Page 7 - Flares Issue 5

Conquering Addiction Where Care Happens

By Oscar "Gio" Fuentes III

n 2016, one of the campaigns launched sober friendships with them as they go through
by the current Philippine government the daily activities such as group therapies and
was a controversial war on drugs. This individual counseling sessions. These friendships
caused hundreds of thousands of drug will be key in getting the addict through the
personalities to surrender to government tough days that they will face once they get
officials in fear of being the next victim in the back out to the real world. It must be noted
sensational series of extra-judicial killings that though that before an addict is able to make
has been going on across the country. In fear of these friendships, he must first take the time in
death or incarceration, the only logical option building his relationship with himself again.
for these drug personalities is to have
themselves admitted to a rehabilitation center There are more concepts and ideas an addict
and undergo the offered program. However, the will be able to learn as he goes through a
question remains: Behind the walls and gates of rehabilitation program. These include the
a rehab center, what can the substance abuser science behind addiction, patterns of addiction,
actually learn from the “program” that will help the triggers, codependency, enabling, relapse,
them recover from active addiction? compulsive behaviors, denial, healthy coping
mechanisms, self-esteem,
Contrary to common
humility, self-love, life
The only way
perception, addiction skills, motivation, nutrition,
rehabs are not "Get Out optimism, discipline, the
of Jail Free" cards. They gifts of sobriety, the
out is through.
are not substitutes for importance of a support
jail time. The residents
group, and most
Robert Frost
are not just locked up importantly, the power of
inside so that they can
choice.
abstain from active
addiction. What really
The stigma of addiction is
happens is that
still very strong in our
professionally-run rehab
country and this is why as advocates and as
centers offer a comprehensive program backed mental health professionals, we have our work
by science and research. Such programs are all cut out for us.
aimed at a person’s recovery and worthwhile life
AFTER they complete their stay in the rehab.
The solution we are looking
These programs are thoroughly designed to
for will never be a "war",
address not just the addiction, but also the
rather a rights-based,
behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and thought
empirical, human and
patterns that help them live drug-free, sober and
fulfilling lives.
humane approach.

As one goes through the program of a well-run
rehabilitation center, the addict will be able to
Gio graduated with a degree in
learn more about themselves. They will be able
Psychology and is currently an MAP
to see the dysfunctional thought patterns and
student. He is a Registered
behaviors and be able to address them Psychometrician, having finished 12th
place in the Psychometrician Board
themselves. While they are in treatment, they will
Exam.
be able to meet people and be able to build