Key Components of Oakley Recovery

A school-wide holistic approach to building Recovery Capital

Recovery Capital is the breadth and depth of internal and external resources that can be drawn upon to initiate and sustain recovery from severe alcohol or drug problems (Granfield & Cloud, 1999; Cloud & Granfield, 2004a).

The three types of Recovery Capital that can be influenced by addiction professionals are:

• Personal Recovery Capital
• Family/Social Recovery Capital
• Community Recovery Capital (Cultural Capital)

Hope: instilling optimism for a rewarding future.

Secure Base: a healthy diet, shelter, comfort, safety.

Supervision: Objective input and observations from trained professionals.

Structure: Adolescents, as well as adults, are more likely to thrive when clear rules and boundaries exist.

Education: knowledge as well as critical thinking skills.

Sense of Self: accomplishments, success, growth and self improvement.

Consistency: in rules and expectations from day to day, stability.

Healthy Sleep Schedule: adequate amounts of sleep, bedtime and wake up routine.

Recreation and Fun: adventure, sportsmanship and leisure.

Supportive Relationships: family, counselors, friends, teachers and mentors.

Empowerment and Inclusion: being a part of a community, feeling accepted.

Exercise: for health, and for fun.

Coping Skills: practicing various techniques for managing difficult feelings, and getting past cravings.

Challenge: Intellectual, emotional and physical.

Meaning: exploring non-material concepts such as purpose, love, and spirituality. Setting goals and creating a personal story or a narrative.

Relapse Prevention Planning: Mapping out a support system, and a plan of action, customized to each individual’s discharge environment. This planning goes beyond behavioral contracting. Students identify underlying emotional currents that can lead to relapse, in order to correct their thinking, and behavior, before a relapse occurs.