A Volunteer Model for Providing Peer Recovery Support

by William M. Loving, MD andJ. Scott Thornton, Ph.D.

A successful volunteer peer recovery support model was developed and is being implemented by a charitable nonprofit organization called Communities for Recovery (CforR) of Austin, Texas. The purpose of this organization is to provide recovery support for individuals suffering from chemical dependency and mental or emotional health issues. The organization was started in 2003 to serve the Chemical Dependency (CD) and Dual Disordered (DD) in-patients as well as out-patients at Seton Shoal Creek Hospital, Austin, Texas, where WML served as Medical Director. The initial objective was to offer recovery support to patients during their stay in the hospital and after discharge to reduce recidivism in this population. The Volunteers began by concentrating on the resident population which presented approximately 65% CD and 35% DD. Volunteer activities included one-on-one discussions with the patients; accompanying them to off-unit 12 Step meetings in the Hospital; and conducting on-unit informal Q and A and story-telling meetings that came to be known as Cross-Talk meetings.

Dealing with a Parent’s Addiction

The children of people with alcohol or drug problems usually suffer greatly. Addicted family members are more likely to be violent or emotionally abusive, and even when abuse is not a factor, households affected by addiction can be highly disordered, unstable and unloving. As a result, children of addicts often grow up socially isolated and tend to develop emotional difficulties and behavioral problems. As they grow up, these issues can lead to antisocial behavior, mood disorders, and drug and alcohol abuse.

Sadly, because children of addicts often don’t know whom to turn to with their problems – and many don’t even realize until later on that their lives aren’t normal – they’re the most frequently underserved group when it comes to providing services for family members of addicts. Even when addicted parents seek treatment, it’s too often assumed that the children have been unaffected by the addiction.

But nothing could be further from the truth, as children of addicts commonly grow up with a range of problems that can have lasting negative impacts on their lives.

NAADAC Leadership Moves Forward on Shaping the Association’s Strategy

by Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP

The NAADAC Executive Committee met in March to discuss NAADAC and its role in supporting its members and the profession. The Committee took a basic look at our association and its fundamentals: who we are, what we do and how we do it.

What emerged from their discussions was a determination to focus on four major areas, "four pillars" of outreach in order to strengthen and improve our association.

The Four Pillars: essential roles and reasons for NAADAC to exist. These pillars are:

• Professional Development
• Public Engagement
• Professional Services
• Communicate the Mission

Our discussions allowed us to define and describe the unique services that NAADAC offers and focus on delivering them to the best of our ability.

45 Life Lessons and 5 to Grow On

by Regina Brett

Regina Brett

This is something we should all read at least once a week! Number 18 and 43 was DRILLED into me...how about you, any of these really strike home? enjoy ......Norma Dee

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.