Substance Abuse Addiction

                                                                                               

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Substance abuse is a personal issue and the village community respects individual freedoms.  However, resources will be available for recovery through the community’s addiction specialist and no resident will be exempt from the community’s covenants.  There should be an emphasis on helping individuals find their own way out of addiction.  Each person, addicted or not, heals and grows in their own way and the village is a place that honors that diversity.

 

Addiction will remain a personal issue until it becomes a legal issue or violates the village covenants, then it becomes an issue for the village to work out. If illegal activity occurs, such as drunk driving, the community will intervene via a governing panel that will then decide on further action to take in order to protect the best interest of the community.  The community’s drug policy allows the village to intervene when a resident becomes a threat to himself or another resident, and is enforceable under either of the following focus groups: “How do we vitalize ourselves?” and “How do we expand our community?”  Outside costs incurred for recovery will be reimbursed by that resident.

 

Information about addiction (possibly from local resources) will be available with other literature maintained by Social Services and should include the following basic tenets:

·        The fact that addiction is a disease.

·        How to recognize alcohol and substance abuse.

·        Local resources such as alcoholics anonymous.

·        The name of the Co-op Village’s Addiction Specialist.

 

The Co-op Village’s Addiction Specialist will be a social worker or counselor who, in addition to their overall specialty, will have knowledge about and/or experience dealing with addiction and substance abuse.  This person will be available to counsel residents who have concerns about themselves or others and may become more involved with diagnosis or treatment if qualified.  The addiction specialist will:

 

1.      Obtain and provide information and literature (for example, AA’s “Big Book”).

2.      Help stage an intervention if necessary.

3.      Know what resources and treatment programs are available locally and facilitate their use.

 

The Co-op Village would gladly make transportation to support-group meetings (e.g. AA) a priority.  Any groups that start within the village would be encouraged; meetings can consist of as few as two members. Privacy will be a priority, if desired, so that meeting with the addiction specialist (who is also simply a counselor or social worker) won’t be discouraging.

 

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