In a land of the ignorant- struggling with misinformation in outpatient program

[Orchid_Suspiria]

Swim is in this stupid recovery program simply so he can get his suboxone.In order for him to get it prescribed he has to take part in this program.Swim absolutely hates it.Where to begin?His counselor refers to opiates as stimulants,thinks suboxone is a placebo,and tells an opiate addict going through withdrawals that"Its all in his head."Not only this for swim to graduate the program he must participate in NA and have a sponsor.This is pure hypocrisy,NA frowns on the suboxone and methadone maintenance programs and accepts nothing but total abstinence.What is the point?Its not like swim is quitting opiates anyways he is just here so he can get an opiate legal and prescribed to him for the rest of his life.Swim quit for two months and never once felt normal and never will feel normal without them.The counselors at this place can't grasp that opiate addiction is physical aswell as mental.Most the people in the group are alcoholics and coke heads and kids that were sent because their parents caught them smoking a joint,perhaps this is why?

Proof the war on drugs has made some people clueless.Is there anyway swim could get out of going to NA and still graduate the program?Perhaps some alternative to NA?These people do not seem to understand that for some opiate addicts abstinence will never be an option.

[dogzz]

Is the NA meeting group swiy goes to THE one swiy HAS to attend? Swim has found a huge difference between one group and another. Swiy is right though.....there is a whole lot of BS when it comes to programs and the counselors/therapists running the show. If swiy is "ordered" by the courts to attend said programs.....by all means do go. Regardless of how F'ed up it may seem.....not going means even more crap comin down the line. If swiy is voluntarily doing this, swiy should possibly seek out another program. A friend of swim's is voluntarily going through something similar and they treated her much differently, with a lot of understanding of opiate addiction, withdrawal. weened her through methadone and off of it and are now monitering her through suboxone. Sadly....some programs are just apparently in it for the cash....not giving a crap about the people they are supposed to be helping. Swim wishes swiy well, hope swiy's solution is found somewhere.....best of luck

Reputation Comments on this post:

nice thoughtful reply

[ojos_de_brujo]

Only SwiOrchid knows what the rules are in his specific program. If the NA part is mandatory, Swiy has no choice but fake along to be able to complete the program.

Trying to educate people who consider opiates stimulants and detox 'all in the head' will only frustrate Swiy even more. Most likely they will never change their 'views'.

Some people are clueless, but SWIY is not. Interpret the rules of the program in the way that best suits your needs. Swiy has access to the internet and df and can get information and support here.

Therapists might be willing to help, but in complex situations they are incapable of helping a person, because they rely on their books and college courses, instead of on their feelings of empathy.
It really sucks, but the only person that can help SWIY is SWIY himself. Try not to rely too much on others. Do not expect anything from people, and when they do offer help and support, accept it. It is really hard, for SWIM as well, to realize that the professionals (psychologists, etc.) , who are supposed to be the only ones who can help you, seem to not care about you or are just incapable to help because they are overwhelmed by the extent of your problems.
And the worst thought: good treatment can only be BOUGHT by lots and lots of money.

Oh well, Swim is proud of Swiy. All Swiy's doubts and frustrations are perfectly understandable. It is tough, but Swiy is working hard.