“Is drug addiction treatable?”

Very! While substance disorders are lifelong, I have many resources to help you get free of drugs & have a good life. For 8 years I worked at the best addiction facilities in the county at all different levels. I really enjoy this population because they are so inspiring. Best, Camellia Clark, M.D.

Yes absolutely. There are several effective treatments including medication to reduce craving, evidence based psychotherapies and groups such as AA and NA. Charles B. Nemeroff, M.D., Ph.D. Matthew P. Nemeroff Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences Director, Institute of Early Life Adversity Research Co-Director, Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy Dell Medical School The University of Texas at Austin o: 512-495-5319. f: 512-495-5482 dellmedschool.utexas.edu Past President, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) Health Discovery Building (HDB) 1601 Trinity Street, Stop Z0600 Office HDB 4.112 Austin, TX 78712-1873 cnemeroff@austin.utexas.edu

Addictions are scourges. There are no aspects of life unaffected. Most sadly, all relationships and life activities become secondary to compulsive use. Successful treatment is possible, but, very difficult. Frequent relapses occur. Such failures discourage one from trying again. But, not giving up is an essential feature of successful liberation from addictions. In my experience four components are most important. (1) How long has one been addicted? Typically, the longer one has been addicted, the more difficult defeating compulsive use. (2) Greater intensity; the more frequent one uses the addictive substance(s), the more difficult to rid oneself of the associated habits. (3) Does the person's social life revolve around others so afflicted? If so, the person addicted needs to develop new relationships, rarely easy, and entertain themselves in different contexts, which some individuals seem unable or unwilling to do. It is most difficult to liberate oneself if one's social life revolves around other addicted individuals who use when they gather. Naturally, if the love of one's life indulges in addictive habits when recreating, successful liberation from addiction(s) threatens this powerful relationship. Failure to succeed can easily happen when an individual in love feels as if they cannot give up the love of their life, even though the individual greatly treasures the idea of being liberated from addiction. (4) Many of the wonderful support groups, AA, NA and others, place a great amount of emphasis on life's journey, obviously very important. What I find significantly important is the intoxicant or mind altering substance used provides immediate, or near immediate gratification, and, therefore, cements a very powerful association, in and of itself, minus the history. I need, I want, I have to have . . . and the substances that, if not laced with any lethal contaminants, delivers what is expected almost every time. The child within loves to get what is expected / wanted. In an unfair world where struggle and disappointment are so pervasive, isn't it great to have experiences which are uplifting, relaxing, satisfying or a combination of these? Individuals attempting to be treated successfully for addictions must commit to some very difficult changes in life style. There are biological, psychological, emotional and social influences which make combating addictions more like a war than just a few battles. Treatments can include pharmaceutical agents which can make one sick or block the impact of the substances abused. Psychotherapy and Behavior Therapy can assist in the process, as well as the use of support groups such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous (AA & NA). In my experience using these Groups are most successful for adults; when one finds a group which is a good match for the individual who choses to attend. Do not attend a Group where the only thing you have in common with the Group is your addiction. Give the Group 3 to 5 attempts. If you feel its not a good fit, find another AA or NA Group with individuals you feel as if you have more in common. Many times I have referred patients to a Group with which the individual feels as if the Group "doesn't work." If the individual find another AA or NA Group composed of individuals whose life journey and backgrounds mesh, the individual feels much more comfortable. People with addictions deal with self-centeredness, frequently. It is most important to ensure one goes to AA and NA to help others not just oneself. The genuinely motivated individual who is addicted welcomes a Sponsor. Those I've treated resistant to having a Sponsor are going through the motions to make it look like they are committed to cease using. When resistance occurs, I confront the person's lack of authentic commitment to change. Why resist having a Sponsor, when the Sponsor is extra help 24/7, who has suffered or is suffering from an addiction(s). Those in the community of alcohol and drug treatment specialists will likely become distressed if they read what is to follow. Although a fan of Groups for adults, it has been my experience such Groups backfire when participants are teens. Just as Adult Medical Specialists are not Pediatricians and Gerontologists, I do not believe the downward extension of AA and NA approaches work with those individuals who have not become adults. Observing early and late teens in AA & NA Groups, what I witness is not misgivings but "can You top this." Within the context of a Group, even conducted by seasoned Group Leaders, are teens bragging about how much toxic substance they have consumed or the crazy things the individual has done under the influence. Most Adult Leader of Teen Groups interject what is wrong, but, what this Group Leader interjects is rarely spontaneously offered by teen participants, which is lamentable. If You are an addicted teen or the loving Care Giver of an addicted teen, I would think twice before having my teenager participate in such Groups. But, most inpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP) and Specialty practices believe Group is a staple of teens so afflicted. If you share what I have written the Drug & Alcohol Specialist will be repelled and state "that guy doesn't not know what he is talking about, he never treated teens, he's not a Drug and Alcohol Specialist, he's just an old coot!" He or she may be correct, I am an Old Coot. But, I have practiced my trade almost 46 years. I've had years in practice when I treated teens exclusively. I have working experiences in diverse contexts, inpatient, Residential, IOP and Private Practice. But it is true, I plead guilty to being an Old Timer. However, the aforementioned opinions were formed when I was much younger in my career, and, unfortunately, has gotten worse. Mental and Behavioral services have deteriorated ever since Managed Care (Really Managed Cost) took over the funding of all health care. The fact reimbursements for many mental health care services are pitiful has resulted in my impression many of those individuals who run Groups are not trained to the level of sophistication required, especially if the participants carry a dual diagnosis, that is, addiction and another major Mental Health Disorder. Teens usually don't have the opportunity to pick a wider range of peers. The saying is "the three easiest places to score are prisons, drug rehab centers and retreats. and schools." Parents, Care Givers, Concerned Teachers and Adults can ensure the genuine dangers of using are real. There are educational videos showing the death of teens due to fentanyl. It is important to keep the tone factual not hysterical. There are 'cool kids' who use all the time, unsupervised gatherings, peer pressure, and the possibility your young lady or young man loves someone who uses. Separation from peers who are dealers, developing a new hobby or activity the young person might enjoy, something which demands being in better mental / physical shape, and, a weekly Teens and Parents Group lead by the teens, not the Parents, designed to teach parents what is going on in their schools and when the teens recreate can be quite enlightening. The aim of the group is focused on Adult awareness, not teen shame and punishment. Information shared stays within the Group, providing the Parents with information of what is going on in the lives of their daughters and sons. The adults ask the teens how to help, and what the adults can do to to help can be a better way of helping instead of scaring the teens they are going to die, will end up in jail, or a treatment center where adults only act as participant observers within the framework crafted by the facility. The Teens and Adults create their own information sharing gathering where the purpose, format, rules and guidelines are formed by the teens and adults together. Each item has to be voted on and be accepted by 100% of the participants, This process is difficult setting the stage for the reality this type of working together is not easy, even when the objectives are shared by everyone. The adults have to be tolerant, control their emotions, and treat all equally. The teens have to be honest, have the adults listen and correct the adults politely when the adults don't want to accept what is shared, and, learn to share power in decision making requires responsibility, not abrogation of responsibility to adults because they are adults. Is it possible to treat addictions, Yes. Is it easy, No. Best of luck liberating yourself from the poison of your choice.