We all have our addictions!
 

 “I used to think a drug addict was someone who lived on the far edges of society. Wild-eyed, shaven-headed and living in a filthy squat.
That was until I became one...”
― Cathryn Kemp, Painkiller Addict: From Wreckage to Redemption - My True Story

 

When we hear 'addiction' we immediately think that someone, somewhere along the line has given in to peer pressure or has not got the sufficient coping mechanisms for life. It is often associated with individuals from the lower socioeconomic class and younger people as they are seen to be the most 'psychologically unstable' and have life the hardest. Many see individuals with addictions as weak as they are thought to be looking for the easy way out...fact is, we all have our preconceived ideas about addictions...and let's face it we all have some sort of addiction!

May it be caffeine, watching TV, eating, jogging, you name it...too much of something and not being able to live without that something may become an addiction! Yesterday,we met our clients for the first time and 'oh my' were we surprised that most of them were higher functioning! Let me give you an idea:

 

So the first thing that shot through my mind was, "how on earth are we going to treat our clients if they have the intellectual insight to what's going on with them"?! The problem is that our will power might be stronger than we think but the chemical imbalance within can sometimes be stronger than any forces and therefore there is the need for drugs such as Naltrexone, Acamprosate and Disulfiram as well as psychosocial treatment which is where our skills as OT's come in. Nice to know that we are just as important as drugs hey!:) What we examine are things like the clients cognitive believes, coping and stress management, motivation, communication and interaction skills. The treatment is underlined by models such as Stages of Change, Harm Reduction, Contingency management, Project mainstream or the 12 Step Group Participation. It is sounds easier than it is as we also become an important therapeutic tool which means our handling skills need to be effective. I will be focusing on my handling skills as prac unfolds as it is very important to find a stable balance when it comes to the way one approaches treatment with the clients. As Chantal said, "Just be yourself".