Spirit Ethos
Spirit Ethos, Philosophy and Beliefs
Brian Long, a specialist in the field of addiction, founded Spirit in 2002. Much of the increasing growth Spirit has enjoyed over the years since then, has been due to the vision of its founder, together with the efforts and professionalism of its staff. Spirit, with the help of its clients, has been able to address and embrace an increasing global awareness of the fundamental importance of (the holistic nature of)health, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Spirit is in many ways unique, being the only Treatment Centre in the UK dedicated solely to addressing the issues arising from Co-dependency. This approach contrasts with the treatment of Co-dependency in many other establishments where the condition is viewed as part of a program, often presented in care plans as an add-on to the primary substance recovery programme.
What Spirit's founder discovered, through work in a variety of treatment environments, was that there appeared to be a need for a facility to address fundamentally these core issues; those deep-seated concerns with self, irrespective of how they may have evolved,that often existed long before any of the addictive behaviour.
Brian Long recognised that even although people had successfully completed a period of addiction treatment and maintained their recovery, if the core issues have not been addressed, the likelihood at some point of a relapse of some kind becomes greater.
Spirit's ability to deal with a wide range of life issues presented by its clients developed gradually, with an ever-increasing awareness that the individual’s addiction appeared to be a symptom of a deeper trouble.
Once the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, compulsive and obsessive behaviours of addiction were addressed, clients could then recognise what motivated them to use drugs in the first place. The misuse of substances, or of people, places or things, was in order to change the way they felt, and how they viewed themselves. It followed, therefore, that if these same people had a sense of identity, self worth/self-esteem, and were able to operate within the healthy boundaries in their relationships, there would no longer be a need or compulsion to change the way they felt.
Brian Long has worked in a variety of treatment environments, and with a wide range of client groups such as Victims and Perpetrators of Domestic Violence, Families, Offenders, Substance Misusers and the Homeless. The radical, long term and holistic approach to treatment now adopted by Spirit, is a direct outcome of the knowledge gleaned from these experiences.
Spirit has moved away from the ‘Quick Fix’ mindset that seemed to dominate many other forms of therapy in times past. It favours instead, more lasting therapeutic benefits in order to achieve long-term change. At Spirit, a very effective treatment plan has evolved from the pooled experiences gained from a variety of different therapeutic schools; this has culminated in a Spirit-developed program that radically enhances its clients’ prospects for life-changing improvement.
12 Step philosophy embodies freedom, and advocates support in all forms supplemental to working a 12 Step programme. In early recovery, the structure and suggestions for daily living has made the programme invaluable to countless thousands of people worldwide.
It has become increasingly clear, however, that in the longer term, a 12 Step programme that is too rigidly adhered to, and does not leave room for a degree of flexibility, leads to a failure to address core issues, such as obsession and compulsion.
The fixed behaviour, thought, and attitude, brought about by this rigidity have been identified as possible inhibitors to the growth of a fully functioning, balanced individual.
Brian Long has identified three elements that militate against a full and complete recovery. The first of these is that, if the recovering person deals with the presenting issue but not the core issues, only a certain level of recovery is attained; long-term satisfaction and contentment, however, may well remain elusive.
It is also realised that there are, working in the field of recovery, professionals who may not have fully addressed their own core issues, and are unlikely, therefore, to highlight or work with their clients’core issues.Symptomatic of this failure is the tendency for professionals to insist, after a period of treatment, that their clients are ‘ok’,and that ongoing therapy is unnecessary. At this point it is important to emphasise the invaluable service, professionalism and expertise that workers in the field of recovery have been able to offer, down through the years.
A third unhelpful factor in the clients’ efforts to achieve a complete and lasting recovery is that funding agencies themselves are unlikely to offer financial help for a longer term plan. The criteria by which the success of a programme is measured may well be to the disadvantage of the clients themselves. One such criterion is that a programme is deemed successful if it has been completed with the client abstinent from their primary drug of choice, and adjudged to be without the need for further work, or the need to address core issues.
