The Business Case for Building Belonging in Addiction Treatment
Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH, CEDS-C
Consultant helping treatment facilities expand into new markets, enhance patient care, and recruit exceptional talent | Addiction Medicine | TEDx on Intergenerational Trauma | Mental Health & DEIB Speaker
Sixty-four percent of individuals who increased their recovery-identity within the first month of treatment showed improved outcomes. This statistic underscores the critical importance of fostering a sense of belonging in addiction treatment facilities.
Creating a culture of belonging in addiction treatment isn't just compassionate—it's a strategic imperative driving better outcomes and stronger business performance. Recent research highlights the crucial intersection between inclusive care and treatment success.
The Imperative for Inclusive Care
Studies from SAMHSA show elevated rates of substance use disorders among marginalized populations, while a 2024 KFF research study shows BIPOC adults continue to face disproportionate discrimination in healthcare settings. This data exposes a significant gap in the treatment landscape that forward-thinking facilities can address.
A groundbreaking 2015 study identified two distinct pathways where belonging plays a crucial role in addiction and recovery:
Understanding these pathways is crucial for treatment success. Those who gained identity through substance use need help building new, positive social connections, while those who lost identities need support reconnecting with previous positive communities.
The Business Case for Belonging
The business implications are compelling. Research consistently demonstrates that patients who feel accepted and supported remain in treatment longer and achieve better recovery outcomes. In fact, studies show that after accounting for demographic factors and addiction severity, the difference between substance user and recovery identities at six months accounted for 27% of the variance in commitment to sobriety and 36% of the variance in wellbeing.
Conversely, when clients experience alienation or discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, they're more likely to exit programs early or relapse. Each premature departure represents both lost revenue and a missed opportunity to change a life.
Strategies for Building a Culture of Belonging
Treatment centers can build a culture of belonging through several key strategies outlined by NAADAC:
The Competitive Advantage
Treatment facilities prioritizing belonging and acceptance typically see improved retention rates, better outcomes, and increased referrals. In today's competitive healthcare landscape, creating an inclusive environment offers a significant competitive advantage while fulfilling the core mission of helping more people achieve lasting recovery.
When clients feel truly accepted, they're more likely to complete treatment and recommend the facility to others – creating a virtuous cycle that benefits both patient outcomes and business success. Research shows that retention is an early indicator of positive outcomes, with one study finding that 64% of participants who increased their recovery-identity ratings over the first month in treatment stayed longer and had better outcomes.
Conversely, when clients experience alienation or discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, they're more likely to exit programs early or relapse. Each premature departure represents both lost revenue and a missed opportunity to change a life.
By focusing on creating a sense of belonging, addiction treatment facilities can not only improve lives but also strengthen their business performance in an increasingly competitive healthcare landscape.