9/15/2006 4:47 PMwes wrote:
1. Recovery= a process through which people make changes in their lives. It implies a developing maturity enabling individuals to make wise choices, to maintain an open mind and develop the courage to face uncertainty. An individual in recovery is increasingly resilient- able to face and overcome adversity.
2.Recognition- simplify language a bit here, note that it is the first step in the process, that we must become aware of the need for change and how our patterns of behavior keep us from leading a fufilling and productive life.
3. Belief and Hope- As is, I think the focus is on self worth, which is one aspect of this, but I think that it is important to talk about the importance of beliefs in the change process, our faith that we can change brings with it hope for our future. Beliefs determine outcomes and we have to eliminate beliefs that hold us back (i.e. I can't do anything right, nothing I do will make a difference, things won't get any better.)
4. Challenge and Courage- Change is very difficult, whatever challenges we face, it takes courage to take them on and face the uncertainty of new responses.
Choice and Resopnsibility-May want to give this more of a general slant...No one chooses to have a problem that limits what they can do, but sometimes things happen and we feel stuck. If we get stuck long enough we begin to think that we can't change or that we can't handle change and we give up. In recovery, we begin to see a way out, that by taking responsibility for our lives, we can change and we can choose to respond to life's challenges differently. We begin to understand that we are not victims, but that we can shape our lives through the choices we make. Even when we have an illness, we can make choices that will maximize our health.
6. Effort and Potential- This is really upbeat and bouncy, we should think about how we should weave this attitude into the brochure. There can be a thin line with this though between turning someone on and turning them off, so we should be careful with it. I think that it is worth emphasizing that recovery requires effort, it's something that we earn. Success is not necessarily what we accomplish, but how much effort we make.
7. Transcending distinctions- I had thought about this a little diferently, more in terms of the distinctions we make between our "tribes"; what sets us apart and creates our predjudices. So we make distinction between Black and White, Young and Old, Provider and recipient, south sider and north sider, etc. Recovery allows us to understand that we are all in the same boat, we all have the same fears, and similar challenges to overcome. Reply to this
10/5/2006 9:20 AM
sandy beahm wrote:
Recovery = change: the sentence 'Don't let yourself be taken advantage of, ..." quite fits ..maybe something like .. Making healthy changes is being good to yourself and good to others and not letting yourself be taken advantage of or taken advantage of others.
Recognition: i would add the phrase "recognition of recovery" after the first two sentences.
power and powerlessness: i would change disabilities to illnesses
belief and hope: alittle to down for me ..recovery brings hope and hope brings strength for healthy changes and a renewed or new belief in oneself
choice and responsiblity: go back to the card scenario; can't chose the cards we've been dealt ... we can decide/chose which card to play and in recovery we take responsibility for our decisions; our actions; our behaviors
spiritual quest: in the sentence .. for many, this extnds beyond .... i suggest changing they to we
And another thing that's great about recovery is you are not alone! There are lots of folks 'out there' pulling for each other and ready to extend a hand to you too. Developing a supportive network of people who shares our joys, hardships and challenges is key to recovery. Mutual support -- back and forth; hand in hand; pulling for you for me -- celebrating, encouraging and just being there. So take that step, build that support and discover the wonders of a recovery life. Reply to this
11/2/2006 12:05 PM
WES wrote:
Reviewing the composite draft that Paul put together I would make the following obsrvations: -I think that we should keep each of these sections as simple and concise as possible in the final edit or people will have trouble wading through it. -there are a number of redundancies in the various sections that we will want to edit out also, keeping the focus on the topic as much as possible as opposed to broader reflections on recovery and universality.
Other comments:
Recognition section: Sandy had recommended that we put in the "recognition of recovery" in this section. I don't really understand this, and my own take on this section is that it is about the fact that people need to recognize that they have a problem or issue before they can begin the change process. Recognizing that recovery is possible is important of course also, but not the intent of the section I don't think, falling more under Belief and Hope.
