Melissa Currie
February 11, 2014 Recovery from Active Addiction: Is It a Personal Choice?
Addicts are more likely to achieve long-term recovery from active addiction when the choice to abstain is made by them not for them. Recovery is a choice that only the addict can make, but some may need persuading. More often than not, complete abstinence is not achieved until after many failed attempts. “Treatment does not have to be voluntary to be effective,” as stated on the website www.drugabuse.gov. Successful long-term recovery results once self-will and self-control have been completely surrendered, the desire for recovery overbears the desire to use and by the addict’s daily choice to never use substances again.
Fourteen years of active addiction and multiple drug offenses later, I have personally experienced the success of recovery as a choice. The above theory has been confirmed by a first-hand experience. Daily I make the decision to abstain from using my substance of choice and any other mind-altering substances. In the past, I attempted to go to treatment and actively participated in my recovery. Successful abstinence was short-term due to my lack of commitment.
Eventually, the option to choose was stripped of me by the legal system; abstinence was no longer my choice. Being court ordered to a residential rehabilitation center, I actively participated and realized recovery was possible. Abstinence had been my choice and I surrendered. Many other addicts I have encountered in recovery have stated, “No matter what, it always comes down to choice, the addict’s choice to stay substance-free.”
“In the United States as of 2011, 23 million American’s actively suffered from the disease of addiction, 700,000 of which seek treatment from active addiction on any given day,” was a fact stated on the website, www.reneweveryday.com. In my research of internet articles provided by popular news affiliates, I seemed to find similar content and fact-based opinions. One of which was John Stossel of ABC News; he states, “If you say it’s a choice not a disease, well then insurance companies may not reimburse for that. … If you say it's a choice, then the tobacco companies may not be slammed for millions of dollars." Other sites I researched were factual and statistical websites summarizing studies and reports provided by national and medical research companies. Validity of my research has been based on the fact that many of the the referenced sources are supported and funded by the government. Scientific research conducted by National Institute of Drug Abuse suggests, “Addiction is a disease of the brain because it affects behavior.” The idea supported offers plenty of research, studies, and reports to confirm the claims validity. Although, there are others who claim that the term disease and addiction used in conjunction with each other is for insurance coverage purposes. Psychologist Jeff Schaler also states, “The use of the word ‘disease’ is important, particularly in terms of the money ‘addicts’ are spending to get help.”
Treatment can be either voluntary or involuntary. Court orders, persuasion by family, interventions, medical professionals concerns, and sometimes employers play a part in persuading addicts to participate in recovery. A significant number of individuals are court mandated to attend Drug Court, residential rehabilitation centers, outpatient programs, and diversion programs. The general misconception amongst active addicts is that, “a jail term is easier than treatment.” In 2011 researcher, Dr. Belenko wrote the report “Research on Drug Courts: A Critical Review”. The report states, “Studies have proven that individuals actively participating in treatment say that Drug Court is easier than jail and they actually enjoy it.” Sometimes, a first time low-risk offender may “get a nudge from the judge” to attend 12-step meetings.
Often treatment is very intense and intrusive. While participating the addict must make some significant changes to their beliefs, behaviors, and actions to ensure long-term recovery. A person that is encouraged or ordered to treatment no longer has a choice. Many times the mandated addict chooses not to comply and they face consequences, such as loss of friendships and or family, incarceration and occasionally an accidental overdose. On the other hand, the addict may go to the program and decide what the program offers is exactly what they have longed for, a life free from active addiction.
There have been many people, legally mandated, who have received treatment due to being convicted of a crime. After completing treatment, a majority of them appreciate the fact that treatment was pressured. Many state, “Without pressure from a court order, probation, or parole, they may never have made the decision on their own.” Studies have proven successful recovery outcomes are possible. An article published by the UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center documented statistics and conclusions. Researchers stated, “As a direct result of law procedures, addicts with a criminal background have a good, if not better percentage rate of abstinence than those of people who attend treatment by choice.”
In my research, I found a lack of information pertaining to long-term recovery. I was unable to find research that explicitly dealt with recovering addicts after treatment. Studies pertaining to addicts originally forced into treatment and continuing sobriety after court commitments were unavailable. Which then leads me back to the conclusion of long-term recovery ultimately being a personal choice.
It seems that twelve-step based recovery seems to have higher success rates in long-term recovery. This type gives the addict a sense of control, sharing what they see as the least damaging reality or the most revealing truths. The speed and intensity of recovery is ultimately up to the addict. Applying positive changes resulting from working a twelve-step program can change their life. Well structured, twelve-step programs can apply to everyday situations addicts may encounter.
In the United States, there are over 1.25 million people who attend Alcoholics Anonymous and over 25, 000 Narcotics Anonymous groups. This type of program is one of honesty, integrity, and willingness to live free from active addiction without any accountability. Continued recovery from active addiction depends on the individual’s willingness to put in the work that comes along with recovery. In addition, they are responsible for seeking out any support they may need within the community. The addict has many support options like meetings, groups, and programs.
Relapse is not what an addict hopes for in their substance free future, but often it is a reality. Stress, old acquaintances, old hangouts, family problems, obtaining housing, employment, and re-entry into society are all contributing factors. Regarding the authority figures, such as Drug Court, probation, parole and addiction specialists involved, the successful transition into society with the least threat of relapse for the offender is their responsibility. Addicts will encounter many triggers. Continued treatment is pertinent to successful abstinence and lessens the chances of relapse.
Once an addict completes treatment, they are then left up to their own devices. Addiction is referred to as an incurable disease; many hope it may one day be cured, until then it can be arrested, as stated in The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. As long as they do not forget all they have learned in treatment, and self-will does not run riot, they can maintain abstinence over time. The most important thing that an addict must accept is that addiction is a disease and ultimately abstinence becomes a personal choice. It does not matter how addicts achieve long-term recovery. What is important is that they personally chose never to use any substance ever again.