There Are Many Paths To Get From Here to There
TruthTalks News • March 6, 2017
A 2016 Huffington Post article by Brooke Feldman, There is No “Right Way” to Overcome Addiction, validated my instincts and confirmed what I’ve seen in our TruthTalks workshop sessions. I’ve met dozens, if not hundreds of people who struggle with addiction. I’ve witnessed firsthand the wide swath that addiction cuts across individuals of every socioeconomic level, race, religion, and gender. While addiction does not discriminate, every single kid, every single parent, every single family unit is a universe unto itself with different histories, perceptions, and responses to treatment modalities.
There is no right way to get sober.
I’ve seen the downcast eyes and vicariously felt the shame of a young adult who, when asked “So, are you working The Program?” Quietly mumbles, “not really, I just couldn’t get into AA.” Failure. Judgment. Not doing the one thing he’s expected to do in order to “overcome” addiction.
Brooke goes on to write these important truths and varied options.
- Whether it is Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Women for Sobriety, Lifering, Overcomers Outreach, Millat Islami, Narcotics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery or any other mutual aid group, there is a place for them all.
- Whether it is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy or Family Behavior Therapy, there is a place for all evidence-based treatment interventions and promising practices.
- Whether somebody opts for abstinence-based, moderation management, medication assisted, or a slow and steady reduction of use, there is a need and a place for all approaches to overcoming addiction.
- Whether an individual aims to or is successful in achieving a reduction or cessation of substance use naturally, with no treatment or mutual aid support at all, or an individual initiates and sustains a reduction or cessation of use with a high level of treatment and mutual aid supports, a path ought to be paved and room ought to be made for whatever course of action an individual selects as best for him.
- In order for more people to have access to wellness and recovery, we need ALL of our existing options and alternatives to be equally available, widely understood and proportionately offered as we continue to seek out even more.
Rather than simply evangelizing around our own personal toolbox and presenting it as the one and only right way, we must elevate our service level in this area by educating ourselves and then educating, supporting, and linking others to the wide array of resources available at their disposal.”
Our own way is not the only way. Let’s keep open minds and not lose sight of the ultimate goal–long, healthy lives, lived in truth and love.
This is a great article Brooke, and speaking of our way is not the only way. I would love to see real progress made so that people seeking recovery do not have to continue to pay for their addiction with limited employment opportunities, poor housing choices and bad credit.
I am baffled that in 2019 we still call this an opiate epidemic. Alcohol related deaths are at a 35 year high. And whenever I spoke to any elected officials on the subject, I ask why we dont have adequate perr mentors awaiting every person as they leave detox until they can re-enter independent living. And why is there no serious effort to get this service available to more who need it.
Instead of working on keeping drugs off the street and out of our borders and ports
Why dont we focus on stopping the demand. You and I have seen the miracles that do happen everyday, but what do we read in the papers? Aside from a few good people with the gift of gab like you articles like this wouldn’t get any time anywhere
There is so much more to this thing and as you said
“There Are Many Paths To Get From Here to There” but unfortunately you almost need to know someone in the field to get someone into treatment, which isnt recovery, but many communities seem to think that treatment is the answer
It is merely a part of the answer
We need real community involvement
Mentors dont always have to be former addicts
Maybe you can help someone get their G.E.D. or offer employment to someone with a poor employment history
Anyone that knows you Brooke knows you are a walking miracle, and I would bet that if it wasn’t for the field you are in, employment in recovery would have been a challenge
Just recently at a reputable in patient and outpatient center I felt the sting of stigmatization
Because I was honest I was told that I would not get certain medications that every other doctor agreed I needed. My PTSD has gotten out of control and even through I haven’t drank or used in nearly 30 years, even though I served my Nation honorably for 20 years. Even though I have been a foster parent, certified to oversee child visitation for non custodial parents and a whole lot of other stuff they often only see the junkie. I am really grateful that folks like you are out there trying to open the eyes. Many credible studies show how medical and clinical personnel have a poor image of people with substance use disorder. I know that during my attempt to work in the field any such talk was usually met with the same comment ” What is your degree in again”
Keep doing what you do Brooke