In Episode 54: Jay’s Journey, Part II, we continue our conversation with Jay Shifman, a storyteller who has made it his life’s mission to fight the stigma that surrounds mental health, especially at the intersection of suicide and addiction. For more on this in Jay’s own words, check out Jay’s TEDx talk:
Shame
Much of the model for treating those who suffer from addiction contains elements of blame and shame. “You should have thought harder before making those choices.” “What about your family?” Condemnation of substance abusers does not help in recovery. In fact it may increase the risk of suicide. As we have spoken often about on Leaving The Valley, the perception that you are a burden is one of the key components to suicidal ideation. Those who are working to overcome addiction likely already perceive themselves as a burden. It may even be one of the reasons some continue to use. Empathy for their struggle is a vital element in helping those with substance misuse issues.
For more on how the shaming model can become a hindrance towards recovery, check out this video.
Treatment
There are numerous treatment models out there. Many of which reject the blame/shame model. It is important to remember that no one treatment method works for every person. Additionally, on the road to recovery, relapse is often to be expected. It takes a long time to change habits and fully address the reasons why some people misuse drugs and alcohol. Have you ever been really dedicated to a diet only to have a “cheat meal” that turned into a “cheat day” or “cheat week?” Relapse may occur during treatment, but effective treatment helps someone get back on track.
We’re all aware of twelve step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. AA & NA have turned countless lives around and given many people a much needed sense of community. (Interestingly, feeling like you belong is not only helpful in overcoming addiction but also in preventing suicide). However, these programs aren’t a good fit for everyone.
Luckily, there are other newer models that have also shown promise in helping with issues of addiction dependence. One of those models is harm reduction. Harm reduction encourages people to lessen their dependence on substances not through abstinence, but instead thorough moderation. For more on harm reduction, check out this TedMed talk.
In Conclusion…
Addiction has a known impact on mental health and carries an elevated risk of suicide. Often, those who have struggled with addiction have struggled significantly with issues of self-worth or ideas that they are a burden to those around them. Those feelings only increase the chance for relapse and hinder recovery. Many treatment models have moved away from models that focus on “What’s wrong with you?” and moved towards models that more compassionately ask, “what happened to you?” Treatment models such as AA have a proven track record in helping individuals stay sober, and other newer models like harm reduction offer an alternative approach to helping someone begin the path to recovery.