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Recovery Messaging and Advocacy: Speak Up &Speak Out!

Hosted by the 2018 Addiction Recovery Awareness Day Coalition of Georgia

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACB/GA)Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA)Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB)Georgia Association of Recovery Residences (GARR)Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA)Georgia Overdose Prevention (GOP)Hazelden Betty Ford FoundationKennesaw State University Center for Young Adult Addiction RecoveryPenfield Christian HomesSTAND, Inc.

Today’s Schedule 10:30-12:30

Brunch

11:00-12:00 Recovery Messaging and Naloxone training

1:00-2:00 Recovery Rally

VISIT YOUR LEGISLATOR Legislative lookup is located in Room 125 on the bottom floor of the Capitol.

You must have a state issued ID to enter the Capitol

carolineaiken.com

Welcome, we’re glad you’re here!Help us thank our sponsors!

The Problem…

The Problem

The Problem

The Solution!

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The Likelihood of Sustaining Abstinence Another Year Grows Over Time

36%

66%

86%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

1 to 12 months 1 to 3 years 4 to 7 years

Duration of Abstinence

% S

usta

inin

g A

bstin

ence

Ano

ther

Yea

r

.

After 1 to 3 years of abstinence, 2/3rds will make it another year

After 4 years of abstinence, about 86% will make it

another year

Source: Dennis, Foss & Scott (2007)

Only a third of people with

1 to 12 months of abstinence will

sustain it another year

But even after 7 years of abstinence, about 14%

relapse each year

Dennis, M.L., Foss, M.A., & Scott, C.K (2007). An eight-year perspective on the relationship between the duration of abstinence and other aspects of recovery. Evaluation Review, 31(6), 585-612.

What does recovery look like on average? Duration of Abstinence1-12 Months 1-3 Years 4-7 Years

✓ More social and spiritual support✓ Better mental health ✓ Housing and living situations continue to

improve ✓ Dramatic rise in employment and income ✓ Dramatic drop in people living below the

poverty line

✓ Virtual elimination of illegal activity and illegal income

✓ Better housing and living situations

✓ Increasing employment and income

✓ More clean and sober friends

✓ Less illegal activity and incarceration

✓ Less homelessness, violence and victimization

✓ Less use by others at home, work and by social peers

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Our Recovery Communities

People in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction, their family

members, friends and allies

We will improve the lives of millions of Americans, their families and communities if we address alcohol and other drug use a public health crisis.

To overcome this crisis, we must accord dignity to people in recovery and recognize that there is no one path to recovery.

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Neil CampbellGA Council on Substance Abuseneil@gasubstanceabuse.org; 404-223-0863

George S. Braucht; LPC, CPCS & CARES; Brauchtworks Consulting brauchtworks@yahoo.com; 404-310-3941

www.gasubstanceabuse.org

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Grounded in Research

Faces & Voices’ recovery messaging is based on research

• Survey of the Recovery Community• Survey of the General Public • Focus groups of the recovery community &

the general public (8 groups in 4 cities)

Conducted by Peter D. Hart & Associates & Robert M. Teeter’s Coldwater Corporationhttp://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/resources/public_opinion.php

Our Goal: To build and support recovery-friendly communities

by developingpolicies, communities,and a society that are

recovery-friendly.

How Advocates Can Help ….

Visible presence of individuals and families who are recovering:

Increases awareness that recovery happens

Decreases the stigma of addiction

Normalizes the fact that everyone is touched by addiction in some way

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What is a Message?

• An exchange of information using words

• The most important information you want your listener to hear

It is crucial that you know what you want to say and leave in people’s minds.

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Your Messaging Goals

1. Use effective, credible language to talk about your life and experiences

2. Know how to use the message in different situations

3. Make it possible for more people to get well

What’s not in the message

I’m a recovering addict (alcoholic): When people hear the words addict or alcoholic, it reinforces the idea of a revolving door…

Information about particular pathways to recovery: we don’t promote any particular pathway to recovery;

A definition of recovery: While we support and promote the Georgia Definition of Recovery, we don’t recommend including this or any particular definition of recovery in our messages;

“Addiction is a disease,” “Addiction is a health problem”: Many people don’t believe it’s a disease or health problem – sharing experience is more powerful than engaging in this debate.

