Illness Management & Recovery (IMR)

ILLNESS MANAGEMENT & RECOVERY (IMR)

Illness Management & Recovery (IMR) is a flexible evidence-based practice that can be applied with individuals or groups of consumers. The program is highly consistent with the recovery principles and easy to implement in most settings. Practitioners help consumers learn about and understand their illness, help them formulate goals, and collaborate with consumers to achieve their goals. While training and fidelity checks are required, the model is relatively easy to implement.

Findings indicate that IMR:

• Improves active engagement in recovery
• Improves coping
• Decreases relapses and readmissions
• Increases available supports

Challenges for Providers:

• Very little funding support so agencies must develop programs on their own
• Not tracked so there is very little credit regardless of outcomes
• While low demand, it still requires commitment

Upside for Providers:

• Low resource demands
• Relatively easy to implement
• Has many group support benefits which decrease demand on professional staff
• Can be integrated with other practices such as ACT or IDDT
• Fits with Recovery movement and philosophy

Links:

• SAMHSA IMR Tool Kit
• Recovery Within Reach
• Introductory Video
• Michigan Recovery Center of Excellence