Challenges and Rewards of Conducting Research on Recovery Residences for Alcohol and Drug Disorders

Polcin, Douglas L.; Mericle, Amy A.; Callahan, Sarah; Harvey, Ronald; Jason, Leonard A.

doi:10.1177/0022042615616432

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…There currently exists no comprehensive listing of recovery residences and no systematic surveillance of them (Polcin et al 2016) to determine the prevalence of recovery housing or to monitor changes in this component of the substance use continuum of care. However, there is evidence to suggest that recovery housing is more prevalent and that it is evolving (Mericle, Miles & Cacciola 2015; Mericle et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovery Housing: Evolving Models to Address Resident Needs

Mericle

Polcin

Hemberg

et al. 2017

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recovery housing is a service delivery modality that simultaneously addresses the social support and housing needs of those in recovery from substance use disorders. This paper describes a group of recovery homes in Texas (N=10) representing a lesser-studied type of recovery housing, one which explicitly bridges treatment and peer support by providing a variety of recovery support services. All residents meet with a recovery coach, undergo regular drug screening, and have access to intensive outpatient treatment—a program that was developed specifically to support the needs of residents in the homes. Unlike the Oxford HouseTM model and California sober living houses, which are primarily financed through resident fees, these homes are supported through a mix of resident fees as well as private and public insurance. While adhering to some aspects of the social model of recovery, none of these homes would meet criteria to be considered a true social model program, largely because residents have a limited role in the governance of the homes. Residences like the ones in this study are not well represented in the literature and more research is needed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovery Housing: Evolving Models to Address Resident Needs

Mericle

Polcin

Hemberg

et al. 2017

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In California, these include the Sober Living Network (SLN), which reported having 489-member houses, and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), which reported having 301-member houses . However, many houses are not part of any coalition and for a variety of reasons there is often rapid turnover of new houses that close after brief periods of operation (Polcin, Mericle, Callahan, Harvey & Jason, 2016). It should be noted that SLHs represent one type of recovery residence within a broader range of residences that vary by level of structure, staffing, licensing, professional services offerred, operations, and philosophy of recovery.…”

Section: Role Of Sober Living Housesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, there are logistical concerns that make them difficult to study. For example, houses are not licensed or certified, so finding a comprehensive listing of them is not possible (Polcin, et a., 2016). In addition, because houses utilize a peer-oriented rather than professionally based approach, many operators and house managers are skeptical of researchers and unsure how studies might benefit SLHs.…”

Section: Research On Sober Living Housesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I have more support around me to be able to change”: a qualitative exploration of probationers’ and parolees’ experiences living in sober living houses

DeGuzman

Korcha

Polcin

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Persons in the USA who are incarcerated for drug offenses are increasingly being released into the community as a way to decrease prison and jail overcrowding. One challenge is finding housing that supports compliance with probation and parole requirements, which often includes abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Sober living houses (SLHs) are alcohol- and drug-free living environments that are increasingly being used as housing options for probationers and parolees. Although a few studies have reported favorable outcomes for residents of SLHs, little is known about resident experiences or the factors that are experienced as helpful or counterproductive. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted qualitative interviews with 28 SLH residents on probation or parole to understand their experiences living in the houses, aspects of the houses that facilitated recovery, ways residence in an SLH affected compliance with probation and parole, and ways the houses addressed HIV risk, a widespread problem among this population. Interviews were audiotaped and coded for dominant themes. Findings Study participants identified housing as a critically important need after incarceration. For residents nearing the end of their stay in the SLHs, there was significant concern about where they might live after they left. Residents emphasized that shared experiences and goals, consistent enforcement of rules (especially the requirement of abstinence) and encouragement from probation and parole officers as particularly helpful. There was very little focus in HIV issues, even though risk behaviors were fairly common. For some residents, inconsistent enforcement of house rules was experienced as highly problematic. Research is needed to identify the organizational and operational procedures that enhance factors experienced as helpful. Research limitations/implications Data for this study are self-reported views and experiences. Therefore, the study may not tap into a variety of reasons for resident experiences. In addition, the data set was small (n=28) and limited to one city in the USA (Los Angeles), so generalization of results might be limited. However, SLHs represent an important housing option for criminal justice involved persons and knowledge about resident experiences can help guide organization and operation of houses and identify areas for further research. Originality/value This paper is the first to document the views and experiences of persons on probation or parole who reside in sober living recovery houses. These data can be used by SLH operators to develop houses that are responsive to factors experienced as helpful and counterproductive. The significance of this paper is evident in the trend toward decreasing incarceration in the USA of persons convicted of drug offenses and the need for alcohol- and drug-free alternative living environments.

show abstract

“…Mutual help systems can facilitate access to supportive networks in order to make frends and to promote a new lifestyle and altruism [91]. From a theoretical point of view, what is needed is low cost, but effective, ways of replacing those social networks with ones that feature individuals who do not use drugs and alcohol, and who are employed in legal activities [92]. Community network-based solutions include recovery settings where individuals can seek support with others for their addictions [93].…”

Section: Recovery Homes As a Case Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Contextual Perspectives on Heroin Addiction and Recovery: Classic and Contemporary Theories

Callahan¹,

A²

2018

Int Arch Public Health Community Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

and recovery have focused on the proximal factors immediately preceding or most directly linked to substance use behaviors, and have tended to clinical, linear, and person-centered in nature. When distal causes have been investigated, they used these broader concepts to explain drug and alcohol use more generally, rather than in application to a specific drug-using group (i.e. heroin users). Yet, when using a distal lens, the causes of individual drug use can become more difficult to establish, particularly as one considers such issues as economic inequality and stigma [10]. Further, the research on substance use and, more specifically heroin abuse, has not reduced the number of heroin users, or heroin-related deaths in the United States. Thus, it is possible that a different approach is needed, using a more contextual perspective, to delineate the functions by which individuals sustain abstinence, and multidisciplinary approaches provide researchers with the tools to consolidate contextual theoretical approaches. Theories describe, explain, and predict phenomena. Most frequently, theories are used to describe a phenomenon, and this first effort at description can then be used to explain why the phenomenon occurs, allowing for possible inferential predictions. Good theories also provide guidance about under which circumstances and conditions a given set of propositions apply [11]. In terms of the field of sociology, macro-level theories focus on society-or group-level causes and processes, and this in in contrast to micro-level theories which address individual-level processes [12]. There is a need to incorporate more of these macro-level approaches in the study of heroin addiction. As such, this article aims to assess the usefulness of three established theories in

show abstract

Challenges and Rewards of Conducting Research on Recovery Residences for Alcohol and Drug Disorders

Cited by 13 publications

References 41 publications

Recovery Housing: Evolving Models to Address Resident Needs

Recovery Housing: Evolving Models to Address Resident Needs

“I have more support around me to be able to change”: a qualitative exploration of probationers’ and parolees’ experiences living in sober living houses

Contextual Perspectives on Heroin Addiction and Recovery: Classic and Contemporary Theories

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About