Digging For Gold: The Recovery Industry
February 17th 2007 15:14
Substance use, abuse, and addiction occur for many different reasons and come in many different forms. "It feels good to feel good", some will say. Or, for others, there is nothing like a social lubricant to launch out of an overly active inhibition. Still others simply seek numbing from the stresses and strains of life as they have thus far lived. And there are the unfortunate individuals who have reached a point where their use is less about feeling good and more about staying "well". To be sure, these latter folks are the seriously addicted.
Burnout rates of those working in the recovery industry are high. It takes a bit of time and ego re-forming to come to terms and be at peace with the reality that there will be plenty of relapse and recidivism. And all that that entails.
Recovery workers must do their due diligence and remove themselves from the moralistic, political, and other opinions and positions of subterfuge so that they may assist the addicted individual with the medical calamity that they now experience. Does it really matter, for instance, that the addict made bad choices to get to where he or she is while now in the throes of obsession and psych-physical need?
I value a persons' uniqueness and potential gift they have to offer the collective. Even those poor souls who have seemingly lost themselves in the pursuit of whatever it is they think their mind-altering substance may provide.
There is gold in there somewhere.
I urge recovery workers--line staff, therapists, medical doctors, and such--to see themselves as if they are prospecting for gold. Recovery, or uncovery, or whatever else it may be called, can only lead one closer to the precious stone within. If one were to approach these individuals as if they have a jewel inside, a strength, then teaming up with that person to find the prize can only benefit all involved.
HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR GOLD?
deorre
Burnout rates of those working in the recovery industry are high. It takes a bit of time and ego re-forming to come to terms and be at peace with the reality that there will be plenty of relapse and recidivism. And all that that entails.
Recovery workers must do their due diligence and remove themselves from the moralistic, political, and other opinions and positions of subterfuge so that they may assist the addicted individual with the medical calamity that they now experience. Does it really matter, for instance, that the addict made bad choices to get to where he or she is while now in the throes of obsession and psych-physical need?
I value a persons' uniqueness and potential gift they have to offer the collective. Even those poor souls who have seemingly lost themselves in the pursuit of whatever it is they think their mind-altering substance may provide.
There is gold in there somewhere.
I urge recovery workers--line staff, therapists, medical doctors, and such--to see themselves as if they are prospecting for gold. Recovery, or uncovery, or whatever else it may be called, can only lead one closer to the precious stone within. If one were to approach these individuals as if they have a jewel inside, a strength, then teaming up with that person to find the prize can only benefit all involved.
HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR GOLD?
deorre
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Bravo!
I keep forgetting myself in the equation when I'm working with substance-addicted people... great advice, thanks...
Lilla ...
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons