The recovery programme Moving On In My Recovery (MOIMR), which is based on an evidence-based psychological therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), had been developed by consultant clinical psychologist Lee Hogan, who was also a lecturer at Bangor University, in collaboration with people in recovery—using their lived experiences and what worked for them—and treatment professionals. The programme ‘was specifically designed to provide the necessary skills to support recovery and to bridge the gap from treatment to sustained recovery.’
MOIMR is a key part of the recovery programme at North Wales Recovery Communities (NWRC). I have recently written a section about how MOIMR is used at Penryhn House, the residential part of NWRC in Bangor. Here is what I have written in my draft of a chapter for a book I am writing, tentatively called Transforming Pain Into Power: Recovering From Addiction and Helping Communities Thrive.
‘Weekly, three-hour MOIMR sessions were initially facilitated by James and Sarah Flynn, the latter being a friend of James who would later become Chief Trustee of the NWRC charity. The programme, conducted over a 12-week period, involves teaching people in a collaborative group environment necessary skills to support long-term recovery. For example, participants learn acceptance-based strategies and mindfulness practices that reduce the likelihood that internal triggers (i.e., thoughts, emotions, memories) will lead to relapse.
The sessions involve Powerpoint presentations and discussion around the following topics: The Next Step in my Recovery; Anchor Points and Lifestyle Balance; Protecting My Mental Wellbeing; Coping with Anxiety; Managing Low Mood; Shutting the Door to Relapse; Peer Support; Our Relationships; Being Me; Dealing with Life’s Losses; Stigma and Me, and More Steps in My Recovery.
The MOIMR programme includes weekly challenges which are typically based on the topics discussed in each session, but are broadly related to participating in activities in support of recovery or the enhancement of wellbeing. The sessions start with a check-in which provides an opportunity to discuss the participants’ progress and the outcome of the challenge set the previous week. It also helps to establish connections among the participants and for them to be able to hear about others’ personal ongoing experiences.
Many MOIMR participants have provided positive feedback about the MOIMR programme and say that it has consolidated or enhanced their recovery. Some go on to run MOIMR sessions in Penrhyn House or in other places. MOIMR remains a core part of NWRC’s recovery programme today.’ Check out the Moving On App.
Two short films, Moving On and Keep On Moving On were made in 2019 by Eternal Media, the Wrexham-based recovery group founded by Marcus Fair. (In these must-see films, people who have participated in MOIMR sessions describe their experiences in addiction, why they wanted to change, what MOIMR is about and how it is delivered, and how the programme has impacted on their lives. The films are deeply moving. LOL!
