HELP IS JUST A STEP AWAY

This is the last story in a three-part series about narcotics
addiction.

Some people come for addictions treatment because they want to be
there, others are there because someone is encouraging them and some
come because they have to.

"Most people are here because they are ready to make a change and
others are here as a condition of parole or to get their kids back,
but I think everyone gets something out of it. People help each other
and learn from each other," said Gerry MacDougall, clinical director,
Crossroads Integrated Addictions Services in Kelowna.

The residential program, which is presently at 28 days, will be
expanding to 42 days. There is always a wait list of between four and
six weeks for the Interior Health-funded centre. Pregnant women are
given priority to help the child, then clients in the Interior Health
area and, third, people outside the region if there are beds
available. Crossroads is run by a non-profit society with funding from
Interior Health, private insurance plans or paid for privately by
clients. Crossroads has 38 men's beds, with 24 of them government
funded, and 20 women's beds, with 12 government funded.

MacDougall said people with addictions will get help at different
stages depending on their support systems. Many see their family
doctor first or a counselor at Alcohol and Drug Services for a free
assessment. The assessment is done in the community and helps people
decide if they should go to a day program, have one-on-one counseling,
or attend a group.

"The first stage is denial where people will say they don't really
have a problem," he said.

"In the pre-contemplative stage, they might think, 'maybe I have a
problem but it's no big deal, I can handle it on my own.' This is the
time to talk about how they would handle it and maybe why they are
using. By the contemplative stage, they will think, 'I've got a
problem. I need help.'"

The fourth stage is the action stage where people will seek help by
going to a doctor or counselor or to a 12-step program or
rehabilitation.

"By the fifth, or maintenance stage, they have done the work but there
can be slips or relapses. They might need to go back to stage four and
do more work. Maybe there are mental health or other health issues to
deal with. People put a lot of work into maintenance," said MacDougall.

He said not everyone needs residential treatment and that there is
often work to be done to be ready for residential treatment,
including, for some people, moving from the area and people who
influence them to use. Others need to detoxify. There is a medically
supervised detox outpatient program at Crossroads. People who are
addicted to opiates, alcohol and prescription drugs need medical
supervision to detox because they are at risk for seizures and heart
problems.

People come to Crossroads by applying directly, or through referrals
from mental health professionals.