Serenity House regularly conducts needs assessments and surveys in an effort to continuously fine-tune our programs to meet the wide variety of needs of our clients and patients.
Following the needs assessments, patients write specific questions they have about treatment. The following article addresses some of those questions.

What is the best way to achieve "rigorous honesty?"

The phrase "rigorous honesty" comes from the text of Alcoholics Anonymous, specifically from Chapter 5 entitled, How it Works. This section talks about those who are not able to "follow the path" of recovery. It states, "There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty." (p. 58).

The question of how one achieves a rigorously honest manner of living is a challenging one. The language in How it Works is strong, and the chapter goes on to present the Twelve Steps which are suggested ways of living that have helped many maintain lengthy sobriety.

Many individuals new to recovery have developed a manner of living that relies heavily on deception and manipulation as means of self-preservation. Many have learned that "it's only a lie if I get caught." It also seems at times that examples of people leading honest lives are so difficult to find it must simply be an unachievable ideal.

The Twelve Steps provide an outline and suggest that the recovering person be willing to at least try to "grasp and develop" this manner of living. A few things to do today:

How does antidepressant medication figure into my recovery?

Antidepressants are prescribed for individuals who present with depressive or dysthymic disorders. They are also frequently prescribed for people with anxiety disorders. The most commonly used are the SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). For an excellent explanation of how the neurotransmitters are influenced in addiction, I recommend that you visit the NIDA (National Institute of Drug Addiction) website at www.drugabuse.gov.

It is very important for individuals who are prescribed these medications to follow the advice of their physicians. It is not a good idea to follow the advice of non-physicians in support groups who imply that taking this class of drugs somehow diminishes your recovery. It is common for some in recovery to want to eventually not have to rely on medication. I suggest being cautious if you fit into this category.

Talk to your physician. Has your life improved? Are things going better? Are you feeling better? Have depressive symptoms diminished? These are the questions you need to ask. If things are going well, why would you want to stop your medication? If things are not improving, or side effects are unbearable, do not suddenly stop your medications without consulting with your doctor.
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How do I communicate to loved ones that recovery never ends?

I hate to sound like a broken record, but send your loved ones to the NIDA website.

Probably one of the most difficult things to impress upon loved ones is that addiction is a chronic brain disease and it requires the same maintenance any chronic illness would require. Addicts are never "cured." A good way to frame recovery is to think of remission and how that term is used in the treatment of cancer; the symptoms disappear but they could come back. And in the case of addiction, they will come back if maintenance steps are not followed.

Individuals in recovery are faced with those who disagree with the above. There are those who do not accept the disease concept or believe that the addict simply went through some bad times and can probably control their using now especially given all that they have learned from their trials and tribulations.

There is little comfort in arguing with Uncle Joe or Aunt Ruth about how they had a drinking problem once and just managed to stop without any treatment, or that they once used uncontrollably and now can stop after one or two. The addict finds him/herself defending the disease concept, or even worse, questioning his or her own recovery, "Gee, if Uncle Joe drank heavily and has now moderated his use, perhaps I can."

One of the best things you can do when loved ones question these concepts is to get yourself to a meeting. Get with others who understand, who don't question these facts. You may also suggest, in addition to the scientific reading, that your loved ones attend some meetings with you, or that they go to a support group for family members of addicts (Al-Anon, for example).
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Should I tell my employer that I am in recovery?

This depends on the employer. On one hand, some employers are very understanding and will be grateful for your disclosure and supportive of your recovery. On the other hand, there are some employers who are unsympathetic and may view your condition as a liability. Although they can not fire you because you are an addict, if they don't understand addiction, the workplace/environment and your relationship with the boss and coworkers may become uncomfortable.

Carefully assess your work environment; talk to your sponsor and close friends before making the disclosure.
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Wishing you good mental health! Dr. David Tews