This article examines some of the definitions that have been put forward about the concept recovery, and some of the broader structural and contextual factors that are relevant. The article concludes by explaining not only what recovery is but how it is likely to come about. Definitions explored include: policy-based definitions of recovery;recovery as a multi-layered and social concept and recovery oriented systems of care. The five elements of the recovery process that make up the acronym CHIME. CHIME stands for Connectedness; Hope; Identity; Meaning and Empowerment, are also discussed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article examines some of the definitions that have been put forward about the concept recovery, and some of the broader structural and contextual factors that are relevant. The article concludes by explaining not only what recovery is but how it is likely to come about. Definitions explored include: policy-based definitions of recovery; recovery as a multi-layered and social concept and recovery oriented systems of care. The five elements of the recovery process that make up the acronym CHIME. CHIME stands for Connectedness; Hope; Identity; Meaning and Empowerment, are also discussed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Sheffield Hallam University, Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice
Publication year:
2015
Pagination:
38
Place of publication:
Sheffield
Drawing on the results of a survey, this report provides insights into how recovery from addition has transformed the lives of many people in the UK. It is based on the findings of 802 returned surveys. The survey captured information on five key life domains: family and relationships, finances, psychological and physical health, employment, education and training, and contact with the criminal justice system. The report provides information on the socio-demographic details of the respondents. It then discusses the findings in the following areas: pathways to recovery, outlines changes experienced as people moved from active addition to recovery,recovery duration and its impact on the key life domains. The report also highlights some of the complexities identified in the recovery pathway in terms of gender and co-existing emotional and mental health issues. Comparisons are also made with surveys conducted in Australia and the US. The key messages from the UK Life in Recovery survey 2015 are that recovery is attainable, is sustainable and is beneficial to a range of individuals and groups. Finally, that advancing knowledge of recovery will reduce the stigma and discrimination that many in active addiction and recovery experience. It is hoped that by documenting the pathways to recovery and the benefits that recovery can infer on individuals, families and communities can be used to inform policy makers about what promotes and enables recovery, and the pathways and timings of key recovery milestones.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Drawing on the results of a survey, this report provides insights into how recovery from addition has transformed the lives of many people in the UK. It is based on the findings of 802 returned surveys. The survey captured information on five key life domains: family and relationships, finances, psychological and physical health, employment, education and training, and contact with the criminal justice system. The report provides information on the socio-demographic details of the respondents. It then discusses the findings in the following areas: pathways to recovery, outlines changes experienced as people moved from active addition to recovery, recovery duration and its impact on the key life domains. The report also highlights some of the complexities identified in the recovery pathway in terms of gender and co-existing emotional and mental health issues. Comparisons are also made with surveys conducted in Australia and the US. The key messages from the UK Life in Recovery survey 2015 are that recovery is attainable, is sustainable and is beneficial to a range of individuals and groups. Finally, that advancing knowledge of recovery will reduce the stigma and discrimination that many in active addiction and recovery experience. It is hoped that by documenting the pathways to recovery and the benefits that recovery can infer on individuals, families and communities can be used to inform policy makers about what promotes and enables recovery, and the pathways and timings of key recovery milestones.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
surveys, addiction, substance misuse, recovery, user views, therapy and treatment, quality of life, outcomes;
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe a high-profile social enterprise in Blackpool, England, called Jobs, Friends and Houses (JFH) that has created a visible social identity of recovery and meaningful activity, to assess how stigma is challenged through active and visible community engagement.
Design/methodology/approach: Case study based on in-depth individual interview and focus been central to challenging stereotypes and discriminating attitudes and suggests that a social identity approach may be central to generating and sustaining a recovery community and to confronting and reversing long-held stigmatised attitudes.
Originality/value: The paper is important as it discusses the impact of recovery through engagement in meaningful activities that challenge stigma and exclusion through work. The paper is framed in terms of a social identity model of recovery.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe a high-profile social enterprise in Blackpool, England, called Jobs, Friends and Houses (JFH) that has created a visible social identity of recovery and meaningful activity, to assess how stigma is challenged through active and visible community engagement.
Design/methodology/approach: Case study based on in-depth individual interview and focus group, supplemented by participant in-depth interviews.
Findings: The paper describes one particular incident in which a worker at JFH intervened in a violent attack, possibly saving a woman’s life. The paper describes the experiences of internalised stigma and external exclusion being challenged by the development of a positive social identity and a pro-social community role that has high visibility. Data are presented showing the strong social identity experienced by participants and recognised by external stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications: This is a pilot study which uses an opportunistic design and much stronger longitudinal designs will be needed to address the issues raised in the paper.
Social implications: The paper argues that the visibility of the pro-social identity has been central to challenging stereotypes and discriminating attitudes and suggests that a social identity approach may be central to generating and sustaining a recovery community and to confronting and reversing long-held stigmatised attitudes.
Originality/value: The paper is important as it discusses the impact of recovery through engagement in meaningful activities that challenge stigma and exclusion through work. The paper is framed in terms of a social identity model of recovery.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design and methodology of the REC-CONNECT project and to determine whether a co-produced approach to research in this area between those with lived experience, those delivering recovery support, and those investigating recovery evidence, generated greater project impact. Design/methodology/approach: A co-productive approach was taken during down barriers between theory and practice and delivered a wider community asset map, a number of hurdles emerged: buy-in of all participants; culture/competing agendas; overcoming sense of disenfranchisement of people in recovery; and resources, tools and timescales of research requirements. Research limitations/implications: This is a small study in Sheffield. As such, data are limited. However, the implications spread to other vulnerable groups in other areas are evidenced, and the principles offer sustainability and partnership that go beyond time-limited projects. Social implications: Co-production as an approach to research in the substance misuse field has a meaningful impact on the “end-user” of people in recovery through empowerment, better connected recovery pathways and evidence-to-practice-based support models. Originality/value: The project advanced the emerging principle of reciprocal asset-based community development and designed a co-produced model to create a team of professional, volunteer and peer community connectors to engage and connect new individuals to recovery with existing community assets, and who themselves emerged as a community asset through the project.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design and methodology of the REC-CONNECT project and to determine whether a co-produced approach to research in this area between those with lived experience, those delivering recovery support, and those investigating recovery evidence, generated greater project impact. Design/methodology/approach: A co-productive approach was taken during project planning, training delivery, data collection and community connecting activity. Workshop evaluations were collected at each training session that provided data on worker/peer volunteer wellbeing, workshop efficacy and organisational factors. Community connectors used REC-CAP for evaluating improvements in clients’ community engagement. Findings: Whilst co-production as a research approach broke down barriers between theory and practice and delivered a wider community asset map, a number of hurdles emerged: buy-in of all participants; culture/competing agendas; overcoming sense of disenfranchisement of people in recovery; and resources, tools and timescales of research requirements. Research limitations/implications: This is a small study in Sheffield. As such, data are limited. However, the implications spread to other vulnerable groups in other areas are evidenced, and the principles offer sustainability and partnership that go beyond time-limited projects. Social implications: Co-production as an approach to research in the substance misuse field has a meaningful impact on the “end-user” of people in recovery through empowerment, better connected recovery pathways and evidence-to-practice-based support models. Originality/value: The project advanced the emerging principle of reciprocal asset-based community development and designed a co-produced model to create a team of professional, volunteer and peer community connectors to engage and connect new individuals to recovery with existing community assets, and who themselves emerged as a community asset through the project.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
recovery, co-production, asset based approach, strengths-based approach, research design, research methods, participation, vulnerable adults, substance misuse, empowerment, peer support, social networks, communities;