Recovered or Not Recovered? A First Person Narrative Case for Non-Abstinent Recovery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to explore interlocking questions relating to how we deal with drugs and medication in crisis residential mental health settings. In particular, it examines issues related to overly medical and simplistic explanations of the relationship between cannabis and psychosis, the positive effects of drugs, the effects of having standard rules for diverse groups of people and the concept of non-abstinent recovery.

BACKGROUND

I have used mental health and addiction services for 25 years and I have 6 years' experience as a peer worker, working with many people who use drugs.

METHOD: This is an opinion piece built around a first-person narrative.

KEYPOINTS: Drugs can have positive effects and an appreciation and understanding of these effects is essential to understanding persistent drug use. How can we integrate non-abstinent recovery as a valid and positive choice of recovery pathway?