Recovery

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states, "Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential." This definition is widely applicable since it does not mention the cessation of substance use. For many individuals in recovery, the term is not built solely on the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs' (ATOD) termination of use. This is where harm reduction strategies or medicated assisted recovery can intersect. Recovery is a complete change in thought, behaviors, identity, and for some, a change in social circles. It is crucial for non-recovery individuals to understand that this shift can be transformative. Individuals who have experienced this transformation will tend to incorporate their recovery pathway into their identity. Moreover, that recovery path consistently changes — it is an evolutionary journey.

One of SAFE Project's goals is to support communities in breaking down silos by fostering greater collaboration between the numerous fields of work engaged in addressing the impacts of overdose and substance use. If you have not already, please read more about the importance of integration across the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Continuum of Care and prioritizing outcomes in community work before delving into this overview, as well as the overview articles in each of the other five menus on this platform. Likewise, users who have a particular interest in the criminal justice system are encouraged to read the article on recovery within the SAFE Solutions Treatment menu titled, "Improve Recovery Support for People in the Criminal Justice System."

The first of two recovery menus is "Recovery Science." It is organized to provide detailed consideration along each of four domains within the socio-ecological model — individuals, families, peers, and community.

• The first article, "The Recovery Ecosystem," defines recovery within the context of its social dimensions and provides an introduction to recovery capital as a protective factor.
• "Increase Support for Individuals in Recovery" unpacks complementary tools useful for recovery at the personal scale to include motivational interviewing, progress tracking, and quality of life tools.
• "Expand Community Support for Impacted Families" provides a variety of resources for family recovery and support.
• "Strengthen Peer Recovery Support Services and Programs" defines the role of peer support specialists and addresses the institutional contexts in which peer support can be delivered.
• "Create Recovery-Ready Communities" outlines the responsibility of communities in recovery and details steps which communities can take to be recovery-ready. It also describes recovery oriented systems of care (ROSC).

Articles in the second group of the menu, "Community Systems of Recovery," address four different systems in which people in recovery might engage throughout their life. These range from high schools and college campuses to the workplace, and the housing system.

• "Expand Recovery High Schools" highlights the needs of young adults in recovery, a population that is often overlooked and under-served.
• "Strengthen Collegiate Recovery Programs" provides examples from a suite of successful collegiate recovery initiatives.
• "Improve Education, Job Training, and Employment for People in Recovery" outlines the importance of employment as a protective factor in recovery and identifies a series of successful cases.
• "Improve Recovery Housing" showcases the different certification levels in recovery housing and also offers best practices.