The challenge of self-care for addicts
I think a lot about the challenges of self-care. Whether one is dealing with addiction, a mental illness or the difficulty in making time for self-care while honoring all the other commitment which one has, it seems that self-care often is often last on the list of priorities. Today I want to address self-care for the addict.
I recall waking up one day many years ago and really seeing for the first time how physically out of shape I was. Since that time, I have been very disciplined about exercising daily and most of the time making intentional decisions about my nutritional intake.
Later I made a clear decision to quit smoking cigarettes.
Changing habits of thought and behavior was possible for me because:
Many of those with addictive disorders, especially alcohol and other drug addictions, begin their attempts at recovery with stress in every area of their lives. They have a history of knowing that their drug of choice worked at least temporarily.
Most active addicts have by the time they begin recovery lost the support of families, their jobs or educational opportunities, and their homes. Many have grave physical health issues. They are lonely, tired, hopeless, homeless and broke.
Those addicts lucky enough to get accepted into a quality residential treatment program may initially do well in that safe, supportive atmosphere. They are eating well, have a clean, safe place to sleep and a lot of support. They are acutely aware that this level of assistance is temporary. Soon many become anxious about what will happen when they leave. Some will get some level of support from quarter houses, half way houses or transition houses. Those are intended to be temporary. In the meantime, addicts are expected to work, pay off fines, get their licenses back, perhaps face additional legal charges and, in many cases, face the distrust of loved ones.
For some, prisons may seem like a preferable option. There they will have a place to sleep, food, a certain level of companionship (even with all the mistrust) and a way to get some extra income either via a prison job, from family members or preying on the more vulnerable ones in the prison.
For many returning to active addiction and waiting to die may seem like the best option.
For some, immersion in a 12-step recovery program will provide a framework and the support necessary for the spiritual and emotional aspects of recovery. Many are unable to fully allow themselves to use this framework. Many soon quit working steps, quit using a sponsor and eventually quit attending meetings. Many are limited because of geographical location and can only participate in telephone or on line meetings
This is the overall backdrop with which we, the community, of treatment providers and law enforcement must face if we are going to explore more effective ways to reduce either active addiction or the price of active addiction.
It is clear that if we the community want a higher success rate we must rethink the approach to treatment. I will continue to explore these issues in future blogs.
Written October 18, 2017
I think a lot about the challenges of self-care. Whether one is dealing with addiction, a mental illness or the difficulty in making time for self-care while honoring all the other commitment which one has, it seems that self-care often is often last on the list of priorities. Today I want to address self-care for the addict.
I recall waking up one day many years ago and really seeing for the first time how physically out of shape I was. Since that time, I have been very disciplined about exercising daily and most of the time making intentional decisions about my nutritional intake.
Later I made a clear decision to quit smoking cigarettes.
Changing habits of thought and behavior was possible for me because:
- I know the mechanics of what works. I had the tools and already used them in other areas of my life.
- I had a healthy support system.
- I had a relatively low amount of stress – decent income, nice home, access to the gym, healthy food, and spiritual support.
- I had a clear set of values which are very important to me.
Many of those with addictive disorders, especially alcohol and other drug addictions, begin their attempts at recovery with stress in every area of their lives. They have a history of knowing that their drug of choice worked at least temporarily.
Most active addicts have by the time they begin recovery lost the support of families, their jobs or educational opportunities, and their homes. Many have grave physical health issues. They are lonely, tired, hopeless, homeless and broke.
Those addicts lucky enough to get accepted into a quality residential treatment program may initially do well in that safe, supportive atmosphere. They are eating well, have a clean, safe place to sleep and a lot of support. They are acutely aware that this level of assistance is temporary. Soon many become anxious about what will happen when they leave. Some will get some level of support from quarter houses, half way houses or transition houses. Those are intended to be temporary. In the meantime, addicts are expected to work, pay off fines, get their licenses back, perhaps face additional legal charges and, in many cases, face the distrust of loved ones.
For some, prisons may seem like a preferable option. There they will have a place to sleep, food, a certain level of companionship (even with all the mistrust) and a way to get some extra income either via a prison job, from family members or preying on the more vulnerable ones in the prison.
For many returning to active addiction and waiting to die may seem like the best option.
For some, immersion in a 12-step recovery program will provide a framework and the support necessary for the spiritual and emotional aspects of recovery. Many are unable to fully allow themselves to use this framework. Many soon quit working steps, quit using a sponsor and eventually quit attending meetings. Many are limited because of geographical location and can only participate in telephone or on line meetings
This is the overall backdrop with which we, the community, of treatment providers and law enforcement must face if we are going to explore more effective ways to reduce either active addiction or the price of active addiction.
It is clear that if we the community want a higher success rate we must rethink the approach to treatment. I will continue to explore these issues in future blogs.
Written October 18, 2017
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