I want to thank everyone who gave me a shout out yesterday on the FAVOR Greenville transition.
I am 100% certain that FAVOR, and all it’s chapters/projects, will thrive. I am proud of the leadership team there. They won’t miss a beat.
The staff are second to none.
This organization will thrive.
8 Years
It’s very hard to move on from 8 years of work. 8 years of relationships.
So many memories and many struggles overcome. So many wins. A few losses.
We entered into each other’s lives.
We forged a bond built on the shared experience of recovery. And the shared experience of family recovery.
You supported me through some of the worst days of my life.
I love you all. Thank you.
There will never, ever be another time like this for me. Once in a lifetime. What a unique and powerful experience.
That said !!!
The Great News
I am NOT moving from the Carolinas. My new job is remote so I’m still in the area…. unfortunately, you will still have me lurking about. 😎
I also remain firmly entrenched in this field.
So you will still be subject to my rants and opinions. At a louder volume and with a wider focus… bring back the car rant? 😎
Going National
Also, I’m getting involved on a national level so I hope to spend more time with my homies.
Back in the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania… and elsewhere around the country. I hope to reacquaint myself with old friends in the “clinical world” …More to come
We can do better than “hit bottom”. The Family Recovery Coach is becoming increasingly relevant in today’s battle with addiction.
You walk into a support group, your mind is racing and you are scared to death.
The terminology may be hard to follow. It comes at you from all angles.
Angles & Terms
Detach…
Don’t rescue…
Don’t worry…
Pray…
Set boundaries…
Don’t enable…
Wait until they hit bottom and want it…
You can’t control it…
You can’t cure it…
And you didn’t cause it…
Let go and Let God…
Good advice! But, many of us need more.
We leave the meeting. Keep coming back and it will get better.
But in the meantime? Please consider the following.
Points to Consider On Family Recovery Coaching
Every family should have a family coach attached to them. Regardless of the status of the addicted individual.
The family should be able to self-referral and receive long-term, unconditional support. Without “intervention” being the end game.
A family coach should be supervised by a clinician(s).
There should be an evidence-based model guiding the coach.
Family coaches are not Alanon or Naranon sponsors.
Family coaches are not marriage and family therapists.
Qualified Recovery Coaching
They have lived experience to build on. They should meet certain qualifications and should be held to high expectations.
This is a professional discipline.
Families should shop around for services.
Be careful, the “Facebook Superstars”are NOT qualified to support families.
Family coaches should be reimbursed by 3rd party payers.
And the entire family should be the “identified patient(s)”.
Commercial insurance should step up.
That may not happen quickly or easily. But, progressive, forward-thinking partners are stepping forward.
The future will bring a paradigm shift.
Additional Info – Family Intervention Consultation
When a family situation is complex and the loved one’s addiction presents particular challenges. A formal family intervention may be helpful.
FAVOR Greenville’s Executive Director, Rich Jones, is an ARISE Interventionist. Offering consultation and support services at the FAVOR. Using a compassionate Invitational Intervention™, the ARISE Continuum of Care is a gradually-escalating process.
A process that leads your loved one into appropriate treatment and recovery.
The addicted individual is invited to join the process. Join in from the beginning with no surprises, no secrets, no coercion, and absolute respect and love.
I know that I am beating a dead horse by exploring this topic. I’m as worn out as anyone regarding the “Multiple Pathways” to recovery debate.
Yet, I can’t help but comment. It’s just too outrageous to avoid entering into the fray.
FAVOR Greenville is a recovery support services program that provides 100% free services to families, individuals and the community at large.
We are in 20 plus locations including hospital emergency departments, homeless encampments, and our 3 brick and mortar centers (Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg).
Core Values Matter
A core value is our unconditional support and love for all pathways to recovery.
We don’t care how you get better, we just want you to get better. Our approach is supported by research, evidence, and a truly open-minded attitude.
At FAVOR Greenville, we are exposed to all aspect of substance use disorder.
We see the entire spectrum. Ranging from people actively using to people 100% willing to change.
