Recovery homes coping with COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Recovery homes serve as community resources for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD).
• Residents in recovery homes often have comorbidities increasing COVID-19 risk, including SUD history, homelessness, and psychiatric conditions.
• Stable housing post-treatment is linked to reduced relapse risk and may be critical for those experiencing housing insecurity during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on recovery homes and their residents.
• To understand individual and organizational responses to COVID-19 within recovery home settings.
• To explore the effects of COVID-19 on recovery home membership retention and dropout rates.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on housing as a recovery support system.
• Analysis of existing empirical data regarding SUD, COVID-19, and housing.
• Exploration of potential implications for recovery resources and resident outcomes.

Main Results:

• Housing, particularly recovery homes, can function as a low-cost recovery support system for individuals with SUD.
• Recovery home residents are a high-risk population for severe COVID-19 outcomes due to multiple comorbidities.
• The specific effects of COVID-19 on recovery home membership retention and dropout rates remain unclear.

Conclusions:

• Recovery homes are vital community assets that may be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Further research is needed to understand the pandemic's effects on recovery home operations and resident well-being.
• Addressing the intersection of SUD, housing, and infectious disease is crucial for public health strategies.