| Subject: This works! |
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sshgrad
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Date Posted: 12:44:37 12/06/06 Wed
Hello all,
I just had an extraordinary experience with an unconventional rehab program. But, first bear with me as I think I should provide a little background info.
Early this summer I started, yet again, day one of sobriety. I went for 6 weeks without drinking, thinking that I would finally overcome my alcohol addiction. Then I went on a family trip in August and started up again. I kept trying to quit again and again since then. Finally one day, about 2 weeks ago, I woke up hung over again and decided enough was enough and checked into a treatment program. When I was sober for the 6 weeks, and then the few times afterward, I went to a few AA meetings, and checked on the WFS message boards to gain support. (WFS is 1000 x's more positive, in my opinion.) But, I was still having enormous problems with cravings and felt like my whole world still existed around alcohol, whether I was drinking or not. This was discouraging, and I often wondered if I was going to be miserable wanting to drink all my life , but, saying no to maintain my sobriety.
The program I ended up going to was the Schick-Shadel Hospital program in Seattle, WA. I quickly learned that this is the only treatment program of it's kind. This is because, as many of you probably already know, it is an aversion therapy treatment program. The treatments are actually 2-fold. There is the aversion treatment and then there is what they call the rehab interview, where you are put into a highly suggestive, "truth serum" state, and asked questions and given affirmations. (They do not use sodium pentathol. Instead they use the drug Versed.) In between treatment times one attends classes which consist of all the things one would expect to find at any other program, such as the medical findings of what drug/alcohol does to the body and brain, the role of genetics, relapse prevention, recovery and the family, grieving, boundaries, nutrition,etc. Also, one is assigned a counselor. The counselor goes over the results of the rehab interview. These are recorded because the patient does not remember the sessions . The counselors also offer any other counseling services needed. And of course there are M.D.'s and nurses there round the clock. And they have evening support group meetings where outside visitors are welcome.
The entire treatment consists of a 10 day stay, with 3 days of detox previous to treatment days, if needed, a one night stay both at 30 days and 90 days after the 10 day stay. (This can be combined into a 4 day stay at appx. 45 days for those who are from far away.) The director of the program calls every graduate of the program to see how everyone is doing once a month for 2 years after completing the 10 day part of the program. They have a support line to call at any time day or night, if needed.
I know I am fairly fresh out of the program but, I have to say I have no cravings at all. Don't get me wrong. I'm not deluding myself that there isn't still a lot of work to do when it comes to the other parts of my life. I still have to do that. And, I can never become complacent and think it would be ok to drink again. But, it is much easier now that I don't even think about it. Also, while I was there I met many people who were coming back for their 30 or 90 day "re-cap" and I was amazed at how many of them say they feel terrific and never feel threatened by alcohol. At the meetings I was able to talk with many others who had anywhere form 18 mos. to over 20 yrs. out of the program, and they remarked on how they still don't have cravings. They are no longer fighting the imp! They simply don't have an imp!
This program has an 80% success rate. I was made to understand that the 20% failure rate is, much of the time, those who were brought there due to an intervention. (If one really wants to drink, no program is going to help, I guess.)
The majority of the patients there really want to be there and are willing to do what it takes to make it work for them. This makes the overall patient population there a very positive group. Also, I met people from MT, TX, AK, N.C., FL, as well as people from all over WA. They ran the gammit in age and professions. Many of them had been through several other treatment programs that didn't work for them, and this one did. (Just a note: SSH is not "against" any other program. They maintain that whatever works for anyone is good.) I learned from other patients who had gone to other programs that there are a few out there that are a little more like the penal system then a rehab program. When I checked in I fully expected them to search through my bag, and they didn't. All the staff are very respectful and treats everyone like a human being, not as though one is a second class citizen. In fact, one is free to leave at any time. A few patients choose to take walks in the surrounding neighborhood and on the nature trail behind the hospital. Visitors are allowed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except when one is having a treatment, but, they can even attend classes if they wish, or have meals there. One is allowed to have cell phones, lap tops, ipods, bring DVD movies, or whatever else you want to bring to keep in touch with the outside world. Of course, if someone choose to smuggle drugs or alcohol in the staff will know if one is high, and that person would be asked to leave, but, that's just some common sense stuff.
There is a book which can be found on Amazon called Drink Up! A recovery road less traveled by Kathleen S. It is a former patients journal of the 10 days she spent there, if anyone is more interested. And to rap this up I'd like to leave you with a short excerpt from her Epilogue, because it explains very much how I'm feeling.
An e-mail to Dr. Smith,
"Hi Dr. Smith,
....My first question may sound a little weird but it is real: Why do I feel so good mentally? I'm not just talking about the absence of alcohol- in the past I gave up alcohol for 3 months, 6 months, even 2 years, and I didn't feel the way I do now. Please let me explain:
My life has been going 'round in a futile circle for years now, even through my periods of sobriety. I was always a goal-oriented person, yet for the past 6 years, I had no passions, no interests, got little joy form my life. I drank, I sobered up for a few weeks, drank again. All my energy revolved around alcohol, whether using it or not.
That hopeless circle has been broken in a big way. I have no cravings for alcohol at all. I don't even think about it. .....
...Of course, I realize none of this would be possible without the absence of alcohol, but there's something more. I'm thinking the rehab interviews played a big role, particularly the affirmations. ....."
If anyone has any questions please e-mail me at sshgrad@gmail.com. I'd be happy to tell you what I know. Also, the web-site for Schick-Shadel is http://schick-shadel.com
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