Please respond to the following discussion posts.

1. Kaleb posted

Al-Anon

Al-Anon was created from the foundation of AA as a support group for those who have had their lives effected by an alcoholic. Al-Anon uses an adaptation of the 12 steps and 12 traditions of AA to help the families of alcoholics (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2019). I attended an online meeting of Al-Anon via Zoom and I found it very informative. Corrigan (2016) found that participation in Al-Anon fosters resiliency and I feel the discussion during this meeting showcases this fact.

“An expert on everyone but myself”

               This group had a speaker who spoke on the topic of “self-knowledge and self-acceptance.” I was intrigued by the topic but was unsure at first how it applied to this group of men and women. After all, these people were brought together by the shared experience of being affected by the actions of another (living with and often being abused by an alcoholic). It seems as though the focus should be on the alcoholic and how they behaved/are behaving.

               However, the answer became immediately clear in the speaker’s next sentence: “I was an expert on everyone else but had no concept of myself.” The speaker went on to explain that, growing up as the daughter of an alcoholic, she became hyper aware of her father and his state at all times: was he drinking? How much had he drunk? Was he upset? Was there something she should be doing differently that would make him happy again? “As a child growing up in an alcoholic home, I found it was inconvenient for me to have needs.” She carried this awareness into her other relationships, and eventually into her relationship with her alcoholic husband. This awareness of and care for the needs of others came at her detriment as she began ignoring her own needs. Many of the other members shared this experience. “It’s been a journey to know what I actually feel about things.”  

Responsibility, Choice, and Power

               Through gaining self-knowledge, many of the members reflected how they learned how they contributed to their partners addiction. Not that they were responsible for the other person’s addiction, but they were able to see how they may have enabled the addict. Further, many of the members realized that they were not simply victims: they had power and choices. One woman explained that she had chosen to stay with her alcoholic boyfriend for so long because, even though he was abusive, she did not want him to feel like she was abandoning him. However, she realized it was her choice to let his opinion control her and she decided “it’s okay if somebody else’s narrative of me is that I abandoned him.” Another member explained that for a long time she saw herself as a victim, but she found great relief in seeing that her choices contributed to her situation and her choices could get her out: “I am grateful that I have responsibility!”

References

Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. (2019). Foundations of Addictions Counseling (The Merrill Counseling Series) (4th ed.). Pearson.

Corrigan, B. (2016). ‘A New Way to Live My Life’: How Al-Anon Influences Resilience: A Qualitative Account. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 11(1), 42–58.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2 .Nadia Posted                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 

When I was searching for a Narcotics Anonymous meeting to attend, I was surprised to see the amount of availability there was. There were meetings throughout the day; I may have even seen a meeting scheduled for past midnight and even in different languages. I was happy to see that there is support for those struggling throughout the day and who speak a different language. We learn from reading on the Effectiveness of a peer-support Community book that the power to healing is through support and belonging (Boisvert et al., 2018). Everyone shared without fear of judgment from attending the Narcotics Anonymous meeting through zoom. Half of the meetings were new people, and the other half have been to these meetings before. It was heartwarming to see how the participants who have done this before encouraged the new ones. Watching from the outside allowed me to see the support they get from their peers that they lack in the outside world. Prior to this meeting, I had not noticed how harshly the world looks at someone struggling with narcotics. In the meeting, I was able to see how they are helping each other by simply not passing rude looks or comments. By attending this meeting, I felt that I was a part of their world.   

A recent study, “Personal recovery depends on NA unity”: an exploratory study on recovery-supportive elements in Narcotics Anonymous, found that support, empowerment, belonging, and hope were found in the Narcotics Anonymous meeting leading to more substantial recovery (Dekkers et al., 2020). According to this study, many who attended Narcotics Anonymous meetings began to feel that they have a healthy social life and the courage to fight for their recovery (Dekkers et al., 2020). I believe the platform which I attended truly has the power to help these individuals to get on the road to recovery. Ultimately, we know that the decision falls on the person. However, with the support and encouragement I witnessed, I believe healing will come from it.   

While reading the book of Jeremiah, I came across a beautiful verse “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” (New International Version, Jeremiah 29-19-13). Throughout the Narcotics Anonymous meeting, I could see how all these participants sought healing and comfort.   

