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Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Model designs for recovery from addiction

recovery outcomes, as well as improve the quality of life for 4. Public health and recovery: International
individuals and families in long-term recovery. experiences
According to these authors, three key elements should International consensus recognizes the need to address
be considered when assessing (RECCAP): (1) supporting addiction through a biopsychosocial perspective (Hall
screening and brief intervention programs; (2) ensuring et al., 2015). This approach emphasizes that interventions
ongoing monitoring of RECCAP levels; and (3) using should include elements such as rehabilitation (Yates,
RECCAP levels to help determine the level of care 2010) and social support (Molina Fernández et al., 2022),
decisions. In addition, there are three phases for enhancing which are effective in the long term (UNODC, 2012).
RECCAP: (1) assessing strengths and weaknesses;
(2) planning individualized care based on the person’s Coordination between health systems, especially
strengths; and (3) fostering strong, solid links between the medicine, alternative therapies, and social intervention
recovering individual and groups and organizing activities services related to addictive behavior, is another area
oriented toward recovery. that needs attention (Milkman & Wanberg, 2012). This
coordination is considered highly beneficial because it
Best (2012, as cited in MacGregor, 2012) classifies
RECCAP into several types. significantly increases the efficiency of networks and
• Personal RECCAP, including the skills and abilities services reliant on professionals who are accustomed to
regained or enhanced during recovery, especially working in multidisciplinary contexts (Molina Fernández
emotional abilities (Best, 2012). et al., 2022). An example of an addictive behaviors
• Social RECCAP, referring to the impact of recovery on treatment network is presented in Figure 1.
social reference groups, especially families and social An example of a successful health promotion initiative
networks (Granfield & Cloud, 2001). is the development of a social rehabilitation project
• Collective RECCAP, referring to the broader societal called “Recovery City” (Best, 2012). This project uses a
impact of individuals suffering from addiction on community intervention model called CHIME, which
their recovery context, especially with respect to the is based on scientific data and is designed to rehabilitate
balance of costs and benefits involved (Best, 2012). individuals with addictive behaviors. CHIME is based
Benefits include economic gains from reintegrating on the multi-country evaluated and revised recovery
individuals into the workforce and reduced costs framework (Best, 2012; Vanderplasschen et al., 2014; Best
resulting from lower demands on care, legal, criminal, et al., 2017)), which focuses on two psychosocial variables:
and health services (Best, 2012; Best & Aston, 2015). Perceived social support (Stevens et al., 2015) and the use
To calculate the cost-benefit balance, all investments of human resources and abilities. CHIME is an acronym
made during the recovery process (inputs) and the for the key components of the model:
benefits realized during and after the process (outputs)
must be considered. • Connection (social support networks and connections)
• Hope (hope and motivation)
To fully understand the concept of RECCAP it is • Identity (social and personal identity)
essential to analyze the personal circumstances and • Meaning (the significance the individual places on
specific health, social, and psychological needs of the their social support network)
person concerned (Boyle & Johnstone, 2014). For people • Empowerment (personal and social competence and
with addiction problems, this approach (EMCDDA, 2017) empowerment).
is likely to be effective. Groshkova et al. (2012) propose
the assessment of recovery capital (ARC) as a method to To achieve the model’s objectives, the following steps
evaluate recovery progress during treatment. Subsequent are emphasized:
research has identified three common elements in 1. Focusing on promoting healing rather than eliminating
international rehabilitation programs: (1) the link between the disease
reduced drug use, improved skills, and reduced criminal 2. Basing the intervention on the individual’s personal
behavior (Best et al., 2020; Best & Aston, 2015), (2) goals and desires
the importance of family ties (Best, 2012), and (3) the 3. Clarifying the individual’s role and that of others
positive role of intimacy in therapy and the influence of (supporters) in achieving these goals
peer groups (Stevens et al., 2015). Social support (Molina 4. Working with the individual’s abilities, strengths, and
Fernández et al., 2022; Stevens et al, 2015) has been shown interests
to be associated with improvements in long-term recovery 5. Emphasizing community resources over individual
maintenance (Best, 2012; Best et al., 2020; Yates, 2010). resources or projects

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 71 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3243