Addiction clinicians ROCK! It’s a complex field and evolving all the time. But some tried-and-true tools will never go out of date. Strategies, tips, and even a laugh or two.
I still ran a treatment center, I might seriously consider targeting a group specifically to the needs of seniors, especially those with co-occurring disorders. It’s an underserved population that often doesn’t feel comfortable interacting with younger SUD patients.
Yes, to an addiction counselor it will seem reminiscent of the control strategies employed by many folks who eventually wind up in treatment.
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I remember when this was a debate within psychiatric circles around alcoholism, back when that disease was seen as a symptom of emotional problems.
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Somehow, experts believe, the brain of the chronic pain patient has “learned” to interpret certain stimuli as a threat, accompanied by danger messages in the form of pain.
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In general, the pathology of prolonged grief features intense feelings of longing for or preoccupation with thoughts of the deceased– for example, on most days or even daily over a period of time.
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Are users seeking out such ‘combo’ preparations because they want the extra kick from the interaction? To help overcome an elevated tolerance, perhaps.
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Psychological reactance is a common issue in addiction treatment wherever it’s been mandated as a consequence of an offense, or as an alternative to punishment.
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…with any helping relationship, I think it’s best to restrict self-disclosure to situations where you believe it will advance the goals of treatment.
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I’ve heard from various physicians over the years that as patient visits grow ever briefer– down to 11 minutes in some clinical settings– doctors are increasingly quick with the prescription pad.
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Offer counseling and support or even a special track for folks who “fell off the wagon”, so to speak, and now may be ready to climb back on.
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Unfortunately, their cannabis use may have become a problem, too, particularly if they’ve become dependent on the drug.
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“He just needs to hit bottom,” somebody would say of one patient or another, and I’d think, hope he doesn’t die first.
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Think about it: If a return to drug use is the only sure way to re-experience pleasurable feelings, relapse is going to seem a lot more attractive.
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