I'm going to only be focusing on sharing chapters of K.I.S.S Perfect: A book with an alternative perspective on mental health and addiction for the next week.
It's important content and I'd prefer to offer it to the public and then focus on my writing, art and now ... possibly music (due to the encouragement and inspiration of @olujay ) as well ... in full once this is done.
You can blame everything on him and @wrestlingdesires, and his latest post, for inspiring me to focus (young Skywalker) and get this project done and dusted as quickly as I can now.
Because people are suffering (and are being incorrectly diagnosed and medicated) unnecessarily because of misinformation and lack of education on mental health and addiction.
Now as standard practice.
For those who've only connected with me recently
My own personal journey through the mental health and addiction industry / program of support often, at times, delayed my full recovery from some pretty severe mental health "disorders" and addiction.
Yes you read that right.
I've achieved a FULL recovery.
I've been sober for multiple years, medication free for four years and now work as a private recovery coach (when I'm not causing a ruckus on Hive), despite being told I had:
"a chronic condition that would need medication for life."
four years ago by a leading psychiatrist in my city.
Or that I had a "disease" by almost everyone who is trying to recover from alcoholism or addiction (same thing).
And when I say leading, I mean this doctor testifies in High Court on extremely high profile cases as an expert.
That highly acclaimed.
How could such an expert make such an enormous error?
By being only human.
As all doctors are.
Despite his expert "diagnosis" I haven't needed to attend support groups, see a therapist, continue any treatment or work any particular program of recovery for either mental health (and the often associated behaviours of addiction) for almost as long.
I don't believe I am any different to anyone else out there who is suffering with these challenges.
The only thing I did differently, from many people trying to manage these conditions, was that I stubbornly refused to believe I was disordered, diseased or that these conditions were not able to be resolved permanently.
The Perfect Campaign
The Perfect Campaign (a.k.a UR already Perfect) was a project I began that was aimed at providing free support, education, intervention, prevention, skills, tools and therapies for teenagers (and anyone suffering from these conditions, really).
Due to the escalation of a personal situation I was forced to step back from the project in 2019 and, although I did try to pick it up in 2021, due to lack of support and funding I had to shut it down and focus on a rebuild of my own life first.
I could no longer afford to pay for running costs from my own pocket or dedicate billable hours to create free content any longer.
The support and encouragement on Hive has, literally, brought me back to life and to the point where I have the focus and determination to finish this particular "good fight" for once and for all.
Or at least share my learning so I can move on to happier things.
To give you more of an idea of what we are up against here...
Below is a copy of some email correspondence with one of the Directors of three of the biggest dual-diagnosis treatment facilities in South Africa.
I share this not to be vindictive, childish or to embarrass anybody, but to show you how resistant current professionals in the treatment industry are to engage with any perspective that threatens the disease or biological approaches to addiction and mental health challenges.
Because it is only by medicalising these reactions and behaviours that facilities and professionals are able offer medical insurance options and make themselves affordable to clients.
This is the bottom line and I'll show you exactly how this all came about in the chapters to follow.
The email correspondence to a figure head in the treatment industry:
From: Nicole [Surname] <email address @ service-provider . com>
Sent: 27 October 2021 15:15
To: Dr [Surname] < email address @ service-provider . co . za>
Subject: Re: [Name Removed for Privacy] - Footer Contact Form
Dear Dr [name removed for privacy] ,
Thank you for you quick response and apologies for my consequent radio silence. We had load shedding in my area yesterday evening and I, subsequently, got stuck into putting something together for your perusal that I am still uncertain about sending, to be honest.
I did reach out to you because you are an expert in your field and, more specifically, because we had a brief exchange during my course with [name removed for privacy] and I was taken with your humility and openness to considering different perspectives. It’s rare in the medical profession and in any field of expertise I would imagine. I have, also, been repeatedly let down by supposedly well trained professionals over the last couple of years (mostly) and am now not entirely trusting of the whole industry.
I’ve had an interesting experience over the last couple of years that I thought you may find interesting as well.
I have tried to share some of this with other professionals, but it seems a closed fraternity and people seem afraid to consider that things may be a bit off the mark regarding treatment for addiction and mental health. But I am not an expert. Of course.
What I have seem to have done, is to eradicate all desire to use substances and alcohol (along with some other “addictions” that then took their place, naturally), as well as heal my so called anxiety and depression that presented so badly in 2019 that I was almost mis-diagnosed with BiPolar.
This while I am still in the tail end of a hectic life challenge and am, still, under quite a bit of stress. I have also not attended a twelve step program since December 2019.
