Recovery Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Homewood Ravensview

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment

In this article, we will talk about the differences between these two terms and share some examples of situations. We hope that in reading this article, you will gain a better understanding and be able to recognize some of the signs that someone may be experiencing sexual abuse or harassment. You’ll also get a sense of how widespread these problems are as we share some statistics. Finally, we’ll share some helpful resources that you can use or share to help others.

What is the difference between sexual abuse and sexual harassment?

Sexual abuse and sexual harassment are both forms of sexual violence where there is an incident involving unwanted sexual contact. (1) It’s important to recognize that sexual violence can include people who know each other, are in relationships or are strangers. These acts can happen both in-person and online. Sexual violence occurs when there is a breakdown or absence of consent in a situation. Consent in this context is a voluntary agreement to participate in sexual activity where there is no impaired decision-making or pressure to do so against someone’s will. Consent should never be assumed or inferred, even within relationships. It also can be withdrawn at any time.

Here are some differences between sexual abuse and sexual harassment:

Sexual Abuse is…	Sexual Harassment is…
“any form of sexual violence, including rape, child molestation, incest and similar forms of non-consensual sexual contact” (2)	“any conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation” (3)
Considered a criminal act.	Can be considered criminal harassment.

Types of sexual abuse and sexual harassment

Sexual abuse

With sexual abuse, usually, the abuser has power in the relationship and demands unwanted sexual touching, exposure of body parts, advances, non-touching abuses, trafficking, prostitution, and pornography.

Non-touching abuse could include (4):

Being shown videos or sexual pictures
Being forced to listen to sexual talk or comments about one’s body
Being forced to pose for seductive or sexual photographs
Being forced to look at sexual parts of the body
Being forced to watch sexual acts
Being watched in a sexual way while clothed or unclothed
Receiving intrusive written or spoken questions or comments in person or online

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment often involves patterns of behaviour that occur over time, but it can also be a single incident. The harasser can:

Make sexual jokes
Stare, yell or call at their target
Make gestures or comments
Give unwanted or inappropriately personal gifts
Use demeaning language
Ask for sex in exchange for something
Make comments about a person’s physical appearance
Spread rumours
Display bullying behaviour
Stalk someone so they fear for their safety and the safety of anyone else they know because of threats or extortion

Who is most vulnerable to sexual abuse and sexual harassment?

While some incidents of sexual violence are reported, unfortunately, not all are. It can be due to fear and discrimination. There may not be readily available access to appropriate services that offer help. Often people who experience housing insecurity or homelessness are at a higher risk. But these incidents also affect “women who are [Indigenous], disabled, or [immigrants or refugees], but men and boys are also often victims.” (5) Sexual abuse and harassment occur on college and university campuses and workplaces too.

Indigenous women in Canada experience disproportionately high rates of sexual abuse compared to non-indigenous women. First Nations women (18%): Métis women (26%): non-Indigenous women (11%). (6)
- One study found that “eight out of ten girls under eight years of age were victims of sexual abuse, and five out of ten boys were also sexually abused,” with the abuse being traced back to the “legacy of residential schools.” (7)
About 93% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser. (8)
- One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18.
- The younger the victim, the more likely it is that the abuser is a family member, which could include an older sibling.
“In 2020, one in four women (25%) and one in six men (17%) reported having personally experienced inappropriate sexualized behaviours in their workplace during the previous year.” (9)
People within the 2LGBTQI+ community experience high rates of sexual violence and report that incidents often occurred during childhood.
- In one study, 42% said they had experienced colleagues making unwelcome comments or asking unwelcome questions about their sex life. (10)
- More than a quarter (27%) reported receiving unwelcome verbal sexual advances.
- Two-thirds (66%) said they did not report the harassment, with 25% of those saying it was because they were afraid of being “outed” at work.
People who live with cognitive impairments/decline and people who live with disabilities are also at higher risk of sexual abuse or harassment.

Uncovering signs

Many people who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual harassment feel ashamed and are traumatized. Certain situations can cause them to revisit memories associated with their abuse or harassment and feel overwhelming terror or even a sense of guilt. (11) Often, the long-term effects of these experiences lead to problems with depression and anxiety. In some cases, people may choose suicide or avoid any intimacy or closeness. You could also notice things such as:

Changes in personal hygiene practices
Substance abuse
Running away or avoidance of people/situations/places
Compulsive eating
Self-harm
Difficulty swallowing
Drastic mood swings
Sudden appearance of gifts or expensive new possessions (clothing, technology, money)Signs to be aware of in children (12)

Feeling compelled to keep secrets
Bruises, cuts
Torn or stained underwear (signs of abuse or STDs)
Frequent urinary or yeast infections (signs of abuse or STDs)
Nightmares and anxiety around bedtime
Bedwetting or soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training or past the appropriate age
Preoccupation with their body
Anger and tantrums
Depressed and withdrawn mood
Sexual knowledge or behaviours that are not age-appropriate – asking other children to play sexual games or mimicry with toys

Signs of potential abusers/harassers

Grooming targets to gain trust (exceptionally caring and trying to get close)
Being overly controlling, making decisions around when privacy is allowed or not
Doesn’t abide by boundaries (knocking on doors before entering bedrooms, bathrooms)
Insists on affection, hugging, or touching without consent
Steers conversations towards sexuality or body appearances using degrading language
Tries to get uninterrupted time alone, one on one
Seems to be obsessed with a particular person
Insists on offering drugs or alcohol (to children, teens, or adults), especially when others are not around

Please note that these signs do not confirm that there is sexual abuse or sexual harassment. Especially in children, there can be other causes for the listed behaviours. However, these signs may help bring attention to what might possibly be sexual abuse or harassment.

What should you do if you or someone you know is being abused and/or harassed?

First and foremost, if something feels off, trust your instincts. Don’t wait for proof. Keep a journal of behaviours that concern you. Unfortunately, statistics show a greater likelihood that your suspicions may be correct. You could start off having a conversation with someone you trust deeply and share your observations and concerns. That person may share your concerns or reject them. Remember that even if they disagree, it doesn’t mean your concerns aren’t valid. It could be that they are uncomfortable speaking about them or don’t want to get involved.

Talk openly about consent, even with children. Everyone should have the right to refuse physical contact, even from relatives. Children should be allowed to choose which parent will help with bed/bath time. Similarly, avoid using substitute names for body parts. Children have the right to learn about their bodies with the correct anatomical words. This type of knowledge, reinforced with an understanding of consent, could become invaluable in abusive situations or where they could be harassed. Finally, if you cannot discuss a situation with someone around you, get advice from a helpline. These are staffed with experts who know the right resources available.

How to get help for those struggling

If you know someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. You can also look online for national organizations that provide information, crisis support and helplines.

Some examples include:

Sheltersafe.ca
Kids Help Phone
Cdn Human Trafficking Hotline
Myplan Canada

There are also provincial and local resources to explore.

Healing from trauma

It’s important to realize that these experiences can have lifelong impacts on survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment, especially if those involved have not sought support. Long-term, these incidents can (13):

Affect educational outcomes
Lead to heightened symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder
Result in a higher suicide risk
Manifest in self-harm and substance abuse
Result in a higher likelihood of teen pregnancy and chronic health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or chronic pain

There is a higher chance of revictimization, where the person could be vulnerable to experiencing sexual abuse/harassment again in the future.

Help could come in various forms, but one of the most beneficial is therapy. With these types of events, treatment could involve taking medication to reduce anxiety and multiple forms therapy (14):

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT)
Family therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing Therapy (EDMR)

Staying healthy and taking time for self-care are also important. Eating nutritious foods, exercising, getting enough sleep, avoiding the news and online activities (including social media), and journaling cannot be underestimated during the healing process. Finally, remember that people who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual harassment don’t need to share their experiences with anyone if they aren’t ready to.

