Recovery capital: stakeholder’s experiences and expectations for enabling sustainable recovery from substance use in the South East Region of Ireland

ABSTRACT

Background

Stakeholder’s views on the role of recovery capital, including issues and barriers, that might address service provision for individuals with alcohol- and drug-related problems are important for improving outcomes.

Methods

Six focus groups (n = 35) and five networking public participation events took place across five counties in the South East Region of Ireland. This was to capture the views of service providers, service users, their families and friends, and the wider community in measures to address recovery capital. Transcripts and field notes were analyzed using the recovery capital framework to generate emerging themes.

Results

Re-integration into the service users’ own community, access to employment, education, and accommodation, and structures to help build self-esteem were considered to be significant factors in the building of recovery capital and maintaining sobriety. Societal attitudes regarding substance use appears to be a significant barrier in building recovery capital. The shared experiences among those in recovery and service provision suggest the need for expansive education on substance use across society.

Conclusion

This research highlights the need for greater integration between policy and practice. Providing an assessment of evidence-based recovery-orientated interventions is likely to improve the system.

KEYWORDS:

• Recovery capital
• recovery
• substance use
• addiction
• Ireland
• social capital
• drugs

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the SERDATF team and the HSE who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted this research although they may not agree with all of the interpretations/conclusions. We would also like to show our gratitude to the service users, service providers, community workers, members of the Family Support Network, the Gardaí, and those who participated in sharing their knowledge and providing an honest and open account of the many issues of substance use.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SERDATF) under funding provided by the Department of Health Drugs Policy Initiative via the Health Service Executive (HSE) Social inclusion fund for the South East Primary, Community & Continuing Care.