When Dennis Rosenfeld, of LaGrangeville, New York, realized he needed help, he found it through SMART Recovery.  SMART worked so well for Dennis, that he decided to give back. In 2017, he became an online volunteer.  Dennis now facilitates four meetings a week and since 2018 is on the SMART Recovery Online (SROL) Leadership Team.  […]

During treatment, you were sheltered from the temptations of the outside world. You were provided with constant care, contact with the outside world was limited, and you had access to meetings, counseling, monitoring, and support, around the clock. All of these support mechanisms help you through the inevitable relapse triggers you experience in the early stages of recovery.

But what about life after leaving Fellowship Hall?

For anyone who is newly sober, learning to adapt and maintain your recovery in the “real” world again is a challenge.  No longer protected by the shield of in-patient treatment, you must begin rebuilding your life by finding ways to cope with your personal triggers.

Think about the trigger mechanism of a gun; it must be pulled to spark the reaction that releases a bullet from the chamber. For those in recovery, relapsing can be viewed in the same light—people, places and things, or our feelings and thoughts, can pull that trigger.  Without coping skills and immediate action, this pull of the trigger will put you right back where you started, back in your active addiction. These triggers during your early recovery may begin with something as small as a thought, which then leads to a craving, which then leads to a relapse. Once the bullet of a gun leaves the chamber, you can’t put it back, the choice is permanent. In many ways, a relapse is the same: it takes you right back to ground zero of your recovery— if you are lucky enough to survive it.

Each day life brings new challenges, new situations, and perhaps even unfamiliar feelings that you once numbed with substances. This is particularly true right now. We are all dealing with a new reality and trying to navigate our recovery in that new reality.

During early recovery, you are essentially an infant in the world of emotional sobriety while you establish your new personal base-line. Each individual is different in their disease, making it crucial for you to recognize what personally triggers you. Once you identify these triggers, you may then work to avoid them…

Here are seven steps to help YOU face your relapse triggers:

1. Be aware of complacency, euphoric recall, and forgetting the pain that addiction has caused. Get in touch with the pain that your substance use caused.

2. Be conscious not to drift away from recovery. Regular AA and NA attendance is extremely important. It’s an easy and common mistake for people to reduce meeting attendance, stop calling a sponsor, or just stop going to AA/NA altogether! Today that means adapting to the online meeting world, and making phone calls is more important than ever.
3. Remember the H.A.L.T concept.  When you become restless, irritable, and discontent, ask yourself, “Am I hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?”  If so, these feelings could increase the risk of relapse.  Only you have the power to address these feelings with the recovery tools you now possess.
4. Talk about feelings openly in meetings and with a sponsor.  Most people will never heal what they do not feel.
5. Remember, the brain chemistry has been changed.  You WILL be triggered at some point in time but don’t allow a trigger to be romanced into a craving. Remember, each time you get a craving and DON’T use or drink, a new pathway in the brain is formed. Overtime, the cravings will fade.
6. Remember to assess your motives for being around certain people or going certain places.
7. Think before you drink or use. The time to call that sponsor is before, not after!

Even with the best-laid plans to avoid relapse triggers and prevent relapse, the risk is always there. If you get caught off guard and slip-up, it does not mean that you are a failure and doomed forever. Recovery is always possible, as long as you are willing to pick yourself up and try again–and the sooner you act after a relapse the better.

About Fellowship Hall
Fellowship Hall is a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.

Join the Delaware/District of Columbia/Maryland Region of SMART Recovery for the 5th Annual SMART Recovery East Coast Conference: What Sets SMART Apart! on Saturday, October 24, 2020. The morning keynote speaker will be Dr. Christopher C. Wagner, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.  His scholarship focuses on motivational interviewing and interpersonal processes […]

Charles Novak, MS, MLADC, learned about rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) while in prison. The approach to overcoming addiction made sense to him, but when his five-year sentence ended, Novak discovered there wasn’t a similar treatment readily available. “There only seemed to be 12-step programs,” he recalls. While studying to be an addictions counselor, he learned more about […]

A Message from the Director on Racially Motivated Violence
jlinton
Thu, 06/04/2020 - 09:44

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This is a painful week in the United States as we again confront the systemic racism that has plagued our country since its founding. Listening to the conversation on racism taking place right now in response to the recent violent deaths of African Americans is critical, and I encourage readers to hear what Black/African Americans are saying about their experiences.

