Recovery capital: stakeholder's experiences and expectations for enabling sustainable recovery from substance use in the South East Region of Ireland

Background: Stakeholder's views on the role of recovery capital, including issues and barriers, that might address service provision for individuals with alcohol- and drug-related problems are important for improving outcomes. Methods: Six focus groups (n = 35) and five networking public participation events took place across five counties in the South East Region of Ireland. This was to capture the views of service providers, service users, their families and friends, and the wider community in measures to address recovery capital. Transcripts and field notes were analyzed using the recovery capital framework to generate emerging themes. Results: Re-integration into the service users' own community, access to employment, education, and accommodation, and structures to help build self-esteem were considered to be significant factors in the building of recovery capital and maintaining sobriety. Societal attitudes regarding substance use appears to be a significant barrier in building recovery capital. The shared experiences among those in recovery and service provision suggest the need for expansive education on substance use across society. Conclusion: This research highlights the need for greater integration between policy and practice. Providing an assessment of evidence-based recovery-orientated interventions is likely to improve the system.