Beneficial Characteristics of Social Networks

Once you embrace the power of social networks on recovery and wellness, you may wonder what characteristics have this greatest impact? With regards to social model recovery settings, most research has been done on Oxford House. The finds point to several beneficial characteristics:

Size of networks – The size of an individual’s social network is predictive of their abstinence, even 24 months after moving out.
Length of engagement – Residents who stayed in an Oxford House for six months had better and sustained outcomes, including abstinence, employment rates, and monthly income.
Timing – “Newcomers,” especially in the 12 months, may need or benefit from having a more robust social network compared to “Ole timers.”

How can a social model program promote these beneficial social network characteristics?

	1. Opposite of Addiction is Connection
	2. Social Determinants of Health
	2.1. SDOH vs. Medical Model
	2.2. Healthy People 2030: SDOH
	3. Social Model Ecosystems
	3.1. Ecosystem Stability
	3.2. Social-Community Model
	4. Sense of Community
	4.1. Perceived Sense of Community Scale
	4.2. Brief Sense of Community Scale
	5. Social Networks
	5.1. Abstinence-Specific Social Support
	5.2. Multiple Group Membership
	5.3. Multiple Dimensional Networks
	5.4. Personal vs "Whole" Networks
	5.5. Beneficial Characteristics of Social Networks
	5.6. Health Benefits of Social Networks
	6. Social vs Clinical Model
	6.1. Environment
	6.2. Staff
	6.3. Authority
	6.4. Recovery Orientation
	6.5. Governance
	6.6. Community Orientation
	7. Quiz: Social Model

Beneficial Characteristics of Social Networks

Course Syllabus