Recovery

Recovery is a personal process that involves complex phases. Everyone’s journey throughout the phases of recovery has unique results. Although only one person might be going through the phases of recovery, this process includes family, friends and community. Recovery commences when a person begins to make better choices about his or her health.

Recovery really isn't as simple as the picture above makes it seem. We can now look into the intense and lengthy phases of recovery. 

The first phase is the  stabilization phase, which usually occurs within the first 90 days of recovery. This is the stage in which a person becomes aware that his or her coping mechanisms aren't  beneficial anymore. At this point, the recovery process commences. 
 
Next, the early recovery phase usually occurs between 90 days and one year, when a person begins to piece together the initial changes in his or her thoughts and emotions.   
 
The mid-recovery phase occurs once early recovery has become constant. It normally occurs after about one to three years. It should be no surprise that at this time, the person in recovery may choose to address past matters, while founding a balanced  lifestyle.  
 
The maintenance phase occurs once you've hit three years of recovery, and the process of recovery  becomes a natural way of life. At this phase of recovery, a person often finds it helpful to reach out to support others on their journey of recovery. This is positive for the individual undergoing recovery phases and for others who need support as well. 
 
The continued recovery phase occurs as the person achieves what it takes to maintain and follow being healthy.

Statistically, there's not a great chance of return to the recovery process after about five or more years.
As we can see, recovery is not a process that occurs rapidly or effortlessly. The transition into a new, healthy lifestyle involves a great deal of determination, wisdom, and hope. 

Works Cited

In this video below, you can watch a fairly short clip on the phases of recovery the people hit by Hurricane Katrina were forced to undergo.