Harm reduction is still an extremely controversial topic. What's your opinion on harm reduction initiatives? Do you have opinions on how these programs can be improved?
"Its just trading one addiction for another" I can't tell you how many times I've heard that about these Medically Assistance Treatment Programs. I've been on a Methadone Maintenance Program for quite a while now and I don't consider myself "addicted" to the medicine.... I am physically dependant on the medication but dependence & addiction don't always have to go together. When I was struggling with my Opiate addiction, the sickness part of it was nowhere near the worst part. I was physically alive but I wasn't actually living. Everything I did day in & day out revolved around making sure I had my drugs. My 2 AMAZING children deserved a mom who wanted to do things with them but I was too preoccupied with my addiction to even realize what I was putting them through. My parents, I couldn't ask for a better mom and dad, and I repaid them by being a completly untrustworthy li'l shit. Though it didn't stop them from being kept awake every night out of pure dread that something awful would happen to me. People I've known my entire life.... good friends of mine were dying left and right it seemed. Death doesn't scare me nearly as much as the thought of leaving behind all the people I love and that love me. My father lost both of his younger sisters to drug overdoses so losing his daughter as well would have utterly destroyed him. When I finally had had enough of that life I tried to do it by myself "cold turkey" style but the withdrawal was not easy for me and I started telling myself I wasn't strong enough to actually get better. I then started getting suicidal thoughts and scared myself into getting myself checked into a hospital. While on the psychiatric wing of my local hospital I explained the reason behind the suicidal thoughts stemming from my struggle with getting clean from the Opiates. The staff at the hospital prescribed me Methadone and after a few days I started feeling normal....not "high" or "strung out".... I felt like an actual human being for the first time in what seemed like forever. Before being discharged from the hospital they set me up to begin going to a Methadone Clinic in my area. Through the clinic I began participating in an 18-Week IOP program that I've since completed & graduated from. I also have weekly sessions with an addictions counselor. It is now 4 years later and life is amazing!! My kids and I have our own home now and I am engaged to an amazing man!! I'm going to school to become a Social Worker that I will be finishing in Spring of next year. I have a part time job doing overnight security (10pm to 6am Thurs, Fri, & Sun)at a Domestic Violence Shelter for Women & Children. I actually got to hear the words "I'm so proud of you!!" come out of my mother's mouth last week and I felt like I had just won the lottery being told that. I owe a lot of my success at recovery to Methadone Maintenance. I'm not sure I would've had the strength without it and I don't even wanna think what would've happened if I would've just continued to let my addiction control me.
im in texas and surrounded by meth and crack abuse as the primary problem leadind to crime and homelessness. would the harm reduction structure work for this drug problem \
I am in a college class right now learning about harm reduction programs and I can understand why they are controversial. I see the programs as a way to save lives. Thank you for educating people on the programs!
I had a 30 year addiction and had lost everything in my life when I entered a meth clinic at the VA. It was tough because all of a sudden somebody is telling you when you can get high and how high with lots of psych visits and doctor visits but so worth it. In 10 years I have stayed in one place, got my 2 year college degree, reconnected with my family and can look in the mirror every morning and feel complete. I had tried so many things to get better because I truly hated hated my life and this is what worked. And at the VA it is actually free as long as you stick with it.
It’s not switching one addiction for another. It’s switching one dependency for another. Recovery can happen even on MAT and even when using. There is a difference between abstinence and recovery.
Aren’t you just substituting one addiction for another? Sure. Just like substituting a Water Gun for an AR-15. They both shoot, but they aren’t quite the same thing.
I respectfully disagree with everything you said. Just because you gave people a clean syringe doesn't make the heroin less harmful. Don't imply that people can't abstain from substances because it's insulting to those of us that do and disingenuous to those with the hope to try. Have you ever kicked methadone doc? No, you just supply it.
Abstinence is ideal of course, if that is the patient goal we work towards it, but reality is abstinence isn't always successful due to severity of opoioid addictiocn , thats the idea behind harm reduction initiatives.
@@belmontdrugs Opioid addiction? What about meth addiction? You still think those drugs which are often used in conjunction by addicts are a harm reducer? What about the general public? Is their threat of harm reduced with people freely roaming around in psychosis? Before you tell me jail is not a solution, let me stop you. I agree. Jail isn't the solution. From where I'm standing though, the harm reduction model is just as flawed. Sure it's saved people who are using against there will from additional criminal charges but it's created many more victims in the process. I appreciate your effort in this fight but I just don't agree with this model.
