Not only was I developing an increased empathy for those who were not getting the full benefit of the 12 Steps but I was also noticing an increase in the number of young people entering programs who had difficulty with 12 Step recovery. Obviously, the greater the degree that an individual is able to sustain inspiration and demonstrate actual progress and upward change then the more successful the experience has become. That would be even more reason for someone to develop alternative treatments for the disease. A huge collection of non 12 step, free addiction and recovery tools, including PDF worksheets, handouts, assessments, and videos. The biggest mistake people most often make is that they often want to be the exception to the rule when it may not be a choice. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? Are your judgments based on feelings rather than facts? These concepts are very real and there are millions of stories of alcoholism, addiction and dependency that prove that these issues exist on a large scale in todays world. This leads to the following question which has been an area of debate for quite some time: Does there need to be abstinence for there to be success, when it comes to substance use issues? What is Cross Addiction? (Signs & Statistics) - American Addiction Centers Another group activity for change planning with focus on Insight, Internal Motivation and External Motivation according to the Taking the Escalator Method. In addition, the term substance abuse is still used at times in the Escalator not referring to any specific diagnostic criteria, but rather referring to any pattern of problematic substance use in a general sense in which some kind of change or help may be needed. Although it has no official "phobia" name, the fear of elevators is relatively common. Many people find themselves engaging in unhealthy behaviors to cope when giving up a substance like alcohol. ThoughtCo. The Escalator promotes abstinence as the ideal way to stay out of trouble and then make progress and positive change but at the same time this method acknowledges that people have different paths toward their goals that are not all abstinence based. Does Your Health Insurance Cover Treatment? We are current and former members of theBOOM Rethink the Drinkcommunity where we also blog privately, in an anonymous, supportive forum, open to anyone hoping to stop drinking or just slow down. The 12 Steps have been the ideal when it comes to recovery from substance abuse issues and addiction for a long time. Longley, Robert. But epilepsy and alcohol dont mix, so I had to give up after my accident. But for those going strong in sobriety, it just may not be as probable as youve been told. 10. Even small, intermittent bursts of inspiration can have a cumulative effect and can even strengthen over time. The next time this person gets motivated to build a house again do you think that they are in better shape for the next attempt? Therefore, it is important not to exclude or discourage abstinence as a part of the goal because for many individuals abstinence is the only viable outcome for them. The Escalator therefore was born from a desire to provide an alternative but reasonable, sensible, yet comprehensive and effective option for those with substance use issues who fall into one or more of the following categories. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. Now compare a similar situation with a 20 bag day IV heroin addict. Compulsive Behavior: A Psychological Explanation - ThoughtCo While almost any behavior can become compulsive or addictive, some are more common. He has conducted research in sound, cognition, and community building, has a background in independent music marketing, and continues to work as a composer. This is not to say that cross dependence doesnt happen in recovery. (PDF) 5 and 5 for Change | Kenneth Pecoraro - Academia.edu I couldnt go back to work. To create this article, 11 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Typical of the denial stage of addictions, the individuals refuse to admit that their behavior is harmful. For example, it would not be advisable for someone who has a history of serious suicide attempts when they are drunk to attempt controlled drinking. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. A few hours later, some time around midnight, I realised I would have to rush otherwise Id miss the last tube. Redefining the Problem A Different Look at Alcoholism, Addiction and Dependency. However, a different and unsafe way would be to balance the back wheels on the step and use your strength to keep it straight. It is important to note that the Escalator is primarily focused on substance use however, any difficult to stop, compulsive habit can be interchanged with substance use issues. The harm reduction perspective understands that some people will not be perfectly abstinent from all substances in recovery. Even when some of the most resistant, hard-headed, and argumentative individuals end up getting help for substance use issues, (which is usually against their will which makes matters even more challenging), the goal of those trying to help these individuals is to somehow instill even a small degree of inspiration. Toxic Positivity: How It Relates to Unhealthy Relationships, 3 Possible Reasons Your Partner Isnt Connecting With You, The Ambiguous Loss of Loving an Addict and Letting Them Go, 5 Ways "Food Addiction" and Drug Addiction Intersect. That leads directly back to the subject of how to look at abstinence. Even trained clinicians are known to have significant issues with cognitive biases, such as confirmation biases (only looking to confirm what you already believe), availability heuristics (just looking at the first examples that come to mind as opposed to evaluating all the information), or illusory correlations (believing that two things are related when in fact they are not). You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Therefore even when someone does not achieve the ideal outcome (sobriety) any attempt at upward change is still valuable and often brings with it a degree of progress. Understanding Sexual Orientation From a Psychological Perspective. The Escalator is designed to help people to look within themselves for inspiration, hope and change while using others for guidance and support. Consider another example: If there was a fatal disease that had an available course of treatment that could cure two thirds of those inflicted with the disease, would it be fair to cast off the other third who did not respond to the accepted treatment as hopeless? Buidling motivation and insight for inspiration and progress https://www.thoughtco.com/psychology-of-compulsive-behavior-4173631 (accessed March 4, 2023). Some compulsive behaviors can be harmful when practiced to an extreme. 