Speaking of Belief and Hope, I would add the following to this section (in line with Sandy's comments) "If we do not believe in the possibility of change, we have little hope of achieving it".
Choice and Responsibility - Second sentence, after the comma should read "...but sometimes they come and we feel helpless to overcome them and get stuck.
Last sentence, same paragraph: "Choice and responsiblity relate to the role that an individual takes in their own recovery."
First sentence, second pargraph: In taking responsibility for our health and making good choices we can begin to ...respond to life's challenges differently.
Transcending distinctions: This section came out a little differently than I had envisioned it. I thought that we wanted to talk about distinctions such as race, age, substances of choice, treatment approaches, etc. Recovery being the bridge that integrates them and creates a sense of common experience and unity. This is actually addressed in some of the other sections, but I think that this is where it belongs. Reply to this
I have decided to throw in my 2 cents worth to the already exisiting Booklet. It will be in 2 blogs as there is much to write.
Saya
Recovery = Change
Recovery is about choosing to make changes in your life and work towards achieving your goals. It means having hope in the knowledge that life is not stagnant and that tomorrow can be a better day than today. You can live the life you want and achieve your goals if you break them up into small steps: One day at a time, one step at a time.
Do not allow yourself to be taken advantage of, and don’t take advantage of others.
Above all, keep your spirit focused on your goals and your chance of recovery will increase dramatically.
Applicability of Recovery
The principles of recovery are useful tools for all us whether we have a substance abuse disorder, mental illness, a medical or physical problem, or are just coping with the every day problems of life. Recovery from illness, both physical and mental, doesn’t necessarily mean that there has been a cure. There are sometimes bumps in the road that set us back temporarily, but that is also a part of the process of recovery. True recovery begins when we accept our condition and begin to learn how to manage it without allowing it to completely limit our lives or define who we are.
The most important thing to remember about recovery is that it is not an instantaneous event; recovery is a process that takes different amounts of time for every individual. In recovery, we have hope because we can see the possibilities ahead of us. Each of us is on a journey toward improved health, but it is a journey that we control. We must make choices that contribute to our recovery and lead to wellness. To make these choices we need to recognize that certain personal decisions and behaviors contribute to the level of distress that we experience which contributes to the symptoms we manifest.
It is this recognition, along with the support we receive from family, friends, and others that gives us the power to make positive changes in our lives.
Recognition – the knowledge of state
Recognition is the universal impetus essential to the process of recovery. An awareness that everyone engages in that process is at the core of our human experience. This recognition allows people to step out of the shadows and move toward the goals of building resiliency and promoting recovery for everyone. Recovery unites provider and patient, people suffering from addictions and mental illnesses, the young and the old. Recovery empowers and initiates self-discovery, renewal and transformation.
Recognition of the principle that recovery is universal and that all people have the potential for it is essential in order to provide hope to those who have not experienced the possibilities and power of recovery in their own lives. Reply to this
11/12/2006 12:53 PMSaya wrote:
Here is the continuation of my commetns. Saya Power and Powerlessness There are many things in our lives that we have no control over. The weather, the tides, the actions of others, our physical characteristics and genetic makeup are but a few that can be named. While we cannot choose the cards we are dealt, we do have choices about how we play them. Acceptance of powerlessness over an illness is often identified as a first step in the beginning of a recovery, but this should not be taken to mean that we are powerless over how we manage that illness, or the choices that we make.
Recovery involves taking control of our lives by making wise choices that will minimize the negative impact of our disabilities.
Belief and Hope Somewhere early in life we were led to the belief that just being ourselves wasn’t good enough. If we wanted love, happiness and, most importantly, success we needed to become what “others” wanted us to be, regardless of who these “others” were. As a result of this subtle brainwashing we sought to recreate ourselves, looking for something or someone to fix us; we sought out someone who could recreate us, but in their image, not our own. That became our hope and belief, but it was a false one. Recovery begins in the despair of that false hope and belief. Out of that despair (“hitting rock bottom”) we can come to believe that the person we are and were created to be can be recovered, and is very much worthy of recovery.
