Understanding Recovery Capital
I would like to start our conversation with a personal definition of Recovery Capital (RC): The process of change and transformation through Christ that encourages growth and development which improves one’s health and wellness by acquiring recovery resources that support and strengthen the journey to a new life.
Now let us explore the clinical definition: Recovery Capital (RC) is the breadth and depth of internal and external resources that can be drawn upon to initiate and sustain recovery. (Granfield & Cloud, 1999; Cloud & Granfield,) 2001.
We discover from these definitions that RC plays a major role in determining the strength and wellness of one’s journey through life. We also discover that RC is necessary to sustain human life. RC is linked to organic recovery. It is a solution-based system which focuses on a strength-based model and recovery management. RC improves the availability of resilience, protective elements, and the ideas of stability, wellness, and health.
Recovery Capital consist of the elements of need that sustain the principals of life. We are in recovery from birth, meaning as soon as we come into this world there is a need for something that supports survival. When a baby is born, we usually discover the toddler crying. Why is the baby crying? Because it needs something such as milk, food, shelter, and yes, mommy. The little child models the need for RC.
This paradigm sets the stage that reduces the stigma that normally is tied to addiction. The thought that RC is only for recovering addicts is shattered by allowing the world to understand that RC is organic and natural, something that everyone needs for survival. The resounding truth is “we all are in recovery from something.”
RC’s main goal is to be an aid to a person struggling with addiction or a similar type of suffering. Concerning Addiction, RC is positioned successfully to establish the healing process thereby promoting sobriety. Increasing essential Capital can encourage redemption that end addiction in one’s life. This redemption process motivates change talk within a person’s values and commitment that enhances their quality of life in long-term recovery.
RC that is rich in family and community resources secured in the foundation of faith can elevate and transform participants into a life of successful long-term recovery. Recovery Capital consist of the stuff we all need to survive, and every person has a different menu based on our environment and organic needs through crisis.
The Biblical perspective of recovery is not defined as a disease that can be treated with medication, but a sin issue that needs a process of transformation to a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” RC is generated from the grace of our creator that commenced with “In the Beginning God.”
Biblically speaking RC is what God has provided for survival. Let’s look at scripture that confirms this statement: “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3). Prosperity is the result of redemption leading to acquiring the absolute truth in the Lords supply of divine RC. Long-term recovery can be compared to Eternal life in Christ which is provided by the Gospel and accepted though being born again, John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Let’s take a metaphorical look at an example describing recovery capital. I like to compare RC to a business model. Let say you own a business. Does not matter what the business is, but let’s assume you have a restaurant. Now let’s focus on what this business needs in order to stay operational. Owning a business requires capital for survival. Example capital: Money, Building, Employees, Inventory, vehicles, etc. So, guess what? Take one of these elements away and the business will soon fail. In comparison we own our own Business of Recovery. We are the CEO’s of Recovery Inc. Our capital elements are Recovery Capital, which allow us to build a strong recovery business. Just like the business ownership model if we take away elements of recovery capital we will eventually fail in our recovery. This could mean returning to addiction through a relapse.
Recovery Capital provides the foundation of stability to continue building our lives. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD Christ you are serving.” Col 3:23-24. Through the fellowship of becoming and making disciples, (Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matt 28:19), we focus on a recovery plan in which the main operation is to research needs and goals in order to obtain the correct mix of RC. Precious Lives are promised to be repaired through the foundation of prescribed RC.
Recovery Capital and Sobriety
RC involves anything that one needs to continue their walk of sobriety in new life. Quality is just as important as quantity as we look for the right mix of resources in particular to the person’s needs. Each person in recovery requires a different menu of RC. For example, if you are working with two clients in recovery and one has a home and the other is homeless, the latter’s immediate need is shelter. The prior might need to direct their attention to community resources. It is imperative to know the sources of RC in order to bring the right mix to our person in need. Another important thing to note is that this is an inductive reasoning process, in which we observe the needs of the individual that create stability, balance and strength to determine the Capital that is responsible for the end conclusion yielding healthy results.
Recovery capital falls into basically four categories. Join us next month as we explore each of them in depth.
John K. Carlson
Executive Director, Transformation to Recovery