Individuals who are “in recovery” know what it means to them and how important it is in their lives. They need no formal definition. But for the general public and those who research, evaluate, and develop policies about addiction, recovery is a concept that can sometimes seem unclear.  Essentially, recovery is a complex and dynamic process encompassing all the positive benefits to physical, mental and social health that can happen when people with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, or their family members, get the help they need. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) offers this definition: “Recovery…