Category: Articles

Up and Down in North Korea

Articles

Up and Down in North Korea North Korea, known as “the Hermit Kingdom” for its insularity is experiencing its own drug epidemic. Amidon addiction is on the rise as more citizens chose it as their new “drug of choice,” following a predictable curve after years of methamphetamine use (speed burnout is often followed by opiate addiction).

Amidon is a synthetic opiate, originally invented by the Germans in 1937 in anticipation of the need for a reliable source of pain medication as the war machine cranked up. It is known in the US that methadone, which has been used to wean addicts from heroin dependency, leads to an increase in methadone addiction, which in turn results in around 5,000 deaths each year in the US, more than the number of heroin deaths.

In the 1990s, the North Korean government managed the manufacture of opium, meth, and other drugs, but the purpose was export in order to finance government operations. Since then, the drug business has privatized. Abandoned factories make ideal clandestine labs, and entrepreneurs—along with unemployed scientists and technicians—have taken over. Last December, a conspiracy to smuggle 220 pounds of methamphetamine was thwarted by US authorities; the defendants claimed that the shipment originated in North Korea.

Although usually severe in its policing of its citizens, North Korea has shown minimal interest in dealing with drug users. Meth use is as casual as drinking tea, opium paste is prescribed for pain relief, and marijuana is legal and frequently grown at home. In a country where wholesome recreation is minimal, choices are limited, and food is scarce, it is not surprising that drugs have become popular. Western observers, with limited access to information, will have to watch from afar as Amidon addiction plays out in a nation lacking a treatment infrastructure.

Sponsors Provide Spiritual Direction in Recovery

Articles, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Sponsors Provide Spiritual Direction in Recovery One of the most difficult decisions for people in alcohol recovery programs is giving up the stubborn self-pride that tells them they can “do it alone.” The notion of having a sponsor, which is a valued part of Alcoholics Anonymous, often makes them fearful or resentful. They may be willing to work the 12 Steps, albeit reluctantly, but draw the line at having an AA sponsor. Because direction of another person who has experienced alcohol addiction and knows the roller coaster of recovery makes a difference, it is important to answer the question: What is an AA sponsor?

Simply put, an AA sponsor is someone who has accumulated some years in the program and who can offer spiritual guidance. Balanced recovery includes spiritual and emotional growth, as well as lifestyle changes. It is much more than “white-knuckle” sobriety, which means putting down the alcohol but making no attempt to change one’s thinking and behavior. The person who understands the struggle of recovery best is someone who has accomplished it and who continues to focus on a spiritual way of living.

Experience, strength and hope

An AA sponsor is someone who shares experience, strength and hope with a newcomer. Most people choose their sponsors after listening to the sharing in meetings. When they hear someone whose story is similar or who is truly experiencing the joy of living, they may ask that person to sponsor them. The AA sponsor serves as a spiritual guide, listening and making suggestions.

Spiritual advisor

Following the guidance of a sponsor requires trust, and the steps of recovery deal with issues of character – self-worth, honesty, reliability, and compassion. These are spiritual traits, and the AA sponsor is a spiritual guide. AA sponsorship does not involve any particular religious belief, nor is it linked to any denomination. Developing spiritual strength improves the chances of living a sober life without relapse. Many failed attempts at trying to stay sober without the help of an AA sponsor is enough to convince most people to seek the guidance of someone who can give clear-cut direction.

Celebrity Recovery Coach David Charkham Visits DARA

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Education

David Charkham at DARA Rehab_1 We were recently visited by David Charkham, as very well know therapist and recovery coach based in the UK.

He has been in practice since 1989 in both private and public health services. His Recovery Skills workshops, created in 1989 to support clients with substance misuse conditions, have been presented across the UK as well as internationally.

In his role as a recovery coach, he has accompanied many performers on their world and European tours. Most recently, he was the recovery coach to Ozzy Osborne on his Black Sabbath European Tour 2014.

David is also the guest lecturer at the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies, University of Bath.

