HCA Module 01 - Recovery and Resiliency Flashcards
What is Behavioral Health?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (also known as SAMHSA) defines it as:
* A state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and actions that affect wellness.
* Substance abuse and misuse are one set of behavioral health problems.
* Other problems include (but are not limited to) serious psychological distress, suicide, and mental illness.
The term behavioral health encompasses many issues that can affect a person’s wellness such as gambling, substance use, and other addictions. Why do you think they are classified together?
One of the reasons is that some of the ways to get better are the same. Many people find that these challenges are a result of experiencing trauma and that their issues were a resilient attempt to cope with the trauma. This explains why so many people have more than one challenge in these areas and that they overlap.
RECOVERY IS RECOVERY
What is Recovery?
Recovery is individualized and through peer support we encourage each person to define their own recovery.
There are many definitions of recovery and resilience. Washington uses the working definition from SAMHSA: Recovery from mental disorders and/or substance use disorders is “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”
Does everyone agree that abstinence is essential to recovery?
Not everyone agrees that abstinence is essential to recovery. This is a controversial subject. Many programs require abstinence, and many employers do as well. Abstinence can be defined as the self-enforced restraint from indulging in substances or activities.
There are many paths to recovery ranging from abstinence to harm reduction. Harm reduction can be defined as ideas and practical strategies with the goal of reducing negative consequence associated with drug use or other activities that could be damaging to a person’s wellbeing.
What is resiliency?
Resiliency is the ability of a person or family to rebound from adverse events as well as the ability to develop strengths to respond to challenges in a positive way.
We often refer to resilience in children’s mental health or to youth instead of using the term recovery. Instead of overcoming the challenges of long term behavioral health issues, the focus for children and youth is often to promote positive potential, build on strengths, and learn to adapt to challenges.
What are the Four Dimensions of Recovery, according to SAMHSA?
SAMHSA has also described four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:
1. Health: Learning to overcome, manage or more successfully live with the symptoms and making healthy choices that support one’s physical and emotional well- being.
2. Home: A stable and safe place to live.
3. Purpose: Meaningful daily activities, such as: a job, school, volunteer work, or creative endeavors; increased ability to lead a self-directed life; and meaningful engagement in society.
4. Community: Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
What are SAMHSA’s 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery?
SAMHSA’s Guiding Principles of Recovery are:
1. Hope
2. Holistic
3. Peer Support
4. Person Driven
5. Relational
6. Culture
7. Many Pathways
8. Addresses Trauma
9. Strengths/Responsibility
10. Respect
What does Recovery means in practice?
Research consistently shows that people can and do recover from behavioral health issues (mental health challenges and/or substance use disorders). Research shows that treatment works.
The definition of recovery is personal. For some it means having no further problems or being abstinent. For others it means living a full productive life while dealing with challenges.
Why does language create reality?
As peer support workers, we aim to avoid the use of clinical language-with people we serve and with colleagues by using and modeling recovery language. We use language that is thoughtful and respectful that avoids stigmatizing people.
How do Labels get in the way of thinking about recovery?
Once a person is given a label, such as a diagnosis, it can negatively affect the way a person or others think about themselves. Labels can create a stigmatizing environment where people are reduced to only their label, not the whole person.
Why do we use Person-First Language?
A general respectful guideline is to use person first language. Instead of labeling people by their difficulties (i.e., a bipolar, an alcoholic, a borderline), we describe people as individuals.
For example, “A person with…”, “A person living with…”, or “A person in recovery from…” are all types of person-first language.
Why not mental illness?
Mental illness can be a troublesome term. Although most people agree with scientific brain-based research, there are different perspectives. The major problem with talking about illness is that it focuses on impairment, difficulty, and the medical world. We prefer to talk about “behavioral health” or “wellness” in a positive way.
Medical Model vs Recovery Model?
Sometimes the term “medical model” is used to describe languages and practices that are overly clinical, disempowering, and do not promote hope.” This is mostly true in behavioral health. Although many medical providers are becoming trained in recovery, many people still experience medical services that don’t support recovery.
The term “recovery model” refers to “language and practices that are person- centered and promote hope and other recovery concepts.”
Can you give examples of messages of recovery concepts and support recovery?
- You can reach your goals.
- You are unique and talented.
- You are in charge of your life.
- You can have the life you want.
What can peer supporters do to inspire and support recovery?
- Share your own stories of hope and overcoming challenges.
- Consistently “hold the hope” for individuals and families. Express frequently your faith that change is possible and life will improve.
- Support choice and empowerment.
- Encourage opportunities for additional support, including joining community support organizations.
