Occupation is a natural means
of
restoring function and is particularly
important in recovery. Research shows that
not being meaningfully engaged in
occupation can have an impact on health, as
well as the more obvious financial impact.
As an occupational therapist (OT) at the
Unity alcohol and drug recovery service, my
aim is to help individuals develop or maintain
a satisfying routine of meaningful everyday
activities that can give a sense of direction and
purpose – the ultimate goal being to move
towards education, training and employment.
Initially I will ask someone what a typical
day looks like for them, as this creates a
picture of their routines and motivation.
For example, when I met Malcolm, I
discovered he was motivated to go out
walking daily to buy his newspaper – but
always the same route. He would get
frustrated with the ‘sameness’ of his days,
acknowledging it was often a trigger for him
to return to drinking.
Activity grading is important – breaking
down an activity into stages. This enables an
individual to become more confident with an
activity before they progress to the next, more
difficult stage.
Phil embarked on such a journey. He’d been
abstinent from alcohol and cigarettes for
some time, making many positive changes to
his life.
He had been unemployed for
three years, having worked in IT, but
was unsure if this was a career he
wanted to re-pursue. Phil became a
volunteer for us, facilitating our
cyber café. As his confidence grew,
he felt ready to move towards
employment.
He completed a four-week
employability course and
attended a job club, and I
arranged an eight-week
office work placement.
This allowed him to ‘re-
experience’ office life,
regain skills and gain
new ones, as well as
establishing a regular
work routine. Phil is
now searching for IT
jobs, having the belief
that this is what he
wants and is able to do.
Support is an integral
employment
More good practice stories at
Malcolm, whom I mentioned earlier, was
dissatisfied with his routine but very
gradually, by using goal-setting, started to
change his productivity. He started to attend a
peer support group, began walking slightly
different routes and had an occasional game
of golf or a coffee with someone he became
friends with at the group.
I suggested we explore volunteering
opportunities that made use of his skills. He
now regularly updates a website and carries
out bookkeeping for a mindfulness project.
Malcolm readily says, ‘It’s given me something
to do which also carries quite a lot of
responsibility, which I needed. It also got me
out of a rut.’
Little would be achievable without the
Unity staff or the partnership agencies I work
with. I consider myself incredibly fortunate
within my role – my own meaningful
occupation as an OT is the privilege of
accompanying an individual on their journey.
Sue Bright is a recovery occupational
therapist working for Unity alcohol and drug
recovery service
All in A dAy’swork
Sue Bright
describes how offering occupational support
can bolster an individual’s recovery journey
Bill Parkin,
Sue and
Jonny from
Heathlands
Project.
‘Occupation for those not
“work ready” may
perhaps be volunteering
or structured activity.’
part of the process. Conversations around
occupation in early recovery are valuable in
instilling a sense of hope and belief of a
positive future. There are many fears that
individuals raise – lack of confidence, fear of
relapse, the impact of criminal records and not
knowing what direction to take.
Jonny mentioned several of these issues in
our discussions but gradually changed his
outlook.
‘Life wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon
for me and I thought that I had nothing to
offer or anything of value to others,’ he said.
‘All that changed for me in February 2014. I
hesitantly started an NVQ level 2 course in
adult social care. The six-month course flew by
so quickly and I was amazed to be offered a
relief contract of two days a week, working
with and supporting the service users. I had a
job, and soon after it went to three, then four
and now five days a week at the Heathlands
Project. I feel a sense of worth now I’m doing a
job I really enjoy.’
In working with individuals I try to
encourage a ‘give it a go’ attitude, focusing on
positive coping strategies – including a ‘plan
B’. I work with everyone as an individual, not a
‘one size fits all’ approach. Occupation for
those not ‘work ready’ may perhaps be
volunteering or structured activity.
12 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| May 2015
