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Our challenges are designed to help people change their relationship with alcohol by shifting mindsets. Still, what about those people who cant even get past Step 1? Labels can help someone gain insight and understanding into the nature of a substance abuse problem. There is something to be gained each time anyone attempts the process of upward change. Therefore, the discussion of labels is often irrelevant and unnecessary and in many cases can even be a distraction as opposed to being helpful. However, abstinence isnt always practical for everyone. Good habits, like tooth-brushing, are behaviors that are consciously and intentionally added to our routines in order to maintain or improve our health or general wellbeing. People who are currently benefitting from 12 Step programs and 12 Step philosophy may not need this book unless they are looking for something additional to supplement their recovery. -. The Escalator consists of the following areas of focus: Your email address will not be published. Once again, the reason is that 12 Step involvement improves outcomes is because those who become engaged in 12 Step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous have a statistically better chance of staying sober. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a form of anxiety disorder that causes a recurring, unwanted feeling or idea that a certain action must be done repetitively no matter what. While many people compulsively repeat certain behaviors, those behaviors do not interfere with their daily lives and may even help them structure their day in order to complete certain tasks. As my career and education in the field of substance abuse progressed I noticed another trend that increasingly caught my attention. For example, research suggests cross-sensitivity is possible for sugar and alcohol among some individuals. Be sure to lift the wheels over the comb-plate. Give everyone a chance to have a turn Share mason.script.plugins.twitterTweetPlugin.tweet Welcome While these compulsive actions may appear to be irrational or pointless, and may even result in negative consequences, the individual experiencing the compulsion feels unable to stop him or herself. Other people may hear of some of the expectations involved with traditional recovery models and consider these goals to be unrealistic, unreasonable or out of reach. What do cross addiction and cross dependence mean? Although there is a lot of overlap, the comparison of addiction to diseases like cancer and diabetes is far too limited. I hope she will have a good and happy life. Cross addiction is real and possible, but it may not be as likely as youve heard. As stated earlier, it is more often than not the best decision but it is not the only one, at least in the beginning. That is a question that tickled my mind like a pebble in my shoe. Compulsive behaviors can be physical acts, like repetitive hand washing or hoarding . 1. Our admissions navigators are available to help 24/7 to discuss treatment. Even if we go backward after a period of progress, the next time we travel that road moving forward we know the way a little better. Home Blog What Is Cross Addiction, and Is It a Real Thing in Recovery? An explanation of overcoming addiction using the method outlined in the Taking the Escalator: An Alternative to the 12 Steps - http://www.takingtheescalator.. Inspired Progress The Goal of the Escalator. When an otherwise harmless behavior becomes so consuming that it negatively impacts oneself or others, it may be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). There were three questions/goals of the study: The findings have some interesting implications regarding the notion of cross addiction: In fact, the researchers concluded that the opposite of the notion of cross addiction was more likely that individuals who have successfully negotiated treatment for a substance use disorder were less likely to develop another substance use disorder. In fact, many escalators ban the use of any wheeled device on the escalator, such as strollers. Thats the most important thing for me now. This blog is a space for sharing ideas, experiences, links to books, articles, and websites in relation to recovery from alcohol & drug addiction. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. This is not to say that cross dependence doesnt happen in recovery. only remember little bits and pieces of what happened. Until that day when (and if) someone ever invents a pill or an operation that somehow removes substance use issues without change, then change will always still be needed in order to get better. The main point of this book is to outline some of those tools and strategies in a constructive and practical manner to help the reader better help others. One study showed that only 6% percent of escalators accidents for kids 5 or younger happened when the kid was in a stroller. 2 Wasting Too Much of Your Valuable Time Sure we all need recreation and definitely some " down time " is good for all of us, however, getting into the habit of excessive time-wasting is a motivation killer. I dont think about my future, I focus on each day as I live it. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. The notion that most forms of substance use disorders share some similar brain pathways, such as the reward pathway in the brain that is primarily mediated by the neurotransmitter dopamine, would reinforce the notion of a neurobiological substrate that is responsible for a vulnerability to developing a cross addiction. When looking at both research as well as the millions of personal testimonials from people all over the world, 12 Step programs have been a lifeline for countless people struggling with substance abuse and addiction for decades. A few hours later, some time around midnight, I realised I would have to rush otherwise Id miss the last tube. For example, while as children, we may need to be reminded to brush our teeth, we eventually grow to do it as a matter of habit. While we can choose to add good, healthy habits to our routines, we can also choose to break old harmful habits. But epilepsy and alcohol dont mix, so I had to give up after my accident. As another example, someone with a past stimulant addiction may be able to have a glass of wine from time to time, without ever having issues. PDF Challenging Thoughts Worksheet - University of Washington This person also got to practice some of the skills involved in construction as well as learning to use the tools. In other words, you really can have too much of a good thing. For example, the good habit of exercising regularly can become an unhealthy compulsion or addiction when done to excess. One cannot recover what they never really had. OCD often begins in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood, with 19 being the average age at which disorder develops. The Escalator however seeks to include the full range of individuals who are facing the prospect of either wanting to or needing to change their patterns of substance use or other similar behaviors for whatever reason. Common examples of this would be replacing opiates with alcohol, or replacing cocaine with ADHD medication. Is it fair to cut off payment for treatment just because someone does not respond to the most highly recommended and accepted form of treatment? It is very difficult to make sense of the types of observations that are reported by clinicians who base their concepts on personal experience and then relate these observations to a broader notion. So for some, abstinence is not a choice, it is an absolute necessity. That leads directly back to the subject of how to look at abstinence. The compulsive behavior can be a physical act, like hand washing or door-locking, or a mental activity, like counting objects or memorizing telephone books. In fact, going forward in the Escalator, inspiration will be linked with readiness to take action. The best case scenario when it comes to achieving the goal of the Escalator is a degree of sustained inspired progress. The Name behind This New Method The Escalator, >something that constitutes the place or point from which something else originates, takes form or develops, >tobringoutthecapabilitiesorpossibilitiesof;bringtoamore advancedoreffectivestate. The harm reduction perspective understands that some people will not be perfectly abstinent from all substances in recovery. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Since so many people have goal setting and making changes on their mind, take some time to review some of the things outlined in the Taking the Escalator methodology for overcoming addiction and other hard to quit habits. When it comes to abstinence and substance abuse, there are some undeniable facts: >Abstinence is the ideal. This amazing method will change the way the world looks at addiction which is long overdue. The Escalator promotes abstinence as the ideal way to stay out of trouble and then make progress and positive change but at the same time this method acknowledges that people have different paths toward their goals that are not all abstinence based. Addiction is based on a form of dependence, and as a result, the two words: addiction and dependence have become synonymous ** It is well documented that addiction is growing problem over the years affecting the lives of millions. I know it was June 2007, and after I had finished work at the fishmongers, I went to the pub to drink, as I did every day. A compulsive behavior is an action that a person feels compelled or driven to do over and over again. How should I handle the stroller when going down an escalator? There are many people who are thinking about change and there are others who are being required to change yet neither may be ready to consider that they have an addiction and they may never be ready to accept that label. Taking Another Look at Addiction, Recovery and Sobriety How to Get Everything You Want Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible. Getting On and Off the Escalator with One Adult. If we are not continuously working on changing for the better on some level, then life can get pretty mundane and meaningless. Risk of harm must always be factored into this equation. In most cases, even in treatment environments where a supposed disease viewpoint is accepted, many of this mans treatment providers, along with most of his family would view this person as still an addict and noncompliant with treatment despite in reality the presence of observable, measurable progress. Understanding Withdrawal & Detox by Substance. But for those going strong in sobriety, it just may not be as probable as youve been told. Consider another example: If there was a fatal disease that had an available course of treatment that could cure two thirds of those inflicted with the disease, would it be fair to cast off the other third who did not respond to the accepted treatment as hopeless? With that said, however, is addiction the best way to truly define this problem? Keep in mind that this phenomenon is not the same as dual diagnosis (when a substance use disorder coincides with another mental health issue, such as depression or PTSD). In addition, as time has progressed, this 12 Step resistant population has been on the rise similar to an antibiotic-resistant infection. Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist/author specializing in addictions, codependency, and underlying issues such as depression, trauma, and anxiety. Lets start by examining the commonly accepted: Disease Model of Addiction: *All words and phrases in this book where definition is provided was taken completely or in part from the online dictionary: www.dictionaryreference.com. Finally I found a charity called Headway East London, which helps people with brain injuries. Habits typically develop over time through a natural process called habituation, during which repetitive actions that must be consciously initiated eventually become subconscious and are carried out habitually without specific thought. A good question is; What should be done about people who are not ready or not willing to try abstinence (even if it is what they need)? Are you covered for addiction treatment? Do you have an experience to share? Better outcomes means having to pay out less for treatment and 12 Step meetings are free. I live on my own in sheltered housing in London, and Im much happier now. (Keep in mind; this is not meant to say anything against group therapy. Therefore even when someone does not achieve the ideal outcome (sobriety) any attempt at upward change is still valuable and often brings with it a degree of progress. In a nutshell, it refers to a new addiction following in the footsteps of another. Beyond addiction and recovery, she also covers topics relating to general well-being, mindfulness, fitness, mental health, and more. Most compulsive behaviors attributed to OCD are extremely time-consuming, cause major distress, and impair work, relationships, or other important functions. Escalating and moving upward is all about taking it to the next level so to speak; whatever that next level may be, as long as it is a notch above where you once were. >Controlled use is impossible for some individuals: There are those people out there who most definitely fit the traditional disease model who no matter how hard they try will never be able to use successfully (or in other words, use without eventual consequences) When it comes to more serious substance abuse issues, this group is the majority. towardahigherormoredistinguishedcondition,rank,level, etc. I do think about my daughters future. A huge collection of non 12 step, free addiction and recovery tools, including PDF worksheets, handouts, assessments, and videos. What makes a lot more sense is to provide the necessary treatment for people at the level where they enter treatment, based solely on their individual needs. >A system for self exploration and mental expansion through learning to challenge your own beliefs in order to learn about yourself at your own pace, on your own terms without fear of judgment or harsh criticism from others. Are you drawing conclusions where evidence is lacking? The American Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based on disability and so requires all buildings to be made accessible to persons with disabilities. >People who believe that their other issues, particularly mental health or other behavioral issues, prevent them from benefitting from or embracing the 12 Steps. While almost any behavior can become compulsive or addictive, some are more common. 3 Ways to Take a Stroller on an Escalator - wikiHow Some believe that a drug is a drug is a drug, and that if youre in recovery from anything, you should avoid everything. Moving upward is a gradual, steady process of getting better, improving and developing. Pleasure: Compulsive behaviors, such as those involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder, rarely result in feelings of pleasure, whereas addictions typically do. The findings of their study were reported in the November 2014 edition of the Journal of American Medical Association Psychiatry. https://www.thoughtco.com/psychology-of-compulsive-behavior-4173631 (accessed March 4, 2023). The habit of having a glass of beer with dinner, for example, becomes an addiction when the desire to drink turns into a physical or emotional need to drink. When I started in this field most substance abuse programs were still 12 Step based. Although it has no official "phobia" name, the fear of elevators is relatively common. I was really selfish before, and I used to cheat on everyone. This maneuver only works if you have another adult with you. Elevators have a unique, precise, and tightly constrained mission. Thus, there are a lot of recommendations regarding individuals with past alcohol use disorders not being prescribed narcotic medications for pain control, individuals recovering from benzodiazepine disorders not drinking alcohol, etc. Consider the definition of Upward . I only remember little bits and pieces of what happened. toregainhealthafterbeingsick,wounded,orthelike:torecoverfromanillness. Even if the now 350 pound man is still considered morbidly obese with a cholesterol level twice the acceptable limit, his doctor and family likely would still embrace his progress in a positive encouraging way with the hope he will continue in that positive direction. That would be even more reason for someone to develop alternative treatments for the disease. