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Recovery Debate: Beating A Dead Horse

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On The Dusty Trail of The Recovery Debate

I know that I am beating a dead horse by exploring this topic. I’m as worn out as anyone regarding the “Multiple Pathways” to recovery debate.

Yet, I can’t help but comment. It’s just too outrageous to avoid entering into the fray.

FAVOR Greenville is a recovery support services program that provides 100% free services to families, individuals and the community at large.

We are in 20 plus locations including hospital emergency departments, homeless encampments, and our 3 brick and mortar centers (Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg).

Core Values Matter

A core value is our unconditional support and love for all pathways to recovery.

We don’t care how you get better, we just want you to get better. Our approach is supported by research, evidence, and a truly open-minded attitude.

At FAVOR Greenville, we are exposed to all aspect of substance use disorder.

We see the entire spectrum. Ranging from people actively using to people 100% willing to change.

Rebuilding Lives

We see lives rebuilt every single day. We work with people regardless of where they are in their personal journey. We do not mandate superficial adherence to any one program.

We do not mandate compliance. We meet people where they are-figuratively and literally.

Around 45% of our work is done with families. Providing education, awareness, intervention support. We meet the family where they are as well.

I also run a couple of businesses that focus on mental health. Stress management, emotional coping and executive coaching.

In those venues I also see many people who are struggling with some type of substance misuse issue.

Radar Love

Thousands of people come across my radar year over year.

Inevitably, a fair number of folks will tell me about their experiences in other recovery programs and, most disturbing, their experience in other professional treatment settings.

Mostly private treatment. But also some public sector stuff (for example, the recovering professional program).

They Will Report

  • That they are being told to stay away from FAVOR.
  • That they are being told that they will use drugs and die if they believe anything other than “the true recovery pathway”.
  • Our way is the only way and if you do not believe that you will use and you will most certainly die.

I Heard It Again Today

Despite the fact that this issue is worn out and these people will not change I simply must say:

1). NOT TRUE -ARROGANT & DANGEROUS

There is nothing further from the truth. It is 100% a lie. A myth. A dangerous concept.

The founders of 12-step programs absolutely rejected the idea of “our way is the only way”.

The research on recovery clearly reveals that there are countless ways to get better.

When you preach the “one way only” stuff you are preaching your own program. Your own version of 12-step recovery.

You are arrogant and you are dangerous and you are 100% wrong.

The term cult-leader comes to mind.

2). DIABOLICAL

If you claim a spiritual program and then preach such things you are even more diabolical.

The core principles of honesty, open-mindedness and willingness are being thrown aside in an effort to promote your own agenda.

An agenda, that is very hard to understand.

3). CLOSE-MINDED RECOVERY

If your personal recovery is so fragile, that you need to suppress all other recovery related options, you are in serious trouble.

If you can’t open your mind to ideas you are close-minded.

4). ETHICAL VIOLATIONS

If you are professional and you engage in that behavior you are violating multiple ethical codes.

You won’t be held accountable because the world does not care enough to hold you accountable.

But don’t fool yourself into thinking it is actual legitimate clinical work.

5). TRADITIONS VIOLATIONS

It is the co-opting of a self-help program. Group therapy that involves a big book study ONLY is not therapy.

It’s also a violation of the traditions of 12-step programs.

6). THE TRUE BELIEVERS

I know that what I have said above will make little difference to all the “true believers“.

Like politics and religion; the recovery debate discussions are typically an exercise in ideological conversion rather than an exercise in learning.

I just can’t believe it…. It’s so hypocritical and disgusting.

Recovery Cartel Blog - The Tribal Herd

The Tribal Herd – We Are the Best and Only True Way

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Human beings get comfort and security from following the lead of their respective tribe.

Following the rules and behavioral norms of the herd. Staying within the bounds of the system.

The herd and the system offer little rewards along the way.

WELL BEING, CONTENTMENT & SECURITY

The promise of retirement.

A predictable paycheck. Recognition in school.

A “scholarship” to pursue a degree you may or may not want.

On a more personal level a pat on the back by an elder statesmen from the herd. Approval from a tribal chief.

A feeling that you “are part of” something bigger than you.

All these things provide security. A sense of well being and contentment.

THE HERD, THE TRIBE, THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM

The problem is…the herd, the tribe, the system could be dead wrong.

The herd, the tribe, the system are most interested in self preservation. There is no natural process for re-evaluating norms.

There is no mechanism to ensure relevance.

Institutions and groups need to be very intentional about reinventing themselves.

On a macro-level this is true for political groups.

Religious organizations. Governmental systems. Education. Healthcare. The military.

On a micro-level this is true for the localized manifestation of the larger system.

Local politics. Local healthcare etc… also all the other smaller groups. Y

our clique. Your klan. Your business. On and on…

THE MAP – WHICH MAP

These groups provide maps for life that may or may not be useful.

