BARC-10

What is the BARC-10 (Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital)?

The Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital (BARC-10) is a self-report questionnaire designed to evaluate a person's resources and strengths, also known as "recovery capital," that can support their recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). Recovery capital refers to the collection of internal and external resources that individuals can draw upon to initiate and maintain recovery from addiction.

The questionnaire includes ten items that cover different dimensions of recovery capital, such as social support, coping skills, motivation, and mental and physical health. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating "Strongly Disagree" and 6 indicating "Strongly Agree". Higher scores indicate greater recovery capital.

The questions on the BARC-10 assessment are:

1. There are more important things to me in life than using substances.
2. In general I am happy with my life.
3. I have enough energy to complete the tasks I set myself.
4. I am proud of the community I live in and feel part of it.
5. I get lots of support from friends.
6. I regard my life as challenging and fulfilling without the need for using drugs or alcohol.
7. My living space has helped to drive my recovery journey.
8. I take full responsibility for my actions.
9. I am happy dealing with a range of professional people.
10. I am making good progress on my recovery journey.

Purpose and use of BARC-10

The BARC-10 serves as a practical tool for individuals, clinicians, and support workers to assess an individual's recovery capital and identify areas where additional support or resources may be needed. By gaining a better understanding of a person's strengths and weaknesses in various aspects of their life, the BARC-10 can help guide personalized treatment plans and tailor support to suit each individual's needs.

Historical Context

The concept of recovery capital was first introduced in the early 2000s as a way to understand the factors that contribute to successful recovery from addiction. The BARC-10 was developed to provide a brief, easy-to-use tool to assess recovery capital in both clinical and non-clinical settings.