S5 - E18.3 - Specific Support Elements HOPE Provides For People Who Have Harmed Themselves Due To Alcohol Use Disorder

Surfing the MASH Tsunami

In this conversation, Society of Sober LIvers leaders Jenn Jones and Beth Lehman describe the HOPE (Healing Others with Peers and Education) program. They go on to discuss why version 1.0 does not include specific support for caregivers.
Jenn describes the program's core elements, starting with a monthly video call that is a support meeting one month and an educational program the next. The program will include a Facebook group where individuals can continue their conversations in private, plus a weekly blog and an array of educational resources. Beth adds that stopping drinking and addressing addictive behavior are not necessarily the same thing and that HOPE will help individuals address their overall behavior, not merely their AUD. Jenn adds that Sober Living is addressing issues holistically and anticipates that ideas and activities will "bubble up" from members. She also anticipates scaling up in time as interest grows.
Roger asks how a provider can help patients find their ways to Sober Livers and HOPE. Beth says the key is for the group to deliver educational materials to the offices where patients go. After Roger shares the group's e-mail address (soberlivers.org), Jenn notes that the Zoom address for the support meetings will not be publicly available. People must enroll to be invited. While enrolling on the Sober Livers website, they can learn more about the organization and its other resources.