Prevention and Recovery Support: Continuum, Harm Reduction, and Capital
Prevention and Recovery Support
This domain tests whether you can place a person correctly on the prevention-to-recovery continuum, apply harm reduction without covertly demanding abstinence, and build recovery capital rather than counting clean days.
Prevention frames
- Universal, selective, and indicated prevention target whole populations, at-risk groups, and individuals with early signs respectively; none of these is treatment.
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention map to preventing onset, early detection, and reducing harm or recurrence.
- Balance risk and protective factors; include environmental strategies such as availability, marketing, and policy, not only individual education. SBIRT is a practical bridge from screening to brief intervention and referral.
Harm reduction and overdose response
- Naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, syringe services, and medications for opioid use disorder are evidence-based and do not require abstinence as a precondition.
- Overdose response: check responsiveness, call emergency services, administer naloxone, support breathing, and place the person in a recovery position. Good Samaritan protections vary by state.
Recovery supports
- SAMHSA describes recovery through health, home, purpose, and community, grounded in hope, person-driven pathways, holistic care, peer support, relationships, culture, trauma awareness, strengths, and respect.
- Recovery capital: social, physical, human, and cultural/community resources. Assess and build it deliberately.
- Offer mutual-aid options without pressure: AA, NA, SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Women for Sobriety, Celebrate Recovery, and secular or faith-based alternatives; plus recovery housing, coaching, and family support.
Worked example
A person returns after two weeks of abstinence and one lapse, expecting discharge. Reasoning: shame is itself a relapse risk, and tolerance has dropped, raising overdose danger. Re-engage immediately, assess safety and overdose risk, map recovery capital, adjust the plan, and document re-engagement rather than discharge.
Traps that cost marks
Equating abstinence with recovery; discharging after a lapse; missing post-release tolerance loss; confusing prevention with treatment; and presenting only one mutual-aid pathway as acceptable.