Is There Hope in Substance Abuse?
Diana Moscoso, M.A., Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
In an age when almost twenty-one million Americans suffer from at least one addiction, 500 people die every hour as a result of addiction-related causes, drug overdose deaths have tripled in the last thirty years, and the cost of addiction in America is over $600 billion a year, where do we go for help? (Yerby, 2019).
According to Wiercigroch, Sheikh, and Hulme (2020), current models of care do not serve the substance-using population adequately. As a result, many clients who need to access higher levels of care related to substance abuse often slip through the cracks of long waiting times, high cost, inadequate insurance, language barriers, and the uncertainty of program success.
In fact, is not always easy to determine what encompasses an addiction. Noar, Benack, and Harris (2017), describe several characteristics of substance abuse including cravings, continuing to use even when it causes problems, failed attempts to cut down, increased tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, neglecting other parts of one’s life because of addiction, and using substances even when it creates potential danger. As a clinician, the way I approach addictions is with compassion, empathy, and respect for the client. I understand that under the layer of substance abuse there is trauma, loss, hurt, and a person who wants to get better. Together, we formulate a plan of action that includes assessment, psychoeducation, support, resources, motivation, trauma and loss interventions using EMDR, and the involvement of family members to create a new environment that fosters a positive change, which eventually will bring success to the client’s life.
As Kelly (2020) asserts, changing the addictive behavior is the easy part of the process. The complicated part is to maintain, create, and continue the new behaviors and ways of thinking that will support a continuous change. However, infusing hope, validation, courage, and impressions of the future including a new and changed individual, brings confidence and optimism. The statistics are encouraging as a 2016 survey informs us that nearly one in ten persons recover successfully from substance abuse disorder.
To achieve success, the client must master five key aspects, summarized in the acronym CHIME (connections, hope and optimism, identity, meaning and purpose, empowerment). These aspects of recovery allow the client to see him- or herself in a different way, connect with a purpose, and leave behind shame, guilt, and intense remorse, which will eventually help the client achieve a permanent and positive identity based on self-efficacy and empowerment.
In conclusion, not all is lost in the realm of addictions. At this point in time, there are many inpatient/outpatient options that utilize a variety of models that can help clients who struggle with addictions and their families. The most important elements of the recovery process are to commit to a program where support is available, have a structured plan of “escape” when there is a trigger or high-risk situation that can destabilize the client, and utilize a recognized set of distractions that can minimize and interrupt the cravings, thought of using, and maladaptive behaviors, with the guidance of a caring and experienced counselor who will help bring light again into the individual’s life.
Diana Moscoso, M.A., LCMHCA, NCC
References
Kelly, J.F. (2020). Recovery from addiction. Psychology Today, 53 (1).
Wiercigroch, D., Sheikh, H., & Hulme, J. (2020). A rapid access to addiction medicine clinic facilitates treatment of substance use disorder and reduces substance use. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy, 15(1), 4. (https://substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13011-019-0250-1)
Yerby, N. (2019). Addictions center. Retrieved from (https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-statistics/)
Noar, S.M., Benac, C.N., and Harris, M.S. (2007) Does tailoring matter? Meta-analytic review of tailored print health behavior change interventions. Psychological Bulletin, 4, 673-693. abstract: https://www.prochange.com/transtheoretical-model-of-behavior-change
