Advancing Recovery Fall Learning Session Faces & Voices of Recovery Friends of Recovery-Vermont (FOR-VT) November 8, 2007
Recovery Community People in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction, their families, friends and allies. Organized in recovery community organizations 2
Paths to Recovery Many pathways to recovery: Mutual Support groups Professional treatment Nontraditional methods Medical interventions On your own Faith and more 3
Faces & Voices of Recovery Changing public perceptions of recovery. Recovery is a reality. Advocating for effective public policy. Demonstrating that recovery is working for millions of Americans. It is our collective strength that will ensure our success, and it is our mission to bring the power and proof of recovery to everyone in America. 4
Governance Structure A Grassroots Campaign We are organized regionally and governed by recovery advocates from around the country. 5
Message of Hope Many of us have carried a message of hope on a one-to-one basis; this new recovery movement calls upon us to carry that message of hope to whole communities and the whole culture. We will shape the future of recovery with a detached silence or with a passionate voice. It is time we stepped forward to shape this history with our stories, our time and our talents. William White 6
Talking About Recovery There are some important things that we ve learned from our research about how to talk with people about recovery: Making it personal, so that we have credibility. Keeping it simple and in the present tense, so that it s real and understandable. Helping people understand that recovery means that you or the person that you care about is no longer using alcohol or other drugs by moving away from saying in recovery to saying in long-term recovery, talking about stability and mentioning the length of time that the person is in recovery. Talking about your recovery not your addiction. 7
Talking About Recovery MESSAGING OR LANGUAGE FOR A PERSON IN RECOVERY I m (your name) and I am in long-term recovery, which means that I have not used (insert alcohol or drugs or the name of the drugs that you used) for more than (insert the number of years that you are in recovery) years. I am committed to recovery because it has given me and my family new purpose and hope for the future, while helping me gain stability in my life. I am now speaking out because long-term recovery has helped me change my life for the better, and I want to make it possible for others to do the same. 8
Defining Recovery Recovery from alcohol and drug problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves abstinence and improved health, wellness, and quality of life. CSAT National Recovery Summit, 2005 9
Defining Recovery Recovery is not simply sobriety. While sobriety is considered necessary for recovery, it (alone) is not considered recovery. The WHO measures six domains of recovery: physical, psychological, independence, social, environmental and spiritual. Betty Ford Institute Recovery Consensus Panel, 2007 10
Supporting Local Recovery Advocacy Increasing access to research, policy, organizing and technical support Facilitating relationships among local and regional groups Improving access to policymakers and the media 11
Organizing Webinars: Editorial Board meetings Restoration of Voting Rights Peer Recovery Support Services Message and Media Trainings Science of Addiction and Recovery Organizing Network 12
Campaigns & Issues End Insurance Discrimination Now! 13
Historical context... Recovery Community Treatment Community 14
Recovery Community Treatment Community bridge the gap 15
Recovery Community Organizations Independent, non-profit organizations that are led and run by representatives of local communities of recovery on behalf of the recovery community. Public education putting a face and a voice on recovery Advocacy Peer-based and other recovery support services. 16
Recovery Community Organizations Over 175 recovery community organizations around the country Ranging in size/budget/scope: 3-5 members to 1,000s of members All volunteer/12 staff members No budget to over $500,000/year Local, regional, state 17
Recovery Community Organizations Funding: Public funding from local and state governments Center for Substance Abuse Treatment s Recovery Community Services Program Private foundations local, regional and national Membership and individual donations 18
Recovery Community Organizations Some of the recovery community organizations that are receiving support from states: CCAR Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery Friends of Recovery Vermont Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery People Advocating Recovery (KY) Ohio Citizen Advocates Alabama Voices for Recovery and more 19
