Post Treatment Protocol - PTP

Post Treatment Protocol - PTP

A good idea to assure a Durable Recovery

By David H. Kerr                            January 22, 2018

It’s clear to me, after working with and learning from thousands of people with addiction, that a defined period of “treatment,” from two weeks in some cases to two years in others, is not enough. 

All this means is that there would be established for every member leaving the supervised out-patient or residential treatment program, a Member-Coach.  This is not really a new concept; AA has called this person a sponsor since 1935.  But the AA sponsor was not to abandon his/her sponsee after a defined number of AA meetings. There is often a mountain of challenge and self-doubt facing every member leaving drug treatment.  It is a precarious time when the "door of relapse" is still cracked open.  Over the next few years after treatment, the member must practice what has been learned. A new lifestyle of self-belief, right action, understanding and concern for others will eventually spiral back to create a deeper self-understanding, self-worth and self-esteem.  Longer lasting programs will allow this process to be practiced and better internalized.  I call this the Post Treatment Protocol or PTP and it is extraordinarily important!  Recovering people with addiction know what I mean.  They have lived through this very difficult time.

To assure this critical PTP goes as planned, a Coach is recommended.  A Coach is often one who has been through this process.  One who is in long-term recovery and/or one with understanding, compassion and clear direction.  One who is willing to lead by his or her own example rather than just rhetoric.

Most treatment programs understand that a "graduating program member" still may not be ready to walk alone in his or her new drug free post treatment lifestyle without support, mentoring and coaching.

I strongly encourage all programs to create this formal PTP so that no one walks away alone!  Family and friends are usually not the best coaches.  This is usually a job for a long-term experienced recovering person or another with an understanding of the disease and a willingness to commit to a helpful long-term relationship with a person new to recovery.

I urge all drug treatment programs to explore a formal post treatment coaching protocol outlined above. It is likely to go a long way to insure a more durable recovery.

Addendum

Some doctors continue to prescribe addictive opioids for pain without realizing the possible life-threatening nature of the addiction they may be creating. My suggestion is to try aspirin or Tylenol as a first measure especially with those who admit that addiction is in their family. There are other unscrupulous doctors who prescribe addictive opioids for profit! Here’s a recent example:

Doctor admits selling drug prescriptions – The Star Ledger, 1-20-18

A 71-year-old doctor from Morris County admitted he sold oxycodone prescriptions and defrauded Medicare out of $30,000.

Jose Leyson, of Long Valley, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of illegally distributing oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Leyson sold four scripts to a confidential law enforcement source over a two-month period starting in November 2013 while serving as director of a medical clinic in Newark, authorities said. The source obtained 30 mg prescriptions for more than 420 pills. In addition, during a nearly four-year period starting in April 2010, Leyson submitted about $30,000 in fraudulent bills to Medicare and Medicaid. The bills said patients were given allergy tests. None of the patients were ever examined, according to the criminal complaint.

Leyson faces up to 20 years in prison for illegally distributing oxycodone and up to 10 years for health care fraud. He will be sentenced April 26. — Jeff Goldman BERGEN COUNTY

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For those interested, here again is the link to my most recent Symphony #8. You may have to rewind it to the beginning.  https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=WTLKy_Zuu-U