37 views, 1 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Taking the Escalator: Taking the Escalator - Addiction Group Therapy Tools that are Super, man! Alicia is a Minnesota-based freelancer who writes for Ria Health and various other brands in the health and wellness space. In addition, diseases, like substance abuse or dependence tend to be progressive in nature but not everyone progresses in the same way or to the same level. Compulsive behaviors are actions a person feels driven or compelled to do repeatedly, even if those actions appear to be irrational or pointless. Often there was a choice to be made for those who did not fit in to 12 Step recovery. Some compulsive behaviors are symptomatic of the psychiatric condition called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Other people may hear of some of the expectations involved with traditional recovery models and consider these goals to be unrealistic, unreasonable or out of reach. Beyond addiction and recovery, she also covers topics relating to general well-being, mindfulness, fitness, mental health, and more. Starting and Staying on a Positive Note - Academia.edu Individuals need to be looked at and treated on a case-by-case basis because circumstances are often so different from person to person. Many people will continue to benefit from the wisdom of the 12 Steps and the 12 Step philosophy. So instead of sobriety as our goal, the Escalator uses Inspired Progress as the standard to work toward. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. In the results, those who successfully recovered from a substance use disorder were significantly less likely to struggle with a cross dependence after three years, compared with those who did not recover from their first addiction. Both addiction and cancer are viewed as having the following disease qualities: >Are influenced by Genetic Predisposition, >Recovery is a process requiring lifestyle change. This method is in part designed for the growing number of individuals who are not yet ready or able to strive for the ideal recovery as outlined in the 12 Steps. In reality, if that were the case, someone else would be hard at work looking for another course of treatment for the one third of people who do not respond to the most widely accepted method. The Escalator emphasizes quality over quantity when it comes to levels of inspired progress. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Psychology and the Mystery of the "Poisoned" Schoolgirls. What makes a lot more sense is to provide the necessary treatment for people at the level where they enter treatment, based solely on their individual needs. How should I handle the stroller when going down an escalator? For all of the success that the 12 Steps have had there are still a huge number of individuals who have not responded. The notion that most forms of substance use disorders share some similar brain pathways, such as the reward pathway in the brain that is primarily mediated by the neurotransmitter dopamine, would reinforce the notion of a neurobiological substrate that is responsible for a vulnerability to developing a cross addiction. Suppose this heroin addicted person entered treatment and over time reduced his heroin use to snorting 10 bags per day. The Challenge of Cross Addiction | Psychology Today . 0 reviews The 2013 book: Taking the Escalator - An Alternative to the 12 Steps, has been a much needed, refreshing new look at substance abuse and addiction in today's modern, ever-changing world. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. >People who are on Medication Assisted Treatment for substance use issues (Methadone, Suboxone) who do not feel comfortable with the 12 Steps or the meetings as a result of their using these or other medications. The best case scenario when it comes to achieving the goal of the Escalator is a degree of sustained inspired progress. 1 But many people feel at least a slight nervousness when contemplating a long elevator . There are those to whom the concept of recovery directly applies but it does not make sense to exclusively refer to this process of getting better only as recovery due to the existence of many individuals to whom recovery does not apply. Ive got a garden, so Im often out and about, thinking about what I can plant. To learn more, view ourPrivacy Policy. Online Recovery Courses. Taking the Escalator - Home | Facebook Nonetheless, individuals in recovery should remain vigilant and follow the treatment regime of their aftercare program in order to ensure that they enjoy continued success and abstinence. In a nutshell, it refers to a new addiction following in the footsteps of another. The Escalator is for the more modern substance user who tends to have more complex issues, and different viewpoints and attitudes than in years past. One 2014 study investigated whether or not those in recovery are actually more prone to developing another addiction in the future. We may have insight about our need to change, and motivation to want that change happen but it is finally when we hit a point of inspiration which is when we are ready to take action and make change happen, >amovementtowardagoalortoafurtherorhigherstage, >growthordevelopment;continuousimprovement. A compulsion is different from an addiction, which is a physical or chemical dependence on a substance or behavior. There are many ways to try to define addiction but they all mean just about the same thing. *Do not be mislead by this statement: For many abstinence is the only way, but not everyone is ready to embrace that possibility, especially early in the process. So, by extension, someone who is not abstinent cannot be sober either. It would be difficult for anyone to dispute the extensive history of the 12 Steps as effective path to self improvement and self help. 1 The . When one is taught the disease model of addiction, one of the most powerful illustrations is the comparison of addiction to a widely accepted disease like cancer. Sometimes it is important to remember that the journey is often not as important as the destination. For instance, exercise may have helped