1. Canadian Women’s Foundation. (n.d.). The Facts About Sexual Assault and Harassment.
Canadian Woman’s Foundation. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/sexual-assault…

2. Canadian Red Cross. (n.d.) Sexual Abuse.
Non-touching sexual abuse. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/violence-bully…

3. GoodTherapy (2019 April 11). Sexual Assault/Abuse [Website].
GoodTherapy.org. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/is…

4. Gabriele, C. and Naushan, A. (2020 October 29). The Canadian Labour Code as cited in Workplace Sexual harassment Laws By Province and Territory.
Courage To Act. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.couragetoact.ca/blog/harassmentlaws

5. Opening the Circle (2022). Sexual Violence Statistics.
Opening the Circle. Retrieved on March 22, 2022 from
http://www.openingthecircle.ca/defining-abuse/sexu…

6. Heidinger, L (2021 May 19). Intimate partner violence: Experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women in Canada, 2018. [SECTION: Indigenous women twice as likely to experience sexual abuse by intimate partner in their lifetime]
Statistics Canada. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/20210…

7. Opening the Circle (2022). Smith, A (2009) as cited in Sexual Violence Statistics.
Opening the Circle. Retrieved on March 22, 2022 from
http://www.openingthecircle.ca/defining-abuse/sexu…

8. YWCA. (2017 September). Child Sexual Abuse Facts.
YWCA Is On A Mission. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.ywca.org/wp-content/uploads/WWV-CSA-Fa…

9. Statistics Canada. (2021 August 12). In 2020, one in four women and one in six men reported having experienced inappropriate sexualized behaviours at work in the previous year.
The Daily. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/21…

10. Perraudin. F. (2019 May 17). Survey finds that 70% of LGBT people sexually harassed at work.
The Guardian. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/17/su…

11. GoodTherapy (2019 April 11). Sexual Assault/Abuse [Website].
GoodTherapy.org. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/is…

11. Ibid.

12. YWCA. (2017 September). Child Sexual Abuse Facts.
YWCA Is On A Mission. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.ywca.org/wp-content/uploads/WWV-CSA-Fa…

13. Hartney, E. Bsc., MSc., MA,Ph.D. (2021 December 6). What is Childhood Sexual Abuse?
Verywellmind.com Retrieved March 20, 2022 from
https://www.verywellmind.com/was-i-sexually-abused…

by admin

Indigenous Peoples and Trauma

Colonial trauma has been part of Indigenous peoples’ lives since the first Europeans arrived and established permanent settlements in Turtle Island, the area now known as Canada. Unfortunately, Indigenous Peoples experience discrimination such as microaggressions that surface in any number of daily routine interactions, including with coworkers. In many cases, empathy and understanding are overshadowed by stereotyping, myths, misinformation, cultural appropriation, and insensitivity.

This article will briefly touch on some of the effects that many of us aren’t aware of regarding Indigenous Peoples, such as how the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma affect mental health. We must note that we are using the term Indigenous, which includes First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. We know that there is a rich diversity within each group, especially concerning identities, traditional lands, history, language, and culture. While we can’t address everything within a single article, we can touch on what we believe are some important catalysts tied to the colonization experiences that all these groups share that have affected their overall health and well-being. We aim to help individuals begin to develop an understanding of the issues and start to navigate through the complexities. We believe that workplaces need to demonstrate sincerity and provide supportive tools that meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples. It’s a way to start walking together on a path towards reconciliation and healing.

A brief history

Indigenous Peoples are the original inhabitants of the lands within a geographic region. Before the arrival of European settlers, their distinct cultures, traditions, languages, spirituality, economies, and politics had flourished for tens of thousands of years. (1)

Arrival of Europeans

Norse explorers landed in the 11^th century, though they did not stay more than a few years. (2) European settlers arrived in the 15^th and 16^th centuries and began early trade and commerce with Indigenous Peoples. (3) The European explorers travelled under the Doctrine of Discovery; an international law issued by Roman Popes in 1455 that effectively authorized them to lay claim to what they perceived to be vacant land in the name of their sovereign. Upon arrival, the lands certainly weren’t vacant. But one other article within the Doctrine permitted explorers to determine lands used “properly,” meaning running under Euro-centric laws. If they decided that wasn’t the case, they believed that God had brought them to the land to make a claim for the Crown based on their obligation to “civilize” the people. It was the beginning of colonialization where explorers took ownership of the lands and followed through on their perceived obligation to provide all non-Christians with education and religion. The Doctrine of Discovery has never been renounced. Instead, it served as the foundation for the Indian Act. (4)

The Indian Act

The Indian Act (1876) established governmental control over nearly all aspects of First Nations people’s lives to force them to assimilate into the Dominion of Canada as quickly as possible. (5) The Indian Act consolidated many pre-Confederation laws and created reserved land (reserves) and the promise to deliver food, supplies and medicines to these communities. Indian Agents maintained enforcement. The Act was intentionally restrictive and destructive to Indigenous culture and people. While there have been some amendments to the Act, overwhelmingly, the legislation is still highly paternalistic and continues to affect people today. (6)

This legislation has created many hardships because of its restrictiveness. Two significant aspects are rooted in much of the trauma Indigenous Peoples have experienced in the 21^st century. (6)

Determining an Indigenous Person’s “status” or “non-status” dictates the government’s obligation to care for them. The Indian Act includes information for First Nations people who are registered under the Act. Inuit or Métis people are not included under the Indian Act. Amendments to The Act have been attempting to rectify unjust practices. For example, Bill S-3, enacted on August 15, 2019, has attempted to eliminate “all known sex-based inequities.” (7) For example, in The Act, women who had married non-Indigenous men were denied status. (8)
School-age children were forced to attend residential schools under the pretense of obtaining their “proper” education. The schools were designed to intentionally sever ties between Indigenous children and their families, language, identity, and culture. (9)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Alarming and frightening experiences can result in someone developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The response to memories or associations with harmful events such as images, sounds, smells and emotions, causes them to react with a debilitating stress response. For Indigenous Peoples, “repeated exposure to trauma, family instability, and childhood adversities such as separation from parents, poverty and family dysfunction” presents an increased risk of developing PTSD. (10) Extreme stress can result in behavioural and, in some cases, even genetic changes as our bodies and minds try to cope with what has happened. We may not even be aware of the effect of the trauma until years later. (11)

The reality is that Indigenous communities are “dealing with higher rates of mental and social distress (trauma)” that can be “traced back to abuses experienced by…children who were forced to attend residential schools.” (12) There are generations of people who were disconnected from their families, communities, and culture for generations, to no fault of their own.

Understanding intergenerational trauma

Colonization events (the process of colonization), have led to “losses of culture, traditional values, and family stability…[because] in many cases, [opportunities] for parents and Elders to pass along vital cultural knowledge and resilience to children” were taken away. (13) It has created trauma that has been passed from one generation to the next. One researcher indicated that children and grandchildren of residential school survivors show an increased risk of anxiety and depression because they have experienced threats to their psychological health early on in their lives. (14)

It is helpful to have a fundamental understanding of Indigenous culture to realize how being disconnected from their communities’ left generations of Indigenous Peoples unsupported. Indigenous culture teaches how everything in our world is interconnected. In life, you are part of a community that cares for and shows respect to everyone and everything. In addition, there is recognition and appreciation for all relationships that exist: past, present, and future. Your family and Elders in the community would show you the importance of understanding, acknowledging, appreciating, and protecting humans; animals; plants (especially sacred medicines); air and wind; water; the sky; and the earth. (15) You would learn about the care of bundles that “can include sacred items such as feathers, drums, pipes, medicines, talking sticks and many other sacred items” that hold knowledge of their culture as “all that we are, all that we can be, and all that helps us to be holistic helpers.” (16)

When children were taken from their communities and sent to residential schools, they lost their families, communities, language, culture, and traditions. They experienced violence, starvation, abuse, and neglect. If they survived the experiences, they could not quickly re-integrate into their communities when they returned home and they had difficulty fitting in. They were unable to recognize their families including their parents and extended families. Instead, they showed signs of isolation and trauma as well as a loss of identity and belonging. They were fearful to disclose their experiences to anyone, because they were concerned about retribution from administrators. Further, if they were courageous enough to share what they had experienced or witnessed, their family members were doubtful because the truth contradicted what they had been told. (17)

Residential school survivors experienced a great deal of trauma which impacted their relationships. The trauma lead to a tremendous amount of pain and they were not provided with any support to learn how to deal with the pain they had endured. This led to utilizing unhealthy coping strategies such as substance use, self-harm including suicidal ideation and this also made them more prone to mental illness.

