You are correct. The addict has to find their bottom before they can be helped. For many addicts it takes many attempts, and sadly many fail. I had 2 family members, extended family, die of alcoholism. I have in laws who are recovering alcoholics. I realize my addition is anecdotal, but based upon observations my addition is correct.
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Coming from a family where alcohol abuse was rampant to the point it killed both my grandfathers, 3 of 5 of my uncles, and dad was a high-functioning alcoholic, it is nothing short of a miracle that I didn’t end up falling into that trap too.
Tobacco abuse was also rampant. It got both my parents and two of my uncles. Hate to say having to clean the inside of the windows of my dad’s truck every week to get the tar and nicotine buildup off from commuting to and from central Utah (was building the power plants) showed me smoking was a killer. I think he and the two guys who used to ride with him invented hotboxing.
The collateral damage is just as problematic as the addiction.
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I use a couple of moving companies. One is called The Other Side Movers and the other is Red Barn. Both business models employ those that would otherwise be in prison. They both have a strict code of conduct that employees/residents adhere to and hold each other accountable.
Anyway what is clear to me is that many of the men in the program are there because of addiction. Once the addiction grabs hold, it’s really difficult to unload. Most are very open about where they’re at in life. Both programs exist to transition these men into becoming productive employees, and good neighbors and citizens. I can recommend both for moving services.
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We use The Other Side Movers anytime we can. They’re owned by The Other Side Academy, which helps men and women who have chosen to go there as a last chance before serious incarceration. The place helps people make amazing changes in their lives. My wife and I have both spoken there and go there often.
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Used red barn again just this week. Once again provided top notch service.
This is an interesting article about using Psilocybin to help with depression.
I know it helps my son with his depression.
I’ve been half following some of the psilocybin tests/updates. Looks promising. I hope it works for those us use it.
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I’ve been following as well and very interesting research and outcomes. Still trying to figure out if this should be focused on adults (developed brain) and what implications it could have for teens - so many going through challenges (including my own kids) but also have developing brains.
This may have been posted elsewhere already. But just in case it hasn’t been……
Probably the most important message we’ll hear from a college football coach this season.
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Thank you for this. Still a little raw as we have been doing all we can to help a child through mental health challenges and they were admitted today for inpatient care again to try to stabilize things. Medications, therapy, support to help make sure they are 1) safe, 2) mental health improvement, then 3) participation in things like school, sports, social.
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I hope your child is safe.
May you may find strenghth though recources, and the love and support you all need and deserve.
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God bless you and your child.
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Been there. Your child has a lot of help available now, and the unfair, ignorant stigma that lasted for so long is nothing compared to what it was even 20 years ago. And you have my support and prayers.
Our 30 year old son had a mental health breakdown earlier this year that ultimately resulted in him receiving a Bipolar 1 diagnosis. He was severely manic for a period of 3 or 4 months and during that time managed to ruin a marriage, a career, many friendships as well as his finances. When he finally crashed and fell into a deep depression and was suicidal, we called the suicide hotline at Huntsman and were directed to look on the back of the insurance card and call that number for advice. Thinking we must have dialed the wrong number, we called again and we’re given the same direction. We eventually got him to go to LDS Hospital, where he was admitted. They didn’t have any available beds and was transported to McKay Dee ($1,000 charge thank you) and was there for 4 days (again a bed shortage). They thankfully made the appropriate diagnosis, but the first therapy and psychiatrist appointments they could schedule were more than 6 weeks out.
At this same time, our 40 rear old daughter gave birth to her 3rd child. Unfortunately, she found herself in a severe post partum anxiety and depression. Working through her insurance, she was able to get an appointment to see someone in 8 weeks. Fortunately, our neighbor, who is doing an online PA program from Yale, was doing a clinical with a specialist in post partum and got our daughter in to see him that week and he got her in therapy the next. He also agreed to see our son.
The state of mental healthcare in our country and has n Utah in particular is pathetic. When I served on the Board of the Disability Law Center, the State dramatically cut funding for mental health and continue woefully underfund mental health care.
If our son did not have our support, I have no doubt that he would be homeless or dead. Fortunately, we have the time and resources to help him, but many don’t have that support and as a society we see the consequences of that on the streets and in jails and prisons.
He is still suffers from depression but is now in a position where we think the best thing for him would be to find job. He is a cinematographer with experience shooting, editing and directing. He used to shoot regularly for PAC 12, ESPN and FOX. He also worked on movies for Hallmark and a number of programs for A&E. Unfortunately, during his mania he was able to ruin those contacts.
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It’s true we are all brilliant and sublime, but also fragile and vulnerable to a number of internal and external stressors.
I hope you and your partner and family may also get support. It’s so brave and wise to ask for help. I’m glad things seem better for both of your kids.
I think the U has an extensive video department. I know our team has made videos for patients and doctoral candidate’s with excellent cinematographers. I’m happy to inquire anout whom might be a resource. If you like, feel fee to BM anytime.
Godspeed.
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Thank you. From several interventions and stepdown programs with a more hopeful (but still difficult) diagnosis, we have our kid in a residential program to get regular therapy and still do some schoolwork. We’re 2 weeks into likely a several month process and it’s been a rough start, but it might be one of those cases that falling a little further will awaken a drive to learn skills and practice what is learned to manage mental health rather than just struggling from it. Safety. Mental Health, Participation. Not the other way around.
It’s been hard, but one surprise has been that our insurance has been really helpful and relatively quick to refer and help, even out of network options. Fast for us, but not for a teenager that days and weeks can be eternities. And once the out-of-pocket limit was met quickly, I got that MRI on my knee I’ve wanted to check out and took care of some other stuff that weren’t necessary but desired.
This looks like a very positive and much-needed step forward. We’ll see ads like the ones about Smokey the Bear, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk, and vaccinations.
Every step forward is important. What is widely misunderstood about depression is that people think a clinically depressed person is simply sad. What’s really going on is that the part of the person’s brain that controls happiness or sadness is not working. (My layman’s explanation.) Faster, please!
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