Posted by Tom on April 07, 2002 at 18:53:14:
In Reply to: Drug Abuse Statistics posted by MH on April 04, 2002 at 15:04:56:
> Someone had asked about the national rates of drug abuse. Here's something I stumbled upon with some interesting data.
> High School Youth Drug USe Trends
For JP - My friend, I don't know where you're coming from. By that I mean, what's your background? Mine? In recovery, clean & sober for going on nine years and a former certified detox counselor. Your post prompts a few questions and comments from me. I'm afraid you're sorely misconstrued. Do you know that methodone is a treatment for heroin addiction, AND NO OTHER DRUG!?! Do you know that methodone is merely a legalized substitute for heroin, that's just as addictive and not a solution?
Are you aware that any mind altering drug, whether alcohol, pot, opiate, or pill that controls the user, rather than the user controlling it, is an addiction?
I'm sure you'd be surprised at how many are entering detox to kick the methodone treatment you advocate. And you'd be equally surprised at a newer fact that's been emerging in the last ten years. Few if any enter detox today who are not dual-addicted, e.g. alcohol and pills, pills and heroin, alcohol and marijuana and prozac and valium. It's been called many things: addictive personality, obsessive/compulsive, etc., etc.
And for everyone else, understand there are two forms of detox - social model, which requires abstinence from ALL drugs, and medical. This country's moving away from social model, primarily due too dual addiction AND the fact that there are many more coming into detox that require the continuing use of certain psychotropic drugs. For example, bi-polar's who are also addicted to alcohol, must continue their drugs, as prescribed, for this disease.
JP, I think you already know the alternative, or what you call 'suggested solution.' First it's called a desire to STOP, followed by detox, then a program, which you can choose, whether it's a 12 step, or Christian based, or Jewish based, or whatever. Personally, I feel a long term, 12 to 18 month, live-in program, away from all the influences, works best. It gives an individual time, to reestablish new or long forgotten patterns and habits. It allows one to become aware of 'triggers' that set off old behaviors. And hopefully, if the person is willing, allows them to build a support system.
Bottom line, it's up to the individual, and whether they want to make a choice to live a clean and sober live. The help is out there, just one phone call away.
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