Early this year, we at ODAT voted to add my grandson, Nick, to the board of directors to bring some youthful perspectives to our deliberations.
Nick, 26, is a graduate of Little Rock’s Central high school and the University of Arkansas and is the Sales and Marketing director for Arkansas Home Furnishings Association. Except for me, our board members are in their 60’s or older. I’m in my 80’s.
In making the announcement to the media I noted that, “Nick brings to the board a familiarity with contemporary marketing strategies and a first hand knowledge of addictions involving family members and friends.”
One of Nick’s first recommendations was to add a regular “Podcast” to our communications arsenal (a web site and social media participation). I agreed, and he went shopping for the necessary equipment. We are aiming for a September opening.
Like my father, I have always been attracted to entrepreneurial jobs. My father was the publisher of a small town newspaper where hot lead was used to set type, and I delivered papers on my Iver Johnson bike and caddied on weekends during World War II. When cold type arrived in the 1960’s, I was among the first to adopt it in the papers I owned and six years ago I dropped our One Day at a Time newspaper in favor of a web site. Okay, I was a tad late on that one.
As for content, I remain steadfast in my belief that those of us who have crossed the line in our abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs can no longer drink or use successfully. In this I find support from Hazelden/Betty Ford, one of the top three treatment facilities in the world.
The disease factor
“Addiction to alcohol and other drugs is a disease of the mind, body and spirit,” Hazelden tells us, “and, if unaddressed, these addictions will get worse and are potentially fatal. There is no cure, but they can be managed. Individuals who develop these addictions are no longer able to use alcohol and drugs like other people do. Their brain chemistry has changed in a way that can be brought back into balance through rehab, but that balance will always remain vulnerable to resumed use.”
This was my experience. After 90 days of abstinence and daily attendance at AA meetings early in my sobriety, I decided I could drink again successfully. I was wrong. I went into a week-long blackout, which could have ended badly and almost did.
I have never been tempted again and subscribe to the fact that addiction is a disease and our approach must always be abstinence.
There is no “easier softer way,” but there is a way based on taking life “one day at a time,” a vital component of our approach to life.
For those attracted to scientific explanations of what’s wrong with me, take note that “Substance use increases the release of a powerful chemical called dopamine. Over time, if dopamine is routinely in abundance, the brain attempts to balance things out by producing less dopamine.
“At that point, the brain relies on substances to trigger the release of dopamine. And that is when individuals start to use alcohol and other drugs just to feel normal.”
This activity takes place in an area of the brain known as the “reward center,” the same place that regulates and reinforces natural rewards vital to existence, such as food and sex. That is why the addicted brain pursues alcohol and other drugs as if these substances are needed for mere survival. And it’s why people with addiction place that pursuit irrationally above almost any other priority.
A variety of social, psychological, genetic and other factors make some people more vulnerable than others to developing addictions. No one chooses to develop the disease. Two people may start out using alcohol or other drugs in the same way, with one person progressing to addiction while the other person does not.
Mental Health factors
More often than not, addictions are associated with complicating factors such as depression, anxiety or trauma. With such complex disorders, the most effective approach to recovery integrates treatment for addiction and mental health so that both issues are addressed at the same time.
Hazelden’s mental health services are provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists or other mental health professionals. Services may include individual or group therapy, family therapy, diagnostic assessments or medication management.
As Nick takes the lead in our Podcast project, he notes that it adds a new dimension to our mission of helping individuals deal successfully with their addictions.
“We know that the traditional methods have worked,” Nick says, “but we also agree that these methods have fallen short a time or two. This is another way to fill in some of the gaps.
“ODAT now has the unique opportunity to do something about the voids that have gone unfilled by the “traditional” recovery methods, and add to a successful practice of sobriety.
Family has always been a key component and often something we all look to for experience when talking about addiction, but it’s time to change the narrative. We have all struggled with our family members and their addictions, now we can quit talking about how much it hurt or how hard it was on each of us individually and focus on what worked.
“That is our mission at ODAT, not to rehash stories about the ugly past, over and over again, but to tell stories of hope and connect a community of addicts who are struggling.
“I want the Podcast to be a distribution point for new and unorthodox treatment methods, although not always supporting these new methods, while also letting it be a platform to discuss successes and failures. Addiction needs to become a common piece of conversation in today’s world.
Nick concludes with a quote from the movie, National Treasure:
“If there is something wrong, those who have the ability to take action, now have the responsibility to take action.”
“I think that with ODAT, we have the ability, and now we’re taking the action.”
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