PSYC FPX 4110 Assessment 4 Positive Psychology Applied to Educational Institutions

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC FPX 4110 Positive Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities

This paper discusses the application of Positive Psychology in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Centers. The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, through The Butler Center for Research (Positive Psychology and Substance Use Disorder, 2017), has highlighted several reasons for incorporating positive psychology in the treatment of alcohol and substance abuse. Many individuals resort to drugs and alcohol to cope with significant stressors and challenges. Active alcoholics and addicts often face dangers due to risky behaviors, which frequently lead to new traumatic experiences.

In treatment centers like Hazelden Betty Ford, the integration of positive psychology is increasingly common. For this paper, a Drug and Alcohol Treatment facility is defined by the following aspects and criteria:

A 28+ day residential treatment
Women only
Dual diagnosis (mental health issues combined with addiction)
Treatment programs for both alcohol and substance abuse

The facility described here is a women-only treatment center that accommodates up to 25 women at a time, providing three meals daily. The facility staff includes licensed nurses, addiction counselors, and peer counselors, along with the necessary staff for the center’s daily operations.

The clients range in age from 15 years old and up, with most falling between 15 and 44 years old (Women of Childbearing Age and Opioids, 2017). They come from diverse backgrounds. Approximately 14,000 facilities across the United States offer various services to support and maintain long-term recovery. These services include childcare, housing, medication management, and trauma intervention.

Upon admission, patients undergo both physical and mental evaluations. These evaluations serve as guidelines for co-creating a treatment plan with the patient. Each day is structured to establish routine and stability, with a variety of treatment programs included. If the intake assessment indicates a need for mental health treatment or specialized therapeutic services, these are incorporated into the schedule as well.

Applications of Positive Psychology

It is important to recognize that drug and alcohol recovery treatment programs are already deeply rooted in spirituality, gratitude, and integrity, though the application may vary. The foundation of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is based on community, stewardship, and integrity, aligning with the principles of Positive Psychology. The concept is that merely abstaining from drugs or alcohol is insufficient for sustaining long-term sobriety.

Substance abuse can occur for various reasons, often due to the immediate gratification obtained from substance use. For example, victims of abuse or trauma may self-medicate in the absence of proper resources and help; others may do so due to grief or isolation. This occurs when substance-related rewards or relief are more readily available than non-substance-related rewards. Instead of confronting mental anguish or emptiness, users suppress these feelings in favor of the instant gratification provided by substances (Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018).

Positive Psychology recovery programs identify an individual’s strengths and focus on developing and incorporating them into daily life, contrasting with traditional treatment models that view the patient as powerless due to a sickness (Positive Psychology for Substance Use Disorders: A Rationale and Call to Action, 2022). When a patient’s condition is framed as a character defect or shamed as abnormal maladaptive behavior, they are more likely to adopt a victim mentality rather than an empowered and capable mindset. This victim mentality allows the patient to externalize blame rather than take responsibility for their past and present actions.

Heal With Empowerment and Positivity

Positive Psychology adopts a completely different approach. Instead of focusing on maladaptive, abnormal, or deviant behaviors, it emphasizes uncovering and developing the patient’s strengths (Find Your 24 Character Strengths | Personal Strengths List | VIA Institute, 2019). The goal is to create a fulfilling and meaningful life, which requires the development of self-awareness.

It is also essential to view addiction as a behavior pattern, which can be changed regardless of how deeply ingrained it may be in a person’s personality; recovery is achievable. The idea of recovery as an opportunity to rebuild can inspire the motivation needed to make necessary changes. Through Positive Psychology-based treatment, patients learn to envision a life without substance use and begin setting attainable, realistic, and measurable goals to work toward (Krentzman, 2013).

How Concepts and Principles Are Integrated into Recovery

Gratitude has been a significant part of recovery since Bill W. introduced the concept in the Big Book, the core text of Alcoholics Anonymous. The concept of gratitude, both within the text and in practice, is intended to be used daily to maintain a positive focus conducive to sustaining sobriety (Big Book Online: Alcoholics Anonymous, 2015).

Starting each day with a meaningful and deliberate gratitude practice sets the tone for the entire day. The first task upon waking is to list ten things you are grateful for and why. Taking the time to fully experience the feeling of gratitude for each one has a powerful impact on your body and mindset (Byrne, 2016). This practice makes it easier to overlook the negativity encountered during the day.