Rebuilding Lives
We see lives rebuilt every single day. We work with people regardless of where they are in their personal journey. We do not mandate superficial adherence to any one program.
We do not mandate compliance. We meet people where they are-figuratively and literally.
Around 45% of our work is done with families. Providing education, awareness, intervention support. We meet the family where they are as well.
I also run a couple of businesses that focus on mental health. Stress management, emotional coping and executive coaching.
In those venues I also see many people who are struggling with some type of substance misuse issue.
Radar Love
Thousands of people come across my radar year over year.
Inevitably, a fair number of folks will tell me about their experiences in other recovery programs and, most disturbing, their experience in other professional treatment settings.
Mostly private treatment. But also some public sector stuff (for example, the recovering professional program).
They Will Report
That they are being told to stay away from FAVOR.
That they are being told that they will use drugs and die if they believe anything other than “the true recovery pathway”.
Our way is the only way and if you do not believe that you will use and you will most certainly die.
I Heard It Again Today
Despite the fact that this issue is worn out and these people will not change I simply must say:
1). NOT TRUE -ARROGANT & DANGEROUS
There is nothing further from the truth. It is 100% a lie. A myth. A dangerous concept.
The founders of 12-step programs absolutely rejected the idea of “our way is the only way”.
The research on recovery clearly reveals that there are countless ways to get better.
When you preach the “one way only” stuff you are preaching your own program. Your own version of 12-step recovery.
You are arrogant and you are dangerous and you are 100% wrong.
The term cult-leader comes to mind.
2). DIABOLICAL
If you claim a spiritual program and then preach such things you are even more diabolical.
The core principles of honesty, open-mindedness and willingness are being thrown aside in an effort to promote your own agenda.
An agenda, that is very hard to understand.
3). CLOSE-MINDED RECOVERY
If your personal recovery is so fragile, that you need to suppress all other recovery related options, you are in serious trouble.
If you can’t open your mind to ideas you are close-minded.
4). ETHICAL VIOLATIONS
If you are professional and you engage in that behavior you are violating multiple ethical codes.
You won’t be held accountable because the world does not care enough to hold you accountable.
But don’t fool yourself into thinking it is actual legitimate clinical work.
5). TRADITIONS VIOLATIONS
It is the co-opting of a self-help program. Group therapy that involves a big book study ONLY is not therapy.
It’s also a violation of the traditions of 12-step programs.
6). THE TRUE BELIEVERS
I know that what I have said above will make little difference to all the “true believers“.
Like politics and religion; the recovery debate discussions are typically an exercise in ideological conversion rather than an exercise in learning.
I just can’t believe it…. It’s so hypocritical and disgusting.
Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs), are commonplace in the business world.
These are stretch goals, which may seem impossible, but nonetheless push organizations to the next level. People in the recovery movement shy away from BHAGs.
BHAGs are too controversial and very unrealistic.
Our Big Hairy Audacious Goals:
We believe that:
every single person impacted by this health issue (substance use disorder),
in every single place across America,
should get help for substance use related issues every single time it’s needed.
Mythical labels like “he’s in denial”, “she’s an unwilling and non-compliant patient”, and “she needs to hit bottom” have no place in the debate surrounding the delivery of any healthcare service.
These labels serve as excuses to justify the systematic mistreatment of 90% of people with substance use disorders. And, by extension, the 150 million family members standing by in stunned disbelief.
It is the professional provider’s responsibility to figure out a way to connect to the disconnected and engage the disengaged.
Healthcare Disciplines
The person suffering from substance use disorder is, by definition, impaired by a brain disorder. They are acting irrationally, as you would expect someone with a brain disorder to act.
Therefore, we need to figure out a way to connect.
We need to borrow from other healthcare disciplines and utilize evidence-based community outreach protocols to engage or re-engage people in need.
Rather than wait for the person to “have enough pain” and come back for another round. Another round of the same process that “didn’t take” the previous time.
Assertive Community Engagement
FAVOR Greenville calls this “ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT” and we are the world’s leader in the delivery of this person centered, participant first model.
How do we define recovery?
Simple, you are in recovery if you say you’re are in recovery. There is no application for membership. No right or wrong way to “do recovery”.
