• HEALTH & RECOVERY
    Welcome Guest
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules Thread Directory 1 Thread Directory 2
    Mindfulness Links Addiction & Mind
    Sober Living Partner Program (SLiPP)
  • H&R Moderators: streaM Freak

Design Utopian Treatment for addiction (*humming Lennon's Imagine as I write*)

herbavore

herbavore

Bluelight Crew
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
14,944
Location
in a dream
After researching to the best of my abilities (meaning what I have time for, and starting from an informational 'square one') for the past 5 years I can say that my understanding of both addiction and treatment is still evolving. At the risk of sounding arrogant I think this is the only sane and educated place to be because let's face it, the science is still evolving, there are major players involved (from big pharma to cartels to entrenched judicial/correctional systems) and there are cultural differences to be accounted for as well. So, in that vein, and having learned a large part of what I believe right here on Bluelight, I thought I would open up an ongoing thread for people to dream in.

If you were in charge of the world tomorrow, and you were to design a treatment center where people could go to heal from addiction, what would it look like? What would you include or exclude? Why? (If you respond to this, kindly include your country because I think there are differences in what each country already offers).

There are lots negative critiques here on Bluelight about the current state of treatment and rehabs etc. and those critiques are well deserved. But what if we could collectively dream a better solution? Mine would include an emphasis on diet, on mind calming and cleansing philosophies like mindfulness and breathing and yoga techniques, martial arts, tai chi, working with animals, psychedelic assisted therapy, solitude and community, access to creative outlets. Hey, I'm dreaming so why not dream big? The fact is that all of these things are backed up by neuroscience to strengthen your resilience.

I am really interested to hear anything from a small pragmatic change in the status quo to a utopian dream like my own. What do you need that you have no access to in your recovery?
 
I like the idea
unfortunately Utopian societies may be impossible because humans are flawed creatures by designs- we all make mistakes and we've all done bad things or things we regret.
It doesn't hurt to try tho.
 
yeah, I wasn't trying to go for Utopian as in "everything perfect"--more the idea behind brainstorming/dreaming big. Mostly I am interested in people's ideas that have been failed by traditional rehab/treatment. I hear lots of what's wrong but not so much about what could be. You cannot have change without imagination, design and intention. We have so many good minds here on Bluelight that are living with the current reality of treatments. I feel like a decent roadmap for what changes we would like to see could be very valuable.

Something similar is happening in mental health right now with organizations, individuals and foundations contributing ideas to sway the course of treament by challenging many of the philosophies and real forces behind it. Addiction and recovery deserve the same scrutiny and exploration.
 
On a very basic level, I would want a place where I could forget my responsibilities for a few weeks...have appropriate medical care for the acute withdrawal symptoms...have a chance to talk with people at all stages of recovery...in a place that didn't cost more than I make in a year.

herbavore, I think this is an interesting exercise. It probably would be different for each individual. Part of my pill use was to have the energy and "spark" to do all the things I had to do in life. For me, part of my recovery has been allowing myself to let others do for me what I used to do for them. That's why shedding responsibility was at the top of my list. When I finally admitted my withdrawal to my husband and asked for his help, I could let go of the need to pretend to be normal. I had the help of a physician through the first month, but I sometimes felt terrified that I would die in my sleep--I was so sick that it felt like no one would survive feeling like that. It would have been nice to have had hands-on medical care. No one knew how much medication I was taking, and I was (and still am) too embarrassed to talk to my friends about this. But I wish I had people to talk to--which is why I signed onto Bluelight in the first place. When I was in acute withdrawal, I used to dream that I could afford to go away somewhere to recover. It also would be really nice if, at the end of the process, I could be assured that society/friends/family/work wouldn't judge me or think less of me for going through recovery. It still stands as my greatest accomplishment to date, but I don't feel I can share it with anyone but my husband...and you all.
 
herbavore said:
Mine would include an emphasis on diet, on mind calming and cleansing philosophies like mindfulness and breathing and yoga techniques, martial arts, tai chi, working with animals, psychedelic assisted therapy, solitude and community, access to creative outlets. Hey, I'm dreaming so why not dream big? The fact is that all of these things are backed up by neuroscience to strengthen your resilience.
Click to expand...

Herbavore needs to get with some investors and open up the above described treatment center!

