Recovery: Consumer Resources

Recovery is possible at all stages of a mental illness or substance use disorder. The earlier action is taken the easier it is to get better. 

Six tips for tackling recovery

1. Embrace the idea of change. Making lifestyle changes is difficult for everybody, but you will need to prepare yourself for the fact that change is necessary (and worth it) in order to achieve recovery.
2. Understand the resources available. Therapy and medication are the two most widely known treatment options, but recovery is about more than treatment. Other resources and services include: case management, supported employment, supported education, family supports, warmlines, peer support specialists, and psychoeducation. 
3. Engage peer support. Peer support services put someone in your corner who has “been there, done that” and can help you find your own way through the recovery process. 
4. Establish a support network. Think about who among your friends and family members you can turn to for support. The person or people you choose should care about you, believe in you and believe in your worth. Having someone you can call or meet up with if you are feeling lonely or starting to struggle can help you to feel better and stay accountable to yourself and your recovery goals.
5. Set yourself up for success. Create recovery plans that you are confident you can stick to. Try this exercise: Think about a change you want to make to help you reach a recovery goal. Now rate your confidence in your ability to make that change on a scale of 1 (not confident) to 10 (positive you can do it). If you aren’t confident at a level of 7 or higher, revise your plan. Start with smaller changes that you are sure you can make, and build up to tougher changes to reach your goals over time. 
6. Forgive yourself for failure. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, and there are going to be days that are going to go really well, and other days that are going to be crappy. Having a crappy day, or showing signs of relapse or recurrence, doesn’t mean that you haven’t made any progress or that you should give up trying to get better. Be kind to yourself and keep fighting for the life you want.

Recovery resources

Tools to measure mental health, substance use recovery

Use these tools to gauge the quality of your recovery and to gain perspective on your recovery.

• The Wisconsin Recovery Thermometer (PDF) is for mental health and co-occurring recovery.
• The Wisconsin Recovery Pulse (PDF) is for substance use recovery.