Theory Research paper copy

Empowerment Theory and SUD Meyer 1

Empowerment Theory and Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

Rachel Meyer

Human Behavior and the Social Environment: SW 530

Undergraduate School of Social Welfare


Introduction

In the field of Social Welfare, one will come across substance use and abuse in nearly all

areas of practice environments. Therefore, my interest currently lies within substance use

disorders, particularly in relation to adolescents and adults. A substance use disorder is defined

as a disorder in which the abuse of one or more substances leads to a clinically significant

impairment or distress. Although the term substance can refer to any physical matter, "substance

abuse" has come to refer to the overindulgence in and dependence of a drug or other chemical

leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical and mental health, or the

welfare of others (NAMI, 2010). I chose to connect the theory of empowerment with my

particular practice area of interest. Moreover, strength-based intervention (based on

empowerment theory) to work with adolescents and adults with substance use disorders.

Overview of the Theory in Relation to the Practice Interest

The principles of empowerment theory, when using a strength-based perspective, can be applied

to help clients gain self-efficacy and a critical consciousness in order to take effective action in

overcoming their substance use disorders.

Strength-based Perspective

The theory of empowerment is based off of the strength-based perspective, which is an

approach to the process of practice, rather than it’s own theory. The primary goal of this practice

concept is minimizing the weaknesses and maximizing the strengths of the client, whether the

client is an individual, group, or community. One cannot empower a client by criticizing their

shortcomings or failures. Therefore, strength-oriented social workers refuse to identify clients

according to their deficits or pathologies. Saleebey (1992), a central figure in the Kansas group,

explains this approach in the following passage:


The strengths perspectives obligates the workers to understand that, however

downtrodden or sick, individuals have survived (and in some cases even thrived).

They have taken steps, summoned up resources, and coped. We need to know

what they have done, how they have done it, what they have learned from doing it,

and what resources (inner or outer) were available in their struggle to surmount

their troubles. People are always working on their situations, even if just deciding

to be resigned to them; as helpers we must tap into the work, elucidate it, find and

build on its possibilities (p. 171-172).

Professionals focused on empowering their clients and who are trained to view their

clients as human beings using their strengths and resources to cope with adversity as best they

can have a much better chance of helping clients with substance use disorders find the means to

improve their own situation (Cohen, 1999, p.461). The client has a better chance of developing

self-confidence if the social worker amplifies their strengths. It is essential for clients to see

themselves in a positive light, as it aids in the development of self-efficacy.

Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to implement the behaviors needed to

produce a desired effect. Numerous studies have shown a strong relationship between self-

efficacy beliefs (often referred to as abstinence self-efficacy) and drinking/drug-use outcomes,

following a variety of treatments. Theoretically, all treatments for substance use should be

expected to enhance self-efficacy, either directly or indirectly. In the substance abuse field, it has

been postulated, and generally accepted, that if clients are taught coping skills (e.g., problem-

solving, social skills, communication skills) and they subsequently experience success as a result

of implementing those skills in lieu of using substances, this mastery experience is likely to

enhance their efficacy beliefs (Kadden & Litt, 2011, p.1121-1123). Self-efficacy emphasizes the

importance of arranging experiences designed to increase the person’s sense of efficacy for


specific behaviors in certain problematic and challenging situations. Self-efficacy is an important

part of the strength-based intervention process, since during the intervention the social worker

does not simply resolve specific problems, but instead provides the client with the skills and the

sense of efficacy for solving problems themselves.

Critical Consciousness

The principles of empowerment theory can be applied to help clients gain a critical

consciousness. According to J. Lee’s model of components of empowerment (2001), critical

consciousness is the development of knowledge and a capacity for critical comprehension of the

social and political realities of one’s environment (Robbinson, Chatterjee, & Canda, 2012, p. 95).

Therefore, in relation to working with individuals with substance use disorders, during the

process of intervention one should assist their client in the development of a critical

consciousness in order to enhance the individual’s sense of self worth and reduce the amount of

blame that the client places upon themself. A key component in helping clients to achieve a

critical consciousness is to remember that the professional is not the expert. The individuals,

families, and communities with whom the professional works in partnership are the experts.

