Culture of Addiction and the

Culture of Recovery

Quintin Williams, BS, CAC-MQuintin Williams, BS, CAC-M

Robin Edison, MEd, LPC, NCC, CAACRobin Edison, MEd, LPC, NCC, CAAC

Dawn Farm Education Series Dawn Farm Education Series

April 21, 2009April 21, 2009

What is the Culture of Addiction?

“The culture of addiction is a way of life, a means of organizing one’s daily existence, and a way of viewing people and events in the outside world.” (White, William L. 1990, p.5)

An informal social network in which group norms promote excessive drug use

What is the Culture of Recovery?

An informal social network in which group norms reinforce sobriety and long-term recovery from addiction.

Tribes Seek out and build relationships with other

people whose drug use or recovery mirrors their own

Create small groups within which they can nurture the rituals of drug use or recovery

Tribes overlap, creating a broader social network of drug users who share common goals and attributes

Core Elements in the

Culture of Addiction and

Culture of Recovery:

LanguageAddiction* Stories about hustling

* Stories that elicit euphoric recall

* Stories about hassles of cops and normal people

*Grandiose self-presentations that serve to enhance self-esteem

*Stories that hold “squares” (non-users) up to ridicule

Recovery* Discourage profanity

and drug jargon

* Reshaping conversations

* Language of treatment and recovery

* 12-step “lingo” (e.g. slogans)

- easy does it - first things first - live and let live - but for the grace of god - think … think … think - one day at time - let go and let god - keep it simple - act as if …- this too shall pass - expect miracles - keep coming back- it works if you work it - stick with the winners - keep right size

- a journey, not a destination - to thine own self be true - turn it over - only as sick as our secrets- keep an open mind - let it begin with me - just for today - don't quit 5 minutes before

the miracle happens - practice an attitude of

gratitude- you are not alone - sick and tired of being sick

and tired - to keep it, give it away - easy does it, but do it - h.a.l.t.: don't get too hungry,

angry, lonely or tired

Food Addiction

* Junk food (fast foods)

* No fruits or vegetables; increase fats & carbs

* Missing meals

Recovery

* Food and moods: coffee consumption

* Sugar control

* Managing “drug hunger” through diet & exercise

Some important food groups in recovery -

Spirituality/Religion Addiction* Most are believers

* Little thought is given to spirituality or religion so there are not many atheists or agnostics (this requires conscious thinking and rejecting of God and religion)

* Large void

* Believe they are going to be nailed for all they have done

Recovery* Higher Power or

God as I understand him

* Discovering Spirituality

* Spiritual experiences

* Victory in surrender

I put my hand in yours -

and together we can do what we could not do alone

Music

Addiction* Songs about using,

hustling or pimping* Social distortion story

– linking two seemingly unrelated events together (musical stimuli to the experiences of intoxication)

Recovery* Establish links

between certain types of music or songs and euphoric recall of drug intoxication

* Explore different types

Dress/ Appearance Addiction

* Physical injuries and illnesses are ignored

* Personal care becomes the exception rather than the norm

* Either put a great deal of emphasis on nice clothing (overdress, change often, constant grooming) or let it go completely

Recovery* The return of self

care* Experimenting with

new images

Rituals Addiction

* Using immediately upon waking up

* Get high before sex – or after sex

* Rituals before getting high (preparing, measuring)

Recovery

* Identify ritual patterns

* Replacing rituals

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** - Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once …- Just for today I will be happy …- Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and

not try to adjust everything to my own desires …- Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind …- Just for today I will exercise my soul …- Just for today I will be agreeable …- Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it …- Just for today I will have a quiet half hour by myself …- Just for today I will be unafraid …

Literature

Addiction* First-person accounts of

addiction

* Technical books on drugs and their effects

* Recipe books (step-by-step procedures for creating, processing, purifying, packaging, and testing illicit drugs)

* Law books (provide detailed information on drug control laws, one’s rights if arrested)

Recovery* Introduction to 12-step

material (Big Book)

* Introduction to tx literature (Bill W. story)

Family

Addiction

* Initially a safety net

* Family distances themselves

* Street family adopted

Recovery

* Family: an expanded definition

* Future families in culture of recovery: Al-Anon; Disease of Co-dependency; Continuum of care

Work & Leisure Addiction* Occupations and jobs well suited for addicts* Best stories to justify calling in or being late* How to use at work without getting caught* Avoiding detection through frequent job

changes* Beating drug tests* Manipulating supervisors through tears, sob

stories, rage, and blackmail* Avoiding consequences through expertise in

personnel policies and grievance procedures

* Creative use of accidents, medical leave, disability benefits, and worker’s comp

* Quitting in moral outrage before you are fired

* Lawsuits

Recovery* Redefining the

meaning of work* Explore non-drug

values* Restructuring

work- related rituals (lunch hours, timesheets, check cashing rituals)

* Warning about workaholism

* Finding drug-free pleasure

Values Addiction* The drug comes first* Everyone’s on the make* Don’t trust anyone* Don’t feel (feel the drug, not

emotions)* Avoid responsibility by

blaming* Every interaction is a

potential hustle* Get excitement through

risks* Image is the message

Recovery* Addiction is

exploitation; Recovery is service to others

* Addiction demands retribution; Recovery demands restitution

* Addiction is deceit and manipulation; Recovery is honesty

Sex

Addiction

* Lots of sexual trauma

* Sexual experimentation

* Sex is not about intimacy and love

* Use people sexually

* Lots of sexual shame and guilt

Recovery

* * Addressing sexual trauma while in treatment

* Clarifying sexual orientation

* Exploring sexual roles

* Managing shame and guilt

Symbols Addiction* The drug itself* Drug containers (stash box)* Paraphernalia (pipes, roach

clips, mirrors, injection equipment)

* Articles associated with hustling (beepers, burglary tools, large amounts of cash)

* Tattoos/Markings on body signaling cultural affiliation or cultural values

Recovery* Shedding

symbols (objects)

* Symbol replacements

References:References:

White, William L. (1990). Pathways: From the Culture of Addiction to the Culture of Recovery: A Travel Guide for

Addiction Professionals

(2nd Edition). Center City:

Hazelden.

Questions?

Comments???

Thanks for coming!!!