Gratitude while Drinking, Gratitude while Recovering

Background. For decades researchers have debated whether those diagnosed with alcohol use disorders can return to non-problematic drinking. Now, recovery researchers are measuring aspects of wellbeing in addition to aspects of pathology, producing surprising findings that have added to the debate. Recent studies show that some who continue to drink endorse high levels of psychosocial functioning. Objectives. Employ trait gratitude to answer the following questions: how do individuals who continue to drink but endorse high gratitude at follow-up differ from peers at baseline? Does trait gratitude correlate differently with demographic, psychosocial, and clinical factors for abstinent members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) versus drinking non-AAs? Methods. 275 individuals with alcohol dependence were assessed for trait gratitude at 2.5-3 year follow-up in a naturalistic, longitudinal study. Psychosocial and clinical indicators were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Results. Drinkers who endorsed high gratitude had higher socioeconomic status, greater levels of positive spirituality, more stable personality indicators, less addiction severity, fewer negative life events, and fewer psychiatric symptoms than their peers at baseline. For actively drinking non-AAs, trait gratitude correlated differently, and positively, with years of education, income, and purpose in life compared with sober AAs. For AA members, gratitude correlated positively with AA involvement and length of sobriety. Discussion. A subset of drinkers report doing relatively well despite meeting criteria for alcohol dependence. Trait gratitude correlated differently with other constructs for AAs versus non-AAs, indicating that gratitude for recovery might be contextually sensitive, operating differently within and without the structure of AA

Recovery-informed Theory: Situating the Subjective in the Science of Substance Use Disorder Recovery

As recovery from substance use disorder becomes more than a mere quantifiable outcome, there exists a need to discuss and propose the underlying theoretical constructs that ultimately describe and identify the science of recovery. In this abstract undertaking, we propose an initial formulation of a grand theory of recovery science, built upon the seminal theories of recovery capital, recovery-oriented systems of care, and socioecological theory. This grand theory - labeled recovery-informed theory (RIT) - states that successful long-term recovery is self-evident and is a fundamentally emancipatory set of processes. This paper will discuss, analyze, and explore this theory as it is situated within the larger substance use, misuse, and disorder contexts. The uses, implications, and benefits of RIT as an organizing point of inquiry for recovery science are also discussed. By promoting the role of subjective recovery experience in the formulation of the study of recovery, it may be possible to summon new ideas, metrics, and strategies that can directly address substance use disorders in society. Adopting a recovery-informed understanding as follows from this grand theory may allow individual recovery and wellness trajectories to be explored, adapted, and modified to exemplify person-centered and individualized recovery strategies

Collegiate Recovery Programs and Treatment Providers: Supporting Outcomes, Not Admissions

Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs), rooted in slow-moving academic institutions, can be contrasted with relatively fast-moving private treatment entities, and this contrast has great potential for both conflict and mutual benefit. Conflict may arise from a misunderstanding about the role of CRPs in the continuum of care - frequently thought to be a referral source, when, in fact, they work best as a post-treatment resource, improving outcomes for students in recovery. Young adults are the fastest growing demographic seeking treatment for substance use disorders, and, because of this changing age profile, more treatment entities are seeking to serve young adults and coming into contact with CRPs. This presentation explores the nuances and ethical challenges facing those interactions and describes the benefits of collaboration when pursued thoughtfully. The experiences of a CRP and a sober living/IOP facility in Austin, Texas will also be presented as a framework for collaboration

POP-UP: University and Community Collaborations Towards Addressing Youth Substance Misuse

This presentation shares the process and findings of a funded interdisciplinary project involving researchers engaging in the difficult integrative dialogues to incorporate findings from diverse areas of research and practice. This interdisciplinary project, part of the Pop-Up Institute initiative at UT Austin, brought together researchers, community partners, peers, and students for one year to foster the kind of collaborative deconstruction of silos that is essential to the progression of the addiction recovery field. Results, lessons learned, and future directions gleaned from the Pop-Up Institute's year of activities will be discussed during this presentation

Community Colleges: The Next Frontier of Recovery Support at Institutions of Higher Education