One of the many impacts of colonization on the Indigenous communities is intergenerational trauma. This continues to affect the Indigenous Peoples today. This is perpetuated in their parenting style which is often influenced by their experiences with the residential school system. Sometimes they resorted to what they had learned in residential schools, resulting in a new generation experiencing abuse, neglect, and violence. (18) Other times, they found themselves in the predicament of sending their own children to attend residential schools.

Then, the government stepped in again to try and fix these problems through social services. The Scoop (sometimes referred to as the 60s Scoop) was a practice of removing Indigenous children from their families to have them placed in foster care with non-Indigenous families, this happened to children between 1960 and 1990. There were more children removed from their culture, traditions, and families. (19) At the same time, residential schools continued. The last residential school closed in 1996. (20)

The Seven Generations Principle

Indigenous culture traditionally looked at the effects of a decision for the next seven generations. This principle is sometimes applied to how much work is ahead for Indigenous People’s to heal from the atrocities they have experienced. The first steps were sharing stories during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Hearings and the government’s formal apology for creating and maintaining the residential school system. However, there is a long road ahead because Indigenous Peoples still experience injustices and racism daily. International events where the world comes together to support people experiencing conflict or for a common cause can be triggering and painful to observe because the same attention and dedication have not ever been displayed for Indigenous Peoples.

Healing from trauma

Indigenous Peoples may begin the healing process by:

1. Expressing a desire to heal and move forward.

2. Sharing truths and experiences with professionals and loved ones who want to help.

3. Accepting support, reconnecting, and reclaiming culture, language, traditions, spirituality, and values.

4. Using traditional medicines, sweat lodges and healing circles.

5. Embracing traditional ways of dealing with criminal acts and changing the experience of incarceration.

6. Learning from knowledge keepers.

What can non-indigenous people do to help?

The best things that non-indigenous people can do include:

1. Taking time to learn about Canada’s hidden colonial history.

2. Reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations.

3. Learning about Indigenous customs, culture, history with a view of appreciation, not appropriation.

a. Attend pow wows and other educational events.

b. Read books and view films by indigenous authors about indigenous experiences.

c. Visit archeological sites.

4. Recognize your own biases and investigate myths and misinformation about taxes, housing, and education. Correct information when it is inaccurate.

5. Learn about and develop an awareness of discrimination such as microaggressions in language that perpetuate stereotypes and racialized beliefs.

The path forward

Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have a shared responsibility to listen, learn, and heal to promote decolonization. Together, we need to understand how traumatic events can bring up unintended feelings, frustration, and anger. At the same time, we need to work towards appreciation, respect, and understanding. Perhaps most importantly, non-Indigenous Peoples should not transfer the accountability for learning and sharing to an indigenous person. Remember that it’s not an Indigenous Persons role to educate you.

References:

1. Rutherford, A. (2017 October 3). A New History of the First Peoples in the Americas. The Atlantic, Science. Retrieved on March 15, 2022 from
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/10/a-brief-history-of-everyone-who-ever-lived/537942/

2. Hansen, V. (2020 September 22). Vikings in America. Aeon. Retrieved on March 15, 2022 from
https://aeon.co/essays/did-indigenous-americans-and-vikings-trade-in-the-year-1000

3. Government of Canada. (n.d.). Highlights from the Report of the Royal commission on Aboriginal Peoples: People to People, Nation to Nation (1991). Government of Canada. [Section: Looking Forward, Looking Back.] Retrieved on March 15, 2022 from
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100014597/1572547985018

4. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015 June). What We Have Learned: Principles of Truth and Reconciliation. Government of Canada.pp. 15-21. Retrieved on March 15, 2022 from
https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2015/trc/IR4-6-2015-eng.pdf

5. BCCampus Open Education (n.d.) Pulling Together: Foundations Guide, Section 2: Colonization. BCCampus Open Education. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://opentextbc.ca/indigenizationfoundations/chapter/the-indian-act/

6. Hanson, E. (2009) The Indian Act. First Nations & Indigenous Studies Program – The University of British Columbia. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_indian_act/

7. Government of Canada. (n.d.). About Indian Status. Indigenous Services Canada. Retrieved on March 15, 2022 from
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1100100032463/1572459644986

8. Crey K. & Hanson E. (2009) Indian Status. First Nations & Indigenous Studies Program. – The University of British Columbia. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/indian_status/

9. CBC News (2021 June 4) Your questions answered about Canada’s residential school system. CBC Explains. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-residential-schools-kamloops-faq-1.6051632

10. Bellamy, S. and Hardy, C. (2015). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder In Aboriginal People In Canada. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, Emerging Priorities. P. 12, para. 2. Retrieved on March 5, 2022 from
https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/emerging/RPT-Post-TraumaticStressDisorder-Bellamy-Hardy-EN.pdf

11. van der Kolk, B. M.D. (n.d.) The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body In The Healing Of Trauma. Retrieved on March 5, 2022 from https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score

12. Kirmayer et al. (2009), and Bopp, Bopp & Lane (2003), as cited in Bellamy, S. and Hardy, C. (2015). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder In Aboriginal People In Canada. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, Emerging Priorities. P. 12, para. 5. Retrieved on March 5, 2022 from
https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/emerging/RPT-Post-TraumaticStressDisorder-Bellamy-Hardy-EN.pdf

13. Elias (2012) as cited in Centre for Suicide Prevention (n.d), reviewed by Connors, Ed. PhD., Indigenous people, trauma, and suicide prevention. Centre for Suicide Prevention. Retrieved March 5, 2022 from
https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/trauma-and-suicide-in-indigenous-people/

14. Bombay, A., Matheson, K., & Anisman, H. (2014). The intergenerational effects of Indian Residential Schools: Implications for the concept of historical trauma. Transcultural Psychiatry. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1363461513503380

15. Partridge, C. (2010 November).Residential Schools: The Intergeneration impacts on Aboriginal Peoples. The Native Social Work Journal, Volume 7. Laurentian University Press. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from https://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/bitstream/10219/382/1/NSWJ-V7-art2-p33-62.PDF

16. Health Standards Organization (2016). Bundles as Culturally Safe Practices. Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services Sector. Retrieved March 5, 2022 from
https://healthstandards.org/leading-practice/bundles-as-culturally-safe-practices/

17. Partridge, C. (2010 November).Residential Schools: The Intergeneration impacts on Aboriginal Peoples. The Native Social Work Journal, Volume 7. pp. 48-54. Laurentian University Press. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/bitstream/10219/382/1/NSWJ-V7-art2-p33-62.PDF

18. CBC News: The National (2015 June 2). Stolen Children | Residential School survivors speak out. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://youtu.be/vdR9HcmiXLA

19. Hanson, E. (n.d.) Sixties Scoop: The Sixties Scoop & Aboriginal child welfare. First Nations & Indigenous Studies, The University of British Columbia. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/sixties_scoop/

20. Jeganathan J & Lucchetta C. (2021 June 21). Felt through generations;: A timeline of residential schools in Canada. TVO. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://www.tvo.org/article/felt-throughout-generations-a-timeline-of-residential-schools-in-canada

by admin

Intimate Partner Violence

The breakdown of any relationship into one where violence and abuse become the norm can terrify the victim and damage the family members.

This month, we’re talking about something that’s often kept silent: intimate partner violence. We’ll look at what intimate partner violence is, the alarming statistics, examine the implications of COVID-19, and identify some warning signs. We will also focus on tools to help someone you believe is experiencing domestic violence and taking action to leave an abusive relationship.

Intimate partner violence can occur in any relationship where there is an imbalance of power. Most often, abusers use a combination of physical force, emotional intimidation, and psychological terror to either threaten or abuse the victim. The victim lives in constant fear for themselves or others that the abuser has targeted. As a result, victims often live with chronic stress and stay silent as they try to protect themselves and/or others. They may hope that the abusive situation can be explained away as a reaction to someone having a bad day. They often try and convince themselves that it won’t be repeated because it’s not bad all the time or that people around them will notice something. There’s a tremendous amount of social stigma around intimate partner violence. Victims may think that it will be easier to stay in a toxic relationship and project an image that everything is wonderful. They believe that if they revealed anything to the contrary, it could be catastrophic. They may become stuck in a cycle and endure repeated abuse for an extended period, perhaps years. Victims often fear judgment from society, friends, and family for living in an abusive relationship. Exposing the abuse would mean that they need to share details about situations that may be embarrassing and painful to reveal. If children are involved, the victim may fear airing this information because they are worried that they will be considered a “bad parent” for letting it continue. As a result, intimate partner violence is grossly under-reported. Ultimately, its fear and a lack of confidence that keep victims quiet. One researcher found that victims have tended to “return to the relationship seven times before they leave for good.” (1)

Quick facts

79% of police reports show that women the most frequent victims of intimate partner violence. That’s 4x the rate for men. (2)
Women are “twice as likely to report being sexually assaulted, beaten, choked or threatened with a gun or knife” and have “higher rates of injury compared to male victims (40% of female victims to 24% of male victims).” (3)
Women are more affected by long-term PTSD than men. (4)
In same-sex relationships, women who identified as lesbian or bisexual reported significantly higher rates of violence by an intimate partner. (5)
It’s estimated that 1/3 of victims are male. Men often experience verbal and emotional abuse rather than physical violence.⁶ Still, they are reluctant to report because of embarrassment, stigma, fear of not being believed, religious beliefs, lack of resources, denial and revenge. (7)
Women between the ages of 15-24 present the highest rates of violence while dating. (8)

“She sent text-message after text-message demanding to know where I was and why I wasn’t responding instantly.”

~ a 27-year-old man who lived with his abuser for four years

*Names have been removed to protect identities.

Violence against Indigenous women

For years, reports have shown that Indigenous women have been experiencing disproportionate incidents of violence. Though we could locate some statistics to illustrate the situation, it’s anticipated that these numbers are significantly under-reported.

In Canada, data collected by Statistics Canada in 2018 showed that “59% of First Nations women, 64% of Metis women and 44% of Inuit women suffered from psychological, physical or sexual intimate partner violence. Overall, the data represented 61% of Indigenous women.” (9)

In the U.S., the Department of Justice found that “American Indian and Alaska Natives are two and a half times more likely to experience violent crimes” when compared to the national average for all ethnicities.” (10)

In both countries, grassroots efforts to identify the plight of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women continue in their attempts to bring awareness to the complexities of the situation.

There are many contributing factors, such as but not limited to:

The isolation of Indigenous communities; food, water, and housing insecurity; and the lack of access to comprehensive healthcare and victim services organizations
Victimization that has been perpetuated and cycled. It relates to the colonization process that intentionally destroyed Indigenous communities, families, and culture. It has introduced layers of intergenerational trauma that has manifested today in the destructive legacies of substance abuse, suicide, addiction, incarceration, serious illness, and unemployment.

What are the main types of intimate partner violence?

Intimate partner violence can be grouped into three main types: physical, emotional, and psychological.

Victims of physical abuse may be hit, slapped, kicked, pushed, punched, and spat upon. They could face sexual violence or be assaulted with a weapon.

With emotional abuse, victims can face verbal assaults of abusive language or yelling. They can also experience violent acts or threats against their property, pets, or even children. Often, the abuser tries to isolate the victim so that they no longer interact with family or friends.

Psychological abuse can include neglect, preventing a victim to leave home and earning an income, and withholding money to create economic or financial hardships purposefully. The abuser may also levee severe criticism of the victim’s abilities to manage money, maintain relationships, and critically damage their self-esteem and self-worth.

Victims often feel vulnerable because of the social inequalities they face, such as food, labour, or housing insecurities and their strained ability to access healthcare. One study by Western University’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children found immigrants and BIPOC are “more exposed and less protected.” (11)

“ He was careful to never hit my face, only areas that would be covered by clothing. It never occurred to me that what had started as teasing would escalate to harassment and then violence like this. It can happen to you.”

~ a 34-year-old woman who endured escalating abuse in her marriage *

Names have been removed to protect identities.

How does intimate partner violence affect a victim’s health?

Intimate partner violence certainly takes its toll on a victim’s health. Physical violence can result in sprains, broken bones, wounds, scars, and severe hearing and vision problems. There can be injuries to voices, teeth, and hair loss. Victims can also be affected with chronic pain and headaches, or even experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Sexual health can also be affected where victims experience STDs, ongoing pain, infections, unplanned pregnancies, or infertility.

Equally alarming is the prevalence of psychological issues affecting victims of domestic abuse. Someone might present initially with low self-esteem, but over time the abuse escalates psychological responses. Victims may begin to harm themselves, experience acute anxiety and develop extreme reactions to their situation such as uncontrollable fear, crying, or anger. They may also experience insomnia or have nightmares. All these events could even result in memory loss. Serious conditions such as depression, thoughts of suicide, PTSD, eating disorders or even conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder may manifest in victims over time.

How has COVID-19 made intimate partner violence a bigger problem?

Worldwide, COVID-19 has created a situation where people are living in constant stress and having trouble coping. Lockdowns have kept people in close quarters, and the United Nations has sounded the alarm regarding the need to “combat the worldwide surge in domestic violence,” referring to it as a “shadow pandemic.” (12)

Social and physical distancing measures instituted by Public Health and Governmental responses have reduced access to victim supports and services but increased exposure to abusers. It also seems that abusers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation and using it as part of their measures undertaken to control or frighten their victims.

They may:

Share misinformation (closed shelters, or false reports of outbreaks).
Restrict movement inside or outside the home or withhold cleaning products or PPE.
Lie about the scarcity of items the victim needs saying that basics such as medication or essential items are unavailable (i.e., birth control or hearing aid batteries).
Isolate and manipulate someone by restricting Internet access.
Threaten a victim’s health by inviting people over or threatening to infect them deliberately.
Imply that someone with COVID-19 could face repercussions such as losing custody of children or face deportation.
Remove or harm pets and animal companions, saying that they are a risk of transmitting COVID-19.

“ A small sign with the word HELP printed in capital letters appeared in the corner of the neighbour’s second-floor window. It had never been there before. You never see them outside, so we called the police to report it.”

~ a 50-year-old woman who noticed a silent plea for help from a neighbour

*Names have been removed to protect identities.

What are some warning signs of intimate partner violence?

Apart from the more obvious physical harm that victims may present, it may be possible to identify trouble from behaviour patterns that abusers tend to display. Controlling, monitoring, manipulating, and creating isolation, plus imposing financial restrictions, deserve careful observation because they may be warning signs. Similarly, you should never ignore incidents of harassment and verbal ridicule, intimidation or threats, or any signs of verbal abuse and gaslighting. Abusers may try to gain control over a victim through technological means and use apps to track communication, online activities, mobile phone usage (including text messaging).

Children exposed to intimate partner violence can exhibit misinformation or express beliefs that can act as a red flag to dangerous situations at home. They may normalize violence as part of a loving relationship and develop the idea that you can be the aggressor or the victim in a relationship, that they are unequal, and that it’s not necessary to treat others respectfully. (13) Keep in mind that children can also be neglected or victims of physical abuse themselves.

If you notice that someone has:

Frequent absences or illnesses at work or they are constantly late
Abrupt changes in clothing/dress (trying to hide bruises or physical violence)
Behavioural changes (depression, fear, suicidal thoughts, lack of interest in daily activities, changes in sleep habits, last-minute cancellations, excessively private and distant)
To obtain permission before going anywhere, has little money or no access to transportation, and refers to their partner as “jealous” or “possessive,” (14)

…then, there may be cause for alarm that they could be experiencing domestic abuse.

