What is Recovery Capital?

For individuals who are experiencing challenges from alcohol or substance addiction, making a resolution to quit that addiction is an important first step. However, it is the first step of a much longer personal journey. That journey, hopefully culminating in sustained recovery, can be complicated by challenges, doubts, temporary setbacks and obstacles. Recovery Capital is the extent and quality of resources that can support an individual through the initiation and maintenance of their recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. These resources can be both internal (such as close family support networks) and external (accessibility to affordable healthcare, for example). It can present itself in many forms, including:

• social support networks
• increased exposure or openness to religion or spirituality
• access to effective healthcare and accommodation
• sufficient ability to identify and pursue recreational activity

The Philosophy Behind Recovery Capital

Traditionally, research and the development of many treatment programmes focused on reasons why individuals might become addicted to alcohol or substance abuse. Consideration of wider situational factors, and the opportunities afforded by them to initiate and sustain recovery, were investigated in less depth. 

Additionally, these traditional methods of recovery have been known to lead to certain challenges. A fundamental lack of motivation to change, high levels of emotional distress both for the individual and for their friends, family, and wider community, and ongoing temptation or pressure to regress when in private or certain social situations, have all been noted as triggers leading to relapse. Recovery capital represents an opportunity to develop treatments in such a way that mitigates against these challenges. 

Recovery capital in all of its forms such as social support networks, increased exposure or openness to religion or spirituality, the availability of shelter, and access to healthcare, all improves and increases the ability of many individuals to deal with the worry, stress and lifestyle challenges during the various phases of recovery. 

Effective treatment for substance and alcohol misuse is increasingly being understood by addiction experts as a collection of multilayered aspects, not dissimilar from treatment for unrelated physical illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma. This means that recovery from substance misuse is an ongoing process beyond clinical treatment. This process needs refinement, individualization and development over time. Recovery capital aids recovery within this newer multilayered understanding. 

Clinical and other studies have been conducted which suggest that hoping genuinely for a better life can become a source of motivation for many individuals suffering with alcohol or drugs misuse. The hope, combined with determination, can work to initiate and sustain recovery. Resources which improve the amount of recovery capital available to an individual will typically serve to increase their hope and therefore the likelihood of initiating and sustaining recovery...