This new hope comes from beyond us – from those who know us, from others who are further along the path of recovery and from the source of our being who wants us to accept who we really are. The belief in self and in the one who created us is essential to recovery which is a lifetime journey.
Challenge and Courage The words challenge and courage often evoke acts of heroism and bravery. We are reminded of the bravery and heroism exhibited by the people in the military, by fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and medical personnel who regularly go “above and beyond” the call of duty to save the lives of people they don’t even know. But that is not the end of bravery, it is only the beginning; individuals who have overcome severe injuries or trauma are often spoken of as being courageous as well. It is important to remember that many events and issues in an individual’s life can be a challenge to them personally and we can never truly know what lies behind the pain and adversity that an individual is coping with in their life.
Each person’s journey of recovery is as unique as they are, but it is when we have the courage to face our individual challenges while still believing in ourselves and meeting the challenge of working and living with them on a daily basis that we take those all important steps towards our recovery journey. Reply to this
11/12/2006 12:55 PMsaya wrote:
Ok so it is taking more space Spiritual Quest or a Search for Meaning and Connection The quality of our lives is largely determined by the degree to which we find meaning and purpose in them. Even the most difficult circumstances may be endured if we are able to have faith that our suffering is not being endured in vain. In most cases, a large element of what gives our lives relevance or meaning is our relationships; for others, it is the work that they do that gives their lives meaning. For many, this extends beyond those with whom they are most intimately involved, and even beyond the immediate community in which they live and struggle. It is the recognition or belief that we, as a people, are all connected to one another in ways that we may not always be aware of, and that there are values and obligations that are part of that connection.
Our membership in this larger community of humanity is what allows us to engage in acts of kindness and to a humble understanding that we are all the same despite our differences. The search for meaning in life doesn’t have to lead to the top of a mountain, it can be found in the soup kitchens and the hospices that are in virtually every community around our nation. Being a volunteer, giving of yourself, is a gift that can never be repaid; while you may be able to solve many problems with money, it is impossible to replace the value of humanity. That brings true meaning to life.
Transcending Distinctions Transcending distinctions can incorporate many areas of recovery; here we will relate three particular distinctions. The First distinction is the difference between cure and recovery. Historically the term “recovery” has been used synonymously with the word cure, especially in the medical community. Years later the term became identified with the addictions field, relating to someone no longer using substances and “working a program” towards a recovery free from chemicals. It is no wonder that when we talk about recovery now, in a universal application of the term, the true meaning of the word is often lost or confused amongst these historical distinctions. Reply to this
11/12/2006 12:56 PMSaya wrote:
Last one! Saya It is important to remember, particularly in the case of mental illness, that recovery is a process that takes time and does not necessarily follow a timetable of our choosing. The second distinction is the concept that there is only one model or approach for recovery to adopt or use. The success that an individual will have with their recovery is largely determined by their involvement with the process. For this reason the “approach” or model used may be different from person to person. The third and final distinction is that of ownership. In this case, ownership is a difficult distinction to transcend in that it tries to answer the question that many involved in recovery want answered: who is responsible for recovery, the professional or the consumer? There is no easy answer, as each individual will find that they are in a different place intellectually when it comes to accepting the issues relating to having an illness.
Perhaps it is best to remind those on the road to recovery that illness, mental illness included, does not discriminate, it does not focus on any particular demographic: anyone can become ill. We may have a mental illness, but we are not defined by that illness. Ownership merely allows us to take a greater role in the process of recovery; it is an empowering step in the process.
Community of Recovery We must look at recovery as a celebration of hope and the potential that lies within each of us. It brings together the different concerns, needs, goals and lives; and provides the connections between all individuals that are essential for a thriving community. Recovery includes all individuals, not a select few. These connections with others develop understanding, compassion, respect, and encouragement. A thriving community can be a place of acceptance for all, one that celebrates the differences of individuals, that encourages hope, and offers the support that some may need for independent living that they may not otherwise have.
