Title : 10 Principles of recovery: A new positive psychological approach to treatment
Abstract:
Using the framework of positive psychology and the existing research on the benefits of positive psychological methodology in addiction treatment, we have created a program and new approach to recovery treatment centered around the 10 Principles of Recovery. In our session, we will discuss in detail the existing literature that supports these 10 Principles, the protocol for using them, interventions, the benefits of using this program in recovery, and the latest data from a recovery center where they are being used.
Historically, psychology has focused on mental illness and the negatives in human behavior. This has been especially true in the field of addiction as evidenced by the wide use of the label “addict”. In recent years, interest in human potential, resilience, and well-being has grown. This interest was, in part, due to the positive psychology movement led by prominent scholars/psychologists such as Martin Seligman, Ed Deiner and others who focused attention on the study of human strengths or those inner traits and characteristics that most cultures, religions, and philosophies have highlighted as contributing to the well-being of the individual as well as the world. Positive psychology focuses more on strengths than on weaknesses, on building the best things in life rather than becoming fixated on the worst, and on those things that contribute to human health rather than perpetually digging at wounds and taking identity from sickness. This can be especially problematic for those in recovery.
An entrenched identity can also come from labeling oneself as an "addict". Positive-psychological methodology seeks to understand, to intervene and to change the negative self-perception or negative labeling with the objective of improving the life satisfaction and happiness of the person. In recovery treatment, these are important concepts for providers to understand.
Despite decades of research and treatment, rates of substance abuse and addiction continue to rise, and rates of drug overdose are at epidemic levels. Recently there has been a paradigm shift in the field of addiction toward recovery work, which unlike earlier interventions is founded in positive psychology theory.
Using the lens of positive psychology, addiction and subsequent recovery can be explored in terms of the loss and recreation of the person’s identity by informing and accepting identity shaping character strengths, finding meaning and purpose in life, defining and strengthening the spiritual self, engaging in altruistic activities, practicing gratitude, forgiving self and others, and cultivating hope for a more satisfying life. This new way of looking at addiction and recovery may provide alternative forms of treatment that may be beneficial to the patient.
We have created a program centered around the 10 Principles of Recovery using the framework of positive psychology and the existing research on the benefits of positive psychological methodology on addiction recovery. In our session, we will discuss in detail the existing literature that supports these 10 Principles, the protocol, interventions, the benefits of using this program in Recovery, and the latest data where they are currently being implemented.
What will audience learn from your presentation?
- Upon completion, participants will be able describe research based positive psychological methodologies found to be beneficial to recovery.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to list and describe the 10 principals of recovery and the program protocol.
- Upon completion, participants will have reviewed the latest data on the use of these principles in a treatment setting and be able to incorporate them into an existing treatment program.
