Taking Control: a Key Element to a Drug Free Existence

There has been an ongoing dispute amongst professionals in the field of substance abuse and addiction, how to view people dependent upon drugs and alcohol.  This dispute became a hot topic on the Congressional floor when then Senator, Joe Biden, proposed legislation to adopt the names “National Institute on Diseases and Addiction” and the “National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health”, from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Addiction as a Disease

Although this legislation did not pass, it made the substance abuse field take a hard look at whether or not treatment facilities should adopt a disease model.  It has been seen however, that the success rates of centers that took on this disease model, did not fair any better in the treatment of addicts, than that of centers who didn’t.  Another risk of this disease model is in the prescribing of drugs to “treat” the addiction.  A great example of this can be seen with Methadone, which is a synthetic form of opiates used to treat heroin addiction.  “Street Methadone”, methadone that is acquired outside of treatment, has been seen as having a greater risk of overdose than the opium based drug that it was designed to treat.

Past Beliefs Related to Addiction

Historically, addiction was rarely, if ever, considered a disease.    In 1933, the British Journal of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction published an eye-opening article by E.W. Adams M.D… When speaking about addicts, he said that alcoholics and drug addicts “seek means to make reality less real.” He also went on to say “The average drug addict does not accept the universe. He is on the run from reality. He is a person who, could he have been asked beforehand whether he was willing to be a candidate for life with all its responsibilities and duties, would have replied in the phrase of Calvin Coolidge: “I do not choose to run.”

Seeing is believing

As times and beliefs have changed, relative to addiction, the Narconon Program has been steadfast in there methodology.  This methodology has proven successful time and time again, with an astounding 75% rate of success.  Narconon helps those addicted to drugs and or alcohol to take control of their lives, and figure out a way to live a productive, happy life.  Narconon believes that once an individual understands that they have absolute control of themselves and the choices that they make, steering clear of drugs and alcohol becomes somewhat simplified.  As with other programs that base treatment on the idea of disease, the success rates are often less than successful.  These treatment programs accept multiple relapses as part of the process and as an indicator of a need for an adjustment in the treatment plan.

The Bottom Line About Addiction

Bobby Wiggins, a Drug Education and Prevention Specialist at Narconon International states, “In the field of drug treatment, we do not find that informing an addict that his condition is disease related benefits him anymore than dissuading him that his condition is not a disease is necessary.” Wiggins continues to say, “The simplicity is that an addict needs to gain control of his own life, or the need for drugs will persist. The hard part remains starting the addict on this path, because the last aspect of reality that an addicted person can grasp is that life is livable without his drug of choice.”  Fortunately for the addict, addiction can be successfully resolved.  It is just a matter of taking that first step on the road to recovery.

How to Seek Help For Drug Addiction

If you or someone you know is battling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you must get help immediately.  The staff of Narconon Vista Bay rehab reviews drug and alcohol addiction and is more than qualified to assist you in getting into treatment. We care, and can help you find an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab facility and get you or a loved one on the road to a life free from addiction.

Call us toll free 1-800-556-8885 to talk with a Registered Addiction Specialist.  We will help you help yourself.