2. Pathways to Recovery
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) defines addictions/substance use disorders as occurring “when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home.” SAMSHA’s working definition of recovery from substance use disorders is, “a dynamic process of change through which addicted individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life and strive to reach their full potential.”
There is no set “blueprint” that can be used for helping all addicts/alcoholics successfully achieve long-term recovery from their addictions. Recovery is unique to the individual; it differs on a case-by-case basis. In this week’s column, I’d like to focus on two different pathways to recovery: clinical pathways and non-clinical pathways.
Clinical pathways are recovery processes that are aided by the services of a healthcare provider, clinician, therapist or other credentialed professional.
Non-clinical pathways are recovery processes that do not use healthcare professionals or medicine. These pathways are often community-based and peer-supported.
The majority of recovering addicts that I personally know (it’s a lot) used a clinical pathway to begin their recovery journey from their addiction(s). The most common clinical pathway to recovery often entails an addict attending a medical detox center where medical professionals perform what is referred to as a “medically assisted detox” where doctors, nurses and other trained medical professionals administer certain medications to help ease the discomforts of drug withdrawals. The detox process generally takes anywhere from 2-7 days depending on the type of drug(s), how much and how often the addict is using. After completing the detox process, addicts usually enter either a short-term or a long-term rehabilitation center/program. A short-term rehab can last anywhere from 7-28 days (often comes down to money available and/or insurance policies, but I’ll save that for another day). A long-term rehab can last anywhere from a couple of months to even years long. During an addict’s stay in rehab, they are required to attend daily groups and meetings with other patients. These groups are often led by trained professionals, nurses, clinicians and/or therapists with the common goal of helping addicts better understand their addictions while also helping equip them with basic life skills and coping mechanisms to help lead a more functional life, without the use of illicit mind or mood-altering substances. There are other, different, clinical pathways to recovery. My example is just one very common (and condensed) example of an addict using a clinical pathway to begin their recovery journey.
Other recovering addicts that I personally know used a non-clinical pathway to begin their long-term recovery from their addiction(s). They were able to stop using drugs without the use of a medical institution, medicine, medical professional, trained clinician or credentialed therapist. Some of the most common non-clinical pathways to recovery often involves routine attendance to community-based, peer-supported, self-help groups. Some of these groups can include, but are not limited to, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Gamblers Anonymous or Sexaholics Anonymous. These self-help groups often follow a twelve-step process that was first formulated by other addicts and alcoholics back in 1938. Self-help groups are a place where addicts can safely share with each other their experiences while using drugs, experiences while getting sober and (if applicable) experiences while in sustained long-term recovery from their addiction(s).
At the end of the day, only the addict himself/herself can choose which pathway to recovery they feel will be best suited in helping them to begin their recovery journey from their addiction(s). Whether an addict uses a clinical pathway to recovery or a non-clinical pathway to recovery, the end goal of each remains the same; To help the addict recover from their addiction(s).
And remember, if you’re struggling, or know someone who is struggling, please don’t lose hope. If that had happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to spread awareness today.