A community of recovery understands that the need for increased individual responsibility is essential to reinforce self-esteem and promote healthy living, allowing individuals to continue to heal, grow, and reach their fullest potential. Within a community of recovery all things are possible. Reply to this
12/20/2006 9:05 AM
Lisa Olander wrote:
typo on page 2 under Choice and Responsibility. 2nd line - this does "no" imply - guess should be "not." Other than that - very well written. Well done! Reply to this
2/14/2007 3:44 PM
victoria wrote:
There needs to be some mention of 'opportunity' in the initial sections not just 'possibilities'. In the recognition section, the word 'impetus' may not be understood easily and the word 'patient' is old fashioned. The entire sentence on Recovery 'uniting provider and patient, addiction and mental illness and young and old', is confusing. The sections on Power and Effort are strong/rock solid. In the Belief section the sentence regarding 'the source of our being'...is confusing. And in the choice section the sentence "on relay to someones option for self driven care and the role etc...is confusing" Thank you for the time to respond and participate. Reply to this
5/17/2007 8:07 PM
Meg wrote:
Before I get to general comments on each area let me...well, “put first things first”! I think we should be very careful with language about “God” and any defining qualities of spirituality. It is easy for us all to present our personal experiences as prescriptive for others rather than descriptive of our own experience. We do want to share experience and hope. We want what worked for us to work for others. But we mustn’t risk giving some individuals comfort & hope while excluding others from recovery itself if the particulars of faith are not shared as in “belief...in the one who created us is essential to recovery.” If I were a Hindu, a Buddhist, an atheist, agnostic or more likely, a person angry with a Judeo-Christian God, I could feel left out of any chance to recover. Recovery = Change I liked “recovery is about choosing to make changes”! Maybe we could say “recovery means living one day at a time”. My idea of recovery comes from a developmental perspective. We are all on this journey. People do get stuck by significant challenges to growth. I think what makes recovery different from universal developmental tasks is the recovery process has the added element of overcoming significant obstacles on the way to health and wellness. So I like the small steps line. Application: I am not very comfortable with “state or condition”. They imply, to me at least, a somewhat deterministic idea of “once broken, always broken”. For some, recovery is leaving behind the identity of being in an ill condition. Recognition – the knowledge of state I liked what people said about keeping this section a little simpler. I wonder if we could define this recognition or knowledge in terms of “willingness”. Accepting reality is the hard part, if not no one would get drunk or high! Power and Powerlessness “Acceptance of powerlessness over an illness is often identified as a first step in beginning a recovery. Prescribing acceptance of a condition of [every] mental illness, even where no co-occurring chemical addiction is present, is problematic to me. Do we want to promise hope, dignity, respect, & involvement while telling people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness that no recovery is possible unless they accept an identity as a sick person? Also, I find the word “disability” disheartening and its internalization can negate any real hope there might be. Can “disabled” really mean anything other than broken? Even “unable” can give hope. One can become able. Disabled means the property of “being able” has been removed. Healthy choices are the engines of recovery. Reply to this
5/17/2007 8:12 PM
Meg wrote:
Belief and Hope: I’m not so sure I would want to tell others what they were led to believe nor in what they should believe now. Not everyone needs to hit a bottom so low that it must be described as the “despair of false hope and belief.” Perhaps we can look at the whole section more positively. I think this particular recovery principle is about coming to a belief in the possibility of recovering or “returning to the sanity of step 2. Making the decision to believe a good life is possible is the unmatchable asset. Can we say something like this: A basic component of recovery is choosing to believe others when they say, “’Things will get better.’ In order to get better one must base new behaviors on the notion that tomorrow is a new day. All is not lost. Recovery takes our old, self-defeating thoughts and turns them into optimistic beliefs about the process of and possibilities for changed lives. I also really liked “If we do not believe in the possibility of change, we have little hope of achieving it.” Challenge and Courage Let’s try allowing people to identify and define courage and challenge themselves. I’ve known a lot of medical personnel in my life and it’s usually the patients that exhibit the bravery. {Not you Dr. Sowers!