| Addiction/Disease/Recovery/Discovery |  |
The addiction and recovery process is changing. A
return to a state of sobriety should be viewed as a
personal discovery. Far too many TX programs have yet
to step out of the BOX. The journey to a lifestyle
that is healthy and empowering cannot begin with
identfying failures and confrontation. People are all
virtually the same when they are managing a disease of
any sort. Be it cancer, heart disease, diabetes,
alzheimers etc....humans need approaches that are
workable,realistic and fun based on their personal
STRENGHTS.
1. We all have human needs. People would not be
actively involved in addictions if they were not
getting their needs met. Addicts are intelligent
enough to know that. This needs to be a recognized
fact of the recovery process. If one begins use in a
social manner that need is being met. If one finds
that eventaually they use to escape, manage feelings,
avoid physical pain, engage in risky situations, take
control, be assertive, cope with loss etc....these
needs need to be met once the person stops using.
They need support and education to manage these needs.
Only 10% of the disease is related to the physical
use. The person does not need to be told that they
should let go of the need to be risky, escape, take
control, experience euphoria etc....These are HUMAN
needs. "WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF THAT?" is a question
all humans should ponder if they are trying to change
a behavior, attitude, lifestyle etc... Determine the
need and face it!
2. Acceptance is key for dealing with any disease.
We are all sent to this world to heal from something.
A heart attack survivor needs to accept and manage his
condition. A diabetic will benefit from accepting
that he or she will forever need to follow a healthy
diet. A cancer survivor will always work at improving
their lifestyle. Too much energy is put towards
trying to eliminate certain truths. Trying to push out
the truths brings them closer in a way that makes them
unmanageable. Welcome and accept the truth. We all
get something. We need to get real and accept that.
3. Diseases have signs and symptoms. They also
progress. Addicts generally start out by being social
users and the disease progresses. If not treated
there are chemical changes that occur in the brain
that change thinking and behavior.THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC
FACT. Ever been involved in a crisis?? Our thinking
and behaviors change due to stress and trauma.
Addicts live in trauma everyday. Mothers do not just
commit crimes, miss work or abandon their children.
Read the latest brain research. Addicts are often
challenged by lapses due to the fact that the brain
has been altered and programed towards using as a
means of meeting needs. Research indicates that it can
take up to two years for the brain to heal.
4. Addicts are very talented and possess many
strengths. Too many recovery programs focus on taking
people down to the bottom before they can come up.
Truthfully, most addicts have been living in the
bottom for years and still surviving. They do not
need to be told that they need to hit bottom before
they are serious about sobriety. Women especially
have been living in poverty, raising children alone,
not receiving health care benefits or support,
stuggling with housing education and transportation
etc.. That is living in the bottom. As a society we
need to stop shamimg and blamimg. If you have a heart
condition does your doctor, family or friends refuse
to support you if you start smoking , eating
cheeseburgers, not exercising, drinking, or losing a
job because of your disease???? The latest research
states that more people stick to a recovery program to
manage alcohol/drugs than do to managing a heart
condition. Bottom line------People have lapses when
they diet,exercise, get sober. Those slips enhance
individuals if society could stop the shame game. They
can prove to be valuable lessons to strengthen the
recovery process.
5. Alternative approaches are very valuable.
Traditional Tx and AA/NA/CA etc.... are only one of
the many approaches to sobriety. Firstly, people need
to get healthy. Sugar is the #1 substance that
creates cravings and could lead to a return to use.
Exercise has been proven to be the #1 relapse
prevention tool. How can one begin the most awesome
yet challenging journey of their lifetime if they do
not feel well????? Being responsible takes hard work.
Our lives reqire energy. Self-healing and educational
approaches such as acupressure, finger holds, Tia Chi,
energy holds, polarity etc.. manage cravings and
emotions. They give us peace, energy and tools for
freedom and independence. On the top of the ear is a
very effective acupressure spot for managing cravings.
It works!
Bottom Line-----Treatments vary and they do work. The
discovery journey is never easy. We need to face that.
Using, not taking responsibility, running from our
diabetes, heart condition etc..is the easy route. True
health and change will not occur by taking the easy
route.
Karen Klumpyan currently works as a certified AODA
counselor, registered clinical supervisor, certified
wellness educator and recovery coach. She is best know
for her holistic and realistic approaches and her
enthusiasm towards human change. She trains others on
natural practices that enhance well being,
spirituality and recovery, promote change, manage
stress and build self-worth. She has stepped out of
the BOX!
karen_imm@yahoo.com
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