DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Heather Baral

LCSW, BCD

Increasing Mutual Support Group Access for Service Members in Residential Substance Use Treatment

Concentration - Administrative Leadership

Abstract

There is no universal treatment for substance use disorders. Recovery may include any number of modalities from psychotherapy to medication management. One of the most-utilized sources of substance use care comes by way of mutual support groups. Mutual support groups bring individuals together to address common concerns in a non-clinical, supportive manner. This presentation will explore the history and current presence of a dominant mutual support group in the field and explore methods of diversification for service members in residential substance use treatment. Mutual support groups are commonplace for individuals receiving residential substance use treatment. Within military healthcare, 100% of treatment facilities offer Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). While A.A. works well for many individuals, the lack of alternative offerings highlights a gap in service for military members receiving residential substance use care. By examining this practice problem from a new theoretical lens, the case is made for the benefit of alternative offerings such as Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery).

Biography

Heather is an Active-Duty Commissioned Officer in the United States Public Health Service. She has over twelve years of experience in direct practice, working with the active-duty military population and addressing substance use and mental health within the service.

Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She received her Master of Business Administration from Sejong University, South Korea, and her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Heather is currently a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) candidate at the University of Kentucky.

Currently, she works in a leadership role for a residential substance use treatment program that serves active-duty military members.

Heather’s scholarly interest centers on improving outcomes in substance use treatment. She is examining the need for increased access to care for service members in residential substance use treatment by expanding mutual support group offerings, including self-management and recovery training (SMART Recovery).

Heather is a licensed clinical social worker with a board-certified diplomate in clinical social work certification. Her clinical specialties include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and rational emotive behavior therapy. Heather also passionately advocates for the dissolution of stigma for those experiencing substance use disorders.