Recovery Capital
What is recovery capital?
The personal and social resources that help manage addiction and support recovery.
What does health literacy mean?
The ability to find, understand and use health information to make informed decisions.
What is the main goal of health promotion?
To help people gain greater control over and improve their health.
What medication can reverse an opioid overdose?
Naloxone (a.k.a. Narcan)
What is one important nursing responsibility in addition recovery education?
Provide clear, respectful, nonjudgmental patient education.
Name two of the four types of recovery capital
Social, physical, human, or cultural capital
What does OAT stand for?
Opiod agonist treatment.
Name one health promotion activity that supports addiction recovery?
Overdose prevention, peer support, coping strategies, safer substance use, or wellness activities.
What emergency number should someone call for a suspected overdose in British Columbia?
911
A patient recovering from opioid use disorder tells the nurse they are experiencing strong cravings and are worried about relapsing. What is one of the nurses priority interventions?
Assess the patient's immediate safety and risk of relapse, provide nonjudgmental emotional support, and collaborate with the patient to develop a relapse-prevention plan that includes coping strategies and available support resources.
What type of recovery capital includes family, friends and support networks?
Social capital.
What teaching method asks a patient to explain information they have learned about overdose/recovery back in their own words?
Teach-back
Why should a nurse help a patient identify their substance-use triggers?
So they can recognize high risk situations and use coping strategies.
Name two possible signs of an opioid overdose.
Unresponsiveness, slow or absent breathing, blue or grey lips, or unusual snoring/gurgling.
A patient recovering from substance use disorder tells the nurse they feel ashamed about their addiction and are afraid of being judged. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
Use therapeutic communication, demonstrate empathy, avoid judgment, and provide a safe, supportive environment that encourages trust and safety.
A person in recovery now has stable housing, employment, and transportation. What type of recovery capital do these represent?
Physical capital
A patient doesn't know what to do after missing an OAT dose. What should the nurse teach them?
Contact their pharmacist or prescriber for instructions rather than guessing or doubling the dose.
A patient has cravings after stressful shifts. Name two healthier coping responses.
Contact a trusted support person, practice relaxation, use a planned activity, or seek professional support.
Why can returning to a previous opioid dose after a period of reduced use be dangerous?
To respect the patient's autonomy, privacy and right to choose who participates in their care.
A family member supports someone's recovery, while education improves their confidence and knowledge. Which two types of recovery capital are being strengthened?
Social capital and human capital.
Why is teach-back especially useful when educating someone who struggles with medical terminology? (Especially with someone who may not have full mental capacity due to their addiction)
It checks understanding, identifies misunderstandings, and allows the nurse to clarify information.
How can nurses strengthen a patient's social recovery capital through health promotion?
Connect them with peer/community supports and, with consent, involve trusted people in their recovery plan.
A persons is found unresponsive and breathing abnormal after opioid use. What are the immediate priorities?
Call 911, administer naloxone promptly, provide CPR or rescue breathing as directed, and follow emergency instructions until help arrives.
A patient has treatment confusion, cravings after work and no naloxone kit. What is the priority nursing concern and why?
Risk of overdose, because it is immediately life-threatening. Education and a safety plan should be put in place and followed.