There is no superior recovery, equally, there is no preferred recovery. There is no “full recovery”, and most important there is no “do it this way or die” recovery. ,
Engaging Recovery Goals
Multiple pathways exist and we just want to see your life improve.
We want to see families restored and people come back to health.
We want to see people become productive and, n addition, live life to their fullest potential.
Our focus is on the upside of recovery rather than the downside of addiction.
Change Your World
We believe that if you sign on for this new lifestyle, the sky is the limit.
Life can be amazing. Uniquely amazing when you are no longer under the control of a substance.
I’m NOT saying life is easy in recovery. But it is amazing.
Recovery is NOT some life-long burden. It’s an opportunity to chase your dreams. To change your world and by extension change the WORLD.
3 Great Recovery Goals
DON’T quit.
DON’T write off recovery based on a bad experience or “failed” past attempts.
And finally, DON’T let anyone tell you what your destiny is….
Once again remember, no one owns recovery. No one gets to define the “right way”. There is no failure.
Get up… try again. Try a different way. Move forward.
We are not experts who are here to diagnosis and label you.
We don’t provide instructions and directions unless you specifically ask us for instructions and directions.
We believe in the power of the human spirit.
We believe this spirit can not be completely extinguished by addiction and our job is to meet you where you are and help you ignite your change process.
You can not “flunk out” of FAVOR Greenville. There is no right or wrong way to do recovery.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
We know that there is a wide variety of pathways and we know 46% of people figure it out in their own way.
At the same time, we believe in the power of one recovering person helping another. So we enthusiastically encourage you to come see us.
You may be able to do this on your own but it will probably be much easier with others.
IT’S JUST LOVE
To the family members: we know that substance use disorder impacts everyone.
We know that at least 60% of Americans are directly impacted (probably more).
We know that you have been told to “step back” and wait for “bottom”. We are here to tell you that, although detachment is necessary in some cases, you do not have to wait for bottom.
A PROCESS
There is no such thing as tough love.
It’s just love; or the appropriate expression of love.
We know that one family member has more impact than 8 professionals.
We want you to become experts so you can feel confident as you deal with a loved one’s substance use disorder… because there is no magic solution available.
When I give a talk I do not follow the standard company line with the generic blah blah blah….
This past year I have done a bunch of talks/presentations on recovery community centers and recovery coaching. All over the country.
I am not confrontational but I am probably a bit direct and I am not always tactful. But with me, what you see is what you get, and there is no question where I stand.
I deliver recovery coaching and run organizations that provide tens of thousands of hours of coaching. I’ve talked to at least 100 parents who have lost a child.
FAVOR GREENVILLE
FAVOR Greenville searches homeless encampments for participants who are enrolled in our program, we are in soup kitchens, schools, hospitals, everywhere.
We work with 8,000 plus families. My opinions are based on practice not theory.
I’m getting old. I don’t have enough time left to go along with things that aren’t impactful and actionable.
I have no time left to promote ideas that are old and stale.
No time for things that are not going to move the needle on recovery.
REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE
Also, before FAVOR Greenville I toiled in the medicaid/state run SUD system on the clinical side.
I’ve done tour of duty in private rehab. I’ve done community mental health, private practice, in-home mental health, in-home family services, had an intervention practice.
This gives me a unique perspective. Again, nothing theoretical about my opinion.
It’s based in real life experience and a boatload of education and academic training. I have strong opinions. I’m willing to adjust when the evidence suggest I’m wrong. But I won’t go along with the company line just because “it’s the way we do it”.
INDEPENDENT RECOVERY ORGANIZATIONS
One subject that gets attention on these trips:
I openly state that independent recovery organizations are a “major” part of the solution.
And that, sadly, they are either completely ignored or given token support in most places.
I point out the tragedy of that reality and I clarify that a peer recovery staff in a treatment setting does not constitute a robust recovery oriented system of care. Posting someone up in detox or IOP does not address the recovery issue.
It’s better than nothing but it’s not the solution.
