EVIDENCE BASED

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In simplest terms, researchers and clinicians refer to Recovery Capital as the total sum of resources needed for someone to start and continue their recovery from substance misuse.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) in their report to Congress:

“Longitudinal studies have repeatedly demonstrated that addictions treatment (particularly for 90 or more days) is associated with major reductions in substance use, problems and costs to society … However, post-discharge relapse and eventual re-admission are also the norm …The risk of relapse does not appear to abate until 4 to 5 years of abstinence … 

"Retrospective and prospective treatment studies report that most clients undergo 3 to 4 episodes of care before reaching a stable state of abstinence … In spite of this evidence of chronicity and multiple episodes of care, most … treatment continues to be characterized as relatively self-encapsulated, serial episodes of acute treatment with post discharge aftercare typically limited to passive referrals to self-help groups.”  

This means recovery is not a short-term solution, and it's not easy.  
It takes time and resources and talents.  It means for someone struggling to overcome substance use disorder, their best shot is to be actively engaged in a recovery program for 4 or 5 years before their risk of relapse really shrinks and resilient self-directed recovery can flourish.  

It also may take a few attempts for it to work.  
The process involves identifying both the strengths of the person and their barriers to recovery and unmet needs.  Once we identify them, we can work to eliminate or reduce barriers, provide opportunities to meet unmet needs, and operationalize their positive strengths to build upon them.  

That is the concept of Recovery Capital (REC CAP).  
REC CAP is "the breadth and depth of internal and external resources that can be drawn upon to initiate and sustain recovery from alcohol or drug problems.  (Granfield and Cloud 2004).  It  utilizes a comprehensive set of recovery assessment tools (Commitment to Recovery, Recovery Barriers, Unmet Service Needs, Recovery Group Involvement, Meaningful Activities, etc) to create a clear and accurate picture of exactly where are residents are. 

The results of the assessment generate a visual report that the program then uses, in conjunction with a trained Peer Navigator associated with the program, to develop a framework of Recovery Goals that create a finite and concrete pathway to successful, long-term recovery.  

How do we operationalize recovery capital?  We visualize the results of your assessment in a map that helps trained Navigators guide you in establishing recovery goals to achieve resiliency.  Barriers and unmet needs are mapped to concrete goals and resources to address them, and uses existing strengths that the resident brings to the table.  Progress is evaluated in Peer Recovery Support Specialist-led navigation sessions either bi-weekly, monthly or quarterly.  During these meetings we help match your needs with community resources.  This could mean addressing co-occurring mental health conditions, working to resolve criminal justice issues, getting your drivers license, or working towards reunification with family and children.  Between those meetings you have on-site peer recovery support as you work toward those concrete goals, and eventually, sustained resilient recovery!   

It doesn't end there.  We are committed to relationship with our residents and when you complete our program you become part of a family of peers in recovery.    

Seed Sower is part of a growing collaboration of businesses and organizations working together toward the shared goal of community healing from the chains of substance use disorder. 

We promote the development of recovery ecosystems that integrate multiple partners in regional recovery networks that employ a holistic approach to both individual and community recovery efforts.  When these essential, multi-faceted services work in tandem, outcomes improve.

We actively engage to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder, and believe that seeing the humanity and heart in our neighbors who struggle with substance use/misuse is the key to coming alongside them as they recover.  This is Recovering Together.  

We are here to serve the public as an innovative driver of social and entrepreneurial change in Appalachia and beyond by addressing head-on the need for comprehensive substance use disorder treatment services. 

Recovery happens in community.  So does Seed Sower.  Together we can bring about real change in the West Virginia recovery landscape.