“He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils.”
These prophetic words from Sir Francis Bacon seem applicable to our issues involving addiction. The hard work done by so many for so long in the recovery field has yielded difficult results.
I would like to suggest several reasons why this pandemic continues to be so difficult to overcome.
With my limited knowledge of state protocol, wouldn’t it be better to have the Maine CDC release monthly addiction statistics instead of the attorney general’s office? If we are trying to reinforce the disease concept then perhaps the CDC would be a more appropriate messenger.
Stop segregating to the disease issue. Addiction is the problem and it takes many paths not just with substances. Along those lines stop focusing on substances as the cause. Evidence based research has identified that this disease is already manifesting symptoms long before first use.
Stop using old phrases such as “drug of choice” which implies willful misconduct by the individual when it is clear there was never a choice. Blame is the result and recovery becomes more difficult.
Stop ignoring the most under addressed issue in recovery, over 90% of treatment centers in Maine and nationally allow the use of nicotine. Why? Yes, it is difficult but not impossible. Research has shown that those continuing nicotine use in “recovery” have three times the return rate to those other substances compared to those who do not use nicotine.
Nicotine use causes more deaths in Maine each year — 2,500 — than all other substances combined.
Wasn’t it Bill W. who wrote “half measures availed us nothing” in the Big Book? Let’s treat the whole disease no matter what the challenge. Those working hard at recovery deserve it.
Bob Creamer
Hallowell
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