Recovery Month

Dr. Marvin D. Seppala, Medical Director, CEO
Beyond Addictions

Working in the addiction field provides ample opportunity to witness both the miracles of recovery and the stark reality of active addiction. Addiction can destroy lives, and our culture tends to be indifferent unless it affects someone close, or is an interesting, newsworthy story. Most people only give thought to addiction when it affects someone in their family or the story becomes a voyeuristic pursuit. Those of us who treat addiction recognize it for what it is: a devastating, chronic illness that fools people into thinking the alcohol or drugs are not the problem.

I get queried regularly by friends about someone they know with a problem. It is such a common illness that people tend to forget how awful it can be to experience it or to be in a family with active addiction. Everyone starts to feel crazy. To the causal observer it just seems like they should take care of it, as if it’s as simple as placing a cast on a broken leg. Why can’t that starlet just quit using drugs and get on with her life? Addiction is remarkably different. It affects the parts of the brain that normally function to prevent risk to our lives, resulting in continued use of drugs or alcohol that promotes repeated risk. It’s a perverse cycle, at a subconscious level, that is not fully recognized by the individual. They don’t know what is happening.

We see people who’ve lost jobs, family and all their favorite activities, but cannot stop doing the very thing causing the problem. And they don’t even enjoy it anymore. A common reason people do nothing about a friend or family member is the myth that they have to want help. Most people in the midst of addiction want help at some level, but the drug or alcohol supersedes their concerns and fools them into thinking they are doing fine, that the only relief they get from their real problem (spouse, work, stress…) is the drug. We can’t wait for them to seek help. The history of addiction treatment in this country is one of raising the bottom, helping people identify addiction earlier in the course of the disease and getting treatment before it becomes severe or tragic. Good treatment helps those people who can’t see it to open their eyes to the whole problem. We can make a difference early and save people the next worse consequence. Why should we wait for a job loss, a car accident or worse before we act to help those we love?

September is Recovery Month in the USA. Don’t let another friend or family member continue down the path of destruction without offering help. Don’t wait for them to recognize the problem, or to ask, for it may not happen. Bring attention to this vast problem. Learn more about it and determine resources that can be used to help others. Talk about your experience with addiction and shed some light on the misconceptions that keep so many people stuck in this cycle of self defeat.