Personal recovery capital includes factors such as safe and secure accommodation, purposeful and meaningful activity, physical and mental wellbeing, a belief that recovery is possible, self-belief, and active engagement in recovery strategies. Conversely, psychological problems such as mental distress, or an absence of strengths, such as self-efficacy and self-esteem represent barriers to recovery. Ingrained problematic drug use can create an identity for people who have been forced to see their drug taking as central to their lives, as an ‘addict’ or ‘junkie’. For people to move towards ‘recovery’ new identities may need to be forged. The lifestyle of procuring and taking drugs can create a structure and purpose to a person’s life, as well …show more content…
as social contacts and support. To remove these benefits without looking to supplement can make ‘recovery’ unsustainable.
Social workers can promote empowerment by ensuring that people with problematic drug use have access to well-delivered therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural therapy to address negative self-image, ensure full participation in formulating care plans, develop peer support worker roles, increase the role and visibility of recovery champions and help develop user-led and user-run services. It is essential that social workers transmit optimism as hope is key to the process of recovery; that they work to develop a sense of agency in people, and seek to promote meaningful activities in the lives of people with problematic drug use. Social workers can promote the foundations of recovery in individuals by focussing upon strengths and possibilities, building respectful relationships, holding a belief and understanding of recovery, providing care and support as directed by the individual with problematic drug use, encouraging participation in recovery by significant others, enabling community involvement, providing holistic services and supports, and working to challenge stigma and discrimination (Shinkel and Dorrer …show more content…
2007). Social recovery capital includes supportive friends and family, being valued, having life choices accepted and positive relationships. Key self-concepts such as efficacy, identity and management that are essential for building personal resources, are underpinned by social engagement and interpersonal activities. Davis (2010) recommends that collaborative relationships between professionals and communities is necessary to promote social inclusion. Social workers need to develop positive and affirming relationships with people with problematic drug use, as research (Neale and Stevenson) indicates that for some, the relationships they have with professionals represents the majority of their social network. Social workers can connect individuals to self-help groups, which can help provide emotional support, role models, powerful ideology, methods of coping, information, social companionship, and sense of control and opportunities to help others. Recovery communities and other community support groups can help build confidence and personal development in individuals whose lack of self-esteem may be preventing them from succeeding in employment or engaging with the wider community. Community recovery capital involves resources such as; activities and transport links, recovery communities, a role to play in the community and supportive and non-stigmatising attitudes in the broader community.
Recovery necessitates a move from professionals and social workers as ‘directors’ of change through clinical intervention, to facilitating self-directed changing in the community. This requires a multidisciplinary model where education and training, family members and peer support, recovery champions, housing and community groups and mutual aid groups are equivalent experts. Involvement in recovery projects can aid developing the self-esteem and confidence that is vital to sustaining recovery. Individuals who continued to be involved with the service after they had left through volunteering in recovery groups and services, for example as a peer mentor, participating in local community projects or running activities for peers, can provide a sense of ‘giving something back’, generate a sense of ownership and achievement, promote personal social capital, build a sense of community, and act as ‘recovery champions’ who can support others through their recovery journeys. Providing people with the opportunities and confidence to use skills that they may not have used in years can be highly empowering.. Community asset mapping can be a helpful place to start to identify, work with and build upon the existing community capacity. Social workers can work together with
individuals and recovery groups, to share best practice and information, and provide joined up provision in the local area. Stigmatising attitudes towards people with problematic drug use can be reduced by engaging the wider community, and the enhanced levels of connectedness through neighbourhoods and higher levels of social trust may reduce the amount of problematic drug use amongst young people. Raising awareness to combat stigmatisation can be led by social workers and other professionals, by promoting personal stories of those who have been through recovery, through social media, promotional events, social events, engaging local media and through social enterprise.
Many people dislike the term ‘addiction’ in relation to drugs or other substances, particularly as it infers that a person is powerless over their use of a particular drug or in some circumstances, a number of substances. Whilst others maintain it is this powerlessness that is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment – that treatment is not possible without recognition of addiction itself as the ‘problem’ being addressed. The professional and public perception of addiction is complicated. There are many approaches and models to explain addiction, the role of the addict, and their environment. This essay will compare and contrast two of these approaches, the medical/disease and the social model. Initially this essay will describe the origins of each model, and follow by explaining their respective strengths and weaknesses, and finish with an overview of the key differences between them. This essay will conclude by demonstrating that a holistic approach, and a cross-pollination of these models is the most successful approach to treating addicts. As is the case for all diseases, there are multiple treatment options, and as ever person is different, the results in each individual cannot be predicted.
Gabor Mate 's essay “Embraced by the Needle” addresses important issues on the negative effects that childhood experiences have on the development of addictions, and the long term effects that drugs play throughout an addict 's life. The author states that addictions originate from unhappiness and pain that is often inflicted upon addicts at early age such as infancy. In Mate essay, he uses many patients past childhood experiences to help create a picture of the trauma that an addict faced as child and the link it plays with who they are today. Mate builds an impressive argument based on the way he organizes his ideas on what addiction is, and how it corresponds to a person 's childhood experience. The author does this effectively
You have to reintegrate yourself into society and deal with the obstacles to rebuild your life in the ‘real world’. And without a healthy and supportive community post-rehab, it can be more challenging to sustain long-term recovery.
