MONTHLY SERIES (Part 1) – UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION, RECOVERY, & WELLNESS
We would like to re-introduce our Mental Wellness Advisor and guest blogger, Kenneth J. Orlich. He brings over 50 years of experience in the field of mental therapy and addiction counseling as a Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Academy of Certified Social Workers.
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During this tumultuous time, the pandemic has caused a significant increase in chemical dependency addiction. According to findings by The Recovery Village, a Florida-based network of addiction treatment facilities, survey respondents are reporting a 55% rise in alcohol consumption and a 36% increase in use of marijuana, prescription opioids and others during isolation. Reasons for the increase include: coping with stress, relieving boredom, and managing mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression.
OPIOID HISTORY
The USA began experiencing an increase of opioid addiction deaths beginning in 1999 with a significant spike beginning in 2013. Now, 128 people die EVERY day (that’s 46,802 per year) from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The decisions that the public makes to handle this problem will have profound implications for future generations to come and could make the problems worse.
This 16 part series will help explain the nature of addiction and recognize its impact. These will allow you to be more knowledgeable. Consequently, this will help make appropriate personal and governmental decisions to help addicts, their family, and acquaintances who are part of this crisis. These posts are for the friends, associates, and families of the addicts who can be hurt sometimes more than the addicts themselves by this disease.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Since 1983, I have been working in the addiction field as a clinical social worker earning a master degree in social work from Western Michigan University. I am a Licensed Master’s Social Worker for Clinical and Macro by the State of Michigan. My clinical license allows me to treat individuals with mental health issues. And, the macro license recognizes that I can work with government and private agencies on their social problems.
I am a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Gambling Addiction Counselor by the Michigan Board for Addiction Professionals. In 1986, I became a member of The Academy of Certified Social Workers. For decades, I have worked with thousands of addicts and their families as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. It truly is an honor and privilege to help these people.
My thought has always been that to make change, I would help one individual and family at a time. However, I believe with the help of online outreach and k.o. ecolife, I will be able to touch more people than ever before.
SOURCES
Influencing my work in the field of addiction, the book “The Essentials of Chemical Dependency” by Drs. Robert M. McAuliffe and his wife Mary Bronson McAuliffe is instrumental. Since 1983, I began using these concepts and believe it is the best for understanding the dynamics of addiction. I recommend reading this book slowly to get a full appreciation of what chemical dependency is all about. Additionally, this book will help in following my posts on the subject of addiction.
For full disclosure, I am a recovering Alcoholic who got into recovery in 1974. I share this because I find that people who have chemical dependence are more likely to pay attention to my advice on what is needed to stay sober. For some, this life experience is more important than the academic degrees and various certifications and licenses.
NEXT
This monthly series will include 15 installments to understand addiction and the recovery process. A person who reads all the posts will be knowledgeable to make decisions to protect themselves from being harmed by addicted people, support appropriate government policies for the addicted, and behave with the addicted in ways to enhance their recovery.
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QUESTIONS
Do you have a specific question related to addiction and recovery? Please send your comments and questions to eaglekenj@gmail.com and I will cover it in a future blog post. Also, stay tuned for details regarding my online program, “Addiction, Recovery, Wellness.”
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ABOUT US
K.O. “knock-out” ecolife promotes healthy living with a gut-wrenching desire to make a difference! We’re ‘Fighting for a Greener Planet’ with the eco-friendly products we develop, information we share on health, fitness, and wellness, and Giving Back mission.
