Friday, March 16, 2007
The Slippery Slope of Drug Usage, Pt 1 of 4
The Slippery Slope of Drug Usage, Pt 1 of 4
A Typical Picture of Drug and Alcohol Addiction by Paul Pribuss MFT
Chemical dependence has been studied and treated for hundreds of years with varying degrees of success, dating back to the Neolithic period. (cir. 10,000 B.C) There are a variety of modern theories and programs to treat the addiction process, many claiming a high degree of success. Some of these programs do achieve results while others seem to have a great amount of recidivism. What would distinguish one process from another? Why would a person suffering from addiction chose plan A over plan B? These questions continue to vex many addicts and their long-suffering families to the point of indecision and confusion.
What is the bottom line regarding addiction and recovery? My belief at Marin Drug Recovery is that the initial goal is clearly to get clean or sober. Whatever works in this regard is good-enough. The method can vary from “cold turkey” detox in a jail cell to a private suite with gourmet food in a recovery/spa type center. Sometimes we aren’t able to chose or afford our preferred method of getting clean. Additionally the event or circumstances, which precipitate sobriety, can also vary. A judge may sentence one to a 12 step or recovery program. One’s spouse or employer may insist upon abstinence to continue with the relationship. Family members can initiate an intervention, resulting in sobriety. Again, whatever works is good-enough. If the choice or circumstances were left up to the individual, waiting for the correct timing, well that might never happen, resulting in excessive and needless suffering.
People become addicted to drugs and alcohol in a variety of manners, yet there are some basic concepts similar for most people. Typically a young person will start to experiment with an easily accessible drug, usually alcohol or pot. There is a certain amount of curiosity as well as peer pressure involved in the initial phase. Many people at this stage discover the effects of the drug are somewhat detrimental to their current life and decide the experiment is over. They frequently return to the drug in an appropriate manner, using it socially, in what is described as “normal” use.
A Typical Picture of Drug and Alcohol Addiction by Paul Pribuss MFT
Chemical dependence has been studied and treated for hundreds of years with varying degrees of success, dating back to the Neolithic period. (cir. 10,000 B.C) There are a variety of modern theories and programs to treat the addiction process, many claiming a high degree of success. Some of these programs do achieve results while others seem to have a great amount of recidivism. What would distinguish one process from another? Why would a person suffering from addiction chose plan A over plan B? These questions continue to vex many addicts and their long-suffering families to the point of indecision and confusion.
What is the bottom line regarding addiction and recovery? My belief at Marin Drug Recovery is that the initial goal is clearly to get clean or sober. Whatever works in this regard is good-enough. The method can vary from “cold turkey” detox in a jail cell to a private suite with gourmet food in a recovery/spa type center. Sometimes we aren’t able to chose or afford our preferred method of getting clean. Additionally the event or circumstances, which precipitate sobriety, can also vary. A judge may sentence one to a 12 step or recovery program. One’s spouse or employer may insist upon abstinence to continue with the relationship. Family members can initiate an intervention, resulting in sobriety. Again, whatever works is good-enough. If the choice or circumstances were left up to the individual, waiting for the correct timing, well that might never happen, resulting in excessive and needless suffering.
People become addicted to drugs and alcohol in a variety of manners, yet there are some basic concepts similar for most people. Typically a young person will start to experiment with an easily accessible drug, usually alcohol or pot. There is a certain amount of curiosity as well as peer pressure involved in the initial phase. Many people at this stage discover the effects of the drug are somewhat detrimental to their current life and decide the experiment is over. They frequently return to the drug in an appropriate manner, using it socially, in what is described as “normal” use.
# posted by Marin Drug Recovery Updates @ 5:36 AM 
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