ORCID
Josh Thompson: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0897-7233
Abstract
Despite national media attention and significant policy investment, substance use epidemics continue to impact Central Appalachia. Inequities affecting rural communities and persistent stigma create significant barriers to well-being and recovery. Recovery, however, is more than a healthcare issue; it is a relational and community-rooted process that must involve education, policy, and care. In this article, we reframe deficit-oriented conceptions of recovery to highlight the vital role of relational care and community collaboration in promoting wellness in rural Appalachia. We offer the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) as a practical, evidence-informed strategy to foster emotional regulation, coregulation, and community resilience. We call for a shift in policy and educational practice that positions relational care as a central component of recovery, empowering rural schools to become hubs of healing and collective well-being.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Dance, J.,
&
Thompson, J.
(2025).
Recovery as Relational Care: Integrating Policy, Education, and Community Resilience in Rural Appalachia.
The Rural Educator, 46(4), 35-40.
https://doi.org/10.55533/2643-9662.1628
