Recovery Capital

According to research by William White and William Cloud in “Coming Clean: Overcoming Addiction Without Treatment,” personal recovery capital pertains to factors directly impacting the individual. These can be divided into physical and human capital[5]. Physical recovery capital includes one’s physical health, finances, health insurance and healthcare, shelter, clothing, food, and transportation. Human recovery capital pertains to one’s values and beliefs, education, vocational skills, and credentials. Also included are a person’s coping skills, self-esteem, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, resilience, communication efficacy, self-awareness, and sense of meaning.

Family and social recovery capital have to do with one’s family, friends, intimate relationships, and other social relationships within their social network. It is determined by the willingness of loved ones to contribute to social support for one’s treatment services and long-term recovery. Other indications include the presence of others in recovery, sobriety-based leisure activities, and involvement with institutions like schools, workplaces, and churches].

Encompassing community recovery capital and cultural recovery capital are societal attitudes, government policies, and community resources related to addiction and rehabilitation that help prevent relapse. Community-based capital and systems of care may look like efforts to reduce harmful stigmas around drug use and alcohol use, opportunities for suitable careers, and sustained recovery support.

Cultural capital concerns the availability of culturally specific recovery support options such as program specific to one’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc.