VolunteerMark Gilman

Recovery characters in fiction - Scudder and Robicheaux

Every year I plan my holiday reading with more and more precision as its become such a big part of my annual leave. I just wanted to share two authors and their recovery characters (and a big thanks to Peter McDermott for putting me onto both).

First is Lawrence Block and his recovery character ‘Matt Scudder’. We first meet Matt Scudder as an active alcoholic and then he gets into recovery in AA etc and the setting is New York City. The second is James Lee Burke and his recovery character ‘Dave Robicheaux’ same kind of deal but this time we are in Louisiana.

So, if anyone is looking for holiday reading with a recovery slant you can do a lot worse than Scudder and Robicheaux. Anyone else found any gems?

4 comments - First published on: 28/08/2010

Treatment, Recovery and the Whole Family

I had the pleasure and the challenge of speaking at a conference yesterday on ‘Working with the whole family’. My contention was, and is, that by embracing a recovery orientation to a treatment system the welfare of the children of addicts and alcoholics would be well served.

We were joined by several young carers who shared with us their experiences of having to care for their addict and alcoholic parents as well as caring for their siblings etc. They have made a great and very moving DVD called “Ask about me”. Copies are available from here or contact 01159422974.

The reason for this blog is that I wanted to make sure that everyone involved in our industry is aware of the need to think about the whole family when we work with individual adults. I know that in recovery circles people will challenge each other to do the right thing by their children.

Quality recovery demands that you do the right thing for your family (if you have one) on a daily basis. But, active addiction is a manifestation of ‘self will run riot’ and active addicts and alcoholics show humanity at its most selfish.

One of the questions the young carers asked us yesterday was, “Do our Mums and Dads not love us?”. I could only suggest that they do love you – but in active addiction they love drugs and drink more. But, IF they get into recovery they will be able to show you by their actions (not their words) that they love you.

How do you all think we can best address ‘Treatment, Recovery and the Whole Family’?

13 comments - First published on: 16/07/2010

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