Core Services. PO Box 1303 Brattleboro, VT

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1 PO Box 1303 Brattleboro, VT Core Services (DOCUMENT DATE ) The basic element of any recovery support service is empathetic support. We encourage people to speak their truths to help us learn who they are, and we ask questions to help discover what will be helpful to them in making the life changes the recovery process involves. The core element of services the Vermont Recovery Network provides is meeting people where they are; then we ask increasingly relevant and thought-provoking questions, and listen to the person who is exploring the personal change we call recovery. Once we have helped people tease out the initial personal challenges they will need support in addressing, we begin assisting them in this process. We provide living proof that they can overcome these challenges. In some cases, we help them consider and connect with other services. During this process, we help them develop clarity about just how badly addictions have affected their lives. We help them understand the importance of developing networks of supporters. Changing the attitudes and actions that keep people stuck in addictive cycles requires ongoing support. Success in recovery involves moving from a peer group that supports addiction to a peer group that supports recovery. Until people have clarity about how badly addictions have damaged the fabric of their lives, they are likely to slip back into the use cycles that supported their addictive lifestyle. Developing a desire to change this lifestyle grows with peer support, as people discover the hard truth about how addictions have harmed their lives. We focus on people s assets and strengths to help them avoid getting stuck in looking at their pasts and to support the process of planning futures built on opportunities for growth in recovery. Volunteers and staff at recovery centers reinforce this process for people on all paths to recovery. Recovery centers are open to everyone seeking recovery and do not promote any particular recovery approach. While maintaining safe, supportive, drug- and alcohol-free environments, we make space available to recovery groups to hold meetings and try to serve as incubators and focal points for expanding community recovery options. We cooperate with the 12-step recovery fellowships that rent space in our centers and other locations, while at the same time, we make every effort to avoid direct or perceived affiliation with these 12-step fellowships. We also provide support for the development of other peer-based recovery groups and recovery support services. Recovery Support Services Vermont recovery centers have adopted and developed additional recovery support services and used them across our Network. Our centers need trained staff and volunteers to deliver these services and perform outreach to find people who want or need recovery supports. Network centers do not have sufficient staff to deliver most of these services, but the following models have proven valuable at the centers that have the necessary trained personnel to offer them: Universal Services (provided by all recovery centers)

2 Recovery Coaching: A Recovery Coach creates a partnership with people in recovery from addictions. A coach helps people to: create a vision for their recovery; identify and remove barriers to recovery; navigate through the human services system; access community resources; connect with recovery services, including treatment facilities, recovery centers, and mutual support groups. A coach works with people who have active addictions, people who are already in recovery, or with people who are concerned about someone else s substance abuse. People who participate in the recovery coaching process must have a commitment to recovery. All conversations are confidential. The Vermont Recovery Network s recovery centers have taken an active role in developing and approving standards and documents for the provision and supervision of recovery coaching in recovery center environments. These materials are based on principles from literature on recovery support and our experience to date. We are committed to assuring that recovery coaches receive ongoing skill development beyond the initial 30 hours of training we require. The Network has developed a structured interview and recruitment process that only selects qualified and appropriate applicants for the recovery coach training. Our recovery coaching protocols serve as a formalized process for providing this new level of service. The Network developed job descriptions for recovery coach coordinators and recovery coaches assure sufficient supervision and staff support. Our Network Coordinator works directly with all of our programs on implementation, and our oversight process supports centers that may experience difficulties. Making Recovery Easier (Evidence-Based Practice): The Vermont Recovery Network has been working with one of the developers of Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ), Lee Ann Kuskutas, as we implement this evidence-based practice in recovery center settings. The model was demonstrated to be effective using the title Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ), but confusion around the use of the name Alcoholics Anonymous in the title prompted a change to the title of Making Recovery Easier when utilizing the model in recovery settings as a peer-led recovery support group. We have been following the research-proven curriculum outlined in documents available on the Centers Site section of our website. The model and the peer-reviewed article demonstrating its effectiveness are available by clicking on Making Recovery Easier at or by using this live link. Making Recovery Easier - (also known as MAAEZ) Materials All-Recovery Meetings: This topic discussion model, pioneered in Connecticut, has proven to be very effective. The facilitated group sharing is not focused on specific problems (drugs, alcohol, gambling, codependency, etc.) but on sharing the concepts of living comfortably in recovery, such as living in the solution, approaching one thing at a time, managing ego deflation, and seeking support for problems. Recovery Is the Solution: [innovative service in development] Recovery Is the Solution (RIS) groups are under development in Vermont s recovery centers. These peer-led recovery support groups explain recovery and make it an attractive goal. A series of six groups introduces the recovery process and the tasks involved; it demonstrates benefits and examples of lived recovery; familiarizes participants with community recovery centers; and introduces cultures and approaches that support recovery. Participants learn that the benefits of recovery go far beyond the cessation of use and relief from the symptoms of withdrawal. People new to the recovery process often do not know what recovery is or why they would want to make any effort toward this life-changing process. Participants are engaged to consider how they might want to approach recovery and motivated to consider a

