Chinese drug policy is evolving to include recovery frameworks and rehabilitation models, influenced by the recovery movement and recovery capital principles. A study examined the recovery processes of individuals in drug rehabilitation programs in China, revealing a gap between state definitions of recovery and the personal experiences of those affected.

Interviews with 24 participants who completed compulsory isolation rehabilitation highlighted the impact of legal and social stigma on accessing recovery resources. Many participants felt their needs related to employment, childcare, and chronic illness management were neglected. Class differences significantly affected access to necessary resources.

Participants offered various recommendations to improve the availability and accessibility of recovery resources and shared strategies for overcoming structural barriers. The findings indicate a significant disconnect between national rehabilitation policies and the individual visions of recovery, emphasizing the need for a more person-centered and community-based approach to recovery in China.