Reimagining Recovery: Youth & Caregiver Voices on Substance Use Recovery & Healing
Key insights and recommendations from a provincial community-based project
Overview
Improving the health and well-being of youth who use drugs is an urgent public health priority for countries around the globe. In British Columbia (BC), which remains amid a toxic drug crisis, youth are at particular risk of substance use disorder and related health and social harms, including overdose. Existing substance use interventions have largely been designed for adults and may not be as effective for addressing the needs of youth. Further, recovery and healing from substance use is often inherently associated with abstinence rather than an individual’s broader needs, priorities, and desires for well-being. As such, this report provides guidance and recommendations for supporting youth as they navigate recovery, healing, and wellness in the context of past and current substance use, as well as for fostering more constructive relationships between youth, caregivers, and service providers. It outlines the findings from a literature review as well as several community engagement sessions with youth and caregivers from across BC to learn how they understand and experience recovery and healing. This report provides key recommendations for providers, caregivers, and health systems to better support youth who are “in recovery,” or who are moving toward recovery, healing, and greater wellness.
Who We Are
This report emerged from a program of community-based participatory research focused on youth substance use and health. The program, based at the BCCSU, comprises a group of academic researchers, service providers, community activists, caregivers and youth with lived experience of substance use recovery and healing. The work is shaped by the insights of the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use Youth Health Advisory Council, a group of individuals between the ages of 22 and 28 who have drawn on their lived experiences and expertise with substance use, recovery, and healing to inform this report. The report presents findings from the scoping literature review and community engagement sessions with invited youth, caregivers, and service providers. The conversations were held in Prince George, Kelowna, Victoria, and Vancouver with a total of 38 youth aged 14 to 28, along with 18 caregivers.
Who this is for
This report provides key recommendations for providers, caregivers, and health systems to better support youth who are “in recovery,” or who are moving toward recovery, healing, and greater wellness.
Key Recommendations & Findings
A collaborative and youth-centered approach is critical to recovery and wellness. Youth seek the ability to define what recovery means to them, and personalize their journey according to their own goals and timelines. Providers and caregivers are encouraged to provide support youth, particularly in reframing setbacks as learning opportunities. Expanding peer and family support services strengthens relationships and fosters a recovery environment adapted to youths’ evolving needs. Other factors such as reduced barriers in accessing treatment, stable housing, or income support are also critical for sustainable wellness. Those supporting youth navigating substance use also benefit from caregiver supports and education opportunities. Ultimately, findings suggest that youth excel when met with a compassionate system of care that empowers them to pursue recovery on their own terms.
Do not assume what recovery means to youth and be alert to shifts in definitions across time and place. For example, recovery may initially include alcohol and cannabis use and later be defined as abstinence from all substances.
Use language that motivates youth to keep moving forward with self-defined recovery and healing goals and avoid language that may lead to feelings of pressure and looming or actual failure.
Focus on strengths and supporting youth in learning what it means and how to live a fulfilling, pleasurable, and “fun” life over attempts to “fix” them. Be alert to changes in goals and timelines across time and place.
Help youth move toward more independent recovery and healing by first supporting them with navigating challenges and missteps.
Prioritize policies that approach returns to use as opportunities to learn and build skills and capacity rather than as grounds for discharge. Don’t assume returns to use are indicative of “not being ready” or wanting to pursue recovery and healing.
Implement measures to reduce barriers, ensuring youth have access to treatment at the moment they want it and as many times as they may need.
Ensure access to a continuum of safe and desirable housing and adequate income to support evolving recovery, healing, and wellness goals and timelines.
Design programs that promote caregiver involvement while recognizing and supporting youth who prefer to pursue recovery and healing independently. Be alert to changes in youth’s needs and goals regarding caregiver involvement across time and place.
This is particularly important when caregiver and youth needs, priorities, and desires are not aligned.
Develop comprehensive support programs characterized by flexible hours and outreach approaches to address the emotional, social, and material challenges and regular emergencies faced by caregivers.
Increase the availability of family liaison workers and caregiver peer supports to strengthen relationships with and between youth and caregivers.
Dedication
This report is dedicated to the young people who have lost their lives to overdose in British Columbia, including several youth who participated in our studies. We remember you, and we miss you.