~ Quality Matters ~ 

According to an article written in 2011 by Alexandre Laudet, quality of life in recovery from substance use is important, yet it has been undeveloped in the field of addiction. I slightly disagree with the idea that it is undeveloped in the field of addiction, but he does have a point though. Maybe in the professional research literature, but not in the rooms of recovery. 

There is no single definition of “quality of life” and for the most part, both the author and I agree that quality of life is and should be measured by the individual who is in recovery and not the organizations that provide services. Therefore, I think quality of life is subjective and not objective. 

As such, I think it is important to understand that quality of life can be examined by looking at one’s ability to function in everyday life, from the views of the individual (i.e., meaning in life, quality of relationships, ability to get around, engagement in activities, etc.). 

On another note, I also think that quality of recovery is important. Have you ever seen anybody who has been sober for 20 plus years, and you think to yourself, “I don’t want what that person has.” Yet, you meet somebody who has been sober for only a couple of years or months and think, “I’d like to have what that person has.” 

Anybody can have quality or quantity of sobriety, but I think the most important is going to be someone’s quality of recovery. Are they doing “half measures”, are they going to the barbershop, how do their relationships look? When they speak, do you hear the message or the mess? Are they focused on the message or the mess? Are they living the solution or living in the problem? Are they being the good example of the ‘walking copy of recovery’?

My challenge to you is this – ask yourself how qualitative your recovery is? Is quality more important to you than quantity? Do you have people in your corner in which you would like to “have what they have?” 

Peace & love to all 

~ KO