empowering people to tackle substance use problems
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The history of Recovery Walks, as it applies to mental health and/or substance dependence, emphasises and supports each individual’s potential for recovery.
Recovery is seen as a personal journey that involves developing hope, a secure base and sense of self, supportive relationships, empowerment, social inclusion, coping skills and meaning.
It could be said that recovery in the mental health arena has emerged because of the shift to de-institutionalisation has resulted in more individuals living in the community. It can be argued that it gained impetus due to a perceived failure by services, and wider society, to adequately support social inclusion. And by studies demonstrating that many can recover.
The Recovery Model has now been explicitly adopted as the guiding principle of the mental health systems of a number of countries and a range of states in the USA. It was only a matter of time before it reached the shores of the UK. Currently practical steps are being taken to base services on the recovery model and its principles. But equally a range of obstacles remain.
So how does the UK Recovery Walk 2010 fit in all this history and what are we walking for?
From the perspective of psychiatric rehabilitation, a number of qualities of recovery have been suggested.
Recovery requires people who believe in, and stand by, the person in recovery
A recovery vision is not a function of theories about the cause of psychiatric conditions and Recovery can occur even if symptoms reoccur
Recovery changes the frequency and duration of symptoms
Recovery from the consequences of a psychiatric condition are often far more difficult than from the symptoms
Recovery is not linear
Recovery takes place as a series of small steps
Recovery does not mean the person was never really psychiatrically disabled
Recovery focuses on wellness not illness
Recovery should focus on choice.
For many of us who walk in Glasgow this year, and on other UK Recovery Walks in the years to come, Recovery will have a political as well as a personal implication.
Where to recover is to find meaning, to challenge prejudice (including diagnostic labels in some cases), to reclaim a chosen life and place within society, and to validate ones ‘self’. Recovery can therefore be viewed as one manifestation of empowerment.
An empowerment model of recovery may emphasise that conditions are not necessarily permanent and that people have recovered can be role models and share experiences. That ‘symptoms’” can be understood as expressions of distress related to emotions and other people.
Recovery may be seen as more of a philosophy or attitude than a specific model, requiring that, “We regain personal power and a valued place in our communities. Sometimes we need services to support us to get there”.
The UKRF, through its annual Recovery Walks, honours organisations providing prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Shows support for individuals in need of treatment and their families and celebrates those in recovery.
Proceeds from this event will be used to support Community led Emerging Recovery Organisation’s (CEROs) activities. Funds will be aimed at educating the public and media, raising awareness, fighting stigma, providing individual recovery support, and advocating at local and national levels.
See you all on the 25th September 2010 in Glasgow!
Click here for So why walk? part one and for more information click here
Why don’t you build a team? Companies, organisations and families are encouraged to organise teams of walkers made up of employees, organisation members, relatives and friends to take part in the walk. Don’t forget to highlight the Walk to you friends, family and organisations locally and nationally to take part. Register for the Walk on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Recovery is a Reality
References:
Deegan, PE (1988) Recovery: The lived experience of rehabilitation Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal 11 (4)
Anthony, W.A., Cohen, M., Farkas, M, & Gagne, C. (2002). Psychiatric Rehabilitation. 2nd edition. Boston: Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. ISBN 1878512110
Recently people have also drawn comparisons with civil rights movements and that is something that I certainly identify with.
I would like to be able to tell people that I am a recovering heroin addict and not be discriminated against, I feel we are making progress here, but it is a drum I will continue to bang.
I would like to be judged solely on the contribution I have made since entering recovery. What is it they say about sinners repenting? Although I am an atheist, this quote from the bible that I do think is very valid.
Nice prose and sentiments. I also like the idea of getting a “team” together and putting a bit of muscle into recovery.
I’ve always said that recovery is infectious. Like measles, if you get too close you end up coming out in spots. Spots like Glasgow for instance. (Ouch)
This won’t just be good for those of us in reovery, it will be a beacon of hope to those who still need to find it, or don’t even know yet that recovery is reality.
