Recently, I traveled to Las Vegas to attend the annual, national conference
on the care and treatment of opioid addiction held by
AATOD (American Association of
the Treatment of Opioid Dependence). It was a huge gathering of some of the
most important and influential addictions professionals, counselors, medical
personnel, and other entities involved in the overall treatment of this
population. I know what you're thinking... "How could you travel to Vegas and not
invite me?" I know, I know. Next time.
You are probably also thinking... "Addictions conference? In Las Vegas?
Really?" It's okay, we got this response quite often. Even if a person
wasn't comfortable enough asking the question outright, I certainly could tell
it is what they were thinking. The stares and pensive looks were enough. Yes,
it is ironic, no doubt. To be surrounded by excess and clear addiction in many
forms (substance use, gambling, shopping) while upstairs discussing these very
topics was surreal indeed.
Yet, somehow it makes sense. Vegas is a vast land of extremes. Everything is
exaggerated beyond all realistic representation. Gluttony and capitalism to the
tenth power. Vegas represents (with casino credit, show girls, and glitter)
what most people think and feel about addiction. Anyone is allowed to have a
few wild nights, along with endless alcohol, drugs and sexual exploits, so long
as "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Vegas is where denial was
born and now thrives. Leave your secrets in the desert. No one will know.
Our culture views addiction in this exact way. Those who have the money and
ability to live it up in Vegas and then immediately return to the status quo
are the only ones allowed to use drugs and alcohol. Those who can't handle the
sweet seduction of all things Vegas are "bad, sick, damaged, wrong, and
sinful." It is their problem and they deserve all the consequences that go
along with using drugs. They certainly do not deserve any help in any way. They
brought this on themselves.
Being in AATOD within the Sin City demonstrated the clear divide between
drug use and drug treatment in our culture. We welcome the use of substances,
so long as a person can keep it to themselves and not bother anyone (or even be
the life of the party). The moment it becomes a problem and a person seeks
treatment, now this same person is undeserving of our help. It is a sad reality
since drug and alcohol addiction is a disease. If our society viewed it more as
the true disease that it is, and embraced the true care and treatment of this
disease, there would be far less negative consequences of use.
Keynote speaker William White articulated this phenomenon powerfully. He
stated, "We know addiction is a chronic disease, yet we continue to treat
it like a broken arm." Addiction is not about having a person stop using
and be done. No, there needs to be a comprehensive approach to treatment that
includes family involvement, addressing mental health issues, past history of
trauma, HIV risk and treatment, intimate partner violence, housing, employment,
finances, and many others. In many instances, a person may turn to drugs and alcohol
as a reaction to a past (and/or current) traumatic situation. Substances can be
very powerful coping mechanisms - just ask anyone walking on the Vegas Strip
after a night of partying! When a person takes steps to reduce or eliminate the
use of substances, the memories of abuse may come flooding back. These
nightmares and real memories can be debilitating and terrorizing. The fear of
the memories could be a reason why people do not "get clean" or why
they tend to relapse. In instances like this, we cannot blame the person for
being "weak" or "immoral" or "criminal". This
person needs further care and treatment to develop healthier coping skills to
deal with the fear and pain. Yet, since our culture does not view substance use
in this way, this person only gets a band-aid, not the full surgery he may
need.
We have a lot of work to do. Our culture devalues those with an addiction of
any sort. We frown upon anyone doing anything in excess ... even in Vegas.
Yes, there is hope. This conference exemplified the hope and inspiration we
all have and all need to improve how our society treats those with addictions.
More awareness is being raised about this disease, especially with more and
more people coming out with their struggles. People are beginning to realize
that denial is not enough. Denial is not working, even in Vegas. It's not so
easy to just leave our worries on The Strip and pretend they don't exist. We
all need to face this disease, show compassion to those who are living with it,
and treat it comprehensively.
Next year the AATOD conference will be held in Philadelphia. Okay, it may
not be the most glamorous setting, but it may just be a little more real.
Elizabeth Lombino
