America Is Ready for Recovery
New national data reveal how public attitudes toward addiction and recovery have changed—and why systems, policies, and communities must catch up.
Why
this study Matters
Twenty years ago, addiction was widely viewed through a lens of moral judgment, and recovery was largely invisible in public life. Today, Americans increasingly understand addiction as a health issue and recognize recovery as real, achievable, and worthy of support.
Public Perceptions of Addiction and Recovery: A 20-Year Follow-Up to the Hart Benchmark (2004–2026) revisits a landmark 2004 national survey to examine how public attitudes have changed—and where stigma, discrimination, and system gaps remain. The findings show a cultural shift that has outpaced policy and infrastructure, creating a clear mandate for action.
Key Findings
At a glance
From Blame to Health
Americans are far less likely to see addiction as a moral failing and increasingly view it as a health issue requiring treatment and support.
Public Support Is Strong
Large majorities support insurance coverage, recovery support services, and policies that help people in recovery succeed.
Workplace Stigma Is Declining
Negative bias toward hiring people in recovery has dropped sharply, while positive perceptions of recovery in the workplace have more than doubled.
Recovery Is Real
Public understanding of recovery has shifted toward seeing it as a stable, lasting outcome—and optimism about lifelong recovery has grown significantly.
Discrimination Persists
Despite cultural progress, many Americans still recognize discrimination against people in recovery, particularly in employment and insurance.
What Has Changed
and WHAT HASN’T
What Has Changed
Addiction is increasingly understood as a health issue
Recovery is widely recognized as real and achievable
Cultural acceptance of people in recovery has improved
Workplace attitudes toward recovery have shifted positively
What Hasn’t
Stigma and discrimination remain widespread
Access to affordable, available treatment is still a barrier
Many communities lack clear recovery support pathways
Policy and systems lag behind public opinion
Public attitudes have moved forward. Systems and policies must follow.
Download
The research
We collect basic contact information to better understand who is engaging with this research and to measure the reach and impact of the Public Perceptions of Addiction and Recovery: A 20-Year Follow-Up to the Hart Benchmark. This information also allows us to share related updates, resources, and opportunities to engage with the findings and broader conversations about addiction and recovery.
Press Release
Download the Press Release
Executive Summary
A concise overview of the most important findings and implications.
Key Findings
Complete details including comparison charts and policy grid
RCO Pitch Guide
A Step-by-Step Guide for Faces & Voices of Recovery Alliance Partners
Social Media Toolkit
PDF’d ready to use messaging, social content, and outreach tools.
Sample Op-Ed
Tailor to your organization, state and community
Congressional Leave Behind
Top level data to share with policymakers
Congressional Op-Ed Request
Encourage Members of Congress to write Op-Ed’s
Survey Findings
Detailed toplines and analysis from Perception of Recovery 2.0.
Recursos en Español
PDF’d materiales disponibles en español para socios y comunidades.
Use this Data
To Drive change
About
Recovery Insights Lab
Faces & Voices is proud to partner with Recovery Insights Lab to conduct the survey. Recovery Insights Lab partners with organizations to reach people that awareness, messaging, and standard research have missed.
Working at the intersection of mental health and addiction, RIL delivers full-service research and strategic advisory — public opinion and market research, qualitative fieldwork, behavioral analysis, and messaging strategy — peer-led at every level by researchers, analysts, and consultants who have navigated treatment, mental health care, and recovery themselves, and alongside clients, friends, and family.
RIL knows the system from the inside. The result is insight that translates into programs and strategy built for the real world, not just the data.
