How the Retreat Approach Deals With Addiction
Introduction
The retreat approach involves removing those who recognize they have a problem with alcohol/drugs from their usual living circumstances by housing them in The Retreat for 30 days. Crucial to success is that each of these new “guest” bonds with one or several recovering alcoholics or addicts who have some time and success in a 12 step recovery programme and who volunteer their services as part of their own continued recovery. This volunteer-guest interaction, initiated with intensity at the retreat, marks the difference between this “retreat” and the medical or “treatment” approach to dealing with addiction. Success in the retreat approach means cessation of drinking/using and continuation in a 12-step programme – including later returning to the Retreat as a volunteer to help other guests. There are four stages to the retreat approach.
- Who Are Retreat Recruits?
Candidates for The Retreat are to some extent aware that they are on a downward spiral, regardless of outward (“external”) appearances. The following “internals” usually apply for this disease. (Note: different alcoholics/addicts reach this point at differing ages in life – some very quickly, others slowly.)
Feel inescapably mired in a rut of hopelessness and misery – Many consider suicide.
Feel addiction inevitable – Must try to live life with addiction.
Compulsion to drink/use nearly continual: Overrides power of reason, determination to stop, etc. Skews awareness of circumstances.
Must do it alone. “Helpers” can’t be trusted.
- External Shock Jolts Them into Temporary Willingness
Shocks = DIC/Arrest for disorderly, hospitalization, separation/divorce, job loss, huge humiliation, etc.
Compulsion to drink/use temporarily overridden by desperation/fear, etc.
Forced out of isolation – forced to accept some kind of help.
- Retreat is Island of Safety (Escape) from Which to Initiate Change
Get off addiction treadmill: Eat/sleep in “clean” (no booze/dope) atmosphere.
Heavy exposure to AA/NA/Al-Anon through literature, meetings and intense exposure to staff and volunteers from 12 step recovery programmes.
Break belief that addiction inevitable – let recovering volunteers demonstrate power of regular attendance at 12 step programme meetings.
- Regular Attendance at 12 Step Meetings: Doing the Steps of Recovery
Virtually all A/A who attend meetings regularly and work the steps quit drinking/doping.
Staying sober and happy nearly always also involves doing service (volunteer) work. Most recovering A/A have the time and inclination for this.
Stepping Stones together with The Retreat USA has created a short educational video.
