This post discusses everything you should know about cross addiction, including what it is, the research behind it, and whether or not you should worry about it. An ambulance came and took me to hospital. The farther down the road we go, the closer we get to our destination and goal. Unfortunately, however, for many individuals faced with a situation where they must look at their own substance use issues, striving for the ideal recovery may be out of reach for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, there are solutions. Most of the supporting evidence is based on anecdotal evidence and case histories that are not sufficient to support an overall theoretical concept. Pleasure: Compulsive behaviors, such as those involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder, rarely result in feelings of pleasure, whereas addictions typically do. The habit of having a glass of beer with dinner, for example, becomes an addiction when the desire to drink turns into a physical or emotional need to drink. What I was taught early in my career as a substance abuse counselor was that when people werent working the steps and embracing 12 Step recovery they were viewed as in denial, non-compliant or not ready. Escalating and moving upward is all about taking it to the next level so to speak; whatever that next level may be, as long as it is a notch above where you once were. For example, if someone overcomes alcohol use disorder but smokes cigarettes heavily instead, this might qualify as a cross addiction. In order to better explain how this new method works, a great place to start is to actually look at some of the key terms often used in the world of substance abuse, addiction and recovery. However, for the purpose of including the many more people who are involved with overcoming substance use issues who are not yet ready to accept abstinence as their goal then the goal of this process needs to be of a broader scope. Now compare a similar situation with a 20 bag day IV heroin addict. "The Escalator method provides an array of specific tools and techniques for this challenging engagement process. So, by extension, someone who is not abstinent cannot be sober either. Alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, and gambling are perhaps the most common examples of addictions. While we can choose to add good, healthy habits to our routines, we can also choose to break old harmful habits. It did not take long for me to curiously wonder about those people who could not make it in treatment due to an inability to accept key 12 Step concepts such as powerlessness or Higher Power. Lets again consider the rationale for developing this alternative method for recovery and the upward change process but this time we will go back a little farther and consider some personal experience: The Escalator is not an effort to undermine the 12 Steps. Gearing treatment toward only the most severe (in this case those who may be considered addicted) neglects the much larger population of those who are in earlier stages across the spectrum or who have only some of the qualities of the disease but not others. The process outlined in this book is called the Escalator. Individuals need to be looked at and treated on a case-by-case basis because circumstances are often so different from person to person. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Last Updated: March 4, 2021 This maneuver only works if you have another adult with you. By using our site, you agree to our collection of information through the use of cookies. This example has a direct parallel when it comes to substance use issues. So if change is to some degree inevitable, we might as well focus on changing for the better which is what the Escalator is all about. The one rule often ignored with labels is that they must be accepted by the person being labeled. Thus, there are a lot of recommendations regarding individuals with past alcohol use disorders not being prescribed narcotic medications for pain control, individuals recovering from benzodiazepine disorders not drinking alcohol, etc. I hope she will have a good and happy life. In any case, theres cause for concern when a behavior or substance creates any level of harm in your life (or meets any criteria for addiction). ThoughtCo, Aug. 1, 2021, thoughtco.com/psychology-of-compulsive-behavior-4173631. It would not be fair to label someone who does not want abstinence as unworthy of a chance for improving their life and changing in a positive or upward direction. >There are and always will be exceptions to the rule We will get into this area later however, when it comes to people and substance use, there are those who we just mentioned who through no fault of their own will repeatedly fail if they try to control their use. Most places have an elevator in addition to the escalator, and it is much easier and safer to manipulate a stroller on an elevator. Longley, Robert. One 2014 study investigated whether or not those in recovery are actually more prone to developing another addiction in the future. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Taking the Escalator - Home | Facebook Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. Social psychology is a rich and varied field that offers fascinating insights into how people behave in groups and how behavior is influenced by social pressures. I know it was June 2007, and after I had finished work at the fishmongers, I went to the pub to drink, as I did every day. % of people told us that this article helped them. >A collective approach for building self awareness which considers your own unique personality, circumstances and lifestyle. http://www.panynj.gov/path/rules-regs.html, http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/26/safety.mistakes.parenting/, http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/safety/escabrochure.shtml, http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/2009/10/how-to-take-a-stroller-on-an-escalator-a-tongue-in-cheek-guide/. In addition, diseases, like substance abuse or dependence tend to be progressive in nature but not everyone