
hope of living a rewarding life. Today in the mental health
field, expecting recovery from mental illness or substance use
disorders is standard practice. The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration this year introduced a definition
of recovery that is meant to assist collaboration among policy-
makers, mental health professionals, researchers and others
sharing the goal of mental health. Recovery, according to the
SAMHSA Recovery Support Strategic Initiative is "a process of
change through which individuals improve their health and
wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their
full potential." Wellness and recovery