|
There are different methods
utilized in substance abuse counseling to bring
about positive moral change in an addict.
Probably one of the most commonly used is the
Twelve Step approach practiced by the Alcoholics
Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous groups.
In this method, steps 4 and 5 and steps 8 and 9
deal with life inventory of the wrong deeds done
and who was affected by them. In addition to
this, the addict then makes up the damage done
as a result of these negative actions.
This method is effective in recovery so long as
the person's addiction has not progressed to the
point where the individual has lost his or her
ability to confront and communicate or to
identify and solve problems. If an addiction
persists long enough, an addict will lose even
the basic social skills needed to perform in
group therapy and to admit their wrongdoing.
In cases where drug addiction began in the
adolescent years, individuals have not had the
opportunity to develop these life skills. As a
result, they do not perform as well in a Twelve
Step program or other traditional treatment
settings. In these cases, the addict needs to be
educated or re-educated in these basic life
skills before there can be any real hope of
success in raising moral standards and permanent
sobriety.
When conventional approaches are not working
with a drug-addicted person, there are effective
alternatives to pursue in recovery before one
gives up. What has not proven effective is
substitute drug treatment, e.g. methadone,
anti-depressants or other prescribed medications
designed to mask the symptoms of addiction
mentioned in this series of articles. This, in
effect, just trades one addiction for another.
It does not aid the addicted person in
developing the life skills necessary to raise
their moral values or their quality of life. Nor
does it provide them with the necessary tools to
remain sober. Thus relapse becomes inevitable.
One effective alternative method to recovery is
the life skills training and moral inventory
used by the Narconon program. This program
provides a specific course of treatment which
includes training in communication, a full body
detoxification process, counseling in problem
identification and solving, as well as a
structured course of action to restore personal
values and integrity. These programs help
individuals to accomplish heightened moral
standards and sobriety with an improved quality
of life.
Forty years ago, author and researcher L. Ron
Hubbard identified the basic barriers to
successful recovery which have been discussed
throughout this series of articles on addiction.
Through his research, he developed a means of
treating them successfully. When Narconon was
founded in 1966 by William Benitez, it was based
on Mr. Hubbard's research and developments in
the field of drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Benitez developed a working relationship with
Mr. Hubbard and together they established the
first Narconon program in Arizona.
Narconon has been using this treatment method
successfully for more than thirty years. It has
only been within the last few years that
scientific and medical research has caught up
with these methods of treating addiction. It is
now acknowledged by the medical community that
drugs do store in the body in the form of
metabolites and that the chemical imbalances
created by drug addiction are nutritionally
driven. Further, nutritional program components
have been added to just about every type of
treatment method and are recognized as a valid
form of therapy in chemical dependency
treatment.
If you know someone in need of help, I recommend
that you research all of your treatment options.
Take the time to thoroughly inspect the
treatment programs available. Determine how
these programs address the mechanics of
addiction. Find out what their long-term
recovery rates are. Drug rehabilitation does not
have to be a revolving door if you take the time
and effort to pick the right recovery program.
|
Prescription-Abuse.org
has compiled a number of online resources to
help in your search for more information
regarding addiction and prescription abuse...(