Recovery From Addiction: Ask Noah
The following commentary comes from an independent investor or market observer as part of TheStreet's guest contributor program, which is separate from the company's news coverage.
NEW YORK (
) --
Q:
I've been in intensive outpatient treatment for substance abuse addiction and have been doing quite well lately. The center believes I'm ready to be placed with an individual therapist (addiction background) and "graduate" from the program. I feel a bit apprehensive about this, but I am excited, too. Would you please advise me on how to tell when it's time to move on from addiction treatment and into an individual therapy regimen that's less structured.
A
: Not knowing vitally relevant factors such as substance abuse history, time spent in counseling, psychological issues and environmental stressors, it would be irresponsible of me to pinpoint the exact time you should transfer from addiction treatment to psychotherapy.
I will say that in situations like this, caution is advisable.
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No doubt you've spent a great deal of time abusing mood/mind altering drugs and certainly one should devote as much attention to one's recovery, as soon as possible. That said, if your counselor and the addiction center's clinical team believe you have gained the necessary education on substance abuse addiction, and have obtained enough of a relapse recovery tool box to move on, then certainly that speaks volumes about your recovery.
The therapist will no doubt continue the work of the treatment center, but most likely from a different angle. He/she will most likely (depending on training) focus more directly on psychodynamic issues and/or daily life stressors, while not placing too much emphasis on the recovery process.
So, do you feel you're ready for that?
Let's review basic addiction and recovery techniques to keep you on the straight and narrow regardless of what you decide:
1. Remember that addictive behavior outweighs insight into oneself. In order to stay sober, you must avoid triggers, (old friends who use, negative thinking patterns, knowingly putting oneself in anxiety- inducing environments, etc.).
Gaining self-knowledge into why you began abusing drugs and/or alcohol is of course necessary. More importantly, you will need to fully acknowledge that under no circumstances can you engage in activities that will enforce your former lifestyle, this is the most essential factor.
2. There is no shame in understanding that you are powerless over substances. Addiction is strong and capable of lying dormant for years, and then in times of trouble, can rear its ugly head when you least expect it to.
Ask yourself -- have you fully surrendered? Is your history of drug/alcohol abuse over?
3. Do you have a "staying sober" support network? Do you currently have a group of peers who understand and have experienced addiction? Do you socialize with them? Are they part of your daily life?
Sober peers can be obtained through self-help meetings and/or your treatment center -- this is such an important key factor in keeping sober.
These peers help to remind you of your past, and can be the most powerful partners for maintaining full recovery in your future. They will serve to keep you grounded, especially if you drift further away from a formal drug treatment regimen.
As you begin treatment with this therapist, strong emotions will arise; anger, resentment and fear are to be expected. These emotions naturally occur for the recovering addict.
In the early stages of recovery, the tendency for "former" addicts to reach for their substance of choice as a coping skill is very common. Don't do it to yourself! Go back to your recovery tool box.
Highlighted Tips in Brief:
1. Utilize consequential thinking, "If I pick up it will lead to..."
2. Avoid negative people, places and things. Surround yourself with positivity.
3. Attend self-help meetings, regularly!
3. Tell your primary care physician of your addiction; MDs can prescribe treatment as needed!
4. Be alert and aware: Relapses can happen way before one picks up their former substance.
5. If you sense a relapse, even if it's not "picking up," tell on yourself. In these situations, honesty is truly the best policy!
If it is indeed time to move on, congratulations! However, please remember what you've learned and never think that you are more powerful than the addiction.
I wish you nothing but the best and keep me up to date on your progress!
All questions and comments can be sent to "Ask Noah" at
nskass@gmail.com. Watch
my appearance on the "Dylan Ratigan Show."
Everyone, enjoy the game this week, and for the last time this year - GO BIG BLUE!
Have a profitable and peaceful week,
Noah