NIH’s mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. Science has told us repeatedly that systematic, widespread discrimination of Black/African-American people is diametrically opposed to these aims, and what’s more, it is unacceptable and wrong.

The long history of discrimination against racial minorities in America bears directly on NIDA’s mission to address addiction as a disease rather than a moral failing to be dealt with through punishment. Whites and Black/African Americans use drugs at similar rates, but it is overwhelmingly the latter group who are singled out for arrest and incarceration. This use of drug use and addiction as a lever to suppress people of a particular race has had devastating effects on communities of color.

We know that science itself is at its best when it is most inclusive, and humans are best when we embrace diversity. Conversations about systemic racial inequalities can be uncomfortable but are clearly needed. Entrenched, systemic, pervasive racism is perpetuated by silence, and we cannot let it continue. I look forward to working with the addiction science community – researchers, the medical community, law enforcement, advocates, policymakers, other stakeholders and the public – to eradicate discrimination and promote equality.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
Director

Provided by SMART Family & Friends Facilitator, Kathy Lang Surely one of the lessons of the past few months in dealing with COVID-19 has been the value of developing patience.  In our Family & Friends meetings here at SMART, we often stress the importance of patience.  Why?  It’s because we recognize that it takes time for change to happen.   […]

How to Maintain Recovery During Isolation: 6 Tips from Nataki Watson, a Primary Counselor at Fellowship Hall

It may sound cliché but right now we really are living in unprecedented times. There is immense anxiety and uncertainty all around. Staying focused, grounded, and connected have become quite difficult. The recovery community is built on the power of connection, so it stands to reason that maintaining one’s recovery in a time when we are all isolated from one another can seem like a momentous task.

Here are 6 recommendations for maintaining your recovery:

• Change the Channel

Stop watching the news!! It is incredibly overwhelming the amount of scary or sad news there is out there being constantly streamed in through the television, radio, and social media. Five minutes glancing through news stories is enough to raise your anxiety exponentially. There is a benefit to staying informed, but sticking to reputable news sources for a small allotment of time is more than enough information. Instead of reading or watching endless news, try a new book, or podcast, or TV show. This is also a good time to pick up some new recovery literature. The point is to replace the negative with something positive and uplifting; and if that can also be something that is recovery oriented, all the better.

• Keep an Open Mind

The cool thing about this time is we are discovering new ways of connecting with each other. Although it may not be in person, technology (and more free time) is allowing folks to reconnect with friends and loved ones all over the world. For some, it is really daunting not being able to attend meetings in person. Keeping an open mind and embracing technology can allow you to expand your meeting attendance in number, as well as geography. It’s been pretty cool dropping in on meetings all over the world, at all times of day! There are opportunities for smaller groups to coordinate and meet for more private and intimate talks as well. This is a great time to think outside the box to figure out how to use technology as a plus to boost your recovery. Staying connected with your network is vital; now is the time to lean into each other.

• Get Up and Get Out

When in doubt, get up and go outside! Personally, the closing of gyms has been HORRIBLE for me!! But, I decided to stop complaining about it and go outside. I have tried new trails, taken longer walks, and I even tried jogging…which I said I would NEVER do! The fresh air and exercise is great for anxiety and helps boost your mood. Even a walk around the neighborhood is invigorating and helps when your mind starts going down some negative paths. This is also a good time to listen to your favorite music, catch up on a podcast, or listen to an audio book. Again, use technology to your advantage! There are several great recovery based podcasts out there that are very helpful as well. A few to try out are: The Bubble Hour, Busy Living Sober, The Sober Guy, and The Boiled Owl Coffee Club.

