Recently I had the opportunity to participate in the evaluation of a patient at our sister facility, Journey at Willowcreek in Salt Lake City. This evaluation was unique in that it was videotaped from beginning to end by a film crew from MTV. Apparently, MTV has taken a cue from several other stations (think A&E’s popular weekly series, Intervention) which have devoted valuable airtime to address the tragic problem of addiction in this country.

In light of this unprecedented level of attention, I find myself seeking to answer the question, why now? Why the sudden interest in broadcasting the ugly face of addiction to the cable viewing audience? Does it really make for riveting television? What are the viewers getting out of it? Now I can hypothesize with the best of them, but the truth is that there are a myriad of reasons behind this phenomenon. One viewer may relate to the subject matter because of their own personal experience with this powerful disease while another may find the stories inspirational at a time in their lives when they might be able to use a little inspiration. Others yet may have their own uniquely perverse, sadistic reasons behind the appeal of this particular genre.

Whatever the reason for the seemingly overnight success of reality TV shows that deal with the topic of addiction, I think it represents an opportunity for all those individuals who have worked diligently away from the spotlight to speak openly about the work that they do and the field in which they work. I know many people that work in the field of chemical dependency that are proud of their work and have enjoyed and continue to enjoy very fulfilling careers…but how many of us are out there actively marketing our services?

This disease with which we are all intimately familiar, whether in recovery or not, is finally garnering the recognition that it deserves. The various manifestations of addiction are more prevalent today than ever before. We do not have to agree with the means and format through which this phenomenon has come about in order to arrive at the same end result …ADDICTION HAS FINALLY BECOME RELEVANT. Not only to public policy makers and legislators, but to your neighbors and their families as well.

As addiction treatment providers, we share a common mission and that is to assist individuals and their families who are struggling with the disease of addiction to free themselves of their self-imposed cages and return to their authentic natures, free of mind-altering substances. I believe we have an equally important obligation to actively educate policy makers, legislators, friends, family members and neighbors as to the variety of treatment services and mental health/addiction resources available to them.

We owe it to our past, present and future clients to let it be known…loud and clear…now more than ever…with our individual and collective voices.

TREATMENT WORKS!

It really does.

Dr. Ravi N. Chandiramani practices general and integrative addiction medicine.His approach combines the best of conventional medicine with the evidence-based nurturing and rebuilding modalities inherent to the practice of naturopathic medicine. He has served as Corporate Medical Director for Journey Healing Centers since December of 2004.