progresses in the same way or to the same level. Our admissions navigators are available to help 24/7 to discuss treatment. People who are currently benefitting from 12 Step programs and 12 Step philosophy may not need this book unless they are looking for something additional to supplement their recovery. Hence, the point is not to undermine the relevance of the concept of addiction or dismiss those who wish to identify themselves as addicts or addicted because they themselves have come to that conclusion. Nonetheless, these weaknesses do not invalidate the findings. Our challenges are designed to help people change their relationship with alcohol by shifting mindsets. One does not have to call themselves and addict or an alcoholic in order to get better. This is instead of relying upon an expert based model where those individuals with more experience or sober time are in a position to teach the less experienced based solely on their own personal experiences which may be completely different. By using our site, you agree to our. However, a different and unsafe way would be to balance the back wheels on the step and use your strength to keep it straight. Even though there has been some very mild and admittedly weak empirical evidence for the notion of cross addiction, most of the observations are anecdotal observations that are generated by individuals who deal with substance use disorders or treat substance use disorders. To create this article, 11 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Are you covered for addiction treatment? *SUDs The use of the term Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) is also accepted and in use in literature. However, the Escalator accepts people exactly where they are at and uses the principle some change is better than no change .Therefore if the only thing that someone is willing to do is reduce their use for now, then it is better to start from there than do nothing at all. >A variable, adjustable, and flexible process of upward change that takes into account your own needs beyond just substance use including emotional and behavioral issues, struggles with mental health, as well as the broad array of co-existing issues that may effect each unique person. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Other methods are very much needed for this population. By definition, the Escalator is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional system for personal development as opposed to a step by step linear program. Labels can help someone gain insight and understanding into the nature of a substance abuse problem. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. I found myself growing in my concern for those individuals who disagreed with or had difficulty grasping the 12 Steps and other similar or related concepts. In reality, if that were the case, someone else would be hard at work looking for another course of treatment for the one third of people who do not respond to the most widely accepted method. I was running down the escalator, and I was drunk, so I must have tripped and fallen, and I ended up in a heap on the floor at the bottom. Some compulsive behaviors can be harmful when practiced to an extreme. mason.script.plugins.twitterTweetPlugin.tweet. People in recovery from substance or alcohol use disorders may end up replacing their primary addiction with something else. Consider the definition of Upward . Consider the fact that the person who worked on the house now still has some of the tools that they bought. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is an inability to control or stop drinking despite experiencing negative consequences. While there is no cure for OCD, its symptoms can be managed through medication, therapy, or a combination of treatments. When I eventually woke up, I could walk, which is fortunate; a lot of people who have had a brain injury have to use a wheelchair to begin with. The term substance use issues is not only significantly more expansive and inclusive than other commonly accepted terms or labels, but it is also much less threatening, which is aligned with the overall philosophy of the Escalator as we will discuss later. Since addiction is a disease affecting the reward pathways in the brain, this theoretically makes sense. I live on my own in sheltered housing in London, and Im much happier now. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. >A resource for a variety of skills, ideas and techniques that are easy to try and then apply to your own personal situation and circumstances, no matter how unique or outside the box your personal situation may seem. As explained earlier, the Escalator is an alternative to the 12 Steps and for some the Escalator can even be a supplement to the 12 Steps. The Escalator is designed to help people to look within themselves for inspiration, hope and change while using others for guidance and support. 7. Suppose that over the course of the next year, he lost 50 pounds and lowered his cholesterol 25%. The 12 Steps have been a successful great formula for those people who are able to buy into the process. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. When one is taught the disease model of addiction, one of the most powerful illustrations is the comparison of addiction to a widely accepted disease like cancer. Risk of harm must always be factored into this equation. The concept of recovery makes a lot of sense when considering a traditional view of substance abuse and addiction. "The Psychology of Compulsive Behavior." Know what types of drugs may increase vulnerability in cross addiction. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Here is our guide to giving up (or cutting back) on alcohol. I dont think about my future, I focus on each day as I live it. This article has been viewed 70,994 times. A cold can mean a lot of things across a wide spectrum. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Taking the Escalator >thedevelopmentofanindividualorsocietyinadirection consideredmorebeneficialthanandsuperiortotheprevious level. 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