I talk about RCO’s being essential and I state that RCO’s should have dedicated permanent funding via federal and state drug and alcohol dollars. Significant funding. On par with prevention and treatment.
WHAT DID YOU SAY RICH?
Many times there are state drug and alcohol officials and county drug and alcohol officials in the room when I make these “outrageous” statements. In some places (many places actually) this goes over like a lead balloon.
Officials in state systems do not want to hear that type of talk. But what the hell is wrong with saying that?
It’s 100% true. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT TRUE.
RICHARD JONES UNPLUGGED
However, in other places there are people who want to hear more.
There are groups that agree 100%. There are even system officials who agree.
It’s fascinating to see the difference from state to state.
I have a running joke: I usually get invited to a town only 1 time and not invited back.
Once they get Rich Jones unplugged it’s one and done…. but some are inviting me back.
Oh my… that’s scary isn’t it. What if they listen to me…
Families Against Narcotics (FAN) was born out of a town hall meeting held in 2007 – a result of two teen heroin overdoses just weeks apart in the small, middle-class suburban community of Fraser, Michigan.
All told, that community suffered 30 overdoses that year. All to heroin. Needing to do something, this determined organization set out to recruit members and educate the public.
More likely legislators with influence over FDA. Probably FDA directly.
IT’S THE ILLUMINATI ???
I’m not saying there is some Alex Jones Illuminati type stuff going on; but if you think our government is pursuing justice and truth you are silly and naive.
And this crony capitalism is not confined to any one party. Sometimes it has nothing to do with political party. It’s the regulatory body itself independent of legislators.
TRUTHS AND NORMS
This false evidence presented as real shows up in all societal institutions.
Religions, legal system/prison system, school system, military and all the other major institutions of society have their own galvanizing indisputable truths. This is what makes the institution function.
Furthermore, from a functionalist perspective, these institutions reinforce the facts put forth by other institutions because it holds everything together. Society “functions” better when all agree on “truth and norms”.
EXAMPLE #1 – RELIGION
Example: Religion has always been used to reinforce civil norms and encourage obedient behavior. In all religions and all countries it’s part of the equation. Sometimes very overt. Sometimes more covert and deceptive.
EXAMPLE #2 – DRUG LAWS AND THE INDUSTRIAL PRISON COMPLEX
Another Example: drug laws are used to perpetuate the industrial prison complex.
—The United States locks up a lot of people.
Our prison population rate of roughly 700 per 100,000 is the second-highest of 222 countries tracked by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research.
Private correctional facilities were a $4.8 billion industry last year, with profits of $629 million, according to market research firm IBISWorld. Yet we “must protect our youth from the evil drug dealers”. ALL SUPPLY SIDE INTERVENTIONS ARE DOOMED TO FAIL.
EXAMPLE #3 – THE ADDICTION TREATMENT SYSTEM & THE RECOVERY MOVEMENT
—Another example: the indisputable “truths” which hold together our addiction treatment system ($46 billion industry) and our evolving centralized “recovery movement”.
TAKE NOTE: APF and their underlings are trying to “control” the movement; including the allocation of funding.
If you think ALL the “experts and gatekeepers” at the front of our “Recovery Movement” are putting forth pure objective unbiased info you are truly naive.
NOTE: I have great respect and admiration for many people and organizations in the Recovery space.
Even if I don’t agree with the others I know they aren’t bad people. They simply have an agenda and think they know best.
WE ALL DESERVE TO KNOW THE RULE OF THE GAME
APF tried to sneak in $10 million in Self Funding through legislation that we all fought for. Money that the entire “Recovery Movement” fought for.
By and large the “Recovery Movement” has been silent. Aside from some brave voices who are willing to walk their own path. Everyone else appears to be toeing the company line.
As a matter of fact I am starting to think I must be foolish for being upset about this.
It appears everyone else in the “movement” is cool with APF’s private deal. One thing for sure. This new recovery “thing” is certainly not a movement. It’s an evolving system and a burgeoning industry.
Or more accurately, an off shoot of the treatment system. History repeating itself.
That’s fine. But we all deserve to know the rules of the game.
PUNCHED IN THE GUT
APF doesn’t represent FAVOR GREENVILLE worldview.
