Paying careful attention to the facts and
data of our time, we cannot honestly escape the conclusion that we live, to a
greater or lesser extent, in the grip of a powerful, largely Western
ideology: the ideology of a restless
commitment to unlimited material progress, prosperity, and instant
gratification. This is an ideology that
some westerners live by on a daily basis.
We find ourselves obsessed; focused on things like the global market and
new technology. We get lost in the drive
to gain material possessions and solve undesirable stressors and emotions with
hasty responses. We find repose in the
instant effects of technology and medication; and this comes with a price.
The search for instant gratification often
ends in Addiction. Whether that is alcohol addiction or addiction to substances
like opiates, cocaine and more, many individual’s solace seeking behavior lands
them in a situation much less comfortable than were they began or expected to
go. The majority of these individuals start this path at an early age and rely
heavily on these chemicals as coping mechanisms for many of life’s tough times
and stressors. Once the addiction to alcohol or drugs takes hold of the
individual and negative results exacerbate their desire for change, they often
have limited coping skills outside of these substances.
Part of the process of addiction treatment
for alcohol and drug dependence is the process of behavioral change and the
inclusion of positive coping mechanisms for these individuals. This can be
learned once the individual has enough insight into their particular
circumstances and usage but applying these skills are vital. Because of the
necessity to both learn and implement these skills to drastically improve
long-term outcomes, outpatient addiction treatment either alone or in
conjunction with residential is recommended.
We have learned in our society to get the
quick fix and we are rewarded for doing so by the very thing that has kept our
race around for so long. And because of these things one of the most difficult
things, in this author’s opinion, to deal with, as it relates with alcohol and
drug addiction treatment, is the lack of coping skills necessary to maintain a
life of sobriety far after primary care has ended. This is why psychiatric and
therapeutic care is absolutely necessary to treatment if one desires the
greatest chances of success. And while some individuals do succeed in living a
life of sobriety, after completing a detox only or upon self-withdrawal from
their drug of choice, the data for this method is not something I would
personally risk.
No comments:
Post a Comment