What a wonderful opportunity it is to hear another person's story and be change from it. In Lessons from the Mental Hospital, Glennon Doyle Melton shares her story of overcoming bulimia, alcoholism and drug addictions; and teaches us the lessons of the strength of being vulnerable, sensitive and our true selves. She teaches us that ‘the sunrise is a daily invitation of hope’, ‘a daily invitation to change’ and ‘a daily invitation to be present’. Let’s all take that invitation and not be afraid to share our story.
Innovators, like Johann Hari, help us understand better those who struggle with addiction and helps us challenge our preconceived ideas on the criminalization of drug use. He helps us ask the hard questions. What is addiction? How does addiction happen? How can we help those who struggle from addiction to achieve recovery? And he gives us surprising solutions as he makes striking statements like, "the opposite of addiction is connection".
Is hope what is lacking in mental health facilities? Do patients in recovery centers, hospitals, treatment centers have hope that they will be better? Are we as mental health professionals helping our patients feel a hope that they can recover? How do you cultivate hope in a treatment center?
Hope is essential to any person dealing with a mental illness or addiction; hope that they can recover, have a job, create healthy relationships and be able to bounce back from hardships and suffering in life. Therefore it is necessary that our treatment centers have an atmosphere of hope and a belief that every patient can have a better life.
The first thing we can do to bring ‘Hope’ back into mental health is to…
- Create a philosophy of having ‘Positive Goals’ as opposed to ‘Avoiding Negative Outcomes’.
Having positive goals and giving them the tools to fight off negative outcomes creates a more positive path for patients to follow. Instead of telling patients all the things they shouldn’t do or avoid focus on the positive outcomes that recovery has to offer.
- Use Hopeful Language Explicitly and Implicitly
The most damaging statement that could be made to patients undergoing treatment and recovery is to hear that they will never be able to have a normal functional life with jobs, family, relationships, etc. This brings about hopelessness which in turn leads to negative outcomes.
Our language as mental health professionals should exude hope explicitly by telling them all the wonderful things they can accomplish, and implicitly using positive words when talking about treatment plans and goals. We must be careful to avoid definitive statements about their future and focus on tools and resources that can help them accomplish what they want out of life.
- Bring Hope even in Relapse
No matter the downfalls, the temptations, the obstacles or the difficulties you don’t know what will finally help a patient recover. Patients need help knowing that there is someone out there that won’t give up on them.
We can’t have patients believe that we are ‘just doing our jobs’ or that we ‘don’t believe that they can change’. Through our efforts of teaching our patients to face despair and deal with their defeats, we can then focus on hope and learning from their victories.
For people looking to choose the right treatment for them, here's an article to help you find the right drug addiction treatment for them. But it's also incredibly important for us, as providers, to know the treatments that are best for patients so we can serve them better.
Addiction is a struggle that not only affects the person involved but also his or her family and close friends. It is not a solitary struggle and so it is important to be open with those affected by addiction, including children.
While it is for parents to decide when and how to explain their own addiction or that of a close relative to their children, there is some information that should be included in that conversation. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune outlined some key points when it comes to speaking with your children about addiction:
- The child is not at fault. Young people often blame themselves for things outside of their control and may internalize addiction and see themselves as the cause. Let them know that they are doing everything they are supposed to be doing.
- Explain that addiction is a disease and talk about like you explain diabetes or cancer to a child. Explain that there is a treatment.
- Encourage children to speak up. It’s ok to express feelings of anger, sadness, or confusion. Let them know who they can talk to like a school social worker, grandparent, or other “safe adult.”
- Help them to never start using substances as they will be at a higher risk or addiction.
- Children should know that they can ask for help. If they ever find themselves in a situation where drugs are presented to them or they feel themselves slipping towards addiction, they can ask for help and do not have to overcome it alone.
- Teach self-care. Encourage healthy eating and exercise. Leading a healthy lifestyle will help them to avoid addiction and be happier.
- Children are loved. Through the struggles, it can be difficult for children to feel loved when addiction can change the disposition, attitudes, and behaviors of their loved one. Let them know that they will always be loved.
Children may be deeply affected by addiction but they can be involved in recovery without being in the dark.
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Copyright 2019 - Alleva Corp. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2019 - Alleva Corp. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2019 - Alleva Corp. All Rights Reserved.