Dealing with substance abuse disorders can be really complicated, but there's some good news.  Specialized medicines have been developed to tackle the tough challenges these disorders bring.  These new medications offer a glimmer of hope in the often overwhelming and daunting world of addiction treatment.  As we examine these medicines that are designed to fight substance abuse disorders, we're also exploring how they can help people on their journey to recovery.  One of the medicines most prescribed to help combat opioid dependence and addiction is Suboxone.  It is a powerful tool for treating addiction.

On March 7, 2018, while I was sitting in the confines of my first-ever inpatient rehab program, I felt an overwhelming urge to reach out to one person who had always been there for me - my mother. With pen in hand, I poured my heart onto the paper, determined to express my sincerest apologies and intentions to turn my life around. Little did I know that the letter I wrote that day would remain hidden, untouched, and unsent for years to come. It was only recently, as I was cleaning out my closet at my mother's house, that I stumbled upon this heartbreaking piece of my past.

In the chaotic hustle of our fast-paced world, it's all too easy to overlook the small pleasures that weave through our daily lives. Shifting our thought perspective and embracing gratitude for these seemingly insignificant moments can lead to greater contentment and happiness. Gratitude is a potent emotional tool (backed by scientific research) that has the power to rewire our mental perspective and significantly improve our well-being. It’s an emotion that arises from recognizing and appreciating the kindness and positivity we receive from others or experience in our lives.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) continue to pose a significant public health concern worldwide, with relapse being a common and often very challenging aspect of the recovery process. Relapse in SUDs is defined as the return to substance use after a period of abstinence. Relapse can be considered a part of the recovery process for individuals with SUDs; however, it is NOT a requirement.

Steps 11 and 12 of the 12-Step Program mark the culmination of a transformative journey toward lasting recovery. By embracing spiritual growth and engaging in selfless service, individuals develop a deep connection with a higher power of their choice and find purpose in helping others. Through practices such as prayer, meditation, and reflection, individuals develop self-awareness, resilience, and serenity. By sharing their experiences and supporting others, individuals not only reinforce their own commitment to sobriety but also contribute to the strength and unity of the recovery community. Steps 11 and 12 offer a pathway to personal growth, fulfillment, and a life free from the grips of addiction.

Step 9 and step 10 represent pivotal stages in the transformative process of healing and recovery. By addressing the consequences of their past actions and making amends, individuals can rebuild trust, repair relationships, and cultivate a sense of personal integrity. Moreover, the commitment to daily self-reflection and accountability in Step 10 fosters ongoing growth, self-awareness, and a renewed commitment to a healthier, more fulfilling life. Through these steps, individuals embark on a journey of personal growth, laying the foundation for a brighter future filled with resilience, compassion, and self-discovery.

Step 7 and Step 8 provide individuals with opportunities for self-reflection, growth, and making amends.  Step 7 focuses on humility and surrender, encouraging individuals to recognize their shortcomings and turn to a higher power for guidance and healing.  It involves a willingness to let go of control and allow personal transformation to occur.  Step 8 focuses on personal relationships and accountability.  It prompts individuals to compile a list of individuals harmed during their addiction and prepare themselves mentally and emotionally to make amends for their past actions.

Steps 5 and 6 form a crucial part of this transformative journey, as they focus on introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth.  In Step 5, participants are encouraged to share their deepest, darkest secrets and past wrongdoings with a trusted sponsor or another supportive individual, allowing them to unburden themselves and begin the process of healing.  Step 6, on the other hand, centers around accepting personal flaws and character defects, and cultivating the willingness to let go of these negative traits.  Together, these steps pave the way for individuals to confront their past, develop humility, and embark on a path of self-improvement and spiritual awakening.

The 12 steps of recovery have become a prominent framework for overcoming addiction and finding a path to personal growth and fulfillment.  Originally developed by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the 1930s, these steps have since been adapted and embraced by various support groups and programs for a wide range of addictions and compulsive behaviors.  The 12 steps provide a systematic approach to tackling addiction and regaining control of one's life.  They offer a roadmap to spiritual, emotional, and psychological healing, focusing on self-reflection, self-acceptance, and the power of community.

Long-term recovery is an intricate and transformative journey that requires resilience and determination.  Achieving long-term recovery requires much more than just shear willpower—it often demands for the foundation of a strong support system.  Support systems may include a wide range of individuals, groups, and resources that provide assistance and encouragement for long-term recovery.  I like to categorize support systems into four main types: personal support, professional support, community support and emotional support.

