Transcript The Foundational Principles of Recovery

Developing a Wellness
Recovery Action Plan
Nanette V. Larson, BA, CRSS
Director, Recovery Support Services
WRAP for What?
I can write a WRAP for anything!
First I must decide what it is that
I want to write my WRAP for
Each part of my plan will be
relevant to that particular thing
that I am planning for
WRAP for What? (cont)
Examples May Include:
Mental and emotional well-being
Living with a chronic health condition
Nutritional health
Staying drug and alcohol-free
Having strong friendships or other
relationships
Staying on track at school or work
WRAP Concepts: Part One
Wellness Toolbox
Daily Maintenance
Triggers/Action Plan
Wellness Toolbox
Many, many things I can do to be
well and stay well
What goes in MY toolbox may or
may not go in yours
I can keep adding to the list as
long as I’d like
At My Best
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum
up the men to gather wood, divide the
work and give orders. Instead, teach them
to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
At My Best, cont.
A “picture” of me at my very best,
in regard to the situation I am
writing this WRAP for
A clear description of me when
things are really going well
Gives me a goal, so I know what I
am working toward
Daily Maintenance Plan
A distinct list of items I do EVERY
DAY to keep me AT MY BEST
Start with a maximum of 3-5 items; may
increase over time
These items are those which, if I
do NOT do them, my wellness may
be compromised
Ask yourself: “And if I don’t do this…?”
Triggers, and an Action Plan
Events or circumstances that may
compromise my wellness if I don’t
respond to them
Identify: “Events or circumstances” – this can
be just about anything – what are they for ME,
in regard to the WRAP I am working on?
Plan: “If I don’t respond to them” – this means
that I CAN respond to them – but first I must
have an Action Plan!
Review of WRAP Concepts:
Part One
Wellness Toolbox + Daily
Maintenance + Triggers/Action
Plan = Living Well Every Day
WRAP can be for anyone and
anything
WRAP is a lifestyle, not just a
program
WRAP Concepts: Part Two
Early Warning Signs/Action Plan
Things Breaking Down/Action Plan
Crisis Planning
Post-Crisis Planning
Early Warning Signs, and an
Action Plan
Subtle signs of change, that only I
notice, that indicate to me that I may
need to take some further action
Identify: These signs are sometimes referred to as
“internal” because they are not obvious to other
people – I am the only one who is aware of them;
they are sometimes thoughts, feelings or sensations
Plan: When I take action at this stage, I can stop the
ball from rolling down the hill!
Early Warning Signs, and an
Action Plan, continued
Key Feature in this Phase: Only I
am aware
Key Action in this Phase: Take
Action Against Emotion
When Things Are Breaking
Down, and an Action Plan
In this stage, things are getting even
worse, and other people are beginning
to notice, but I am still able to take
action on my own behalf
Identify: These signs are now more obvious to other
people; sharing with others what the signs might be
helps them to be good supporters
Plan: Support that is empowering is the key in this
stage; sharing action steps with my supporters that
will help me take action on my own behalf will help
me to recognize my own strength and resiliency
When Things Are Breaking
Down, and an Action Plan, cont.
Key Feature in this Phase:
Someone else can observe it, but
I can still take action on my own
behalf
Key Action in this Phase:
Involvement of Empowering
Support
Crisis Planning
A crisis is a situation in which I can no
longer take care of myself, and others
will need to take over responsibility for
my care
I write the crisis plan when I am well, to instruct
others about how to care for me when I am not well
Much like an advance directive, the crisis plan allows
me to participate in the decision-making process,
even when I am not capable of being the person
making the decisions
Crisis Planning, continued
Whereas the other parts of the WRAP
were developed for my own use, this
part of the WRAP is being developed
for others to use, so I have to be very
clear when I am writing it
Identify: There are many aspects I will need to
identify, such as what I am like when I am well, what
the signs of a crisis may be, etc.
Plan: I will also need to make specific plans for my
supporters to follow, such as who to call (and who not
to call), where to seek help, and how they will know to
discontinue the plan
Crisis Planning
Key Feature in this Phase:
Someone will have to take over
Key Action in this Phase: Plan
ahead so the person will know
what to do that is helpful and
according to my wishes
Post-Crisis Planning
Planning for life after a crisis is
the first step to ensuring
successful recovery
Identify: What will make my life more
manageable after the crisis has passed?
Plan: What steps can I take to get myself
slowly on the road to recovery?
Post-Crisis Planning
Key Feature in this Phase: I am
now ready to be in control of my
own life again
Key Action in this Phase: Plan
small steps on the road to
recovery, to help the transition
back to wellness
WRAP is a Lifestyle
Writing a WRAP plan is more than
a one-time occurrence
The WRAP plan itself is a dynamic document;
it is ever-changing to fit my personal needs
and experiences
Living a WRAP lifestyle means that I live
each day with a sense of hope, personal
responsibility and self-awareness, and a
willingness to seek out support when needed
WRAP is a Lifestyle, continued
WRAP is always based on
personal choice
The pursuit of good information in order to
make good choices is one of the keys to the
process
Another key is being able to communicate
effectively in order to reach my goals
At its base, WRAP is a spiritual process,
recognizing my daily pursuit of purpose
For More Information
 www.copelandcenter.com
 [email protected]
 Last revised 11-01-07 (nvl)