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Lynn Eaton's article highlights a problem that those of us who work
with people experiencing drug and alcohol problems have long been aware
of.
For some considerable time claims for success on the Government's
Drug Treatment Strategy, has been based on the numbers in treatment, a
simplistic approach completely disregarding the numbers dropping out
and,or those who successfully recovered and were rehabilitated.Claims for
success are now based on those completing twelve weeks so called
treatment. Explanations of how this arbitary period for dealing with the
complexity of addictions was arrived at lack both clarity and substance,
however it does ensure that the correct boxes are ticked with the correct
colours.
The effectivenes of the interventions on offer are considerably
diluted because the main focus is on so called 'harm reduction', a
euphemisim for overtly, or covertly encouraging the continued use of
psycho active and illicit drugs. it is no secret that the many so called
drug treatment agencies who receive taxpayers money for treating those on
Drug Treatment Orders, (DTOs) are run by people who in fact are pro drug.
Under the guise of compassion, these are the people who preach the gospel
of learning to use drugs safely. In itself that is a contradiction in
terms, and ignores the fact that once addiction has been formed, there is
no safe way.
It is also true to say that these same people decline to use terms
such as addiction, for the ostensible reason that it is stigmatising,
preferring instead to use terms such as 'entrenched pattern of drug use';
a description of addiction that is also favoured by the National Treatment
Agency.(NTA) Such a philosophy permits counsellors to give implied, or
direct permission to those on DTO's to continue using, without bothering
to question how they are funding their habit; since the majority of these
'clients' are unemployed, this may go some way to explaining why 90% of
those on DTOs continue to re-offend. (1) It also serves to prevent the
addict from facing the reality of their situation, given that the vast
majority of these have a conditioned aversion to reality, together with an
apparent allergy to gainful employment, these 'treatment' agencies are
part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
In defence of those who become addicted, it needs to be pointed out
that no one starts out with the intention of becoming an addict, however
addicts need to be 'educated' to the fact that having developed
dependency, they have a responsibility to accept that, together with
accepting that their life problems,pre-existing mental conditions aside,
are the result of their addiction, that recovery is possible, that it is
totally immature and unrealistic,to believe that they can continue with
their habit and expect to live a full and productive life.
No addictions therapist or counsellor worthy of of that title would
stigmatise addiction, which is a disease of the mind, body and spirit,
equally no responsible counsellor or therapist would seek to deny the
medical, and scientific evidence, that addiction cannot be cured, that
continued use of drugs will continue to have disastrous effects on the
user. Unless and until the focus switches from 'harm reduction' to
abstinence and recovery, the growing incidence of drug abuse, including
alcohol, will continue to have an increasing cost on society, not only in
terms of money, but in human misery, violence and crime.
Finally the claim that waiting times for treatment are reducing is
disengenous, the truth is that for alcohol related problems, for which
twice as many people become addicted to as compared with all other drugs
combined,(2) are being severely curtailed.
Note: The writer runs a private counselling and therapy service for
those experiencing problems of alcohol and drug abuse, and is not
interested in seeking NTA funded referrals, nor would he accept them if
offered.
References:
1 Home Office Statistics.
2 Royal college of Psychiatrists: Fact sheet on 'The Nation's
Favourite Drug'.
Numbers in Drug Treatment
Lynn Eaton's article highlights a problem that those of us who work
with people experiencing drug and alcohol problems have long been aware
of.
For some considerable time claims for success on the Government's
Drug Treatment Strategy, has been based on the numbers in treatment, a
simplistic approach completely disregarding the numbers dropping out
and,or those who successfully recovered and were rehabilitated.Claims for
success are now based on those completing twelve weeks so called
treatment. Explanations of how this arbitary period for dealing with the
complexity of addictions was arrived at lack both clarity and substance,
however it does ensure that the correct boxes are ticked with the correct
colours.
The effectivenes of the interventions on offer are considerably
diluted because the main focus is on so called 'harm reduction', a
euphemisim for overtly, or covertly encouraging the continued use of
psycho active and illicit drugs. it is no secret that the many so called
drug treatment agencies who receive taxpayers money for treating those on
Drug Treatment Orders, (DTOs) are run by people who in fact are pro drug.
Under the guise of compassion, these are the people who preach the gospel
of learning to use drugs safely. In itself that is a contradiction in
terms, and ignores the fact that once addiction has been formed, there is
no safe way.
It is also true to say that these same people decline to use terms
such as addiction, for the ostensible reason that it is stigmatising,
preferring instead to use terms such as 'entrenched pattern of drug use';
a description of addiction that is also favoured by the National Treatment
Agency.(NTA) Such a philosophy permits counsellors to give implied, or
direct permission to those on DTO's to continue using, without bothering
to question how they are funding their habit; since the majority of these
'clients' are unemployed, this may go some way to explaining why 90% of
those on DTOs continue to re-offend. (1) It also serves to prevent the
addict from facing the reality of their situation, given that the vast
majority of these have a conditioned aversion to reality, together with an
apparent allergy to gainful employment, these 'treatment' agencies are
part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
In defence of those who become addicted, it needs to be pointed out
that no one starts out with the intention of becoming an addict, however
addicts need to be 'educated' to the fact that having developed
dependency, they have a responsibility to accept that, together with
accepting that their life problems,pre-existing mental conditions aside,
are the result of their addiction, that recovery is possible, that it is
totally immature and unrealistic,to believe that they can continue with
their habit and expect to live a full and productive life.
No addictions therapist or counsellor worthy of of that title would
stigmatise addiction, which is a disease of the mind, body and spirit,
equally no responsible counsellor or therapist would seek to deny the
medical, and scientific evidence, that addiction cannot be cured, that
continued use of drugs will continue to have disastrous effects on the
user. Unless and until the focus switches from 'harm reduction' to
abstinence and recovery, the growing incidence of drug abuse, including
alcohol, will continue to have an increasing cost on society, not only in
terms of money, but in human misery, violence and crime.
Finally the claim that waiting times for treatment are reducing is
disengenous, the truth is that for alcohol related problems, for which
twice as many people become addicted to as compared with all other drugs
combined,(2) are being severely curtailed.
Note: The writer runs a private counselling and therapy service for
those experiencing problems of alcohol and drug abuse, and is not
interested in seeking NTA funded referrals, nor would he accept them if
offered.
References:
1 Home Office Statistics.
2 Royal college of Psychiatrists: Fact sheet on 'The Nation's
Favourite Drug'.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests