When it comes to addiction, I think the treatment industry needs a big wake up call. We have skated along for too long with mediocre (and dismal) success rates, with no real innovation occurring since the dawn of AA. It is my belief that we can do better…we just need to get creative and try some new things. There is always the chance that we could stumble on a more effective approach. Instead, we seem to just keep pushing the same old treatment models, desperately hoping that somehow a miracle will occur and things will just start working better.
In particular, I especially think that many young people are put off and/or intimidated by the 12 step model that is so prevalent. I’ve seen very little innovation from the industry as far as finding an alternative way to connect with this group.
So here are 4 ideas to get the ball rolling. Humor me a bit, I’m thinking out loud here. But this is the type of stuff we need to ignite the industry:
1) Survival recovery - This could be done much cheaper than existing treatment centers if you can find a way around the liability. Take a group of recovering addicts and alcoholics, give them a guide, and send them deep into the wilderness for a few months. Make the location remote enough so that they can’t walk away from the group. “Graduates” of the program return to volunteer as future guides. Learning new skills, teamwork, connecting with nature, meetings each night around a campfire–this has real potential.
2) Fitness focused recovery – Believe it or not, there is a large portion of addicts and alcoholics that have a special connection to sports/and or fitness. I know this from first hand experience, because many clients at the treatment center I work at have expressed a strong interest in physical activity. They need to work up a sweat and get their adrenaline pumping–this is part of the physical replacement strategy for them, and it is probably more important than what our “experts” make it out to be. So why not design a program or a rehab from the ground up with fitness and nutrition as the main basis for it? This could have surprising results.
3) Recovery cruises – This one is a bit out there, but I believe it might work. Don’t think “luxury cruise,” think more along the lines of “everyone chips in and does their part.” Get a bunch of newly recovering addicts and alcoholics out there on the open sea, and this will force them to confront their addiction head-on, because there is no where to run to. There is no temptation to “walk out of treatment early” because you’re on a boat! This helps to ensure that they will see their treatment through, at least until they get back to dry land.
4) Holistic health centers - What about a treatment center that uses a holistic approach, including meditation, fitness, nutrition, and alternative medicines (such as acupuncture for stress relief)? Again, you never know what kind of surprising results you might get with this type of approach.
These are just starter ideas off the top of my head, but why not try some of this stuff? The worst that could happen is that they would share the same dismal success rates as the rest of the treatment industry. Plus, we might just learn something.
What do you think? Does the treatment industry need a fresh approach? Could these ideas work? Let us know in the comments!
Recommended Reading
- Overcoming Addiction
- Addiction Recovery is about Discovering New Layers of Information
- 51 Things You Should Know About Addiction Recovery
- Surplus in Addiction Recovery
- Holistic Addiction Treatment Center
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with you that recovery programs need to be more creative. I stopped drinking after 14 years of living the life. It has been 5 weeks now. I researched different ways of abstaining from alcohol in the weeks proceeding the day I quit. It was how I came across your blog. I liked what you wrote about and it seemed more fitting to try this creative style of recovery than the AA program, which I found was too intense for me. I could not see how AA would fit in with my lifestyle and I did not want it to take over my life. Finding this blog was one of the first steps for me, it has helped immensely to receive an email each day about the creative recovery process. Some of the steps I have taken are similar to those of AA.
This is what helped me.
1. I started a journal (while I was actively drinking). You can’t take back what you write down. When you read it with a sober head it becomes very clear that you have a problem.
2. I wrote down my goals and what I wanted my life to look like.
3. I wrote down what I was interested in and kept adding to it. (Not an easy task as you may find if you try it. Drinking had really dictated what I enjoyed but I challenged myself to find out more and more about my real self).
4. I started exercising. (Walking to begin with)
5. I woke up one morning shortly after doing these things and I tested your ‘Zero Tolerance of Alcohol Policy’. I made it through the day.
6. I made it my priority to ensure that I would not drink or think about the future just for the day.
7. I said no to invitations where I knew temptation would be rife. I needed some sober time under my belt before handling that.
8. I put myself first instead of the alcohol.
I am 5 weeks down the road now and I have run in my first 5k race. I have 2 others booked. (To keep me focused) and my big goal is to run the marathon next year.
Aside from this, I am cooking more, taking care of my home and family more and finding out who I am again.
This type of creative recovery is working for me and suits my lifestyle and personality far more than the AA program.
I just want to say thank you for writing this blog I have found it very helpful and I have often scanned the archives to help me through the day.
Hi Patrick,i have been recieving my daily dose of spiritual recovery for a couple of months now and i thought it was about time i said “Thank You” so much for your down to earth, realistic approch to recovery,i have been sober for over a year now and to be honest i was a little lost as to what i should do now,its all very well putting recovery first, and commitment in the early days is vital it was for me anyway,but the most important thing i have learned to do is live again and reading your articles on creative living,holistic healing etc,has opened up a whole new intresting chapter for me to explore,i look forward to reading more,thank you for sharing your gift,tina
Patrick and Readers,
Treatments centers offer a safe place to stop using and get information. Every operation requires gifted leadership to inspire staff and implement ideas.
One addict helping another saves lives.
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Love your stuff. Keep well. -Susan
@Madison – Wow!
Thanks for the comment, Madison. That is huge.
I’m really excited for you that you’re making progress like this. I am going to keep writing on the blog. Keep me posted as to your progress!
Good luck to you Madison and God bless…..
@Tina – I agree that it is all about learning to live again. At one point I was lost in a spiritual quest and I had forgotten to live my life….I don’t think that’s a good thing. Today I am finding balance and trying to use holistic principles. Thanks for your comment and good luck to you Tina.
@Susan – Thanks for stopping by Susan, and thanks for the comment. I would agree that running a treatment requires gifted leadership….sometimes it feels like an uphill struggle. That’s why I wish there was more innovation in the treatment industry….would love to see some folks try something different! Anyway, thanks for your comment and good luck to you Susan….