“Are You In Recovery?” This is a question posed to me at least a half-dozen times a week by either a patient or a client.
Some people in the field adamantly believe one should never state either way. Others think in terms of case by case. Still others believe in telling their whole story if they are in recovery.
Me, first I will ask them why they feel the need to know this. Most will say they feel only someone that has been through what they have can help them. After such a response I will ask them what is their understanding of counseling and their expectations of therapy.
Many times after their responses I will suggest they find a twelve-step group and acquire a sponsor they can identify with if that is what they are looking for.
I explain that my role is not to develop a mutual relationship with them, a friendship (although the relationship can be friendly). We are not going out for coffee after the session nor are you going to learn all about me.
I view the issue on a case by case basis. I may say, yes I am in recovery. That is as far as I go with disclosure. I further state that what works for me may not work or be appropriate for them. If I tell them what 'works' for me it may induce in them an expectation that they will automatically have the same results.
Suggestions are based on what works for the majority of the people I see on a regular basis and current research. To state what ‘works’ for myself is not fair to them. What, if they cannot do it my way then they cannot remain sober? Just not fair – nor true.
Their story should be the basis of the counseling sessions – not mine. When teaching I always emphasize to my students that if one utilizes Motivational Interviewing correctly, they will never have an opportunity to tell their own story.
The role I play is that of a guide, a sort of psych Sensei. Through mutual dialogue I pose questions to them based on what they are saying to me. The answers are for themselves to hear, not necessarily for me to hear. Many times I will assign readings to increase their self-efficacy; with discussion at the beginning of the next session.
Yea, I am in Recovery. Now let’s move onto the important presenting issue, “YOUR RECOVERY.”
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Return...
Over the past several weeks I have had several friends ask me why I have not blogged in a long, long, time. I could go with a routine line such as, "I've been too busy," or, "I've been involved in other projects."
The truth is multi-faceted. From a feeling at times of general malaise regarding the whole field of addiction of which I am a part, to not believing I can make a difference. Last week I began to read a blog by a new friend that chronicles her personal journey in the arena of mental health. Her blog has motivated and inspired me to hit the keys again to state my thoughts and feelings on addiction and all of mental health for that matter.
Lately I read of a treatment facility that has a ninety percent "success" rate (of course how they derived at that number and what exactly is their definition of success is never stated); to the seemingly almost instant prescribing of medications such as anti-depressants and mood stabilizers upon completion of a detoxification (or while still in detox for that matter).
We live in the ‘give me a pill and fix me right now’ society.
Yes, I understand about taking a good bio/psych/social and noting 'mood' throughout their history (when using and not using); Yes, I understand about substance induced mood disorder and all the ramifications; Yes, I understand it is important to look at family of origin patterns that may be present. As far as I am concerned, medication is all too often seen as the first line of action, rather than based on a case by case consideration.
One area I have a difficult time understanding is why most addiction treatment units do not have groups on such topics as nutrition and exercise. Talk about two areas that can affect mood, huh?
Recently I was presenting a group at one of the facilities where I work and asked the patients how many experience anxiety. Three-quarters (15 out of 20) raised their hands. Next I asked those that had raised their hands whether they smoked and drank coffee. Not surprisingly 13 did both, while the remaining two did not smoke but did drink coffee. I am not stating that nicotine and caffeine are the causation of their anxiety. However, I definitely believe that the ingestion of nicotine and caffeine is not helping to alleviate their anxiety by any stretch of the imagination.
When I further asked them about their diets the majority of them just laughed. Before groups I remind them that I can arrange nutrition consults while they are in the program. It is a rare occurrence for anyone to take me up on my offer. Without an actual group(s) on nutrition they remain ignorant of the benefits.
The same goes for exercise. The benefits of exercise on mood has been empirically proven over the years. One just has to “Google” addiction & exercise to see the vast research on this modality. So why are the majority of addiction treatment units not offering groups on this topic? I have no idea as to this possible answer.
Motivation back in place I will blog at least once a week. Thanks for the read.
The truth is multi-faceted. From a feeling at times of general malaise regarding the whole field of addiction of which I am a part, to not believing I can make a difference. Last week I began to read a blog by a new friend that chronicles her personal journey in the arena of mental health. Her blog has motivated and inspired me to hit the keys again to state my thoughts and feelings on addiction and all of mental health for that matter.
Lately I read of a treatment facility that has a ninety percent "success" rate (of course how they derived at that number and what exactly is their definition of success is never stated); to the seemingly almost instant prescribing of medications such as anti-depressants and mood stabilizers upon completion of a detoxification (or while still in detox for that matter).
We live in the ‘give me a pill and fix me right now’ society.
Yes, I understand about taking a good bio/psych/social and noting 'mood' throughout their history (when using and not using); Yes, I understand about substance induced mood disorder and all the ramifications; Yes, I understand it is important to look at family of origin patterns that may be present. As far as I am concerned, medication is all too often seen as the first line of action, rather than based on a case by case consideration.
One area I have a difficult time understanding is why most addiction treatment units do not have groups on such topics as nutrition and exercise. Talk about two areas that can affect mood, huh?
Recently I was presenting a group at one of the facilities where I work and asked the patients how many experience anxiety. Three-quarters (15 out of 20) raised their hands. Next I asked those that had raised their hands whether they smoked and drank coffee. Not surprisingly 13 did both, while the remaining two did not smoke but did drink coffee. I am not stating that nicotine and caffeine are the causation of their anxiety. However, I definitely believe that the ingestion of nicotine and caffeine is not helping to alleviate their anxiety by any stretch of the imagination.
When I further asked them about their diets the majority of them just laughed. Before groups I remind them that I can arrange nutrition consults while they are in the program. It is a rare occurrence for anyone to take me up on my offer. Without an actual group(s) on nutrition they remain ignorant of the benefits.
The same goes for exercise. The benefits of exercise on mood has been empirically proven over the years. One just has to “Google” addiction & exercise to see the vast research on this modality. So why are the majority of addiction treatment units not offering groups on this topic? I have no idea as to this possible answer.
Motivation back in place I will blog at least once a week. Thanks for the read.
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