Abstainer and Recovery Ally workshop

R E C O V E R Y &A L L Y T R A I N I N G

OVERVIEW

Substance Use Culture at IU

What is Recovery?

Stigma and Marginalized Identities

How to be an Ally

Resources and Discussion

SUBSTANCE USE CULTURE AT IU

• A large percentage of IU students choose to abstain for various reasons.

• 70% of our student body either abstains, or drinks moderately.

• Alcohol use is most prevalent on campus, followed by marijuana, and

prescription drugs like Adderall, pain killers, and sedatives (i.e. Xanax).

• Nationally, 31% of college students meet the criteria for a substance use

disorder

– Nationally, 6% of college students meet criteria for a more serious

substance use disorder.

• On our campus, 600+ students identify as being in recovery from

problematic alcohol or drug use.Students Needing Help are Often Shielded From Doing So

because of the “Party Culture” Perception.

W H AT I S R E C O V E R Y ?M Y T H S , F A C T S , A N D B E I N G I N R E C O V E R Y

MYTHS

• People who abstain or are in substance use disorder recovery will judge you

for drinking even if you don’t have a “problem”.”

• People that abstain or are in recovery don’t have fun.

• People in recovery are “jealous” or “sad” that they “can’t” drink.

• People in recovery “aren’t allowed” to hang with people who drink; they can

only be friends with each other. Everyone at parties drinks or uses drugs.

• “Relapse” is always a part of recovery; relapse can happen at any moment.

• You can spot a person in recovery just by looking at them. (Stereotypes)

• People that abstain are lame.

• People in college are too young to be in recovery.

TRUTHS

1 in 10 Americans will get

help for substance use

disorder in their lifetime.

23 million Americans currently live

in addiction recovery

27% of Americans

admit they would be

less likely to hire an

otherwise qualified job

applicant just because

the person was in

recovery.

67% of Americans believe

that stigma and

stereotypes exist against

people in recovery.

Stigma keeps people from getting

help. Shame is deadly.

WHAT IS RECOVERY?

“…a voluntarily maintained lifestyle

composed and characterized by

sobriety, personal health, and

citizenship.”

-Hazelden Betty Ford Center, 2013

BEING IN RECOVERY

• We all hold multiple identities

• Some of those identities hold power, some are

marginalized

• Some students on campus identify as a person in

recovery:

• Recovery is a:–Hidden identity

–Misunderstood identity

–Stigmatized identity

– Internalized identity

–Subordinated identity

BEING IN RECOVERY

• For some, it means abstaining from all mind and mood-altering

substances

• Seeking to live a life of emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness

• Some attend 12-step fellowships, and others rely on the support of

churches, their family, or mental health professionals.

• Some take medications to help them maintain sobriety

• They recognized that being of service to others helps their recovery

• Recovery is a process, not an event

• Recovery is a personal journey, and is the responsibility of the

person in recoveryIf you want to learn more about someone’s reason for

abstaining, or for being in recovery, ASK.

BEING IN RECOVERY AT IU

• A large percentage of IU students choose to abstain for various reasons.

Some are in recovery.

– From Alcohol: 400

– From Drugs: 980

• Many students in recovery choose to remain unknown

• Other students that abstain or are in recovery are unaware of their

options on campus

VERY INCLUSIVE

50% men, 50% women

Ages 18-30

50% in-state students

None live on campus

currently

Sobriety ranges from less

than 6 months to more

than 5 years

Some were at IU when

they entered recovery,

some were not

Some took time off of

school for treatmentStudents in Recovery is a student

organization supported by OASIS. It is

open to all students in recovery, allies and

advocates.

S T I G M AM A R G I N A L I Z AT I O N O F P E O P L E I N R E C O V E R Y

STIGMA• Language and word choice can determine your tone

Helpful and encouraging

VS.

Discriminating, judgmental, and labeling

• Negative terms infer that addiction is a choice

“alcoholic” “junkie” “stoner” “addict”

• Person first language

“Person in recovery” or “Person with substance use

disorder”

• Supportive and caring friendships facilitate recovery

• Education and awareness creates understanding

CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATED IDENTITIES

DOMINANT GROUP:

DRINKING, USING

SUBORDINATE GROUP:

RECOVERING, ABSTAINING

• Considered “different,” “Lame,” “boring”

• Adapt to a world where drinking and drug use is popular

• Feel ostracized

• Limited options for help or sober fun

• Not as acceptable to talk about abstinence or recovery

• Viewed as “normal” and

acceptable

• World is built to suit their needs

• Privilege of substance use is

“the way things are”

• Free to attend events where

alcohol and drugs may be

present without much concern

• Share stories about drinking or

using drugs in public, or with

friends

B E I N G A R E C O V E R Y A L LY O R F R I E N D T O A B S TA I N E R“ A L LY ” I S I N T E R C H A N G E A B L E W I T H

“ C H A M P I O N ”

OBJECTIVES FOR ALLIES

• Understand the recovery community, which includes:

–People in recovery

–Allies

–Professionals

–Friends and family

• Be a friend to those in recovery

HOW TO BE AN ALLY

• Be a helpful part of the recovery community

–Communicate that they are not alone

–Actively listen to advice and perspective from those in

recovery

–Ask respectful questions to further your understanding

• Form opportunities for alcohol-free fun... Compromise!

• Be mindful of your word choice

–Person first language

• Know that being an ally is a process of growth

HOW TO BE AN ALLY

AT A PARTY

• Have non-alcoholic options available, and food

• Provide water that is accessible

• Respect anyone’s refusal

• Respect the wishes of people that don’t use substances

• Be aware of your friends’ habits and behavior

• Be an active bystander. STEP UP if you hear someone pressuring someone to drink or use drugs.

ON CAMPUS

• Reduce stigmatizing language

through respectful conversation

• Educate others about recovery

• Share information about

activities and events without

alcohol

• Inform students about OASIS as

a resource for students in

recovery

• Talk about SIRB

• Invite non-using friends to

HOW TO TALK TO A FRIEND

WHAT TO DO

• Talk when both of you are sober

• The sooner the better

• Be specific and concrete, state

observations (i.e. facts)

• Distinguish between the person

and the behavior

• Consult a friend or family member

• Encourage your friend to consult

with a professional

• Set boundaries; take care of you

WHAT NOT TO DO

• Pressure them to drink or use

drugs

• Pressure them to do something

that they do not want to do

• Accuse or argue

• Lecture, moralize, or judge

• Tell them you’re giving up on them

• Downplay or shame recovery

• Take on their pain or struggle

TAKE-HOME RESOURCES

• Indiana Recovery Alliance

– Naloxone distribution organization in Bloomington

– http://indianarecoveryalliance.org/

• Faces and Voices of Recovery

– National organization advocating for recovery

– http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/

• The Fix

– News in the recovery community

– https://www.thefix.com/

C O N TA C T U SO A S I S @ i n d i a n a . e d u

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REFERENCES

• Perron, B. E., Grahovac, I. D., Uppal, J. S., Granillo, T. M., Shuter, J., & Porer, C. A.

(2011). Supporting students in recovery on college campuses: Opportunities for

student affairs professionals. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 48(1),

47–64. doi:10.2202/1949-6605.6226 Available at

http://journals.naspa.org/jsarp/vol48/iss1/art4/

• www.drugfree.org

• http://www.transformingyouthrecovery.org/

• http://www.drugabuse.gov/