Recovering without the needed help

Page 5

While seeking a master's degree in social work, I became glaringly aware of the invisibility of Aboriginal women in society generally, but in research, specifically. I am also aware of the complexity of issues faced by urban Aboriginal people, many of which are far from being adequately addressed.

As an urban Native woman in recovery from addictions, I faced a multitude of challenges in trying to rebuild my life. As such, for my master's research, I decided to focus on urban Native women in recovery from addiction, to determine the issues they face, and whether their needs are being met by service providers.

This research validates the fact that urban Native women face tremendous and complex challenges in spite of having years of recovery, and that, essentially, there is a failure to meet their needs from a health services perspective. This fact is evidenced by their solid critique of services, and is supported by the struggles they still face, in spite of having between eight and 12 years of total abstinence from substance abuse.

This qualitative case study was focused specifically on what their lives have been like since getting into recovery, and on a critique of services, based on their experiences. Qualitative interviews were conducted with each participant, followed by grounded theory analysis. Grounded theory is an approach used to reflect the participants' views in reporting the findings. Since the study is based on interviews with five urban Native women in recovery from addiction, the research cannot be generalized as reflecting the experience of all urban Native women in recovery; however, an indepth analysis of the interview data provides a definitive case for the argument that this population's needs are not being met.

It is important to keep in mind the general status of Aboriginal women in Canadian society, particularly in the urban context. A study conducted in Vancouver in 1999 attests to the challenges faced by urban Native women. Healing Ways, published by the Vancouver Richmond Health Board, highlighted the need for more services for Aboriginal women in Vancouver. Seen as an area of priority, the report mentioned that "women's health concerns relate to consequences of poverty, substance abuse, being a single parent, having a history of sexual abuse, being isolated, and living in an environment of domestic violence." The report goes on to provide statistics to back up these claims, statistics which reinforce the need to provide more culturally appropriate services to urban Native women, generally.

Importantly, the negative effects arising from a lack of adequate services are reflected in the articulate responses of participants during the interviews conducted for my research. From an external perspective, the women spoke to ongoing issues related to relationships, within the familial, community and societal contexts, touching on issues of identity, ongoing oppression, education and culture. Furthermore, the respondents were able to reflect their internal experiences related to the external challenges they face, indicating ongoing difficulties connecting with themselves and others, in addition to facing grief and loss, depression and anger, and identity issues. Dominant themes throughout the interviews related to isolation, and issues related to safety and comfort.

The results of this research show that, from an individual perspective, the respondents face ongoing challenges that affect their ability to make positive changes in their lives. Rather than facilitating growth and freedom, much of their experience is characterized by stigma and ongoing isolation. In fact, the overwhelming lack of support, compiled with ongoing racism and discrimination, and the lack of both education and culturally appropriate services, makes the prospect of developing healthy and satisfying lives seem a formidable task, and progress is far slower than need be. Respondents referred to self-harming behaviors which occurred even after two or more years of recovery, including self-mutilating, thoughts of suicide and unhealthy if not destructive relationships. Ongoing depression, anger, frustration, and isolation were also prominent.

From a family perspective, the respondents talked openly about the need for education and support for their families.

Relevant were issues related to the resistance of family members in accepting change, and of facing the dilemma of trying to maintain recovery in spite of family members addictions, and/or violence in the home. Also mentioned were a multitude of issues relating to the generational impact of the residential school system and foster care, as well as men's loss of roles as providers, and internalized oppression as Aboriginal people.

From a community perspective as well, education and support were mentioned as critical, as is the need to develop reciprocal relationships aimed at providing ongoing support between community members. Lack of understanding about First Nations history, and about the recovery process, as well as stereotypes, and the lack of education and awareness relating to parenting and communication skills, are augmented by the need for improved access to employment and education generally. Also mentioned is the need for more activities within safe and sober environments, and the need for childcare supports.

From a societal perspective, I have already made mention of the ongoing racism and discrimination, factors which are exemplified by the failure to act on the priorities mentioned in studies, such as the Healing Ways document previously referred to here. Regardless, it is important to consider the critique of services that was compiled from my research. The respondents in the research spoke to the lack of culturally appropriate services, including the lack of First Nations service providers, and the culturally inappropriate use of an individualistic approach to services. In terms of the inadequacy of servies, mentioned is the lack of funding in order to access services, the lack of treatment matching-referrals to services to meet their needs, inappropriate referrals, the gate-keeping process to access services, and the lack of flexibility of services. Gaps in services include the lack of resources for single mothers, and the lack of gender and culture sensitive services. Last but not least is the inadequacy of service providers the respondents have dealt with; of mention was the failure to acknowledge positive changes, the need to educate the service providers about First Nations, and the unwillingness to address trauma that clients were trying to cope with.

Ultimately, even with long term recovery, the respondents still find themselves struggling with a multitude of issues, many of which could be mitigated through the provision of services that actually meet their needs. Urban Native women need to be at the forefront in the development of policies and programs, as well as in determining funding priorities. They have the wealth of experience required to develop programs and services that will facilitate a better quality of life, and lead to a meaningful movement away from their current status as the most invisible, isolated and marginalized group in Canadian society.