Answer Addiction

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  • Aftercare Programs

    Aftercare Programs

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Aftercare programs are an essential part of every good rehab program. They will help you maintain sobriety and prevent relapse. This article offers details on aftercare programs for a drinking problem and their importance.

     

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    Why Aftercare is Important after Alcohol Rehab

    You have successfully finished alcohol rehab! Congratulations. Now you have been discharged in the world. But, are you really cured and ready to face the everyday challenges? Can you do it without ongoing support?

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    Life after rehab can be difficult.

    According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) relapse rates for individuals who are in active treatment programs is actually relatively high, 40-60 % in most cases. [1] This is because addiction is a complex disease. Recovery doesn’t begin and end with rehab,but is a lifelong and continuous process.

    So,the longer you stay sober after completing a rehab program, the lower your chances of relapse are.

    How can aftercare help? Aftercare is the stage following intensiveand it is an integral part of every good alcohol treatment program.The primary goal of every aftercare program is maintaining abstinence and preventing relapse. In fact, aftercare programs are shown to considerably improve the long-term recovery and lead to higher rates of abstinence. [2]

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    Staying sober can be challenging, and that is whyyou need careful planning. Aftercare is the time when you implement the lessons and strategies you have learned in rehab in the real world.

    So, what are the benefits of an aftercare program?

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    • Building positive social relationships
    • Keeping your motivation high
    • Maintain sobriety
    • Preventing relapse

    Without individualized and carefully planned long term community based services that support sobriety, the relapse rates will be much higher, especially for socially vulnerable individuals.

    An Alcohol Aftercare Plan

    A reputable rehab center should be able to draft an aftercare plan tailored to your needs. The quality of your aftercare plan is closely connected with your overall success. In fact, its purpose is to connect you and your family to community support to help keep you sober and minimize the risk of relapse.

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    Your aftercare plan should include a collection of the following:

    • Education
    • Family therapies
    • Group therapy
    • Help with employment
    • Housing
    • Monitoring, done in eitherscheduled appointments, phone or email.
    • Outpatient appointments with a clinician / counselor
    • Participation in addiction support groups
    • Psychotherapy
    • Recommended or required alcohol testing
    • Relapse prevention strategy
    • Social services
    • A stay in a sober living home

    There are many different kinds of aftercare treatment options which can help you prevent relapse and live a sober life. However, knowing what works for you will help you achieve your goals. This is why aftercare needs to be 100% custom to your needs.

    Treatment Center Programs

    Aftercare is usually coordinated by your original treatment center. It is important that the treatment center you choose provides a continuum of care. Addiction affects many aspects of life: medical, mental, social, occupational, family, legal, and a treatment center should address the same aspect in order to be successful. [3]

    This why finding a treatment center that offersquality programs and services matched to your needs is a key step on your journey to recovery.

    Before choosing a treatment center program, do your research. Take into consideration the following factors:

    1. Can you get a private room?
    2. Does it offer medically assisted detox?
    3. Does it offer specialized programs for different groups (age or gender based, LGBT)
    4. Does the program address dual diagnosis issues?
    5. How close is the facility to your home, and will you need transportation?
    6. How qualified is the staff?
    7. Is the treatment center licensed?
    8. Is their approach evidence-based?
    9. Staff-patient ratio. The more staff per patient, the better the care.
    10. The length of the treatment programs.
    11. The quality of aftercare services.
    12. Inpatient vs. outpatient setting for treatment.
    13. Will you have access to email, phone or computers?
    14. Will your insurance cover payment and will it be enough?

    Many treatment center programs operate their own aftercare programs, and the services can vary greatly. Always check what does an aftercare program includes, and if it will fit your needs, or not.

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    Sober Living Homes

    These are typically apartments or houses that help people safely transition into the “real world”. A good sober home is a drug-free environment for people that dedicated themselves to a sober life.Although they don’t offer actual treatment and are not as strictly structured as inpatient rehab, they offer a lot more than a living environment. Many halfway or ¾ way houses provide recovery methods and 12-step programs. Every sober living home has its own house rules that need to be respected.

