Experiences of Sustainable Abstinence-Based Recovery: an Exploratory Study of Three Recovery Communities (RC) in England

Harrison, Rebecca; Hout, Marie Claire Van; Cochrane, Madeleine; Eckley, Lindsay; Noonan, Robert J.; Timpson, Hannah; Sumnall, Harry

doi:10.1007/s11469-018-9967-8

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(69 reference statements)

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“…This included Celecoxib augmentation (typically used to treat pain) in those with an anxiety disorder [ 212 ] and faster access to a hearing dog for those with hearing loss [ 216 ]. Five studies investigated if attending recovery colleges or personalised mental health residential services improved wellbeing [ 220 , 221 , 222 , 223 , 224 ]. Although none had a control group, three services had a positive impact on wellbeing [ 220 , 221 , 224 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Works to Improve Wellbeing? A Rapid Systematic Review of 223 Interventions Evaluated with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scales

Blodgett

Birch

Musella³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Introduction: The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) is a commonly used scale of mental wellbeing focusing entirely on the positive aspect of mental health. It has been widely used in a broad range of clinical and research settings, including to evaluate if interventions, programmes or pilots improve wellbeing. We aimed to systematically review all interventions that used WEMWBS and evaluate which interventions are the most effective at improving wellbeing. Methods: Eligible populations included children and adults, with no health or age restrictions. Any intervention study was eligible if the wellbeing outcome was measured using the 7 or 14-item WEMWBS scale assessed both pre- and post-intervention. We identified eligible intervention studies using three approaches: a database search (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PyschInfo and Web of Science from January 2007 to present), grey literature search, and by issuing a call for evidence. Narrative synthesis and random-effects meta-analysis of standardised mean differences in the intervention group were used to summarise intervention effects on WEMWBS score. Results: We identified 223 interventions across 209 studies, with a total of 53,834 participants across all studies. Five main themes of interventions were synthesised: psychological (n = 80); social (n = 54); arts, culture and environment (n = 29); physical health promotion (n = 18); and other (n = 28). Psychological interventions based on resilience, wellbeing or self-management techniques had the strongest effect on wellbeing. A broad range of other interventions were effective at improving mental wellbeing, including other psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoeducation and mindfulness. Medium to strong effects were also seen for person-centred support/advice (social), arts-based, parenting (social) and social prescribing interventions. However, a major limitation of the evidence was that only 75 (36%) of studies included a control group. Conclusions: WEMWBS has been widely used to assess wellbeing across a diverse range of interventions, settings and samples. Despite substantial heterogeneity in individual intervention design, delivery and groups targeted, results indicate that a broad range of intervention types can successfully improve wellbeing. Methodological changes, such as greater use of control groups in intervention evaluation, can help future researchers and policy makers further understand what works for mental wellbeing.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Works to Improve Wellbeing? A Rapid Systematic Review of 223 Interventions Evaluated with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scales

Blodgett

Birch

Musella³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Not only did it find practitioners supported participants to explore sensitive and difficult recovery themes, in a safe and ethical manner, but the unique collaboration demonstrates the need for people in recovery to be exposed to high quality, social, cultural, and human resources Cloud 1999, 2001;Cloud and Granfield 2008;White and Cloud 2008;Neale et al 2014). Initiatives such as Staging Recovery are critical in that they target vulnerable and marginalised populations (Harrison et al 2020); working with cohorts impaired by experiences of crime, intimate partner violence and abuse, homelessness, unemployment, etc., require greater attention and support according to the UK 2017 Drug Strategy (HM Government 2017). The power of this collaboration is further evidenced by the meaning participants place on their attachments with Geese practitioners.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I’d Probably Be Dead Now”: Evaluating the Impact of Theatre Practitioners Working on a Recovery-Based Community Drama Project

Kewley

Hout

2020

Int J Ment Health Addiction

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Aside from the often-fatal consequences of substance abuse, people recovering from addiction suffer greater adverse childhood experiences, trauma in adulthood, and inequalities than non-addicts. As a result, psychological, emotional, and developmental barriers can prevent effective recovery, leaving people traumatised, vulnerable, and doubly stigmatised. The challenge, therefore, is for recovery practitioners to deliver responses that not only treat biological problems resulting from addiction but also address psychological, social, and cultural needs. One group of professionals providing holistic approaches to people in recovery are arts-based practitioners. This paper derives from a 3-year longitudinal study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, to examine the psychosocial impact of one community-based drama project called Staging Recovery. The study found the work of theatre practitioners not only provided recovery participants safe spaces to explore sensitive and difficult recovery themes but the use of theatre techniques and ethically driven practice exposed participants to high-quality, social, cultural, and human capital.

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“…Such services have been shown to facilitate social and psychological improvements beyond crime reduction, increasing service users' psychological and emotional wellbeing, social engagement and sense of belonging (12). Nonetheless, abstinence often remains the primary 'goal' in both real world medicine and clical trial settings (17,18). Thus, evaluations of treatment 'success' are often tied to abstinance-based de nitions of 'recovery', which may undervalue and undermine the many positive health, social and psychological bene ts of harm reductionist approaches.…”

Section: Drug Treatment In the Ukmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I feel like I found myself again’ – Rethinking ‘recovery’ in a qualitative exploration of Heroin Assisted Treatment (HAT) service users’ experiences

Riley

Harris

Ahmed

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Heroin Assisted Treatment (HAT) is an enhanced harm reduction programme designed for treatment-refractory opioid dependent individuals. The first HAT service in England was established in 2019, involving twice-daily supervised injections of medical-grade heroin (diamorphine). International research has produced promising evidence for HAT in reducing a range of intravenous drug-related harms and promoting myriad social benefits such as reduced criminal activity, increased social engagement and improved wellbeing. However, strict regulatory controls may constrain service users’ opportunities for social re-integration, inadvertently prioritising abstinence-focused treatment goals and definitions of ‘recovery’. The impact of HAT delivery from service user’s perspectives is not well documented, and this is the first qualitative research conducted within a fully operational HAT service in England. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with HAT service users in a North-East England drug treatment service (N=12). Data was subjected to thematic analysis, with common themes emerging inductively from the data. Results Participants overcame barriers to engagement and retention through self-motivation and commitment, supportive staff relationships and de-stigmatising treatment experiences that increased service users’ self-efficacy and sense of belonging. They reported multiple physical, emotional and social impacts, including minimised street heroin use and criminal behaviour, improved physical health, increased social engagement and emotional wellbeing. Conclusions Physical, social and psychological healing interacted throughout the course of HAT to facilitate holistic improvements in quality of life and wellbeing. However, HAT’s intensive treatment schedule was restrictive of patient’s daily activities, which could be mitigated through greater flexibility in treatment regulations. Middlesbrough HAT is an example of innovative drug treatment that offers continuing opportunities for success within a broad definition of recovery, in which abstinence sits on a spectrum alongside diverse forms of social, physical and psychological recovery from drug-related harms.

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Experiences of Sustainable Abstinence-Based Recovery: an Exploratory Study of Three Recovery Communities (RC) in England

Cited by 8 publications

References 40 publications

What Works to Improve Wellbeing? A Rapid Systematic Review of 223 Interventions Evaluated with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scales

What Works to Improve Wellbeing? A Rapid Systematic Review of 223 Interventions Evaluated with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scales

“I’d Probably Be Dead Now”: Evaluating the Impact of Theatre Practitioners Working on a Recovery-Based Community Drama Project

‘I feel like I found myself again’ – Rethinking ‘recovery’ in a qualitative exploration of Heroin Assisted Treatment (HAT) service users’ experiences

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