Relational recovery in co-occurring conditions: a qualitative study of first-person experiences

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-100
Author(s):  
Eva Brekke ◽  
Ottar Ness ◽  
Lars Lien
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Person ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Relational Process

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe first-person experiences of relational recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. Design/methodology/approach Within a phenomenological and collaborative approach, in-depth individual interviews with eight persons with co-occurring conditions were analysed using systematic text condensation. Findings Participants described interpersonal relationships as both supporting and hindering recovery in fundamental ways. Four categories of experiences of relational recovery were described as follows: choosing one’s child; living with loneliness and a painful past; sacrificing everything for one’s partner; and regaining trust and support. Originality/value This paper provides an enhanced understanding of how interpersonal relationships may be experienced by persons who live with co-occurring conditions. The results generally support an understanding of recovery as a relational process.

scholarly journals Madness and chaos in the culture of a therapeutic community

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
Jonathan Stephen Roger Leach
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Oral History ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Therapeutic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of staff members working in a psychiatric therapeutic community in relation to ideas of “madness” and “chaos”. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a qualitative study based on oral history group witness seminars. Findings The findings indicate that many of the participants experienced working in a therapeutic community as both exciting and unsettling; some found themselves questioning their own mental health at the time. Despite a sense of “madness” and chaos in the life of the community, there was also a feeling that it provided a containing environment for some very disturbed patients. Originality/value This study is unusual in drawing upon staff member’s perceptions of their own relationship to “madness” in response to being involved in the life of a therapeutic community.

Understanding addiction, relapse and recovery amongst substance using offenders – a qualitative study informed by developmental psychological theories

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-352
Author(s):  
Beverly Love ◽  
Arlene Vetere ◽  
Paul Davis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Life ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Psychological developmental informed theories imply that addiction is not exclusively due to the addictive properties of the substance but that early psycho-social experiences are influential on later life. The purpose of this paper is to understand substance dependency, relapse and recovery amongst community-based substance using offenders in relation to their childhoods, relationships and significant life events, from their perspective. A key aim was to help better inform policy and practice. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study (interpretative phenomenological analysis) was used to understand the impact of childhood, relationships and significant life events amongst (N = 17) adult ex/offenders with substance use dependency problems, (who were part of the UK Government rehabilitation programme), to understand their substance use and recovery from their own perspectives. Findings Four main superordinate themes were developed illustrating participants extremely adverse childhoods. Substance use was a means to cope with current and past trauma and crises and to help manage the emotions and mental health which could accompany these difficulties. Managing recovery was about learning to manage life itself, including emotions, mental health problems, trauma/responses, relationships and everyday life. Originality/value This group is under researched where qualitative methods have been used. The study focussed on early-psycho-social experiences and relationships and the influence of these throughout the life cycle, in relation to their substance use. The study was informed by theories often used in therapeutic settings but rarely in research, (Orford, 2008; Khantzian, 2012; Flores, 2012, Van Der Kolk, 2014).

scholarly journals First-person experiences of recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Brekke ◽  
Lars Lien ◽  
Larry Davidson ◽  
Stian Biong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Concurrent Disorders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Recovery Orientation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe experiences of recovery among people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions (co-occurring conditions) in a rural community in Norway. Design/methodology/approach In-depth individual interviews with eight persons with co-occurring conditions were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach. This study is part of a research project investigating recovery orientation of services in a Norwegian district. Findings The analysis yielded four dimensions of recovery: feeling useful and accepted; coming to love oneself; mastering life; and emerging as a person. Insecure and inadequate housing and limited solutions to financial problems were described as major obstacles to recovery. Research limitations/implications Further research into the facilitation of recovery as defined by persons with concurrent disorders is needed, particularly regarding the facilitation of community participation. Practical implications This study supports an increased focus on societal and community factors in promoting recovery for persons with co-occurring conditions, as well as service designs that allow for an integration of social services and health care, and for collaboration among services. Social implications The results suggest that the community can aid recovery by accepting persons with co-occurring conditions as fellow citizens and welcoming their contributions. Originality/value The paper provides an enhanced understanding of how persons with co-occurring conditions may experience recovery.

Facilitators and barriers in dual recovery: a literature review of first-person perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ottar Ness ◽  
Marit Borg ◽  
Larry Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Future Orientation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
General View ◽  
First Person ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Substance Use Problems ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Purpose – The co-occurrence of mental health and substance use problems is prevalent, and has been problematic both in terms of its complexity for the person and of the challenges it poses to health care practitioners. Recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use problems is viewed as with multiple challenges embedded in it. As most of the existing literature on recovery tends to treat recovery in mental health and substance use problems separately, it is critical to assess the nature of our current understanding of what has been described as “complex” or “dual” recovery. The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss what persons with co-occurring mental health and substance use problems describe as facilitators and barriers in their recovery process as revealed in the literature. Design/methodology/approach – The method used for this study was a small-scale review of the literature gleaned from a wider general view. Searches were conducted in CINAHL, Psych info, Medline, Embase, SweMed+, and NORART. Findings – Three overarching themes were identified as facilitators of dual recovery: first, meaningful everyday life; second, focus on strengths and future orientation; and third, re-establishing a social life and supportive relationships. Two overarching themes were identified as barriers to dual recovery: first, lack of tailored help and second, complex systems and uncoordinated services. Originality/value – The recovery literature mostly focuses on recovery in mental health and substance use problems separately, with less attention being paid in the first-person literature to what helps and what hinders dual recovery.