If something like that could be done and affordable it would be a standard of excellence.:D

They had yoga at my treatment, I really dug it. I think having lots of things to do is essential along with space! They were not happy with solitude at all, and would restrict your freedom if you wanted to be alone and I think that sucked because depending on what you're going through sometimes being alone is necessary. Having animals around would be great.
 
The costs for recovery is somehow counter productive. I find it very difficult to recover in rehabs for just a limited amount of time when you know you need more time.
Ideal time for rehabs in my opinion would from 3 to 6 months at least. But insurances don´t pay that much. And the treatments are not individualized.
 
The treatment center I was in was a non traditional one. There is never anymore than 6 intake patients at a time. (All at different stages) we lived and acted as a family. The house chores, cooking etc was all left to us. And compared to other facilities it wasn't very expensive. $8000 first 30 days and $2500 for 60/90 should you choose to stay. I stayed 45 days and have been home 57 now. But being like a home, I'm there several times a week talking and hanging out with others. There is a group of probably 50 or more that stuck really close.
 
wanting said:
When I was in acute withdrawal, I used to dream that I could afford to go away somewhere to recover. It also would be really nice if, at the end of the process, I could be assured that society/friends/family/work wouldn't judge me or think less of me for going through recovery. It still stands as my greatest accomplishment to date, but I don't feel I can share it with anyone but my husband...and you all.
Click to expand...

Wanting, I want you to know that I think what you have done is worth both respect and admiration. No one that has not either experienced addiction, (or been very close to someone that has), has even an inkling of the courage, faith, suffering, and transcendence that recovery demands of a person. The stigma that is put on people with addictions, who are some of the most determined and strongest people in the world, is so very backwards.:( <3
 
rehab centers are for real tho, imean there are some really good ones that get people sober in the short term.
THe only problem is that upon discharge, people go back to their original "using" environments and fall back into old habits.
 
Also there are lots of rehabs that functions as a punishment. I believe it would only work upon will power..not against wishes.
 
Erikmen said:
Also there are lots of rehabs that functions as a punishment. I believe it would only work upon will power..not against wishes.
Click to expand...

In the US, rehab centers are voluntary.
Even if someone is court-ordered to go for rehabilitation, they still don't HAVE to go they have the option of alternative punishment for their crimes it's not like there are rehab centers with razor wire and armed guards.
I've been to 2 rehab centers and my friends have been to more, i've never detected any "punishment" just healing
 
^You've never been to state-run or low-income treatment centers then.

There's many shades of grey in this arena, but some changes could definitely help everyone. The "utopian" places exist already, they're just beyond expensive. And we have to consider that some addicts need "tough love" in order to get better.

The utopian treatment center would absolutely have yoga, tai chi, exercise, etc. in order to increase natural endorphins.
They should encourage healthy socializing.
Cannabis should be made available to patients. Orally dosed THC and CBD, smokable CBD-dominant strains. It would make the process so much less painful, and would avoid many of the relapses.
 
Felonious Monk said:
^You've never been to state-run or low-income treatment centers then.

There's many shades of grey in this arena, but some changes could definitely help everyone. The "utopian" places exist already, they're just beyond expensive. And we have to consider that some addicts need "tough love" in order to get better.

The utopian treatment center would absolutely have yoga, tai chi, exercise, etc. in order to increase natural endorphins.
They should encourage healthy socializing.
Cannabis should be made available to patients. Orally dosed THC and CBD, smokable CBD-dominant strains. It would make the process so much less painful, and would avoid many of the relapses.
Click to expand...

Both my treatment centers were run by the State of Ohio, one was Juvenile one was Adult. the idea was THERAPY. Also i don't remember any yoga or anything but the group therapy and music therapy were very helpful, plus art and other stuff helped too.
I'm gonna have to disagree with Cannabis at rehab centers, that's what Bupe is for (withdrawals). Getting high on THC isn't a good way to get sober
 
Trying2Iso said:
rehab centers are for real tho, imean there are some really good ones that get people sober in the short term.
THe only problem is that upon discharge, people go back to their original "using" environments and fall back into old habits.
Click to expand...

That is where I think the concept fails. A person needs more support after detoxing and getting the therapeutic benefits a really good rehab has to offer. There is absolutely nothing available as that very crucial intermediate time when a person needs to really work with a well trained therapist to explore what is at the root of their compulsions and self-destructive adaptations. For most people this is hard to find and when they do it is too costly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top