Spirit's premises are located in a quiet village location close to junction 23 for Bridgwater on the M5. Housed in a building that was previously a centre for brain-injured children for many years, the location is ideally situated in the centre of a small friendly local community, with all of the usual facilities such as post office, village shop and hairdressers.
The project started with private individual therapy sessions being conducted from a sole counselling room, and has developed over the years to Spirit, as we know it today. Facilities include individual counselling rooms, group rooms that incorporate conference facilities, quiet reflective spaces, cooking amenities, car parking and a well-maintained, spacious garden.
Spirit, at any one time, can be host to some twenty-five clients in various stages of primary, secondary and aftercare treatment. Our client base is often a mix of private and funded, from a variety of sources. Spirit's ethical standpoint means that requests for finances for treatment are approached in a flexible way, often meaning that people can get help when they need it rather than when they can afford it. Our client group is diverse, encompassing different nationalities, gender, ages and backgrounds.
Clients can be with us from anywhere between three months and two years. Spirit is open ended, meaning that if someone who has completed treatment wants to come back after their initial after-care package has ended they can attend weekly. People often find this particularly helpful if they encounter a block or event, which may unsettle them in their ongoing recovery. Sometimes they return to share how well their life is going too, which is welcomed, and often serves as an inspiration to those still in treatment.
Brian Long, the founder of Spirit, has also identified the need for a centre in which people can learn to behave in a non-co-dependent manner, in an atmosphere of transparency and openness. This is something Spirit clients have always highlighted as being different from some of their other therapeutic experiences. Although operating within professional boundaries, the focus on the client-counsellor relationship is paramount. Clients have commented on this level of personal involvement, and many say that the feeling of equality modelled in this way of being, has greatly enhanced their treatment experience.
Brian also realised that the concept of family of origin dynamics, which he had experience of through facilities he had previously worked in, could be used at Spirit. The centre now provides an atmosphere of modelled healthy dynamics, resulting in a safe place where people can gain a vast amount of healing from their historic damage. It also became more evident, that the nature of transference was of such intensity, that clients tended to attempt to recreate their histories in the treatment centre itself. It was further clear, that this process, if not managed in a sensitive and professional way, could incite further damage to the individuals involved. So, awareness for all concerned was stressed as being of utmost importance.
In the implementation of family of origin dynamics, all staff is required to maintain their own recovery, and in working with the client group, demonstrate healthy ways of interacting. The clients and staff are discouraged from operating a ‘No talk rule’, making it easier for problems and issues to be addressed and resolved swiftly.
Too often, client participation can be used as a ‘buzz word’. In Spirit’s case, however, it is actually being practised. In the organization of, and execution of individual treatment plans and therapy, clients are often consulted for input and feedback on a range of topics. This interaction is encouraged in the firm belief that, given the time and therapeutic space, clients can work out what is actually right for them as individuals.
Over the time Spirit has been operating in this way, it has encouraged other organizations to do the same. There is an on-going open invitation to other professionals to come and experience what Spirit does. Such interaction has provided a framework under which a healthy, working relationship with other organizations can flourish.
Many of Spirit's clients have been, or are counsellors, or other helping professionals working in the field. Courses of treatment at Spirit have reportedly been of enormous help in the subsequent working practice of such professionals. Spirit offers supervision for other organizations, and the values it embodies translate well to bringing positive change in those establishments.
Spirit also engages with those in the field of medicine, particularly doctors and psychiatrists, increasing understanding, and promoting awareness of co-dependency and substance misuse problems. In dealing with clients and their issues, it brings Spirit into contact with varied agencies that work with the individual outside of Spirit's therapy programme. Spirit attempts to engage in dialogue with all of these organisations, as it is firmly believed that in order to deliver treatment, the whole person in the context of their life needs to be treated.
Spirit looks towards a bright future. It will, as it has done, continue to change and develop, both in terms of working practice and as an independent organization. It will continue to challenge unhealthy views and beliefs. Working internally, externally and more globally, it will attempt to bring resolution through building relationships, talking and listening. It will also attempt to bring positive and meaningful purpose to the lives of its clients, encouraging them to reach their full potential.
