What Are the Different Types of Recovery Capital?
Working to recover from substance use disorder (SUD) is a challenging feat for anyone. Everyone enters treatment and recovery at a different place in their lives, with some needing more support and guidance than others. The term “recovery capital” describes the total resources available to an individual that can be used to establish sobriety and maintain recovery. Understanding the different types of recovery capital and how they can impact one's treatment and recovery journey can be helpful when addressing one's unique recovery needs.
Understanding Recovery Capital
According to Harm Reduction Journal, “Recovery capital is a strengths-based concept representing the sum of an individual’s resources that support recovery." It “refers to the quantity and quality of internal and external resources that one can bring to bear to initiate and sustain recovery from addiction.” This concept explains that the capital, or resources, that a person requires to achieve and sustain recovery depends on the severity of their SUD and the recovery resources they already have at their disposal.
The severity of one's SUD does not rely on withdrawal symptoms or increased tolerance alone. It is important to consider the presence of any co-occurring mental health disorders or symptoms. SUD and mental health disorders are co-morbid, meaning that the interactions that occur between the two disorders can worsen the overall course and prognosis of both.
It is true that nearly anyone with SUD can benefit from professional treatment and aftercare. However, regardless of the severity of an individual's SUD, if the individual has a high recovery capital, they may not require as many resources to obtain or maintain lasting sobriety.
The 4 Types of Recovery Capital
According to a publication titled "Capital": Its Role in Sustaining Recovery" by Faces & Voices of Recovery, there are four types of recovery capital. These include:
#1. Personal
This type of recovery capital is comprised of a person's unique physical resources and human attributes. A person's physical capital is the resources available to them to fulfill their basic needs, such as health, finances, shelter, nutrition, and transportation. More specific examples can include:
Having a reliable form of transportation, such as a car
Having a steady and well-paying job
Renting or owning a home
Having access to three proper meals a day
Being able to afford and have health insurance
Meanwhile, human capital addresses an individual's unique skillset, knowledge, educational background, credentials, interpersonal skills, and connection to the world around them. More specific examples include:
Ability to solve problems in the midst of chaos
Life experience
Communication skills
Sense of deeper meaning and purpose in life
Adaptive nature
Personal strength
#2. Family/Social
This type of recovery capital highlights the value of social support in healing, growth, and recovery. Family and social recovery capital relate to relational elements such as having healthy relationships with other peers in recovery, family and friends, as well as a supportive spouse or partner. Another component of this capital includes the availability of sober social events and activities.
#3. Community
This type of recovery capital highlights community attitudes, policies, and resources that are meant to help individuals recover from SUD. It is essential to consider how significantly these elements may differ when comparing different communities. While some communities have limited resources for individuals struggling with SUD and co-occurring disorders, others have a wide abundance of resources.
Examples of community recovery capital include:
Community drug policies that emphasize harm reduction
Recovery activism (working to challenge stigma and stereotypes coined from the misunderstandings of individuals with SUD)
Recovery community organizations, such as local 12-Step groups
Resources to assist individuals throughout both early and long-term recovery, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs)
Institutions and programs that support recovery, such as recovery high schools, sober living programs, and faith-based recovery support
Peer-led support groups
#4. Cultural
Cultural recovery capital includes resources that intend to maximize the opportunity for a culturally-sensitive recovery. These resources resonate with those who consider themselves to be spiritual/religious and those who prioritize their cultural beliefs. For example, there may be specific community resources for those who are Christian or Native American.
The Benefits of Recovery Capital
Every type of recovery capital has varying benefits that it can offer for an individual's recovery. Hence, different types or aspects of recovery capital can not be compared. For example, having a reliable form of transportation (personal capital) can be an advantage, as it can get an individual to and from an outpatient addiction treatment program.
However, having healthy interpersonal relationships with family and friends who are supportive of one's recovery can also be an advantage, even for those that may not have a car. In this case, family and friends (or a Recovery Associate) may be able to drive one to and from their treatment program.
When it comes to recovery capital, it often boils down to quality over quantity. A person can have many resources available to them, but if they are surface-level resources, they may not be as useful. In contrast, a person who has access to a few highly valuable resources may experience a greater advantage. One also has to consider that the benefits of recovery capital depend on how willing one is to utilize their resources.
Some specific benefits of recovery capital can include:
Reducing the risk of relapse by increasing social support resources
Determining the success of assisted recovery
Improving coping strategies by utilizing accessible resources
Enhancing quality of life throughout lifelong recovery
Recovery capital describes the total number of resources an individual has at their disposal to achieve sobriety and sustain recovery. While there are many benefits to recovery capital, Next Level Recovery Associates understands that many of these resources are not accessible to many people that seek recovery. This is why we offer a team of Recovery Associates for those who require additional assistance as they transition through various stages of recovery. You do not have to walk through recovery alone. If you or a loved one is seeking recovery from substance use disorder or other addictions, we can help. Call us today to learn more about our interventions and services at (561) 735-2590.