At times, recovery can be like trying to assemble a puzzle with missing pieces, while wearing a blindfold and balancing on one leg. It’s a complex and challenging process that requires individuals to confront their past, heal their wounds, rebuild their lives, and hopefully find inner peace. Among the many essential elements of recovery, forgiveness holds a profound significance. Forgiveness plays a pivotal role in recovery by facilitating emotional healing, promoting personal growth, and cultivating a healthier and more fulfilling life.

I’d like to share an emotional letter that my mother wrote me while I was in one of the many rehabs that I attended. I think it’s extremely important to share these letters with you because it shows a different perspective on addiction. I always asked my family not to visit me while I was in rehab because I was embarrassed to be there. The thing is, I had NOTHING to be embarrassed about! After all, I was in rehab because I was trying to change my life for the better. My family and friends often wrote me. I saved almost every single card/note that I received (there are a lot) while I was bouncing from rehab to rehab and I’m so glad I did because I can use them today to help spread awareness on addiction.

The "pink cloud" theory is a phenomenon that can occur in early recovery from addiction where the addict may feel a sense of euphoria, exhilaration, and/or gratitude for their newfound sobriety. This is a positive experience for many, BUT it can also be a double-edged sword that leads to unrealistic expectations and complacency.

One of the biggest threats to an addict’s sobriety is something called complacency.  In recovery, complacency is a state of mind that can lead an addict to become overconfident, or even neglectful, of their sobriety.  Often, the addict stops utilizing a lot of tools they once relied on to help them stay clean and sober.  Essentially, the addict begins to let their guard down, and in recovery that can prove to be extremely dangerous.

Mental Health… the big “M-H.”  Unfortunately, it’s been a topic that our society tends to tip-toe around, not acknowledge or even look down upon due to the negative stigma that is attached to it. With that being said, I’d like to start by stating that I suffer from mental health disorders as well as substance use disorders (SUDs).  In the substance abuse field, they often refer to this as a “dual diagnosis,” or a “co-occurring disorder.”  Today, I am able to admit this with absolutely no shame and no embarrassment.  It wasn’t always like that.

Whether you consider yourself to be in recovery from an addiction (you’re in recovery when you say you are), or not, odds are that you have heard the phrase “one day at a time“ used at some point in your life.  One Day at a Time (ODAAT) is a mindset, or skill (in my opinion), that is used to encourage people to focus on the present moment, rather than regret the past or worry about the future.  It’s a very effective coping mechanism that is used by many addicts, myself included.  I personally believe that ODAAT can be applied to and used in anyone’s life, whether they are affected by addiction, or not.

My disease of addiction lives in between my ears and boy, it is powerful.  I often say my addiction is constantly doing push-ups, always trying to get stronger so that it can find a way, any way, to sabotage my recovery. That’s just the ruthless nature of addiction. In the Alcoholics Anonymous literature, addiction is described as, “cunning, baffling and powerful.”  In last week’s column, I shared an emotional letter my sister wrote to me during my addiction to help show just how powerful addiction can be.  Let’s discuss how addiction is cunning and baffling this week.

In this week’s column, I’d like to share an emotional letter my sister wrote to me in March of 2019, when I was, in her words, “at my worst point” (yet) in my addiction.  At the time, I had already completed a few rehabs, but I wasn’t ready to truly get sober.  I would enter a rehab, complete it, and often find myself using within just twenty-four hours of arriving home.  Sobriety just did not appeal to me at all.  Besides, I had already convinced myself of two things; the first was that my addiction wasn’t all that bad and the second was that my addiction affected one person, and one person only… ME.  Family, friends, counselors, therapists, police officers, and judges all repeatedly told me that my addiction was bigger than me and that it affected many others besides myself.

Four years ago, I spent Easter in a cold cell while detoxing cold turkey from alcohol and Benzodiazepines in Orange County Jail.  Turns out that the Easter Bunny doesn’t make a pit-stop at the local jail (at least not mine) to deliver candy and hide eggs for the prisoners.  I’d been arrested many times before, but this time I was facing much more serious charges than in the past - ones that, if convicted, carry hefty prison sentences.

When an addict or alcoholic stops using, they are often left with a huge void to fill.  They feel as if there is a big hole, or gap, in their life that their substance abuse used to fill.  They suddenly find themselves with an abundance of downtime, causing boredom and this can be SO dangerous for an addict because it allows their mind to really wander, not staying focused on their recovery. Maintaining recovery requires that an addict learn how to fill this void with positive things such as hobbies, careers, relationships, etc.  If an addict is not able to find new, healthier, and more productive ways to fill their void, they are ultimately more at risk to relapse.