When FAVOR GREENVILLE advocates for legislation and recovery money WE DO NOT support any of it being allocated to “literature and training”.
We had no idea that was part of the plan. This isn’t the first time FAVOR GREENVILLE has been punched in the gut.
In February 2018 I participated in an event in Washington DC that was broadcast-with the surgeon general; and some members of congress.
At that event we (the recovery movement) officially requested $220 million.
Shortly after that event Faces and Voices/ARCO sent out an email celebrating the fact that Sheldon Whitehouse (senator) seemed on board and the $220 million request stood.
STAND UP FOR ITSELF
The recovery movement was finally going to stand up for itself and not just advocate for more money for treatment and the legacy provider system.
As the legislative process unfolded APF sent a letter to Congress proposing allocation of money in CARA 2.0 legislation.
It detailed where APF recommended the money go.
The amount allocated to recovery support (places like FAVOR; recovery housing etc…) was $7 million of a $4 billion proposal. $7 million instead of $220 million.
Furthermore, the APF letter that was sent to congress included a section that stated this request is supported by over 100 recovery organizations nationwide including the following: it then listed all the ARCO members. Including FAVOR Greenville
OVER-SIGHT OR MISCOMMUNICATION ???
I would have never signed off on those changes.
We were never ask about our support for that allocation. Not by APF; Not by Faces and Voices national.
I never said I agree with the APF document.
I never got the opportunity to review the document ahead of time. And when I did review it (after it was sent to Congress). I didn’t agree with much of it.
Perhaps it was oversight. Perhaps it was miscommunication.
CANNOT CONCEIVE
However, I can not conceive any circumstance where I would have the hubris to speak for another organization without written consent.
NO ONE SPEAKS FOR FAVOR GREENVILLE AND OUR AFFILIATES EXCEPT ME AND OUR BOARD CHAIR.
On one hand we are very frustrated at FAVOR GREENVILLE.
On the other hand it is good to have clarity and realistic expectations surrounding national advocacy.
NO INTENTION TO FUND
There is no intention to fund independent recovery supports.
It would not be politically expedient for APF and their associates to pursue such radical ideas. They will bank on toolkits and blueprints and resource lists. Much safer and acceptable to the status quo.
WE INTEND TO GAIN PROMINENCE
At FAVOR GREENVILLE we intend to gain prominence nationally based on merit and performance and winning in the free market. We know we won’t be invited to any advocacy awards dinners and we may be kicked out of the “club”.
However, we have realized that the the world outside the recovery bubble loves us and is willing to be part of the solution. Corporations, healthcare systems, benefits administrators, and the technology industry are willing partners.
WE KNOW WE CAN DELIVER
They judge us based on performance and value add. That makes us hopeful because we know we can deliver.
I would have stayed in the treatment system If I wanted to struggle with arbitrary gatekeepers and “experts”. It’s hard to abdicate authority to people who have never executed in the actual delivery of professional recovery services.
We have no intention of following people/organizations/protocols which operate mainly on theory.
Or worse organizations that just repackage the 60 year old treatment system.
I have little time nor tolerance for theory over practice.
I will follow the lead of people who add value and get things done effectively on the ground in direct service.
ACCESS TO UNLIMITED INFO
In modern society we have access to unlimited info. The isn’t 13th century feudal system where we have no info and we just need to accept that the king’s rule is “divinely ordained”.
Read. Educate yourself. Check out other sides. Access your own critical thinking. If you are in the “Recovery Movement” take time to investigate. Don’t blindly follow the herd.
For that matter. Challenge me as well. I’m not an “authority”. I just have an opinion.
Tell me how I’m wrong. Tell me where you differ.
Let’s talk!
RICHARD JONES MA, MBA, LCAS, SAP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 864-764-8504 (cell)
Here I am in the photo above – number 15; white jersey-back in my Larry Bird-esque basketball days.
How about those shorts?
I also lived in eastern Pa for 8 years after college. Including the metropolis of Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania.
I grew-up, recovered and broke into the addiction treatment field in Pennsylvania.
