Week 9: Addiction And Society — You Alone Can Do It

Week 9 Addiction And Societyyou Alone Can Do It But You Cannot Do It

Week 9: Addiction and Society You alone can do it, but you cannot do it alone. —O. Hobart Mowrer, behavior therapy psychologist. Stan is a desperate twenty-three-year-old sitting in his room alone, depressed, and contemplating suicide. He feels hopeless because his substance addiction is taking control of his life. He does not want to die but he is scared to reach out for help. He has tried to stop his substance use without success.

He wonders if he can find someone else who is going through the same thing, who understands what he is going through, and who might help him get better. With that thought in mind, he begins researching addiction treatment on the Internet. This week, you consider the role of groups and community support in the recovery of addiction. You explore ways that social interactions might assist an individual in recovery from addiction to maintain sobriety. Finally, you explore your insights from attending a 12-step program meeting and considering how it might impact your future as an addiction professional.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the multifaceted nature of addiction and the vital role of community support is essential for effective recovery strategies. Addiction is not merely a personal struggle but a societal issue that demands a comprehensive approach involving social, psychological, and medical interventions. As an addiction professional, recognizing the importance of group therapy, community involvement, and peer support networks can significantly influence recovery outcomes.

The role of groups and community support in addiction recovery is well-documented. Group therapy provides a safe environment for individuals to share their experiences, develop new coping strategies, and foster mutual understanding. According to Capuzzi & Stauffer (2016), group therapy facilitates social learning, where members observe and emulate positive behaviors, thereby promoting change. Such settings also reduce feelings of isolation, which often exacerbate addiction (Bogo et al., 2011). Engaging with others who share similar struggles can foster a sense of belonging and hope, crucial for sustaining motivation in recovery.

Community-based support systems, particularly 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), have demonstrated efficacy in maintaining sobriety. Whitely (2010) emphasizes that these programs provide structured support, accountability, and ongoing encouragement, which are vital for long-term recovery. Attending a 12-step meeting allows individuals to connect with peers, share successes and setbacks, and develop a sense of purpose. Such communal participation fosters resilience and provides a model for abstinent living that participants may adopt outside formal settings.

Furthermore, social interactions and community involvement serve as protective factors. As White (2010) highlights, nonclinical support services—such as peer mentorship and community activities—can supplement formal treatment, addressing social determinants of health that influence relapse risk. These auxiliary supports help build social capital, which is associated with better recovery outcomes (Laschober et al., 2013). Therefore, integrating community support enhances the sustainability of sobriety and reduces the stigma associated with addiction.

Attending a 12-step program personally sheds light on its transformative potential as an addiction professional. It underscores the importance of mutual support, humility, and shared accountability. Such insight can guide professionals in fostering similar environments within therapeutic settings, promoting empowerment, and reinforcing abstinence. It also highlights the need to tailor support systems to individual cultural and social contexts for maximum effectiveness.

In conclusion, groups and community support are fundamental components in the journey of addiction recovery. They provide emotional sustenance, social reinforcement, and practical guidelines for maintaining sobriety. As addiction professionals, incorporating these elements into treatment plans can improve outcomes and help individuals rebuild their lives in a supportive environment.

References

• Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2016). Foundations of addictions counseling (3rd ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.
• Bogo, M., Paterson, J., Tufford, L., & King, R. (2011). Interprofessional clinical supervision in mental health and addiction: Toward identifying common elements. The Clinical Supervisor, 30(1), 124–140.
• Laschober, T. C., de Tormes Eby, L., & Sauer, J. B. (2013). Effective clinical supervision in substance use disorder treatment programs and counselor job performance. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 35(1), 76–94.
• Whitely, C. E. M. (2010). Social work clinical supervision in the addictions: Importance of understanding professional cultures. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 10(4), 343–362.
• White, W. L. (2010). Nonclinical addiction recovery support services: History, rationale, models, potentials, and pitfalls. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 28(3), 256–272.
• Mowrer, O. H. (Year). [Quote: "You alone can do it, but you cannot do it alone"].
• Kelly, J. F., & Moos, R. H. (2007). Broad versus specific measures of the social environment in predicting treatment outcome. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 33(2), 131-144.
• Kaskutas, L. A., & Subbaraman, R. (2015). How do mutual support groups work? A review of the mechanisms of change in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step settings. Substance Use & Misuse, 50(2), 211-221.
• Smedslund, G., Berg, R. C., Steiro, A., et al. (2011). Motivational interviewing for substance abuse. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD008063.
• Kelly, J. F., Stout, R. L., Magill, M., & Tonigan, J. S. (2011). The Role of Alcoholics Anonymous in promoting recovery. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 35(2), 144–153.