When
my dad and I founded Passages, we were ridiculed by the treatment
industry because we didn’t incorporate the 12-steps into our program.
Most of the treatment centers in Malibu said that we were a scam, and
that the 12-steps is the only way people can get sober. Thankfully, we did not cave in and go the same route that they did. We stayed true to our beliefs and we still hold true to them today. As result, many of these same treatment centers that were quick to discount us are now trying make their program sound like ours. I’m happy that their doing this because it means that Passages has had a powerful effect on the treatment industry and that the rehab centers are finally starting to evolve after being stagnant for 75 years. Unfortunately, most treatment centers still believe that once you become addicted, that you must identify yourself as an addict for the rest of your life, and by doing this it will help you to stay sober. I look at it differently, I believe that when you declare yourself an addict it only reinforces addiction and does nothing to heal your core issues. |
"For several years, I have researched everything I could about alcholism and addictions, trying to help my ex-husband. Eventually, I realized that there was more to it than what AA and other places were addressing. While I have tried to share what I have learned with him, he has not yet found it in himself to stop drinking. I wish there was a drug treatment center like yours near us as I am sure it would help him. But I told him that I would meet with him once a week and we would read and discuss things from your book. I believe it will aid him in his journey. I plan to open an agency of my own in the near future, to help troubled children find themselves through music, art, and dance. Also, counseling to understand how they really feel and what they need. So, many of your thoughts and ideas will be helpful to me. Thank you."
" I spent 9 years in crack cocaine without stopping. Your new way to see things change my point of view of being free of drugs and has me decide to be a professional therapist. I really would like to sent me a start up advice to start counseling I currently into Stratford career institute into drug and alcohol therapist thank you very much."
According to a report by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, member companies spent $25.3 billion dollars on marketing and promotion of their drugs in 2003 alone.6 While drug companies claim that the high price of drugs is a result of the increasing cost of research and development, a report from Boston University’s School of Public Health shows that from 1995 to 2000, brand-name drug companies increased the number of employees in their marketing divisions by 59 percent, while their research staff declined by 2 percent.
While you may find that outpatient rehab programs will cost less, that’s because they provide less. Outpatient rehab can be useful as a follow-up to inpatient drug rehab, but it’s not a suitable substitution.
Fortunately, many individuals who can’t afford to pay for rehab on their own have family or friends who are willing to support them. The ability to pay for rehab with a credit card allows many people to obtain treatment when they don’t have the cash on hand.
There is a part of psychology that is dedicated to the positive aspects of the human mind and behavior that could have drastic implications in the field of addiction treatment. Too often, substance abuse has many negative associations. Whether it’s the person or their lifestyle or the drugs themselves, these negative associations only create or reinforce more and more stigmas. These stigmas only further the anxiety and stress on addicted people.