|
||||
|
||||
|
Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
|
||||
|
||||||||||||
|
![[Valid RSS]](images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed"){kind=small}
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Ask Michael:
Live to Tell an inspiring memoir about overcoming meth |
|
 |
|
| Ask Michael: Live to Tell an inspiring memoir about overcoming meth | |
|
by Michael Raitt -
SGN Contributing Writer Crystal meth use/abuse and addiction continues to be a crisis with broad implications in our community and the general population. Women and men, regardless of their sexual orientation, become bewitched by the drug and the allure surrounding it. In time, most users become crippled by its insidious nature and the impact on their lives can be devastating. These are wonderful people - our loved ones - who get lost and incapacitated by this drug and those of us on the outside are often left feeling helpless to do anything about it. David Talamantes, a local first-time author, has written a powerful and compelling memoir titled Live to Tell; A Nightmare on Gay Street. In his book, David talks about his descent into an addiction to methamphetamine, the situations surrounding it, his struggle with his personal demons, and ultimately, his journey to come out of it and overcome his addiction. It has now been approximately four years that David has not used meth. While reading David's book, you get the real sense and insight about how meth affects the brain and the impact that the resulting twisted reality creates in the life of the user. You begin to understand how internal and external dynamics come together to create the perfect situation for an addiction to sprout and become entrenched. David describes, openly and honestly, the "sketch" that developed in his life and how the tantalizing facade surrounding the lifestyle was really backed by loneliness, deception, heartbreak, insecurity, and fear. Most importantly, however, is the message that an addiction to meth (or any other substance) does not have to be a life sentence. David describes the hard journey that compelled him to face his out-of-control life and the courage to deal with the internal shame and demons that fueled his addiction. Live to Tell is imbued with the important tenets that make for a successful recovery from addiction; an honest assessment of the impact the substance/behavior has in one's life, a drive and commitment to not use the substance, the development of a network of loved ones and professionals to look to for support and education, and the courage to take inventory of one's self to understand and change the faulty thinking and behaviors that sustain the addiction. Again, whether you are GLBT or straight, addicted to meth or some other substance, these are the steps that are necessary for most to overcome an addiction and maintain their sobriety. Although the details of your story may be different than those of David's, the process of addiction is similar. For most, addiction is a process where people begin to engage in behaviors and/or use substances that negatively impact their lives. Often, these behaviors are related to life events (past and/or present) that result in people trying to manage difficult feelings around these situations through some kind of excessive substance use or some kind of potentially harmful behavior (e.g., sexually acting out). For many, the overwhelming desire to belong and feel good about oneself leads people down the path of substance abuse/addiction and to develop relationships with others who end up wreaking havoc on their lives. Potentially, this process is true for anyone, and it is certainly true for many LGBTQ men and women who struggle with addictions. As you can infer from David Talamantes' book, there is no shame in admitting you have a problem - he has now admitted his in a big way, publicly. If you struggle with an addiction to meth (or any other substance), get help! Talk to someone! Reach out and actively bring people into your life that will strengthen your resolve and skills in overcoming your addiction. Taking the first step to admitting there is a problem is the first step towards getting better. If you are in the Seattle area, there are private therapists - such as myself - who work with individuals with addictions. GLBTQ men and women can engage services with Seattle Counseling Services for Sexual Minorities at 206-323-1768. There are many skilled, caring counselors there who can help. It is true that some people avoid help and recovery because they have issues/concerns with 12-step programs (AA, NA, OA, SA etc.). Twelve-step programs have saved countless lives and are wonderful programs for those they work for. If you haven't tried 12-step, give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised. For those who are not ready to try it - or have tried it and don't like it - this does not mean you have to forgo recovery and overcoming your addiction. Find a therapist who will work with you. I work with men and women who, for whatever reason, want the individual work and not the 12-step work. Regardless of what you call your program or the work you do, success in it will require that you incorporate the tenets I mentioned above, and a skilled therapist will operate with these principles. In conjunction with his book release, David Talamantes has set up a website and blog discussing his book and providing people (users, recovering addicts, professionals) an opportunity to network and garner support in their recovery from meth. His website is at www.livetotellthebook.com and the link is under the "Gay Street" tab, were he also has links to other services in other cities. David, congratulations on your book! This story is truly inspirational and I recommend it to anyone who is struggling with meth or any other addiction, as well as to loved ones and professionals working with addiction, as it is an interesting read that provides insight and hope. You can order the book on David's website, Amazon.com, or through BaileyCoy Books (on Broadway) at 206-323-8842. Michael Raitt, MA LMHC, is a therapist and he writes a bi-monthly column in the SGN. If you would like to comment on this column, ask a question you'd like him to write about, or suggest another topic of interest, please contact him at askingmichael@comcast.net . |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 post your own information onthe Seattle Gay Blog |
 |
USA Gay News American News American Gay News USA American Gay News United States American Lesbian News USA American Lesbian News United States USA News