Prevention Leaders Network
Pathways 2 Prevention cover art

Pathways 2 Prevention

The Well Communities: Core Conditions of Recovery

58 min

Listen on Spotify

Summary

David Higham, an ex-offender who experienced drug use and incarceration, created and developed The Well Communities. After achieving recovery with intensive support, he has dedicated his life to helping others with alcohol and substance use disorders. This episode highlights the core conditions of recovery, as exemplified by The Well Communities.

Key takeaways

  • The Well Communities were created by David Higham, an individual with lived experience of drug use and incarceration.
  • David Higham achieved 17 years of drug-free recovery after receiving intensive support.
  • Since 2007, David Higham has dedicated himself to supporting others through The Well Communities.
  • The episode focuses on the core conditions of recovery as demonstrated by The Well Communities model.
Show notes
The Well has been created and developed by ex-offender, David Higham. David had been in and out of prison since the age of 16 and was a person who used drugs for more than 25 years. But with intensive support from the former Lancaster Castle prison, David began his recovery and has been drug-free for 17 years.David left prison for the last time in 2007. Since then he has dedicated his life to supporting others with alcohol and substance use disorders through both voluntary and paid employment...
Share this episodeLinkedInFacebookEmail

More episodes from Pathways 2 Prevention

October 6, 20261 hr 16 min

Why the DEA Does Prevention: The Story Behind Red Ribbon Week

This episode explains why the DEA, primarily an enforcement agency, is deeply involved in drug prevention efforts. Sean Fearns and Kevin Collins from DEA Community Outreach and Prevention Support trace the origins of the DEA's prevention work back to the loss of Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985 and the subsequent rise of Red Ribbon Week. They also discuss current prevention challenges, including fentanyl and counterfeit pills, and highlight the free, science-based resources the DEA offers.

Listen

September 1, 20261 hr 5 min

Building the First Inclusive Recovery Community in the Nation with Ashley Neal

Ashley Neal discusses the creation of the nation's first Inclusive Recovery Community in Tampa Bay. She shares the journey of a tri-county partnership across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, outlining how various entities collaborated to make recovery visible and accessible. This episode covers the process of engaging county governments, uniting treatment centers, and developing a public events calendar.

Listen

July 29, 202653 min

Inside the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy with Dr. Roneet Lev

In this episode, Dr. Roneet Lev, Chief Medical Officer at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, discusses the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy. She shares insights into the public health aspects of the strategy, its key differentiators, and what it means for prevention professionals. Dr. Lev highlights new approaches including clearer language for primary prevention, the inclusion of faith, and a focus on real-time drug threat data.

Listen

July 1, 20261 hr 3 min

The Pulse of Resilience: Building Resilience from the Ground Up

This episode features a discussion with Adam Woods and Sneha Patiyathal, two youth workers from Australia and India, about building resilience. They share their perspectives on what it looks like to support young people in different cultural settings and emphasize that resilience is a practice anyone can learn. The conversation highlights common challenges faced by youth and the impact of positive affirmation.

Listen

Your people are waiting.

Join a private community built only for prevention professionals. Look around, meet your people, and choose your membership when you're ready.