• Keep Calm and Carry On

I cannot stress enough (no pun intended) the importance of meditation. You don’t need to be perfect at it, just intentional. The more you practice, the better you will be. It doesn’t take much at all to begin to feel the real benefits of it. Spirituality is the core of recovery. Taking time to reconnect with yourself-and your Higher Power- will go a long way to easing your stress. YouTube is full of thousands of different meditations that vary in type and length. There’s something for everyone regardless of your level of comfort or expertise. There are also several meditation apps available, many of which are free or low cost. A few suggestions are 12 Step Meditation and Daily Reflections for AA, NA, and Al-Anon; Calm; Ten Percent Happier; and Headspace.

• Lend a Helping Hand

One of the best ways to get out of your head and boost your mood is to show kindness to others. Service can be done in a wide variety of ways, and there is no better time than a global pandemic to show a little love to someone else. Although we must keep our distance, this is a great time to let others know that you see them and they matter. Volunteering to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor; helping a friend’s child with their homework over video chat so their parent can take a break; or sending a hand written card or note to a friend or loved one that you haven’t spoken to in a while are just a few examples of things that you can do to take your mind off what may be troubling you and keep you busy giving back and sowing a little kindness. Get creative with it; nothing supports healthy recovery like service.

• Keep an Attitude of Gratitude

Last but certainly not least, take a moment or two each day to remember all the things you have to be grateful for. We all have so much to be grateful for, including the fact that you have made it through another day without drinking or using. Sometimes, that fact can be easily blocked out by the noise and the chaos of all the things that feel like they are going wrong and are definitely out of our control. Being intentional and taking the time to really count your blessings, is a quick way to help you regroup and refocus.

About the writer, Primary Counselor Nataki Watson

Nataki Watson is a Primary Counselor at Fellowship Hall. Prior to joining the Fellowship Hall team, she worked as a Behavioral Assessment Counselor and Inpatient Case Manager. As a former Assessment Counselor, she completed psycho-social assessments with new guests entering treatment where she enjoyed meeting and getting to know each guest as they began, or sometimes continued, their recovery journey. She is passionate about connecting with others and providing them with the opportunity to really be seen and heard.

About Fellowship Hall
Fellowship Hall is a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.

A Memorial Day Message from Justice For Vets Director Scott Tirocchi

Each year, my small New England town of about 4,000 has a Memorial Day parade. Participants will typically “step off” promptly at 8:30 a.m. Led by a color guard, we watch local marching bands, youth scouting organizations, and veterans from the local American Legion Post. Close behind them will be the 4H Club, followed by members of the town council and school committee. Next, the volunteer ambulance corps and the police department. And finally, the volunteer fire department will proceed by. From start to finish, the parade takes about 25 minutes, and the entire route is just under half a mile.

As the parade moves, so too will the spectators. Both participants and spectators alike will end up gathering en masse in the town center. When there is a general sense that everyone is present, a lull will pass over the crowd, and the organizer of the event will cue the band to play the national anthem and, once complete, lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. A prayer will be spoken by a member of the clergy. Then a local veteran will say a few solemn words, share a story based in sacrifice, and request a moment of silence to honor those who died in the service of this country. A wreath will be laid at the base of the granite veterans memorial. The sounding echo of “Taps” played off in the distance by a local high school student will conclude the event. The gathering will soon disperse.

My family and I are going to miss this year’s Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, which has been canceled because of the pandemic. For many of you, your usual Memorial Day public activities will be canceled, too. I wanted to share my town’s tradition with all of you because, despite this national crisis, we have a responsibility to remember. By describing my annual event, perhaps you can picture it unfolding this Memorial Day, or think of ceremonies you have been part of in the past. This year, Memorial Day will be different than any other. These ceremonies may not occur in real time, but nothing can stop the remembrance in our hearts; a tradition that pays homage to those service men and women who died while serving this nation. We will never forget them.

Have a safe and peaceful Memorial Day.

Sincerely, Scott Tirocchi
Director, Justice For Vets

The post A Responsibility to Remember appeared first on NADCP.org.