How to help someone experiencing intimate partner violence

Don’t be surprised if they deny it. There are several things you can do to try and help.

Keep in contact with them, despite any attempts by the abuser to isolate them.
Encourage the victim to call 911 if it is an emergency. If you know they are in immediate danger, call yourself.
Be observant of signs or signals (constant calling or texting to know where the victim is, who they are with, what they are doing)
Come up with a code word.
Help them store emergency cash, clothing, documents, phone numbers, etc. safely, outside of their home.

A hand signal for help

Learn the “Violence at home hand signal for help” developed by the Canadian Women’s Foundation in response to increasing rates of domestic violence during COVID-19. It indicates that someone wants you to “reach out to them safely” and is now “being shared by partner organizations around the world.” (15)

Things to remember if you are preparing to leave a relationship with intimate partner violence

Remember that you are not to blame. You did not cause the abuse. You and any children involved deserve to be safe, happy and treated respectfully. It’s not likely that your abuser will change. They may make promises to stop, but eventually, the abuse will return. If you stay or believe you need to help them sort things out, you may enable the abuse to continue rather than fix it. Leaving the relationship must be based on who the abuser is now rather than who they could be. You should go if it’s at all possible. Don’t retaliate or try to get revenge. It could be disastrous.

Be technologically smart and protect your privacy

Make calls from a public phone or a friend’s or neighbours. You may want to consider getting a second prepaid mobile phone.
Numbers called from a home phone, or mobile phone can be accessed on monthly bills, so your abuser could track you down.
When using a shared computer or tablet, change usernames and passwords frequently and be aware of spyware that could be installed. If the abuser has access to these devices, be cautious about deleting your web browsing history. Abusers can be worried you are trying to hide information.
Beware of GPS tracking devices that can be attached to a car, placed on a phone or tucked into a purse. You should also be aware that your abuser could have hidden cameras or baby monitors to watch your activities. There are also smartphone apps that will allow an abuser to track movements, record conversations, or monitor device usage. If you discover any of these, don’t turn them off as it could alert your abuser that you know about them.

Collect evidence and report incidents

Keep an incident journal and evidence of tracking or tampering with your mobile phone.
Memorize emergency contacts.
Move any important documents to a safe place (possibly outside of your home).
Connect with the police to report abuse. This can help kickstart support services, including restraining orders or peace bonds.

Seek advice and assistance from an intimate partner violence program, shelter, or crisis hotline.

When you get out, keep your new location a secret and change your routine.
Take steps to build new, healthy relationships and move forward from the trauma.

References:

by admin

Navigating Life in Mental Health Recovery

For many people, 2020 has been surreal, challenging and upsetting. There has been no other time in recent history where so many significant events, from natural and man-made ecological disasters to political, cultural and social upheaval, have felt like shared experiences with people from all over the world. Each of these can build anxiety and contribute to stress that affects our mental health.

With the added complications of COVID-19, extended durations of isolation and quarantine, the need to wear personal protective equipment, economic challenges, and the constant reminders to keep your distance to avoid transmission can further erode already fragile mental health. People who are feeling particularly vulnerable and have already experienced poor mental health may find that their symptoms worsen or amplify. They could have difficulty processing distressing information. They may be susceptible to triggers that cause relapse and create mental health emergencies, affecting any progress they may have made towards recovery. The reality is that the pandemic is indiscriminate: We are all vulnerable and we need to provide support to one another.

What we may not realize is that, in some form, we all have feelings and concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced factors that are fueling added stress and anxiety and our capability and methods to process them. It’s also crucial that we acknowledge the differences the pandemic has brought to the ways we can access mental health treatment and supports.

In response to the need for additional support, Homewood Health was proud to be selected as a preferred partner in the Wellness Together Canada initiative funded by Health Canada. Free to all Canadians, the website provides access to innovative resources including online and text-based supports, coaching, counselling, courses, self-assessment tools, and other helpful resources to explore. If you aren’t familiar with these services, yet, they are worth looking into.

The pandemic has accentuated mental health challenges

Achieving good mental health takes a lot of focus on improving your physical and emotional well-being. Introducing structured time, routines and therapeutic activities help to develop healthy patterns of behaviour that clarify thinking and help you feel more energetic as you navigate through recovery. With the pandemic, this has become increasingly difficult because impactful factors are now more unpredictable.

Where we may have had regular checks and balances in place to help reinforce positive structure and activities, some of these supports have been affected or unattainable during the pandemic. Think back to earlier in the year when nearly everyone was staying at home, and there was a lot of unstructured time. For some, work, school and home routines were in limbo. We feared the unknown, job losses, and financial difficulties for both ourselves and our country. For those who were able to work from home, juggling childcare, online learning, and our jobs was and remains a delicate balance and often poses unique challenges. We questioned how effective our situation was going to be because it was exhausting. We didn’t know how to move forward and wondered what things would look like and feel like when patterns resumed, and restrictions gradually began to relax.

Coping with the pandemic forced feelings of isolation and loneliness to the forefront. At the same time, we were introduced to an awareness that focused on proximity and interactions and made us feel like we were losing autonomy. At home, personal space was lacking, and in public, hand washing, distancing, face masks and even the direction you were moving in all mattered.

One expert spoke about how we have been under a “steady stream of threat cues…that convey to your conscious and unconscious mind that you are in danger.” As a result, we’ve been in fight/flight/freeze mode. These triggers are “more likely to capture the attention of people who are already anxious and depressed,” and can “result in sharp increases in negative thought patterns, emotions and behaviour towards self and others.” (1)

As all aspects of life continue to move forward, there will be more worry about contending with returning to work, school and all of the other activities that we participated in with ease before the pandemic. We’ll re-enter these spaces with distractions and more stressors created in part by information and misinformation. At work, we’ll be sensitive to the cleanliness of personal and shared areas. We may react if we hear or see someone cough or sneeze. Remember, implicitly, our brains remain on high alert. One way to reduce stress and anxiety is to avoid spending too much time on social media, as it’s mostly unfiltered and can introduce narrow perspectives, false narratives and negative thought patterns.

While the cumulative affect can be frustrating and distressing, don’t forget that it’s important to always look at recovery as a long-term continuum. Remember that spending time on improving your mental health requires dedication and sustained effort. The resources you work with, and the path you take will evolve. Even without the influence of a global pandemic, there will be many twists and turns since no one’s recovery follows a straight line. You’ll have good days and bad. Acknowledging these realities and the effort required is an integral part of the process of feeling well. One of the best things you can do is be open to access a variety of supports. It can help tip the scales in favour of having more good days than bad.

Mental health recovery, pandemic style

Access to resources that help people work through their mental health challenges has been one of those evolutions. In-person supports such as therapists, meetings and support groups, and social gatherings with friends and family may have moved to telephonic or digital mediums. Embracing alternate treatment methods and accepting both the positive and negative aspects is important for you to be able to adapt. You need to bring in tools that will continue to support how you recover.

Spending time figuring out how to access these through new technologies such as video conferencing (even the notion of sitting “on camera” on a video call) can induce anxiety. Long hours on video calls and teleconferences can also be tiring. While the benefits of participating in the discussion are many, there is also an appreciation that adding more stressors puts people in active mental health recovery at further risk.

During the pandemic, being able to do something as simple as renewing a prescription comes with increased complications. Still, everyone is working together to address these. For example, many insurance companies have relaxed limits on the quantities of medication that can be dispensed at one time. People can continue to access their prescriptions so they can continue to take them as prescribed. (2) It may seem like a little thing, but it can provide a release of worry and relief.

