Recovery For Life

So Much To Know!

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:29:08 +0000

I wonder how many folks in the general population know that according to "the experts" there are currently ten different personality disorders. I have always been fascinated with the diagnostic value of "personality disorders." I wrote about them in my latest book "The PDR Guide to Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Health" (Thomson Reuters, 2009). What is fascinating about these characterological gems is that you can literally see how they lead to drug abuse and addiction. For example, Borderline Personality Disorder includes abuse/addiction as one of the defining points. Regardless of how "we professionals" may choose to band together symptoms, rehabilitation facilities must have staff who are aware of them and more importantly, know how to address them. For example, at a facility such as Caron Treatment Centers, where in the name of full disclosure, I am a Vice President; we have psychologists on staff as well as social workers and psychiatric consultants who have been trained in identifying personality disorders and addressing them during treatment. It's critical that we know how to address the entire person - not just one disorder. You should always consider this comprehensive approach when choosing a rehab - just some food for thought!

Stigma

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:25:25 +0000

Isn't it ironic that so many individuals have difficulties with alcohol and drug abuse, and yet we still stigmatize people who deal with this issue. I dare say that you know someone who has a substance abuse issue - perhaps even a member of your family. We have to take a look at this. Addiction is certainly rooted in neurochemistry and more and more treatments are available (psychopharmacologically, psychologically, and usually a combination of both, not to mention social interventions); yet, we continue to stigmatize those with this disease. You have heard me say this so many times - addiction is primary, progressive, chronic and if not treated, fatal. There are wonderful outpatient treatments, inpatient treatments, and continuums of care. Please folks, let's open our minds and perhaps open our hearts and give those with this devastating illness a chance to lead productive lives. As a Vice President of one of the oldest rehabs in the United States, I know first hand that help is just a phone call away or a click of your mouse. Educate yourself about addiction and the stigma will certainly begin to erode.

A Frightening Thought

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:47:40 +0000

I have been a psychologist, addiction specialist, and a researcher for many years, but I have recently become concerned over something because it has become a joke. Marijuana is being described as an acceptable drug. It's subtle, but standup comedians, sitcoms, talk shows; even some news stories turn the use of marijuana into a joke. Just think of the Bill Maher show "Real Time." Maher is a very bright guy but every show he talks about - almost brags of his use of marijuana. I don't get it! Marijuana is grown in such a way that we have no idea how many chemicals are in it - when they (whoever they are) grow it in what is described as an organic fashion (without pesticides) in water baths, for example, they boast at how much stronger it is. Is anybody listening? The level of THC is stronger and we know that THC is dangerous to developing brains of tweens and teens and even to the adult brain. As a jazz musician, "tea" (as it was called back then), could always be smelled in the back rooms of jazz clubs and nobody really knew any better. But now we do. All I am asking is for the reader of this blog to note that marijuana is a drug; it can affect the brain and body in a deleterious manner and we as a society need to start taking it more seriously.

Don’t Allow Methamphetamine to Ruin Your Life

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:33:20 +0000

Methamphetamine - it's marketed to youngsters every day by drug dealers as an easy way to tune out. That is why it is so important to reach young people in a preventative way that will resonate with them. And that is exactly what The Meth Project, started in Montana, has done. After all, foster care kids, many individuals in prison, and scores of addiction treatment patients all have one thing in common in Montana - methamphetamine. But what is unique about the Meth Project is that they didn't assume they knew best how to reach young people. Instead, they conducted focus groups to really understand how to connect with the area's youth. The result is a series of provocative ads and marketing techniques that aim to prevent teens from trying meth in the first place. This grassroots prevention project garnered national attention - even collaborating with HBO on a documentary as part of the network's Addiction series. The results speak for themselves. Recent survey data in Montana, where the Meth Project first initiated its prevention campaign in 2005, demonstrates attitudes and behaviors toward Meth have changed since the campaign launched. The Montana Attorney General has issued data showing that Meth use and related crime has been on the decline in this same timeframe. In addition Montana's Youth Risk Behavior Survey released in June 2009, found that Meth use among teens in the state has dropped drastically since the Meth Project launch in 2005. We at Caron Treatment Centers want folks to be aware of how one person at a time can make a difference and that prevention efforts are working! For more information on the wonderful work The Meth Project is doing, visit their website at: www.montanameth.org.

This Simply Has To Stop

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:05:50 +0000

I recently had Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, the Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services of New York State, on my radio show. The topic was Decriminalization of Addiction. The conversation was a spirited one and the Commissioner very wisely pointed out that addiction is a "chronic illness." While I found myself completely agreeing with her, I decided to play devil's advocate and asked her what we should do about those individuals who have a disease that can repeatedly results in negative consequences, not only to themselves but to others - destruction of property, domestic violence, vehicular incidents, and in the worst case scenario death. We both agreed that the criminal justice system must work in conjunction with addiction specialists to rehabilitate individuals.

The reality is (as you have heard me say many times) addiction is primary, progressive, chronic and if not treated fatal. It often results in the destruction of lives - families, friends, and even strangers. But it is a disease - it has a biological base that has been proven by so many research studies.. This having been said, we still need to stop people from destroying other people's lives. As I discuss in my model of "carefrontation," we need to treat those with addiction with respect and dignity - not shame or blame them, but hold them responsible for taking action to deal with their illness. In the 21st Century it is time that we use our collective brains to deal with this reality that does not appear to be going away at any time in the near future.

