Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

Dr. David Mee-Lee presented recently in Southwestern Michigan to mental health professionals as Michigan attempts to integrate their mental health and substances abuse services. He addressed many of the attitudes and mispreceptions of mental health clinicians around substance use disorders. "That client has relapsed for the 3, 4, 5 X times there is nothing we can do for them." He compared this to a heart patient who has presented in the ER with his 3, 4, X times due to a heart attack or heart complications. We would never turn away the heart patient but people have turned away the chronic substance addicted patient. There is an element in freewill and lifestyle choice for both of these patients but their is also a genetic component as well that the patient has no control over. Michigan's move towards integration will assist the patients and clients with better care and also improve clinicians skills as well as reduce stigma and negative attitudes towards people with substance use disorders.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is intentionally paying attention to the present moment while putting aside our preconceived ideas, expectations, and judgments. It is being in connection with the here and now. Over the past 30 years there has been a buildup of evidence-based research using mindfulness practice to work with difficult medical and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, addiction, insomnia, chronic pain, immune function, cancer, trauma, and more. Check this out: Mindfulness Blog by Dr. Goldstein: "The practice of mindfulness teaches us a different way to relate to our thoughts, feelings, and emotions as they arise. It is about learning to approach and acknowledge whatever is happening in the present moment, setting aside our lenses of judgment and just being with whatever is there, rather than avoiding it or needing to fix it. It’s the mind’s attempt to avoid and fix things in this moment that fuels the negative mood. So, if sadness is there, instead of...
Read more

The Stigma of Mental Illness

Image
Many people suffering from mental illness feel that society does not want them or understand them. As mental health professionals, we are here to educate families and society about mental illess. At some point in our lives most people are touched by mental illness with a family member, friend or even ourselves. May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Spread the news of healing and support for those suffering from mental illness.
Read more