O'Neal Media Group  

Author Shows Empathy For Individuals Struggling With Substance Abuse

By Jackie O'Neal
Special to ASSIST News Service  -- Jerry Seper writing for the Washington Times pointed out that “heroin use in the United States increased substantially during the past decade, with more than a million people nationwide believed to be addicted to the drug, according to Rogelio E. Guevara, the Drug Enforcement Administration's chief of operations.”

The horror of drug addiction

Statistics estimate there are believed to be at least 700,000 people in the United States who need heroin addiction treatment but are not receiving it.

Dr. Gary R. Collins, in his book, Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide raised the question, “Have Christian counselors been reluctant to enter the arena of substance abuse counseling?”

Dr. Collins noted a government report demonstrated that most help for addicts came from medical personnel, “who tend to focus on detoxification and chemical interventions, or from former addicts who understand street life, but know little about the principles of counseling and behavior change.” Dr. Collins pointed out that with the exception of Teen Challenge, and other Christian substance abuse programs, relatively speaking, “few Christian counselors appear to be involved in drug rehabilitation efforts.”

Dr. Barbara Sinor, in her book, Addiction: What's Really Going On? Inside A Heroin Treatment Program explores the struggles faced by individuals working to free themselves of drug addiction.

Dr. Barbara Sinor

“The book follows approximately ten years in the life of a drug counselor (my friend and colleague) working in a methadone treatment facility located in southern California. It accurately portrays the lives of her clients' struggles of trying to be free from heroin and other drugs. It contains powerful true stories woven together to form a tapestry filled with pain, joy, defeat, and success. It also unravels the questions relating to the use of methadone, detoxification from heroin and methadone, how our society has fallen into it's drug use, and what's really going on in “the life” of those with an addiction,” she said.

She said her colleague, Deborah McCloskey who passed away in 2006, asked her to compile notes, and that prompted the writing of the book. “She shared notes with me over several years, in a book format. We worked together until her death and I am honored that I was able to complete this potent book which brings a “gritty and gripping look as the reader enters the lives of those who are like crabs trying to get out of a barrel,” she said.

When asked how she envisioned the book would impact readers, Dr. Sinor said: “The field of addiction is a short step from childhood abuse and this issue has been my focus for most of my counseling career. My books Gifts From the Child Within and An Inspirational Guide for the Recovering Soul both surround the topic of healing and recovery from painful past childhood abuse, incest, negative programming, and PTSD issues. With evidence that a large percentage of child abusers were addicted to a substance at the time of the abuse and the fact that many adults who were abused in childhood became drug addicts and/or alcoholics, it is clear the two topics are tightly connected.”

“Because this book surrounds the life of Deborah, not my own, I can only relay what I know of her intention to share her story and those of her clients with the public. Deborah wanted the public to become more aware of our nation's addiction population and what was really going on surrounding drug and alcohol abuse. She was torn between realizing most of her clients were content to stay on methadone even though she struggled to teach them they could be free of all drugs. She wanted the public to be aware of the real life of those addicted to any drug and/or alcohol and felt there was a better way to help those addicted and their children. Her message is to educate, understand, and have compassion for those caught in the trap of addiction.”

The process of researching material for the book included interviews with recovering addicts and drug counselors. “My research consisted of educating myself with the issues surrounding heroin addiction and the use of methadone. I studied and talked with counselors, active and recovering addicts, and other professionals in the addiction field to gather my information. The data and statistics were taken from national agencies and governmental data banks online. Most of my contribution to this book is found in the Introduction and the Epilogue, however, I interjected much of the technical information throughout the book.

The Foreword is written by Mark Parrino, the President of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence which states this book, “...effectively captures the dynamic activity within the OTP and demonstrates the incredible relationship between the patients and the caregivers,” she said.

Website: www.DrSinor.com
Blog: www.drsinor.wordpress.com