The HERMESS model for addictive behaviors recovery

Abstract

Abstract Background: Addictive behaviors treatment networks are composed of harm-reduction services and recovery-oriented programs. Recovery is a perspective in addictive behavior intervention based on the empowerment, competencies, and life skills of a person with addictive behaviors. Recovery-oriented programs have advanced from traditional therapeutic communities to actual integral services, which are integrated in social and health networks and developed by multidisciplinary professional staff. This evolution has not been systematic until XXIst century, with the beginning of “Science of Recovery”. Objective: to analyse the development of recovery programs, especially the theoretical models and good practices actually in development into European programs and to present the HERMESS Recovery model. Methods: This study draws on qualitative research methodology (with a complementary part of statistics), using an action research approach. It was included in the project “HOME/2014/JDRU/AG/DRUG/7092-Triple R: Rehabilitation for Recovery and Reinsertion”. Into the project, they have been analysed theoretical models and good practices about recovery. Results: As main result of the Triple R project, it was developed an intervention model based on peer learning and socioemotional development called the “Triple R HERMESS” model on rehabilitation and recovery. Conclusions: the “Science of Recovery” is advancing to validated, replicable and measurable models and programs. Recovery-oriented programs must be integrated and connected with harm reduction networks, social services, health systems, and employment services; recovery is based on empowerment and peer social support, so it´s necessary to develop structured programs for these topics; it´s also necessary to create specific actions for several collectives, as develop evaluation systems to validate efficiency and adequacy of recovery- oriented programs. As a main conclusion, the HERMESS recovery model was developed to be a reference for new recovery-oriented programs. Keywords: Addictive behaviors, Recovery, Good practices, Transference, Treatment network.