By David Joel Miller, MS, Licensed Therapist & Licensed Counselor.
That depends on what you mean by recover.
People, in my opinion, can and do recover from a wide range of mental illnesses and substance use disorder problems. Recovery means that you get your hope back and you get your life back. It does not mean that you are cured or can cease your vigilance when it comes to self-care.
Somebody with type-two diabetes can lose some weight; get their blood sugar under control. They may even be able to live without medication. But does that mean they can or should begin to overeat or neglect their health again?
Someone with a serious mental illness may get their condition under control. They may be able to have happy relationships and friends. They get their hope and happiness back. Many people with mental illness are able to work, volunteer, or do productive activities again.
Millions of people have “recovered” from alcoholism, by which they mean they are no longer in a hopeless state of mind or body.”
To me, recovery is a process, not a destination. We can all move from unwell to less well to more well. But recovery only lasts when you continue to do the work to maintain it.
So – NO – I have not seen a mental or emotional illness from which you can’t recover if you are willing to do the work of recovery. Some recovery roads are just longer and more difficult than others.
When a question or comment comes in or someone uses a search term that needs a short answer but not a post. Time permitting; I post answers, like this one to those questions in the early morning.
Staying connected with David Joel Miller
Seven David Joel Miller Books are available now!
My newest book is now available. It was my opportunity to try on a new genre. I’ve been working on this book for several years, but now seem like the right time to publish it.
Story Bureau is a thrilling Dystopian Post-Apocalyptic adventure in the Surviving the Apocalypse series.
Baldwin struggles to survive life in a post-apocalyptic world where the government controls everything.
As society collapses and his family gets plunged into poverty, Baldwin takes a job in the capital city, working for a government agency called the Story Bureau. He discovers the Story Bureau is not a benign news outlet but a sinister government plot to manipulate society.
Bumps on the Road of Life. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, low motivation, or addiction, you can recover. Bumps on the Road of Life is the story of how people get off track and how to get your life out of the ditch.
Dark Family Secrets: Doris wants to get her life back, but small-town prejudice could shatter her dreams.
Casino Robbery Arthur Mitchell escapes the trauma of watching his girlfriend die. But the killers know he’s a witness and want him dead.
Planned Accidents The second Arthur Mitchell and Plutus mystery.
Letters from the Dead: The third in the Arthur Mitchell mystery series.
What would you do if you found a letter to a detective describing a crime and you knew the writer and detective were dead, and you could be next?
Sasquatch. Three things about us, you should know. One, we have seen the past. Two, we’re trapped there. Three, I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to our own time.
For these and my upcoming books; please visit my Author Page – David Joel Miller
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