Faculty Articles
Can failure carefully observed become a springboard to success?
Publication Title
Substance use & misuse
ISSN
1082-6084
Publication Date
11-1-2012
Keywords
Goals, Humans, Research Design, Substance-Related Disorders, Treatment Failure
Abstract
Since its inception, the addictions field has had a history of failure: failures in conceptualizations, in treatment, in interventions, in policies, in process as well as outcome assessment. Certain actions and activities have had a less than stellar effect which may lead to feelings of personal failure among practitioners, the tagging of processes and programs as being failures when they are not so, as well as an identification of the person being intervened with, by self and others, as being a failure or loser. This paper discusses how to define success and failure and the need to identify both the short(er) and long(er) term, as well as temporary and permanent effects, including the implications of using binary (success or failure; success and failure) and nonbinary (and in addition) categories of assessment. The need to clarify expectations and to establish goals and measurable effects are noted. Being open to accepting results which may be personally disappointing, initially, but which offer opportunities for needed changes may lead to new developments in the field and the establishment of better interventions.
Volume
47
Issue
13-14
First Page
1384
Last Page
1397
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health
NSUWorks Citation
Adrian, Manuella, "Can failure carefully observed become a springboard to success?" (2012). Faculty Articles. 6.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_faculty_articles/6
