Stigma and perceptions of recovery in Scotland: a qualitative study of injecting drug users attending methadone treatment

Abstract

Many researchers and service providers are looking to writings on recovery capital to give them some insight into how to deliver and design services that better respond to the needs of those seeking treatment. In this study we sought to understand what impact being a mother had on recovery. Using the recovery capital model we tracked the progress of mothers entering treatment with and without their children. Our study suggests that being a mother in recovery sets you apart from non-mothers in a number of ways. Motherhood can act as an incentive and disincentive to treatment and improve your likelihood of a successful recovery. The original study was carried out in 2011 and repeated in 2014 allowing comparison between the 2 studies. BiographyKaren became the Chief Executive of Phoenix Futures in 2007. Phoenix Futures delivers recovery services for people with problematic drug and alcohol use. With a turnover of £30m and employing 557 staff, it is the 3rd largest substance misuse organisation in the UK operating in prison and community settings across England and Scotland. Phoenix Futures' unique approach is informed by its origins as a self-help organisation and is rooted in its commitment to empowering people with problematic substance misuses to take control of their own recovery.Karen is a Board member of Drugscope and the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities. She has represented the sector on many Government working groups including an Expert Group Chaired by John Strang which advised the government on how to improve the recovery approach in medication prescribing. Karen Biggs 6Diversitas Unitas nostra est (Unity is our Diversity): History and current issues on the diversity debate in therapeutic communities Abstract Within this lecture "Diversity" within Therapeutic Communities is defined as the encouragement of the quality of human beings to be different in position in politics, philosophy, religion, science, culture, arts, and race while acting in difficult educational situations. This is reflected in the EFTC code of ethics as to provide service regardless of race, creed, religion, gender, national origin, sexual preference, age, disability, political affiliation, previous criminal record or financial status, respecting the position of the clients in the case of special circumstances. Human anxieties and uncertainties can be overcome through ARTS in the never ending search for new and better creations, through SCIENCE in the search for truth and evidence, and through the believe in a higher spiritual values in RELIGION. When we see TC as an educational process this never ending striving for the promotion of diversity is defined as meaningful social interaction within an adapted milieu. It aims at a transitional process of growth and development of the whole person, his family and primary network. This social interaction assumes diversity and differences between participants. It strives for inclusion, and makes use of intuitive and rationally structured methods and approaches. The integration of a...

Factors influencing recovery in opioid substitution treatment: a systematic review and thematic synthesis

“…Stigma is a cross-cutting concept that permeated all levels of the SEM and was referred to either directly or indirectly in 22 of the 37 included studies. The studies showed that service users are vulnerable to experiencing stigma from a wide range of sources including from pharmacy staff and other customers when collecting OST medications (44,(47)(48)(49)(50); the GP surgery and other healthcare settings (21,43,45,50,51); from their family and friends (25); from the wider community (25,27,29,41,43,45) and from the government (27,50).…”

“…This may leave service users vulnerable to relapse and overdose and may prevent them from seeking help from professionals for other health issues (21,43,51). Experiencing stigma can lead to feelings of shame and result in self-stigma -the lowering of one's expectations of self and motivation to change (25,30,50). Self-stigma may also be the driver of service users isolating themselves from others, which perpetuates feelings of exclusion and loneliness 45 The pharmacy setting appears to be a particularly strong source of stigma for OST service users; across several studies they reported feeling shame and embarrassment at the way they are looked at by other customers whilst collecting OST medications (43,44,47,49,50…”

“…Tackling opioid-stigma needs to happen at every level of the system: from empowering service users to understand the effects of stigma and encouraging them to advocate for each other; to educating healthcare staff about the ways in which stigma manifests itself in their interactions with service users; to community outreach programmes that seek to destigmatise OST and reintegrate service users into their communities and finally by addressing stigma at the government level through the adequate funding of mental health and drug treatment services. The pharmacy setting was somewhere that service users felt acutely exposed to judgement from staff and customers (43,44,47,49,50). It is vital therefore that pharmacy staff Other important factors that interact with trauma and stigma in OST are relationship difficulties, isolation and boredom.…”

“…It is vital therefore that pharmacy staff Other important factors that interact with trauma and stigma in OST are relationship difficulties, isolation and boredom. Service users described how their drug using status has resulted in the breakdown of relationships and how this left them feeling lonely, isolated and disconnected from non-drug using networks (20,21,25,27,37,43,50). This may lead individuals to turn to their drug-using networks where they feel a sense of belonging and acceptance.…”

“…This may lead individuals to turn to their drug-using networks where they feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. Service users reported feelings of boredom with 'normal' life, which may be a relapse trigger (21,29,37,50). As social support may buffer the effects of stigma by increasing self-esteem (48) intervention developers and service managers should consider how this can be increased.…”