There are a number of reasons that parent may step into the spotlight and donate time and energy to fighting a cause. When it comes to drug addiction and the mothers who work to prevent the disease from striking teens, most do it because they want to help their own kids – or because it’s already too late for a child they love. Parents who know that treatment is the most effective choice for their teens – and not legal punishment – when drug addiction is an issue are working to get the word out to teens, parents, law enforcement, and government officials.

A national organization called A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing) is gaining momentum across the country as chapters in almost every state work together to get the anti-drug addiction message to teens. Their Moms United to End the War on Drugs campaign focuses on helping teens get the addiction treatment l and medical care they need to fight addiction early and effectively instead of punishing teens with legal fees, jail time, and other corrective measures as the “War on Drugs” mentality advocates.

One Santa Barbara, California, mother Gretchen Burns Bergman is an active PATH member. She says that the goal of the group is not to support drug abuse or addiction but to advocate for appropriate care and treatment in response to the problem. She says that legal punishment often just makes matters worse:

“These methods of harsh punishment for drug use are clearly not working, as observed by the 75 percent recidivism rate for convicts in Santa Barbara County. So many lives and families have been destroyed by the war on drugs and all the money being used to fight drug use is simply feeding the prison-industrial complex. Moms United certainly doesn’t advocate drug use, but it is time our nation realized that the War on Drugs is doing far more harm than good in our communities.”

Mothers of teens who have died as a result of drug overdose due to a lack of drug treatment after enforced incarceration for drug-related offenses say that jail time doesn’t help.  Instead, counseling, detox, and other types of addiction treatment would help treat the root of the problem – the addiction itself – rather than simply addressing the symptoms that may include anything from violence to burglary to vandalism to drug sales and possession.

Another mother points out that the financials support the goals of Moms United and not the War on Drugs: “The state of California spends nearly $16 billion annually prosecuting drug crimes and giving felony charges to desperate people seeking relief from debilitating mental disorders. All of that money could be going into positive treatment centers where these people can get the help they need to become functioning members of society. Such harsh punishments also make it less likely that the friends of an addict will contact the authorities when they believe a friend to be overdosing.”

If you or someone you care about is living with a drug addiction, don’t wait to get help. Drug rehab is the best and only evidence-based way to effectively treat addiction. Contact us at Orchid today to learn more.

Perhaps the last thing a woman with an addiction wants is for everyone to know about her problems.  Yet at the same time, this hurting woman wants to be a part of a caring group.  These opposing forces can make it difficult for a woman to get started in drug rehab.  But once she understands the value of group interaction in drug treatment, she can begin a better life connected with others.

Shame And Embarrassment With Drug Addiction

It can be bad enough dealing with the problems of life.  Drug addiction can make things so much worse.  A woman with a drug addiction is on the run from problems, trying to stay ahead before they swallow her whole.  Once an addiction catches up to her, it’s time to face the music in her mind.

The truth about drug addiction can be devastating to face.  Not only have things been going badly, but she’s dug herself a hole with drug use.  She can get caught up in just the shame of having let herself get in the grips of something terrible and socially out-casting as an addiction.

It’s important to help a woman very carefully as she’s coming to that point of truth.  The shame of admitting to an addiction can make her want to retreat, even from genuine offers of help.  Her mind may know she needs help, but she may not be able to bear the thought of facing others with that truth.  Spilling her guts in a group treatment setting may be the last thing she wants to think about.

Privacy And Sharing in Drug Rehab

Even with this strong conflict between publicly sharing and privately hiding, a woman gets much of her personal value from social groups.  She may be too caught up in her own pain to realize that everyone else at drug rehab is going through a difficult struggle like her own.  Other women may be just as hesitant and ashamed of their addiction story as she is.  Yet, each woman needs the connection and caring support of a group.

Each woman will gain much more by joining and sharing than she will by hiding and withdrawing.  It takes courage to take this leap of faith.  And women who do are usually well rewarded by improvement in their well being, their self respect, and their sobriety.

Group Drug Treatment Many Benefits

Everyone needs to feel like they belong somewhere, but women particularly need a social network for her personal mental health.  Drug rehab centers that focus on just women know how to maximize the value of these connections.  Women in drug rehab can experience long lasting bonds with women who understand them like no one else.

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You’ve been to drug rehab for three months and they say you are about ready to go home.  Go home - what will that mean for you?  You may find yourself asking more questions after drug rehab is over than you had at the beginning.  Some of these questions can only be answered by yourself.  Let’s take a look at four things to ask yourself as your drug rehab experience comes to an end.

How Have I Let Drug Rehab Change Me

Drug rehab doesn’t do the work of building a sober life.  It guides you and provides tools for your recovery.  But you need to open up to the experience and let it sink in.  When you let it seep into the most painful parts of your life, drug rehab will change you.

Is My Addiction Recovery Plan Adequate

Your sobriety depends on the strength of your sobriety plan.  You never know when you may be faced with a relapse trigger or feel drug cravings.  You certainly don’t want to be caught in a tough spot without a few dependable coping skills and an exit strategy.

Who Do I Trust To Help Me Adjust To A Sober Life

First, you need to be sure that someone will be helping you adjust to life back at home after drug rehab.  Even the simple things like personal care and meals will be very different than when you were last at home.  You need people around you that will look out for your best interest and patiently help you readjust to your home life.

Who And What Do I Need To Avoid After Drug Rehab

As important as it is to have trustworthy people around you, it’s also crucial to avoid known pitfalls.  There are some people you need to avoid altogether such as former drug-using friends.  Old drinking haunts and the neighborhood where you picked up your drugs - these are places you must avoid.  These people and places don’t serve your sobriety and may even hurt it.

Coming Home After Drug Rehab

When you ask yourself these questions, you may be surprised. The answers you feel bubbling to the surface might feel too uncomfortable.  If you push them down, you may put your sobriety at risk.  The truth will help you stay sober - how well has your drug rehab experience prepared you to cope with the truth?  If you aren’t sure you are ready for sober life, consider a sober living arrangement for a few months after drug rehab to help with the transition.

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