calm your anxiety early in recovery. >People who have tried 12 Step meetings for a reasonable amount of time with an open mind but have come to the conclusion that they do not feel right now that the meetings are helpful or beneficial enough to keep on trying to attend. anyself-restraint,self-denial,orforbearance. As explained earlier, the Escalator is an alternative to the 12 Steps and for some the Escalator can even be a supplement to the 12 Steps. I have been trained in a variety of techniques that over the years and I found myself, like most counselors, breaking down and combining in order to utilize an array of the best principles, skills, techniques and ideas from various methods for the variety of situations and problems faced by people I was trying to help. The Internet is huge! These situations are not as easy as setting basic, one size fits all limits on people. An ambulance came and took me to hospital. For some people, attempting controlled use is a life and death issue. Our admissions navigators are available to help 24/7 to discuss treatment. It is crucial to consider this broader spectrum in order to fully understand the nature of substance abuse and the people affected by it. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/psychology-of-compulsive-behavior-4173631. Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Drinking Alcohol? Still, once again, what about those individuals who do not experience a benefit from 12 Step meetings? Addiction is based on a form of dependence, and as a result, the two words: addiction and dependence have become synonymous ** It is well documented that addiction is growing problem over the years affecting the lives of millions. Treatment is for the sick, not the well. I used to be a big drinker thats why I tripped over. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Even if the now 350 pound man is still considered morbidly obese with a cholesterol level twice the acceptable limit, his doctor and family likely would still embrace his progress in a positive encouraging way with the hope he will continue in that positive direction. What Is Cross Addiction, and Is It a Real Thing in Recovery? - Ria Health Research source I was running down the escalator, and I was drunk, so I must have tripped and . Finally, the Escalator is focused on two of the most critical factors for successful growth in the upward change process: Motivation and Insight. Be open to what family, friends and coworkers are saying and seek help to avoid a cross addiction issue. Because of this, you will find shuttles that can carry people in wheelchairs, but not strollers. >A variable, adjustable, and flexible process of upward change that takes into account your own needs beyond just substance use including emotional and behavioral issues, struggles with mental health, as well as the broad array of co-existing issues that may effect each unique person. Taking your stroller on the escalator can be dangerous for kids. No, Cross-Addiction Isn't Real (And Other Myths - Drug Rehab Options The answer starts with a combination of two key concepts: >stimulationorarousalofthemind,feelings,etc,tospecialor unusualactivityorcreativity, >thestateorqualityofbeingsostimulatedoraroused, Inspiration is a combination of motivation and insight, which are at the very core of the Escalator. The idea that any substance use equals relapse may actually increase the chances of relapse in some people. By using our site, you agree to our collection of information through the use of cookies. What Is Cross Addiction, and Is It a Real Thing in Recovery? This often happens after a person has quit one substance, and is looking for new ways to cope. Getting back the concept of sobriety, however, the second key aspect of sobriety is abstinence. The Escalator therefore defines the process by which someone gets better, improves, and develops healthy skills for managing their issues as The Upward Change Process, In sticking with the analogy of an escalator, moving us upward is what an escalator is often designed to do. The more idealistic hope that people need to accept that they are an addict or alcoholic is in actuality not a requirement for self-improvement. People with advanced addictions will continue their addictive behavior, even when they understand that doing so is harmful to themselves and others. Time is such a valuable resource and it is important to stay in the habit of using it wisely by reserving time on a regular basis for taking care of our physical, emotional and spiritual health and growth. Do you have an experience to share? Better outcomes means having to pay out less for treatment and 12 Step meetings are free. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Compulsive behaviors can be physical acts, like repetitive hand washing or hoarding . wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. One does not have to call themselves and addict or an alcoholic in order to get better. The Escalator is a highly effective alternative for the growing number of people out there who are using or abusing substances and who are in a position where they need to or must get help, whether that help is wanted or not. Even if we go backward after a period of progress, the next time we travel that road moving forward we know the way a little better. Another disease that addiction is often compared to is diabetes based on the same principles. The Escalator Viewpoint on Abstinence: Abstinence of course is the ideal. Social Psychology Experiments and Studies - Verywell Mind By contrast, people with addictions want to use the substance or engage in the behavior because they expect to enjoy it. They may resort to: Additionally, some believe that people with alcohol or substance use disorders are prone to cross addictions involving similar substances. People in recovery from substance or alcohol use disorders may end up replacing their primary addiction with something else. Interestingly, there is a commonly accepted contradiction when it comes to abstinence when viewing addiction as a disease. The disease model of addiction has a lot of really strong points. Hold on to the stroller. The Taking the Escalator Method is focused on enhancing and sustaining these three essential qualities in the diagram (Insight, Internal Motivation and External Motivation/Support) to establish and drive the positive changes needed for inspiration and progress toward treatment and overall lifestyle goals www.takingtheescalator.com f For example, suppose a 400 pound obese man had diabetes and was receiving treatment for heart disease. Still others have tried some traditional self-help or recovery programs and just never really felt able to fit in for whatever reason. But I was completely different my daughter brought me a teddy bear and I started biting it. Cross addictionalso known as addiction interaction disorder or addiction transferis a phenomenon you might've heard of in recovery. *SUDs The use of the term Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) is also accepted and in use in literature. The short term objective at each stage throughout the matrix is to develop increasing levels of insight and motivation, while developing and practicing the skills needed in order to escalate or enhance oneself toward the ultimate goal of Inspired Progress. Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: phago- or phag-, Cleanup vs. Clean Up: How to Choose the Right Word, How Psychology Defines and Explains Deviant Behavior, Operational Definition of Behavior in a School Setting, Behavior and Classroom Management in Special Education, Understanding Hyperthymesia: Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory. In many cases, that outcome may involve sobriety which is a wonderful thing. The same holds true for those with legitimate pain management issues who may be on medication considered questionable by others in recovery. I had been a manager in the fishmonger departments at Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, and I used to add all the bills up in my head. In other words, many individuals start using drugs and alcohol so early in life that they never had a truly developed a state or level of functioning that they could recover to. This post discusses everything you should know about cross addiction, including what it is, the research behind it, and whether or not you should worry about it. >Controlled use is impossible for some individuals: There are those people out there who most definitely fit the traditional disease model who no matter how hard they try will never be able to use successfully (or in other words, use without eventual consequences) When it comes to more serious substance abuse issues, this group is the majority. Moving upward is a gradual, steady process of getting better, improving and developing. It also can be used as a supplemental method for those who feel that the 12 Steps alone have not been enough for them. What if the number of people who failed to respond to the accepted treatment was growing? Joining a coaching program can help you build adaptive skills for long-term recovery, and healthier habits to replace addiction. References. Evan ODonnell is an NYC-based content strategist with four years experience writing and editing in the recovery space. The focus will primarily be on Twelve Step recovery. So the actual use of the term recovery is quite fitting and appropriate when viewing substance abuse and addiction in this manner. Below is a simple but effective list of 5 things that can inhibit the upward change process and five things that are helpful with regard to enhancing the upward change process: 5 Things to Avoid 1 Discouragement-This includes both discouraging thoughts and discouraging people. I hope she will have a good and happy life. Should those people who cannot get past step one be doomed to failure? Once again, to summarize, abstinence is good but it is the ideal and is therefore not the only way to determine progress. And I had epileptic fits every day. OCD often begins in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood, with 19 being the average age at which disorder develops. Understanding the Fear of Elevators. Some believe that a drug is a drug is a drug, and that if youre in recovery from anything, you should avoid everything. towardahigherormoredistinguishedcondition,rank,level, etc. These comparisons disregard a large portion of people who abuse substances. My dad was also a heavy drinker, so its probably in the genes. Hence, the point is not to undermine the relevance of the concept of addiction or dismiss those who wish to identify themselves as addicts or addicted because they themselves have come to that conclusion. A huge collection of non 12 step, free addiction and recovery tools, including PDF worksheets, handouts, assessments, and videos. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds toupgrade your browser. Inspired Progress The Goal of the Escalator. For example, although we may be aware that we are brushing our teeth, we almost never wonder why we are doing it or ask ourselves, Should I be brushing my teeth or not?. Nevertheless, the Escalator is also not a method that promises help with or promotes controlled use, because as stated earlier, many people will find out that in their case, controlled use may just not be an option for them. This blog is a space for sharing ideas, experiences, links to books, articles, and websites in relation to recovery from alcohol & drug addiction. When looking at both research as well as the millions of personal testimonials from people all over the world, 12 Step programs have been a lifeline for countless people struggling with substance abuse and addiction for decades. When someone ends up staying inspired long enough to maintain the changes, improvement and progress that they made in the upward change process that is the most desirable outcome. "The Psychology of Compulsive Behavior." What Is Cross Addiction? Definition & 5 Examples One drug is clearly much more harmful than the other. For example, it is unreasonable to compare someone who relapsed by using heroin and someone who relapsed using marijuana as equal situations. The Mirror of Awareness -Using the Group as a Mirror - Academia.edu Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder. In the spirit of the Escalator, the desired goal is to use terminology that includes a wider range of people. Additionally, make sure you step over it, too. Listen to friends and family like the original addiction; it is common for people with cross addiction to minimize the reality and to make excuses for the behavior. Have you signed up for Taking the Escalator? For example, people who compulsively wash their hands get no pleasure from doing so. Industry Accreditations, Reviews & Ratings. Overview Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. The 12 Steps have been a successful great formula for those people who are able to buy into the process.