Moaning, groaning and whining today. I'm tired of working and not seeing much positive impact from what I do. I'm only a few years from retirement, which comes with health insurance, so it is wise to stay put. Especially since I have no savings or other future financial resources. I feel so frustrated (disgusted, actually) with the ignorance about substance use disorders among the so-called mental health professionals in our public system. I don't do well with "sensitive political issues", which I tend to translate as "keep you mouth shut Lee before you get in big trouble", which I then equate with suppression, censorship, and ultimately oppression. Then I'm off and running trying to find ways to circumvent the system and make a dent in the barriers. Oh well, on the other hand, you never know what seeds may be planted that might bear flowers and fruit later. Glass half full, glass half full, I tell myself.
__________________
From dying and surviving to living and thriving. LeeU
Hey Lee, HANG IN THERE, i FEEL THE SAME WAY IN MY SITUATION WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.eVERYTHING HAS TURNED INTO PEOPLE AS BILLING UNITS"/I also have been debating early social security but we are going under now with our debt etc.(like everyone else)once we sell our house,on market now,we'll take a look at things when we bail out of debt etc..may move south.love to work in a music shop selling drumsticks or something..too much projection for me right now though,got to get back in the day..after 31 years in this career and growing up with people I work for im just about at end of "the go where the $$$ thing is" and forget what our mission is really all about..Any way "breathe deep,and you know we can always think 'how it was!!!! peace my friend
__________________
Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
What great expression in that share Lee, I love the way youre tackling thnigs,,,
Uk is moving away from methodone and towards complete abstinence Programs like NA, AA etc. But it wasnt so even two years ago. A friend of mine in NA there, 22 years clean recently, is a key worker and many times in his sharings Ive heard that frustration and powerlessness and intense vulnerability to future events. Then suddenly government policy changes and the key-workers and care workers and allows into the research and decision process; thats the pay-off for my pal there.
I was at a Recovery Stakeholders event last month and they were all ther, looking askance at NA, as if expressing worldessly "What the hell happened to the promise of methadone"
Stastics according to NHS there is that a million addicts there are leading mehodone-wasted lives. However I disclaim that this is an instructio to members who are on Meth to suddenly go off it; no way.
All Im saying is that more will be revealed in NA, and only in NA about waht we can do for the addict that still suffers and realise the theraputic value of one addict helping another !
Tides are turning and Narcotice Anonymous is becoming the beacon light,,,,,simply because dedicated people like you have chosen to take up that task !!
Fab job love, keep it going !
__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Lee, everyone... Wow, I learned something today. I am getting my BA in Psychology. I want to be a councelor. Not sure what type. However, know about such basic problems in our community. I know, as an addict, that we have a disease. I never knew about the diffculties in the system and having a substance disease. Do they not see its no different than having any other problem? Wow... So, talk to me? Tell me the issues. I need love want to know. Please explain. Teach me. Show me where to look and I will go from there. Let me help, please.
What about where you live ? Do they have drug and alcohol counselling / care ? What about treatment centres in your area ?
These may be good avenues for entry into the counselling profession. Does your BA have a dissertation ? In that case, a helping hand from these agencies could be forthcoming. Then again search for trainee counsellor programs and what that entails !
There will always be opportunities, it is up to us desirous of serving that field to search, reseacrh and get the best offers. Best of luck,,
__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!