Restorative Practice: A Case Study

Controversy has seen latest interventions take an alternative stance by shifting away from total abstinence and instead incorporating a holistic and strengths-based outlook involving aspects of Restorative Practice. Separating the person from their behaviour, the concept of ‘recovery’ promotes positive change by supporting and working with service users to address internal conflict, wider troubles, like homelessness and unemployment, and develop a sense of life purpose. The key message is one of hope. For parents with problematic substance misuse this ideally is gained by being confident and capable of independently facing responsibilities, as well as be effective and caring with parenting so children are actively encouraged to reach their …show more content…
Tapping into insecurities, ‘Recovery champions’ have an important and vital place in treatment by inspiring service users into change. Champions have a number of responsibilities; positive role models who relate well to people experiencing dependence, bringing hope that dependency is beatable, acting as a peer mentor to provide the guidance and support to aid others into a successful recovery, and helping create connection by building a community feel (HM Gov, 2010; HO, 2012). The value of ‘recovery champions’ is evidenced by the high number forming part of treatment teams; a responsibility which personally assists them by providing a purpose and opportunity to further develop their new identity (Best et al, 2015). However, champions are volunteers and whilst this may be good for wellbeing, it is unlikely to lead to employment due to negative attitudes of employers (Bauld et al, 2010). Similarly, the recruited usually include newly recovered individuals who, if relapse, lack the skills to prevent others from following suit (Shipario,