Ethnic-Specific Support Systems as a Method for Sustaining Long-Term Addiction Recovery

Abstract

Although addiction-recovery mutual-aid support groups have grown dramatically and now span secular, spiritual, and religious frameworks of recovery, most of what is known from the standpoint of science about these groups is based on the early participation of treated populations in Alcoholics Anonymous. Many questions remain about the effects of participation in other mutual-aid groups and different pathways and styles of recovery within and across diverse ethnic groups. This article reviews existing data on ethnic group participation in recovery mutual-aid groups, summarizes the history of culturally indigenous recovery movements within Native American and African American communities in the United States, and describes strategies aimed at increasing recovery prevalence and the quality of life in recovery for persons of color in Philadelphia, PA.

Insights into the effective management of support groups for Aboriginal Australian women with substance use disorders

“…Access to social support is a strong determinant of good health (Richmond, Ross, & Egeland, 2007), and the unique value of indigenous-specific group support for individuals to address substance misuse and related harms has been described (Evans, Achara-Abrahams, Lamb, & White, 2012). Similar to other initiatives for indigenous individuals with SUDs (Chenhall, 2007;Stevenson, 1999;Vick et al, 1998), the women's group of this study draws on Aboriginal culture and storytelling to bring about positive change.…”

Group Psychotherapy in Specialty Clinics for Substance Use Disorder Treatment: The Challenge of Ethnoracially Diverse Clients

“…Finally, there is a danger to invalidate complaints of racial discrimination as resistance or denial, when in fact group engagement that validates these reality-based experiences may help clients to more productively solve actual problems and remain more engaged with treatment. Fortunately, several researchers have articulated culturally-relevant community-level approaches to 12-step recovery that enable a bridging of individual responsibility and contextual contributors (Eliason, Amodia, & Cano, 2006; Evans, Achara-Abrahams, Lamb, & White, 2012; Humphreys, Mavis, & Stöffelmayr, 1994). For example, Evans and colleagues (2012) report that within many African American and Native American communities, “culturally indigenous recovery support services” augment mainstream 12-step approaches through having a broader etiology, a clearer focus on community recovery, and a greater role of political advocacy.…”

Substance use and misuse: The community psychology of prevention, intervention, and policy.

“…One of the newer governmental, societal, and professional initiatives, the Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) framework, has auspiciously acknowledged that professionals cannot do it all, nor is the responsibility only in the hands of the person in recovery. ROSC explicitly acknowledges that halting the use of substances is only a small part of holistic and long-term recovery (see Davidson, Tondora, O'Connell, Kirk, Rockholz, & Evans, 2007;Evans, Achara-Abrahams, Lamb, & White, 2012). Such philosophies promise much for the future in terms of a community psychology-like continuum of care, collaboration across professional and mutual help, and shared responsibility for recovery across all stakeholders.…”