Understanding challenges for recovery homes during COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Group living environments, such as recovery homes for individuals with alcohol and drug disorders, are high-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission.
• Effective mitigation strategies are essential to protect vulnerable populations in these settings.
• The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) adapted CDC guidelines for recovery homes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the factors influencing COVID-19 mitigation adherence in U.S. recovery homes.
• To explore the challenges faced by recovery homes in balancing public health mandates with their social model of recovery.
• To identify research questions for provider-researcher collaborations to support recovery homes during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of COVID-19 mitigation strategies in recovery homes.
• Examination of the impact of state licensing and oversight on adherence to mitigation protocols.
• Exploration of the inherent conflicts between social distancing measures and the social model of recovery.

Main Results:

• Recovery homes face challenges in consistently implementing mitigation due to varying levels of state licensing and oversight.
• The social model of recovery, emphasizing community and connection, often conflicts with public health measures like social distancing.
• Recovery homes have adapted their practices to navigate these competing demands, demonstrating resilience.

Conclusions:

• Provider-researcher coalitions are needed to address the unique challenges of implementing public health measures in recovery settings.
• Future research should focus on effective strategies for maintaining recovery support while adhering to mitigation guidelines.
• Recovery homes possess a history of resilience and adaptability, offering valuable insights for navigating future public health crises.