The Recovery Ecosystem

Introductory Paragraph

This article is the first in a series of articles designed to address the science of recovery. It covers the definitions and dimension of recovery outlined by SAMHSA. It also introduces the concept of recovery capital. The various scales at which recovery capital can be built match the socio-ecological model detailed in the prevention science article titled "Address Risk & Protective Factors for Individuals, Families, and Communities." The recovery ecosystem is complex and requires intention to be applied at each scale (individual, family, social, and community). Aligning prevention science and recovery science in comparable multi-scale approaches will be a significant element in bridging prevention and recovery efforts and in advancing work across the full continuum of care.

Key Information

Definition and Dimensions of Recovery

SAMHSA defines recovery as "a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential." SAMHSA also identifies four major dimensions that support recovery:

• Health — overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms and making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being.
• Home — having a stable and safe place to live.
• Purpose — conducting meaningful daily activities and having the independence, income, and resources to participate in society.
• Community — having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

Recovery Capital

Recovery Capital is a crucial component for sustained recovery. It has been defined as the quantity and quality of internal and external resources that one can bring to bear on the initiation and maintenance of recovery. For too long, most of the aspects of Recovery Capital were either random or only reserved for individuals who had these resources readily available. Recovery Capital is not dependent on socioeconomic status and socioeconomic status is not an accurate indicator of either high or low Recovery Capital. Change at the environmental level may not be possible for everyone. Many individuals will return to family or community environments that are unsafe or recovery-hostile. While it is ideal for an individual to experience safety and support in every sense of the word as they initiate recovery, some people must return to recovery-hostile living or work environments that have a culture of alcohol and other drug use, such as a problematic home life or to the community where their issues began.

Faces & Voices of Recovery provides a breakdown of recovery capital and its role in sustaining recovery:

• Personal. This includes an individual’s physical and human capital. Physical capital is the available resources to fulfill a person’s basic needs, like their health, healthcare, financial resources, clothing, food, safe and habitable shelter, and transportation. Human capital relates to a person’s abilities, skills, and knowledge, like problem-solving, education and credentials, self-esteem, the ability to navigate challenging situations and achieve goals, interpersonal skills, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

• Family/social. These resources relate to intimate relationships with friends and family, relationships with people in recovery, and supportive partners. It also includes the availability of recovery-related social events

• Community.This includes attitudes, policies, and resources specifically related to helping individuals resolve substance use disorders. Community resources are vast and can include:
  • Recovery activism and advocacy aimed at reducing stigma
  • A full range of addiction treatment resources
  • Peer-led support, such as mutual-aid meetings, which seek to meet the diverse needs of the community
  • Recovery Community Organizations
  • Recovery support institutions, educational-based recovery support such as recovery high schools, colleges, recovery housing, and recovery ministries and churches
  • Visible and diverse local recovery role models
  • Resources to sustain recovery and early intervention programs, like employee assistance programs, and drug courts
  • Cultural capital. These resources resonate with individuals cultural and faith-based beliefs

Relevant Research

• Nora's Blog on the Director's page of NIDA highlights recent advances in the science of drug use and addiction. For example, in evaluating the relationship between abstinence and relapse, it is noted that setbacks are regarded as a failure, leading to the perception that the client is starting all over, when in fact, a return to use may strengthen someone’s resolve to recover.

• This article provides a systematic review of nine different studies that examined peer-delivered recovery support services.

• Although AA is the most well-known peer recovery support program, there are other pathways that provide support. This article gives alternatives to the 12-steps.

Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies

• The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2021 removes the requirement that a health care practitioner apply for a separate waiver through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dispense certain narcotic drugs (e.g., buprenorphine) for maintenance or detoxification treatment (i.e., substance use disorder treatment).

• Oregon passed a Drug and Addiction Treatment Act whose purpose is to make screening health assessment, treatment and recovery services for drug addiction available to all those who need and want access to those services; and to adopt a health approach to drug addiction by removing criminal penalties for low-level drug possession.

Available Tools and Resources

• Faces & Voices of Recovery (Faces & Voices) conducted the first nationwide survey of persons in recovery from alcohol and other drug problems. The purpose of this survey was to document the benefits of recovery.

• SAMHSA Recovery from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adults in the United States. This brief report presents self-reports of recovery among adults aged 18 and older in the United States who thought they ever had a problem with their use of drugs or alcohol and/or mental health. These findings provide a clearer characterization of the factors associated with recovery among adults and how future efforts can foster a whole-health approach to sustain recovery from mental health and substance use conditions.

• SAMHSA provides a treatment finder that connects people with licensed treatment providers who specialize in substance use, addiction, and mental health. SAMHSA also provides video trainings that promote recovery-oriented services and supports by highlighting new knowledge areas, hot topics, and cutting-edge programs.

• SAMHSA Recovery Resources for American Indian and Alaska Natives. Get the latest news and resources on SAMHSA’s efforts to address recovery support within American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities.

• SAFE Project provides a variety of resources for recovery:
  • Bridging Prevention and Recovery Program is a new evidence-based program model designed to provide substance use disorder professionals with a step-by-step process to facilitate sustainable integration of these two approaches in communities that have traditionally been siloed.
  • Integrated-Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist (I-FPRS). This Training of Trainers equips participants to train Certified Peer Recovery Specialists and Supervisors to navigate the complexities associated with providing support to individuals who are justice-involved.
  • Treatment and Family Support Locator assists individuals and their loved ones in finding the best treatment for their needs, as well as programs, supports, and other services for friends and family of people caring for individuals with substance use disorder and/or mental health challenges. The locator is a collaboration between SAFE Project and the Partnership to End Addiction.

Promising Practices

• Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) supports all things recovery -- no matter what stage of recovery. The CCAR website helps people navigate the recovery community by providing support services and connections to people in recovery. They offer telephone recovery support, virtual support meetings on different recovery topics, peer recovery training, and a coffee lounge. They also have five recovery community centers throughout the state.
• The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has a series of virtual services. On-line outpatient addiction programs encompass addiction treatment, family services, community solutions, prevention and early intervention, recovery support, and mental health services.
• Recovery Texas. This state-wide movement provides recovery support specialists, screenings for substance use and mental health, and digital recovery support such as meetings, meditation, and yoga.