Those
words were written in 1938 in the book, Alcoholics
Anonymous. They were directed at the lack of any real understanding of
alcoholism (substance abuse) at the time. Sadly, if we are honest, 80 years later
it is still the case. 72,287 deaths from drug overdoses in 2017, 10’s of
thousands of others dying of other substance abuse related causes, billions
spent on educational campaigns, over a trillion dollars spent on a failed war
on drugs and the problem continues to escalate. And the wicked little truth:
virtually all in the treatment field see the need for long term continuing
engagement, Aftercare, to reinforce and support the new ways of thinking and substance
free life approach clients were introduced to in the professional setting.
Yet
current long-term aftercare, overwhelmingly, for those who lack means, is 12
Step Fellowships. These fellowships are as viable today as ever and have helped and are helping millions, but
recovery is not one size fits all and no less than Bill Wilson, one of the
founders of AA, stated as much.
In
professional treatment individuals are introduced to CBT, DBT, EMDR, etc. working
with trained professionals for perhaps, if lucky, 90 days (typically meeting with
them once a week since this is all
Health Care providers cover) which abruptly ends upon “completion” of the
program. To believe that someone who has been in active addiction for years (perhaps
decades) is going to change after, again at best, 12 sessions with a therapist,
no provision for supported Aftercare, is the current model and it is as realistic
in its odds for success as the individual addicted to Heroin stating in all
sincerity “I just want to use Heroin socially” (I have heard that very
statement from sufferers numerous times over the years). There are other “free”
recovery communities, like Smart Recovery which was founded in 1994, that
encourage and support professional recovery modalities, but they have failed to
catch on in any real sense. As a Director I sent hundreds of clients who
desired something other than traditional 12 Step Fellowship meetings to Smart
Recovery in conjunction with the work they were doing with a therapist. Most
attended a few, then opted out of going. Can Smart Recovery work, large scale?
Yes, but the approach must change, for it to become truly effective and grow will
require continued professional (compensated) engagement due to the modalities involved
which, due to various mitigating factors, can realistically
only happen in cyberspace.
It
has been said that “A base form of insanity is repeating the same action again
and again, expecting a different result” and is this not what we are currently
doing in treatment for substance abuse? To effect real change supported affordable
Aftercare engagement with trained professionals and the establishment of new recovery
communities embracing all forms of recovery that sufferers (and those who love
them) can access digitally (like it or not, it is the future), connecting with
others who understand and support the path they are on coupled with an easily
navigable site to explore other paths as well, connecting with people successfully
employing these recovery strategies in their lives, is the future.
Is
Miracles Of Recovery THE answer, I don’t know, but I believe with all my heart
it is a solid start and direction. It will take those of us down in the mud,
blood and tears, seeing the day to day realities of the cost of addiction to
suffers and their loved ones, to change the direction. Fortunately, with the tools
available today it can be done, but we will have to take the action to make it happen.
© Vincent Lee Jones
All Rights Reserved
Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose
Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin,
Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab,
#Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids
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