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what are some of the things you would want to assess or identify before you start?
DR. STENSON: A simplistic answer would be to start with the most urgent issues (i.e. suicide or homicide risk) and move to other symptoms or behaviors that are creating distress, serious problems, or role functioning interference. It is important to have a sense of the individual’s insight, motivation, and exposure to previous treatment. Substance abuse often includes a high degree of denial and may require an intervention with loved ones or persons most involved and affected by the family member’s disorder. INTERVIEWER: If someone has no insurance or lacks adequate coverage will that rule them out of successful recovery? DR. STENSON: The ingredients to “successful recovery” are sometimes mysterious and hard to define. Many timers over the years, I have recommended to a patient, friend, family member, etc to attend 7 to 14 meetings a week for AA or NA, which costs nothing. With mental illness, participation in local NAMI meetings is open and free. Being in the presence of others who are dealing with similar problems who are motivated to help themselves and others often leads to successful recovery. INTERVIEWER: What is the most influential character trait among individuals who maintain long-term recovery while also having happy lives? DR. STENSON: Perseverance and an ability to stick with a tough challenge certainly help when one is dealing with the difficulty illness of addiction. I also like to remind patients that channeling or redirecting their inner rebelliousness can also be very helpful. Often times, this characteristic relates to a sense of not being heard or understood. In the presence of others that do listen and understand, this characteristic can become a positive energy used to achieve long-term recovery and living a rewarding, happy life INTERVIEWER: If I’ve had multiple relapses, will I ever be able to find the right combination that will work for me? Some of the patients who have had the most meaningful and rich recoveries were our most difficult patients, with many relapses or persistence of drug abuse patterns. I preach often to not make prognostications as one never knows when the light will go on and the right combination occurs that facilitates recovery. Many, many individuals with long-term successful recovery had many relapses prior to their more lasting recovery. DR. STENSON: Ignorance and lack of good knowledge is the biggest danger. Often the most impaired individuals know at some level that they need help and are not completely hopeless. They often are very sensitive to insincerity or lack of knowledge and can easily be turned off when being helped by someone not knowledgeable of the unique challenges of substance abuse and mental illness. INTERVIEWER: What are good ways to prepare for the changes that may occur after I have made needed changes to support my recovery? DR. STENSON: Change is hard for human beings, including all the people that are connected to the individual. One must prepare for the reality that others may want to, need to or unconsciously stress the recovering individual by having a hard time adjusting to a new, recovering person. One may find out who their real friend are. It can be a lonely journey at times, especially if not connected with healthy supports. Sometimes a person who is viewed as a “black sheep,” may continue to be treated that way even though they are working hard, making positive changes, and doing well in their recovery. Many humans feel better about themselves when someone close to them is the identified problem. When the person with the identified problem improves, others may be forced to look more honestly with themselves an have a hard time doing that. Have a toolkit of stress reducers or stress coping devices. Such things as relaxation breathing exercises, physical exercise, hobbies, special interests, trustworthy and supportive friends, etc all become important considerations in preparing for the changes.
Dr. Stenson graduated from the first class of the UC Davis school of medicine. After being awarded a Regent’s Scholarship as both a UCD undergraduate and medical student, he completed his residency training in psychiatry at the UC program affiliated with the Sacramento Medical Center, where he was also the chief resident. He served 2 years in the Air Force under the Berry Plan, directing both an outpatient and alcohol program at Sheppard AFB. His subsequent professional career has been primarily related to community mental health and substance abuse. He was the medical director of San Joaquin County Mental Health between 1984-2006. He is the owner and medical director of C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic, located at 2100 Capitol Ave in Sacramento, which treats individuals suffering from opioid addiction. Dr. Stenson conducts a monthly workshop on opioid addiction the third Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. at the clinic which is open to anyone interested in learning more about opioid addiction and treatment.