When does it alter from something that is a constant struggle to something that is automatic?
Probably an urge log would have helped me in this, however it got easier and easier until now I would have to DECIDE to use a substance in order to get started again - I have some things I would really like to get sorted, that are relatively IMPOSSIBLE in conjunction with substance use, before I get started down that path again.
I go to one AA meeting a week - a spiritual concepts meeting - and the rest of the week my recovery is SMART based.
I facilitate one on-line meeting a week and do one face to face - although may alter that to two a week.
Just came back from a conference where alcohol flowed like water and it was 10 times harder to get a soft-drink. Drinking was only a passing thought a few times - I can choose to let those thoughts pass right by, and I did.
Four paragraphs on Addiction Recovery from an email I received:
"I do not know how it works in the States but I know where I live (province of Quebec) things have changed in the last two years. Our provincial government intervened and instilled strict regulations to in-patient treatment centres. Treatment centres are not allowed to boast or post success rates on their materials or websites. The provincial government probably came to their senses that most centres were fabricating success rates with no concrete evidence. Our accreditation body was not only responsible to scratch out these fabricated success rates but also to make sure that rehab centres use therapies that are approved by our association of psychologist and addiction medicine. 12 steps is not therapy and cannot take place over psycho-educational groups. When the accreditation process started a few centres did shut down.
I work at an in-patient facility that solely uses CBT and other clinically proven treatment modalities. If we calculated our success rates based on abstinence when residents leave it would be low. Let's be honest, it is nearly impossible for someone to change a 25 year addiction in as little as 30 days in treatment. Most assume (esp. family members) who think that they are paying out of their pocket and sending their loved one away for 30 or more days that we have this magic wand and poof they are cured! This is further from the truth. Even rehabs that offer proven methods like CBT are bound to have slips. It all comes to one thing; it is the nature of recovery. Addiction recovery is a process not an event.
I think the issue with rehabs is that it is not regulated. I think it can be a dirty business as it preys on the weak and vulnerable. I know there are rehabs that do good work and use scientifically proven therapies but it is up to the individual when they go home to continue to use the tools and support systems they learned in rehab. Often times they do not.
People would call us back after they used or relapsed and admitted they did not continue with therapy and support when they completed residential treatment. They thought they were fine when they finished and were cured. Or some admitted that they were testing personal control and thought they could use (in moderation) again. It takes some people slips and relapses to discover that recovery is a lifestyle change and long term commitment. Complacency is a huge problem and most at my meetings outside in-patient admit that it is their biggest fear."
Science has studied Addiction Recovery but it has never studied ME!
That is my job - to work out what works best for me and to establish ways to effectively use these things and build on them.
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