TAKING STEPS TOWARDS RECOVERY

A new way of treating substance abuse and mental health issues could
lead to quicker and better recovery.

"Most people who have addictions have underlying mental health issues
and vice versa. In the past, these were treated separately but now
with joint intake, we can get people the help they need in all areas
of their lives as soon as possible," said Tracey Labbie, program
manager, North Okanagan Alcohol and Drug Services.

She said the time to think about seeking help with substance abuse
and mental health concerns is when it is affecting other areas of
life, like relationships, work, health or any kind of conflicts or changes.

Individuals may have a biological predisposition to mental illness or
substance misuse with problems caused by triggers like stress, trauma
and loss. Treatment provides a variety of coping strategies.

"The majority of people will know when they need help but they will
typically go through several stages as they works things out," said Labbie.

The first stage is the pre-contemplative where they might deny that
they have a problem, or, if they recognize a problem, insist that
they can handle it themselves.

At the contemplative stage, family, friends, employers or school may
have suggested looking for help and that is when the program
generally sees people for the first time and talks about concerns.

At the preparation stage, the client and professionals make plans for
treatment and recovery, which might include making arrangements to go
to a treatment centre, support groups or counseling. The stages are
not always linear and a person may go back and forth between stages.

In the action stage, the client is in counseling or a treatment
program where they learn the tools to reach their goals.

At the maintenance stage, the client has been abstinent for at least
six months and has supports in place to help.

Labbie said the harm reduction model for treatment is often misunderstood.

"We don't require that people have stopped using before we see them.
We are here to help them with whatever they need to stop. Harm
reduction is a spot on a continuum towards abstinence which is the
long-term goal."

The Integrated Mental Health and Addiction Services program lets
people get help with both issues at the same time without asking the
almost impossible, that one issue be dealt with before the other can
be addressed.

"Clients tell us that this approach works better for them and that
they are happier with it. We are able to work with community partners
to see that people are getting the services that are most appropriate
to the individual situation," said Labbie.

She is also seeing a growing concern with people, including seniors,
with chronic pain and other health conditions becoming addicted to
prescription drugs or alcohol. Youth addiction is mostly to tobacco,
alcohol and cannabis, with the outreach clinician, Jared Dennis,
seeing some increase in cocaine and heroin. Outreach clinician Dave
Thackery has reported that there is more drug use in middle-aged and
older people, including cocaine use.

Labbie says what is in place in the community is working well but she
would like to see a formalized opiate dependency program (there is an
existing methadone maintenance program); supported housing where
people can live in an abstinent environment during recovery; and day
detox program for people who can't go to residential treatment facilities.

"I hope people will be aware of the services in the community because
addictions and mental illness can affect anyone in any walk of life
and many people are touched directly or indirectly," she said.

For more information about North Okanagan Alcohol and Drug Services
call 250-549-5737 or see www.interiorhealth.ca. North Okanagan
Alcohol and Drug Services is a free, voluntary program.

There is a drop-in for intake and screening Monday to Thursday from
1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vernon Health Unit. Services can also be
accessed through Whitevalley Community Resources at 250-547-8866 and
Pleasant Valley Center at 250-546-4700.