Psychology
Dave and Susan Kenney: From Turmoil to Triumph
by Sanjay Kumar
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for addiction. Humans are unique and complex beings, and despite incredible advances in modern science, the medical profession still routinely diagnoses isolated symptoms without looking at the whole person. Nowhere is this more apparent than in terms of addiction and substance use disorders.
That’s according to pioneering recovery educators and health and wellbeing practitioners Dave and Susan Kenney. They have spent more than a decade living on campus with and coaching clients and their families through extreme crises, including addiction, depression, and debilitating physical health challenges.
In doing so, they’ve identified a series of emerging patterns. These patterns have allowed the couple to develop a systematic approach to guiding people to get their lives back on track. Their methodology, Actualized Recovery, drills down and uncovers what drives the often seemingly monumental challenges surrounding the matter or matters at hand.
“The strength of Actualized Recovery lies in its ability to empower people. It’s not about managing symptoms; it’s about giving individuals a real sense of control over their lives again. With our evidence-based approach, people see tangible results, restoring hope that they can achieve true freedom and lasting recovery.”
– Dave Kenney
Co-Founder and Director
Emergo Recovery
Image @ Unsplash
Self-Actualization and Growth
Actualized Recovery promotes restoring physical well-being and freedom of mind from various conditions. These conditions include addiction, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, post-partum depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, suicidal thoughts, and more.
The Kenneys created the Actualized Recovery methodology, which relies on five core principles. These principles are physiology, psychology, spirit, connections, and lifestyle. Together, they form a holistic framework that focuses on coaching and guiding individuals to achieve lasting recovery from addiction, substance abuse, self-sabotaging behaviors, physiological challenges, and other setbacks.
The Five Guiding Principles of Actualized Recovery
1. Physiology
The foundation of Actualized Recovery is understanding the role of the brain and body in behavior. This principle emphasizes healing and upgrading the brain’s hardware through neuroplasticity, nutrition, movement, and sleep. By addressing the physical aspects of recovery, individuals can build a strong foundation for mental and emotional healing.
2. Psychology
Actualized Recovery draws on the strengths of positive psychology, Frankl’s logotherapy, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and more, guiding individuals to cultivate a more empowered and optimistic mindset. Positive psychology shifts the focus from what’s wrong to what’s possible, encouraging people to recognize their strengths and build on them to lead fulfilling lives. It teaches individuals to develop resilience, gratitude, and optimism—key factors in sustaining recovery.
3. Spirit
Spirituality in Actualized Recovery is not about religion but about reconnecting individuals with their purpose and inner sense of meaning. Dave and Susan Kenney believe that a person’s spirit, or sense of connection to something larger, plays a crucial role in recovery, providing hope, motivation, and the strength in faith to keep going.
4. Connections
No one recovers alone. The fourth guiding principle underscores the importance of relationships and social support in the recovery journey. Johann Hari writes that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety but connections. Family, friends, and community provide vital encouragement, accountability, and love, fostering an environment where change can take root and flourish.
5. Lifestyle
Lasting recovery requires a lifestyle that aligns with well-being. From nutrition to sleep, movement, and stress management, this principle teaches clients how to build healthy habits that support long-term recovery. The Kenneys encourage individuals to make daily choices that contribute to their ongoing mental, physical, and emotional health.
Recovery Through a Brain-First Lens
Actualized Recovery’s five guiding principles form a comprehensive and integrative approach viewed through a brain-first lens. This means prioritizing the brain as the control center of behavior while accounting for the roles of lifestyle, social connections, and spirit in recovery.
Dave and Susan Kenney have seen the positive effects of focusing on both the brain’s hardware and software; Actualized Recovery represents a systematic and groundbreaking shift in addressing addiction, substance abuse, and other disorders. It’s a beacon of hope for individuals and families who’ve struggled with outdated methods and are ready for a lasting transformation.