} Just mention major surgery to a surgeon! .Let’s focus on the universality in the human condition of life as difficult. Maybe we could simplify to like, “The daily challenges that accompany chronic mental illness and dependencies can overwhelm anyone’s emotional and mental capacities to cope well. The courage necessary in the recovery process is the sheer force of will and self-discipline it takes to it takes to view one’s own shadow side and/or to go emotionally to the source of a life-time of maladaptive behavior (character defects). Courage is the quintessential moral force that all successful recovery has. “Courage is not the absence of fear—it is the going on in spite of it. Choice and Responsibility I had some difficulty following this paragraph. Change “relay” to “relate” and omit “someone’s option for person-centered care” How about: “No individual can force another to recover. Recovery that works is a personal choice to take responsibility for one’s happiness and welfare.” Reply to this
5/17/2007 8:15 PM
Meg wrote:
Effort and Potential The directive to “be resilient and blossom” belies the fact that those with severe and chronic mental illness may always need help in order to be resilient because their brain chemistry, thought processes and internal or external stimuli preclude total self-control. This maxim may hold true to addictions but it can serve to feed despair in mental illness. Too often people see symptoms as personal weaknesses. That includes low motivation or energy, anxiety and hopelessness. Recovery is about overcoming. If all it took was someone telling us to be all we could be—well people like us would be out of work. Recovery is more complex than having the right attitude. Making universal pronouncements about human potential in general can be tricky. Yes, we want all parties involved to pursue fulfilling potentials but all people are not created equal. I wish they were. How about something like, “Willingness to work hard at gaining a better life is admirable and necessary to recovery. It is the showing up at appointments and meetings that produce results. Recovery works only if you work it. What level of heart you put into it is going to affect the level of results you get.” Spiritual Quest or a Search for Meaning and Connection Some people are not on a spiritual quest. Some are content with their belief systems. Again, this may apply more to an out-of-control addict or someone in the criminal justice system than it does to an individual who becomes disabled every year from S.A.D. Let’s not assume that everyone in recovery is spiritually bankrupt. A spirituality that already works is strength not necessarily something that needs to be changed. And oh, oh: OMIT “MANKIND”!!!!! Let’s use the more inclusive language such as “human kind” or people or humanity or drunks and consumers, or whatever, just not “man” as normative language please! {{Sorry, unrepentant feminist here}} Transcending Distinctions Now that I’ve remarked about religious language in 2 places, I’m going to get spiritual on you (I’ll try to keep the philosophy to a minimum). To me, transcendence is the result of moving through and beyond false boundaries. It is quintessentially abstract. It is necessarily deconstructive. What we want to do here is hold two or three ideas in our minds at the same time. Isn’t it all the baggage we carry in the words consumer, provider and family that we want to transcend? The distinctions we make to divide those three are really false because we are all wounded humans going about our business and trying to survive the best we can. It’s the same for rich/poor, black/white, male/female, divine/human, service-user/service provider, ying/yang... {Remember the Buddhist guy ordering the hot dog from the street vender said, “Make me one with everything”.}So maybe—“In recovery we throw out the rigid roles/labels in order for each individual involved in a person’s recovery to bring their best to the whole recovery effort.” Reply to this
5/17/2007 8:25 PM
Meg wrote:
Community of Recovery I like the celebration of hope and possibilities. Can we say something like, “A personal recovery community is what we need to mend old relationships or make new ones; communities of compassion, understanding, respect for self and others are the places where we get the encouragement to recover"?
Last, let’s decide on point of view for the writing and who we are writing to—expository, chatty, we, us, you, individuals.. Are we using language of ...we find meaning...we have faith or are we generalizing it to expository words such as “those with whom they... Reply to this
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