I get pre-occupied with South Carolina for obvious reasons. In 2012 I moved here.
This last year in 2017, South Carolina had about 800 overdose deaths, but in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania they had over 5000 overdose deaths in 2017?
A 64% increase over the past 2 years.
Outside Looking In
I’ve been in Pennsylvania a bunch this summer and early fall due to personal/family matters.
And now, as an outsider, it’s easy to see how weary communities are where the “epidemic” is concerned.
They are growing numb. If you live and work in it day to day you may not see the frustration. Maybe you do.
But I’ve been a dual resident over the past 3 months (due to some personal issues; we own a house there) and it’s very noticeable.
5000 – The New Normal?
5000 dead is going to become the new normal.
Everyone knows someone who has died from overdose.
Will we get to a place where it’s not even noteworthy???
Needed Change
Pennsylvania needs some radical change.
Not another committee. Or an additional peer recovery staff in the county detox.
Not another training or technical assistance event. No more research to identify exactly what the problem is.
Pennsylvania needs more independent autonomous recovery community organizations.
Coaches in the world harnessing the full power of the community.
Independent. Not run by your county drug and alcohol authority. That’s not their job. Their job is treatment.
Real Independent Recovery Coaching
The difference between recovery coaching being delivered by an independent organization and coaching delivered by treatment/county authority is the following:
In an independent organization RECOVERY IS THE ONLY THING WE DO.
In a treatment/county run organization recovery is another thing they do.
Because, at FAVOR Greenville, it’s the only thing we do. We will bring unique benefits to the table.
You need both of these models.
Take Action
But in most parts of the Commonwealth you only have the “peer in treatment org” model.
If the system won’t support it….Raise some money and take some action.
If inspired the community will support new efforts.
But you’re gonna have to take some chances.
I’m exposed to life in Western Pa. I don’t know as much about Eastern Pa.
At least they are looking at safe injection sites in Philly…. That’s shaking things up.
The takeaway for South Carolina. Learn from their mistakes.
Pouring money into the same things over and over yields little return on investment.
You already have the answers to your problems within you.
It should be our job to help you uncover these answers.
You are a valued person.
You are NOT a liar, cheater and a thief.
Some of these things you may have done, but that is not who you are.
You are in recovery if you say you are in recovery and no one has to approve your membership.
You are a valuable human being.
If You Are Struggling
If you are struggling with a co-occurring disorder such as depression you need to find people who support recovery from mental health JUST AS MUCH as recovery from substance use disorder.
Find helpful people who understand the whole person. Helpful people can be found in a wide variety of places.
Therapist, sponsors, coaches, friends, mentors, co-workers, teachers, people at church, family.
How Much They Care
The most important quality of an effective and supportive person is NOT THEIR KNOWLEDGE or the credentials they hold. The most important quality of a supportive person is how much they care. And they must be genuine.
They need to be honest with themselves and honest with you. It is very hard to get what you need from a phony person. And there are many phony people wandering about in today’s world.
Helpful people are healthy themselves and they are constantly looking to grow.
It’s very hard to help others if you are stagnant.
When you are in the presence of a helpful person you usually feel lifted up.
You feel better about yourself after the interaction. Not worse about yourself.
They do not preach to you or lecture you or talk down to you.
Helpful People Listen
More importantly, helpful people listen.
They listen to learn they do not listen to answer. They are genuinely curious and interested in your world.
There are 2 types of people in this world.
The first type is the person who walks into a room and everyone is happy. The other type is the person who walks out of a room and everyone is happy. Find people who fall into group 2….
If you are in the helping professions and you do not fall into group 2…you may want to rethink your profession. There is no room for miserable human service workers…
Final Note From Rich
You are worthy of a life worth living and there is no one way to get there. You can figure it out but it may be easier with some guidance along the way. FAVOR Greenville Coaches, Michelle Handler and Tricia Lawdahl both stand ready to assist and help you on your journey!
FAVOR Greenville
For More Info and Details About FAVOR Coaches click the button below.
Do we really need to continue with the Make the Addict Suffer Model?
Or is there a better way?