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). mason.script.plugins.twitterTweetPlugin.tweet. Taking the Escalator >An alternative method that is well suited for a broad, wide-ranging perspective on spirituality which can work for the Atheist and Agnostic as well as those with more firmly established beliefs while making sure not to alienate those from either viewpoint. Abstinence is often the ultimate goal, however people, often guided by their level of motivation and insight, often take many different paths toward that goal. 6 talking about this. For example, when considering going on a diet, think about how many times a person may experience little bursts of inspiration until finally one day they stick with the diet and actually start losing weight. The Escalator takes into account changes in technology and developments with regard to how we communicate and obtain information. How Psychologically Conditioned Rats Are Defusing Landmines, The Innate Intelligence Observed in the Dying Process. Was this situation a total failure? In summary, abstinence should always be considered for its simplicity and basic effectiveness. So the actual use of the term recovery is quite fitting and appropriate when viewing substance abuse and addiction in this manner. Longley, Robert. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. I have been trained in a variety of techniques that over the years and I found myself, like most counselors, breaking down and combining in order to utilize an array of the best principles, skills, techniques and ideas from various methods for the variety of situations and problems faced by people I was trying to help. The answer starts with a combination of two key concepts: >stimulationorarousalofthemind,feelings,etc,tospecialor unusualactivityorcreativity, >thestateorqualityofbeingsostimulatedoraroused, Inspiration is a combination of motivation and insight, which are at the very core of the Escalator. The concept of cross addiction is partially based on the idea that people with past substance use disorders are highly prone to future addictions. Taking the Escalator - An Alternative to the 12 Steps There can be success without sobriety if we look beyond perfection as the way we measure success. Awareness: People with obsessive-compulsive disorders are typically aware of their behaviors and are bothered by the knowledge that they have no logical reason for doing them. For example, it would not be advisable for someone who has a history of serious suicide attempts when they are drunk to attempt controlled drinking. I remember being at a meeting of supervisors of treatment programs in my area and one program manager said At my program, the policy is: Two positive urines and you are discharged! I remember questioning myself quietly how someone could put an arbitrary number on something as complicated as relapse when substance use issues and recovery issues vary such a great deal from person to person. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. On the other hand, you might more easily identify a cross addiction when youve swapped one substance for another. However, the Escalator accepts people exactly where they are at and uses the principle some change is better than no change .Therefore if the only thing that someone is willing to do is reduce their use for now, then it is better to start from there than do nothing at all. X Social Psychology Experiments and Studies - Verywell Mind For example, many people simply may not feel like their personal situation or circumstances coincide with some of the more traditional views on recovery and self-improvement. Surely, abstinence would be better, but progress is progress and it should be viewed that way. >A collective approach for building self awareness which considers your own unique personality, circumstances and lifestyle. Two key differences between compulsion and addiction are pleasure and awareness. Research looking at what particular factors predict the notion of a substitute addiction or a cross addiction could shed more light on this issue. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,994 times. However, a commitment to abstinence is not a requirement for all to engage in the upward change process. From early on in my career, I found myself having a soft spot and curiosity toward those troubled individuals who just did not benefit from the 12 Steps no matter hard they may have tried. Are you confusing a low probability with a high probability? If youre struggling with a cross addiction in recovery, youre not alone. Recognizing, understanding and gaining insight into ones behavior and accepting that there is some degree of a problem that needs changing is enough, regardless of what one may try to call it or label it. The Internet is huge! (PDF) 5 and 5 for Change | Kenneth Pecoraro - Academia.edu For all of the success that the 12 Steps have had there are still a huge number of individuals who have not responded. They were terrible, violent.. Let the front wheels rest on lower step and the back wheels rest on a higher step. I recommend elevators instead, because they are a lot easier and safer. And I take a lot more care on the escalators. This often happens after a person has quit one substance, and is looking for new ways to cope. In this example, the person spends weeks working on the house and it is a great struggle. To prevent the stroller from rolling down, have it facing the same way you would have it if you were going up the escalator (behind you instead of in front of you with the stroller facing upwards). Alcoholism on the other hand is essentially just an addiction to or dependence on alcohol. Overview Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. When someone ends up staying inspired long enough to maintain the changes, improvement and progress that they made in the upward change process that is the most desirable outcome. The Taking the Escalator Method is focused on enhancing and sustaining these three essential qualities in the diagram (Insight, Internal Motivation and External Motivation/Support) to establish and drive the positive changes needed for inspiration and progress toward treatment and overall lifestyle goals www.takingtheescalator.com f