Part one of “Change and Transition” discussed transition as the internal process occurring in the minds of addicts as they go through change. While the friends and loved ones of those that are recovering, and many rehab employees, focus only on the outward change (abstinence from alcohol and drugs) there is much more that lies beneath the surface. So much more in fact that it may help explain why relapse rates are so high in spite of all its associated negative consequences.
Addressing “endings” was discussed in the previous article as the necessary first phase of how the newly recovering person begins the internal process of transition. This article will concentrate on the next phase “the neutral zone,” and finally “the new beginning.” As with the first article, the information here is applied from the work of William Bridges & Associates (other links provided below).
The neutral zone, to all outsiders, will look like a long unproductive period of time where the person in recovery seems to be ‘on automatic’ or experiencing many false-starts. To the addict, the neutral zone is a frustratingly slow process that seems to go nowhere. This is the phase that begins serious ruminating on the disengagement, disidentification, disenchantment, and disorientation processes started soon after abstaining from drugs and alcohol.
Due to the length of time anyone might spend in the neutral zone, the seeming lack of concrete solutions or progress, and the unsettling emptiness without end --all contribute compelling (in the mind of the newly recovering) reasons to take a shortcut out of these feelings which leads to relapse. How the person in recovery addresses this phase is critical to the successful transition of the addict into a person that can achieve lasting satisfaction in a clean and sober lifestyle.
As all the old connections begin to weaken and break, and before new connections begin manifesting themselves, the person in recovery begins to wonder, “Is this all there is?” “Is this all I have to look forward to?”
The knowledgeable counselor will make the transition process so literal and accessible to the resident that the resident won’t fall into the frequent trap of thinking that they have already arrived at their destination when truly they just need to work through a lot more; and it will be an uncomfortable process. There is light at the end of the tunnel, even when all they see and feel is darkness.
Here is where dishonest and manipulative practices will backfire. Many rehabs make this same mistake over and over again. Maybe their counselors have too much time between when they were once seriously addicted (assuming that they’ve had a personal experience with addiction) to remember what they went through. Or, maybe, the rehab, after many waves of new residents have come and gone, have gotten into the same unfortunate habits: unrelenting and frequent pep talks and ‘rah-rah’ sessions. These constant displays of enthusiasm and joy (bordering on giddiness) lie in stark contrast to what the typical resident is feeling at this time. It also looks calculated and fake. Certainly counselors can model the happiness and satisfaction with life that they are feeling, but it must be tempered by communicating understanding and empathy to what the resident truly might be living through. The usual path that the seriously addicted have taken to full recovery was more of a “hmmm” than an “AHA!” Displaying otherwise will likely make recovering addicts feel that they are unique in their “unwellness” further compelling them to take the shortcut back to their more predictable world of substance abuse.
Since the neutral zone can be long-lasting, rehabs have quite a problem. Most residents can only stay in a residential rehab for a short time (usually about 30 days) because of medical insurance limitations, expense, time away from the job, or time away from family. The resident is released then long before they are ‘internally’ ready.
So what is a rehab to do with its clientele who will only stay in the residential setting for the short term? Actually, plenty. A few rehabs are already doing some of the following…
-Precare, where possible (unfortunately, detox may be the first part of the residential experience), that begins the process of educating the newly recovering in what they can expect to feel internally as they transition to someone living a clean and sober life.
-As early as possible in the residential setting: explain, in detail, the transition process to the resident. Newly recovering addicts don’t feel comfortable in their own skin. By helping them understand all the unsettling emotions swirling about in their minds they will feel that there is a simple and understandable explanation for what they are going through. They are, in a sense, a normal person going through a normal process. Ultimately this may help them feel more in control of their recovery and lead to greater participation in their own transition.
-Individual counseling is more effective than group therapy in addressing the internal manner of transition. Although transition follows a predictable course, each person’s path is unique.
-Allow some solitude and reflective time for residents.
-Journaling can be encouraged for some residents; this should not be forced on residents who might not fit that type of learning or expressive style.
-Writing or talking about an autobiographical history of previous transitions can help put their current experiences in context.
-Educate the family of the recovering person’s inner blueprint of transition.
-Aftercare should reinforce an expectation that life will get better but not without trials and struggles. Techniques should be taught (or reinforcing what should already have been taught) to deal with these negative feelings and occurrences in a healthy way.
The final phase of transition is “the new beginning.” This is where rehabs tend to put most if not all of their efforts. They see a new resident, fresh from detox, as embarking on a changed life free of all the alcohol, drugs, and substances that kept the addict shackled and his family in a perpetual nightmare. Many rehabs see this as a simple flip of the switch or a turn of the key. This simplistic view yields little success. These rehabs will concentrate on the person’s goals, dreams, aspirations when that person has yet to break all the cognitive and emotional connections with his old self, and doesn’t have much of a clue what cognitive and emotional connections he will eventually have with his new self.
However if “endings” and “the neutral zone” are competently covered, “the new beginning” can be addressed in the following ways.
First, beginnings are messy. Full of hope, confusion, idealism, failures, small steps forward, false starts, and the big one: disappointment. This disappointment could just be the result of the rehab setting the wrong expectations, or communicating poorly about them.
Examples of the chaos common in the new beginning: (1) the father who wants to reconnect with his wife and young children enthusiastically plans activities such as a trip to the zoo, a day at the children’s museum, a night at the campground; but finds the only result is cranky kids, an argumentative wife, and lots of stress; (2) the wife who finds peace and enjoyment from physical activity, nature, and outdoor events; but the spouse would rather pursue leisure in an unplanned mostly indoor life; (3) the young man who is eager to go back to his job brimming with so many great ideas on improvements to his company’s operations, profits, and service, but finds management only passionate about maintaining the status quo.
Of course, most of those that have been clean and sober for a long period of time will tell you how much better life is, and how they are happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. What many of them may have forgotten though is the rough, unforgiving road that got them there.
This needs to be communicated to the newly recovering. The new beginning is not an orderly process, there isn’t a simple procedure to follow. Setting the right expectations, taking the long view, emphasizing an understanding of the inner processes inherent to starting something new and putting something old completely behind them is a good start. Reinforcing this concept throughout the residential program and following up accordingly with a well managed aftercare is also a good start.
The person in recovery that is in-tune with her thoughts and feelings in the context of the process of transition will be best suited for rolling with disappointment and looking for opportunity (or any positive) wherever it may occur. Far from finding that AHA! moment, there will likely be many more subtle hints waiting to be discovered. The resident who has come to terms with his ending of the old life, and has accommodated the discomforts of the neutral zone, will be able to find and capitalize on these new ideas, feelings, and connections to the rewarding life that follows.
William Bridges & Associates Official Website
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Related: Residential alcohol treatment center, drug rehabilitation, addiction, substance abuse, alcoholism, twelve step rehabs, alternative to 12 step, recovery program
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