Does it really make a difference how someone GETS or STAYS sober?
Jamelia Hand
Conveyor | Coach | Convener | Consultant of Strategic Healthcare Solutions in Substance Use & Mental Health
Many of us can agree that we need as many chemical dependency treatment options as we have people who are desperately seeking recovery... So, why is it that some of us care so passionately about HOW someone GETS or STAYS sober?
Self Help vs. Smart Recovery
Medication Assisted Treatment vs. Cold Turkey
Academically Trained Clinicians vs. Life trained clinicians… And so on…
Does it really make a difference how someone gets or stays sober?
I had the privilege of being featured on “The Broken Brain” podcast on the topic of Medically Assisted Therapy for Addiction where we addressed some of the most common myths of MAT:
“You’re not clean if you’re on MAT”
“Aren't you just trading one drug for another?”
“MAT is just a crutch”
Take a listen and be sure to share your thoughts.
https://traffic.libsyn.com/brokenbrain/Medically_Assisted_Therapy_fo_Addiction.mp3
I agree with you and most commenters. What matters is the quality of the person's life, not whether they are using a drug or not. If someone uses alcohol every day, or uses heroin every day, but has a healthy life with stable relationships and employment, then there is simply NOT a problem. Some people cannot use without damaging their lives (e.g., my mother's alcoholism), while others can. In the case of heroin and other illegal drugs, the risk of damaging one's life is higher NOT because of the nature of the drug, but because our policy of prohibition provides the drug through an illegal, excessively costly, and violent market.
Adult Probation at State of Connecticut
8 年Ditto Jamelia Hand MHS CADC MISA I I think it is very important that we loosen our grip on there being only one way to get sober. There are quite a few approaches. AA is known to be the most effective, but it is not the only way to get and stay sober.
Mental Health Therapist/Co-facilitator Partner Abuse Programs as Independent Contractor/Private Practice
8 年How we get to the crossroads of that new life is not as important as getting to that crossroads and being able to move forward. The key is addressing the issues that took a person down.
Biblical Counselor/ Addiction Specialist
8 年Since each person is unique, their recovery program needs to be customized. When we suggest there is only one way to recovery, it alienates people and lessens their hope for long term recovery. One size rarely fits all which applies to recovery as well.
Therapist at Georgia Outreach
8 年I encourage the clients that I work with to "stick to a path" that allows them to maintain recovery and improve their quality of life. If I see them struggling I don't desert them, but do see my accountability in the fine tuning process. I will admit that recovery as I see it involves complete abstinence from all meds, but at the same time MAT services are a valuable tool for many in the progression of their recovery. Good post Jamelia, hope all is well with you.