Pubdate: Fri, 04 Dec 2009 Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 The Morning Star Contact: http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352 Author: Cara Brady TAKING STEPS TOWARDS RECOVERY A new way of treating substance abuse and mental health issues could lead to quicker and better recovery. "Most people who have addictions have underlying mental health issues and vice versa. In the past, these were treated separately but now with joint intake, we can get people the help they need in all areas of their lives as soon as possible," said Tracey Labbie, program manager, North Okanagan Alcohol and Drug Services. She said the time to think about seeking help with substance abuse and mental health concerns is when it is affecting other areas of life, like relationships, work, health or any kind of conflicts or changes. Individuals may have a biological predisposition to mental illness or substance misuse with problems caused by triggers like stress, trauma and loss. Treatment provides a variety of coping strategies. "The majority of people will know when they need help but they will typically go through several stages as they works things out," said Labbie. The first stage is the pre-contemplative where they might deny that they have a problem, or, if they recognize a problem, insist that they can handle it themselves. At the contemplative stage, family, friends, employers or school may have suggested looking for help and that is when the program generally sees people for the first time and talks about concerns. At the preparation stage, the client and professionals make plans for treatment and recovery, which might include making arrangements to go to a treatment centre, support groups or counseling. The stages are not always linear and a person may go back and forth between stages. In the action stage, the client is in counseling or a treatment program where they learn the tools to reach their goals. At the maintenance stage, the client has been abstinent for at least six months and has supports in place to help. Labbie said the harm reduction model for treatment is often misunderstood. "We don't require that people have stopped using before we see them. We are here to help them with whatever they need to stop. Harm reduction is a spot on a continuum towards abstinence which is the long-term goal." The Integrated Mental Health and Addiction Services program lets people get help with both issues at the same time without asking the almost impossible, that one issue be dealt with before the other can be addressed. "Clients tell us that this approach works better for them and that they are happier with it. We are able to work with community partners to see that people are getting the services that are most appropriate to the individual situation," said Labbie. She is also seeing a growing concern with people, including seniors, with chronic pain and other health conditions becoming addicted to prescription drugs or alcohol. Youth addiction is mostly to tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, with the outreach clinician, Jared Dennis, seeing some increase in cocaine and heroin. Outreach clinician Dave Thackery has reported that there is more drug use in middle-aged and older people, including cocaine use. Labbie says what is in place in the community is working well but she would like to see a formalized opiate dependency program (there is an existing methadone maintenance program); supported housing where people can live in an abstinent environment during recovery; and day detox program for people who can't go to residential treatment facilities. "I hope people will be aware of the services in the community because addictions and mental illness can affect anyone in any walk of life and many people are touched directly or indirectly," she said. For more information about North Okanagan Alcohol and Drug Services call 250-549-5737 or see www.interiorhealth.ca. North Okanagan Alcohol and Drug Services is a free, voluntary program. There is a drop-in for intake and screening Monday to Thursday from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vernon Health Unit. Services can also be accessed through Whitevalley Community Resources at 250-547-8866 and Pleasant Valley Center at 250-546-4700. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom