Previously, there has never been a formal definition of "recovery" as it pertains to substance abuse.  Most people "in recovery" have a highly personal definition of what that means and need no further definition.
But for the general public, for researchers, and for those of us who work in "in the front lines" of addiction medicine, having a more formal definition of just what "recovery" is, might be useful.
As a means of establishing a starting point, the Betty Ford Institute conviened a consensus panel representing "12 concerned and experienced individuals-- several of whom were stable recovery--  to develop a concensus definition that might serve as a starting point for open communication and improved understanding about this important concept.
Here is what they came up with:

"Recovery, is a voluntary maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship"
The complete article published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 33 (2007) 221-228 is attached.