ADDICTS AND THE RENEWAL OF HOPE
Individuals addicted to drugs eventually begin a downward spiral. As they devote more of their time to their drug of choice, regardless of whether it is alcohol or other addictive substances, they go through phases. First they enjoy their drug of choice and don’t believe they have a problem even though it has begun to affect their lives.
As they concentrate more and more on the drug, they seem to become oblivious to their downward spiral. Reality doesn’t set in until they have lost something significant in their lives. Their responses to losses vary. Some evaluate their lives and seek help, but most continue to use their drug of choice regardless of their losses.
Their losses include, but are not limited to, family, friends, possessions, health and freedom. When they sink to this level they experience anger, frustration, despair, and hopelessness.
In treatment groups we ask participants to list their negative thoughts in an effort to enable them to recognize their negative thinking. Then we instruct them to write positive thoughts to replace their negative thinking. Participants in early recovery have difficulty writing positive thoughts. “I can’t think of any positive thoughts,” is a common response.
Many individuals incarcerated for drug abuse have adopted an attitude of defeatism – they have lost hope. Some say, “I’ve gone too far. It is too late for me to change. I have 10 to 15 years of probation. I’ve been in and out of jail. I can’t get a decent job, what is the use.”
Some incarcerated individuals with severe addiction problems and brain damage won’t listen to any suggestion they need to stop using drugs. A few have told us they will use again as soon as they are released. However, this response is the exception. The majority say they want help but have never had the opportunity to receive any treatment.
The majority say, “The cards are stacked against us.” They have difficulty securing employment because they have a felony. Without employment they cannot pay their fines and probation fees. As a result many are in and out of jail and/or prison. A few are assisted by their families and manage to avoid incarceration, but all have the same problem.
Our jails and prisons are filled to capacity. Violent addicts and drug dealers must be incarcerated. However, our jails and prisons have a large population of addicts that have committed petty crimes and/or violated probation. Does it make sense to continue to build larger jails and more prisons for these individuals that could become productive members of society provided they received proper treatment? Treatment would reduce government expense since treatment costs are less than incarceration. In addition, we need a County sponsored work program to enable individuals on probation to pay their fines. This would reduce the cost of incarceration.
The key to recovery involves more than abstinence. Before addicts can successfully recover from addiction they must make a commitment to change and experience the recovery of hope. Without hope addicts are frustrated, miserable, defeated individuals.
Society must change its attitude toward individuals addicted to alcohol and/or drugs. The focus should be on the recovery of hope and freedom from the slavery of addiction. Treatment should be a major priority, but it must be treatment that enables addicts to experience the recovery of hope.
John L Bledsoe, Ph. D., D. MinDiplomate American Psychotherapy Association
NAADAC Substance Abuse Professional