Inclusion was an important consideration as RCSP projects considered recovery community values. They discovered that inclusion in the recovery community means more than ensuring demographic representation along the dimensions of race, class, economic status, age, gender, sexual orientation, and culture.

It means, as well, including and celebrating the various structures and styles through which individuals resolve their problems with alcohol and other drugs. Thus, the culture of recovery is characterized by wide diversity in:

• Demographics
• Drug use history
• Experiences of treatment
• Choice of recovery supports.

Safeguarding Diversity from Internalized Stigmas

Internalized stigmas relating to all of the dimensions of diversity were recognized by RCSP projects. For example, some people tend to think the way they recovered is the one true way and may discredit other forms of recovery—until they recognize their commonality with others who have taken different routes. The lesson learned was that all the dimensions of diversity need to be honored by the recovery community group if it is to reflect recovery in the fullest sense. This also keeps the group from internalizing any one set of beliefs and stigmas as group stigmas.

Insight about the many dimensions of diversity fostered the recognition that ensuring diversity is a central challenge of a recovery community. If it is not addressed, RCSP leaders agreed, the core mission of improving recovery for everyone would be undermined. This insight moved diversity to the status of a core value for RCSP work.

For some, inclusion is valued because it is central to how people heal. In the words of one RCSP Project Director:

"The elders told us that we would know when the healing time was coming, because we would begin to a see a coming together. The red, the black, the yellow, and the white, will begin to come together to share their learnings. Without a coming together, there can be no healing."