The social model approach to addiction recovery is often discounted by more medically oriented systems and stakeholders. Historically, champions of social model recovery are those with lived experience. Within recovery culture, we learn through story and example, so we easily embrace social model. But, anecdotes don’t explain neurological mechanisms that scientists and researchers seek. Essentially, the recovery community has lacked the language to talk about the benefits of social model recovery in a way that policymakers could hear. That is changing!
Check out the NPR interview, “12-minute listen” of Rachel Wurzman, a neuroscientist who discusses the link between social isolation and substance use disorder as well as social connection and relapse prevention or recovery. The language she uses is accessible to both the science community and the general public.
Following the same link, leads you to her TedTALK as well.
To advocate for social model, we need to develop an understanding of the approach and speak in a language that people outside of the recovery community can hear.
To learn more about Rachel’s work, go to https://seekhealing.org/