(Word 456)

References  

Boisvert, R. A., Martin, L. M., Grosek, M., & Clarie, A. J. (2018). Effectiveness of a peer?support community in addiction recovery: participation as intervention. Occupational therapy international, 15(4), 205-220. 

Holy Bible, New International Version, Jeremiah 29-19-13 

Dekkers, A., Vos, S., & Vanderplasschen, W. (2020). “Personal recovery depends on NA unity”: An exploratory study on recovery-supportive elements in narcotics anonymous flanders. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy, 15(1), 1-53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-020-00296-0

3. Gregory posted                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Considering the impact that addiction has had in many individuals’ lives, counselors must develop the skills and knowledge to educate

and provide much-needed assistance for struggling addicts effectively. Many models are used to explain the etiology of addiction; however, more evidence and research is needed to understand the truth of addiction (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). “Counselors need to understand various causal attributions clearly and their associated strengths and limitations to be aware and appropriately respond to clients, health workers, colleagues, institutions and cultural groups” (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).

Religious groups and the legal system have adopted the Moral Model because addiction is viewed as dualistic; it is based on what is right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). Many consider the moral model as sinful or morally weak. The moral model explains addiction as a consequence of personal choice, and those engaging in addictive behavior are viewed as having the capacity to make better decisions (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). My biblical perspective of the moral model is taken from Matthew 5:48, which says, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Gaining a working knowledge of the Disease Model of addiction has been interesting. This model was first associated with alcoholism but has recently included the addition of other drugs (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). In this model, addiction is viewed as a disease rather than secondary to other conditions, and this model also believes that once an individual has this disease, they will have it for life (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). Looking at the belief that the disease model is irreversible, one would have to embrace the myths that say, once an addict, always an addict. This concept embraces the belief that addicted individuals are powerless, and those who find the strength to break the addiction are referred to as recovering rather than recovered (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). My biblical perspective for the disease model comes from 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit, not of fear but power and love and self-control.”

I thought the Public Health Model shared some vital points on addiction. It shares the belief that individuals associated with public positions, such as educators, attorneys, and others, maybe encouraged to stay clear of addictive behaviors (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). It is always appropriate to publicly present a professional disposition, which is what made this model stand out for me. This model is embraced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), because of its focus on public health (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).

My original choice was the Developmental Model because it points to how early use during dynamic developmental periods, such as early and late adolescents, can influence long-term addictive neurobiological pathways (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). The concept is genuine for many addicts exposed early in life to alcohol or drugs; their addictive behavior developed at a young age. This model believes that vulnerability is never static or unchanging but varies across the lifespan (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). My biblical worldview comes from 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Reference

Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2020). Foundations of Addictions Counseling (4th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

4. Ashley Posted                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The four theoretical models I chose to write my paper on were the psychological models, the family models, the disease model, and the developmental model. I chose these models because I believe that all of the listed models were good, but these ones I think I would like to learn more about and focus on with my future clients. The psychological models are comprised of cognitive-behavioral models, learning models, psychodynamic models, and personality theory models. These models focus on attachment, behaviors, cognitions, learning processes, or psychic drives as the primary cause of addiction (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). 

The family models are comprised of the behavioral model, family systems model, and the family disease model. The biggest attribute of the family models is that there is a family member impacting and/or reinforcing the addiction (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). 

The disease model goes as far back as the 18th century in a journal entry by George Washington’s surgeon general of his armies. He thought of the concept that alcoholism is an addiction. 

The developmental model focuses on the starting point of the addiction. When the abuser starts using during early adolescence, the trigger and the influence of starting the substance use. These behavior patterns can create long-term addictive patterns (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).

My biblical worldview is to have grace and to live in a way that is glorifying to God. When thinking about a verse, 1 Corinthians 10:13 that says “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (American Bible Society, 1986). In regards to addiction, God will provide a way out and for some that may be counseling. As a counselor it is important to create a judgment-free environment as it is not our place to Judge. God is our ultimate judge and will hold us accountable when our time comes. It is important to be a light to those in the dark.

Resources

Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2020). Foundations of addictions counseling (4th ed.). New

           York, NY: Pearson. ISBN: 9780135166932.

American Bible Society. (1986). The holy bible: Containing the old and new testaments translated out of the original

            tongues and with the former translations diligently compared & revised.