Susan Blacksher, Executive Director CAARR THE CALIFORNIA RECOVERY MOVEMENT
Historical References Regarding Recovery/Treatment Doctor s Rush and Trotter (Early 1800 s) described inebriety as an illness Doctors Woodward and Todd (mid 1800 s) fostered the idea of special institutions for inebriates Temperance Movement ( Late 19 th Century) Prohibition (Early 20 th Century)
Later in the 20 th century Alcoholism was beginning to be viewed with a different perspective Alcoholics Anonymous founded in 1935 has a profound effect on perception of alcoholism EM Jellinek (1942) helped clarify and define the disease concept Thomasina Borkman 1976, "Experiential knowledge is truth learned from personal experience with a phenomenon
March 1, 1941, the Saturday Evening Post ran an article entitled, "ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, Freed Slaves of Drink, Now They Free Others." This article, almost six full pages in length, detailed the workings of AA. Jack Alexander, who initially started out to expose AA as a fraud, wrote in glowing praise about what AA was doing to help reclaim the lives of countless formerly hopeless alcoholic
AMA Declares Alcoholism a Disease In 1956, the American Medical Association (AMA) stated alcoholism was a disease, as it met the five criteria needed in order to be considered a disease: Pattern of symptoms Chronic Progression Subject to relapse And Treatability
When a majority of the State Hospitals were closed in California in the late 60 s California and the Nation were faced with a Substance Abuse epidemic without adequate funding.
Early 70 s Snapshot 18 Outpatient (McAteer) Clinics 100 + Recovery Homes 9+ Councils (NCA) AA and Self Help The Community Model began to evolve Strongly influenced by Loran Archer and the first Alcoholism Advisory Board chairman, Tom Pike
In California two models for help with Alcoholism emerged: The Social Model (Recovery) And The Medical/Clinical Model (Treatment) There was one model for drug addiction (mainly heroin) Synanon
Differences In Modality Initial Medical/Clinical Treatment The alcoholic/addict was subject to the premise that addiction is wholly a disease of the individual Acceptance of this premise led to treatment efforts aimed at producing some change within the individual, such that one may be discharged from treatment as cured
The Primary relationship was between the Doctor/Clinician and the client In these modalities treatment plans were developed by the medical professional and given to the client for compliance. Issues of the Medical/Clinical Model If it is not my plan, why would I follow it to its completion? If it is not my plan, I will not follow it to its completion
Social Model (Recovery) Social model recovery differed from other alcohol/addiction treatment models in that social model sought to change the environment in which the person lived Social model abandoned the unrealistic goal of changing the individual alcoholic/addict to fit the society in which he/she lived and sought to change the social contexts in which he/she lives
Recovery Plan The plan was/is conjointly developed by the participant and staff The owner, developer and implementer of the plan is the participant, thus eliminating the potential roadblock of authority bias This is my plan, and I will follow it to its completion!
The Original Recovery Model The creation of most social model recovery homes came about in direct response to the obvious and presented needs of alcoholics: Food Shelter Environment supportive of being sober Recovery home operators were concerned more with implementation than theory.
Recovery homes that practiced Social Model became community based, peer orientated HOMES Supportive of individual recovery decisions Provided a non-using, supportive environment for those seeking abstinence from addiction
The basic protocol for residents of an original Social Model recovery home was: Go to meetings Get a sponsor Stay sober and clean Be a responsible member of the community And It worked!!!!!!!
Philosophy of Social Model Social Model recovery is based on the beliefs that: 1. The primary forces that shape and sustain individual behavior are to be found in the socio-cultural environment in which the individual lives; and, 2. An individual learns and sustains personal recovery by living it and sharing it.
Thomasina Borkman: (1976) Ms. Borkman was sent by NIAAA to monitor a Social Model Program. She ended up writing a book about it! Social Model Alcohol Recovery, an Environmental Approach. The Book focused on the following key elements in Social Model:
Experiential knowledge of successfully recovering alcoholics/addicts is the basis of authority The primary foundation for recovery is the 12 Step mutual aid process (AA, NA, etc.) Recovery from addiction or co-addiction is viewed as a lifelong learning process
In the social model of recovery, it is the goal of staff to: Manage the environment and encourage the individual to mature in areas of personal responsibility As a natural outcome of the Social Recovery Model, participants who are in the process of recovery evolve from consumers to prosumers
Participants feel that they own the program and contribute spontaneously to its upkeep Participants, alumni, volunteers, staff, and some family and neighborhood people have relationships analogous to an extended family Participants, alumni and volunteers represent the recovery center in the community
By Meeting the needs of a changing population in need of Recovery Services Social Model has evolved into Comprehensive Social Model of Recovery
Services Offered by Trained Professional Staff: Screening Intake Orientation Assessment Recovery/Treatment Planning Guidance/Counseling Ombudsman Services/Case Management Crisis Intervention Participant Education Referral Documentation Consultation with Other Professionals
Comprehensive Social Model Programs The Comprehensive Social Model can and does exist within any environment that maintains as its focus a healthy, proactive approach to recovery
The severity of the alcohol and other drug problem indicates the level of care required Common sense dictates that more severe problems require residential care Though started as a means to help recovering alcoholics, alcoholics and drug addicts do equally well in the Comprehensive Social Model ( Recovery Model ) environment
Dually diagnosed (Co-morbidity) clients who can fully participate in groups, learn life skills, and participate in one on one sessions generally do well in the Comprehensive Social Model (Recovery Model) environment Formerly incarcerated clients do very well in recovery homes as they learn the skills necessary to become responsible members of society and transition back to their communities
The basic common sense attraction of Social Model has not changed; but, in some cases, the application of the model has; therefore, the flexibility and experience of the model and those who provide the services make it appropriate in future applications of ACA
The Recovery Model through its evolution has demonstrated the ability to meet addiction problems as they manifest themselves The Model is: Comprehensive Adaptable Economical
The new working definition of Recovery from Mental Disorders and Substance Use Disorders is (SAMHSA) A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
FOUR MAJOR DIMENSIONS Health Home Purpose Community
GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF RECOVERY Recovery emerges from hope Recovery is person-driven Recovery occurs via many pathways Recovery is holistic Recovery is supported by peers and allies Recovery is supported through relationship and social networks
GUIDING PRINCIPLES - CONT Recovery is culturally-based and influenced Recovery is supported by addressing trauma Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibility Recovery is based on respect.