The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking feedback on its working definition of recovery. The definition aims to portray the essential, common experiences of people recovering from substance use and mental disorders, and includes 10 guiding principles of recovery.

SAMHSA developed the new definition, in conjunction with the behavioral health field, as part of its Recovery Support Strategic Initiative.

The definition is as follows:

Recovery From Mental and Substance Use Disorders: A process of change through which individuals work to improve their own health and well-being, live a self-directed life, and strive to achieve their full potential.

You can comment on the definition and on the guiding principles, which can be found here, until August 26, 2011.