Hennessy, E. A., Cristello, J. V, & Kelly, J. F. (2019). RCAM: A proposed model of recovery capital for adolescents. Addiction Research & Theory, 27(5), 429-436. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16066359.2018.1540694
Problematic substance use is a challenge worldwide among adolescents. The recovery process requires holistic support addressing multiple and intersecting substance use risk factors; yet, there remains a lack of evidence on how to best understand and support adolescents in recovery. Recovery capital (RC) is a model that can be used to identify areas of assets that could be enhanced and barriers to address in one’s recovery process; however, this construct was generated through a study of adults who achieved natural recovery, and it has since been used to frame adult recovery-related literature across the world. The primary aim of this article is to outline the rationale for and present a Recovery Capital for Adolescents Model (RCAM). The article discusses the original recovery capital model; describes adolescent development, substance use, and recovery; and details proposed developmental adaptations. Future qualitative and quantitative research should explore the RCAM to assess whether the proposed dimensions are complete, as well as to assess its utility in clinical settings for identifying strengths and barriers for adolescents in or seeking recovery.
Hennessy, E. A., Glaude, M. W., & Finch, A. J. (2017). ‘Pickle or a cucumber?’ Administrator and practitioner views of successful adolescent recovery. Addiction Research & Theory, 25(3), 208–215. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16066359.2016.1242723?scroll=top&needAccess=true
Adolescent substance use disorders often involve a recurring cycle of treatment and relapse. The academic and practical definition of addition recovery for adults has been debated; yet, elements determining a successful adolescent recovery, aside from abstinence, have not been delineated. Thus, the authors sought to explore how practitioners and administrators define “success” in recovery and how they foster youth progress toward success. A key finding of this study, which has not been addressed in existing qualitative studies of youth recovery, is that the understanding of recovery was diverse and multidimensional and provided a view of success beyond sobriety, highlighting the various facets from which practitioners must operate and address recovery. This demonstrates the need for researchers to carefully conceptualize how they operationalize adolescent recovery.
Walsh, C. (2017). Revising the language of addiction. The Harvard Gazette. Retrieved from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/08/revising-the-language-of-addiction/
As the founder and director of MGH’s Recovery Research Institute, Harvard Medical School addiction expert John Kelly helped created a web tool called the Addiction-ary, a glossary of addiction-related terms including several words that come with a bold “stigma alert” warning. “If we want addiction destigmatized, we need a language that’s unified and really accurately portrays the true nature of what we’ve learned about these conditions over the last 25 years,” said Kelly. “This goes beyond political correctness,” he added. “It’s not just a matter of being nice. What we now know is that actual exposure to these specific terms induces this implicit cognitive bias. If you really want to solve the problem, you want to remove any barriers and obstacles.”
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (USHHS). (2016, Nov.). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, Executive Summary – Chapter 5: Recovery – The Many Paths to Wellness. Washington, DC. Retrieved from https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/sites/default/files/chapter-5-recovery.pdf
On October 4, 2015, tens of thousands of people attended the UNITE to Face Addiction rally in Washington, DC. The event was one of many signs that a new movement is emerging in America: People in recovery, their family members, and other supporters are banding together to decrease the discrimination associated with substance use disorders and spread the message that people do recover. Recovery advocates have created a once unimagined vocal and visible recovery presence, as living proof that long-term recovery exists in the millions of individuals who have attained degrees of health and wellness, are leading productive lives, and making valuable contributions to society. Despite the growing popularity and importance of “recovery” as a concept, many people wonder what the term really means and why it matters. This chapter answers these questions by first defining the concept of recovery from substance use disorders and then reviewing the research on the methods and procedures used by mutual aid groups and recovery support services to foster and sustain recovery.