They own the intimate knowledge of their situations and, for the most part, own the most

important resources.

The language that one uses in order to assist clients throughout the intervention processes

is extremely imperative. The language that you use to describe your client should be the same

language used to converse with them; it is plain, direct language of people who work with other

people, not the ‘scientific’ language of those who classify other individuals. The language is not

stigmatizing (Cohen, 1999, p.461). However, the development of a critical consciousness

involves the cognitive component of identification with similar others. Thus, it may be


beneficial, in some cases, for the client to choose to be identified by a stigmatic label such as AA

or NA in attempt to identify with similar others with substance use disorders, knowing they are

not alone, and gaining the social support of others.

When focusing on the reduction of self-blame, another cognitive component in the

development of a critical consciousness, it is important to remember to “begin where the client is

(Cohen, 1999, p.461).” Meaning focus less on the client’s problems and more on what he or she

is doing about them. Lack of motivation for change is widely regarded as a primary obstacle in

treating substance abuse and dependence. Drug problems by definition represent a failure of

ordinary self-protective or self-regulatory processes. The user experiences insufficient instigation

to change, and makes little or no behavioral course correction despite adverse consequences

(Miller, 2003, p.754). Therefore, rather than centering conversation around past issues that have

happened as a result of their substance use disorder, the social worker must instead place

emphasis on empowering the client to change their perspective in order to gain the motivation

needed to make a change.

Actions to Overcome Substance Use Disorders

An empowerment approach requires that practitioners engage in empowering roles;

empowerment involves not only the desired outcomes but also the process of helping itself. The

roles that a social worker must encompass when working with individuals with substance use

disorders would consist of the following, as identified by Solomon: The sensitizer role, which

involves helping clients gain the knowledge necessary to take control of their lives. The teacher-

trainer role, which places the practitioner as the manager of the learning process aimed at helping

clients find solutions for their situations. Lastly, is the cooperator role, in which the worker


understands the client as the one who is self-determining in achieving self-efficacy and

empowerment (Robbinson, Chatterjee, & Canda, 2012, p.99).

Critique of the Theory

When using the empowerment theory, social workers will establish an “I and I”

relationship of mutual respect and collaboration with clients. As a social worker you will listen

carefully to what your client is saying and validate their experiences while believing and

confirming everything they have to say. However, according to Cohen (1999), working with

clients according to the principles of the strengths perspective does not mean denying the

existence of their problems or talking them out of their authentic feelings of distress. Yet when

working with clients using a strength-based intervention, the social worker must decide to

address strengths at an appropriate time (p.461). McQuaide & Ehrenreich (1997) point out that

clients typically arrive at the social worker’s doorstep with a ‘vulnerability perspective’,

obligating the worker to empathize with the client’s pain and attempt to lighten the burden

through sharing. Identification of strengths is not likely to be relevant to the client during the first

part of the intervention, and the client may see a premature focus on strengths as lack of

understanding, dogmatism, or even rejection (p.209).

In regard to empowerment theory’s system relevance, empowerment focused social work

includes collaborative activity with individuals, families, and groups to help them achieve their

goals by increasing personal and interpersonal competence and by learning how to challenge

social structural obstacles and inadequate resources. Individuals first need to realize how they are

placed within the system in order to make a change on a personal level as well as within their

families, institutions, communities, etc. Nevertheless, as Iris Marion Young (1994) explains,

“empowerment is like a democracy: everyone is for it, but rarely do people mean the same thing


by it.” He expands on this idea by presenting two different definitions of empowerment. The

first, empowerment means the development of individual autonomy, self-control, and

confidence. The second, empowerment refers to the development of a sense of collective

influences over the social conditions of one’s life. I do not entirely agree with Young when he

says, “ I think the second meaning is better, because it includes both personal empowerment and

collective empowerment and suggests that the latter is a condition of the former (Young, 1994,

p.48).” However, he offers a quite radical justification to back up this statement.

