Quick Fix vs Long Term Solution

True story. When I was researching to write this blog about the “quick fix” vs long-term solution for drug and alcohol addiction I googled “quick fix’ to see what would come up. It pulled up a website to buy clean urine for drug tests in order to have “clean pee” available when you need it (thanks google).   I’m working on a  #Let’sBeHonest campaign. A place where the truth about addiction can be discussed,  good information can be shared, and common myths regarding drug and alcohol abuse, treatment, and recovery can be busted.  

Sooooo here is the first myth to bust: the quick fix. Does it work? Is 30 days in treatment enough?

“well they already went to treatment and that didn’t work”

”I’ll just go back to my therapist”

”so treatment should fix them?”

NO!
There is no such thing as a quick fix for those that struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. I’m including a 30-day treatment to be considered a quick fix.  Yeah, you heard me (almost anyone can comply for 30 days)  I've seen it happen time and time again.  30 days in and then right back out.  Treatment should only be considered a good start.  So I’ll say again “the quick fix”  isn’t the answer and many spend lots of time and energy trying to find it.  There may be quick cover-ups or fixes that just delay the inevitable, but if you are someone that is truly addicted it is going to take some work to climb out of the clutches that addiction has on your life and then finding a path that supports that journey..

I remember many years back hearing a drug and alcohol counselor say to one of his patients “it’s the price you pay for the dance you took”. It was a reference to the detox pain that the patient had found themselves struggling through, and it was the truth.  I think at the moment it felt like he was being mean and unsympathetic toward the patient but in all reality, the therapist was being honest and this person deserved the truth.  We all do. It was going to cost him to work his way out of where he was.  Our paths do cost us something, and recovery often feels painful at first, but the longer we stay in our struggle, the harder it is to get out.  On the upside the longer we pursue recovery the more we live into our best life.  Life is hard either way, .choose your hard.  Our best life isn’t void of hard, but it is the fullness of having relationships and tools to walk through the really hard things. Many people say that using and drinking takes away the sting of the hard things, but I would argue that it takes away the ability to experience the good things too.

There are many schools of thought regarding the best way for recovery to happen, but the experts that I have grown to trust and continue to work with all agree that it takes time. One study would suggest 18 months of continued treatment and recovery to greatly increase the chances of success for long-term sobriety.  Read Alcoholics Anonymous’ stories in the back to get a clearer picture of just how tricky this disease is. I say it’s for the rest of your life, so settle in. 

The HIMS program for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has created “an industry-wide effort to preserve careers and further air safety” for pilots that abuse substances.  I have been amazed at their approach but further amazed that we all don’t put our efforts into the same standards for the health and wholeness of everyone that suffers.  Due to the nature of the job, a pilot’s license is on the line if addiction is uncovered and will be revoked if the pilot refuses help.  Because of the threat to lose the license if help isn’t sought there is a much higher buy-in from the pilot.  Certainly denial and the perceived absence of leverage (everyone has something to lose) do play a part in others accepting help, but the HIMS program is a model for what we can do to move forward in getting help for all. There are other licensing agencies that have their own programs for working with persons affected by the disease of addiction. Nurses and doctors also have their own licensing agency that provides standards and regulations for returning to work.

A friend’s husband went through the HIMS program and although I remember her telling me how hard it was at first , he returned to work, as many do after a year in the program (each case is individual).  The case management follow-up is for a minimum of 5 years and up to the duration of employment.  This disease doesn’t have a quick fix and the FAA and many other agencies have recognized this truth.  They have given those that suffer a fighting chance to continue doing the work they love and a chance to live their best life.

This video from the HIMS program does a great job talking about the disease model. Although it was created for pilots the majority of its content speaks to the disease of addiction that can affect anyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahy4zPItw4E&feature=youtu.be

What standard are you using to give your loved one a fighting chance?  What standard are you using for your own life?  I am the queen of the quick solution and the princess of procrastination and when given a choice I usually default to the path of least resistance, but I have had to work harder on recovery.  My very life depended on it. I have devoted my life to it and to learning all I can to help others. The disease is a slippery slope and everyone that struggles deserves support and a chance at real recovery and the ability to live their best life!