I have not recommended either of them only because there are no meetings in Delaware. If there were local meetings, I would.
For those who reject AA I first explore why they are rejecting it. Most have an issue with use of “God”, with a capital “G”. Or at least the spiritual aspect of their approach to recovery. I try to make sure they fully understand AA, NA, CDA, etc., how it works, etc, because if they are going to reject it I want to make sure it is for the right reasons and not based on uninformed bias. If they are still not interested then I explore with them other options for meeting others who support and encourage abstinence. My approach is typically for them attend those kinds of meetings just to meet others who are trying to get or stay abstinent. Whether they actually “work” the program is up them. A significant part or recovery is finding supports outside of this agency and the therapeutic relationship. I do not encourage dependence on our relationship or the relationship with the agency. They need to find help in their own community because the relationship with the agency and me will eventually be terminated.
In another thread I learned that withdrawal from alcohol can kill a person. How do you, as a counselor, deal with withdrawal like that? Can an alcoholic kind of wean themselves off the sauce and avoid potentially deadly withdrawal, or do they have to do detox?
Might you comment on what taking heroin is like? Is it a beautiful feeling at first? Would it be a pleasant way to go (die), like on a soft cloud or something?
Not specifically. Never did heroin. But I understand it is an incredibly pleasant experience (and that is still an understatement). Over time and with continued use the feeling is still good but it takes a lot more to get that rush that comes with shooting it.
I’ve never died so I can’t comment on what death is like in any circumstance. Perhaps those last few seconds of being eaten by a shark are quite pleasant. But considering that a heroin OD results in respiratory and cardiac arrest I would say that you would probably go to sleep first and then die. Heroin is a narcotic, it puts you to sleep, like other narcotics.
at work 15 years ago i had to watch and summarize an addictions training tape from betty ford center. the speaker said that scientists had found a difference in the pleasure center of alcoholics before they take their first drink, they feel less pleasure and their would be a brain surgery in 10 years. i called them a year ago but they knew nothing of a brain surgery. i googled what i just wrote and a online time magazine article about pleasure came up. it said “if you look at the genetics of severe obesity, the same gene variants that turn down the functionality of dopamine signalling that leave you at higher risk for substance addictions also leave you at higher risk for behavioral addictions, including overeating.” i have ran from pain or a lack of pleasure my whole life. eating, excessive reading, drugs, imagination, whatever can make me feel good. my psychiatrist said this quote was true but there is not medication or surgery and i should run to be high on the runners high. i was an athlete, i do not get a runners high. i am self medicating and will continue to self medicate until there is a medication for turned down dopamine signalling functionality or a surgery. i’ve tried everything. i chose reading 16 hrs a day for several years over drugs but i hate reading now. i wonder if all drug and behavior addiction people shouldn’t be self medicating because that constant state of pain causes constant frustration causing aggression. do u see a reasonable alternative to putting myself at risk of jail every day. i couldn’t get drugs for about ten years at ages 30 -40. i’m so glad i can get drugs again. i want to be prescribed adderall to avoid jail but my psychiatrist won’t prescribe it to me because of hallucinations i take invega for. ty