Recovery as Relational Care: Integrating Policy, Education, and Community Resilience in Rural Appalachia

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.