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Recovery support
Recovery is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as "a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential."
People can and do recover from addiction and mental health disorders.
How would you address children's behavioral health? Serious gaps still exist in mental health care. These gaps are a result of chronic underinvestment over many decades in mental health promotion, prevention, and care. Youth Peer Liaison, Evelyn Clark, gives a talk on how she would change children’s behavioral health if she had a magic wand.
On this page
Want to participate in a virtual, recovery event for National Recovery Month?
Four major dimensions that support recovery
- Health—overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms and making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being.
- Home—having a stable and safe place to live.
- Purpose—conducting meaningful daily activities and having the independence, income, and resources to participate in society.
- Community—having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
Understanding substance use disorders
- Video: Why are drugs so hard to quit?
- Surgeon General’s report: Facing substance use in America
- Toolkit: A guide to reducing substance use-related stigma
Stories of recovery
- Read: personal stories of recovery, and add your own
- Article: King County employee models recovery to empower others
- Becoming employed starts today: Reflections from project participants and peer counselors
- Washington State Pathways to Housing success stories
In addition to traditional treatments, many individuals and families increase their recovery by reading, using self-help tools, and joining peer support groups and organizations.
Connecting with recovery in community
The following organizations and resources may be helpful to you in learning about recovery and recovery tools:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Gamblers Anonymous
- VeryWellMind
- Peer support - many counties and treatment providers include peer support in their service options.
- Recovery cafés
- Find a clubhouse close to you.
- Additional recovery in community sites.
Mutual support groups are groups of individuals with similar life experiences, supporting each other during the recovery process.
Employment and housing resources
- Foundational community supports – help with jobs, housing, and living independently
- Oxford House - for people in recovery from substance use disorder
- Oxford house vacancies
- Family and Adult Coordinated Entry Sites for people experiencing homelessness (Department of Commerce)
- Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (HARPS)
Tools and information
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You can call the Washington Recovery Help Line 24/7 for emotional support and free, confidential referrals to treatment and recovery resources for substance use, mental health and problem gambling.
You can also contact the following organizations:
- Recovery Café (Seattle)
- Teen Challenge
- Housing Hope
- Steps to Recovery
- Transitions (Spokane)
- Washington Recovery Alliance
- A Common Voice
- Changes Parent Support Network
- National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
- Passages (Spokane) - serving adults, family and youth
- WaDads
- US Department of Veteran Affairs
- Help with accessing care for veterans and family members
Contact
For housing assistance
Email: Housing_Assistance@hca.wa.gov
For employment assistance
Email: Employment_Assistance@hca.wa.gov