In 2016, TYR could identify only six community colleges offering recovery support programs and services. Based on this finding, TYR identified a need for pilot programs to better understand programmatic models that may be effective for supporting students in recovery at community colleges. TYR’s Bridging the Gap grant program supports these pilot programs and is intended to act as a catalyst for building capacity for recovery support on community college campuses across the U.S. The goal of the program is two-fold; first, to help more 2-year institutions initiate recovery support programs and services and second, to study what programs and services are viewed as helpful and useful to students in recovery so that best practices can be shared as the field develops. This session provided a recap of TYR’s 2016 research, observations from Year 1 of the grant program, and a discussion on survey responses on institutional attitudes and student engagement in recovery support on 2-year campuses

The Neuroscience of High-Risk Behavior: Implications for Prevention & Treatment in Youth

The average age of first use of alcohol for teen boys is 11 and 13 for teen girls. The average age of first exposure to pornography is 9. More teens are suffering from depression than any other time in our history due to too much screen time. Cyberbullying peaks in the 6th grade. What is happening in our culture and to our children’s neurodevelopment as a result of it? Engaging in high-risk behavior as a teen increases the chance of struggling with addiction as an adult by up to 90% due neurodevelopmental exposure and priming of the mesolimbic reward system. The Neuroscience of High-Risk Behavior elucidates how substances and other risky behavior, such as technology overuse, affect healthy neurodevelopment and how these effects impair adult functioning as well as implications for prevention and treatment. Practical, every-day parenting solutions and clinical techniques will be discussed

A Missing Link: Nutritional Healing in Recovery

The journey of students in a Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) begins with early recovery and continues towards a well-developed mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical state. Much emphasis is placed on mental, emotional, and spiritual healing through traditional recovery programs. Though all of these aspects are vital to flourishing in recovery, nourishing the physical state is often overlooked. The “missing link” within CRPs, the role of nutrition, can significantly impact physical well-being in recovery and a student’s reconnection with their body. Delivering information to CRP staff and students on the many aspects impacted from nutritional deficiencies and imbalances (neurobiological, gastrointestinal, emotional, mental), particularly in early recovery, will provide a means to evaluate  inclusion of nutritional and physical health emphasis at their CRP.  Appropriate implementation, not only knowledge, of resources to support this “missing link” is also crucial  in a student’s journey to flourishing in recovery

Co-Occurring Disorders: An integrated approach to treatment

Treating and overcoming co-occurring disorders can be complex and challenging for clinicians and clients. In the past, the field has attempted to treat co-occurring disorders separately, but evidence in recent years suggests that treating both disorders at the same time yields the best results. This presentation will offer an overview of the challenges and clinical issues that are present in helping people with dual diagnoses. Recommendations for assessment and treatment of co-occurring disorders will be provided, and a case example will be presented to assist with application of information

Eating Disorder Recovery: Fostering an Inclusive Culture

Eating disorder (ED) recovery is often difficult to define, which may leave those offering recovery support feeling lost and discouraged when determining ED services in their Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP). Although CRPs primarily support substance use disorders (SUD), research demonstrates 35% with a SUD recovery report also having an ED, thus making it imperative that CRPs understand and consider means for an ED supportive culture. Providing information to staff of CRPs on the state of ED recovery research and how to incorporate strategies for support, despite the size, tenure, or financial status of a CRP, is important for inclusion. Texas Tech offered their experience in their CRP and the evolution of ED support and culture within

Students Voicing Collegiate Recovery

Young adults increasingly enter college with substance use addiction. Some may achieve recovery before setting their foot on a college campus whereas others during their college years. These students often struggle to maintain sobriety as they act out their daily lives because they find themselves in abstinence-hostile environments (Bugbee et al., 2016; Harris et al., 2008). This presentation will discuss students’ collegiate recovery experiences and will report on a photovoice project documenting students’ recovery experience and recovery management and support needs. Photovoice is a participatory social action method that uses photography to answer research questions (Wang, 2006); a photovoice exhibit, involving a gallery of participants’ photographs and linked narrative text to explicate the photos’ meaning, disseminates the findings. The presentation will focus on the narratives of students in recovery and attendees will obtain an in-depth understanding of recovery students’ experiences of stigma, shame and isolation, and marginalized social positions, which are intimately tied to their addiction histories. Students in recovery represent an invisible student group that struggles to access resources and needed healthcare services. The photovoice method can act as a powerful tool to empower marginalized students to share their recovery experiences and articulate their needs; ultimately providing a vehicle for structural-level and systemic change