Please find his comments after visiting DARA below:
“After my recent visit to DARA, having spent several days visiting both centres I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending either of these excellent programmes. Having visited and worked in many treatment programmes on several continents, I have gained a good insight in to the mechanics of successful treatment. DARA ticks all the boxes.

It is a big bonus having two treatment methodology’s for clients. For those not comfortable with the twelve-step method, there is an excellent alternative using the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based approach.

After presenting several workshops and meeting clients, I was able to receive unbiased feedback and observe the treatment process close up.

The experienced staff that I witnessed interacting with clients were supportive, boundaried and compassionate in their approach.

David Charkham at DARA Rehab_2 Managed by ex-senior NHS trained staff with multiple years of experience, the completion rates at both centres remain impressive.

With extremely favourable all-inclusive costs, excellent accommodation and catering, clients are able to start their recovery process in a peaceful, tropical setting.

Upon completion, clients are also invited to return five days every year for a renewal free of charge.”

Koh Chang

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Sucess Rates

Articles

I am writing this article since a question I am asked on a daily basis by potential clients and doctors referring people is, “What is your success rate?” The only honest answer anyone can give someone is “I don’t know”.

There is a problem with stating success rates in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, since there is no way to give a truly honest answer to the question. The reasons for this are many.

1) How do you define success? A client is clean or sober for one year, five years, or their lifetime? How could anyone possibly know the answer to this question without daily drug testing for the rest of a person’s life?

2) Many of the clients who come to Drug & Alcohol Rehab Asia come for the anonymity that we guarantee. Some are high profile clients or work in safety critical positions and do not want us to ever contact them again after they leave to be sure that their drug or alcohol rehabilitation stays a private affair.

3) We develop a very close relationship with our clients. Many of them do not want to let us down, so we can never know for sure if they are telling the truth if we do follow up with them after they have left.

4) Our clients come from many different countries around the world; it would be a phenomenally difficult and extremely expensive exercise to try and verify that they are still clean or sober.

5) When doing follow-ups only a percentage of clients will respond. Therefore, this will make any assessment skewed. This means that when a centre offers a success rate what they are saying is: Of the zzz people contacted xxx responded. Of those responses, yyy said that they are still abstinent. Note the word ‘said.’ So, any success rate mentioned is only a percentage of the people who responded. And then there is no way of telling whether they have told the truth. So, for example, say you asked 100 people and 60 respond. Of the 60 responses 30 said that they are abstinent. You could say that you have a 50% success rate. However the truth is that you have a 30% success rate based on the respondee’s reply. The bottom line is that it is meaningless.

6) If a client comes to a centre with the goal of reducing their drinking to a level they can control, would they be considered a success?

I know of one centre in particular that states a very high success rate. Technically, their numbers might be accurate by the scale and parameters they use; however, if a client is admitted to them for using crack cocaine, and a year later when they follow up with the client, he or she is no longer using crack but has switched to heroin, this is considered success to them. I am sorry, but switching from one drug to another, to me, is not success. It may be harm reduction if a client switched from heroin to methadone and some people might consider this a level of success.

Also, most centres that state success rates usually only follow up with the person for six months to one year; if, after that year, the person has relapsed, it does not go against the centres’ statistics.

The only 100% definitive number I can give anyone is that we have a 92% course completion rate. That is, if a client books for 28 days they stay for the full term of their treatment. Compare this to the average centre in the UK that runs anywhere between 30% to 50%.

We have managed this by being in a remote and luxurious location with no access to drugs or alcohol, treating each client with respect, and tailoring an individualized programme to the client instead of forcing the client to fit into predefined programme. By being a client-centered and evidence-based programme, people realize very quickly that we can help them.

I know from my contact with our clients that do keep in touch with us, that many, if not most, are doing very well. They made the life changes that were required and try to adhere to the plan we helped them to develop.

Our therapists have many use years experience working with drug and alcohol clients. We know what we are doing; if you give us 100%, we will do everything we possibly can to be sure you not only live a drug or alcohol free life, but attain your goals of living a happy substance free life.

When looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre I would suggest that if they state a success rate you ask them how they came up with that number? What do they consider success? What are the questions they ask when interviewing past clients? How long do they follow up? Then also analyze their answers. Most of these numbers will be misleading at best and out right fraudulent at the worst.

The only possible way to ever have a truly accurate success rate would be every client that enters a centre would have to agree to a lifetime of regular drug tests. Only then could you give a definitive answer to success rate. In reality this could never happen.

I will leave you with one small example and this is in no way anything against AA. It is just a question I would ask after reading the statement below.

In 1992, a random survey of 6,500 A.A. members in both the United States and Canada revealed that 35 percent were sober for more than five years; 34 percent were sober from between one and five years; and 31 percent were sober for less than one year. The average time of sobriety of members is more than five years. According to A.A. World services, the survey is designed to provide information to the professional community and the general public as part of its purpose to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer from alcoholism.

So it seems like they have approximately a 32% to 34% success rate. Which may be true; however, one needs to know how well the research was conducted. They surveyed “6,500 A.A. members” and “The average time of sobriety of members is more than five years.” How were these members picked? Who picked them? Was the research internally and externally valid? For example, was it a properly randomized study? The 32% to 34% success rate is only for the people that remained members of A.A. What happens to the numbers if you add all the people in that left the programme?

Breaking Down The Barriers

Articles

Recent Study Confirms Years Pass Before Addicts Get Help

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By Roland F. Williams, MA, Licensed Advanced Addiction Counselor (LAADC), Internationally Certified Addictions Counselor (ICADC), Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor Level II (NCAC II), Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor Level II (CDAC II), Advanced Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist (ACRPS), Nationally Certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)


In a recent report by the US Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), researchers surveyed 669,000 adults admitted for substance abuse treatment for the first time last year and found that the average length of time since they started using the substance they were primarily being treated for was an amazing 15.6 years! Not surprisingly, the average time between the start of substance abuse and the first admission for treatment is longer for men (16.5 years) than for women (13.8 years). When the researchers examined specific substances of abuse, the average length of time between first use and first treatment was longest for alcohol (20.2 years) and shortest for prescription painkillers (7.8 years).

The report clearly shows that the damaging consequences of substance abuse can often be undetected or unacknowledged for many years. This not only undermines the addicts’ health and well-being, but also the lives of those around them. That is why it is essential that the global treatment industry works to prevent substance abuse in the first place, and in instances where it happens, identify the problem, getting people the treatment they need as soon as possible. This in turn ensures that the addict, their families, friends and society at large, do not have to endure years of needless suffering.

According to the United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2011, the number of illicit drug users has risen from the late 1990s, though the number of problem drug users remains stable at an estimated 15 – 39 million people worldwide. The consequences of both drug trafficking and drug abuse are manifold, and include effects on public health, such as the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C, public well-being, public safety and even national security. Drug-related deaths are estimated at 104,000 to 263,000 annually, with more than 50 percent of these fatalities resulting from drug overdose.

In an attempt to increase awareness and early intervention, many nations are engaging in organized activities with positive results. For example, the United Nations have pledged to eradicate drugs from international society, designating the 26th June as the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’. This day serves a stimulus for governments worldwide to lend financial and political backing to the UNODC and other relevant agencies to combat drugs globally.

Global initiatives aside, the addicted person usually has many reasons for not entering treatment. Concerns about price, whether the environment will be punitive as well as worries about the quality and efficacy of clinical care, all prevent people from making the decision to seek rehabilitation. The good news is that innovative, effective and affordable treatment programs such as DARA eliminate many of the barriers most often used as excuses for not entering treatment.

DARA is unique in that it offers a highly sophisticated integrated treatment model in an amazingly beautiful setting with highly trained staff at a fraction of the cost of comparable programs. If this model was the norm in the treatment industry rather than the exception, more people would seek the care they desperately need sooner, rather than later.