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  • TDS Moderators: AlphaMethylPhenyl | paranoid android

What do people think?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ODddddd
  • Start date Start date
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ODddddd

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Hi all, I am interested in peoples opinions on this or if anyone is in a similar psoition. I got clean in 95 but started using again a few years back. The problem for me is during that time I trained as a therapist and have work in Meth clinics for over a decade.

I'm a therapist who works with drug users, but I'm not there to tell people to get clean, if that is what they want fine. Most of my work is around trauma and various childhood experiences and abuses. Anyway I'm back on Meth, when work found out I was stopped from working clinically with people and currently I'm restricted to research.

If I want to return to clinical work I must detox, do a impatient recovery focused treatment and be clean for six months. I do not wish to detox, though I am currently doing a very slow reduction.

What I'm wondering is how would people here feel if they found their therapist was on meth?
Would they continue attending?
Any other clinical professionals here who returned to drug use?

I have one doctor I work with in my corner, but if I fight this legally it may be very costly. I am willing to add more info if needed, but I did'nt want to make my first post too long.

Anyone any thoughts?
 
It's fortunate that they transferred you to research instead of unemployment. Personally if I found out my Psychiatrist was using illegal drugs I wouldn't be shocked or angry, just because you use doesn't necessarily make you any lessor of an individual. But it's like that saying, "you can't give away freely what you don't already posses yourself."

Meth is some serious shit, as you know. You can either get help and do whatever it takes to get clean or you can keep on using and see where that gets you. Addiction is very illogical, especially when you have a habit. My advice would be to think if you even want to get off the meth, and if you do then start taking small steps towards seperating that stuff far far far away from your life. I think you'll find with each small step towards sobriety, you will feel a newfound sense of hope, confidence, and your old self back. Just my thoughts, stick around and best of luck mate.
 
What do people think

Could this be added to that thread please.

Sorry I think people are picking me up wrong. When I say meth I mean methadone, meth would be slang for it where I am.

I think looking to sack me is a tad strong. My years of service to the organisation thought of by fellow staff and clients. A angency who employes people in recovery then drops them when they relapse is a very poor organisation in my opinion. I don't think the organisation would look too good in the media if it sacked me for relapsing. Those who know my situation in work actually agree I have been treated very badly, though of course there is mixed opinion on whether I can work clinically.

My clients miss me as a therapist, I am not just saying this but I was one of the most popular therapists there. However, the law is very unclear on whether I can work clinical on a stable dose of methadone, but I'm not sure if I have the money to go down the legal route.
 
Is the methadone prescribed by a pain doctor or a methadone clinic? Or are you just taking it on your own? That makes a pretty big difference.
 
What do people think

Could this be added to the above thread Please Mod. In response to AnthroGirl

As I work in Methadone Clinics I cannot attend one for my methadone I would have not confidentially if I did, so I get it from a private GP, but yes it is part of a programme.

I am currently doing a slow reduction, but it is not something I personally wanted to continue with, but the organisation will not allow me to return to normal duties until I detox fully. Even though this goes against the premise of MMT.

I admit it is a very difficult ethical situation and there are certainly no easy answers to it, different professionalhas different thought on it, which in turn are dependant on their training.

I want to return to my clinical work on a set dose of methadone, like I would if I was prescribed any other drug.

I thought I would post here to see what other methadone users thought. Does that make it any clearer?
 
I think the fact that you've already detoxed once makes a big difference. When I was going to the clinic, most of my friends were stuck on ridiculous doses and for no good reason. The doctors here don't seem to understand just how it feels to go sick or constantly lower your dose. People need someone that understands their problem. Besides, methadone doesn't really affect how you act, it's there to prevent dope sickness.

I hope you get back to doing what you enjoy,
JS
 
What do people think

Hi Mods could you moved this to the What do people think? thread in TDS. Thanks.

In reply to HeWhoHowls:

No I am not stoned on methadone, I am not currently allowed to work clinically so I am not with clients in a session, but if I was I would not be in an altered state. If I was I would not be happy working with people.

It is not a case that I have lost all my abilities to practice in an ethically safe manner because I am now back on methadone after over a decade totally clean.

Drug use does come into the work I do with people, but I have always focused on dealing with the psychological things people present with rather than just looking at what they are using etc.


To Jsbach7:
Thanks for your reply, I don’t know if I will get to return to clinical work but thanks for your reply.

Firstly, I have to address the negative image of methadone within the organisation I work in, then I have to address it with the professional bodies I belong to. Can this be done? I don’t know. It could involve a long court case, and if it did that would mean my case would become public and everyone would know. This could have serious implications for my career.
 
Could you elaborate on how your employer found out you were on methadone? Were you taking anything before getting on methadone? How high is your dose? Why did you need to get on it again? I think these things could effect how to proceed.
 
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