Accumulated stress can create dangerous health emergencies where the next steps to take can seem unclear. In healthcare emergencies like a heart attack, or a mental health crisis should you try to visit a doctor or go to an emergency room? Will you be exposed to COVID-19 along the way? To help ease your thoughts, it may be worthwhile getting clarity on different scenarios. With this information, you will be able to plan and have a better idea of what will happen. It also gives you a chance to discuss how any special arrangements or necessary supplies you could require can be accommodated.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your regular support system. You can still speak with friends, family and even colleagues when you need to. While it may not be in person, being willing to adapt to different methods puts this vital network within reach. Don’t be surprised if people reach out to you because they care.

Tried and true ways to continue on your recovery journey

Helping yourself move forward is also important to maintain. Don’t forget that one of the healthiest things you can commit to is movement and regular exercise, whether it’s going for a short walk, dancing to a song or doing laundry. Ensuring that you are eating well, maintaining good nutrition, and getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night can work wonders for your mental health. Nourishing your body and mind will help you propel forward.

While it may be more difficult to practice self-care, look at new examples that you may not have considered before. Dressing up for a special dinner at home instead of staying in your comfy clothes can give you a pick-me-up. Perhaps you’ve embraced a new hair colour or longer hairstyle due to restrictions. Here are additional considerations and more subtle ways of being kind to yourself:

Make a list of 20 things you want to do and then commit to doing just one of them each day. It will help give you direction and renew your focus. Plus setting the goal of completing one a day will relieve the pressure on you.
Create a gratitude journal where you take time to notice and record the little things that inspire happiness and bring you joy. This practice takes only a few minutes each day. Still, it helps you develop good coping behaviours and strategies and avoids unhealthy ones which may put you at risk.
Acknowledge when you need to retract or retreat from information or people whose viewpoints don’t line up with your own. These interactions can be toxic and bring up trauma that triggers long-term effects. It’s more than okay to take extended breaks from social media and news in favour of your mental health.

Being gentle with first responders, front-line workers and caregivers

The pandemic has certainly created painful and stressful circumstances for first responders, front-line workers and caregivers. They have experienced personal risk and significant grief. These factors have served as the catalyst to a host of health issues and trauma that have may amplified mental health concerns. While many would say that this is simply part of their jobs, healthcare workers and caregivers may have experienced a loss of life for patients where family members could not be present, bridging a tough time being the intermediary. With an increased need for workers, they will have lost time and made significant sacrifices to protect their friends and families. They may have missed out on important events in their lives to help protect someone else’s. They may feel despair and anger at non-essential workers and members of the public who are laxer in minding public health recommendations. They need time to decompress and try to work through what they have experienced. Listening, showing appreciation and paying attention is essential. Empathizing with their pain, sorrow, and hearing about what they are grateful for can help. Again, it’s the kindness in the little things that will start their recovery process.

We remain connected so that we can help each other

Reaching out when help is needed is part of human nature. Historian, Rutger Bregman, argues that we’ve proven time and time again that our true nature stands outside of the negative views most often presented by news media. He explains that scientific studies have revealed that “in a moment of crisis, there is an explosion of altruism,” and people want to help. (3) Offering a conversation to check in on others during these unusual times is critical. It can mean the difference between someone suffering in isolation and being able to feel heard, valued, appreciated and have a plan created to help move forward in recovery.

References:

Vieten, Cassandra, Ph.D., ( 2020, March 22). Living With Mental Health Challenges During the Pandemic. Psychology Today. Retrieved on June 3, 2020 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/consciousn…
Ibid.
Bregman, Rutger. ((June 12, 2020). [Interview] Historian Rutger Bregman Uncovers Humankind’s Biggest Misconception, related to Humankind, A Hopeful History.

September 14, 2020

Addiction and Recovery: Insights from Homewood Alumni

When you’ve lived with addiction and had the courage to get treatment, by working through your obstacles, you usually end up facing life lessons and gaining life experience that is often relatable to persons in similar situations and useful for those who are unaware of the challenges that addiction brings.

Interestingly enough, two aspects that almost always surface are: 1) how someone’s family has played an important part in their recovery journey and 2) how redeeming it’s been to learn about the science of addiction.

In this article, we’ll hear from some Homewood Alumni who have generously agreed to share their insights and key learnings when facing their addictions. We’ll also hear from Dr. Michael Berry, Clinical Director at Homewood Health’s Ravensview treatment facility in Victoria B.C., an expert who guides individuals on the path to recovery and helps people write new chapters focused on their healing and attainment of sustained sobriety. When stories are shared with such honesty and transparency, they can radiate hope and help others who may be early in their recovery journeys or who are experiencing some setbacks along the way.

Family Ties

Like other diseases, addiction can have a profound effect on your own life, but equally so for family members and others that you care about. There is a certain measure of complexity with their involvement in securing a recovery path: family members often have significant influence in helping you find your way to treatment, and they also need to learn about addiction as a disease and be well supported to understand that recovery is a life-long process.

Research has shown that stress is a significant risk factor and catalyst for “activating” an addiction (1). Living with a family member who has an addiction can upset relationship dynamics, and this often stresses the family to the breaking point as the addiction takes a stronger hold on their lives (2). As much as the addicted person is often using an addictive substance like alcohol to cope, family members can unknowingly take on certain dysfunctional behaviour patterns to help them deal with what is happening to their loved one, and become part of the addiction ecosystem.

Dr. Michael Berry emphasizes the importance that Homewood’s inpatient programs place on exploring these types of stress-response roles within family systems and the interactions they precipitate as part of the recovery process. “There’s the addict, the enabler, the peacekeeper, and the black sheep to name a few,” he says. He went on to describe a popular and very practical model used to help patients, a social network diagram that places the addicted person in the middle, and then spreads out people they care about in concentric circles according to who they are closest to. It helps people visualize the relationships, the dynamics and the vulnerabilities that are all around them to help make peace and make choices.

James, a Homewood alumnus who in June celebrated four years of sobriety, spoke about how much he wanted to move away from his alcoholism but was fearful. A combination of help from his employer in the form of a “last chance,” his girlfriend at the time (now his wife), and his father brought him into the program:

I had shown up to work and shouldn’t have been there. My girlfriend was under so much stress, and she was also an enabler for my alcoholism. My employer told me that I needed to get treatment, starting immediately, because as a first responder, I couldn’t perform my job safely and while they had been patient with me, my job was now on the line. So, even though I was worried about being away for 30 days, I agreed to go to Homewood. My girlfriend reassured me that she would take care of everything at the house, and I should “just go!”. It was very hard. While she was relieved that I was going to be getting treatment, she cried every single night I was away. That day, I needed to tell my parents about my alcoholism because I needed their help to get to Homewood. I was terrified of their reaction. The people at Homewood spent two hours with my dad, talking to him about addiction and explaining about how it was a disease and how my recovery was going to start as long as I was willing to participate. That really opened up his eyes and helped him understand.

I was in treatment for 35 days and a lot of the work I did there set me up to see the value of experiences. I was able to bring my parents in for picnics, I immersed myself in all of the activities to get the most I could from my time there. For the first time in my life, I learned how to talk to the people I cared about and how to listen. Homewood had some of the best meetings I have ever been to. The videos they showed us of other first responders made me realize I wasn’t alone and that there was a way forward. In the end, all of the right people were in the right places at the right times for me. This time was a chance for me to reset my life, not pick up a drink, and not be stressed. It was the start of a lot of really hard work that helped me learn how to be accountable for who I was.

Dr. Berry believes that family conferences are critical during the entire course of someone attending an inpatient program. They help address the blame that people affected by addiction can feel. Meetings emphasize how recovery is about treating the whole person rather than just the disease, an important distinction that recognizes the biological and environmental influences inherent with addiction. Dr. Berry further indicated that alcoholism can be passed from one generation to the next and that children of alcoholics move through the stages of addiction more rapidly. Having information about the science of addiction can generally help everyone move forward in recovery.