@Chris Smith Well it's clear that only one of us here has ever detoxed off methadone before. Do you think a heroin addict just instantly finds the ability to moderate their use once they switch to methadone? Look, all due respect Chris, I had the best of intentions at one point and started a 30mg. methadone treatment plan. It's up to the ADDICT though at these clinics whether you go up or down in your dose. The addict who's brain has been hijacked and only knows the word more. The addict who doesn't understand what enough is.. You are right though I did kick heroin. However I traded it for shooting 165 mg. of methadone a day. Let me just say, the size of the needle you have to achieve that with is not for the faint of heart. The irony here is if you make it through that detox, you'll remember the pain of it far longer then you ever would heroin. I could see maybe in a private care setting or something but most addicts don't have that kind of insurance. Lastly, when a smart person like you and a dumb recovering addict like me can have a conversation and bring both knowledge and experience to the table, I truly find hope in that. It's people like you that will ultimately move us in the right direction.
@Were you right? awww 5 whole months? That's amazing. You know what, you are absolutely right. I'm really glad that you found methadone and I hope you're life only gets better from here. It should be noted though that Chris and I were able to have an adult conversation without trying to insult one another. Oddly enough you were probably high at the time this actually happened 🤔 My point is, don't jump in a 5 month old conversation acting like you've got it all figured out my brother. Maybe think about being in the moment a little more and not so... you. Have a blessed day and call your sponsor.
@@belmontdrugs But WHO are you reducing harm to, the actual addicts? I could see that possibly. But you aren't on any level reducing harm to the actual public .... in fact you are feeding the problem and continuing the cycle. Let's call it for what it is.
Harm reduction is still an extremely controversial topic. What's your opinion on harm reduction initiatives? Do you have opinions on how these programs can be improved?
"Its just trading one addiction for another"
I can't tell you how many times I've heard that about these Medically Assistance Treatment Programs. I've been on a Methadone Maintenance Program for quite a while now and I don't consider myself "addicted" to the medicine.... I am physically dependant on the medication but dependence & addiction don't always have to go together. When I was struggling with my Opiate addiction, the sickness part of it was nowhere near the worst part. I was physically alive but I wasn't actually living. Everything I did day in & day out revolved around making sure I had my drugs. My 2 AMAZING children deserved a mom who wanted to do things with them but I was too preoccupied with my addiction to even realize what I was putting them through. My parents, I couldn't ask for a better mom and dad, and I repaid them by being a completly untrustworthy li'l shit. Though it didn't stop them from being kept awake every night out of pure dread that something awful would happen to me. People I've known my entire life.... good friends of mine were dying left and right it seemed. Death doesn't scare me nearly as much as the thought of leaving behind all the people I love and that love me. My father lost both of his younger sisters to drug overdoses so losing his daughter as well would have utterly destroyed him.
When I finally had had enough of that life I tried to do it by myself "cold turkey" style but the withdrawal was not easy for me and I started telling myself I wasn't strong enough to actually get better. I then started getting suicidal thoughts and scared myself into getting myself checked into a hospital. While on the psychiatric wing of my local hospital I explained the reason behind the suicidal thoughts stemming from my struggle with getting clean from the Opiates. The staff at the hospital prescribed me Methadone and after a few days I started feeling normal....not "high" or "strung out".... I felt like an actual human being for the first time in what seemed like forever. Before being discharged from the hospital they set me up to begin going to a Methadone Clinic in my area. Through the clinic I began participating in an 18-Week IOP program that I've since completed & graduated from. I also have weekly sessions with an addictions counselor.
It is now 4 years later and life is amazing!! My kids and I have our own home now and I am engaged to an amazing man!! I'm going to school to become a Social Worker that I will be finishing in Spring of next year. I have a part time job doing overnight security (10pm to 6am Thurs, Fri, & Sun)at a Domestic Violence Shelter for Women & Children. I actually got to hear the words "I'm so proud of you!!" come out of my mother's mouth last week and I felt like I had just won the lottery being told that.
