Despite decades of theorising, the causes and treatment for addiction remain a topic of debate. Whilst useful, neither the brain disease model nor the personal choice model adequately explain why an individual persists in a practice, despite knowing that it has detrimental consequences. Given this gap in understanding, it is not surprising that addiction rehabilitation programs based on these models have limited effectiveness. Additional barriers include fragmented care delivery, prevalence of polysubstance use, dual diagnosis, and specific social determinants. Recovery models that address these factors are needed, and emerging models that encourage active engagement in the community with the support of peer mentors show promising results. The Connectedness Model is a new model that incorporates the elements of connectedness, belonging, positive relationships, identity, meaning and social engagement. This model underpins a peer support therapeutic community abstinence program that is demonstrating very good results of long-term abstinence, satisfying social participation and meaningful engagement in the wider community of work and training.
Utilising the Connectedness Model, Participants are peer-supported to reconnect with family and friends they may be estranged from, build positive social relationships, become debt-free, upskill through vocational training programs, gain meaningful employment, and address any legal concerns. The peer-mentors of this particular Connectedness Model program describe feelings of contentedness, resilience, honesty, integrity, transparency, reintegration, and resocialisation amongst participants.
Addiction treatment is beneficial when abstinence is long-term, and cost burden to the State and community are reduced. Underpinned by the Connectedness Model, the peer support therapeutic community program demonstrates significant reduction of cost-burden to the State and community by addressing legal, medical, mental health, job, family and social problems. The Connectedness Model is important because it shows that long-term substance-use disorder recovery is possible. Complete abstinence is possible. There is a way forward for people to live meaningful and satisfying lives.