Achieving Change

A Solution Focused Approach

The client knows what recovery is. The client knows when they will be in recovery. The client is, as always, the expert.

Most clients seeking help in the statutory sector with their addiction are seldom asked by those they see about times when they keep themselves well? how they do that? and what life will be like for them once they are well again?

Mostly the client is asked instead about trigger points which ironically can further reinforce their own view that recovery is a long way off.

When I speak with GPs and clinical professionals in the field, they often tell me that they believe the client must address their addictive triggers and I always respond the same - "have a little conversation at least about what recovery will look like, the small things that will be different in their life, and most importantly if you have to go back to trace the pathology of the addiction then surely you could trace exceptions and strengths while you were there and while you have the client in front of you, surely a little conversation about tomorrow can do no harm".

Many people experiencing drug and alcohol problems often become isolated and develop negative views of themselves and others - the language and visuals of the Solution Focused Approach helps workers to introduce an element of doubt into this negative and destructive view.

By eliciting "exceptions" to the presenting problem, i.e. "times when they have kept well and not allowed the misuse to take control" - conversations focus on "how they did that?"; "what strategy worked for them?"; "what were the signs that things were slipping back?" and "how they kept themselves safe from slipping back?"

Questions like this are effective in highlighting strengths and resources which the client may perceive as negative because they are attached to the failure of relapse but in reality this is where the journey towards a renewed recovery needs to start in order that the worker can establish "what worked in the past" and harness these strategies to help the client achieve their new goal.

Because the Approach does not focus on who is to blame for the problem but rather who can do what to help that change take place - it is has been evaluated by clients and their families as a "direct, no-nonsense approach".

A Solution Focused Approach training day with the staff of CASCADE, a drug & alcohol unit in Berkshire.