Recruiting a Network
Aim
To identify, recruit and maintain a network supportive of positive change.
To do
Explain the importance of social support in achieving positive outcomes
State the preliminary goal for which you are recruiting support
Identify people who can provide positive support
Draw a network map with NMs’ roles defined
Plan and rehearse contacting potential network members and involve them
Plan and monitor FP and NMs’ activities
Plan maintenance and renewal of the network
My recovery journey #1
People who have support for change do better
Family and friends do better when they are involved
Improvements are sustained past the period of active change
The aim is to develop positive support for change and the maintenance of change, with at least one supportive person.
❝ I get by with a little help from my friends ❞ John Lennon
Why have a network?
You will be able to complete this task digitally and download a PDF of your responses at the end of these notes - if you want to respond as you go then that is fine too
Recruiting support
The essence of iSBNT is always think network. You may already have a supportive and constructive network of people who are concerned and want to help bring about change. More commonly people say that they have no support or support may be limited in which case a network needs to be recruited.
Here are some specific types of support:
Moral support: giving encouragement and positive feedback to the FP
Solving problems: other people may have had a similar problem and/or be good at weighing up different sides to a situation
Help with tasks: simply sharing the load and/or bringing some particular knowledge or skills to a situation
Organisational help: arranging a fun social activity, a rewarding task, or practical support such as driving to and from activities
Providing information: making available resources or information for example about courses, jobs, leisure activities, support services, specialist advice
Emergency help: for example, financial or equipment loans, transport.
There are people who can give support outside the network. For example, the local shopkeeper who sells alcohol can be persuaded not to sell alcohol; the local pharmacist is often willing to provide support beyond giving out medication.
The ideal support person should:
Be readily available
Have a positive relationship with you
Be prepared to be firm but kind with you
Be able to agree about your drinking and drug use goals
Be willing to work with other members of the network with regards to maintenance of change
A support person should not:
Have an alcohol or drug misuse problem themselves
Be under 16 years of age
Have a chaotic lifestyle or untreated mental illness
Be in a position of power
Choosing the right people to support you is key. Stability, concern, commitment and respect for each other are the building blocks of a strong network. Stability in the lives of your support network means an absence of drug, alcohol or mental health problems.
Being concerned about each other in a mutually respectful way is another cornerstone to making a network commitment. Working on helpful communication styles and enjoyable activities as well as daily routines make up the bulk of the conversations.
In these video clips Dr Gillian Tober demonstrates how to build the network - notice her consistent use of motivational dialogue. The first video demonstrates the essentials of getting started with iSBNT; the second is a discussion about the key points; and the third is a demonstration of engaging a potential network member…
The essentials of building a social support network
Watch now
Discussion of key network building points
Watch now
How to engage with a new network member
Watch now
It can be bonding and reveal a lot about friends and family to draw and keep a network map which might look like this one. Use it as a reference point in future discussions. Here is a list of people you might think to include:
Family, including those who have not been seen for a long time or who live far away
Friends, including neighbours and lost contacts
Workmates or colleagues
People who have helped in the past
People who share activities or interests
People who share religious worship or belief
Casual acquaintances seen during day-to-day activities
Social or health care workers who have been helpful
There are no rules about how to draw the map: some people like to add more information such as how everybody gets on together, in what ways they could help, and those people who may be a challenge rather than a support can be noted in red.
Communication in the network
Good communication comes from telling each other how you feel and what is helpful, without fear of criticism and rejection. You and those supporting you may need to practise listening to each other and responding in turn, not interrupting, not blaming, and respecting each other’s point of view.
Look out for unhelpful communication styles. For instance:
Blaming “It’s your fault that I…”
Defensiveness “What do you expect me to say…”
Being judgemental “That’s what you always do…”
Making assumptions “I know what you are thinking…”
Issues that you might want to discuss…
Asking for help
dealing with drinking or drug use situations
with practical matters
dealing with craving
recruiting additional NMs
Managing criticism
exploring feelings that result from criticism
building self esteem
turning it into a positive, helpful experience
Listening and conversation skills
talking in turn
acknowledging feelings
talking about things other than drinking