A significant part of the work I do as a Addiction Recovery Counsellor, is support clients in identifying and implementing what is referred to as Recovery Capital.
Recovery Capital is the depth and breadth of internal and external resources
that can be used by someone to begin and sustain wellness from addiction. (Granfield & Cloud, 1999)
During Recovery Counselling session(s) we take the time to map out an individual's personal internal and external resources that will support them in their recovery and wellness journey. This capital is unique to an individual, and therefore, we collaborate and collect knowledge in each session as we identify these personal determinants. These are not my predetermined "go-to's" or what I may assume as "best for you" rather it is a process of empowering my clients to discover their own existing and inbuilt uniqueness that has been hidden in the pain of addiction.
I am a firm believer, from my own lived experience with addiction, that there are multiple pathways to recovery. Anyone who is looking to move from a culture of addiction to a sustainable long term culture of recovery will require a diverse range of resources. These empowering resources can be found in 5 key areas; Emotional, Social, Mental, Physical and Spiritual. When an individual chooses Recovery Counselling, together, we explore activities and practices in each of these 5 areas. Over the course of our sessions, clients build up a set of resources that are supportive of their holistic wellness.
As a Recovery Counsellor, I am responsible for ensuring the Recovery Capital that is being discovered and implemented is specific and achievable, as well as supportive of my clients recovery goals.
How do I do this?
As a Recovery Counsellor I act as a progress partner in helping individuals, families, organisations and communities identify how to develop and capitalise on their unique set of resources.
It is also important for me as a Counsellor to support clients to identify their Recovery Liabilities which are the areas of clients' lives that may be detrimental to their continued recovery. As and when these potential obstacle are identified, we find the space and wisdom to explore them with the goal of looking for the solutions of how to deal with these triggering people or situations. I have experienced that in exploring a way through the negatives, there is the potential for growth, emotional development and empowerment. I have to say, that not all problems can be overcome or managed in the short term, however, without awareness there is not option available.
If you are curious as to where you are at with your own Recovery Capital, take the time to complete the following exercise.
In each of the 5 areas Emotional, Mental, Physical, Spiritual and Social make a list of the Recovery Capital that you believe is important to you.
In each of these categories note the Recovery Capital that you already Have and the Recovery Capital that you Need
Rate the Recovery Capital in each of the these Categories 0= Not well-developed or Not available to me at this point. 10= Very well-developed and a source of great strength.
Having Identified the high and low ratings, What can I do to increase my Recovery Capital?
What areas of Recovery Capital do I need to focus on?
Where are my strongest areas related to my Recovery Capital?
This capital, which we collectively refer to as recovery capital, represents critical elements that an individual possesses or that exist within his or her immediate surroundings and that function to promote and sustain a recovery experience.”
To explore more about Recovery Capital, book a 20 minute Free & Confidential Discovery Call.
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