What The Declaration of Independence, Treatment for Substance Abuse. by Heather Harlan, Prevention Specialist

Transcription

1 What The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and Treatment for Substance Abuse Have in Common by Heather Harlan, Prevention Specialist Phoenix Programs, Inc.

2 Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July?

3 Ambivalence feelings two feelings at once. Many colonists wanted to remain as part of Great Britain, they embraced being rule by a King, and enjoyed the comforts of being citizens of the crown. Many other colonists wanted the shed this ancient way of government and allow common people to rule themselves.

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5 What does the Declaration of Independence say?

6 The Declaration of Independence In Congress, July The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

7 We hold these truths to be self-evident evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

8 The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world:

9 The Founders then list why King George III should no longer rule over them.

10 Examples: He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. [He took over our land kept troops here even when we didn t give approval.]

11 Examples: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: [He isolated us.]

12 Examples: He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the Lives of our people. [He robbed us, harmed us, and spoiled our lives.]

13 The Declaration of Independence Lists about two dozen complaints against King George III.

14 The documents ends... That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that t all political l connection between them and the State t of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved...

15 And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine i Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. [The Founders knew there would be a price for freedom. ]

16 What might the Declaration of Independence have in common with your early days of recovery?

17 Founders Focused on Escaping Tyranny of King George II

18 Part of us continues to WANT to stay connected to the drugs, Part of us longs to be free. Early days in treatment about resolving ambivalence

19 We, too Must declare our independence.

20 Listing out and understanding ways alcohol and other drugs like a cruel King have occupied our thoughts/actions leaving no room for our dreams and hopes. isolated us from family, friends; cut us off from our community. robbed us of money we earned. Stole relationships, and employment, Spoiled our health.

21 After the Revolutionary o War... We won the war, the King isn t ruling us. Now what do we do?

22 American War of Independence d waged from 1775 (fighting began a year before the Colonies severed ties with Great Britian through the Declaration of Independence. To 1783

23 After the War NOW WHAT? Not enough to tear down one government and declare their independence.

24 the new Americans must now build another government

25 By March 1789, the US Constitution went in to effect the people had created a new form of government. The US Constitution is still the framework of our democracy.

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27 We The People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION for the United States of America. [They listed out their goals.]

28 What might the Constitution have in common with your early days of recovery?

29 Not enough just to declare our freedom from alcohol and drugs and wage a revolution. We need also to envision what we now have freedom FOR.

30 .

31 Freedom from what?

32 Freedom for what?

33 Li t t thi h List out some things you hope recovery will give you

34 Li t t thi h List out some things you hope recovery will give you

35 One of the most powerful principles p in treatment and recovery: It s easier to start t something positive than to stop something negative

36 Also reflects a principle from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): The mind works by addition not substaction.

37 In the same way it wasn t enough to stop the King s ruling over them (substraction), the new Americans had to create a new form of government to replace the Monachry (addition). So in treatment and recovery, it s not enough to STOP using, it s necessary to START and STRENGTHEN other healthy behaviors.

38 What The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and Treatment for Substance Abuse Have in Common by Heather Harlan, Prevention Specialist Phoenix Programs, Inc.