Recovery Model in Addiction

Connectedness

Recovery is often done within the context of community. Mental illness and addiction can strain interpersonal relationships and so the healing process improves the interpersonal relationships a person has. Support networks provide emotional availability, avoid shaming, and offer respect to the person going through the recovery journey. Mental health professionals work with the individual to improve relationships with friends, family the larger community to build the interpersonal relationships. Mental health professionals will also provide other supports if needed such as access to shelter, food, medicine, clothes or whatever else may improve the overall wellbeing of the individual.

Hope & Optimism

Part of recovery is having a sense of hope or optimism that recovery will happen. Hope is something that can be developed with the work of mental health professionals who will utilize therapeutic models to improve trust and trust in the process of recovery which may include failures along the way.

Identity

Self-identity plays an important role in recovery. Sometimes withdrawal from larger social settings can help identify what are safe and nurturing outside influences. It can also help to allow room for developing a sense a self includes interests and life goals.

Meaning & Purpose

Healthy coping strategies are an important step in the recovery process. This can involve talk therapy as well as medication. Problem solving skills help manage constructive responses to everyday life situations and also identify important triggers of stress and how to manage those triggers. Developing meaning maintains recovery and is often done through having roles in social groups or work.

Empowerment

Empowerment increases an individual’s ability to take care of themself. Methods of empowerment include physical safety, housing, and healthcare. Case managers can help individuals get these kinds of supports which have been shown to improve outcomes over those that don’t have these supports.