CCAR Recovery Support Services All-Recovery Groups Recovery Training Series Family Support Groups Recovery Coaching Recovery Social Events Telephone Recovery Support* Recovery Housing Project* 20
CCAR Telephone Recovery Support In the spirit of KISS, a new recoveree would receive a phone call from a trained volunteer (usually another person in recovery) once a week for 12 weeks Volunteer follows script Low cost, win/win scenario CCAR gives new recoveree a better shot at maintaining their recovery AND helps the Volunteer making the call Provider helps their clientele Prior to discharge, provider offers recoveree the telephone support program. Results, outcomes, evaluations all outstanding 21
CCAR Telephone Recovery Support Year Unduplicated Recoverees Contacts Attempted Contacts Made In Recovery In Relapse Assisted w/relapse 2005 27 227 55 21 1 0 2006 339 4,688 1,828 1,697 38 13 2007 (Jan-Mar) 380 3,270 939 838 17 8 Total 746 8,185 2,822 2,556 56 21 22
Recovery-based/oriented Systems of Care Treatment is part of recovery. Recovery is the larger construct. End point of treatment = absence of symptoms of clinical disorder. End point of recovery = holistic health 23
Recovery-based/oriented Systems of Care Full reengagement with the community means the elimination of policies that discriminate against people seeking or in new or long-term recovery Housing Voting Jobs 24
Recovery-based/oriented Systems of Care Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) are grounded in a strength-based approach that focuses on wellness and a full reengagement with the community. Building on capacities that already exists within individuals and communities. Making it possible for people to gain stability and create better lives Supporting individuals and their families to gain overall wellness 25
Supporting People in Recovery Long history of mutual support groups like AA/NA/faith-based groups Bridging gaps between professional/clinical treatment and long-term recovery Research shows that providing holistic community-based support services enhances treatment outcomes. 26
Supporting People in Recovery Help people initiate and sustain recovery and gain overall wellness by reengaging with their family and community. Maintain effective, formal linkages with community resources to support recovery. Support diverse pathways to recovery. Connecting individuals to the recovery community: people in recovery, families, friends, and community allies. 27
Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) PRSS are non-clinical services that assist in removing barriers and providing resources to those contemplating, initiating, and maintaining recovery. 2006 Congressional Briefing on Peer Recovery Support Services and Faces & Voices Webinar on Peer Recovery Support Service available at www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org 28
Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) PRSS support people in recovery or their family members who share the lived experiences of addiction and recovery to: Improve quality of life Prevent relapse Promote sustained, long-term recovery 29
Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) PRSS are made available throughout the continuum of care: Pre-treatment During treatment Post-treatment As an alternative to treatment During incarceration 30
Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) Draw on the power of example and lived experience. Largely voluntary: draw on the desire to give back. Based on the notion that both of the people who are in a relationship based on mutuality are helped and empowered. 31
PRSS Provide Social Support Social support appears to be one of the potent factors that can move people along the change continuum. (Hanna, 2002; Prochaska et al, 1995) Social support has been correlated with numerous positive health outcomes, including reductions in drug and alcohol use. (Cobb, 1976; Salser, 1998). Four types of social support (emotional, informational, instrumental, companion) have been identified. 32
Examples of PRSS Assistance in finding housing, educational, and employment opportunities Assistance in building constructive family and personal relationships Life skills training Health and wellness activities Assistance managing systems (e.g., health care, criminal justice, child welfare) Alcohol- and drug-free social/recreational activities Culturally-specific and/or faith-based support 33
PRSS: Population Specific Women Self-defined groups by culture: race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion Co-occurring disorders Formerly incarcerated Trauma survivors Families Age 34
