Azahah Abu Hassan Shaari, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Bachok (Malaysia)
Bernadine Waller, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (USA)
Muhammad Azim Abu Hassan Shaari, Kolej Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Ismail Petra, Kota Bharu (Malaysia)

This poster describes recovering social workers’ insights about the use of 12-step peer support group to manage the complex process of personal recovery while working in addiction treatment agencies. Participants shared valuable accounts related to participation in 12-step peer-support group as an important and significant aspect of their recovery process. For instance, the social networking with other peers was a crucial component in 12-step that significantly helped guiding participants in their recovery.

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Recovery from substance use disorder is a unique characteristic of social workers working in addiction treatment agencies (Beverly, 2020; Simons et al., 2017). Fialk (2018) estimated that approximately 60% of people in recovery from substance use disorder working in addiction-treatment agencies. Despite these high percentages, there are still limited studies that have explored the lived experiences of individuals in recovery working as social workers in addiction treatment agencies. This poster describes recovering social workers’ insights about the use of 12-step peer support group to manage the complex process of personal recovery while working in addiction treatment agencies. Participation in peer-support networks was found to be essential for long-term recovering social workers to cope with job-related stress and to overcome challenges while working in the addiction treatment field (Adams & Warrens, 2010; Doukas & Cullen, 2010; Doyle, 1997). 

The use of peer support group is parallel with the group work practice that focuses on  the strength-based and empowering others (Cohen & Olshever, 2013; Wituk et al., 2013). Studies specific to the use of 12-step programs to sustain recovery have been conducted as well. Many qualitative studies have explored active engagement with a 12-step peer support group among people in recovery, and results show that such groups provide a platform for members to share their stories and enhance their sense of belonging, while decreasing the feeling of isolation, as is often experienced by people in recovery (Chen, 2010; DeLucia et al., 2015; Dossett, 2013; Greenfield & Tonigan, 2013; Lange-Altman et al., 2017). Chen (2010) & Dossett (2013) reported the importance of belief in a higher power and spiritual components in 12-step programs, both of which were identified by members as powerful and gave strength to continue journey of recovery among those in recovery from subtance abuse. 

All participants shared valuable accounts related to participation in 12-step peer-support as an important and significant aspect of their recovery process. For instance, the social networking with other peers was a crucial component in 12-step that significant in guiding participants in their recovery. Respondents is this study reported that an opportunity to meet with people who already started their recovery process enhanced their sense of belonging, and strong sense of commitment to recovery. Many participants shared that attending 12-step meeting provides them opportunity to share their own experiences and feelings, including the denial, anger and frustration that they experienced after period of using substances. An active engagement with 12-step provides participants with an opportunity to have a feeling of being understood by other people who have similar experiences.

References:

• Adams, P. J., & Warren, H. (2010). Responding to the risks associated with the relapse of recovering staff members within addiction services. Substance Use & Misuse, 45(6), 951-967.
• Beverly, C. A. (2020). Stigma and the life experiences of recovering counselors [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University] https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/9052
• Chen, G. (2010). The meaning of suffering in drug addiction and recovery from the perspective of existentialism, Buddhism and the 12-step program. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 42(3), 363-375.
• Carol S. Cohen & Amy Olshever (2013). IASWG standards for social work practice with groups: Development, application, and evolution, Social Work With Groups, 36(2-3), 111-129. 
• DeLucia, C., Bergman, B. G., Formoso, D., & Weinberg, L. B. (2015). Recovery in narcotics anonymous from the perspectives of long-term members: A qualitative study. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 10(1), 3-22.
• Doukas, N., & Cullen, J. (2010). Recovered addicts working in the addiction field: Pitfalls to substance abuse relapse. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, 17(3), 216-231.
• Dossett, W. (2013). Addiction, spirituality and 12-step programmes. International Social Work, 56(3), 369-383.
• Doyle, K. (1997). Substance abuse counselors in recovery: Implications for the ethical issue of dual relationships. Journal of Counseling & Development, 75(6), 428-432.
• Fialk, A. (2018). Wounded versus non-wounded healers and substance abuse treatment: Countertransference considerations. [Doctoral dissertation, Yeshiva University].https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/wounded-versus-non-healers-substance- abuse/docview/2108992024/se-2?accountid=51152
• Greenfield, B. L., & Tonigan, J. S. (2013). The general alcoholics anonymous tools of recovery: The adoption of 12-step practices and beliefs. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(3), 553.
• Lange-Altman, T., Bergandi, T., Borders, K., & Frazier, V. (2017). Seeking safety and the 12- Step social model of recovery: An integrated treatment approach. Journal of  Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 12(1), 13-26.
• Simons, L., Haas, D., Massella, J., Young, J. & Toth, P. (2017). Exploring professional identity development in alcohol and drug counselors in the 21st century. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 61(2), 40-61.
• Wituk, S. A., Tiemeyer, S., Commer, A., Warren, M., & Meissen, G. (2003). Starting self-help groups: Empowering roles for social workers. Social Work with Groups, 26(1), 83-92.