Addiction and Disabilities Presented by: Pascale Bedard Presented by: Pascale Bedard 2012

Addiction Primary Disease It has multiple manifestations, in the individual’s social, psychological, spiritual, and economic well being. Is often Progressive, and potentially fatal Marked by loss of control in the person’s ability to stop the behavior Preoccupation Tolerance Withdrawal: A rule of thumb is that withdrawal tends to include symptoms that are completely opposite to the euphoric effects of the drug.

Early Breakthrough In Addiction Treatment The Oxford Group: A nondenominational religious group and the psychoanalysis of an American alcoholic by Carl Jung (1931). A meeting between William G. Wilson (a stock broker trying to stay sober) and a surgeon named Dr. Robert H. Smith (alcoholic at the time). NEW YORK CITY: Alcoholics Anonymous 1 st of 97,000 “clubs”/chapters in 150 Countries with 68% of the population residing in North America (Marvel, 1995) Alcoholics Anonymous: The 1 st published book about members and their personal struggles with sobriety 12 Step Model

The early breakthrough cont’ 12 Steps Forward: A Breakdown of the 12 Steps The 12 steps are separated into 3 parts The First 3 steps are based on the admittance and acceptance of ones limitations: Surrendering to a Higher Power Steps 4-9 are based on identifying, confronting and overcoming any characteristics that have lead to guilty; shameful behavior, (people, places, and things). Steps 10 through 12: Practice makes Perfect, share your story.

The 12 Steps and Religion or Faith or Spirituality??? The 12 Steps is a TOOL: A multipurpose, one size fits all, BRILLIANT if you will Tool anyone can use!!!!!!! It allows any human of any color, creed, religion or race to embrace in it’s 3 step process! It’s FREE! In its simplest form it’s honest, and true, and it brings people together to share their personal stories ON…….

Commonalities ADDICTION ACCIDENTS THINGS WE NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME, OR YOU AND US…… LIFE STRUGGLES FINDING WAYS TO COPE

ADDICTION AND HOPE In North America the WORDS faith, religion, and spirituality are MISTAKENLY used interchangeably. Definitions: 1. RELIGION: is an organized set of beliefs that are encoded in certain texts (considered sacred by believers), religion provides those whom believe with the answers they seek to questions on life. 2. SPIRITUALITY: A vast range of personal views based on a Higher Power/Something Greater than Thyself, an empowering life changing belief in the believer. 3. FAITH: To have faith in something is to let go of ones own inhibitions, and embrace the belief in something great to come.

ADDICTION and TREATMENT 21 Day Programs (Rehabilitation) Longer in-patient care and counselling. Detoxification: Withdrawal Management. Medical Model of Treatment Out-patient care and counselling.

Addiction and Concurrent Disorders What is a concurrent disorder? 1. Pretty much a fancy way of saying you have more than 1 problem! 2. In Ontario specifically, it means you have an addiction plus a secondary disorder. 3. In other parts of Canada they refer to a concurrent disorder as a dual-diagnosis. In Ontario a dual- diagnosis is one plus any number of other obvious physical disabilities.

Addiction and Disabilities A spectrum TOO large to describe 1. Addiction is progressive and affects ones social, physical and spiritual wellbeing. 2. Which may ultimately lead to: Anxiety Depression Loss of interest in all life activities Debilitating, Destructive, Disorientations

Consequences Accidents: Things that are completely out of your control; things you never intended would happen…. Children’s Aid Shame, Loss, inadequacy Picking up the pieces and starting over

Let’s face the Facts

Disabilities and Addiction Sometimes accidents do happen!!!! And people do get hurt! Sometimes addiction happens after the fact……and later in life! Sometimes people build a tolerance to their medication, and their body automatically needs more of the medication prescribed! FACT: It only takes the human body approximately two weeks to build a tolerance to ANY OPIOID. - That means (in some individual’s) the “effective dose would need to be raised after two weeks in order to continue working.”

Addiction, Disabilities, and Chronic Pain: What they Share in Common First and Foremost: LACK of KNOWLEDGE; DISCRIMINATION AND SECOND OPINIONS!! A Physician and Patients right to protect themselves 1. Who is Who??? (This applies mostly to walk-in clinic doctors, that need to make logical quick decisions based on what the person is telling them). 2. A patients rights to proper medical treatment regardless of their personal situations and past 3. Not knowing who to turn to for help, and not being informed on ALL the options available

Help in our Community There is help! I have included a pamphlet to handout, to provide you with these resources. Working together and asking questions about your well-being is your right to the highest possible quality of life, the first step is to ask. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP, NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

References Dr. A.C.H Hammer and Dr. R.G Mckay: Erie-St. Clair Clinic.