A Holistic Path to Recovery: How the Biopsychosocial Model Supports Lasting Change

What is the Biopsychosocial (BPS) Approach?

The word “biopsychosocial” breaks down into three parts:

• Bio – the body: genetics, brain chemistry, physical health.
• Psycho – the mind: thoughts, emotions, mental health, trauma.
• Social – our environment: relationships, culture, community, and life experiences.

Instead of treating addiction as a standalone issue, the BPS approach looks at all the areas of a person’s life that may contribute to their substance use. It’s often called a holistic approach because it treats the person as a whole, not just focusing on stopping the use of drugs or alcohol.

“A person does not become addicted in a vacuum. Biological vulnerability interacts with psychological stress and social context to create the conditions for addiction” – Dr Gabor Maté, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

The Biological Side of Addiction

Addiction changes how the brain works. Substances affect areas of the brain responsibile for reward, motivation, and self-control. Over time, the brain can start to depend on drugs or alcohol just to feel normal – which is why quitting often feels so hard.

 Genetics also play a role. If there’s a family history of addiction, a person may be more likely to develop one themselves. In fact, studies show that 40-60% of a person’s risk of addiction may be linked to genetics (NIDA, 2020).

Support for the biological side of recovery might include:

• Detox to safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.
• Ongoing care for physical health issues related to substance use.

“Medications are not the ‘cure’ for addiction, but they can be an effective part of treatment when combined with therapy and support.” – National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020)

The Psychological Side of Addiction

Many people turn to substances as a way to cope with emotional pain. Anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, and trauma can all make someone vulnerable to addiction. Using drugs or alcohol may start as a way to feel better – but often leads to deeper struggles.

Treating the psychological side includes:

• One-on-one counselling to explore the roots of addiction.
• Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Dialectic Behavioural Theraoy to challenge harmful thought patterns.
• Trauma-informed care that creates a safe, respectful space for healing.
• Motivational Interviewing to help people find their own reasons for change.

Healing emotionally is just as important as healing physically and therapy gives people the tools to face life without needing to escape.

The Social Side of Addiction

Addiction often thrives in isolation. People may lose jobs, relationships, or housing. Some may come from unstable or unsafe environments where addiction feels normal or even necessary for survival.

Social factors that can influence addiction include:

• Family dynamics
• Peer pressure or social norms
• Poverty and unemployment
• Housing instability
• Stigma and lack of support

The social side of recovery includes:

• Group therapy or peer support to reduce isolation.
• Family involvement to repair broken trust and build communication.
• Help with work, school, and housing to build stability.
• Encouragement to get involved in meaningful activities and relationships.

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.” – Johann Hari, Chasing the Scream

Extending Recovery into Real Life: Halfway Houses & Outpatient Programmes

While inpatient rehab often provides the initial safety and structure, recovery truly takes root in everyday life. Early recovery can be compared to learning how to ride a bicycle – rehab gives you the training wheels, but eventually, you have to start pedalling on your own. This is where halfway houses, sober living homes, and outpatient programmes play a critical role.

They are the bridge between treatment and independent living, where the biopsychosocial (BPS) model is brought into the real world. Here, people can practise the tools they learned in treatment, while still having a network of support and accountability around them.

Here’s How the BPS Model Works in These Settings

Biological Support in the Community:

• Regular health check-ups to manage physical wellbeing.
• Continued monitoring through regular check-ins, medication management, and health education.
• Structure around daily routines such as sleep hygiene, nutrition, and exercise which directly support brain and body healing.
• Accountability through random drug testing, not as punishment but as a safeguard that reduces relapse risk.

Even outside of rehab, biological care remains vital – helping people stay physically stable and reduce cravings.

Psychological Growth in Sober Living:

In halfway houses or outpatient settings, people face daily emotional triggers such as stress at work, family conflict, or self-doubt. That’s why ongoing mental health support is essential.

Quality programmes provide:

• Ongoing therapy (individual or group) where people can process emotions that surface as they re-enter family life, work, or school.
• Access to relapse prevention programmes, workshops on self-esteem, coping mechanisms, shame, emotional regulation or trauma healing.

These services help people manage their emotions and rebuild their sense of self, without turning to substances.

“The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel.” – Narcotics Anonymou Basic Text

Social Recovery in Real Life:

Halfway houses are where people relearn how to live, not just how to stab sober. This is where social healing becomes real and practical.

Residents are supported to:

• Work on job readiness, education and financial skills.
• Rebuild relationships with friends, partners, and family.
• Learn how to manage conflict, and ask for help.
• Living with others in recovery helps residents learn accountability, respect, and boundaries.
• Structured house rules (chores, curfews, group activities) promote stability and responsibility.
• A sense of community and belonging which is something many people in addiction lost along the way.

YouTurn House’s halway house and outpatient programme are designed to reduce the gap between treatment and the real world. Without these programmes, many people leave rehab feeling prepared in theory, but struggle when confronted with triggers, stress, or loneliness. What we offer provides individuals with the chance to practice new skills in a safe environment, gradually building confidence before stepping out fully on their own.

“Addiction flourishes in isolation, and recovery grows in connection.”

A Continuum of Care, Not a Quick Fix

Addiction recovery isn’t a 30 day fix – it is a journey. Halfway houses and outpatient programmes create a continuum of care, meaning people are supported over time, at their own pace.

The BPS approach fits perfectly into this model because:

• People can practice new skills in real situations.
• Support is still there if they stumble – no shame, just guidance.
• The focus shifts from simply staying clean to building a meaningful life.

Halfway houses and outpatient care aren’t an afterthought, they’re where the real work of recovery continues.

Final Thoughts: Healing the Whole Person

Addiction touches every corner of a person’s life which means that recovery needs to as well.

The biopsychosocial model offers exactly that – a roadmap for treatment and recovery that is respectful, effective, and deeply human. Instead of focusing only on the substance, it asks: What does this person need to heal in their body, mind, and community?

At YouTurn House:

• We offer a holistic, affordable, and personalised solution-based programme to help people suffering from mental health and substance abuse problems.
• We provide an environment where people can enjoy long-term sobriety, enhance their self-esteem, and live a life of purpose.
• Our programmes address our clients’ physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs using best practise treatment methods and innovative techniques in a programme that is integrative and comprehensive.

When we treat addiction through this lens, we’re reminded of something vital: We’re not just treating a condition, we’re walking alongside a person on one of the most courageous journeys of their life.

References:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2020). Genetics and Epigenetics of Addiction. https://nida.nih.gov
• Maté, G. (2008). In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts.
• Har, J. (2015). Chasing the Scream.
• White, W.L. (2008). Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care.