I’ve
been to three addiction treatment centres as a client (third one was the charm)
and have worked at four different ones since becoming an addictions counsellor.
As a result I feel I have a pretty good grasp of what works and what doesn’t. All treatment centres, especially residential
ones, have various rules and regulations. In my experience a lot of these
rules/regulations are either outdated or make no sense at all. Here is a list
of rules/regulations that I would change (this is not a commentary on actual
programming for as I’ve also discovered different programs work for different
people).
1)
No
hats to be worn inside: Many treatment centres still have this rule. There was a time (probably decades ago) where
wearing a hat inside was considered disrespectful. However, times have changed
and most people no longer care if someone wears a hat indoors. I’ve found that
it’s a pain in the ass enforcing this antiquated regulation.
2)
No
cell phones: Every centre I’ve worked at does not allow clients to have cell
phones on their person. As technology progresses it has become easier for
clients to hide cell phones. One of the
reasons behind this rule was to prevent clients from calling former drugs
dealers and set up drop offs. Another, more pertinent, reason for no cell
phones is that if someone is constantly in touch with the outside world they
can be easily distracted from what they have come to treatment to work on –
getting clean and sober. The former reason seems to be a moot point as clients
often have access to either a pay phone or unsupervised access to a house phone
at various times while in treatment. The best solution I have observed for this
is to allow clients access to their cellular phones once or twice a day for a
limited period. I feel this takes away the need for a client to hide his phone
and gets rid of the burden placed on staff to constantly try to catch clients
who have hid phones. Smart clients never get caught while the less intellectually
inclined often do. I remember a client’s cell phone going off during one of my
group sessions. I couldn’t help but think that if you’re going to hide a phone at
least turn the damn ringer off. SMH.
3)
No
caffeinated coffee: To me this rule is a joke and a hindrance to recovery. The
reasoning behind not allowing caffeinated coffee is so that clients who are
addicted to stimulants (e.g. – cocaine; meth) won’t use coffee to try to
simulate the effect these drugs gave them. However, the places I’ve seen who limit
or ban caffeinated coffee still have tea so the clients who want caffeine just overload
on that beverage. Or when clients go to a 12 Step meeting or have a pass they
chug down loads of coffee. Coffee is an accepted social lubricant in North
American society – a much less destructive social lubricant than alcohol. I
have yet to come across a person who is stealing, selling their bodies or
ignoring their families to score a cup of caffeinated Joe. Let the clients have
their caffeine (while you enjoy your own - as everywhere I work the staff
regularly drink this caffeinated refreshment).
4)
No
cigarettes: Several provincial withdrawal centres and some treatment centres
have banned smoking. To me this is ridiculous. I agree smoking is not healthy.
I quit as I was on the road to COPD. However, the early stages of recovery are
extremely stressful and taking away a non-mind altering (in the intoxication
sense) substance that helps relieve stress is cruel and unusual treatment. Not
at all in line with the client-centred approach of best practices.
These
are just few rules/regulations that, in my humble opinion, are antiquated and
need to be gone from the treatment centre scene.
Dave
the Dude
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