Culturally responsive recovery focuses on approaches that integrate an individual’s cultural identities, values, and lived experiences rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. If we don’t take an intersectional approach to care, we risk negatively impacting someone’s recovery journey because we are not looking at the whole person. It is important that we recognize that people’s experiences with substance use and recovery are shaped by their overlapping identities.
Culturally responsive recovery also takes a long look at cultural beliefs, language barriers, and cultural stigmas that may have an influence on people’s process and engagement in care. Addiction affects people across all cultures—but how it’s understood, treated, and stigmatized varies widely.
So, how can you ensure culturally responsive care and recovery?
- Providers who practice cultural humility build stronger therapeutic alliances and reduce premature treatment dropouts.
- Broaching conversations about identity (race, gender, religion, etc.) can deepen trust and improve recovery engagement.
- Use open-ended prompts like: “Would you like to share how your background or beliefs impact your recovery journey?”
At Horizon, we believe in treating all individuals through a culturally responsive approach.
Learn more about our commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging here.