Giving Back and Getting Something Back: The Role of Mutual-Aid Groups for Individuals in Recovery From Incarceration, Addiction, and Mental Illness

Bellamy, Chyrell; Rowe, Michael; Benedict, Patricia; Davidson, Larry

doi:10.1080/1556035x.2012.705703

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…A main finding in this study is the importance of contributing to and being accepted by the community on equal terms; this has also been pointed out by others (Bellamy, Rowe, Benedict, & Davidson, 2012;Perkins & Repper, 2014). We suggest that facilitating genuine community participation might be a missing piece in the promotion of recovery for persons with co-occurring conditions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

First-person experiences of recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions

Brekke

Lien

Davidson

et al. 2017

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe experiences of recovery among people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions (co-occurring conditions) in a rural community in Norway. Design/methodology/approach In-depth individual interviews with eight persons with co-occurring conditions were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach. This study is part of a research project investigating recovery orientation of services in a Norwegian district. Findings The analysis yielded four dimensions of recovery: feeling useful and accepted; coming to love oneself; mastering life; and emerging as a person. Insecure and inadequate housing and limited solutions to financial problems were described as major obstacles to recovery. Research limitations/implications Further research into the facilitation of recovery as defined by persons with concurrent disorders is needed, particularly regarding the facilitation of community participation. Practical implications This study supports an increased focus on societal and community factors in promoting recovery for persons with co-occurring conditions, as well as service designs that allow for an integration of social services and health care, and for collaboration among services. Social implications The results suggest that the community can aid recovery by accepting persons with co-occurring conditions as fellow citizens and welcoming their contributions. Originality/value The paper provides an enhanced understanding of how persons with co-occurring conditions may experience recovery.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

First-person experiences of recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions

Brekke

Lien

Davidson

et al. 2017

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“…Jacobs, 2012; Uggen, 1999). Regardless, there are strengths based in administering social services postincarceration that can improve chances for reentry success (Bellamy et al., 2012; Heidemann et al., 2016; LeBel, 2007; LeBel et al., 2015).…”

Section: Prisoner Reentrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Former inmates who become successful help-giver professionals can utilize their criminal histories as a resource for assisting others who are less far along in reentry, recovery, and other transformative processes to avoid (re)offending. The potential for such individuals to reconcile their past crimes with current or prospective social service careers has been carefully studied (Bellamy et al., 2012; Brown, 1991; Heidemann et al., 2016). Yet there is just a dearth of research on how formerly incarcerated persons actually get to that point, that is gain access to and network with key persons, places, and things that facilitate those career developments (Jacobs, 2012).…”

Section: The Professional Ex-prisoner Paradigmmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is common for released prisoners to seek employment in education, reentry, and counseling programs centered on helping persons who are incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, or at-risk of (re)offending resist criminal influences and/or return to society (LeBel, Richie, & Maruna, 2015). Previously incarcerated individuals can greatly enhance their own lives by helping others in various social worker type roles and might have an even greater potential for successful recovery from carceral experiences than the clients whom they treat and serve (Bellamy, Rowe, Benedict, & Davidson, 2012; Heidemann, Cederbaum, Martinez, & LeBel, 2016). Yet, the social processes involved with becoming a social service provider postincarceration are also atypical in that the helper’s own criminal history is destigmatized and reconstructed as a benefit rather than hindrance to the functioning of society.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Becoming a social work professional after incarceration

Runell

2018

Journal of Social Work

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Summary This article is based on data collected from interviews conducted with past and present members of a higher education program that affords previously incarcerated individuals the chance to attend a four-year university. College participation postincarceration can help foster trajectories for crime avoidance and employment. Less specific attention has been paid to how such educational experiences might shape opportunities for released prisoners to become professional help-givers and also help themselves in the process. This exploratory study brings awareness to some potential benefits of college student inclusion in social networks particularly among individuals with felony records and ways that such support can contribute to the attainment of viable employment in the social work field. Findings This article offers valuable insight into ways in which participation in a higher education program postincarceration can provide access to individuals and group networks that operate to debunk criminal stigmas, bolster professional ex-prisoner identities, and reentry progress. Out of the 17 research participants, 13 were professional wounded healers for inmates, at-risk youth, or reentry facility residents who identified their social work as a dominant factor in their continued transitions from prison to law-abiding citizen. Application The policy implications of this article will be discussed and contribute to evidence showing that the creation and development of opportunities for ex-prisoners to attend four-year universities can help advance reentry efforts. This research explores how a group of college-educated, formerly incarcerated persons pursuing social service careers can use their experiences in higher education to progress toward that goal.

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“…Some people with CD have experienced stigma, a lack of empathy and acceptance, feeling unable to talk about mental health issues, and hostility toward psychiatric medications in traditional, mutual help, addiction support groups (Bellamy, Rowe, Benedict, & Davidson, 2012). Relapse Prevention established an environment where people with CD could share a holistic account of their experience and receive acceptance and support from their peers and the facilitators.…”

Section: Empowerment In Group Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empowering people with concurrent disorder in a clinical context: a structural perpective

Venos¹

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Giving Back and Getting Something Back: The Role of Mutual-Aid Groups for Individuals in Recovery From Incarceration, Addiction, and Mental Illness

Cited by 29 publications

References 22 publications

First-person experiences of recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions

First-person experiences of recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions

Becoming a social work professional after incarceration

Empowering people with concurrent disorder in a clinical context: a structural perpective

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