The Coalition began its work by developing some common ideas about what recovery is. Numerous sources were consulted and the stories of many people in recovery were heard. Clearly, definitions of recovery are quite personal, and there is a great deal of variability in how people think about it, but some of the common threads of recovery began to emerge:

• Recovery is an ongoing process that continues through life, and is about restoration and personal growth.
• Recovery allows the renewal of purpose, meaning and hope in life.
• Recovery is about revelation, acceptance, self-awareness.
• Recovery is about dignity and self-respect.
• Recovery means independence, personal responsibility, and productivity.
• Recovery involves tolerance, forgiveness, and adaptability.
• Recovery is about connecting in a fulfilling way with a community of other people.
• Recovery is about establishing meaningful relationships.
• Recovery is a universal concept that can be used by anyone.
• Recovery is about overcoming stigma.