Linking Advocates We help build relationships among local and regional groups organizing and building our movement! Bi-monthly enewsletter Regional listservs Rising! Recovery in Action www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org 35
Bringing Voices and Visibility to Recovery Friends of Recovery- Vermont June 2007
Our Mission Friends of Recovery-Vermont promotes the power of long term recovery to improve the quality of life, health and wellness of Vermonters. FOR-VT believes there are many paths to recovery which lead to rejoining and rebuilding a life in the community for everyone. 37
Since 1998, Friends of Recovery- Vermont has been building a strong recovery community organization. We have engaged many people in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction and have provided a voice for this community of people that has traditionally remained anonymous. 38
FOR-VT Activities FOR-VT is a clearinghouse for recovery information through a website, list serve, and a quarterly newsletter. FOR-VT connects individuals seeking support for themselves, their families and friends, through information, referrals, workshops and forums. FOR-VT advocates for the recovery community on state and community level committees and coalitions by bringing awareness to the need for a full range of adequately funded recovery support services within the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment, continuing care, and recovery. 39
FOR-VT Activities FOR-VT supports the development of community recovery centers (peer run centers across Vermont) where integrated services can be provided. FOR-VT brings visibility to the recovery movement by holding an annual Recovery Day legislative awareness event at the State House in Montpelier. FOR-VT offers recovery events such as dinners, dances, performances, and celebrations, including promotion of September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month 40
FOR-VT is building a membership organization Peer- led (advisory board and membership) Membership through annual contributions Individual ($20), family ($35) and organization ($50) 1600 individuals and organizations (paid and non (paid and non- paid members) 41
Financial Support RCSP (Recovery Community Services Program) 1998-2004 VT Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs (1998- present) Additional grant funding for special projects Membership and other organizational contributions The Vermont Association for Mental Health is the host agency host agency for 42
Vermont Integrated Treatment Initiative (VISI) October 2006 Development of Peer Groups, Leaders and Advocates for Co-occurring occurring Substance use and Mental Health Services This collaboration between FOR-VT and the VT Psychiatric Survivors, two consumer-run run advocacy organizations, has begun to e educate, train and support individuals with co-occurring occurring disorders, and others providing peer services. Focus groups, planning committees, video education groups, and peer leader development has begun in several regions of Vermont with the plan to be statewide over the next year. 43
FACES Project Families and Adolescents driving Care for Effective Services May 2006 FOR-VT and the VT Federation of Families for Children s Mental Health have become partners in this new initiative made possible through the Adolescent Treatment Enhancement Grant. This SAMHSA grant was awarded to the VT Department of Health to redesign the adolescent treatment system, making it more accessible and effective for Vermont families. FACES provides advocacy and education opportunities through regional groups, currently in Central Vermont, White River Junction and Rutland County. Expansion into Middlebury and Bennington is planned for Spring 2007. 44
Social Marketing October 2006 FOR-VT received a small grant from the Vermont Community Foundation to conduct a social marketing campaign to bring awareness to recovery from addiction. The two campaigns we will be using are Silent Treatment and Recovery is Everywhere.. This fall, Recovery is Everywhere posters were placed on the outside of the Green Mountain Transit busses traveling the busy route of the Barre-Montpelier Road for over three months. 45
Events Advocacy/ Public Awareness Annual meeting Annual Recovery Day at the State House Speaker Education Bureau Green Mountain Recovery Walk Education Workshops Peer Facilitation Skills Advocacy 101 Volunteer Trainings Parenting in Recovery Ethics and Conflict Resolution 46
Secretary Laware Agency of Human Services ADVOCACY Debby Haskins Association of Student Assistance Professionals Sgt. John Flanagan Vermont State Police Craig Smith Valley Vista ADDICTION: Communities Take Action Town Hall Meeting March 15, 2007 HBO Addiction Premiere at the Vermont State House Larry Walters Recovery Advocate 47
