Wellness tips for substance use and mental health recovery in new guide

People with substance use and mental health disorders, the concept of wellness isn't a typical part of recovery.

Margaret Swarbrick, professor and associate director of the Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, is working to change that. Her latest contribution, “Journey to Wellness,” is an easy-to-use 20-page guide co-created with people in recovery.

“Typically, people with mental health and substance use challenges are not involved in creating the interventions and tools that can support their recovery,” Swarbrick said. “Journey to Wellness was developed in response to this identified need.”

Many recovery programs are built around steps: Do this first for a prescribed amount of time, then proceed. Swarbrick said she wanted to make something that was more relatable and individual.

“A lot of what’s available to people in recovery is just so boring - impractical advice written by people with no lived experience,” she said. “That’s what makes Journey to Wellness so powerful.”

The guide was developed based on the lived experience of what people said had helped them to pursue and maintain recovery. The guide is organized into four sections and prioritizes taking positive action. For example, human connections are crucial to recovery; the guide’s first tip is to connect with at least one person every day who supports your wellness.