Re: Cross addiction Reality check post -- Schick Happens

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Date Posted: 15:37:09 05/21/07 Mon
Author: Nanette
Subject: Re: Cross addiction Reality check post
In reply to: Nanette 's message, "Cross addiction Reality check post" on 13:22:30 05/21/07 Mon

One of the lessons I remember being made clear to me while attending SSH was that by giving up the one substance I was treating for, meant, essentially, I needed to be giving up, and was treating for, ALL addictive substances. There would be no more getting high, or self medicating. Period. At least, not by using anything that could be ingested, inhaled, or injected whether or not it was my drug of choice. The reason being, once any addictive substance is broken down inside the body the brain does not make any distinction between substances. There is a basic set of receptors in the brain that takes up the chemicals that cause the "high", or, rather, stimulates the "pleasure center" in the brain. For instance if your drug of choice was a prescription pain med, and you ingested alcohol then your brain would not be able to tell if you had ingested the pain med, or the alcohol. Same with exchanging other substances. SSH tries to make this clear, because tons of studies have shown them that there is a more than 99% chance that if someone substitutes one drug for another one, then that person will end up back on their drug of choice, hence relapsing. This is called cross addiction. And, I know they try to make it clear to help with relapse prevention.

I believe there may be a very tiny percentage of people that can kick addiction to one substance, and still be able to use another responsibly. I also believe, that addicts are incredibly sly when it comes to fooling themselves into thinking they are in that minuscule minority and can "handle" it. I don't know how many times I went through negotiations with myself before I had to admit those negotiations weren't working. It's part of the nature of addiction. It's better not to play with that. You won't know it until it's too late.(Besides think of the overall health benefits of not using, whether you are one of those people or not.)

I think it's important when initially admitting into SSH to be painfully honest with yourself and let them know if you believe you could have a problem with multiple substances. If you have even the slightest suspicion in your mind, let them know and treat for all the substances you may have a problem with. (Because if you think there is that possibility, you're probably right. Might as well be honest with yourself since you will be the one spending the time, energy, and money. Why waste that? and why not kill all those birds with one stone?) And then, let all those substances go. Know that you will come away with no addictions to anything, and will never use any addictive substance again. No more playing with fire. (Please see responses to post "Cross addiction reality check" for some ideas when use of a controlled substance may be needed for medical reasons.)

If it was not clear to you about the possibility of cross addiction, you may have to go back to treat for the new addiction. One way or another, if you want it to really stick with you, you'll have to give up all other substances too.

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Replies:

Re: Habits -- N, 17:24:52 05/21/07 Mon