Nevertheless, I and many of the colleagues I have worked closely with have seen a need for an inclusive, comprehensive design specifically created for the changing needs of problem substance users in the modern world. By using our site, you agree to our. Once again, to summarize, abstinence is good but it is the ideal and is therefore not the only way to determine progress. It is also consistent with many strict disease models of addiction where individuals are unable to make rational choices regarding substance use due to changes that occur in the brain. Over the years I saw that this younger group had progressively become more and more resistant to 12 Step groups and philosophy. I recommend elevators instead, because they are a lot easier and safer. For example, when considering going on a diet, think about how many times a person may experience little bursts of inspiration until finally one day they stick with the diet and actually start losing weight. 1. Taking the Escalator. These comparisons disregard a large portion of people who abuse substances. Another disease that addiction is often compared to is diabetes based on the same principles. The researchers suggest that this outcome is partially linked to the coping skills that come with recovery. Recover -. Understanding Sexual Orientation From a Psychological Perspective. When someone is abstinent, they are not using. Are you drawing conclusions where evidence is lacking? My dad was also a heavy drinker, so its probably in the genes. That leads directly back to the subject of how to look at abstinence. But is cross addiction real? Beside the millions who have benefitted from the 12 Steps there have always been those lost individuals who just didnt catch on to 12 Step philosophy and programming. More importantly, if someone is able to gain insight enough to recognize that right now in their life their substance use is a problem, and then they are able to develop some motivation to do something about it, then that is more than enough for the process of getting better to move in a positive direction. The Escalator is for those people who will benefit from: >An individualized, personalized approach, guided by each persons internal capacity and ability for change, >A method for growing as a person from the inside-out as opposed to an outside agenda dictating the recipe for change. Are your judgments based on feelings rather than facts? Lets start by examining the commonly accepted: Disease Model of Addiction: *All words and phrases in this book where definition is provided was taken completely or in part from the online dictionary: www.dictionaryreference.com. Both addiction and cancer are viewed as having the following disease qualities: >Are influenced by Genetic Predisposition, >Recovery is a process requiring lifestyle change. % of people told us that this article helped them. Getting back the concept of sobriety, however, the second key aspect of sobriety is abstinence. Moderate marijuana use might help that unique individual reduce anxiety and avoid alcohol relapse, while causing fewer harms than drinking. The hope is that there can be a little inspiration to look at things differently (increasing insight) and also some inspiration to consider changing and working on these issues (motivation). This icebreaker gives people in the group a chance to make a statement and get some encouragement. For example, calling someone an alcoholic who does not believe that they are an alcoholic will almost always have the reverse reaction as opposed to getting that person to believe they are an alcoholic. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. People with active substance use disorders were about two times more likely to develop another substance use problem (27%) compared to individuals who substance use disorder was in remission (13%). Taking your stroller on the escalator can be dangerous for kids. The term substance use issues is not only significantly more expansive and inclusive than other commonly accepted terms or labels, but it is also much less threatening, which is aligned with the overall philosophy of the Escalator as we will discuss later. Longley, Robert. A huge collection of non 12 step, free addiction and recovery tools, including PDF worksheets, handouts, assessments, and videos. To create this article, 11 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. The invention of the escalator changed everything: suddenly, a constant flow of people could ascend into the air, or descend to . Make sure you don't tilt and also that no one is in front of you, or check with them to see if it's okay if you do this. These types of case study evidence are useful in describing aspects of a broader and empirically validated theoretical concept, but they are the weakest forms of evidence to describe an overall theoretical concept. The answer is most assuredly YES. The Escalator promotes abstinence as the ideal way to stay out of trouble and then make progress and positive change but at the same time this method acknowledges that people have different paths toward their goals that are not all abstinence based. However, the Escalator views addiction slightly differently that the traditional disease model. The Escalator allows each individual to determine their own starting point based on the unique circumstances that brought about a need for change. Home Blog What Is Cross Addiction, and Is It a Real Thing in Recovery? The Escalator is for: >People who are in a situation where they are required to get help but really dont want help. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. If followed wholeheartedly, success in recovery is not far off. The Escalator uses the broader, much more wide-ranging concept of Substance Use Issues* for the sake of including people who are considering or attempting change across the entire spectrum. Enjoy! Suppose that over the course of the next year, he lost 50 pounds and lowered his cholesterol 25%. Looking at things from a motivational, insight-building perspective, the following is list of things that directly influence " Upward Change " (the ongoing gradual process of inspiration, development and personal growth). I would wake up in the morning and have vodka before work, then a few pints at lunch in the pub, and then more after work. Even when some of the most resistant, hard-headed, and argumentative individuals end up getting help for substance use issues, (which is usually against their will which makes matters even more challenging), the goal of those trying to help these individuals is to somehow instill even a small degree of inspiration. Thus, based on the available research, it appears that most individuals who successfully complete a substance use treatment program have developed sufficient coping skills to deal with relapse, whereas individuals who have not been able to successfully address their substance use disorders are at a higher risk to develop even greater difficulties. Apply the breaks of stroller and hold it steady with both of your hands. Help us by submitting your sober resource here >>>, Sober Eastbourne Directory. Therefore, by definition, in many cases recovery is not possible because of the fact that there is nothing to really recover or get back. The concept of cross addiction is partially based on the idea that people with past substance use disorders are highly prone to future addictions. Research looking at what particular factors predict the notion of a substitute addiction or a cross addiction could shed more light on this issue. When looking at both research as well as the millions of personal testimonials from people all over the world, 12 Step programs have been a lifeline for countless people struggling with substance abuse and addiction for decades. Therefore, the discussion of labels is often irrelevant and unnecessary and in many cases can even be a distraction as opposed to being helpful. Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe. Labels such as addict and alcoholic are avoided and not viewed as a necessary facet of the upward change process. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Lets take a look at abstinence: Simply put when it comes to substance use issues, abstinence is an absence of any substance use at all. Since so many people have goal setting and making changes on their mind, take some time to review some of the things outlined in the Taking the Escalator methodology for overcoming addiction and other hard to quit habits. I only remember little bits and pieces of what happened. The Escalator is person-centered as it starts and ends with each person as a unique entity with a particular set of beliefs, attitudes, values, desires, circumstances, goals and experiences. Are you confusing a low probability with a high probability? However, for the purpose of including the many more people who are involved with overcoming substance use issues who are not yet ready to accept abstinence as their goal then the goal of this process needs to be of a broader scope. The researchers at Columbia University found that the highest risk group to develop a cross addiction after successful recovery from earlier substance use disorder were unmarried males, who had a relatively early onset of their substance use disorder, and had some type of comorbid psychiatric disorder, especially disorders that were marked by impulsivity. Once again, the reason is that 12 Step involvement improves outcomes is because those who become engaged in 12 Step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous have a statistically better chance of staying sober. Even if inspiration is short lived, those inspired moments we might have can bring us closer toward self improvement. How many individuals who developed a new substance use disorder had overcome or successfully treated their initial substance use disorder? GOALS! The person who tried to build the house then gives up. Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, however, for many individuals faced with a situation where they must look at their own substance use issues, striving for the ideal recovery may be out of reach for a variety of reasons. In statistical terms, individuals with a history of successfully addressing their substance use disorder were significantly less likely to develop another substance use disorder compared to individuals who were unable to address their substance use disorder in the time period covered by the study.