    If you want to live in a sober house, you are expected to be self- sufficient and pay rent. You can also work or search for employment during your stay. In general, it is a cheaper alternative to a residential treatment center where you can invest in your own recovery.There are no limits on the length of stay, although many people stay for at least 90 days.

    So, what are the benefits of living in a sober home?

    • Maintaining sobriety
    • Lower risk of relapse
    • Finding and keeping a job after recovery
    • Staying out of legal trouble
    • Safe environment free from triggers
    • Reconnecting with your friends and family

    Not everyone needs to stay in a sober living home. But for many people, staying in a halfway house can decrease the chances of relapse.A sense of comradery and sober living can start here…and last for a lifetime.

    Therapy and Counseling

    The purpose of aftercare counseling is to create a supportive and comfortable environment where you can speak freely and openly about your feelings, struggles, and strengths during the recovery process. It is particularly beneficial for people diagnosed with dual diagnosis who are also suffering from some mental issue.

    There are two types of talk therapy offered in alcohol aftercare programs:

    1. Group counseling.

    In a group therapy setting, you will share and listen to others’ experiences in a group of people recovering from alcohol addiction. This option is often less expensive, as you share the cost of therapy with those who attend.

    2. Individual counseling.

    In an individual therapy setting, you will meet one-on-one with a therapist to talk about yourself and your progress. Often, you set very personal goals during your sessions. Some people explore and resolve past trauma with a specialist.

    Counselling sessions are initially held weekly in most cases, and as you progress, you will gradually reduce your attendance to one session in two weeks or one in a month.

    Alternative Therapy

    There are many types of alternative therapies available in long-term treatment of alcohol problems. Know that scientific evidence is still being collected for some of these modalities. However, some people swear by these treatments and speak anecdotally of their effectiveness. [4] Some of the forms of alternative therapy in alcohol aftercare include:

    • Acupuncture
    • Art therapy
    • Biofeedback therapy
    • Chiropractic care
    • Cognitive behavioral therapy
    • Contingency Management
    • Dialectical behavior therapy
    • Equine therapy
    • Exercise programs
    • Experiential Therapy
    • Holistic Therapy
    • Massage therapy
    • Mindfulness meditation
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Neurofeedback
    • Nutrition therapy
    • Animal therapy

    NOTE HERE: These therapies should only be part of a complete alcohol rehab treatment plan, and are used with the aim of maintain sobriety and improving overall well-being to the recovering person.

    Support Groups

    Most people are strongly encouraged to attend support group meetings.Support groups help you rebuild self-esteem and improve self-perception.These groups offer structured program of recovery and help you stay focused and motivated.

    There is no admission process or specified length of participation.In general, meetings are hosted weekly, although you can decide to attend more than one group or meeting each week.

    In a support group, members share experiences or concerns related with their addiction and recovery, provide each other with encouragement, comfort, and advice. All members have one aim: staying sober.

    Most support groups are based on the 12-step program, which is spiritual in nature and created by the founders of AA, butthere are many alternatives for those who prefer a more secular foundation for treatment.Some of the most popular support groups include:

    • Alcoholics Anonymous, AA
    • Narcotics Anonymous, NA
    • Life Ring
    • SMART Recovery

    Aftercare for Alcohol Abuse

    For people in recovery, sobriety is a learned behavior. Abstinenceis maintained bymaking the rightdecisions and choices on daily basis. It is hard at the beginning, but as times passes and you learn new skills and strategies to cope with triggers it gets easier and new habits and routines are formed.

    In addition to the therapies offered in your overall treatment plan, you can develop your own aftercare strategy.

    So, what can you do, and when?

    1-30 Days After Rehab

    • Be aware of the negative impulses and learn how to cope with them.
    • Create a daily routine.
    • Create a support network you can turn to when tempted.
    • Make a recovery plan with goals you want to achieve.
    • Search for a psychotherapist and begin to attend sessions.
    • Search a support group and attend at least 2 meetings a week.
    • Start exercising.

    30 – 90 Days after Rehab

    • Create a recovery journal and record triggers and how you’ve handled them.
    • Go to career counseling.
    • Go to weekly therapy or counselling sessions.
    • Have weekly routines.
    • Keep on going to support meetings, minimum one weekly.

    90 – 180 Days after Rehab

    • Find new hobbies.
    • Set up long-term financial goals.
    • Set up short-term and long-term goals.
    • Work on fixing your broken relationships.

    180 – 365 Days after Rehab

    • Mark and celebrate 6 months and 1 year of sobriety.
    • Create personal, professional, and financialfive and ten-year plans.
    • Find motivational methods for success.
    • Help others in recovery.

    What Happens if I Relapse During Aftercare?

    Relapse: it can happen to anyone.

    Unfortunately, relapse is very common among recovering alcoholics. Addiction is a lifelong battle in a world full of triggers and stresses.

    So, what happens if you relapse? What can you do?

    First, get right back into an active routine that’s focused on recovery. It’s important that you don’t give up. Instead, continue on the path of recovery. Persistence is the key. Even if you started drinking again, that doesn’t mean you can’t get back on the right track.

    Then, know the difference between a slip and a relapse. A slip is an unplanned one-time event, while a relapse is a complete abandonment of the aftercare and recovery plan. If a slip turns into a relapse than you should immediately contact someone so they can help you get back to rehab.

    Don’t hesitate to call us if you have relapsed. Our treatment advisors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to give you information about the next steps you can take.

    Reference Sources:[1] National Institute on drug abuse: Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
    [2] NCBI:Outcome of Alcohol Dependence: The Role of Continued Care
    [3] National Institute on drug abuse: Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
    [4] American Addiction Centers: Addiction Therapies for Treating Alcoholism

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    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • You Made It Through Sober October, What’s Next?

    You Made It Through Sober October, What’s Next?

    Recovery is not something we wear lightly; it is a lifelong challenge to recover our ability to regulate our bodies, heal from our trauma, and lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

    Sober October is a great way to gain awareness of your drinking — whether your goal is to get sober or just take a break from alcohol. As positive as that lifestyle change might be, however, it has caused some controversy in the recovery community. For many of us, sobriety isn’t a choice; it’s a necessity if we want to stay alive. So it feels somewhat tokenizing when people are trying on recovery for size. On the other hand, what if it is a doorway to change? What if it creates sufficient awareness to help someone make a few adjustments to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life?

    The challenge — initially called Go Sober for October — originated in the UK as an alcohol awareness campaign and a fundraiser for MacMillan Cancer Support. It is now gaining traction globally as more of a lifestyle change leading up to the holidays. In a recent Forbes article, Sober October was touted as a way to help reset your body and prepare it for the damage that inevitably takes place over the indulgent holiday season. They point out that a month off alcohol combined with other wellness-supporting measures such as a healthier diet and more exercise will lead to better sleep, increased energy, and a clearer mind. With those small lifestyle improvements, people who participate in a month of sobriety will no doubt mitigate the health damage of the party season should they return to drinking. And that’s a positive outcome no matter who you are — whether you’re seeking sobriety or just want to improve your health and wellness.</p

    But for people in recovery, the problem occurs when those trying Dry January or Sober October flippantly celebrate how easy it was, or alternatively reach out to recovery advocates to ask for support during their challenge. Writer and advocate Tawny Lara describes why this is annoying in her article, Why Trying On Sobriety is Offensive: “Strangers frequently reach out to me asking for suggestions on how to get through 30ish days without drinking,” she says. “I don’t think they realize that my sobriety doesn’t have an end point. It’s fine that someone who probably doesn’t have issues with substance abuse, is ‘trying on sobriety’ for a little while, but why are you asking me, someone who does struggle with substance abuse, for advice? I can’t be your cheerleader for 30 days just so you can celebrate day 31 by posting photos of mimosas on Instagram.”

    She continues, “If you really want to experience the lifestyle of us sober folks, try on recovery … not sobriety. Almost anyone can take a break from drinking. Try doing that, paired with the emotionally exhausting work of identifying why you drink and why you’re choosing to give it up temporarily.”

    I understand Tawny’s frustration. Recovery is not something we wear lightly; it is a lifelong challenge to recover our ability to regulate our bodies, heal from our trauma, and lead a healthy and fulfilling life. And I used to find these types of challenges as offensive as she does. Now though, as I have become more of an advocate for harm reduction, I see them as a gateway to change. I support anyone in their desire to lead a less harmful and destructive life, whether they have a problematic relationship with alcohol or just want to temporarily improve their health.