Another way to look at this same question when examining the goals of the process of getting better is: The next section searches into this sometimes controversial topic, Answering the Questions about Abstinence . There are those to whom the concept of recovery directly applies but it does not make sense to exclusively refer to this process of getting better only as recovery due to the existence of many individuals to whom recovery does not apply. *SUDs The use of the term Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) is also accepted and in use in literature. ThoughtCo, Aug. 1, 2021, thoughtco.com/psychology-of-compulsive-behavior-4173631. For example, although we may be aware that we are brushing our teeth, we almost never wonder why we are doing it or ask ourselves, Should I be brushing my teeth or not?. Thus, individuals who were unable to address their original substance use issue were more vulnerable to developing other substance use issues than individuals who were successful in addressing their substance use disorder. Obviously, the greater the degree that an individual is able to sustain inspiration and demonstrate actual progress and upward change then the more successful the experience has become. Im a lot kinder now that Im sober. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? Shame involves the perception of oneself as a failure or feeling unacceptable to others. A compulsion is different from an addiction. Just like it wouldnt make sense to imply that everyone who has a cold will absolutely one day develop pneumonia, it is just as restrictive to assume that everyone who has signs of an early stage substance abuse problem will one day be a raging, out of control, drug addict. Schedule a private call with a Ria Health team member and we can help you get started. So, by extension, someone who is not abstinent cannot be sober either. What is most important is that people learn to embrace change with an open mind and also develop the insight needed to make the proper decision about abstinence in their particular case. Gearing treatment toward only the most severe (in this case those who may be considered addicted) neglects the much larger population of those who are in earlier stages across the spectrum or who have only some of the qualities of the disease but not others. But in the vast majority of cases in the real world of substance abuse it is not so obvious when we consider the whole spectrum of substance use issues. [1] Understanding Your Fear of Elevators - Verywell Mind Some of these methods have been effective, while some others have never really caught on. Here is our guide to giving up (or cutting back) on alcohol. Taking the Escalator. Instead, they are just having fun or trying to fit in. Often, it takes a devastating consequence like a drunk-driving conviction, a divorce, or getting fired for persons with addictions to become aware of the realities of their actions. Evan is a deep believer in fact-based, empathic communicationwithin business, arts, academia, or any space where words drive action or change lives. http://www.panynj.gov/path/rules-regs.html, http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/26/safety.mistakes.parenting/, http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/safety/escabrochure.shtml, http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/2009/10/how-to-take-a-stroller-on-an-escalator-a-tongue-in-cheek-guide/. The process outlined in this book is called the Escalator. In fact, individuals who attempt this process of trying to deal with substance use issues effectively can still make progress regardless of the eventual outcome. People with deficits in motivation or insight or both should not be neglected nor labeled as not ready. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Psychology and the Mystery of the "Poisoned" Schoolgirls. The Escalator is for the more modern substance user who tends to have more complex issues, and different viewpoints and attitudes than in years past. As we have stated earlier, for a long time, the 12 Steps have been one of the primary methods for recovery. >People who have tried 12 Step meetings for a reasonable amount of time with an open mind but have come to the conclusion that they do not feel right now that the meetings are helpful or beneficial enough to keep on trying to attend. It was really eye opening for me when I expanded my work with adolescents and young people. The person does the best that they can to buy the tools to build the house and then try to use these tools for the actual construction of the house. It is also consistent with many strict disease models of addiction where individuals are unable to make rational choices regarding substance use due to changes that occur in the brain. AdCare Hospital Outpatient - Multiple Cities, AdCare Rhode Island Outpatient - Multiple Cities, Resolutions Recovery Residences - Multiple Cities, The editorial staff of American Addiction Centers is made up of credentialed clinical reviewers with hands-on experience in or expert knowledge of ad , Understanding Addiction: Research Studies, State-Funded Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers, trained clinicians are known to have significant issues with cognitive biases, Journal of American Medical Association Psychiatry, risk to develop another substance use disorder, Signs Youve Hit Rock Bottom in Your Addiction & What To Do, Substance Abuse Among Police & Law Enforcement, Holistic Addiction Treatment Programs & Rehab Centers Near Me, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Rehab Guide, Fentanyl Addiction Hotline: 24/7 Fentanyl Abuse Helpline, Family Rehab Programs: Going to Rehab When You Have Children.