(Part 1)
By Rebecca A. Clay
For many people, the story that follows illustrates perfectly the philosophy of the
Recovery Community Services Program at SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
(CSAT).
A man falls into a hole so deep he can't get out. A doctor walks by, and the
man calls for help. The doctor writes a prescription, tosses it into the hole, and
walks on. A priest walks by, and the man tries again. The priest writes a prayer,
tosses it into the hole, and walks on. Finally a friend walks by, and again the man
asks for help. To his surprise, the friend jumps in with him. "Why did you do that?"
the man asks. "Now we're both in the hole." "Yes," the friend responds. "But
I've been in this hole before, and I know the way out."
Launched in 2002, the Program promotes the idea that people who have already recovered
from alcohol or substance abuse disorders can do a lot to help their peers initiate
or sustain their own recovery.
Today, 30 grantees around the Nation are providing peer-to-peer recovery support
services to individuals at every stage of recovery, their family members, and other
allies. Directed by Catherine D. Nugent, M.S., the Program has three ultimate goals—to
prevent relapse, promote recovery, and improve participants' quality of life.
"The recovery community has become a key player in the addiction, treatment,
and recovery fields," said CSAT Director H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.,
noting that peer support complements professional treatment. "Recovery Community
Services Program projects are paving the way to concrete improvements in the systems
that serve people addicted to alcohol and other drugs. This is an exciting time,"
Dr. Clark said.
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A Long History
The concept of peer support has a long history within the alcohol and substance abuse
treatment field. [For information about the parallel history of self-help within the
mental health treatment field, see SAMHSA News, Spring 1997,
"SAMHSA Responds to Growth of the Consumer Movement."]
Since its founding in 1935, for example, Alcoholics Anonymous has brought together
millions of people who help each other attain and maintain sobriety. Narcotics Anonymous
and similar groups have followed suit. Once the exclusive domain of highly trained
professionals, the substance abuse treatment field now embraces self-help groups as
a valuable option available to those who need help recovering from alcohol or substance
abuse.
"Spending time with others helps create and strengthen those meaningful relationships
that are part of our definition of recovery," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G.
Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W. "Our vision is based on the precept that all people deserve the
opportunity for life that includes a job, a home, education, and meaningful relationships
with family and friends—in short, a life in the community for everyone. That
vision really is the antidote to the emptiness, isolation, and loneliness that weigh
heavily on the hearts of people who suffer from addiction."
Underlying the Recovery Community Services Program and other peer-to-peer recovery
support efforts is a conceptual framework based on three primary ideas. First, holistic,
community-based support services play an important role in helping people sustain long-term
recovery from chronic conditions such as alcoholism and substance use disorders. Second,
recovery occurs along a "change continuum," and peers can help people move
along the continuum by offering hope, motivation, and living proof that treatment works
and recovery is possible. Third, social support—in the form of demonstrations
of caring, offers of information, concrete assistance, or simple companionship—is
important.
"Recovery is a life-long endeavor, but treatment programs end," explained
Ms. Nugent, Senior Public Health Advisor in CSAT's Practice Improvement Branch.
"People often need more support than they get from aftercare services or 12-step
programs. By drawing on the abilities of people in recovery—and their desire
to give something back—we can extend the continuum of recovery services available
in the community."
For individuals seeking help, self-help groups offer support, information, and role
models in a non-threatening, non-judgmental environment. But participation also helps
people who have already recovered, Ms. Nugent stressed. "If you're acting as a role
model for recovery, that's a relapse prevention strategy in and of itself," she said.
See Also—Article
Continued: Part 2 »
See Also—Related
Content:
From the
Administrator: The Promise of Recovery »
Examples of Peer Support Services »
See Also—Next
Article »
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