The phrase “recovery forever” may at first glance seem to be an oxymoron. It would seem that it could have two interpretations.
The first one would be the idea that once recovery is achieved, the person is forever recovered, and the future holds no more problems. This can be true; however, those who have been through drug treatment programs can tell you that the second interpretation is the most accurate.
That interpretation is that recovery is forever. One can recover from drug addiction, and can remain forever drug-free, never experiencing a relapse or having to re-enter a program or take advantage of support resources and services. And, this is possible after having completed a first-time drug detox program and accompanying recovery treatment.
Many recovering addicts, though, will quickly admit that for them, they are in recovery forever. That is why many will refer to themselves, even long after they have taken their last drink or abused drugs of any kind for the last time, as a “recovering addict”, rather than a “recovered addict.”
One verb use denotes an ongoing process, while the other indicates that the process is complete. Again, some who have experienced this will be quick to say it is definitely an ongoing process.
Colorado addiction recovery programs focus on guiding those with addiction problems through every phase of the initial recovery program, as well as any additional treatment or support sessions which may be required. The ability to boast that their programs do achieve recovery forever, in the sense that no further help is required, is not important to them.
If that is an individual’s personal goal, then those who conduct the addiction recovery programs will do their best to help that person reach that goal. If, however, a person realizes that recovery forever means precisely that he or she will be in recovery forever, then treatment program staffers will help them to see that that in itself is a positive commitment, rather than failure to achieve a goal.
