Providing a Holistic Approach to Recovery

Everyone's path to recovery is different. With the advent of new Health Care Reform legislation potentially millions of individuals will have access to their own recovery paths. Many of these will be from the most vulnerable and traditionally underserved populations, for whom other health and social issues often exist. Recovery must be person-centered and holistic. The influence of social determinants of health on a patient's recovery must be considered. A Recovery-oriented System of Care (ROSC) approach acknowledges the impact of socioeconomic, biological, psychological and other factors on recovery and creates a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that is unique to each individual.

ROSC's individualized and comprehensive approach to recovery emphasizes the benefits of integrated care – a key element of new Health Care Reform legislation. Integrated care creates a seamless engagement by patients and caregivers of the full range of physical, psychological, social, preventive, and therapeutic factors known to be effective and necessary for achieving optimal health throughout the life span.

Through the effective use of an integrated, holistic approach to recovery, treatment systems can provide a more successful road to recovery for even the most at-risk populations.