Addressing the Stigma that Surrounds Addiction
mfleming
Mon, 05/25/2020 - 12:44

Untreated drug and alcohol use contribute to tens of thousands of deaths every year and impact the lives of many more. Healthcare already has effective tools including medications for opioid and alcohol use disorder that could prevent many of these deaths, but they are not being utilized widely enough, and many people who could benefit do not even seek them out. One important reason is the stigma that surrounds people with addiction.

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Source: Pixabay.com/CC0

Stigma is a problem with health conditions ranging from cancer and HIV to many mental illnesses. Some gains have been made in reducing stigma around certain conditions; public education and widespread use of effective medications has demystified depression, for instance, making it somewhat less taboo now than it was in past generations. But little progress has been made in removing the stigma around substance use disorders. People with addiction continue to be blamed for their disease. Even though medicine long ago reached a consensus that addiction is a complex brain disorder with behavioral components, the public and even many in healthcare and the justice system continue to view it as a result of moral weakness and flawed character.

Stigma on the part of healthcare providers who tacitly see a patient’s drug or alcohol problem as their own fault leads to substandard care or even to rejecting individuals seeking treatment. People showing signs of acute intoxication or withdrawal symptoms are sometimes expelled from emergency rooms by staff fearful of their behavior or assuming they are only seeking drugs. People with addiction internalize this stigma, feeling shame and refusing to seek treatment as a result.

In a Perspective I published recently in The New England Journal of Medicine, I tell the story about a man I met who was injecting heroin in his leg at a “shooting gallery”—a makeshift injection site—in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during a visit to that country several years ago. His leg was severely infected, and I urged him to visit an emergency room—but he refused. He had been treated horribly on previous occasions, so preferred risking his life, or probable amputation, to the prospect of repeating his humiliation.

This highlights a dimension of stigma that has been less remarked on in the literature and that is uniquely important for people with substance use disorders: Beyond just impeding the provision or seeking of care, stigma may actually enhance or reinstate drug use, playing a key part in the vicious cycle that drives addicted people to continue using drugs.

Previously on this blog I highlighted research by Marco Venniro at NIDA’s Intramural Research Program, showing that rodents dependent on heroin or methamphetamine still choose social interaction over drug self-administration, given a choice; but when the social choice is punished, the animals revert to the drug. It is a profound finding, very likely applicable to humans, since we are highly social beings. Some of us respond to social as well as physical punishments by turning to substances to alleviate our pain. The humiliating rejection experienced by people who are stigmatized for their drug use acts as a powerful social punishment, driving them to continue and perhaps intensify their drug-taking.

The stigmatization of people with substance use disorders may be even more problematic in the current COVID-19 crisis. In addition to their greater risk through homelessness and drug use itself, the legitimate fear around contagion may mean that bystanders or even first responders will be reluctant to administer naloxone to people who have overdosed. And there is a danger that overtaxed hospitals will preferentially pass over those with obvious drug problems when making difficult decisions about where to direct lifesaving personnel and resources.

Alleviating stigma is not easy, in part because the rejection of people with addiction or mental illness arises from violations of social norms. Even people in healthcare, if they do not have training in caring for people with substance use disorders, may be at a loss as to how to interact with someone acting threateningly because of withdrawal or some drugs’ effects (e.g., PCP). It is crucial that people across healthcare, from staff in emergency departments to physicians, nurses, and physician assistants, be trained in caring compassionately and competently for people with substance use disorders. Treating patients with dignity and compassion is the first step.

There must be wider recognition that susceptibility to the brain changes in addiction are substantially influenced by factors outside an individual’s control, such as genetics or the environment in which one is born and raised, and that medical care is often necessary to facilitate recovery as well as avert the worst outcomes like overdose. When people with addiction are stigmatized and rejected, especially by those within healthcare, it only contributes to the vicious cycle that entrenches their disease.

See also - Words Matter - Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction

Like the The SMART Recovery program for individuals, the Family & Friends program provides science-based tools for self-empowered solutions. This introduction video shows why peer support is just as important to you as it is your loved in recovery. It also encourages taking the next step of attending a meeting where everyone is welcome. View […]