Hi fellow psychs


Last week I was at the United Kingdom and European Symposium on Addictive Disorders (UKESAD) from 19th to the 21st of May, 2011, in London. It was very illuminating to see so many exhibits for rehabs in exotic tropical paradises. It certainly brought home how much money there is to be made from other peoples misery. Another interesting point was that apart from the politicos explaining the views of the current government, almost every presenter was a recovered addict, except for those who had a tame one who came on and said how well their methods worked for them. But there were some presenters who were seriously overweight, there were others who were outside smoking in the breaks, and they were all guzzling coffee so they had no real answers. The two methods that appeared most convincing required a complete life change, starting with at least 90 days preferably in the Far East or the Caribbean. The staff to patient ratio was 2 staff members to 1 patient, but they were very vague about the total overall costs. I can't see these ever being available on the British National Health Service. 
 
Some presenters claimed addiction is all about trauma or early abuse; others said that it is all about depression, dysthymia or various co-occuring conditions. Others blame the brain, reduced neurotransmitter production, like lack of dopamine, or serotonin; and poor parenting is still high on many peoples' lists. One recovered addict now a PhD had a ‘narcissistic personality’ and blamed this for most problems including addiction. On the other hand low self-esteem seems more logical.

One group representing a North Korean religion claimed it is all about QI energy, yin yang and blockages to the body's qi circuitry. They claim to have a secret to health, long life, and happiness, which can help with any health problem including my back pain. But it was like joining a cult - seriously. Another group had a trauma treatment facility, with brain training programmes to heal the brain damage [which is mainly from alcohol]. It is based on computer games and a bio-feedback system like Calm Beat (which teaches patients to lower their heart rate and blood pressure). They had slides of a damaged brain before and after brain training using QEEG, it was very impressive. 
 
The majority of presenters represented rehabs in tropical paradises that are basically offering *Rat Park for humans but few claimed that they could tackle the underlying problems. They insisted that the evidence showed trauma therapy does not work; and that it can do more harm than good to try to find the reasons as digging about in the past can have negative consequences, especially if it is done badly (whatever that means). Nobody really knows why people get addicted, there are only theories and maybes. 
 
The most terrifying presentation was from the Interventionists who are making a packet in USA and will soon be found in UK Yellow Pages. Doctors won't do it and nor will rehabs because they know that forced rehab doesn't work and could do more harm than good. However, many families refuse to accept this and don't know where else to turn so these guys have appeared making all the right noises [with a few hours training and a state licence]. They describe themselves as a cross between a bounty hunter and something else -  I was too shocked to hear what and it didn't matter, I walked out. I would have stayed to argue with them but there were five of them, fully committed and convinced they were right. But I cannot see this practice being sanctioned in the UK. Strangely enough none of them seemed too keen on the idea of just giving addicts the drugs they need and leaving them in peace until there is a real cure.  
 

*Alexander, B.K. (1975 - 1985) Rat Park was a series of  experiments where addicted rats were found to reject heroin after they were moved from solitary confinement in bare wire cages to an enhanced environment. It is unknown exactly what aspect of Rat Park caused this change but it seems likely that interacting with other rats was a primary factor. Retrieved from Wikipedia 01/06/2011: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Park 


Best wishes Jo (Marjorie) Kirkpatrick

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