    So, to those of you who tried the challenge to improve your health and are ready to return to moderate drinking: I salute you. Even though I cannot drink normally, I respect those who can. It is also my hope that you’ll be able to recall how great you felt when you were sober for a month, and how you achieved it, should your relationship with alcohol change.

    And to those of you who entered into the challenge hoping to try sobriety on for size with that nagging feeling in the back of your mind that your drinking might be a little out of control, I’m here to tell you that life only continues to improve in sustained sobriety. Truly. I am not going to tell you that it’s easy because it’s not. But it sure as heck is worth it. As a woman who has been in recovery for over six and a half years, my life is immeasurably better: there is less drama, I have fun, I don’t have to sell my belongings to get four bottles of wine on the way home. I feel great most days, and I can’t imagine a life so painful that I have to numb myself every day. Today I want to be present and I want to show up.

    If you want to extend Sober October into November and beyond (or if you think you might want to try again sometime in the future), there are many resources to help you on your journey to recovery. As Tawny suggests, we need to examine a problematic relationship with alcohol and get to the heart of why we’re using it as a coping mechanism. There are many pathways of recovery and many supportive groups to help you with the process. Here are my top five tips:

    1. Find a pathway of recovery that works for you. Whether it’s AA, SMART Recovery, or a meditation community, there is something for everyone. Don’t give up until you find one that works.
    2. Work with a great therapist to help you through the process.
    3. Build social supports. Find a local recovery community in your area, like an Alano Club. The Meetup website is a great way to find sober groups to hang out with.
    4. Find an online supportive community. Reddit and Facebook groups (She Recovers Together, Sober SHAIR Group, HOMies, Life After 12-Step Recovery) are great supportive communities.
    5. Read recovery literature.

    If you’re still unsure and want to ponder the idea of continued sobriety, why not follow Joe Rogan’s Sober October thread? Or you can continue to read recovery publications to see if this is a lifestyle you want now that you’ve had a taste of it. I can recommend staying alcohol-free indefinitely, but you have to do what is right for you when you’re ready. If Sober October opens the doorway to that challenge, then I wholeheartedly support you!

    Note: heavy drinkers should not stop drinking alcohol suddenly without medical supervision. Going “cold turkey” can cause serious and even life-threatening complications.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Marijuana Anonymous Sparking More Interest In Canada

    Marijuana Anonymous Sparking More Interest In Canada

    Marijuana Anonymous uses an adaptation of the 12 steps from Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

    For some marijuana users, Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous don’t quite feel like a good fit. 

    That’s why in some areas, Marijuana Anonymous is being introduced as an alternative. According to Vice, the group follows similar routines and readings as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. But it was created especially for marijuana users, as some felt that they did not identify with those individuals at AA meetings, while others who’d attended NA felt their marijuana use was dismissed as not being serious enough.

    In Simcoe, Ontario, Marijuana Anonymous meetings began in March 2018. Typically attendance hovers around five members. The Simcoe meeting is one of about 12 in the country, while there are hundreds of AA and NA meetings in comparison.

    One member, David, tells Vice he discovered the meeting online. Prior to attending, he had tried other recovery groups, as he also struggles with alcohol use. But for David, those groups weren’t effective when it came to addressing marijuana.

    “I knew I had a problem,” David told the group at the meeting. “My life had become totally unmanageable. I had become totally isolated… smoked a lot of joints.” 

    Marijuana Anonymous roughly follows the same 12 steps as NA and AA. However, the group celebrates milestones with a token of their own—small rocks painted with an M and A to represent the group’s name.

    “They’re called Stones for Stoners,” David said during the meeting. “I should probably collect because I’m 21 days away from nine months without weed.”

    According to Vice, Marijuana Anonymous members are to try and stay removed from providing thoughts about topics such as legalization of recreational marijuana. But outside these groups, the conversations are happening.

    David Juurlink, an addictions expert and head of clinical pharmacology and toxicology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, tells Vice that marijuana use disorder is legitimate, but that the withdrawal symptoms of marijuana are much less severe so people tend to view it as safer.

    “Alcohol withdrawal kills people,” he said. “Once people drinking 40 ounces of alcohol a day stop, they can go into withdrawal and they can die. Opioid withdrawal is a big deal. Someone who is a heavy user of cannabis who stops is not going to die. They are going to have trouble sleeping, they’re going to be irritable, they might have weird dreams, they might have anxiety. And all of these things might get better when they resume their cannabis again.”

    According to the MA public information trustee, Josh, interest in the group is growing. He tells Vice that there has been a 51% increase in calls to the organization’s phone line over the past year.

    Soon, Canada may become an important destination for Marijuana Anonymous members, as the country is hosting the 2019 world convention and conference in Toronto and Vancouver, Vice notes. The conference just happens to fall around seven months after Canada will implement the legalization of recreational marijuana, which members say is a coincidence. 

    “As legalization happens and becomes more ingrained in our culture, we probably will see a rise in attendance but at the same time, we’re an anonymous corporation,” MA member Lori told Vice.

    “I was miserable and I was lonely, so eventually I ran out of excuses as to why my life was a mess,” she added. “There’s all these conjectures and this thinking that pot’s not addictive, so as an addict I latched onto that. Then I get to MA and I hear the stories and I see the recovery and I say OK, I will give this a shot. And things went much better.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Language Matters: A Recovery Scientist Explains the Impact of Our Words

    Language Matters: A Recovery Scientist Explains the Impact of Our Words

    If a person has internalized the negative stereotypes associated with being “an addict,” are they more likely to have a fixed mindset and believe they cannot improve or change?

    Over 21 million Americans have substance use disorder and fewer than 3.8 million individuals receive treatment each year. 28 percent of the individuals who need treatment, but do not receive it, report stigma as a major barrier to accessing care. If we want to destigmatize addiction — a highly stigmatized disorder — then we need a unified language.

    The words we use have been shown by researchers to not only negatively influence our attitudes toward people in recovery and people who use substances — to the extent of suggesting that a health condition is a moral, social, or criminal issue — but they also impact access to health care and recovery outcomes.

    This article isn’t a mandate for everyone to start policing language, but it was motivated by a genuine desire to look at the evidence: how we speak to someone with substance use disorder matters. In the midst of a public health crisis, we can’t dismiss the use of language as just semantics, trivial, or being overly politically correct. We don’t have that luxury when 64,000 Americans die from drug overdoses each year and over 88,000 die from alcohol-related causes.

    Building upon an already existing foundation of work in this field, recovery scientist and researcher Robert Ashford and colleagues conducted a larger study of the general public measuring both implicit and explicit bias elicited by certain common words and phrases, which was published in June. I was fortunate to speak with him about the study, the impact of language, and how we can apply this information to help fight stigma.

    The Fix: Let’s say you’re among peers in recovery and you refer to yourself by a term which your study has shown to be a derogatory, like “addict,” “alcoholic,” or “substance abuser.” How does that contribute towards the stigma those in recovery face?

    Robert Ashford: This is an interesting question, and one from an evidence perspective, we don’t have exact answers on. Anecdotally, we believe that even though it is probable that this type of language has an impact on things like self-stigma, self-esteem, and a sense of self-worth, it is more important that people have the right to label themselves as they choose, especially as it concerns the recovery community. The fact is that the use of pejorative labels has had a decades-long place in popular mutual-aid programs like AA and trying to tell the mutual aid recovery community what to do isn’t a goal, nor should it be in our minds. At the end of the day though, it is important for people in recovery to understand that the use of such labels may become internalized over time, leading to decreases in self-esteem and such. However, without more evidence, it is merely hypothetical at this point.

    In what ways does it impact their lives? For example: their access to, and quality of, healthcare?

    Generally, the use of terms such as “substance abuser,” “addict,” and others have been found to be highly associated with negative attitudes (i.e. bias) in the general public, among behavioral health professionals, and in medical professionals. These negative associations ultimately lead to all types of stigma (social and professional) and ultimately to very explicit discrimination. On a personal level, we know that just over 25% of individuals with a severe substance use disorder don’t seek treatment each year due to the belief that they will be stigmatized or discriminated against by their friends, neighbors, or employers. Additionally, this type of bias has also been found to decrease the willingness and efficacy of medical services delivered to patients that have a severe substance use disorder. Access and the quality of treatment in the United States has many barriers and enhancing those barriers through the use of language is an easy fix – just by changing the way we talk!

