The TEDx video discusses some factors that enhance recovery from substance use disorder. These include social support, mental wellness, and hope for the future People with addictions can only recover through the help of professionals, peers, and family. The lack of a support system can deter people from seeking help and contributes to relapse and pushes them to go back to social groups that encourage substance use (TEDx Talks, 2013). The success of a recovery program also depends on a person’s hope for the future. Often, people resort to drugs when they experience poor mental health due to stigma and loneliness. To treat addiction, the underlying mental health issue must be resolved. This is connected to the third factor, which is hope for the future. Recovery programs tend to work better for people who are optimistic about the future.
There are also barriers to treatment that curtail the success of recovery programs. The first main problem that people seeking recovery face is the issue of financial constraints. Some programs operate on a cash-only basis which may not be economically feasible for them In addition to this, some programs accept people addicted to one drug but not another. For instance, one detox program rejected people addicted to cigarettes while another rejected those addicted to meth (TEDx Talks, 2013). The difficulty in finding an appropriate program is a barrier to treatment. Another problem is the stigma associated with addiction and recovery. Society labels them as ‘junkies”, “boozers”, “pill-poppers”, and other derogatory terms. People avoid treatment because of the stigma associated with it.
The Phoenix MultiSport program works well because of several factors. It introduces people to an active lifestyle, including climbing, cycling, and strength training. This is helpful because conquering such physical challenges makes it easier for the participants to overcome their addictions (TEDx Talks, 2013). In addition, the program improves the mental well-being and quality of life of the members. It helps them to deal with feelings of shame and worry associated with addiction and relapse. It is also effective because it is run by instructors who are themselves recovering addicts. They can help the program’s patients because they understand their situation. The program is successful because it is not just a recovery program but also a community of people who care for each other.
Reference
TEDx Talks (2013). Transcending addiction and redefining recovery: Jacki Hillios at TEDxBoulder. [YouTube]. Web.