Recovery Atlas maps the many pathways to recovery unfolding across the world. It is a living resource that showcases how recovery is built in people, places, cultures, and communities. The purpose is to share knowledge, evidence, and inspiration — so that recovery can be understood as a collective, cultural, and global movement.

Recovery is shaped by context. Grouping stories by location allows us to see how recovery cultures grow in different nations, cities, and communities. It highlights the importance of place — showing how local histories, resources, and traditions influence recovery.

Themes help bring together patterns across locations. They make it possible to explore common ideas, practices, and challenges that communities face, while also celebrating the diversity of approaches. Grouping by theme allows people to learn from similarities and differences across the globe.

People contribute to this project for many reasons. Often, they share their lived experiences and knowledge to help others, to build evidence for recovery, to challenge stigma, and to show that change is possible. Sharing makes recovery visible — not only as personal transformation, but as something that shapes families, communities, and cultures. It is also a way of creating connection, recognition, and collective strength.

Photovoice is a research method that uses photography and storytelling to capture lived experience. Each photo is both a personal expression and a piece of evidence, showing how recovery is lived in real places and communities. When these images and stories are shared, they build a collective knowledge base — one that goes beyond statistics to reveal the culture, context, and meaning of recovery.

We welcome recovery communities everywhere to join the Atlas.

If you’re part of a recovery group/community/organisation, ask them if they want to receive the free training and submit your community’s blueprint through our submission page.

By joining, you help expand the Atlas and inspire others across the world.