I owe a lot of my success at recovery to Methadone Maintenance. I'm not sure I would've had the strength without it and I don't even wanna think what would've happened if I would've just continued to let my addiction control me.
im in texas and surrounded by meth and crack abuse as the primary problem leadind to crime and homelessness. would the harm reduction structure work for this drug problem
\
I am in a college class right now learning about harm reduction programs and I can understand why they are controversial. I see the programs as a way to save lives. Thank you for educating people on the programs!
I had a 30 year addiction and had lost everything in my life when I entered a meth clinic at the VA. It was tough because all of a sudden somebody is telling you when you can get high and how high with lots of psych visits and doctor visits but so worth it. In 10 years I have stayed in one place, got my 2 year college degree, reconnected with my family and can look in the mirror every morning and feel complete. I had tried so many things to get better because I truly hated hated my life and this is what worked. And at the VA it is actually free as long as you stick with it.
It’s not switching one addiction for another. It’s switching one dependency for another. Recovery can happen even on MAT and even when using. There is a difference between abstinence and recovery.
You are saying there is a difference between addiction and dependency? How so?
MAT is ABSOLUTELY recovery.
This is the safest and
most humane way to address addiction.
By feeding the addiction?
Great video Mike. Very informative and accurate.
Thank you
Great video 👍
Hi! Can I show this video in a 24 Hour telethon-style program I'm producing to promote a fundraiser for Harm Reduction initiatives across Canada?
Sure !
@@belmontdrugs Much obliged Mike!
Hi Mike! Can I use your 'Naloxone Training Video' as well?!
@@Joeamero ya sure
@@belmontdrugs Thanks, keep up the great work!
Aren’t you just substituting one addiction for another? Sure. Just like substituting a Water Gun for an AR-15. They both shoot, but they aren’t quite the same thing.
MAT provides stability.
If drug tested just tell em been using co coda mol fo pain
I respectfully disagree with everything you said. Just because you gave people a clean syringe doesn't make the heroin less harmful. Don't imply that people can't abstain from substances because it's insulting to those of us that do and disingenuous to those with the hope to try. Have you ever kicked methadone doc? No, you just supply it.
Abstinence is ideal of course, if that is the patient goal we work towards it, but reality is abstinence isn't always successful due to severity of opoioid addictiocn , thats the idea behind harm reduction initiatives.
@@belmontdrugs Opioid addiction? What about meth addiction? You still think those drugs which are often used in conjunction by addicts are a harm reducer? What about the general public? Is their threat of harm reduced with people freely roaming around in psychosis? Before you tell me jail is not a solution, let me stop you. I agree. Jail isn't the solution. From where I'm standing though, the harm reduction model is just as flawed. Sure it's saved people who are using against there will from additional criminal charges but it's created many more victims in the process. I appreciate your effort in this fight but I just don't agree with this model.
@Chris Smith Well it's clear that only one of us here has ever detoxed off methadone before. Do you think a heroin addict just instantly finds the ability to moderate their use once they switch to methadone? Look, all due respect Chris, I had the best of intentions at one point and started a 30mg. methadone treatment plan. It's up to the ADDICT though at these clinics whether you go up or down in your dose. The addict who's brain has been hijacked and only knows the word more. The addict who doesn't understand what enough is.. You are right though I did kick heroin. However I traded it for shooting 165 mg. of methadone a day. Let me just say, the size of the needle you have to achieve that with is not for the faint of heart. The irony here is if you make it through that detox, you'll remember the pain of it far longer then you ever would heroin. I could see maybe in a private care setting or something but most addicts don't have that kind of insurance. Lastly, when a smart person like you and a dumb recovering addict like me can have a conversation and bring both knowledge and experience to the table, I truly find hope in that. It's people like you that will ultimately move us in the right direction.
@Were you right? awww 5 whole months? That's amazing. You know what, you are absolutely right. I'm really glad that you found methadone and I hope you're life only gets better from here. It should be noted though that Chris and I were able to have an adult conversation without trying to insult one another. Oddly enough you were probably high at the time this actually happened 🤔 My point is, don't jump in a 5 month old conversation acting like you've got it all figured out my brother. Maybe think about being in the moment a little more and not so... you. Have a blessed day and call your sponsor.
@@belmontdrugs But WHO are you reducing harm to, the actual addicts? I could see that possibly. But you aren't on any level reducing harm to the actual public .... in fact you are feeding the problem and continuing the cycle. Let's call it for what it is.