The 10 most important debates surrounding dual diagnosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Collective Knowledge ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Made In

Purpose – It is more than 30 years since attention turned to the issue of the relationship between substance use and mental health. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the progress to date that has been made in advancing the knowledge and understanding. Design/methodology/approach – The author has drawn on the available literature, identifying key contributions from a variety of fields which have helped to shape the understanding of the issues in relation to dual diagnosis. The ten themes are not presented in order of importance. Findings – Achievements have been made in attracting the attention of clinicians, researchers, policy makers and commissioners to this issue. Overall the author is left with a clearer understanding of what treatments are not effective and the challenges of determining what is. Originality/value – This paper seeks to instigate a discussion about where the collective knowledge stands on this important and challenging area of practice and research.

The collaborative assessment and management of suicide (CAMS): a recovery-oriented approach to working with suicidal people

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-90
Author(s):  
Eoin Galavan ◽  
Julie Repper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Assessment ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Oriented Approach

Purpose The collaborative assessment and management of suicide (CAMS) is an evidenced-based therapeutic framework designed to facilitate a co-authored and collaborative approach to addressing suicidality (Jobes, 2009). The collaborative nature of this approach is fundamental to its success in delivering suicide specific and recovery-oriented mental health care to thousands of suicidal people to date. The purpose of this paper is to outline the CAMS model and propose it as a recovery-oriented approach to addressing suicidality in mental health care. Design/methodology/approach The CAMS model and its philosophy are reviewed in light of recovery principles. Findings It is proposed that the CAMS model is consistent with a recovery-oriented approach to mental health care for suicidal people. Originality/value As yet there are no specifically identified recovery-oriented approaches to addressing suicidality.

Surviving secondary school: a story of mental health in adolescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 162-165
Author(s):  
Carys J. Morley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Person ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share experiences of attending a secondary school with mental health difficulties and provide tips for coping. It is the first in a series of three papers exploring mental health at different stages of education. Design/methodology/approach A narrative, first-person approach is taken. Findings Advice and tips for both adolescents experiencing mental health difficulties and teachers are provided. Originality/value The paper is one person’s experiences and therefore unique. It contributes a voice to the much-needed discussion on teenagers and mental health, and promotes an understanding of mental health to both teenagers who may be experiencing difficulties and those who know such teenagers.

Surviving sixth form: a story of mental health in adolescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Carys J. Morley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Person ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Sixth Form

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share experiences of attending sixth form with mental health difficulties and provide tips to young people for coping. Its aim is to encourage empathy and understanding of young people suffering with mental illness. It is the second in a series of three papers exploring mental health at different stages of education. Design/methodology/approach A narrative, first-person approach is taken. Findings Advice and reflections for young people with mental health difficulties are provided. Originality/value The paper is one person’s experiences and is therefore unique. It contributes a voice to the much-needed discussion on teenagers and mental health, and promotes an understanding of mental health to both teenagers who maybe experiencing difficulties and those who know such teenagers.

Dual leadership in a hospital practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Ravnborg Thude ◽  
Svend Erik Thomsen ◽  
Egon Stenager ◽  
Erik Hollnagel
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Leadership Teams ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Power Balance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Hospital Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Danish Hospital

Purpose Despite the practice of dual leadership in many organizations, there is relatively little research on the topic. Dual leadership means two leaders share the leadership task and are held jointly accountable for the results of the unit. To better understand how dual leadership works, this study aims to analyse three different dual leadership pairs at a Danish hospital. Furthermore, this study develops a tool to characterize dual leadership teams from each other. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Six leaders were interviewed to clarify how dual leadership works in a hospital context. All interviews were transcribed and coded. During coding, focus was on the nine principles found in the literature and another principle was found by looking at the themes that were generic for all six interviews. Findings Results indicate that power balance, personal relations and decision processes are important factors for creating efficient dual leaderships. The study develops a categorizing tool to use for further research or for organizations, to describe and analyse dual leaderships. Originality/value The study describes dual leadership in the hospital context and develops a categorizing tool for being able to distinguish dual leadership teams from each other. It is important to reveal if there are any indicators that can be used for optimising dual leadership teams in the health-care sector and in other organisations.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: re-entry

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Returning To Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a peer support worker over the course of a day working in mental health services. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on the experience of returning to work after taking sick leave. Findings – Reflections are offered based on the process of returning to work and the way that this experience sheds light on personal recovery. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of peer support working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

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