VolunteerMark Gilman

Emerging Recovery Organisations: money, power and personalities

It’s been a hectic few weeks. Of course, I am not complaining because I am lucky enough to get paid very well for doing something professionally that I am passionate about personally and for that I am very grateful indeed.

I just want to make an observation about our Emerging Recovery Organisations and the arguments that are, inevitably, bubbling up over money, power and personalities.

Perhaps one of the most salutory lessons that tumbles down the years is AA’s attitude to money. On the evening of February 8, 1940, Rockefeller gave a dinner for A.A., with some 75 of New York’s rich and influential citizens in attendance.

Nelson Rockefeller, present on behalf of his father, praised the movement, and as Bill tells the story in Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, said, “Gentlemen, you can all see that this is a work of good will. Its power lies in the fact that one member carries the good message to the next, without any thought of financial income or reward. Therefore, it is our belief that Alcoholics Anonymous should be self-supporting so far as money is concerned. It needs only our good will.”

“Whereupon the guests clapped lustily, and . . . the whole billion dollars’ worth of them walked out the door.” (ibid., pp. 184-85).”

The other lessons from AA concern the importance of separating principles from personalities and being aware of the potential for ego and power to divert from the primary purpose (of carrying the message of recovery). For those who have been around a while I wonder if there are any top tips for navigating the stormy waters ahead?

61 comments - First published on: 07/02/2010

Road to recovery with In Excess TV, Thursday 28th January, Liverpool

Over 400 people came to this event on Thursday. This was a very ambitious project and those of us involved in setting it up were very aware of this. I have only had feedback from about 20 people but I said I would start this blog to capture the thoughts and learning from others who were there.

First, thanks to the DAATs who supported the event: Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, Warrington, Salford and some others – many thanks.

Nick Mercer was our chair for the day and he did a brilliant job. The first half of the day was given over to presentations from George Williams, myself, Ronnie Purslow, David McCollom, Simon J (NA), Tony Mellor and Jonathon Lloyd did a guided meditation for 400+ people (I was gone!).

The feedback I have had has been all positive about the event to that point. However, I think its fair to say that the consensus fractured a bit as we moved into ‘The Work’ with Byron Katie. Others will have their own views on this section of the day.

I think I can best sum up some of the comments I have had to date by saying that the Road to Recovery is a journey into the unknown. We haven’t been here before. We don’t know where the edge is. I think we may have found one of these edges and I thank Byron Katie for guiding us there.

The consensus returned for a very well received Question Time and about 300 people were still there. So, for me a success. Over to you?

Click here for a taster of the event

20 comments - First published on: 30/01/2010

Morals, values and ethics of harm reduction, abstinence and recovery

I know this has been the subject of many discussions over many years. I think it may be worth rehearsing these arguments here on Wired In at this time.

I say this because of the anthrax issue in Scotland. Sara McGrail’s blog is interesting on this and certainly got me thinking. Also, Melody’s blog on here about young people’s services and harm reduction.

The methadone debate also touched on the morals, values and ethics of harm reduction and recovery. Graham’s Would you rather and Matthew’s blog about attitudes becoming more conservative with age and experience also chime in.

At risk of caricaturing and stereotyping positions (and in order to kick off debate) I think it’s fair to say that for a lot of people harm reduction is seen as liberal, progressive and left wing (ish). Whereas abstinence and recovery are often seen as conservative and right wing (ish). Now I know that this is very crude and doesn’t work at all – but it’s a start.

The other reason for posting this blog up is because again this week I have heard of harm reduction colleagues expressing concerns about recovery by saying; “My client group is SO damaged and SO old that they will never recover”. I cringe when I hear about this because I can hear myself saying it only a few years ago. What say you?

24 comments - First published on: 17/01/2010

Methadone clinics in a recovery world

A couple of posts have got me thinking about the role of methadone clinics as we move ever more towards a world of recovery. I found it very interesting how Fiona, (in her blog, ‘It’s not easy’) referred to getting her methadone increased to compensate for the heroin she would not be using anymore.

I think it’s the easy, everyday and matter of fact way that people so openly talk about using on top that is so interesting. I often find myself having to explain this to people in partnerships who don’t live and breathe our world.

They often say things like: “but I thought methadone was a heroin substitute, why do they use on top?” and/or “but how do they pay for the heroin (and crack and benzos and booze) that they use of top?” then “but if they are using on top why do we carry on prescribing?”

Obviously, I point out that there is still a crime reduction dividend even in these circumstances and that’s one reason why we carry on prescribing. Often though, that debate then takes us to the comparison with alcohol (“we don’t give cider to alcoholics” etc) and this is where Michaela’s Amy versus Rab response to Oliver’s post (‘the power of language – treatment and recovery, do we create the barriers?’) was so interesting.

The treatments for heroin addiction and alcohol addiction can be very different. But, in recovery, and in recovery communities like this one, addicts and alcoholics tend to come together again. With all this in mind and in the context of the current economic climate, what should a modern methadone clinic look like in a world of recovery? I’ve got some ideas but I wondered what others think?

25 comments - First published on: 09/01/2010