The Realities of a Drug Rehab Center
When the discussion of addiction and treatment methodologies comes up in class, there is a considerable amount of curiosity from my students about the inner workings of a Drug Rehab Program. It is a natural curiosity born of the prevalent media presentation of celebrity treatment and the frequent missteps into addiction the famous seem prone to. As a part of the course, I arrange a tour of the nearest facilities. These tours affect the students in different ways, and it’s rare that we make the trip without one person having a life-changing realization. Being so close to people dealing with their addictions on a day to day basis can trigger a catharsis in my students, where they decide to confront either their own substance abuse issues, or a family member’s problem. One such occasion happened recently, and I have, with the student’s enthusiastic permission, subsequently added the experience to the curriculum.
Marie is a bright and eager student who nevertheless had trouble achieving to her fullest potential. During her class time she was active and engaged in the learning process, but her homework was always well below what I expected from her. To compound her difficulties, her attendance started to suffer when any holiday approached. I spoke with her several times but she would not share any information regarding what may have been affecting her school work. She agreed to take on an extra credit assignment to bring her back up to the academic standard of the program, and the assignment I created for her involved doing a personal interview with an outpatient group at the facility we were touring the next week.
The tour went as planned, with Marie leaving the class group and rejoining us when it was time to leave. I could tell that something profound had occurred during her time with the outpatients. In a loud clear voice she said to me “I am the child of two alcoholic parents, and their addictions are affecting my schoolwork.” To see her make such a bold statement without any shame or fear brought me a considerable amount of pride in her determination and personal growth. It is incredibly challenging to face the addictions of those who once cared for you, and to make it public knowledge meant that she was one step closer to finding the peace she needed to live a healthy life. This may have been the greatest event in my professional career.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :-
Michael Lutenesco is a professional educator and author who is known for his insight into the workings of American Drug Rehab Centers. His groundbreaking interviews with the patients have been the basis of a series of lectures given to health professionals around the world. His future plans include attending the next mental health symposium as a keynote speaker and working with the community and various government agencies to open a new Drug Rehab Center that will leverage his observations in new treatment options for patients.