Young adults with opioid addictions worry what their friends, family and even doctors will think of them and hesitate to seek professional help. The result is that teen addiction often remains unaddressed, and it inevitably worsens without treatment. As a society, there is a lack of education about addiction as a disease, so most people simply don’t know how recovery works. Recovery from addiction is long and painful, and the stigma around addiction only prevents people from getting the help they need, making it crucial for society to look past the stigma that people in recovery are always on the brink of relapse, a false perception that affects self-esteem and relationships.
Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road. Many people feel that it is impossible to overcome an alcohol addiction. Many people feel that is it easier to be an addict than to be a recovering addict. However, recovering from alcoholism is possible if one is ready to seek the help and support they need on their road to recovery. Recovery is taking the time to regain one’s normal mind, health and strength. Recovery is process. It takes time to stop the alcohol cravings and pressure to drink. For most, rehab and professional help is needed, while others can stop drinking on their own. Recovery never ends. After rehab, professional help or quitting on your own, many people still need help staying sober. A lot of time, recovering
Therefore, when I work with substance abusers I will show empathy, encourage and validate their successes and their feelings about any failures. In addiction, I will help the person learn from their failures and normalize the situation. Furthermore, I would attempt to ensure that the person had several coping strategies in place, to help when he or she finds themselves in a difficult situation. Moreover, I intend to ensure the client has all the tools he or she needs to succeed while getting to the root of their problem through counseling.
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate my reflection and understanding in the Role of the Mental Health Nurse in an episode of care supporting and promoting the recovery of service users. According to the National institute for Mental Health (2004) recovery is a process to restore something or return to a state of wellness, is an achievement of quality of life that is acceptable to the person (Ryan 2012).
One in five Americans, approximately 60 million people, have a mental illnesses (Muhlbauer, 2002).The recovery model, also referred to as recovery oriented practice, is generally understood to be defined as an approach that supports and emphasizes an individual’s potential for recovery. When discussing recovery in this approach, it is generally seen as a journey that is personal as opposed to having a set outcome. This involves hope, meaning, coping skills, supportive relationships, sense of the self, a secure base, social inclusion and many other factors. There has been an ongoing debate in theory and in practice about what constitutes ‘recovery’ or a recovery model. The major difference that should be recognized between the recovery model and the medical model is as follows: the medical model locates the abnormal behavior within an individual claiming a factor that is assumed to cause the behavior problems whereas, the recovery model tends to place stress on peer support and empowerment (Conrad and Schneider, 2009). This essay will demonstrate that the recovery model has come a long way in theory and practice and therefore, psychological well-being is achievable through this model.
Shera, W. & Ramon, s. (2013). Challenges in the implementation of recovery-oriented mental health policies and services. International Journal of Mental Health, 42(2/3), 17-42.
Despite how hard one works to overcome a substance addiction or those who have even mastered their sobriety; a negative stigma generally haunts them throughout their life. For individuals coping with addiction and the day to day difficulties, which addiction presents, they often feel many negative sentiments from society. Together with the task of managing their symptoms, low self esteem, a fear of relapse, depression and the negative stigma from the general public can only be seen as a bleak road to recovery.
For years, many new and innovative recovery options have sprouted up in response to the growing population of addicts in America. Although each individual program has the same ultimate goal, they each take a different approach. The specific approach taken by each program is what can make or break the success of recovery for an addict. The most popular of these programs are twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, twelve-step programs are not the only options available. Despite their popularity, twelve-step programs lack the personal qualities that some secular programs offer. What's more is that these programs do not cater to individual needs and differences, therefore limiting their potential as the best option for everyone.
For the 9 years that I have worked as a mental health support worker I have come across cases involving drug addiction and mental health. My passion to work with and help those in need of services grew over the years as I came to realize that with the right services and support, one can eventually become clean of drugs and reintegrate into society and live a normal life. I have been privileged to work with genuinely enthusiastic and caring colleagues who have enhanced my professional identity which makes me so proud to be part of a wider health care industry. I’m fortunate to have tremendous amount of sincere affection for service users and staff and this had made me resilient in adversity, and have a passion to want to do the right
A social worker must have the knowledge and skills to apply to intervention strategies that can address key issues through a wide range of tools (Miley, O’Melia & Dubois 2013, p. 7). To devise an intervention plan for the case study, Miley’s (2013, p. 112) four step model is utilised.
As a student, I will study and practice techniques, beyond a generalist perspective, that will allow me to give clients hope and the ability to see something greater than what they are facing. Upon completion of a Master of Social Work direct practice degree and certificate in gerontology and mental health programs, I intend to become a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will competently incorporate specialized skills in different professional settings while developing my knowledge of a wide range of social issues and professional standards. With commitment, I wish to develop skills that will enable me to create or find hidden resources and services for my future clients, create platforms through consoling for victims of
In conclusion drug addiction is a very terrible and challenging problem. It affects individuals, families, and the people around them. It is important that drug addicts realize that they must want to stop and seek help for the problem. The drug addict needs the support of friends and family, so they can make it through this process. The process to recover from drug addiction can take a lifetime. There is hope for a drug addict who wants to change their life for the better.