Being an addict and struggling with my own addiction for over 20 years has given me some good insight on the many different forms of recovery out there. In this issue, I would like to discuss a few different ways for people to get and stay in recovery. As they say, "there's more than one way to skin a cat."
One of the biggest worldwide fellowships that have been around for quite some time and is a tried and true method of getting sober is Alcoholics Anonymous. AA is a 12 step program based on spiritual principles. Founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. Other Programs such as Narcotics Anonymous have adopted and adapted AA's 12 steps and traditions for their own use. AA's primary purpose, as stated in their preamble, is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. As of 2016, there are over two million members in Alcoholics Anonymous.
As you may know, heroin and opioid painkillers are a huge problem in our society today. For the very first time, people are starting to sit up and take notice of the devastating effects that heroin and other opiates like Oxycontin are starting to have on our children, families, and society as a whole. As is often the case, it usually starts with a visit to the Dentist or the Doctors office for an injury followed by a prescription of opiates. When that prescription runs out these people are left with a physical addiction and usually turn to heroin because it's so much cheaper than buying pills on the street.
One of the ways that opiate addicts find relief from their addiction is with Methadone or Suboxone.They are considered a DRT or drug replacement therapy. With Methadone you will have to go to an outpatient clinic on a daily basis to receive your medication. You will have to give random urine samples or drug swabs to make sure you are remaining drug-free. There are also group and individual therapy sessions which you must attend. If you remain clean long enough you may be able to earn take-home privilege's where you only have to come to the clinic every week or two.
Suboxone which is a brand name form of Buprenorphine is also considered a DRT but can be prescribed directly from a Dr. at his office. You can get weekly and monthly prescriptions. You will also have random drug screens to make sure you are no longer abusing drugs. Weekly therapy sessions are also a part of your treatment.
Unlike AA or inpatient treatment through a half-way house, DRT has two different schools of thought in the drug treatment field, those who are for it and those who are against it. It's a very controversial form of treatment and just like heroin and opiate use is a very stigmatized form of treatment. People who are for it believe that it is a way for hardened opiate users to live a normal life. Making it so you won't have to commit crimes to feed your habit. Being able to parent your children, go to work or school. Taking care of your health or any medical problems you may have. For addicts that have not used opiates for that long a goal of eventually weaning from the medication is very likely. However, for others who have struggled with heroin and opiate addiction for years and had ongoing medical, criminal and other problems from their use long-term Methadone maintenance may be the better option.
Regardless of the method if we choose to find recovery it's what works for you that matters. It may take years for you to find your way to sobriety or you may get it on the first try. What works for one addict or alcoholic may not work for another. Ultimately, it's changing everything about the person you brought into treatment that's going to help you to recover and stay recovered. There's no one right way, it's just the way that works for you.
Good luck on your journey and I hope you're as blessed in your recovery as I've been. If you've already found sobriety and have managed to maintain it, then congratulations you fought your demons and you won! Just for today, because that's all we're promised. Trust that you can recover "One day at a time"! I know this disease can be beaten because I did it so I know you can too!
No comments:
Post a Comment