Abstainer and Recovery Ally workshop
-
Upload
jackie-daniels -
Category
Education
-
view
102 -
download
6
Transcript of Abstainer and Recovery Ally workshop
R E C O V E R Y &A L L Y T R A I N I N G
OVERVIEW
Substance Use Culture at IU
What is Recovery?
Stigma and Marginalized Identities
How to be an Ally
Resources and Discussion
SUBSTANCE USE CULTURE AT IU
• A large percentage of IU students choose to abstain for various reasons.
• 70% of our student body either abstains, or drinks moderately.
• Alcohol use is most prevalent on campus, followed by marijuana, and
prescription drugs like Adderall, pain killers, and sedatives (i.e. Xanax).
• Nationally, 31% of college students meet the criteria for a substance use
disorder
– Nationally, 6% of college students meet criteria for a more serious
substance use disorder.
• On our campus, 600+ students identify as being in recovery from
problematic alcohol or drug use.Students Needing Help are Often Shielded From Doing So
because of the “Party Culture” Perception.
W H AT I S R E C O V E R Y ?M Y T H S , F A C T S , A N D B E I N G I N R E C O V E R Y
MYTHS
• People who abstain or are in substance use disorder recovery will judge you
for drinking even if you don’t have a “problem”.”
• People that abstain or are in recovery don’t have fun.
• People in recovery are “jealous” or “sad” that they “can’t” drink.
• People in recovery “aren’t allowed” to hang with people who drink; they can
only be friends with each other. Everyone at parties drinks or uses drugs.
• “Relapse” is always a part of recovery; relapse can happen at any moment.
• You can spot a person in recovery just by looking at them. (Stereotypes)
• People that abstain are lame.
• People in college are too young to be in recovery.
TRUTHS
1 in 10 Americans will get
help for substance use
disorder in their lifetime.
23 million Americans currently live
in addiction recovery
27% of Americans
admit they would be
less likely to hire an
otherwise qualified job
applicant just because
the person was in
recovery.
67% of Americans believe
that stigma and
stereotypes exist against
people in recovery.
Stigma keeps people from getting
help. Shame is deadly.
WHAT IS RECOVERY?
“…a voluntarily maintained lifestyle
composed and characterized by
sobriety, personal health, and
citizenship.”
-Hazelden Betty Ford Center, 2013
BEING IN RECOVERY
• We all hold multiple identities
• Some of those identities hold power, some are
marginalized
• Some students on campus identify as a person in
recovery:
• Recovery is a:–Hidden identity
–Misunderstood identity
–Stigmatized identity
– Internalized identity
–Subordinated identity
BEING IN RECOVERY
• For some, it means abstaining from all mind and mood-altering
substances
• Seeking to live a life of emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness
• Some attend 12-step fellowships, and others rely on the support of
churches, their family, or mental health professionals.
• Some take medications to help them maintain sobriety
• They recognized that being of service to others helps their recovery
• Recovery is a process, not an event
• Recovery is a personal journey, and is the responsibility of the
person in recoveryIf you want to learn more about someone’s reason for
abstaining, or for being in recovery, ASK.
BEING IN RECOVERY AT IU
• A large percentage of IU students choose to abstain for various reasons.
Some are in recovery.
– From Alcohol: 400
– From Drugs: 980
• Many students in recovery choose to remain unknown
• Other students that abstain or are in recovery are unaware of their
options on campus
VERY INCLUSIVE
50% men, 50% women
Ages 18-30
50% in-state students
None live on campus
currently
Sobriety ranges from less
than 6 months to more
than 5 years
Some were at IU when
they entered recovery,
some were not
Some took time off of
school for treatmentStudents in Recovery is a student
organization supported by OASIS. It is
open to all students in recovery, allies and
advocates.
S T I G M AM A R G I N A L I Z AT I O N O F P E O P L E I N R E C O V E R Y
STIGMA• Language and word choice can determine your tone
Helpful and encouraging
VS.
Discriminating, judgmental, and labeling
• Negative terms infer that addiction is a choice
“alcoholic” “junkie” “stoner” “addict”
• Person first language
“Person in recovery” or “Person with substance use
disorder”
• Supportive and caring friendships facilitate recovery
• Education and awareness creates understanding
CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATED IDENTITIES
DOMINANT GROUP:
DRINKING, USING
SUBORDINATE GROUP:
RECOVERING, ABSTAINING
• Considered “different,” “Lame,” “boring”
• Adapt to a world where drinking and drug use is popular
• Feel ostracized
• Limited options for help or sober fun
• Not as acceptable to talk about abstinence or recovery
• Viewed as “normal” and
acceptable
• World is built to suit their needs
• Privilege of substance use is
“the way things are”
• Free to attend events where
alcohol and drugs may be
present without much concern
• Share stories about drinking or
using drugs in public, or with
friends
B E I N G A R E C O V E R Y A L LY O R F R I E N D T O A B S TA I N E R“ A L LY ” I S I N T E R C H A N G E A B L E W I T H
“ C H A M P I O N ”
OBJECTIVES FOR ALLIES
• Understand the recovery community, which includes:
–People in recovery
–Allies
–Professionals
–Friends and family
• Be a friend to those in recovery
HOW TO BE AN ALLY
• Be a helpful part of the recovery community
–Communicate that they are not alone
–Actively listen to advice and perspective from those in
recovery
–Ask respectful questions to further your understanding
• Form opportunities for alcohol-free fun... Compromise!
• Be mindful of your word choice
–Person first language
• Know that being an ally is a process of growth
HOW TO BE AN ALLY
AT A PARTY
• Have non-alcoholic options available, and food
• Provide water that is accessible
• Respect anyone’s refusal
• Respect the wishes of people that don’t use substances
• Be aware of your friends’ habits and behavior
• Be an active bystander. STEP UP if you hear someone pressuring someone to drink or use drugs.
ON CAMPUS
• Reduce stigmatizing language
through respectful conversation
• Educate others about recovery
• Share information about
activities and events without
alcohol
• Inform students about OASIS as
a resource for students in
recovery
• Talk about SIRB
• Invite non-using friends to
HOW TO TALK TO A FRIEND
WHAT TO DO
• Talk when both of you are sober
• The sooner the better
• Be specific and concrete, state
observations (i.e. facts)
• Distinguish between the person
and the behavior
• Consult a friend or family member
• Encourage your friend to consult
with a professional
• Set boundaries; take care of you
WHAT NOT TO DO
• Pressure them to drink or use
drugs
• Pressure them to do something
that they do not want to do
• Accuse or argue
• Lecture, moralize, or judge
• Tell them you’re giving up on them
• Downplay or shame recovery
• Take on their pain or struggle
TAKE-HOME RESOURCES
• Indiana Recovery Alliance
– Naloxone distribution organization in Bloomington
– http://indianarecoveryalliance.org/
• Faces and Voices of Recovery
– National organization advocating for recovery
– http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/
• The Fix
– News in the recovery community
– https://www.thefix.com/
C O N TA C T U SO A S I S @ i n d i a n a . e d u
E i g e n m a n n H a l l W e s t 7 2 6
( 8 1 2 ) 8 5 6 - 3 8 9 8
REFERENCES
• Perron, B. E., Grahovac, I. D., Uppal, J. S., Granillo, T. M., Shuter, J., & Porer, C. A.
(2011). Supporting students in recovery on college campuses: Opportunities for
student affairs professionals. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 48(1),
47–64. doi:10.2202/1949-6605.6226 Available at
http://journals.naspa.org/jsarp/vol48/iss1/art4/
• www.drugfree.org
• http://www.transformingyouthrecovery.org/
• http://www.drugabuse.gov/