Addiction Treatment Crisis in Australia

Australia is well known for being a world leader in the health field with high clinical standards in medicine, psychiatry and related disciplines, but has it thrown the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to treating addiction?

“Jane”*: 43, married, two kids, binge drinker – diagnosed bipolar, detoxed at a psychiatric ward, where street drugs were freely available and the contacts she made there then began to supply her with amphetamines when she was discharged. She also became addicted to Valium on release as the hospital’s psychiatrist continued to prescribe her Valium as an outpatient doctor. On entering a private Program she required a lengthy detox from benzodiazepines. This also made the recovery job and Jane's journey much more difficult.

Addiction treatment services in Australia are delivered predominantly in outpatient or psychiatric settings, which are not usually based on abstinence principles, and the use of prescribed medications to suppress the symptoms of addiction or substitute the drug is fairly widespread. Numerous case studies of previous treatment episodes in Australian clinics provided by clients point anecdotally to:   

• Wilful over prescribing of addictive drugs,
• General lack of residential options which are not uncomfortable/clinical/psychiatric settings
• Ease of availability of illicit drugs within residential clinics/psychiatric    hospitals
• A lack of anonymity due to town centre location of clinics
• A general unease with being labelled a ‘psychiatric case’.

For many years private and publicly funded Australian drug and alcohol treatment services have promoted the harm minimisation model of drug treatment perhaps more aggressively than any other Western country. This model of addiction treatment seeks to direct resources at ‘still active’ addicts rather than place emphasis on abstinence. Whilst this is a sensible model to prevent the spread of blood borne viruses (HIV, Hepatitis C) and other social harms, there now seems to be a growing public concern over policies which seem to enable addicts to remain in their addiction rather than helping them towards long term recovery. This could be viewed as ENABLING by this failing system.

Research findings by ASAM & NIDA*over the last 5 years show us that addiction is a chronic neurological disease affecting the reward pathways in the brain and the transmission of the pleasure/reward chemical dopamine. This condition is genetically inherited in up to 60% of cases. Sufferers of this disease often feel ill before they even start using drugs and consequently they will seek external sources of dopamine (drugs, alcohol, sex) which act as ‘re-enforcers’ to top up the reward chemical in their brain.

Once the process of using substances begins (in someone with the disease) their brain is effectively ‘hijacked’. This is why addicts display seriously impaired reasoning with regard to drug use, whereas ordinary people do not. It is also why addicts cannot take any drugs or alcohol at all if they are to have any chance of recovery. Because addiction is a chronic disease it cannot be cured. It relies on daily treatment and therefore the ideal of treatment and recovery is abstinence from any chemicals which boost the reward system. This is now a scientific fact which is established beyond doubt.

Australians suffering from this disease are now effectively voting with their feet and opting out of this system.  Australian outpatient treatment models are often not intensive enough to make these changes, and many do not even place abstinence as a desired goal. As a result many Australians now fund their own treatment and are choosing  a less medicalised, more holistic model offered by the highly regarded private Universal Recovery Program available to many people across the globe from the comfort of your home or office. Available in USA, Australia, UK, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and South Africa. 

Inpatient addiction specific treatment centres like qualified addiction specialists and HOLISTIC emotional, mental, and spiritual techniques which take account of the chronically relapsing condition and place an emphasis on long term RECOVERY and  training rather than continuing drug dependence.

The Universal Program also makes a priority of including The FAMILY in the treatment process, because the whole family is affected, and often traumatised by their loved one's ADDICTION. Change has to be incorporated into the whole system.

Hopefully our governments in Australia will soon wake up to the failing current system, and begin to accept Addiction for what it is A DISEASE and not a disgrace, therefore affording addicted individuals the same respect and assistance as those with cancer and diabetes. 

If you or someone you love in in the grips of addiction call Coaching with Substance today and let us help you 07 5606 6315 or email info@coachingwithsubstance.org.au

ABOUT COACHING WITH SUBSTANCE (WINNER Best Not-for-Profit 2014)

We are Australia's leading award winning addiction treatment and rehab consultants for gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, eating and internet addiction, along with eating behavioural disorders and co-dependency for Australasia and New Zealand. Call us on 07 5606 6315 if you want to speak to an Addiction Specialist.

Our Founder, Maria Pau is a 4x No. 1 best-selling author on the subjects of addiction and co-dependency and spiritual wellness. She is the Program Director of Coaching with Substance, the first of its kind in Australia as registered public benevolent institution, charity and not-for profit association that focuses on wellness using coaching principles of peak performance. She is currently completing her PhD on Recovery Coaching and is the first registered Recovery Coach in Australia.

We run a cutting edge holistic addiction treatment program and outpatient rehabilitation consultancy firm that ensures you are released from the shackles of addiction once and for all. Primary care at CWS is personalised to treat each individual using programs that integrate mind, body and soul. CWS programs are enhanced by highly effective group coaching and therapeutic processes as well as individual coaching, spiritual insights, therapy and extensive aftercare assistance.

All clients are thoroughly assessed by a highly trained and experienced recovery coach, registered provisional psychologist, ordained Taoist Monk, mental health officer and certified naturopaths (including Ayurveda and Acupuncturist). Clients may also be referred for psychometric testing and assessment, if needed. International clients welcome.

We welcome enquiries from all English speaking people from Asia, Europe, Africa, India and South America.