In the world of recovery from Substance Use Disorder the terms abstinence and sobriety are often used interchangeably. They are meant to discern if someone is not using substances that are mind altering. Traditionally recovery programs consider someone as “not in recovery” and “not sober” if they continue to use such substances. These programs promote total abstinence as the only way out of addiction.
In recent years that belief has been challenged and has become a focus of controversy within the Recovery world. This is due to the increased frequency of the use of medications to treat substance addictions, referred to as Medication Assisted Treatment. (M.A.T.) Methadone, buprenorphine, Vivitrol, naltrexone, disulfiram and acamprosate have all been used to treat opiate and alcohol use disorders. Some of these have the potential to be misused and can cause dependency issues themselves. They all, however, have demonstrated effectiveness in treating substance use disorders in many people. At the same time, many individuals with substance use problems have an underlying mental illness such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and psychotic disorders. They often require medication to help control their symptoms to allow for optimal functioning. These problems often coexist with Substance Use Disorder.
More and more individuals are benefiting from medications that aid in the psychological stability and recovery from addiction but it is not unusual for many in traditional 12 step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous to consider those taking medications to be not “in Recovery.” They purport that true sobriety requires that one be free from any substance that may be mind altering. Those with this belief, at times, harshly judge and diminish the efforts of the taking these mediations and this has led to a rift in the Recovery Community. Many individuals taking these medication feel unsupported in certain 12 step meetings. Recently there has been growth of self help recovery groups that openly support those on M.A.T., but the argument about the use of these medications in Recovery persists.
Traditional 12 step program philosophy does not include the growing scientific evidence that addiction is a brain disease and that there are physiological bio-chemical changes in the brain that occur in substance use disorder. These changes have been demonstrated with brain PET scans. In addition, Substance Use Disorder has been likened to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder long recognized by psychiatric professionals. Those addicted to substances live with near constant obsessions about their need to obtain and planning for acquiring their next “dose.” They use the substance in a compulsive manner. Compulsions are “all consuming,” excessive thoughts, urges, and behaviors that persist despite negative effects on health, relationships, and work. In addition to behavior therapies, psychotherapies, stress management, and mindfulness approaches to OCD, many individuals find benefit in the use of medications such as anti-depressants and anxiolytics. (mild tranquilizers)
Another argument against certain pharmacological treatments for Substance Use Disorder concerns the use of buprenorphine and Methadone for Opiate Use Disorder. The medications are opiates themselves and carry the risk of dependence and possible misuse. Those against the use of these medications for addiction consider this form of treatment as “ just replacing one addiction with another.” They seem to disregard that many on buprenorphine or Methadone are able to function in a healthy manner; hold down jobs, have health relationships and contribute to society in a positive manner. The scientific evidence shows that those in recovery from Opiate addiction have a significantly improved chance of sustained recovery, when used a part of a comprehensive bio-psycho-social treatment approach, compared to those that do not use these medications.
Certainly the best approach to treating Substance Use Disorder is the one that works best for each individual. It is advantageous to have many avenues to successful treatment, as there are also many different paths to developing addiction. We need to stop judging someone for using a different approach to Recovery. We would do better to support anything that helps an individual with Substance Use Disorder sustain a healthy, productive, and content life and discourage others that denigrate those who find serenity on a different path.
John,
I lost my youngest son to a heroin overdose in 2017. He would not try MAT to treat his addiction. My oldest son relies on methadone to fight his addiction and he has been clean and “sober” for 3+ years. MAT has kept my son alive.
Helen Watson, Mom to Todd Morin (1/21/74-7/1/17)
Helen, So sorry about your youngest son. MAT is not for everyone, but the science is very clear that it helps many. John
This was a wonderful read. I too agree what ever approach is best for the individual who is in the recovery process. Keep up the great work ….
Benda, Thank you for the support. I Agee with you. “Any thing that works.” At is proven science . John
I too agree that either approach can work; however, I think that one of the issues that arise are when those who go the MAT route tout their sobriety while on MAT. “Today is my 1 year of sobriety.” while on MAT, they are not SOBER in the true sense of the word; they are in recovery, but definitely not sober, and for those who have chosen the abstinence route, have made the sacrifices and have gone through the painful withdrawal of detox so as to completely rid themselves of their dependency on these substances and to achieve sobriety, it is an affront to award sober status to MAT clients. If, however, those in the recovery industry were clear on this issue when assisting in the recovery efforts of their MAT clients and that only when they have successfully weaned off of their reliance on MAT interventions can they truly claim SOBER status, the divide between abstinence versus MAT would no longer be so contentious. It would simply become a matter of choice for the client as to which approach they feel is best for them with the understanding that the MAT recovery route will just take more time before they can actually claim true sober status.
iisa, I respectfully disagree. People on MAT can consider themselves sober as it is a prescribed medication to treat a medical condition. Some people recovering from addiction find that they have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder and find that they need to treat that disorder with medication in order to remain successfully sober. Would you say that someone on a antidepressant is not sober? That would be wrong also. John