![]() When confronted with an emergency the natural reaction is to do something. Professional nurses, firefighters and police officers engage in continuous training and practice so when that moment presents itself their actions are quick, competent and helpful. When events conspire to present the ordinary with an extraordinary twist - the "do something" often elevates action that disregards obvious, thoughtful solutions. Addiction and addictive behavior has been around awhile. Maybe as humans began acting we've always had a component of obsession and addiction in some part of our energy. Today's headlines are filled with the latest iteration and effect of the scourge that we seem unable to shake nor confront in a sustainable manner. Doomed to repeat the mistakes I offered the following viewpoint to our local paper in hopes that our community might step back and try something different to the same old challenge. Imagine if those we rely upon to help us in a crisis had to find a new key each time the same problem arose. Frustration might be an inadequate description of our reaction. Enjoy and please feel free to pass along, quote and use as the thoughts assist in your locale. Star-Gazette, Guest Viewpoint - 4/29/16 A sampling of recent newspaper headlines throughout the Southern Tier: Do something: We need solutions on addiction now Southern Tier needs leadership on heroin crisis Hanna, Reed request White House opioid forum Resources not following rise in heroin use These stories highlight the challenge virtually every community faces, an unaddressed addiction crisis of which heroin is the latest bellwether. In my lifetime the same headlines have applied to crack and meth, and with the addition of alcohol, the tragedies and costs are reported almost daily. Combine these articles with coverage of the new/old governmental joint taskforces, roundtables, pleas for assistance, resources, answers/solutions and we have a concise example of a recurring nightmare, where the frightening part always appears, yet you awake without any resolution. Awareness, no matter the motivation, often leads to thoughtful problem-solving. Creative solutions differ strikingly in both tone and tenor from the problems calling for their presence. The clearest indicator of solution-based vs. problem-based thinking is the descriptive language used. The articles and reports detailing the struggles of individuals and communities facing addiction always contain the words war, crisis, epidemic, fight, battle. These are reactions, not sustainable solutions. The reality of our situation might best be characterized by Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914), who said, “There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don’t know.” When applied to addiction, it seems like we are ignoring what we already know — recovery. We can articulate the problem and its manifestations, so why do we miss the solution when it’s as big as the challenge we face? I’m not sure. What I am sure about is that communities already have many powerful resources to face the challenge of addiction. Recovery embodies words like resource, wellness, support, peers, non-clinical, strengths-based, forward-facing — words that offer positivity and possibility to those seeking to change addictive behaviors and their effects. Detractors will say “we don’t have time because too many people are dying.” While true and tragic, this has always been the case with addiction, yet we still attempt to wage the same battles, employing proven, ineffectual treatments. Still others will scoff at such a simple proposal as focusing on a panacea while a fire rages, yet I can tell you even the wildest, uncontrolled fire is finally extinguished one flame at a time by the smallest of water molecules. The problem is not new. The fear-based reaction of our leaders and institutions in response to the individual manifestations of addiction is also not new, despite headlines, roundtables and joint task forces that present politicians and specialists as luminaries leading the way. The simple fact is the resources communities seek to sustain recovery and implement recovery-oriented systems of care are available today. Recovery-oriented systems of care refers to the idea of a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that is person-centered and builds on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families and communities to achieve abstinence and improved health, wellness and quality of life for those with or at risk of alcohol and drug problems. Are we finally ready to elevate the principles and practices of recovery? To employ solutions that presently exist and elevate outcomes of an addiction treatment industry that are consistently inadequate? The real question remains as it was in the day of Ambrose Bierce: Are we ready to discover what already exists? Cadwallader, an Elmira resident, is a creative partner in Meaningful Trainings. Learn more at meaningfultrainings.com. 6/13/2016 09:02:10 pm
This is a very informative and entertaining post, this has a strong message to fight addiction. Addiction has many forms, but some of this is bad and some are just fine, but always remember being to something that is from a much more average doing is a bad addiction. We must stop it and how to stop it is the main question, it's hard to stop this crime because of improper learning and leadership. I think we can top this by educating people and having a good leader that would help people to realize the things they must. 1/26/2017 06:15:32 pm
When we are facing something that we are not really familiar with, our first reaction I think will always be in panic. What I think is the best way to react when unexpected things happen is to stay calm and think very carefully before doing an act. Through this, we will be able to respond correctly and wisely with that particular situation. Anyway, what you have shared above is really helpful! Thank you so much for the information. 4/6/2017 04:08:58 pm
Overthinking about something in every possible way can possibly lead to doubting it, then to questioning it until it comes to the point of not knowing what's real and what's not. Same as addiction or addictive behaviors. When a person tries something for the very first time and he actually loved doing it the next time and the other next time and so on, he's already lost control of his own self. Like there's already in charge of controlling what he must think and act. That's just an example of an everyday struggle of a person suffering from addiction. This blog definitely tackles everything in the concept of this issue and I hope this article could reach to everyone who's still not unaware of these kind of problems. Please continue posting such informative and knowledgeable articles like this. 2/11/2017 01:37:40 am
The information that you have shared in this article is great and this should be shared with those who are unaware of it. 3/1/2017 02:17:39 am
If you think twice - all the things exists in the universe that you can discover. All the other things are in our imagination. 3/16/2017 01:05:57 am
The most effective way to treat the Sewage Water for utility is by enriched Bacteria digested in aerobic multi chambered and by treating with organic compound. 3/30/2017 01:45:08 am
Excess of anything is bad, it can be in any form, drink or smoking or drug. Addiction is not only bad for health, but also life become on great risk. we should avoid it and advise others to be careful while drinking or smoking. Comments are closed.
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