Part I: Dynamics of Recovery: A Meta-Synthesis Exploring the Nature of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery

Abstract

Recovery-oriented care has become a leading vision across countries. To develop services and communities in more recovery-oriented directions, enhanced understandings of recovery in terms of personal and social contexts are important prerequisites. The aim of this study is to explore the nature and characteristics of the experiences of recovery. The method used is a form of qualitative meta-synthesis that integrates the findings from multiple qualitative studies published by one research group. Twenty-eight empirical papers with a focus on recovery as personal and contextual experiences were included in this meta-synthesis. Five meta-themes were developed: (a) being normal, (b) respecting and accepting oneself, (c) being in control, (d) recovery as intentional, and (e) recovery as material and social. The themes describe how recovery encompasses dynamics between personal experiences and contextual dimensions. This meta-synthesis consolidated an understanding of recovery as dynamics of the self and others, and as dynamics of the self and material resources. This understanding of recovery suggests the need to work not only with the person, but also with families, networks, social systems, and local communities, thus developing mental health and substance abuse services in more collaborative, open-ended, and context-sensitive directions.

Part III: Recovery-Oriented Practices in Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: A Meta-Synthesis

“…The method applied in this paper is a form of qualitative meta-synthesis, and the procedures described in the following are equal to the chosen method in the Part I and Part II papers [ 1 , 2 ]. ‘Qualitative meta-synthesis’ as a method refers to a variety of approaches and is often used in systematic review studies.…”

“…Therefore, three meta-syntheses were performed using these data. Of the set of 74 papers judged to be appropriate for inclusion in the three meta-syntheses planned, there were 28 papers in the areas of recovery as personal and/or contextual experiences and as processual, of which two papers of meta-syntheses were published [ 1 , 2 ], and 46 papers in the area of recovery-oriented services and practices. For the current meta-synthesis, we reviewed these 46 papers carefully and only retained 28 papers for the meta-synthesis.…”

“…The studies draw on subjective experiences of living and dealing with mental health and substance abuse problems, and experiences of family members and professionals. Paper 1 and Paper 2 presented the results of meta-syntheses regarding experiences of recovery and processes of recovery [ 1 , 2 ]. While Paper I and Paper 2 focused on exploring the nature and characteristics of experiences and processes of recovery, the meta-synthesis presented in this paper (Paper 3) focuses on exploring recovery-oriented practices in community mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) services.…”

Recovery Capital among Migrants and Ethnic Minorities in Recovery from Problem Substance Use: An Analysis of Lived Experiences

“…The new recovery paradigm [ 10 ], which increasingly dominates substance use treatment and policy across the globe, defines recovery as a dynamic, personal, and multidimensional process of change, characterized by increased wellbeing on multiple life domains [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. It represents a shift from a clinical and abstinence-based view on addiction recovery to a strengths-based and person-centered view that looks beyond substance use [ 14 , 15 ]. This is also the case in Flanders (the Northern part of Belgium), where the recovery movement has gained momentum due to a recent policy shift toward more community-based mental health care and the integration of substance use and other mental health services [ 16 ].…”

“…Due to the dynamic interplay between individual conditions, social relationships, and environmental and structural factors [ 15 , 19 , 20 ], recovery capital is believed to be unequally distributed within society. This especially affects MEM populations, among whom socio-economic and health disparities are highly prevalent [ 8 , 21 ].…”