The 10 Principles of Recovery (10 Principles, 2016) represent Positive Psychology’s response to the Twelve Steps of AA. These ten principles are designed to promote an accurate and positive sense of self and to transform your life by focusing on strengths rather than self-perceived weaknesses. By doing so, you can live a flourishing life with greater purpose.

Take Accountability For Your Life
Discover Purpose
Cultivate Hope
Practice Gratitude
Define and Strengthen Your Spiritual Self
Find Your Identity and Nurture Self-Worth
Conquer With Courage
Forgive Yourself and Others
Serve Others
Live With Integrity

PSYC FPX 4110 Assessment 4 Positive Psychology Applied to Educational Institutions

When these ten principles are practiced and refined, they foster a life filled with intention and purpose, allowing you to remain present in the moment. Gratitude helps maintain a positive mental state, enabling you to reframe your thoughts and stay grounded. Accountability yields remarkable results and can be applied not only to addiction recovery but also to co-dependency. Taking responsibility for your actions empowers you to take control of your life and strengthen your self-image.

Once you have a clear understanding of who you are, the next step is to take an honest inventory of your strengths. This process differs from the Twelve Steps of AA, which focuses on positive aspects rather than compiling a list of past wrongdoings and character weaknesses. Recognizing your strengths enables you to develop them and build a more purposeful life.

A purposeful life is lived with integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Keeping secrets and being dishonest erodes self-worth and is closely associated with addiction relapse. Living with integrity and self-awareness eliminates the need for external scrutiny. Many addictions have resulted in a loss of trust from family, friends, and others. While trust may not be restored overnight, consistent positive actions help rebuild those relationships.Spiritual health, through a connection with a higher power, is one of the most important aspects of a flourishing and meaningful life. Your relationship with your higher power acts as an internal compass for integrity, always witnessing your behaviors and thoughts. This relationship strengthens self-discovery and resilience.

Most importantly, self-forgiveness for past mistakes and dishonesty is crucial. Shame and guilt perpetuate a negative state of being. The past is gone and cannot be changed. Forgiveness, hope, and a strong belief in your ability to succeed free you from the victim mentality, allowing for progress and the building of a flourishing and meaningful life.

Strengths and Limitations of Positive Psychology in Recovery

Unfortunately, there is limited research on the use of Positive Psychology in recovery. However, the research that does exist suggests positive outcomes for individuals in recovery who are committed to change. The Twelve Steps of AA have been proven to be an important tool for recovery; while there are differences between the Twelve Steps and the 10 Principles, the content is quite similar. The key distinction is Positive Psychology’s emphasis on a positive approach, rather than the focus on wrongdoing and fault found in AA (Krentzman et al., 2013).

Another advantage of Positive Psychology is its unique focus on strengths, which fosters confidence and self-value. Once personal strengths are evaluated and identified, the opportunity for stewardship arises, enabling individuals to use their strengths to serve others.

Given its relatively recent development, Positive Psychology lacks substantial supportive evidence. Some reported limitations include the lack of research, the absence of a scientific method to measure the effects of intervention, and the insufficient focus on treating more serious mental health issues (Manta Care, 2021). As the research is still in its early stages, more data is expected to emerge over the next decade.

In Conclusion

Despite the limited scientific research, Positive Psychology has proven successful in some institutions as a recovery method. The focus on an individual’s strengths and competencies enables them to reintegrate into society as productive and purposeful human beings. I believe that the next decade will provide opportunities for further studies and research, promoting positive outcomes. Even if Positive Psychology is not entirely suitable for recovery, its inclusion in a revision of traditional methods could be highly beneficial, offering new hope to those who are still suffering.

References

10 PRINCIPLES | 10 Principles. (2016). 10 Principles. https://www.10principlesofrecovery.com/10-principles-of-recovery

Big Book Online: Alcoholics Anonymous. (2015, September). 12steps.nz. https://www.12steps.nz/12-step-programs/alcoholics-anonymous/the-big-book/

Byrne, R. (2016). The secret: the 10th anniversary edition. Atria Books; Hillsboro, Or.

Find Your 24 Character Strengths | Personal Strengths List | VIA Institute | VIA Institute. (2019). Viacharacter.org. https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths

Krentzman, A. R. (2013). Review of the application of positive psychology to substance use, addiction, and recovery research. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(1),

151–165. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029897

Krentzman, A. R., Webb, J. R., Jester, J. M., & Harris, J. I. (2013). Longitudinal impact of character strengths on sustained abstinence, positive affect, and mental health in alcohol use disorders. Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(4), 325–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.805801

Manta Care. (2021). Positive Psychology: Addiction Recovery. https://www.mantacare.com/