BURLINGTON Turning Point Center of Chittenden County 61 Main St., PO Box 913 Burlington VT 05402-0913 1 (802) 861-3150 tpcocc@sover.net ST. JOHNSBURY Kingdom Recovery Center 297 Summer St. St. Johnsbury VT 05819 1 (802) 751-8520 stjkrc@sover.net BARRE Turning Point Center of Central VT 489 Main St, Barre VT 05641 MIDDLEBURY 1 (802) 479-7373 turningpoint center of addison county tpccv.barre@verizon.net 228 Maple St., Space 31 B PO Box 405, Middlebury, VT 05753 tcacvt@yahoo.com RUTLAND Turning Point Recovery Center of Rutland 141 State St. Rutland VT 05701 1 (802) 773-6010 tpcrut@sover.net BENNINGTON Turning Point Club of Bennington 465 Main St., PO Box 454 Bennington VT 05201 1 (802) 442-9700 Turningpointclub@adelphIa.net WHITE RIVER JUNCTION Turning Point Club of White River Junction 85 North Main St. White River Junction VT 05001 1 (802) 295-5206 uvsaf@turningpointclub.com SPRINGFIELD Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield 7 ½ Morgan St., PO Box 37 Springfield VT 05156 1 (802) 885-4668 spfturningpt@vermontel.net BRATTLEBORO Turning Point Center of Windham County PO Box 1303, Brattleboro VT 05302 tpwc.1@hotmail.com Helping people find, maintain, and enhance their recovery experience through peer support, sober recreation, and educational opportunities. 48
Vermont Recovery Center Network Data Collection Summary 3rd Quarter, FY2006-2007 2007 Data Collection Summary 8 Recovery Centers reporting data this quarter Open from 24 to 120 hours per week - open an average of 71 hours per week 247 to 5025 visits per month- average of 1550 visits per month TOTAL VISITS this quarter- 35,652 14 paid staff (part or full-time) among the 8 recovery centers Data summary prepared April 2007 for months of Jan, Feb, Mar 2007 Data collection program and procedures performed by Friends of RecoveryR ecovery-vermont 49
From 3 to 47 volunteers per center- average of 23 volunteers per center- 164 volunteers among the 8 recovery centers 20-210 volunteer hours per week/per center- average of 96 volunteer hours per week- total of 2952 volunteer hours per month; 8856 per quarter Between 3 and 29 recovery meetings held at each center each week- a total of 99 recovery meetings per week held at 8 recovery centers in Vermont! Data summary prepared April 2007 for months of Jan, Feb, Mar 2007 Data collection program and procedures performed by Friends of RecoveryR ecovery-vermont 50
Participant Evaluation Summary 3rd Quarter, FY2006-2007 2007 153 Participant Evaluation Surveys collected this quarter (n=153) 60% of participants surveyed report "the recovery center has helped me FIND my recovery (stop using alcohol or illicit/non- prescribed drugs)" 93% of participants surveyed report "coming to the recovery center has helped me MAINTAIN my recovery (remain substance free)" 93% of participants surveyed report "participating in recovery center activities has ENHANCED my recovery experience." Data summary prepared April 2007 for months of Jan, Feb, Mar 2007 Data collection program and procedures performed by Friends of RecoveryR ecovery-vermont 51
Rate of homeless/couch surfing/staying with friends has decreased from 22% to 15% Rate of independent housing has increased from 65% to 41% Rate of unemployment has decreased from 35% to 24% Rate of probation or parole has decreased from 25% to Rate of probation or parole has decreased from 25% to 20% Data summary prepared April 2007 for months of Jan, Feb, Mar 2007 Data collection program and procedures performed by Friends of RecoveryR ecovery-vermont 52
71% of participants surveyed have participated in a substance abuse treatment program (residential or outpatient) in the past. 27% have participated in a substance abuse treatment program in the past year. 43% of participants surveyed report "my recovery is currently assisted by medication". 39% report using antidepressant/antipsychotic medication. 12% report using methadone/buphrenorphine. 48% of participants surveyed report "my recovery has been assisted by medication in the past". 40% report using antidepressant/antipsychotic medication in the past. 9% report using methadone/buphrenorphine in the past. Data summary prepared April 2007 for months of Jan, Feb, Mar 2007 Data collection program and procedures performed by Friends of RecoveryR ecovery-vermont 53
Participants have been in recovery (not using alcohol or drugs) for an average of 4.08 years. Participants have been coming to the recovery center for an average of 1.69 years. Average age of participants who identified their age: 43 Gender of survey respondents: 61% Male, 39% Female 54
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