Abstainer and Recovery Ally workshop
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
1 like•395 views
This workshop introduces non-recovering members of the Indiana University-Bloomington community to addiction and recovery on campus, and challenges norm about collegiate substance use. It also reviews how to advocate for and support members of the community in recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions, and behavioral addictions (i.e. eating, gambling, etc.). Fostering an understanding of students in recovery as a marginalized population, participants also learn about stigma, inclusion, and how recovery is part of the diversity of our campus.
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Similar to Abstainer and Recovery Ally workshop
Similar to Abstainer and Recovery Ally workshop (20)
More from Jackie Daniels
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Abstainer and Recovery Ally workshop
- 1. R E C O V E R Y & A L LY T R A I N I N G
- 2. OVERVIEW Substance Use Culture at IU What is Recovery? Stigma and Marginalized Identities How to be an Ally Resources and Discussion
- 3. 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.
- 4. WHAT IS RECOVERY? M Y T H S , FA C T S , A N D B E I N G I N R E C O V E R Y
- 5. 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.
- 6. 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.
- 7. WHAT IS RECOVERY? “…a voluntarily maintained lifestyle composed and characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship.” -Hazelden Betty Ford Center, 2013
- 8. 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
- 9. 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 recovery If you want to learn more about someone’s reason for abstaining, or for being in recovery, ASK.
- 10. 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
- 11. 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
- 12. STIGMA M 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
- 13. 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
- 14. 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
- 15. BEING A RECOVERY ALLY OR FRIEND TO ABSTAINER “ 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 ”
- 16. OBJECTIVES FOR ALLIES • Understand the recovery community, which includes: –People in recovery –Allies –Professionals –Friends and family • Be a friend to those in recovery
- 17. 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
- 18. 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 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
- 19. 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
- 20. 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/
- 21. CONTACT US O 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
- 22. 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/
Editor's Notes
- Facilitators Note: Once you begin: See facilitators notes and script for help on each slide. On this slide, introduce the facilitators, and welcome everyone.
- SAY: Here is our agenda today. The purpose for our presentation is to introduce you to recovery culture, and talk about how to support students in recovery, or friends that abstain or drink moderately.
- Facilitator’s Note: What’s important to focus on is the percentage of students that don't consume, or consume moderately, and students that need help but may not get it. SAY: We don’t want to bore you with statistics, but it is important to review background information. The truth is, there is a population of students who don’t drink or use drugs, and students who will develop more serious problems with substance use. This training will help you support your friends who meet either criteria.
- SAY: Let’s review some myths and truths about recovery, and define what it is. First, how many of you know someone in recovery?
- Facilitators Note: Explore these myths with the group. Say/Discuss What are some real reasons people might abstain? (family history, sports, allergies, academics, they don’t like it, they don’t like feeling “altered” or out of control, or being in recovery) How many of you have friends that abstain or are in recovery?
- Facilitators Note: Explore stigma relating to people in recovery. Share stats. Goal: Support those needing help, and support those in recovery. SAY: Here is the truth.
- SAY: Just as there are many pathways to recovery, there are many definitions of recovery out there. Here is one that we like.
- Facilitators Note: This slide continues the discussion about stigma, including power and equity. SAY: For many, recovery is an important part of their identity. For many individuals living in recovery, they feel unrecognized in the world at large. Others live with identities that are targets for discrimination, and being in recovery can create a power differential at work, in the criminal justice system, and in schools. With improved advocacy, people have started being more open about their recovery status.
- SAY: So we know the definition, but what does it MEAN to live in recovery?
- Facilitators Note: This slide introduces the audience to the student population living in recovery. The numbers include graduate students. The numbers reflect people who have stopped using alcohol or drugs, and live a sober lifestyle. This does not include students who simply abstain. We covered that earlier. SAY: According to our data, we know that students in recovery attend school, work, and live in our community. Some are in recovery from alcohol or drugs, and some are in recovery from both. For some, remaining anonymous is a product of humility, for others, shame. We suspect there are students in recovery that are unaware of supportive services on campus.
- Facilitators Note: This will help the group become aware of the student organization Students in Recovery-Bloomington. SAY: SIRB began in spring, 2015, and was started by students in recovery. They meet weekly, and have open office hours weekly at the Union within the student activities tower. If you’d like to learn more, ask me after the presentation. The group is very inclusive and can provide support to students living in recovery, or students experiencing addiction within their friend group, or family.
- Facilitators Note: If nobody volunteers the elephant story, here it is: “When the elephant is young and relatively weak, it is tied to an immovable stick. So later, no matter how large and strong he becomes...he continues to believe that he cannot free himself. Many intelligent people are like circus elephants. They never question their self-imposed limitations.” SAY: Before we talk about stigma, let’s talk about this elephant. Does anyone know how circus elephants are trained to obey commands? Lesson: Stigma reinforces shame, false self-perception, and keeps people from asking for help. Let’s talk a little more about stigma. Who can define stigma for us? Why do you think there is stigma about addiction or recovery?
- SAY: Here are some tips to help you decrease stigma around recovery to create a more recovery-friendly campus.
- Facilitators Note: Expect comments and reactions about this being “unfair” or “untrue.” Acknowledge how difficult it is for dominant group members to accept their privilege. It’s the majority of our students that have the privilege. SAY: Earlier we talked about identity and power. Let’s explore what our campus might be like for students in recovery.
- SAY: Now, let’s talk about what it means to support an abstainer, or a friend/family member in recovery.
- SAY: ASK: What does it mean to be an ally? The recovery community belongs to people in recovery, their friends, healthcare providers, family, and other advocates. The best way to be an ally is to listen and ask the person or group what they need to feel supported.
- SAY: Here are helpful tips to be an ally to an abstainer or person in recovery.
- SAY: Here are some helpful suggestions for creating a recovery-friendly environment at parties and on campus. Are we missing any?
- Facilitators Note: Before showing the text boxes, discuss what the group already knows is and isn’t helpful. SAY: What do you think is helpful when talking with a friend with whom you’re concerned about their drinking? What is NOT helpful? Here are tips on demonstrating care and concern, and things not to do.
- SAY: Here are some resources to help you learn more about recovery after today. Also, IU Late Nite provides programming Thursday-Saturday from 9pm-2am for all students, without the pressure to drink. Learn more on BeInvolved.