The idea of social capital, defined as the benefits an individual gains by accessing resources they otherwise wouldn’t have access to via their social network, has extended into the realm of recovery research with a new concept: recovery capital.
The idea of social capital, defined as the benefits an individual gains by accessing resources they otherwise wouldn’t have access to via their social network, has extended into the realm of recovery research with a new concept: recovery capital.
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This term refers to the sum of these gained resources that can help an individual to begin and uphold the recovery process.
Neale and Stevenson studied the nature of social networks and relationships among homeless people with SUD living in homeless hostels in the United Kingdom. Homeless hostels are short-term accommodations for homeless individuals that vary in size and structure but are characterized by shared spaces, lack of privacy, and supervision.
For this study, the authors conducted qualitative interviews with 10 residents from three hostels for a total of 30 participants. The interview was repeated 4-6 weeks later to evaluate changes in social networks over time. Of the 30 interviewed participants, 8 were lost to follow-up and not re-interviewed.
Ages of participants ranged from 21 to 54 with an average age of 38. Twenty four (80%) reported mental health issues. The length of homelessness ranged from a few days to 20 years. Social network size ranged from 3 to 13 people (not counting those referred to as “enemies”) with an average of 8 people. The table below describes substance use of participants.
From the interviews, the authors defined the following core relationships that were most central to participants’ lives:
Social and recovery capital are important sources of practical and emotional support for homeless individuals with substance use disorder.
This study described how relationships and social networks can either enhance or undermine recovery capital in this population.
The homeless hostel environment itself impacted recovery capital as shared space and lack of privacy made it difficult for those in recovery to avoid people using substances. The study also revealed the transience of these social networks as many participants noted big changes in relationships after only 4-6 weeks.
Gender differences in social networks warrant future study as women tended to have more contact with family members and larger social networks than men.
This qualitative study provided valuable information about the nature of recovery capital and social networks of homeless people, but it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions or generalize these concepts to other homeless substance-using populations.
Future studies should use this information to evaluate whether and how social networks among homeless individuals influence overall recovery capital as well as substance use outcomes such as treatment initiation and abstinence.
Neale, J., & Stevenson, C. (2015). Social and recovery capital amongst homeless hostel residents who use drugs and alcohol. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(5), 475-483.
l
This term refers to the sum of these gained resources that can help an individual to begin and uphold the recovery process.
Neale and Stevenson studied the nature of social networks and relationships among homeless people with SUD living in homeless hostels in the United Kingdom. Homeless hostels are short-term accommodations for homeless individuals that vary in size and structure but are characterized by shared spaces, lack of privacy, and supervision.
For this study, the authors conducted qualitative interviews with 10 residents from three hostels for a total of 30 participants. The interview was repeated 4-6 weeks later to evaluate changes in social networks over time. Of the 30 interviewed participants, 8 were lost to follow-up and not re-interviewed.
Ages of participants ranged from 21 to 54 with an average age of 38. Twenty four (80%) reported mental health issues. The length of homelessness ranged from a few days to 20 years. Social network size ranged from 3 to 13 people (not counting those referred to as “enemies”) with an average of 8 people. The table below describes substance use of participants.
From the interviews, the authors defined the following core relationships that were most central to participants’ lives:
Social and recovery capital are important sources of practical and emotional support for homeless individuals with substance use disorder.
This study described how relationships and social networks can either enhance or undermine recovery capital in this population.
The homeless hostel environment itself impacted recovery capital as shared space and lack of privacy made it difficult for those in recovery to avoid people using substances. The study also revealed the transience of these social networks as many participants noted big changes in relationships after only 4-6 weeks.
Gender differences in social networks warrant future study as women tended to have more contact with family members and larger social networks than men.
This qualitative study provided valuable information about the nature of recovery capital and social networks of homeless people, but it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions or generalize these concepts to other homeless substance-using populations.
Future studies should use this information to evaluate whether and how social networks among homeless individuals influence overall recovery capital as well as substance use outcomes such as treatment initiation and abstinence.
Neale, J., & Stevenson, C. (2015). Social and recovery capital amongst homeless hostel residents who use drugs and alcohol. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(5), 475-483.
l
This term refers to the sum of these gained resources that can help an individual to begin and uphold the recovery process.
Neale and Stevenson studied the nature of social networks and relationships among homeless people with SUD living in homeless hostels in the United Kingdom. Homeless hostels are short-term accommodations for homeless individuals that vary in size and structure but are characterized by shared spaces, lack of privacy, and supervision.
For this study, the authors conducted qualitative interviews with 10 residents from three hostels for a total of 30 participants. The interview was repeated 4-6 weeks later to evaluate changes in social networks over time. Of the 30 interviewed participants, 8 were lost to follow-up and not re-interviewed.
Ages of participants ranged from 21 to 54 with an average age of 38. Twenty four (80%) reported mental health issues. The length of homelessness ranged from a few days to 20 years. Social network size ranged from 3 to 13 people (not counting those referred to as “enemies”) with an average of 8 people. The table below describes substance use of participants.
From the interviews, the authors defined the following core relationships that were most central to participants’ lives:
Social and recovery capital are important sources of practical and emotional support for homeless individuals with substance use disorder.
This study described how relationships and social networks can either enhance or undermine recovery capital in this population.
The homeless hostel environment itself impacted recovery capital as shared space and lack of privacy made it difficult for those in recovery to avoid people using substances. The study also revealed the transience of these social networks as many participants noted big changes in relationships after only 4-6 weeks.
Gender differences in social networks warrant future study as women tended to have more contact with family members and larger social networks than men.
This qualitative study provided valuable information about the nature of recovery capital and social networks of homeless people, but it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions or generalize these concepts to other homeless substance-using populations.
Future studies should use this information to evaluate whether and how social networks among homeless individuals influence overall recovery capital as well as substance use outcomes such as treatment initiation and abstinence.
Neale, J., & Stevenson, C. (2015). Social and recovery capital amongst homeless hostel residents who use drugs and alcohol. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(5), 475-483.