As the Vice President of Caron Treatment Centers, and the New York Regional Director, perhaps I am a tad biased but I really like our approach. We see addiction as a biopsychosocial disease that can greatly be affected by caring, compassionate treatment that is rooted in outcome based research. We approach all individuals as just that - individuals. We allow a certain spirituality to guide us - not one that must be based in a particular religion or belief in God as a higher power - but one that lends itself to a recognition that something outside each and everyone of us must guide us to restructure the way we think and believe about the disease of addiction. Stigmatizing people for having a disease is simply ignorant. Treating them while holding them responsible for their actions is the only way to go!

Strange Disease

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:40:02 +0000

A dear friend of mine has the strangest disease. He has had symptoms of dry skin, stomach ulcers, elevated blood pressure, memory loss, elevated blood sugar, swelling of his ankles, and now they tell him that some of his internal organs are floating in fluid in his stomach! Oh, he finally got diagnosed - something called alcoholism. Folks, it's a disease. It's primary, progressive and if not treated, fatal. I share this story because I want to empower people to do something about it. Help is out there and I can't think of any worthwhile excuse not to get that help. Take your life back because it is one of the most treatable illnesses. Tranquility accompanies good health - which is the antithesis of drinking alcoholically. Such a valuable goal to reach.

Food For Thought

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:32:59 +0000

In the past few weeks, I have been interviewed by the media about the tragic death of Michael Jackson. Mr. Jackson's untimely death was an opportunity to educate people about the dangers of prescription drug use gone horribly wrong. Here was a brilliantly talented individual who brought so much joy to peoples' lives. True, he was human, and like all of us had his share of issues - but what a teaching moment his death offered. My career has spanned some 30 odd years and it still amazes me how people can destroy their lives in what is usually an innocent initial moment. As I sit in my home in Connecticut and contemplate the Long Island Sound, I wonder why we cannot all just take more time to be still. Why can't we breathe and try to get "high" on the wonders of our respective worlds. Don't get me wrong, I am clinician and researcher and fully understand the biopsychosocial aspects of addiction - the human need to change our mood abruptly - as I have said many times; we have become the microwave generation and "want what we want when we want it." Perhaps Mr. Jackson's death drew so many of us to the media because on some very strange level he wasn't an oddity but just another human being!

The Link Between Violence and Substance Abuse

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:55:17 +0000

Ever wonder why man at times can be so inhumane to his fellow brothers and sisters? Throughout history, we have seen random acts of violence: war, domestic violence, rape, street crimes, turning over cars after a sporting event along with looting and burning, cruelty to animals, shootings, stabbing, robberies of many sorts. You know the one thing (and this is a fact) that can be common to all of these senseless acts - alcohol and drugs. I didn't say they always are - but sadly they are often the one contributing factor that is common to destructive acts - how horrible! In the year 2009, given all the violence in our world, shouldn't we find more funds for addiction treatment?

Relationships, Challenges and the Economy

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:14:15 +0000

The economy has affected everything from purchasing groceries to going on vacation, buying gas to paying for college, so it comes as no surprise that relationships are being challenged by the fiscal downturn as well. In a recent survey, the Caron Breakthrough Poll, commissioned by Caron Treatment Centers and conducted by Harris Interactive; more than 1300 adult women in the United States 18 years or older were asked a series of questions and sure enough - the mighty buck was found to impact marital dynamics. This certainly is something that this clinician has seen in his practice. Women may come to resent that they are still doing the bulk of the household chores and child-rearing responsibilities and paying for an evening out on the town. Certainly, I have had male patients who have relapsed over a sense that their wallets were tied to the bedroom. Folks have different ways of dealing with problems when they are in relationships, which are based upon lifelong styles of coping. Some discuss their problems and become closer, while others get bitter and are ready to rumble - all of which the Caron Breakthrough survey speaks to from a number of perspectives. Breakthrough's Executive Director, Ann W. Smith notes that stress can rearrange a relationship and has to be dealt with - sometimes through the intervention of professionals. This clinician likes to remind couples that there are many spokes in a relationship but they are all connected by the hub of communication.

Additional note: Many of you have asked for a link to the study. You can view it here:http://bit.ly/FqxIZ

The Other Side of The Coin

Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:58:12 +0000

We have all heard, witnessed and experienced first hand how the economy has hurt American society and the world at large - but what about the other side of the coin? I just received a phone call about a half hour ago from a patient that stated that he had decided to go inpatient for addiction treatment. He wanted to know how soon I could get him into Caron Treatment Center - his logic was refreshing and quite frankly moved me spiritually - what one might call a "God shot." Since he had already lost so much money in the market, he decided that the best investment he could make in his future was to stop drinking and also decided what better time then now: "...what more would I lose if I went into treatment...I actually think I have everything to gain..." What a refreshing way to view the other side of the economic coin. All those clichés like turning lemons into lemonade come to mind, but this time they may result in saving someone's life and the life of their family. Hmmm, could be a new trend. Can't make any advances in the market, why not invest in yourself - invest in your future - sounds like a great commercial for biopsychosocial and spiritual health to this clinician!