    What would be an alternative, less-stigmatizing term?

    Any term that puts the focus on the individual as a human is bound to be less stigmatizing. For example, individuals are not “addicts” or “substance abusers,” but rather, “people with a severe substance use disorder” or a “person who uses substances.” Language changes constantly, but the one commonality in terms of bias and stigma seems to be that when we can restore or focus on the humanity of an individual through our language, we will be speaking from a better place.

    How might that term be more empowering to the individual, and in what ways?

    As a person in recovery, I can speak personally that when using terms that are rooted in humanity, I get a better sense of myself and the conditions that I have either lived with or am living through. Often times when we are in the midst of a severe substance use disorder, faced with a constant barrage of language that is meant to disempower and dehumanize, we began to internalize those labels. While it is possible in certain settings that these terms are used as a reminder of a previous identity – intending to provide some sense of catharsis in the recovery process, or a mechanism for not returning to a previous state – I think it is equally plausible that we can be reminded and have that benefit by using terms that don’t immediately degrade our very essence as people.

    I’m curious how a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset might inform our choices of words? Corollary, how does each mindset inform how we interpret what we hear from others?

    This an interesting question, especially in applying the growth and fixed mindset theories from childhood development and education to the field of substance use and recovery. The theory suggests that those who believe they can improve or change (growth mindset) are more likely to engage in activities that allow them to grow, and those that believe they cannot improve or change (fixed mindset) or less likely to do so. In the context of recovery and substance use, this has immense potential to inform how language truly does impact individuals in or initiating recovery. If a person has internalized the negative stereotypes associated with being “an addict,” are they more likely to have a fixed mindset? While there are surely myriad reasons for the challenges faced by people with a severe substance use disorder, mindset may indeed be a big part of it.

    You’ve done an incredible amount of work in educating both those in recovery and clinicians about the importance of the language we use. Some of your research features infographics about negative language and presents a positive alternative (below). For those who may need further clarification, what is the difference between pharmacotherapy (or medication to treat substance use disorders) and medication-assisted recovery?

    The infographics we made from our results have sure inspired a lot of conversation – which is exactly what we hoped for as scientists! One of the constant topics has been around “medication-assisted treatment,” “pharmacotherapy,” and “medication-assisted recovery.”

    Pharmacotherapy is the use of medications to treat a disorder/disease/ailment – specific to our field, this would imply treating a substance use disorder with medications. The term had significantly more positive associations than a similar term, “medication-assisted treatment” from our tests and we wanted to make the suggestion to use it instead.

    “Medication-assisted recovery” on the other hand can be considered the use of substance use disorder medications, combined with the use of recovery support services such as MARS recovery meetings, engaging with a peer recovery support specialist, utilizing a recovery community organization, or attending a MAR-friendly 12-step meeting. The biggest difference is that not everyone who uses substance use disorder pharmacotherapy wants, or would consider themselves, in recovery. Keeping the two terms separate gives people an option, and from a research prospective, both terms are associated with the positive and their use isn’t likely to elicit implicit bias among the general public.

    Figure: Suggested Recovery dialects


    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Support Group Helps Mothers Affected By Opioid Crisis

    Support Group Helps Mothers Affected By Opioid Crisis

    “Families that are battling this disease, we suffer in silence. The fact that we can have love and kindness from somebody makes a world of difference.”

    For families affected by opioid use disorder, support groups can be their only outlet. More have cropped up amid the national epidemic of chronic opioid use and death, allowing parents, sisters, brothers, friends, and more to share their pain, frustration and loss with others who are going through the same thing.

    One such group, based in Plainville, Massachusetts, brings together mothers who meet every Saturday to talk about how opioid addiction has affected their lives.

    The group, called Unconditional Love, first began meeting in June 2014 at Plainville United Methodist Church. The women come from every stage of addiction and recovery, whether they have children with years’ worth of sobriety or whether they have lost them to addiction.

