Addiction recovery stories: Claire McBride in conversation with Lisa Ogilvie

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process. Design/methodology/approach The G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery. It has been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve wellbeing and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model. Findings This paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented. Originality/value Each account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process. Design/methodology/approach The G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery. It has been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve wellbeing and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model. Findings This paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented. Originality/value Each account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process. Design/methodology/approach The growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life,empowerment (G-CHIME) model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery. It has been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a firsthand account is presented, followed by a semistructured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model. Findings This paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented. Originality/value Each account of recovery in this series is unique and as yet untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process.Design/methodology/approachThe G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard to against which to consider addiction recovery, having been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify the important components in the recovery process.Design/methodology/approachThe G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (Growth, Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning in life and Empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery, having been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, each account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process.Design/methodology/approachThe G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery, having been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique and, as yet, untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process.Design/methodology/approachThe G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery. It has been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process.Design/methodology/approachThe G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery, having been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique and, as yet, untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process.Design/methodology/approachThe G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery, having been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process.Design/methodology/approachThe G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery, having been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique and, as yet, untold.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to a series of recovery stories that examine candid accounts of addiction and recovery. Shared components in the recovery process are considered, along with the change and growth needed to support the transition from addiction to recovery.Design/methodology/approachThe connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment (CHIME) framework comprises five elements important to recovery. CHIME provides a standard to qualitatively study recovery. As a model, it has been extended to include growth-CHIME (G-CHIME), an element that is important for sustained addiction recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account of addiction recovery is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account that is based on the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectually explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each element in the model is apparent from the biography and e-interview presented.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, each account of recovery in this series is unique and, as yet, untold.

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to contribute to a series of recovery stories that examine candid accounts of addiction and recovery. Shared components in the recovery process are considered, along with the change and growth needed to support the transition from addiction to recovery.Design/methodology/approachThe connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment (CHIME) framework comprises five elements important to recovery. CHIME provides a standard to qualitatively study recovery. As a model, it has been extended to include growth (G-CHIME), an element that is important for sustained addiction recovery. In this paper a first-hand account of addiction recovery is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account that is based on the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectually explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each element in the model is apparent from the biography and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

Background: Whilst there is evidence of the value of museums for art psychotherapy, evidence about online groups to improve mental health recovery is still scarce. The aim was to assess the impact on mental health recovery of an online museum-based recovery-oriented art psychotherapy group. Context: The group was designed to help adults under the care of a UK community mental health team with their journey of mental health recovery. Approach: The group consisted of six, weekly online sessions and used the collections of two local museums. Quantitative outcome measures and qualitative feedback were used to evaluate the group. Outcomes: Five women participated in the group, and four in the evaluation. Generic wellbeing after each session was rated 4 out of 5. Participants scored higher in the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery (33.25 vs. 42) and a Visual Numerical Recovery Scale (3 vs. 3.25) after participating in the group. Feeling supported was what participants liked most and found most helpful, and they liked the short duration of the group least. Half found the online setting preferable to face-to-face, and all felt that the museum focus was inspirational, and enjoyed the artmaking. Participants gained a better understanding of their recovery journey and were able to express their emotions better. Conclusions: This group contributed towards participants’ mental health recovery and the museum focus was valued by them. Implications for research: The evaluation findings encourage further exploration of this way of working.

Even though various pathways to addiction recovery have been identified, knowledge on overarching essential components of addiction recovery processes remains limited. To explore these essential components, in-depth interviews were conducted with a heterogeneous group of individuals across pathways to addiction recovery (i.e. a low-threshold activation center, Narcotics Anonymous, a CRA + vouchers out-patient program, residential treatment programs, and ‘natural’ recovery). The interviews (n = 25) were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. In-depth analysis of the data resulted in a model that includes essential components of addiction recovery processes and their dynamic relationship. ‘Time’ and ‘supportive environments’ were identified as the foundations and facilitators for the transformative changes required in addiction recovery processes, which in turn contributed to ‘developing a sense of self’ and ‘developing a sense of future’. These components, interrelated and in a continuous interplay with each other, facilitated recovery processes. As a result, recovery-oriented support should be strengthened and specifically focus on supporting these essential components, by providing tailor-made and continuously available support. Given the relational character of addiction recovery processes, social networks and society at large should evolve towards the development of responsive and inclusive spaces to support persons in addiction recovery.

Objective: Role-playing games elicit narratives of heroism, mastery and agency. These are factors considered to promote mental health recovery. This study investigates whatthemes emerge from the stories of role-playing game players in recovery from mental health difficulty and how their stories reflect existing models of mental health recovery. Method: This study utilised narrative inquiry to understand the experiences of Dungeons and Dragon players in recovery from mental health difficulties. Thirteen Dungeons & Dragonsplayers (M = 33.31; SD = 10.05) were interviewed about their experience with the game and recovery. Analysis of narratives was conducted inductively and deductively. Result: Participants discussed a number of factors that linked Dungeons & Dragons to their mental health wellbeing. These included a) experiencing through characters, b) skill building, c) finding space from mental health symptoms, d) safely engaging with mental health difficulties, and e) building relationships. All five stages of the Psychological Recovery Model (Andresen, Oades & Caputi, 2003) were present, and participants engaged with Dungeons & Dragons in a manner reflective of their mental health recovery process. Conclusion The current study expands on research that conceptualizes recovery asa multidimensional process and highlights new elements that have implications for consumers and theoretical frameworks. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Mental health difficulties can severely impact a person’s quality of life and disrupt their internal narrative. (2) Mental health difficulties can severely impact a person’s quality of life and disrupt their internal narrative. (3) Community based activities can foster a sense of growth, self-mastery and agency that may ultimately lead to identity reconstruction and a sense of personal recovery. (4) Role-playing games have been identified as potentially helpful in assisting people with mental health difficulties restore a sense of agency and positive identity. What this topic adds: (1) Australian Dungeon and Dragon (D&D) players with a history of mental health difficulties were interviewed in regards to their experiences of role-playing and their mental health recovery. (2) Participants reported D&D assisted with building relationships with other players, experiencing emotions through their character, developing adaptive skills, engaging with difficult mental health topics and experiencing a safe space from mental health difficulties. (3) All five stages of the Psychological Recovery Model were present, and participants engaged with D&D in a manner reflective of their mental health recovery process.