I joined
the Institute of Mental Health in 2006 and have been
working with patients with addictions ever since. The patients that I see come
from all walks of life including students, housewives, professional executives
and businessmen. I also have patients with special needs – those who are blind,
with hearing problems as well as those
with borderline IQ. So far, the youngest patient I’ve had was 13 years old and
the oldest over 80 years of age.
Most of
the patients that I see are substance abuse patients while the others have
behavioural addictions like gambling. Contrary to what many people seem to
think, addictions patients have the will power to quit and that they are not
weak. It’s just that they don’t have the knowledge and skills to identify and
manage high-risk situations, causing them to lapse and then relapse.
During
their counselling sessions they learn how to manage situations when the
temptations are there, and if they do slip, they know how to get back on track.
Addictions
are considered a chronic relapsing disease which means that relapses are
common. Hence it’s important for addictions patients to be able to identify
triggers and cues and learn how to prevent relapse prevention skills through
counselling.
The
challenges working with addictions patients are first of all, to get them to
acknowledge that they have an addiction problem and then to stay in treatment.
It’s particularly trying to deal with patients who are resistant towards
treatment. I have patients who are still in treatment for one or two years and
are still pre-contemplative about quitting.
For all
my knowledge and training as a counsellor, counselling is not so much about
what I know, more importantly it’s about how much I care. Working in
counselling can be long-suffering at times and I have come to see that counselling
is more than just giving advice.
The love
and support of family members and other
loved ones of patients with addictions play an important part in the patients’ recovery process. My advice
for family members, friends and those who suspect their loved ones might have
an addiction is to stay calm and avoid over-reacting. Speak to the person
openly and use “I” when expressing your concern. And, encourage the addicted
person to seek help. Even if he or she refuses, seek help for yourself to learn
how to cope with the situation.
Family
members of patients who are receiving treatment at NAMS can attend the support group
FRESH (Families in Recovery Thru Education, Support & Hope) to understand
the process of addiction and to learn how they can best help their loved one
during their treatment and recovery. Counsellors and doctors teach family
members recovery skills and techniques in coping with addiction, and how to
adopt appropriate care and support for their loved ones as well as for themselves.