What Gets Measured, Gets Managed: Guidance for Recovery Measurement in Addiction Recovery Science

Recovery has gained prominence as an organizing paradigm in the field of substance use. In response, the field of addiction recovery science has emerged to advance science and improve the effectiveness of treatment and recovery support services. As with other broad concepts in science-such as health or well-being-the measures and metrics used to assess recovery are varied and abundant. This article leverages the expertise of an addiction recovery science measures and metrics working group representing a range of academic and experiential expertise to provide guidance for recovery researchers seeking to make more intentional measurement choices. The paper situates recovery measurement within its historical and conceptual context (e.g., abstinence, recovery capital) and highlights areas where additional measurement development or application may be needed (e.g., relationship and family functioning, sense of purpose, community). In doing so, the paper encourages more intentional, ecologically informed approaches to recovery measurement that better align study aims and clinical practice with the multidimensional nature of recovery. Rather than prescribing a comprehensive framework, the paper is intended to assist recovery researchers in navigating existing and emerging measurement approaches as addiction recovery science continues to evolve.