Meanings of Recovery From the Perspective of People With Dual Diagnosis

Abstract

Objective: “Creating Communities” is a research project that examines processes of recovery within small housing communities of people living with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. The authors label these configurations recovery communities. All recovery communities are owned and managed by one community mental health agency. This article reports preliminary findings on perspectives of the meaning of recovery for people living in these communities. Methods: Focus groups have been conducted at 4-month intervals with residents at recovery communities since 2005. The present analysis draws on data collected in 2009 and 2010, when the authors began systematically inquiring into meanings of recovery. Focus group transcripts were reviewed to identify prominent themes. First-person perspectives were used to provide a description of the meanings of recovery among residents in recovery communities. Results: Recovery is a multifaceted concept for individuals living with co-occurring disorders. Our preliminary analysis yielded three key dimensions of the meaning of recovery: (a) acknowledgment, (b) present orientation, and (c) transformation and growth. Conclusions: Our preliminary analysis systematically articulates core dimensions of the concept of recovery from the perspectives of consumers with dual diagnosis. It is our hope that this article will contribute to the development of an integrated vision of recovery-oriented services.

Keywords:

• recovery
• first-person perspectives
• dual diagnosis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study is funded by NIDRR RRTC Project number H133A080063.