NIne components of recovery - Part 1

I am reading another excellent book at the moment, A Practical Guide to Recovery-Oriented Practice by Larry Davidson and colleagues. Davidson has been a leading researcher at the forefront of the metal health recovery movement almost since it began.

This book is essential reading for anyone working in our field who is seriously interested in recovery.

In their book, Davidson and colleagues describe nine components of being in recovery. I will outline the first three components here, as described by these authors, but changed where necessary to be relevant to a person recovering from a serious substance use problem:

1. Renewing hope and commitment to one’s life
People in recovery describe the importance of having hope and believing in the possibility of a renewed sense of self and purpose in the process of recovery. This hope is based on a feeling that life holds more for one than it currently does, and it inspires a desire and motivation to improve one’s life.

This sense of hope can come from seeing other people who have had similar problems and faced similar changes, and who are now living better or more fulfilling lives.

Peer role models play an essential role in recovery-oriented systems. Their stories can inspire others and provide hope to those who are in an earlier stage of their recovery journey.

A recovery-oriented system communicates a sense of hope by focusing on strengths and competencies, by using a language that reflects belief in potential and possibility, and by encouraging people to take risks.

2. Being supported by others
People with substance use problems need to be able to connect to others who might facilitate their recovery. What is important to people in recovery in relation to this component is that they are supported, accepted, and if possible, loved, as a person of value and worth.

This supportive person may be a practitioner, but more often appears to be someone with whom the person has developed a mutual, reciprocal relationship that extends beyond the boundaries of addiction treatment settings.

Some people derive this sense of acceptance and belonging from God or other spiritual being or power. For others, it may come from animals.

People who have become accustomed to passive roles of receiving help, assistance and care from others often take their first steps toward gaining a sense of value by helping others – which they frequently describe as “giving back”.

People in recovery often emphasise the importance if someone believing in them, especially when they cannot believe in themselves.

They also speak of the importance of having a person in recovery as a role model or mentor as they go through their journey of recovery. Role models helps people know what recovery looks like, gives them ideas about what to hope for, and answers questions they may have along their journey.

A recovery-oriented system will therefore help people develop lasting connections to individuals in their communities, family, peers, and other people in recovery.

3. Finding one’s niche in the community
This component of recovery involves the development of valued social roles in the community through involvement in meaningful activities. Regaining a sense of being worthwhile or valued can provide the person with a sense of purpose and direction in their life.

A recovery-oriented system therefore helps people develop roles other than that of an ‘addict’, or a person with a substance problem, through employment or volunteering, developing hobbies and leisure activities, and connecting with organisations or groups of which they can be a part.

Gaining employment is a central way in which people can achieve more meaning and purpose in their lives and is thus a key path to recovery. Many people in recovery point to the importance of believing in something, or having a faith in a higher or transcendental power.

Therefore, spirituality or belonging to a faith community may be important additional activities or pursuits for recovering people, offering alternative foci for recovery-oriented systems of care.

What do you think about these? Do you think our online community is of value in these regards?

More to come soon.