I have been trying to make sense of non-sense. I have a rambling theory….about 18% to 20% of people with SUD are also narcissists and sociopaths. A much higher percentage than the general population.
Perhaps this lead to the common punishing tactics used in treating this issue.
Narcissists and sociopaths will only respond to clear consequences and “tough” boundaries. You don’t LOVE a narcissist into Recovery. You paint him or her into a corner and they have no choice.
So the hard-ass stuff works on this group. BUT, stating the obvious, the overwhelming majority ARE NOT narcissists and sociopaths.
This group will actually be harmed by the hard-ass approach.
They Love You!
The media also LOVES THE NARCISSISTIC story line. Reality TV is not designed for a supportive, invitational, and ongoing recovery story.
Instead they want the drama, the confrontation, the badass story.
That culminates with someone storming out of the intervention but changing their mind just in time to fly off to rehab at the beach….. so this story line is reinforced to the general public.
Confrontation vs. Support
We tailor our interventions to the lowest common denominator. The narcissist needs to be confronted. But the majority with SUD need supported care.
And I understand why…. the punishing orientation is the only way to do treatment under our current reimbursement system.
Individualized approach to treatment is very hard to pull off when you have to pigeon hole people into groups. Group that meet 3x a week for 3 hours at a clip.
Or run a residential program for 50 plus people. You need people to “fall in line”. Or it’s chaos and mayhem.
Social Following Theory
Social following theory is the foundation of all group process and certainly the foundation for the residential experience.
You can’t have “social following” if you encourage individualism.
Social following requires group think. (This is why you will be put back into the remedial re-education group if you do not adequately “surrender”….).
This model allows for 10% of the folks in need to roll through the structure of treatment and for the reimbursement to follow.
Interestingly… the “confrontational, one size fits all, my way or the highway model”drives many potential patients away from services.
More “Hard Realities”
The tough love stuff runs many people off.
The language around treatment and recovery runs many off.
If a person in need tries some groups and they can’t fit in the box they don’t come back.
We tell people to go back out and “have more pain” then “come back when you want it”.
Sometimes we say this in subtle ways. Sometimes overt ways.
ALL OF THIS IS VERY CONVENIENT FOR THE PAYER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY DON’T HAVE TO CUT A CHECK IF THE PERSON DOES NOT SHOW UP. So 90% no show works very well for their bottom line.
Make the Addict Suffer
By the way. The “make the addict suffer” approach will also resonate with many families because they are so frustrated and angry with the person’s behavior.
And because they are uneducated on the details of addiction and recovery. And of course it resonates with the “law and order” elements of society.)
It’s a perfectly designed system that has evolved over the decades. The system will always produce the exact results it was designed to produce.
Favor Greenville – Innovation Saves Lives
FAVOR GREENVILLE has started a program in the hospital where we are working with those who “never surrendered”. Those who hit bottom and have just scraped along the bottom for decades.
They “just wouldn’t do what they were supposed to do”.
And after years and years of misuse they are now laying in a hospital bed.
Inpatient, for a wide variety of medical conditions the direct result of use. Alcohol mostly.
But other things as well. The costs are staggering. The hope has been beaten out of them. The healthcare system doesn’t know what to do.
Do you just let them die? Is that what we should do?
After all they “Didn’t want it”….. “They’re not willing” – Right?
The Installment Pain Plan
These are people with families. And with dreams. Human beings cut down way too early.
This is the result of “wait until they hit bottom” system we have built. Society should have been working on an alternative answer 20 years ago when many of these folks started their journey in and out of the hospital.
Their options should not have been limited to “groups and rehab” and “if you want it” recovery.
There are millions of people in America written off like this.
Slowly killing themselves on the installment plan. Because “they didn’t want it bad enough”…..
There is a Moral Imperative
And if you are sick enough to not care about the people. If you lack the humanity to see this as a moral issue then consider the financial implications of taking care of these people as they deal with these devastating conditions.
👊👊👊The system will always produce the exact results it was designed to produce.
But I hope you can clearly see.
It’s a system that desperately needs disrupted. There is a moral imperative to disrupt the system.