Maps that primarily support the group itself. If you follow the wrong map you’re gonna get stuck.

But it’s hard not to follow the map.

Because you get rewarded on the pathway laid out by the map-makers.

THE TREAT

Furthermore. If someone disagrees with the herd they will be regarded as dangerous.

A “different viewpoint” is not merely a different viewpoint. It’s an attack against the tribe.

It’s a threat. A threat that must be dealt with.

THE WARCRY

Recovery Groups risk falling into tribal behavior as well. Can’t be avoided.

Put a group of human beings together, have them rally around each other and a cause.

The warcry of “we are the best and only true way” is sure to follow.

It is absolutely impossible for it NOT to be this way.

Interestingly, addiction treatment providers will sometimes adopt similar tribalistic tendencies around “recovery pathways” despite the fact they are providing professional healthcare services.

This is exceedingly problematic.

If you have different opinions or offer new ideas you risk becoming public enemy number one.

YOU ARE A THREAT

A threat to the tribe’s way of life and (where treatment is concerned) their financial well being.

It’s very disturbing when one set of beliefs and experience guide 90% of treatment center services.

However, it is important to understand that tribes exist in all areas of recovery.

SMART recovery activists, for example, are among the most aggressive people on my newsfeed.

There are extremists in the MAT world. I suppose I risk tribalism myself, with “multiple pathways” being my war cry.

THE WISE ONES

In all areas of life and recovery: seek advice from wise people.

Accept the wisdom of those who have a high believability factor. Remember you are allowed to think for yourself.

Stay curious. Constantly learn.

Read research from trusted sources. Continuously refine your skills.

Constantly seek to know more tomorrow than you do today.

Recovery Cartel Blog - Recovery Coach

The Needed Evolution of Recovery Coaching

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RECOVERY COACHING IS UNSETTLED

Recovery Coaching is not fully cooked yet …. I do not accept the idea that the evolution of recovery coaching is anywhere close to being complete…

The training and supervision of recovery coaches is even more unsettled.

There has not been enough experimentation and innovation.

THE FINAL VERSION?

We need people trying new things before we settle on a training model that is essentially an offshoot of clinical trainings. Why are the trainings so similar to clinical trainings??

Also, there are relatively few practicing coaches and providers.

Such a small pool and small cross section.

I just don’t accept the idea that this current model is the “final” version of coaching.

We will continue to iterate and we fully intend to rewrite the training we use to reflect the needs of our community.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Another thing… being open to “multiple pathways to recovery” involves a behavior change on the coach’s part and an attitude shift.

Not just a tacit verbal agreement.

If you say you are “multiple pathways” and then coach the same as when you wear your “sponsor” mask, you should just go be a sponsor.

Being anti MAT “behind closed doors” won’t cut it… many people are on point in public and talk differently behind closed doors.

UNSPOKEN MESSAGES

You can see it in the unspoken messages.

I’ve gone to many events where MAT was clearly marginalized.

There were multiple pathways mentioned, but there was clearly a “preferred” pathway.

I went to one event that strongly emphasized peer support and, in theory, multiple pathways.

However, if I wouldn’t have known what the event was, I would have thought I was at an AA regional convention.

ONE SIZE FITS ALL

A person in MAT supported recovery would be completely marginalized at such an event.

And this was a “national” event focused on recovery.

This is where the world gets to see what recovery support entails.

It just reinforced all the existing stereotypes of one size fits all recovery.

DISGUISED AS COACHING

If recovery coaching is going to be established as a new and necessary professional service we are going to need to go all the way.

We can’t continue to accept sponsorship disguised as coaching.

A week long training does nothing to prevent the above mentioned reality. It’s just a training.

A necessary part of the equation. But only a training.

This profession will fade away unless we get our act together. People outside the echo chamber are not impressed. I spent a lot of time with healthcare organizations nationwide and they are skeptical.

There is an entire world out there who is put off by sponsorship in disguise. Stop it…. you make us all look bad and you are violating the traditions.

COMMITTED TO MULTIPLE PATHWAYS

FAVOR GREENVILLE is committed to the highest caliber coach and we won’t tolerate the alienation of any pathway.

Multiple pathways recovery coaching is an issue of organizational culture…. training does not influence culture.

Training gives you a foundation of understanding and gets you certified.

MORE ABOUT FAVOR GREENVILLE

Based on successful peer-based recovery center models around the country, FAVOR Greenville Center offers a variety of recovery support programs provided by trained and supervised volunteers.

Examples include Recovery Coaching, Outreach Meetings Leaders, Administration, Public Relations, Awareness Ambassadors, and Telephone Recovery Support.

PLEASE VISIT FAVOR GREENVILLE