“A major focus of a ROSC is to create the physical, psychological, and social space within local communities in which recovery can flourish. The ultimate goal is not to create larger treatment organizations, but to expand each community’s natural recovery support resources.”

-William L. White, MA and Mark Sanders, LCSW

Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) are networks of formal and informal services developed and mobilized to sustain long-term recovery for individuals and families impacted by alcohol and other drug problems. The system in ROSC is not a treatment agency but a macro level organization of a community, state or a nation.

The guiding philosophy of a ROSC is a “recovery management” approach, rather than the traditional acute care model. The principles and values of a recovery management approach include:

1. An emphasis on resilience and recovery (as opposed to pathology and disease);
2. Recognition of the multiple long-term pathways and styles of recovery;
3. Empowerment of individuals and families in recovery to direct their own healing;
4. Development of highly individualized and culturally nuanced services;
5. Heightened collaboration with diverse communities of recovery; and
6. Commitment to best practices as defined in the evidence-based literature and through the collective experience of people in recovery.

Research shows that recovery management approaches to alcohol and other drug problems deliver better results and are more cost-effective:

• Studies have found that chronic care approaches, including self-management, family support, and integrated services improve recovery outcomes.
• Long-term recovery outcomes are shown to be enhanced by individual choice and commitment.
• Studies support the benefit of recovery coaches, mutual aid societies, and social and community supports in achieving long-term recovery.
• Integrated and collaborative care has been shown to optimize recovery outcomes and improve cost-effectiveness.