Substance Use Disorders Statewide Conference

Transcription

1 Substance Use Disorders Statewide Conference Access to Recovery: No Addict Left Behind By Bob Tyler, BA, LAADC, CADC II Author of Enough Already!: A Guide to Recovery from Alcohol and Drug Addiction Access to Recovery An alcoholic might drink for years before finally making a call for help Relieved if someone nice and nonjudgmental is on the line Hope Description of program provided sounds doable ᛏ Hope 1

2 Access to Recovery Do you have insurance? No. Thinks uh-oh! Fear Do you have the ability to pay? It costs I can t afford that! Frustration, Disappointment Access to Recovery But wait:, I can refer you to a county-funded program where you won t have to pay! Terrific! Renewed Hope 2

3 Access to Recovery So addict calls the programs: Many don t answer Those that do are full, with over 1 month long waiting lists Discouragement, Disillusionment Disease: Well, at least you tried might as well drink Hopelessness return to drinking Access to Recovery So, the best we can do for someone who finally makes that call is to send them into recovery limbo somewhere? Is it fair that only those who can afford treatment get it? 3

4 Access to Recovery 23.5 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse problem in 2009 (9.3 percent of persons aged 12 or older). Of these, only 2.6 million 11.2 percent of those who needed treatment received it at a specialty facility. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration s (SAMHSA s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, The Cost Over $600 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity and healthcare (nationally). Substance Healthcare Overall Tobacco 96 billion 193 billion Alcohol 30 billion 235 billion Illicit Drugs 11 billion 193 billion National Drug Intelligence Center (2010). National Threat Assessment: The Economic Impact of Illicit Drug Use on American Society. Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice. 4

5 Our Dilemma 1 in 10 alcoholics/addicts get help 2 in 10 who seek help get it (Patrick Kennedy, 2009) A multibillion dollar issue in this country (hundreds of billions!) CAADAC: Code of Ethics Principle 12: Societal Obligations and should act to guarantee that all persons, especially the needy and disadvantaged, have access to the necessary resources and services. The alcoholism and drug abuse counselor should adopt a personal and professional stance, which promotes the well being of all human beings. 5

6 Our Dilemma Yet, we have free help in the form of 12-step programs in essentially every community! Shouldn t we be teaching addicts how to use the free community resources so they have a chance? Am I crazy here? Our Dilemma A simple referral to AA is not enough. They need to learn how to get sober there. 6

7 Community Support Guidance/Channels: Recovering affiliate Sobriety checklist Brief phone coaching Recovery Activity: 12-Step Meetings AA, NA, CA, MA, CMA, etc. Frequency (90 meetings in 90 days) Not every day just today To learn recovery behavior To develop new habits 7

8 Recovery Activity: 12-Step Meetings Frequency (90 mtgs. in 90 days) cont d) Sobriety as #1 priority Adjusting frequency down is easier than up High relapse rates need for diligence Recovery Activity: 12-Step Meetings Other meeting guidelines Same meetings every week Types of meetings, i.e. speaker, share, etc. Good meeting indicators Sharing 8

9 Recovery Activity: 12-Step Meetings Other meeting guidelines (cont d) Meeting commitments Punctuality at meetings Build a sober support system Recovery Activity: Sponsorship Mentor or guide Takes addict through the steps Provides support Call daily 9

10 Recovery Activity: Sponsorship What to look for: Has something the addict wants Has some sober time Worked the steps Has a sponsor Same sex Recovery Activity: Other Ingredients Phone calls/texting Reading 12-step literature Work the steps Avoid using people, places Avoid early recovery relationships 10

11 Resources Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services - (212) Narcotics Anonymous (NA) World Services - (818) Cocaine Anonymous (CA) World Services (310) Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) (855) Resources Marijuana Anonymous World Services - (800) Pills Anonymous World Services - (800) Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters - (757) Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) - (888) Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) World Services - (562)

12 Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - (800) 273-TALK(8255) Treatment Referral Line - (800) 662-HELP (4357) - Find a doctor: Find a therapist, psychiatrist, therapy group, or treatment center: Relapse Prevention Lecture Series Ingredients for recovery Trigger Events Warning signs 12

13 Ingredients for Recovery Attend 12-Step meetings Get a sponsor Call sponsor Share at meetings Develop sober support system Make phone calls Read 12-Step literature Develop spiritual program Avoid drinking/using people Journal Get meeting commitments Work the Steps Trigger Events People that drink or use Holidays Using memories/ fantasizing Drinking/using war stories Drinking or using places Time of day, week, month, year Payday Depression Physical pain Anniversaries Idle time Glamorizing use 13

14 Warning signs Isolating Quick temper Hanging with users Old behavior Rationalizing Loneliness Apathy Dishonesty Visiting purchasing places Arrogance Defensiveness Lack of sleep For more information: Website: Enough Already!: A Guide to Recovery from Alcohol and Drug Addiction Also available at and Staysober@bobtyler.net 14