    “Families that are battling this disease, we suffer in silence,” said founder Robin Hamlin. “The fact that we can have love and kindness from somebody makes a world of difference.”

    “They all had their own journey and their own ways of dealing, and I got something from each and every one,” said Linda Irvin, who lost her son Danny. “It helped me get up in the morning and do something, even if it was just get up.”

    Hamlin, 56, started Unconditional Love four days after the death of her son Brian, who suffered a seizure with one year sober, according to The Sun Chronicle.

    Brian first became hooked on painkillers that were prescribed for an injury during college. Thirteen years later, he committed to sobriety. He was very active in his recovery, Hamlin recalled. He managed the sober home he was living in and would help his mother plan support group meetings.

    Hamlin not only runs the support group, she also visits recovery centers to share her story. Her long-term goal is to open a recovery center in Brian’s name.

    “I’m trying to have this make a difference. Is it going to change what happened to our children? No,” she said. “But it’s going to help other people, and that’s what we fight for. Because when you can talk about it, save a family or give an addict hope, then it’s a beautiful day.”

    According to the women in the group, letting go of blame, and realizing that addiction is a family disease, made it easier to cope with their pain and loss.

    “We’re all in that war, and have beautiful families that are devastated. And it needs to stop,” said Hamlin. “You work on your family your whole life and this disease comes in and slowly takes everything apart, and that’s why it’s a family disease.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • "The 13th Step": Inside AA's Subculture Of Sexual Predation

    “There are groups in AA where you could call it a meat market,” says one former AA board director.

    Sexual predation in Alcoholics Anonymous is a troubling and common occurrence, according to The Orange County Register.

    The “avalanche” of allegations against former Hollywood power players like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey “have been a horrifying reminder of the prevalence of sexual assault, harassment, exploitation and abuse in American society,” the Register noted—and AA meetings are no different.

    Some men there, too, use their stature and influence to prey upon unsuspecting women who are otherwise simply seeking recovery. (It happens so often, in fact, that it’s commonly referred to as “The 13th Step.”)

    Unfortunately, “there is something uniquely heartbreaking” about sexual abuse in AA, Vice noted, as their members are routinely encouraged to “look for their part” in the events that have transpired. 

    Many argue that AA, by its very design, is to blame.

    “Victims, former officials and some members say the culture of the organization—unregulated and loosely organized—puts vulnerable alcoholics at risk to predatory leaders whose only credential is their longtime sobriety,” the Register reported.

    Additionally, some members of AA are sexual offenders whose presence in the rooms is court-mandated. Unless someone volunteers their criminal history, no one would be the wiser.

    Offenders, thanks to the program’s core tradition of anonymity, can hide in plain sight. While a representative for AA’s General Service Office in New York told the Register that each local group operates independently, AA leaders in the U.S. and Canada have since developed guidelines and literature that specifically acknowledges the inherent danger of sexual predation.

    As such, the fellowship created a “safety card” that reads (in part): “We request that members and others refrain from any behavior that might compromise another person’s safety.” 

    Still, many critics insist that AA’s General Service Board can do far more to protect its members than printing up a small yellow card: “Each group is autonomous. That’s… an excuse not to use the power the board has to stop abusive behavior,” James Branscome, a former AA board director, told the Register. “There are groups in AA where you could call it a meat market. You have older guys hitting on newcomer women. Some groups are hijacked by gurus, and AA will claim they have no power to do anything about it.”

    Meanwhile, sexual attacks involving AA leaders keep mounting in California, the Register reported, detailing several cases of abuse, rape and murder that have occurred in recent years. Sexual predation, however, remains a thorny cultural issue within the walls of AA meetings.

    As some men take dark advantage of anonymity and vulnerability, the women who’ve been victimized continually find themselves in an outrageously precarious position.

    One woman, for example, told her sponsor about a rape and was quickly discouraged from going to the police. Sadly, that became a common refrain for the victim, as fellow AA members told her that she was scaring off newcomers with her story.

    “They said I was ruining people’s chance to get sober,” she said. “Rape was an outside issue.”

    View the original article at thefix.com