Addiction is a Disease

It’s essential to recognize that addiction is a disease caused by a combination of behavioural, environmental and biological factors that actually change someone’s brain (3). And while Homewood’s Dr. Michael Berry agrees that research has shown there are genetic links – some studies report that genetic risk factors account for about half of the likelihood that an individual will develop addiction – he focusses on a model where someone’s genetic predisposition might be activated through stress (4) that ties to the neuro-biological elements of the brain that are on the lookout for rewards (through addictive substances) to get relief and feel satisfied.

Our Brain on Drugs

Different addictive substances – drugs or alcohol — affect the brain’s neurotransmitters within the body by mimicking chemicals that are naturally produced there. Unfortunately, they aren’t exact copies of natural brain chemicals. While these imposters work, they don’t actually send the same messages that the natural chemicals would. And each substance affects different parts of the brain in their own way. As a result, the body receives abnormal messages in a kind of broken telephone game, and sometimes too many messages create over-activated circuitry that causes disruptions in our thinking and makes it hard for the natural chemicals to regain control over the processes (5).

Substance abuse changes our brains over time because we learn that these substances feed the pleasure-seeking part of our brain and cause it to release dopamine as a reward. Our brains respond favourably, by learning that something important is happening and needs to be remembered. The brain makes it easier to achieve this feeling again without having to think about it because it changes neural connections, forming a habit. It’s these large surges of dopamine brought on by substance abuse that teach the brain to seek drugs at the expense of other healthier goals and activities.

Ridding the body of the addictive substances that are mimicking naturally produced brain chemicals is key to starting recovery, but is also very dangerous if not done correctly. Gillian, another Homewood alumnus, shared her lifelong struggle with substance abuse and how not having the right supports available to her early on affected her recovery journey.

I’ve struggled with my physical and emotional health for over 35 years. Early on, I was prescribed morphine for a painful health condition. I found I was staying in the hospital up to four days per month. I supplemented this with alcohol. I needed treatment and came to Homewood for help. It was scary. After two days, I called my husband because I wanted to go home. On the fourth day, I had a seizure. I completed five weeks of treatment and was done with the morphine. Unfortunately, I returned to alcohol within three months. I would start drinking in the morning and blackout by early evening. I wouldn’t eat all day, but I would wake up hungry and try and eat something.

I was fighting with my son and decided that I couldn’t keep this lifestyle, so I went back to Homewood after 3 or 4 months. This time, I opened up and maintained my sobriety for eight years. I got a new doctor who in the process of learning about my health, ordered a full medication review and took me off everything. I became very sick and actually spent 12 days in the hospital. I lost 30 pounds in 7 weeks and started to experience panic and anxiety. The only thing I could keep down was two meal replacements a day. I was actually detoxing.

Science continues to look for different ways to treat addiction, everything from new forms of aversion therapy where long-term doses of medication are implanted in a recovering patient’s skin that cause the person to vomit if they drink, to investigating medications that can prevent people from falling prey to unseen triggers (6). While this research is interesting and in some cases, promising, Dr. Berry states that the combination of pharmacological treatment; psychotherapy, such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy); and alternative therapies such as art, horticultural, and music therapy have clinically proven to produce the best results for many people. This model is grounded in Homewood’s philosophy of treating the whole person and not just the disease. Gillian agrees that a more holistic approach is better in the long run, “Alcohol is so much more than drinking – a pill wouldn’t change things for me. Quick fixes are easy but not the most effective and they don’t help me clear the wreckage of my past”.

A Model for Sustainable Recovery

Recovery is a lifelong process and takes effort. While addiction is not a choice, recovery from addiction is. The path to recovery improves work, finances, family life and health and uses many different pathways … including professional treatment services, informal supports and support groups (7).

Both James and Gillian attest to how helpful a wide variety of supports are, especially peer support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Talking to people and sharing their stories continues to be a big part of their recovery journeys. Planning for and being aware of what may cause relapses allows James to be proactive and not hold stress about this. He embraced many tools learned from Homewood, AA and keeping connected with his sponsor such as journaling, time management, and maintaining a regular routine.

Dr. Berry agrees that an action plan should cover a broad range of supports that ultimately, puts the emphasis on experiencing an engaging and gratifying life filled with meaning, purpose and fulfillment. In the end, if those things are missing, and a person is disengaged with the activities of life because they are so focused on the addiction, the journey has no point.

The Basics for an Addiction Recovery Plan (8)

Stay engaged with your recovery and treatment.
Attend to basic responsibilities – these will help you stay on track
Make a relapse checklist where you:
a. List your triggers
b. List tools that you have that can help you stay grounded when in stressful or encountering triggers
c. List people in your support network who you should contact
Prioritize self-care, healthy relationships and remember to celebrate all achievements, no matter how small.
a. Avoid negativity and have honest conversations with yourself
b. It may mean changing jobs
c. Ask yourself if you are focused on what you want to be doing, and if you feel supported.
d. Stay connected to formal programs.

Recovery may also have you confronting relationships that are not safe and leave you wrestling with some of the choices you have to make about whether connections and contacts you have need to be altered, adjusted or avoided. “It’s not easy, and it requires candid conversations. Sometimes we can manage these as part of therapy, but other times it’s going to happen outside of it,” says Dr. Berry.

Gillian recognizes how difficult that can be. She lives with her husband, who is a first responder, in a community where drinking is one of the main activities everyone does. “We have golf-carts where we drive around the condos, and everyone is always outside with a drink in their hands,” she said. Even her husband jokes that he needs to slow down – but he isn’t ready to do that himself yet. That’s one of the toughest things Gillian has to deal with since reminders and triggers are literally right on her doorstep. Through her work with Homewood, she recognizes those vulnerabilities, and also sees how different aspects of the programming she has benefited from over the years would help others she cares about too – from neighbours to her husband and her children”. She keeps on track by, “accepting the recovery rules, taking it a minute at a time and going with the flow.” She realizes that things won’t happen overnight and that continuing to attend daily recovery-focused meetings and practicing her faith helps her deal with the challenges she faces in the environment. She is also looking at getting back into volunteering and becoming more involved in service for others in recovery to help her find things she can be proud of accomplishing.

James, too, is working towards becoming a certified peer support to help other first responders confront their own situations and addictions courageously. He spoke about the pressures of being part of the culture within his profession – where there are a lot of people with big personalities who are controlling, and where socializing can be hard. “It’s a tough place to be sometimes, but I’m trying to be the better version of me that I know I have to,” he said. It’s for himself, but also his (now) wife, and their two young daughters. What he does differently now is talk with honesty and purpose, to everyone who will listen, and cultivate positive experiences and spaces at home, at AA, and at work.

Dr. Berry adds that kindness and self-compassion, understanding blame, and accepting accountability for all of your actions should be paramount in any recovery plan too because while you’re, “not solely responsible for all of the problems you face, you are ultimately responsible for the solutions.”

References

(1) Heshmat, Sharhram, Ph.D. (2017, May 10). Stress and Addiction, Psychology Today. Retrieved on June 19, 2019 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/science-ch…

(2) Alvernia University (n.d.), Coping With Addiction: 6 Dysfunctional Family Roles. Retrieved on June 19, 2019 from https://online.alvernia.edu/infographics/coping-wi…

(3) Centre on Addiction (n.d.) Addiction As A Disease: The Disease Model of Addiction. Centre on Addiction website. Retrieved on June 19, 2019 from https://www.centeronaddiction.org/what-addiction/a…

(4) Centre on Addiction (n.d.) Addiction As A Disease: The Disease Model of Addiction. Centre on Addiction website. Retrieved on June 19, 2019 from https://www.centeronaddiction.org/what-addiction/a…

(5) National Institute on Drug Abuse (n.d.) Drugs and the Brain. Drugs, Brains and Behaviour: The Science of Addiction. Retrieved on June 19, 2019 from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brain…

(6) Smith, Fran. (2017) How Science Is Unlocking the Secrets of Addiction. National Geographic Magazine, Online. Retrieved June 19, 2019 from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/0…

(7) Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA).(2019) Life in Recovery from Addiction in Canada. Report at a Glance. Retrieved June 19, 2019 from https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-04/CC…

(8) Futures Recovery Healthcare (2018, October 29). 10 Tips For Creating A Sustainable Addiction Recovery Plan. Creating An Addiction Recovery Plan after Rehab. Retrieved on June 19, 2019 from https://futuresrecoveryhealthcare.com/knowledge-ce…

by admin

Healthy Habits: Actions to Recovery

When we feel safe, secure and well connected to our families and people within our communities, we develop a sense of belonging and an understanding of who we are. These attributes allow us to have confidence in our actions and enable us to live our lives in ways that are satisfying and meaningful. In short, we create a baseline for what good mental health feels like.