3 recovery process that will meet their needs. Sessions provide support for finding new peer groups, developing clarity about the effects of addictions, creating hope, improving quality of life, and developing a renewed enthusiasm for life. Additional Evidence Based Practices (provided when sufficient interest, budgetary and staff support are available) Seeking Safety Practice Groups (Evidence-Based Practice): Peer facilitation of the Seeking Safety exercises and practice materials Lisa Najavits developed serves as the basis for supports that specifically address the needs of those who have experienced traumatic events in the past or who live with the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and addiction recovery issues. The Network has used the Seeking Safety materials, developed as a treatment approach, after consultation with Lisa Najavits, who initially expressed interest in considering the outcomes of these efforts when provided by experienced peer facilitators. She has since changed her materials to reflect Seeking Safety s value as a resource for peer support. Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) (Evidence-Based Practice): Many recovery workers in Vermont Recovery Centers have been trained in using Mary Ellen Copeland s evidence-based Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) model, which is consistent with the recovery solutions training. Here s a link to the SAMHSA EBP and the Copeland Center in Brattleboro Family Recovery Support Wit s End: This support group for parents was founded in Rutland, Vermont, by the Martins, parents of a young woman who died of addiction. The facilitated group is for adults who are concerned about some young person s use of alcohol and/or other drugs. The Martins insist that this model be implemented by a licensed treatment professional. In cases where limited resources have precluded the use of paid clinicians as group leaders, groups have functioned with voluntary clinical leaders or evolved into peer led NarAnon or AlAnon meetings or similar peer support groups. (see below) Families Addiction and Recovery (FAR): [innovative service in development] FAR groups have developed a practice of holding co-led peer groups that are facilitated by a family/friend of someone with active addiction and a person in recovery from active addiction. The combination of perspectives has proven effective in helping those who are struggling with helping a loved one to be supportive while avoiding providing supports that could help perpetuate active addiction or the addict taking undue advantage of the person trying to help them. These groups have not created formal group formats. Nurturing Parents Program: This program teaches age-specific parenting skills which address the need to nurture one self. Training of peer leaders has been provided by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont. Rocking Horse Circle of Support (Evidence-Based Practice): This group intervention is for

4 mothers 18 to 35 years of age. This program can be a peer-led intervention group promoting parenting skills, building self-esteem, and reducing substance use. This approach has also been professionally led. This SAMHSA model program has been peer-led at centers. Youth Recovery Support Making Change: This program, developed by Robert Bryant, was piloted at the original Turning Point Center in White River. Making Change has now spread across Vermont to other centers and into community settings. It was created to engage young people whose lives have been impacted by alcohol and/or other drug use, either their own or someone else s. Making Change brings together groups of youth for non-confrontational peer support, and it has induced many to enter into the recovery process. Get Your Stuff Together (GYST): [innovative service in development] This program originated in Morrisville and is a mentoring style support group whose purpose is to help support, heal, empower, and create change in the lives of young men ages Men facilitate this group and act as role models. Participants for this group do not necessarily need to have an addiction history. Food and beverages are always provided and logo apparel is a part of creating the cohesiveness of the groups. GYSTpync [innovative service in development] This mentoring support group for young women. It provides support for the same age group and follows the same model and principles as the GYST groups for young men. CHANGES: CHANGES is a support group for youth exploring recovery. This is not just a recovery group, but a chance to give the adolescent community a sober place to enjoy themselves. Youth do not have to identify themselves as someone having an addiction, but it asks that participants consider or are committed to recovery. CHANGES is a place to provide help for others and to have fun with others seeking change. Paticipants are invited to ask questions and tell their own stories. We understand that the adolescent community is at the highest risk for drug and alcohol experimentation. This group has been created in order to provide a safe, sober, and supportive place for youth that want to consider changes on their life path to success. Common Practices Building Mind, Body & Spirit: Centers have hosted life skills groups focused on the following topics: financial planning, cooking & diet, nutrition, exercise groups, yoga, reiki, acupuncture, art groups, reading groups, and introductions to various spiritual practices. Some writing groups have focused on practical writing, such as resume writing and developing competitive job applications. Mindfulness / Communication Groups: Peer-led practice groups that employ mindfulness exercises and work on refining communication skills have employed group-directed choices in picking topics for weekly discussions/sharing sessions. These groups include meditation and relaxation exercises. Writing Groups: Recovery centers have hosted a variety of writing groups. Groups have focused on creative writing, writing as an aid to recovery, and journaling.

5 Planned Group Recovery Activities: All the centers in the Network provide for planned group recovery activities. These activities range from concerts, dinners, lectures, and boat cruises, to Recovery Month Celebrations, recovery walks, hikes, and gubernatorial candidate debates. Medication-Assisted Recovery (MARS) Groups: Centers have established core groups of individuals involved in medication-assisted recovery. Past attempts at forming and perpetuating these groups lost momentum due to lack of strong facilitators and a cohesive peer-to-peer model to follow. As the result of our Pathways to Recovery funding, centers now have sufficient resources to maintain trained peers on staff who have time to organize, facilitate, and refine group approaches that are welcoming for those in medication assisted recovery. Co-occurring Support Groups: Peer workers have struggled to sustain facilitated co-occurring support groups in centers across the Network. The Double Trouble 12-step approach to recovery from addiction(s) and mental disorders has been used in Bennington and Brattleboro by members of their recovering communities who identify as being dually diagnosed. People are interested in helping to spread this approach. Dual Recovery Anonymous groups have been held in Burlington and White River. Vet to Vet: This peer support program serves veterans and emphasizes support for issues such as reintegration, substance abuse, PTSD, and mental health; centers across the state have hosted this program when facilitators and participants have expressed an interest. Currently, a lack of trained facilitators exists, and the once-prominent organizational structure that supported the facilitators of these support meetings is less evident. Note: Recovery centers do not provide formal assessments, specify any particular level of care, provide clinical services, monitor abstinence, maintain client records, or dispense medications. Although we employ people with experience in recovery who are trained in delivering recovery support services, we discourage the power differentials that exist between experts and clients. We refer to our guests as visitors, people in recovery, guests, or recoverees.