Recovery Ally Training Tia Mann, M.S., CHES Jen Cervi, MSW - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Recovery Ally Training Tia Mann, M.S., CHES Jen Cervi, MSW Associate Director Recovery Support Specialist Office of Health Promotion Office of Health Promotion UVA UVA

By the end of the training we will… • Understand the basics of substance use disorders and recovery • Understand the importance of empathy in recovery support • Be more familiar with UVA and Charlottesville resources • Understand the roles of a Recovery Ally, and commit to at least one form of recovery ally-ship

Chat Discussion What did communication about substance use look like in your family of origin?

Why do people use substances? Because it’s doing something helpful for them.

*As an ally, you express empathy, concern, SUBSTANCE USE and compassion if you recognize these DISORDER symptoms in yourself or others.* • Using more than intended (in quantity, frequency, or duration of use) • Unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control use • Excessive time spent using, obtaining, or recovering from use • Continuing to use despite problems related to use • Failure to fulfill major role obligations • Withdrawal reactions • Increasing tolerance (needing more of the substance to feel the same effect) • Cravings

*As an ally, you understand that a SUD is a disease (not a moral failing), and like all diseases, the risk for SUD is impacted by genetics and environment.* • Adverse Childhood Trauma Experiences (ACEs) Biology/Genes Environment • Chaotic home •Genetics • Parents’ use and •Gender attitudes •Mental disorders DRUG • Peer influences •Effect of drug itself • Early use • Community attitudes •Route of administration • Availability • Cost Risk of Substance Use Disorder Adapted from: National Institutes on Drug Abuse. 2014. Drugs, brains and behavior: the science of addiction. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs- brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-abuse-addiction

Treatment Treatment “It worked!” Diabetes or Hypertension Treatment Recurrence of use: “It failed!” Substance Use Disorder “It failed!” *As an ally, you understand that SUDs and recovery require ongoing care, and be empathetic when people struggle with this chronic disease.

Stigma and Recovery Identity • Substance misuse vs. substance abuse • Person with a substance use disorder vs. alcoholic or addict • Substance-free vs. clean or dirty • Person in recovery *As an ally, you can fight stigma by: • Using person-first language and appropriate terms • Sharing the many diverse stories of recovery • Highlighting the recovery, not the substance use disorder

Internalized Stigma • Aka “self-stigma” • Applies negative stereotypes, biases, and discrimination to themselves • Impedes recovery process • Increases depression, perceived devaluation, and discrimination • Reduces self-esteem, recovery orientation, empowerment, and morale

What is Recovery? “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential”

Formal Treatment Medication Assistance Recovery Support Services Mutual Aid Groups

Others are using substances and living their lives while people in recovery: Restructuring Are learning how their daily lives to Making new to maintain Balancing the avoid behaviors friends and abstinence in a demands of and social finding a sense new and stressful recovery and life triggers that may of belonging environment lead to use

How can I be a recovery ally? • Be available, listen, build relationships that open doors for communication • Be knowledgeable of resources and share that knowledge with others • Avoid/discourage stigmatizing language • Avoid/discourage normalizing substance use • Avoid stereotypes/assumptions • Have empathy and compassion for people with a SUD and those in recovery • Advocate for more effective treatment and recovery support services • Encourage people in their recovery process • Have a conversation if you’re concerned about someone’s use

Help Everywhere: No Wrong Door Resources FEAP CRP Addiction Recovery Systems UVA’s OBOT Services Counseling Region Ten AA/NA/Refuge Recovery Orchard Mountain Recovery Friend Coworker Supervisor Loved One

UVA’s Collegiate Recovery Program provides: • Recovery education and support • A genuine UVA community experience • Accountability • Recovery ally trainings

A Way to Conceptualize Recovery Work: Three Pillars Growth Service Community Personal development through Helping others Sharing similar struggles their recovery journey unconditionally

On a Recovery-Ready Grounds, there is: • Comfort in asking for help, instead of feeling stigmatized • No judgment : A culture of empathy and understanding when intervening • Respect for recovery by offering encouragement and celebrating success • Help everywhere : Someone seeking help is easily directed to the right resources • Recovery-informed prevention : Introducing the idea of recovery in approachable ways (stories, examples, resources, etc.)

A Recovery Story

Scenarios A friend has been struggling maritally and exhibiting erratic 1. behavior. One day you notice them (not for the first time) struggling to stay awake and you detect the smell of alcohol on their breath and body. How do you respond? A new friend shares with you that they are 30 days into their 2. recovery. How do you respond?

Recovery Ally Pledge • I pledge that I will treat all people who use substances and those in recovery with dignity and respect. I will strive to be: • An open-minded and active listener • Conscious of my own biases and work to adjust them • Informed and open to learning more about prevention and recovery • Aware of the environments I create and work to build a safe space where people can share struggles and success with substances and mental health challenges • An amplifier for the voices of people in recovery and an advocate for the rights of people both in recovery and those struggling with substances • I also believe I can contribute in the following specific way: _____________

Questions?

SOURCES Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach outcomes differ among emerging adults and adolescents • Alexander, M. The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. New York: The New Press; 2012. • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, VA; • Washington, D.C.; 2013. American Society of Addiction Medicine. Treatment. Available at: https://www.asam.org/public-resources/treatment. Accessed • July 27, 2017. Baker KM. "I'm going to shut down all of your tricks": Depictions of treatment professionals in addiction entertainment. Subst • Use Misuse. 2016;51(4):489-497. Botticelli MP, Koh HK. Changing the language of addiction. JAMA. 2016;316(13):1361-1362. • Bronfenbrenner U. Toward an experimental ecology of human development. Am Psychol. 1977;32(7):513-531. • Cape GS. Addiction, stigma and movies. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2003;107(3):163-169. • Committee on Improving the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of Young Adults; Board on Children, Youth, and Families; Institute • of Medicine; National Research Council; Bonnie RJ, Stroud C, Breiner H, editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2015 Jan 27. Dickerson, P. (2012, June 23). Post acute withdrawl of addiction [video file]. Available at: • https://Www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDy-OqGyLqU. Accessed June 27, 2017. "Emerging Adults in America: Coming of Age in the 21st Century," co-edited Arnette with Jennifer Lynn Tanner, Ph.D. •