This one contains further dialogue concerning the Modulation Element of our ARMOR Program. Before digging into today’s journal entry, let me make an excuse for my behavior and why nobody completely understands how ARMOR works – just yet. I am reluctant to put our intellectual property out there, full swing, for fear it will get gobbled up by some money moguls. They will then transform it into a money marketing machine rather than leave it as is currently: a behavior modification machine. I mean, if my data is worth something, I’d like it to go to those I love most, my children, including my homeless addicted ones, who may be your children as well!
Oops, I may have role-modeled Dear Ole Dad here. We always had a dog living in our home, sometimes two. My Dad, you see, even if we already had a dog living with us, would manage to bring home another, usually a stray. His best story was: “When I came out from work, Rusty, was already sitting inside of my car, must have jumped in the open window.” A big crazed red Irish Setter, and I do mean crazy. And also, yes, some of my homeless children of addiction are like stray dogs, trust me! Point here is that I am doing my very best to share my hidden treasure trove of intellectual property with those I love and respect most. So, once we go viral, I will totally enjoy placing it out there in a transparent display case, for all to access free of charge.
The five elements of ARMOR were gleaned from doctoral research involving consumers of Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery, so I love and respect them both. Along with this research came an understanding of current data reflecting on best practices. First and foremost, let’s resolve the one-size-fits-all confusion, once and for all. There is none, it is unfounded propaganda for alcohol, opioids, or any other addiction disorder. Thank you, Ms. Lane, for bringing this to the forefront. Using a broad-based, client-centered approach while engaging in a harm-reduction methodology appears to be in everyone’s best interest, currently. Furthermore, research supports that the more broad-based an addiction remission protocol, the greater the success rate; so, get a psychiatrist, a therapist, and a lifestyle coach. Heck, why not add a spiritual director?
My role right here, right now, is to help us understand why there is no silver bullet. Addiction disorders have very little to do with any given substance or behavior being targeted. The condition is a Bio-psycho-social-learning one, neatly snuggled up under a heading: Addiction Disorder. Ok, ok, too much babble and over-the-top words. Let’s watch the following ten-minute clip before rambling any further, please. His opening is excellent and the last few minutes a gem, especially in the context of our Modulation Element. Dr. Huberman speaks about the GABA system, familiar dialogue if you’ve been involved with our network for a spell. He also conveys the gravity of how devastating one toxic molecule can be, while under a guise of being pleasurable. During early remission, one long-time member in good standing, from 12-step approach, said it best: “alcohol is like the devil who walks up to you and says – I am going to kill you slowly and you’re going to love it.” He was known as God-Mike, for his incessant use of the term God irritated some folks.
Hope you took the time to listen and/or view cc style! As much as, the information of how ethanol molecules interact with our neural chemistry, our brain, and our body-cells is inciteful, it does little by way of actually extinguishing the unwanted self-defeating behavior of imbibing. Noteworthy is that an understanding of these molecular dynamics may facilitate behavior modification psychologically, prior to taking action to change physiologically. This is something SMART Recovery refers to as enhancing motivation, the first of their four-point program. When looking at DiClemente’s & Prochaska’s Five Stages of Change, the above video may help move actively addicted viewers from a pre-contemplative stage (what Doc calls denial), toward a contemplative stage and may even incite a preparation to change. Next will be learning how to use such information in designing and engaging an action protocol.
Earlier you read of addiction being a learned bio-psycho-social form of slavery or are you not mind-readers? Now, adding to Dr. Huberman’s contribution, our editor in chief offered the following noteworthy discourse concerning our Affirmation Element. It is some dialogue Bill sent in from “Dear Annie” (Annie Lane writes the Dear Annie advice column). Apparently, responses to one of her messages on the Cleveland.com website, ruffled some feathers. As a premier news and information provider for the state of Ohio, Ms. Annie fielded some non-affirming commentary which she masterfully transformed back into affirmation for those seeking to comprehend addiction remission. Annie’s inspired commentary is right on the money, if it works, use it. We get drunk and high at all costs, only makes sense to counteract in-kind. Get sober minded at all costs.
Perhaps with some twelve-step (self-help-group medicine), along with some SMART Recovery (self-help-group medicine) and accompanied by some Rational Recovery (AVRT self-talk medicine), one may possibly get a glimpse into addiction’s governance, aside from those molecular substances ingested. Behavioral addictions have an inherent cocktail of molecular substances too. They also dynamically interact and can enslave human cognition via consistent flooding of neurotransmitters. Once maladaptive, these dynamic interactions generate the same euphoric feedback loops as do those from drugs and/or alcohol, which incite addiction.
Seasoned leaders, recovery coaches, sponsors for aiding in the treatment of addiction disorders may often become defensive of their approach. Meaning, make excuses or rationalize, when threatened by new approaches. And oh, if Rational Recovery verses SMART Recovery appeared confusing to you, maybe you missed our editor’s earlier news brief. The point here is rather than bicker over right and wrong, let’s pool our efforts and resources together to find the cocktail that counteracts the self-defeating one.
Research supports the more the merrier concept for attaining addiction remission, and let’s not neglect the array of involved social systems as they wield their powerful influencers too. Peer pressure is real and works both ways. For folks here at Virtu Services Network, welcoming open-mindedness and meeting folks where they are at is crucial. It initiates that prerequisite bonding dynamic. Then building trust via a non-judgmental, non-threatening acceptance of who you are and where you’re at is imperative. It really doesn’t matter how divine a meal is being served, if we can’t get the malnourished to sit at the table! Why even worry about preparation of ingredients? The lethal opioid use crisis continues to escalate, has been since we started in 2012. With ever increasing fatal overdoses, it cries out in silence petitioning for change. Stanley Gordon West’s perspective appears to be credible, smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone!