Of the five stages of recovery, the fifth stage is possibly the most important. As opposed to having reached an end, this stage is actually a beginning step on the road to recovery. It is at this stage in a person life when we are deciding whether or not we are willing to take charge of our own destiny. At this time, self–worth plays a vital role and is why studies often refer to this stage as a potentially dangerous time. We have done most of what has been asked of us by the system, graduated certain programs, and are ready to take on the responsibility. However, if we are around staff still treating us the same, as when we were in ‘Program’, it is easy to think, “Why should I keep trying”?
When Joyce Whitworth graduated from Detroit East’s Co-Occurring program she was in fifth stage recovery, but no quite ready to be totally separated. Her hopes and dreams were to be a writer, so with the support of the Co-Occurring program director, Shirley Calhoun, Joyce started a Detroit East Newsletter. The entire staff was pleasantly surprised as she did this completely on her own, from the design of the newsletter, the interviews, and the articles. We would like to thank Ms. Calhoun for her personal support of Ms Whitworth’s efforts to take charge of her life.
Ms Calhoun’s approach is in line with those of the Department of Health & Human Services and most other recent studies relating to system transformation. She has the dedication, transparency, and integrity consumers need to be able to once again trust the system of treatment. In she is doing a workshop on the recovery-centered environment at the IDDT conference in Dearborn on the 25th, and I am encouraging those interested in seeing system transformation in action to attend.
Gerald Butler
Peer Specialist.
Thanks and a hat tip to Gerald Butler