thingstocome

July 16th, 2013 by Jan

While Ken and I were away on the cruise, someone at the O complained about the Qigong class. Big deal, someone does that all the time, in the same breath, someone also sang praise for it. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that, when I came back from vacation, I was told by a client that  “we don’t HAVE to do it any more” and that, “you can’t make us.”

While I was away, the Qigong program at the O was changed from being a mandatory part of treatment to an optional one.

I was livid.

In a mere four days, class attendance went from 24 participants to seven.

Outside eyes, would say, yup — it doesn’t work. No one wants to do that. I could take it personally, and say it’s me , I can’t motivate, and qigong doesn’t work with addiction so why bother. Besides, if we need to “force” folks to come to the class and they really don’t want to — well —fine,  let’s just teach those who want it and not those who need it.

But, I struggle, because given the choice between having another cuppa coffee and a smoke, or standing inside yourself in the first month of addiction recovery — well… I’d take the smoke any day!

So, I’ve been thinking and thinking. Really pondering, and wishing I had Art Baner’s pondering pipe as my brain is burning up thoughts.

Here are the topics – Optional? Mandatory? Privilege?

I have a story and experience for each of these. I’m working on them and will post them this week. There are positive and negative experiences to back up each idea. I have no answers and am very restless.

Stay tune as I work my shit out in public… again.

3 thoughts on “thingstocome

  1. Jim

    Optional? Mandatory? Methinks that checking yourself into a program like that:

    1. You’ve tried solving your problems yourself.
    2. Plan A didn’t work out so well.
    3. You’re ready for help.
    4. Mandatory. Maybe let the experts decide this one.

    Privilege? They have no idea…

    Reply
  2. Laur

    So, the O is for rehab but not detox? Why are the inmates smoking at all? It’s an addiction that sometimes goes hand in hand with a drinking addiction. And choice? What choice in treatment should they have anyway? Do it or go home, thanks for the money, see you again in a few months. My detox and rehab group had a few whiners in it. Let’s see, out of eight of us, one is dead, three are back in medical detox, two are shooting up, leaving me and one other clean and sober three months later. Sick thinking got them where they are, so maybe they shouldn’t be making the treatment decisions at this point of their recovery. You know all of that, but if it helps to have a newbie point of view, go ahead and use it. Good luck, they obviously have no idea of the gift that you have been sharing with them.

    Reply
  3. Jan Post author

    Laur – treatment is hard. Addict is hell. Change is the constant and every treatment centre is different. Go easy on yourself and others and congrats on your three months.

    Jim — I just plain love you. Thanks.

    Reply

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