Young explains that social service theorists who use the first meaning of empowerment

challenge the more overtly dominative forms of power that sometimes appear in drug treatment

programs. They challenge models of service provision that make the service provider an expert

and authority and which rely on rules and surveillance. They advocate instead what Thomas

Wartenberg calls a “transformative” use of power by the service provider in relation to the client

(Wartenberg, 1990). As Wartenberg describes it, in a transformative use of power, the superior

exercises power over the subordinate in such a way that the subordinate agent learns certain

skills that undercut the power differential between the client and the dominant agent. The

transformative use of power seeks to bring about its own obsolescence by means of the

empowerment of the subordinate agent (Young, 1994, p.49). In sum, Young is saying that by

using empowerment based on an individual level we are merely rehabilitating the client to fit

into the subjective norms and standards of society.

Personal Reflection

My personal values directly coincide with the empowerment theory, for it emphasis

individual strengths, resiliency, and resources. I consider the empowerment theory the greatest

and most beneficial of all the theories that we have learned, for it helps transfer the power from


outward (society) to inward (the individual). By empowering clients, you actively promote self-

control, personal responsibility, and self-actualization. As a social work professional, I am

committed to help individuals realize their own aspirations and strengths, as well as engage in

actions, both individually and collectively, that support overall well-being and social justice.

The practice of empowerment is highly consistent with social work values and ethics, for

it builds upon the traditional commitment to work for social justice, especially on behalf of

marginalized and oppressed individuals (Robbinson, Chatterjee, & Canda, 2012, p. 105). The

core social work value of dignity and worth of the person is also addressed, for the

empowerment theory focuses on the creative capacities, strengths, and resources that individuals

and communities possess and develop in coping with oppression (Robbinson, Chatterjee, &

Canda, 2012, p. 104). According to the empowerment theory personal well-being cannot and

should not be separated from collective well-being, and therefore, recognizes the importance of

human relationships. Moreover, “individual empowerment is a necessary component of

collective empowerment (Robbinson, Chatterjee, & Canda, 2012, p. 104).”

Empowerment has often been described as a central goal and process of social work

practice. It highlights strength, and can be applied in all areas of social work. Therefore, I plan to

implement the theory of empowerment throughout my entire professional practice. As a social

worker, I will assist individuals in identifying the sources of powerlessness and help them to

redefine themselves in a more positive, self-determined manner, by using the strengths

perspective. I love this particular theory, because its main focus is on magnifying individuals

positive aspects in order to help bring about change rather than stressing their negative attributes.

"Promoting empowerment means believing that people are capable of making their own choices

and decisions. It means not only that human beings possess the strengths and potential to resolve


their own difficult life situations, but also that they increase their strength and contribute to

society by doing so." - Charles D. Cower


Works Cited

Cohen, B. (1999). Practice models and issues: Intervention and supervision in strength-based

social work practice. Families in society: The journal of contemporary human services,

80(5), 460-466.

Kadden, R., & Litt, M. (2011). The role of self-efficacy in the treatment of substance use

disorders. Addictive Behaviors, 36, 1120-1126. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.07.032

McQuaide, S., & Ehrenreich, J.H. (1997) Assessing client strengths. Families in Society, 78,

201-212.

Miller, W. (2003). Motivational interviewing in drug abuse services: A randomized trial.

PsychINFO: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 71(4), 754-763.

NAMI Comments on the APA’s Draft Revision of the DSM-V Substance Use Disorders. (2010).

National Alliance on Mental Illness. Arlington, VA: NAMI.

Robbinson, S., Chatterjee, P., & Canda, E. (2012). Contemporary human behavior in the social

environment: A critical perspective. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Saleebey, D. (Ed.) (1992). The strengths perspective in social work practice. New York:

Longman.

Wartenberg, T. (1990). Forms of Power: From domination to transformation. Philadelphia:

Temple University Press.

Young, I. M. (1994). Punishment, Treatment, Empowerment: Three Approaches to Policy for

Pregnant Addicts. Feminist Studies, 20(1), 32-57. doi: 129.237.35.237

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