Based on a 2004 Survey and Focus Groups of the General Public

Conducted by Faces and Voices of Recovery

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Grounded in Research

Recovery Community• 88% believe it is very important for the

American public to see that thousands get well every year

General Public• A majority of Americans (63%) have been

affected by addiction• A majority (67%) believe that there is a stigma

toward people in recovery• A majority (74%) say that attitudes & policies

must change

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Your Frame of Mind

Speak with one voice

Make it personal; adds credibility and breaks down misperceptions

Talk about your recovery, not your addiction – your recovery story

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12-Step Anonymity

These messages do not violate the 12-step fellowship traditions

Help us educate others in 12-step groups about their right to speak out!

Welcome, we’re glad you’re here!

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Message by a Person in Recovery

1. I’m in long-term recovery which means...

2. Have not used alcohol or other drugs for x number years

3. Long-term recovery has given me new hope and stability

4. I’ve created a better life for myself, my family and my community

5. I’m speaking out so that others have the opportunity to achieve long-term recovery

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Recovery Message for a FamilyMember or Other Recovery Ally

1. My family and I are in long-term recovery, which means …

2. My (son/daughter/husband/wife) hasn’t used alcohol or other drugs for x years

3. We’ve become healthier together, enjoying family life in our home

4. Long-term recovery has given me and my family new purpose and hope for the future

5. I want to make it possible for others to do the same

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What’s Not in the Message and Why I’m an addict (or alcoholic)

I’m a recovering addict (or alcoholic)

Addiction is a disease, moral problem, etc.

Information about a particular recovery pathway (12-step, substance abuse treatment, faith-based services, etc.)

A “definition” of recovery

Use Recovery-Focused Language! Addict

Junkie

Enabler

Relapsing Disorder

Hit Bottom

Denial

Person seeking or in recovery

Someone with addiction

Ally for recovery

Preventable, treatable chronic

health condition

Elevator gets off at every

floor!

Ambivalence

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Speaking with the Media

• The reporter’s role = tell a story, provide timely and interesting information and sell newspapers, or attract listeners and viewers

• Your role = tell your recovery story and build support for your position

Remember – don’t stray from the message!

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Thinking about Language

Words/Concepts We Need toElevate and Celebrate

Recovery, Recovery Community/ Communities of Recovery

Advocacy, SustainabilityRecovery Support Services/

Recovery CoachRecovery-Oriented Systems of Care Living ProofResponsibility, Gratitude, ServiceHOPE

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RecoveryMessage Goals

Expand opportunities for recovery

Mobilize and organize the recovery community to advocate for own rights and needs

Break down discriminatory barriers

Build our state and national recovery advocacy movement

Achieve a just response to addiction as a health crisis

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When Can I Use the Message? When talking to your family, friends

and neighbors

When writing articles, newsletters, blogging, etc.

When talking to elected officials, public policy makers and others in government

When being interviewed or speaking in public

ALWAYS!

Speaking to your legislator

• Introduce yourself to your legislator by letting them know you are a constituent and a person in recovery (or family member/ally).

• Addictive disease prevention and resources services were cut in recent years state budgets.

• Substance use related deaths (not including alcohol) have risen from 1,074 overdose deaths in Georgia in 2010 to 1,537 overdose deaths in 2017.

• Last year, legislators began restoring some of the budget cuts and it’s already making a difference in the lives of thousands of Georgia.

• Ask that they continue to support recovery by removing barriers such as housing, employment, and criminal history barriers.

• Offer to be a resource if they have any questions about recovery.

Addiction Recovery Messaging and Advocacy Brief handout

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Summary Use Faces & Voices of

Recovery messaging totell your recovery story

Make it personal

Use your message in all parts of your life with:Family and friendsNeighbors and co-workersMedia and public officialsAlways!

Peer-Based Recovery Support

Response to Opiate Overdoses

Stay Connected!

Georgia Council on Substance Abuse(404) 523-3440 www.gasubstanceabuse.org

#ARAD2019#GeorgiaRecovers

@Recovery_GCSA@GACSB@DBHDD

Addiction Recovery Awareness DayThursday, January 17th!

Recovery Messagingand Advocacy:Speak Up & Speak Out!

Hosted bythe Addiction

Recovery Coalition of

Georgia

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACB/GA)

• Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA)

• Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB)

• Georgia Association of Recovery Residences (GARR)

• Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA)• Georgia Overdose Prevention (GOP) • Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation• KSU Center for Young Adult Addiction Recovery• Penfield Christian Homes• STAND, Inc.