The Recovery Ecosystem

Introductory Paragraph

Recovery support can look like many different things for a person and their individual pathway to recovery. This is a crucial component of viewing SUD as a chronic disorder requiring long-term care.  Individuals entering recovery through treatment, the criminal justice system, or on there own often face many challenges in early recovery.  It is important that communities examine what supports are available, identify further needs, and ensure those with the greatest need have access to these supports.

Individuals who do not have these needs met are more likely to relapse.  Communities that fund these supports help those in early recovery re-engage with the community, increase self-esteem, and become highly productive members of their communities.  Providing effective recovery supports prevents relapse, the need to engage additional treatment and other services, and reduces the numbers of overdose.  Communities that have invested in recovery supports have seen a substantial return on their investment both in financial and human terms.

Recovery Defined

SAMHSA defines recovery as:

Recovery is 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.

 

Key Information

The recovery journey does not start in one place. Recovery is a critical asset that communities need to invest in, including removing barriers so recovery can be sustained. Recovery-oriented approaches involve a multi-system, person-centered continuum of care where a comprehensive menu of coordinated services and supports is tailored to individuals' recovery stage, needs, and chosen recovery pathway; the goal is to promote abstinence and a better quality of life (Clark, 2007, 2008).

Below are a summary of different recovery supports communities can provide: Sober Living-Helps individuals transfer from treatment to independent living. For some individuals, returning to their previous living environment can be unsafe or not conducive to their recovery. Sober living offers individuals a safe, peer-to-peer recovery-oriented home with structure, accountability, and support. Typically, there are household duties in sober living that need to be fulfilled including rent, chores, curfew, etc. For more information about strategies for improving recovery housing, please see the Your Safe Solutions Recovery Housing page as well.

Vocational Training- Substance use disorders could result in loss of job, job abandonment, or legal issues that may add additional barriers to obtaining employment. Vocational training can provide on-the-job training, remedial training, college training, and resume building. For more information about improving education, job training, and employment for people in recovery, please visit Your Safe Solutions Improve Education, Job Training, and Employment for people in Recovery.

Collegiate Recovery Programs-Helps students balance recovery and higher education. Provides support to students such as therapy, sober housing, and substance-free events. For more information on strategies to expand recovery schools and collegiate recovery programs, please see Your Safe Solutions Expand Recovery Schools.

Peer-Based Recovery Support- Giving and receiving nonprofessional, nonclinical, peer-to-peer assistance to achieve long-term recovery from substance use disorders. • AA-Most common support group. Based on the 12 steps. • All Recovery-Bringing people together from multiple pathways of recovery • SMART Recovery-Self Management and Recovery Training, clients find and develop the power within themselves to change and lead fulfilling lives. Guided by the 4-point program. For more information about how to strengthen peer recovery support services and programs, please see Your Safe Solutions Peer Recovery Support Services & Programs.

Harm Reduction- Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs. (National Harm Reduction Coalition, 2022). For more information about strategies to expand harm reduction practices, please also see Your Safe Solutions Expand Harm Reduction Practices.

Medicated Assisted Treatment/Therapy (MAT)-Use of medication and counseling to provide a whole-patient approach to recovery. Medications are FDA approved. MAT can help sustain recovery and prevent or reduce opioid overdose. Primary, MAT is used for addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain killers. For information on expanding access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), please see Your Safe Solutions Expand Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment.

Recovery Coach- People who have lived experience of substance use disorder and/or mental health conditions who provide non-clinical recovery support to their peers. They are not sponsors or alcohol and drug counselors. Recovery coaches can also be called Peer Recovery Specialists. There is a certification process that solidifies the Recovery Coach/Peer Recovery Specialist workforce.

Criminal Justice-Substance use disorder and the justice system have a complex history. It is estimated that about one-half of state and federal prisoners misuse drugs or are addicted to drugs, but few typically receive treatment while incarcerated (NIDA, 2018).

For more information about strategies to support people who are criminal justice involved, please visit Your Safe Solutions Recovery Supports for People in the Criminal Justice System.

The resources pages that follow address the key of support.  These include:

Recovery Housing

Perhaps the most basic support needed is housing and food.  Without this there can be no security or the ability for focus on health and recovery.  In many cases going home is not a safe option for those new to recovery.  A stable housing situation is foundational and allows growth and progress in other areas to take place.  Resources included focus on how to find safe, affordable, and supportive recovery housing options in communities across the country.

Education and Job Training.  

Finding meaning and purpose in one's life is important to all, but is especially critical to a person who has not found, or has lost, that purpose.  The ability to get and hold a job, get a promotion, improve one's education, and become independent are all important needs for many in early recovery.  Safe Solutions includes resources and information designed to help people in recovery develop the tools they need to find that purpose and achieve their goals.

Collegiate and High School Recovery Support

Many in early recovery find recovery while still in high school or college.  Many others enter high school or college after beginning their recovery journey.  Building an infrastructure of recovery support withing these specific communities is another area of focus, where it is possible to learn both where programs currently exist and the tools used by others to create these supports at colleges and high schools.

Improving Connections.

Many of the strategies come under the broad umbrella of improving connections.  Isolation is the enemy of recovery.  Connections include those to others in recovery across a number of peer-led support organizations and others that can help support the recovery of an individuals - including peer recovery specialists and recovery coaches. Family connections are also addressed and resources focus on helping the family recover and be able to support members in recovery

Other connections include those made in the wider community and even regional/national organizations that can help foster connection to others who provide support for individuals in recovery.