In contrast, when we’re overwhelmed and/or looking to solidify our relationships and roles, we can experience mental health challenges that create further disconnectedness and detachment. Treatment and therapy are a key component of the critical support needed to re-establish the baseline of feeling well, which leads to healing, but there are also actions we can undertake to compliment and encourage sustainable recovery.

The process of recovering your mental health helps you find the parts of yourself that were lost; helps you learn about what makes you strong and where you are most vulnerable; encourages you to accept support from people who care about you; and shows you ways that you can create a life focused on positive interactions. Recovery from a period of poor or challenging mental health isn’t instant, and it’s something that will always be with you: “It is important to remember that recovery is not synonymous with cure.” (1) Remember to be kind to yourself along your journey and include, “hope, dignity, self-determination and responsibility.” (2)

What does recovery look like?

For recovery to be successful, you need to embrace actions that will help you heal. The personalized care you receive is going to help you learn about and create a positive sense of self. There is no single service or solution, therapy or treatment that will improve everyone’s mental health, because everyone is different. There are however, things you can do to help find what feels right for you:

Accept and understand that you are receiving personalized care that is going to help you create a “positive identity outside of being a person with [a mental health disorder].” (3) Developing an understanding that you are not defined by the labels of any diagnosis you receive: you are a whole person, which embodies all of your characteristics and traits surpassing those tied to your medical diagnosis.
- Be willing to accept help, recognizing that your current health, your social interactions and quality of life can be improved.
- Be prepared to trust that the people developing your personalized recovery plan see you as an individual and will be putting supports in place that will help you given your individual situation and needs.
- Find and hold onto hope. It’s an essential part of recovery that helps to keep you motivated and focused during recovery.
Recognize you will be involved in making choices that support your best recovery path and allow yourself to take responsibility for as much as you can in your life.
- Be willing to learn and accept that you will regain control in your life. Part of your treatment may help you identify things that have been harmful in your past and acknowledge how these may not be helpful as a part of your recovery. Instead, you may be encouraged to try new things with the support of the professionals and people who care about you. You’ll enter into the healing process with insight and begin to develop definitions to build self-worth and self-esteem.You will see how you fit into the world, your contributions, and understand how and why you matter.
- As you recover, you will begin to recognize warning signs that indicate you may be moving backwards or reverting to previous harmful actions and behaviours. Identify your behaviours and moods that signal a shift in how you are thinking. With time, you will learn to see and acknowledge signs that you need to seek help and guidance, which will allow you to avoid risks that may result in a crisis.

Here’s a small list of common warning signs that many people experience when faced with mounting mental health challenges. It’s important to note that warning signs will differ between individuals. The signs noted below may also be attributed to physical health concerns. If you notice things starting to break down, you may want to consult your primary care physician or a counsellor: (4)

Being angry at people who you care about
Confusion, forgetfulness or thinking that is not clear
Crying and not being able to stop
Experiencing physical symptoms that are not usually present (excessive tiredness, lack of appetite, heart palpitations)
Feeling overwhelmed and that you can’t go on
Lack of motivation
Wanting to withdraw and avoid people

Recovery doesn’t happen without your input and involvement

Your involvement in defining your recovery journey is key because it is so personalized. The professionals who are supporting you are only one element. Your mental and physical health are often affected in some capacity, and treatment options will look at all aspects of your health. A combination of mental and physical treatments are the best approach to securing and maintaining achievements during recovery. That means your care may involve pharmacological treatment, psychological therapy and physical care (exercise and diet).

As you acquire knowledge and an understanding of the help being provided, you will contribute to the creation of how you want to define what feeling well means to you, which, in turn, allows you to offer insights and choices about your care.
- Think about the kinds of activities you enjoy when you are well. Do you like to cook, read or exercise?
- Determine what feels meaningful with respect to the activities you feel comfortable participating in during your recovery.
- You may want to work with your caregivers to create a personal plan for mental health to help your caregivers understand when they should intervene, what your care preferences are during a crisis, and how and when to recognize that you feel comfortable in resuming full control. Having a documented plan can make things more transparent for everyone involved and ensure your wishes are articulated during times when you may need more help.
During recovery, it’s import to have the right attitude towards sharing information, communicating and embracing care partnerships.
- There may be some hesitation; however, sharing relevant information will help the people who are caring for you understand what your wants and needs are during recovery and will ensure synchronized and well executed transitions of your care requirements.
- Be willing to learn more about yourself, your strengths and vulnerabilities, your family relationships and your friendships. Observe and identify how these interactions relate to your mental health when you are well and when you are in need of more support or are ill. This knowledge creates valuable meaning that can help you address your past and can help you define and reinforce positive choices in your care plan.
Another important action is your willingness to regularly re-evaluate where you are within your recovery journey with honesty and courage.
- There are many tools you can explore to help you with this aspect of recovery. Review questions and contemplate scenarios that help you assess how you are feeling and set goals for yourself that allow you to track your progress.
- Realize that your recovery effort is ongoing. The work needed may diminish with time, however it will never finish. Recognize this is a positive thing. Looking at your adversities through a recovery lens will help you find balance and a fulfilling life. As you gain more insight and the ability to recognize your signs of crisis, you will learn when you need to invoke a different degree of care. You can regain control of and manage your mental health.

Some questions you may ask yourself to assess your current mental health and help set goals(3)

What keeps you going?
How would you like your life to be different?
What are your dreams now? How have they changed?
How have you previously moved through tough times in your life? What was helpful? What would you have done differently?
What positive ways have you changed or grown as a person?
What things have you done or how have you behaved that made you feel really proud of yourself?
What would give your life more meaning and make it more enjoyable?
When did you last have fun?
What would someone who knew you really well say about you? What would you like them to say?

The Principles of Recovery

There aren’t a prescribed set of steps to follow for mental health recovery. Instead, it’s based on self-discovery, acceptance, personal growth, working through occasional setbacks and learning from all of these experiences. Having a “holistic, person- centered approach to mental health care,” where recovery focusses on every aspect of your life is crucial. (5) That means looking at you (both mind and body), your spirit, and your community. Knowing that “It is possible to recover from a mental health condition and the most effective recovery is patient-directed”5 helps provide a framework for how you can live your life fully and successfully. Working to build upon your strengths and define your purpose with respectful, responsible and supportive care, plus receiving positive reinforcement through social relationships, support groups, family and friends will help you develop confidence and become more comfortable over time. Don’t rush and don’t look at repeating steps as defeat. It’s all part of a healthy recovery experience.

References:

Jacobson and Greenley, 2001, p.482 (as cited in Principles of recovery oriented mental health practice) Government of Australia Health website. Retrieved on May 6, 2019 from https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing…
Mental Health Commission of Canada (n.d.) What is Recovery? Retrieved on May 6, 2019 from https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/what…
Slade. M. Dr., (2009). 100 ways to support recovery. Rethink Report – Canadian Mental Healh Association (CMHA). Retrieved on May 6, 2019 from https://toronto.cmha.ca/ wp-content/uploads/2016/07/100-ways-to-support-recovery-Rethink.pdf
Copeland, M.E. (n.d) Webinar: Avoiding a crisis – When Things are Breaking Down. Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Mental Health Recovery (website). Retrieved on May 6, 2019 from https://mentalhealthrecovery.com/webinar-avoiding-…
Lyon, S. (2018, May 7). The Recovery Model. very well mind. Retrieved on May 18, 2019 from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-recovery-…

by admin