Promoting Recovery
The Challenge
It is estimated that about 1 in ten adults are in remission from a substance use disorder. This would amount to approximately 25 million US adults. Their experience is not being harnessed for policy change.
- More than 50 percent of treated adults achieve sustained remission, defined as remission that lasted for at least 1 year.
- Sustained recovery lasting a year or longer can take several years and multiple episodes of treatment, recovery support, and/or mutual aid services to achieve. By some estimates, it can take as long as 8 or 9 years after a person first seeks formal help to achieve sustained recovery.
- Having a mental health problem was highly prevalent among adults reporting a substance use problem.
- There are many paths to recovery, and “medication versus drug free” recovery is a false dichotomy.
75 of adults who report having a substance use problem report being in recovery.
What We Need
A revitalized recovery community oriented drug policy
Focusing drug policy on recovery is key to reducing drug use and initiation. We will support policies to this end.
Beyond Naloxone
There is a need to scale up life saving medication like naloxone, but we have to do more. Focusing solely on narrow interventions will never make a dent in our national drug problem.
Key Legislation – Federal
- CARA 3.0 – Authorizes $765 million in dedicated resources to evidence-based programs.
- FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADDICTION ACT – Establishes a grant program for nonprofit family community organizations that provide support for families.
- HONORING RECOVERY MONTH ACT – Authorizes $1 million annually for SAMHSA to convene Recovery Month. If SAMHSA declines, they may enter into an agreement with a national organization to use those funds for Recovery Month activities.
- On October 24, 2018 the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities was signed into law by President Trump. Subtitle D, Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living (SEC. 7031), of this law mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with other specified individual stakeholders and entities, shall identify or facilitate the development of best practices for operating recovery housing.
Additional Recovery Resources
Including special adaptations for justice involved persons. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/rosc_resource_guide_book.pdf
- Substance Use Disorders Recovery with a Focus on Employment https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/substance-use-disorders-recovery-focus-employment
- Recovery Housing – Best Practices and Suggested Guidelines https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/recovery-housing-best-practices-suggested-guidelines
- What are peer recovery support services https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/what-are-peer-recovery-support-services
- Managing Depressive Symptoms Early in Recovery https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/tip-48-managing-depressive-symptoms-substance-abuse-clients-during-early-recovery
- Decisions in Recovery – treatment for OUD https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/decisions-recovery-treatment-opioid-use-disorders
- TIP 54: Managing Chronic Pain in Adults With or in Recovery From Substance Use Disorders https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/tip-54-managing-chronic-pain-adults-or-recovery-substance-use-disorders
- FDA Clears Mobile Medical App to Help Those with Opioid Use Disorder Stay in Recovery Programs, December 10, 2018 https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-clears-mobile-medical-app-help-those-opioid-use-disorder-stay-recovery-programs
- The reSET-O app is a prescription cognitive behavioral therapy intended to be used in addition to outpatient treatment under the care of a health care professional, in conjunction with treatment that includes buprenorphine and contingency management.