I am not entirely sure what to do with the learning. I embarked on this journey in 2017 when I found the work of Dr Gabor Maté and was curious to see if my “addiction” could be “healed”. I have my answers, but nobody in the arena of mental health or addiction, or recovery, will take me seriously or believe me, despite the fact that I am walking this.
I find this both ironic and sad. But also pretty funny at times.
My question is, would you be open to reading a short document that I have just spent the last hours putting together and sending me some feedback, please?
As I said, I am not sure what to do from here. I no longer really want to work in the arena of recovery much. I also [personal history removed for safety]
That is fine. I have made peace with it. But I also can not release this information to the public as [information removed for personal safety], my health is not good right now and I can not withstand another legal or [information removed for personal safety] attack.
But people are dying. Possibly unnecessarily.
An addict on the street, that I was trying to assist, has passed away while I was being [information removed for personal safety]. The life coach that offered to assist him from [name removed for privacy] may not have actually even tried. I had to step back to try and deal with the [information removed for personal safety] and handed her his case.
I’m deeply saddened. Chris was a good man who was desperate to find his feet. He had worked a twelve step program for years and had relapsed. I managed to get him to go to a meeting. He was also trying to get into government care. Almost impossible for an addict on the street. It seems all systems failed him in the end. I asked around since I have found more time, and was told he died on the street and was robbed. They found him naked. He was only early forty-something.
I have also accepted that it is highly unlikely that I can gain any traction with this approach without a respected professional on board.
I was going to release a book with notes on the journey and findings that helped me recover, but I’m not well physically and going over the history is taxing - both emotionally and physically. I also don’t have the time to write it as I am busy trying to find my feet financially again.
So here I am, with no real idea of how to get this information to anyone who may actually be able to make good use of it. Or who might even listen.
I attach a rough start of what I may just put out to the general public for free (and anonymously) for you to have a look at and ask that this remain between us, please. My [information removed for personal safety] and there is no help coming. I’m also not being dramatic at all with regards to [information removed for personal safety].
I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
With thanks,
Nicole [surname]
On 28 Oct 2021, at 16:15, Dr [Surname] < email address @ service-provider . co . za> wrote:
Dear Nicole
He replies briefly, saying he has read the manuscript and that is it interesting but he's not in a position to endorse it. (I have not copied content directly for obvious legal reasons.)
Kind regards,
Dr [Name Removed for Privacy]
MB.ChB Prac No [Practice no. removed for privacy]
Specialising in Substance Use Disorders
[contact details removed for privacy]
from: Nicole [Surname] <email address @ service-provider . com>
to: Dr [Surname] < email address @ service-provider . co . za>
date: Oct 28, 2021, 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Name Removed for Privacy] - Footer Contact Form
Dear Dr [Surname],
Thank you for taking the time to go over it. I know you must be a busy man, and I appreciate your response.
Kind regards,
Nicole
But then I think it through a bit...
from: Nicole [Surname] <email address @ service-provider . com>
to: Dr [Surname] < email address @ service-provider . co . za>
date: Oct 29, 2021, 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Name Removed for Privacy] - Footer Contact Form
Dear Dr [Surname],
I actually didn’t consider you endorsing it. I understand, fully, the implications of what I’m trying to share. But I did sit last night and think that I can (surely) not be the only person who has made these connections? And a lay person to boot. That is really highly unlikely.
I was considering asking you to write the experience as a (anonymously) case study to, possibly, create some conversation about how this might all work. Maybe. Or to offer the learning to you on a consultancy basis to run with, research more deeply and institute what does fit.
I have no interest in any glory, bar winning back the approval of my eldest child who has been convinced that I’m nuts, and leaving a road map for her and my son to use to not fall into the same unhealthy patterns. Along with others, of course.
Please give this some time to simmer.
I am not about to take on the medical fraternity and have looked at every possible angle to get this information shared, but can not, with things as they currently are, see a way to do this effectively. Bar putting small explainer videos together to share with the general public that do not threaten the powers that be too much (which you can probably tell I am no good at). I don’t enjoy schmoozing and business and I lack the care to be diplomatic enough to be decent at it.
I am an artist by education and by nature both. I would rather spend my time on that moving forward at this point in my life.
I can not, however, seem to let this go. It was really hard won learning, and I struggle with the idea that people are suffering unnecessarily.
I won’t write to you again if you decline this consideration, or have no interest in hearing about this a bit more. I will either have to chose to let it go and accept that things will change when they do, or figure a way around it if I can’t.
Kind regards,
Nicole
On 28 Oct 2021, at 16:15, Dr [Surname] < email address @ service-provider . co . za> wrote:
Dear Nicole
He replies briefly, again, saying he doesn't want to pursue the conversation further and is polite enough to wish me luck with my endeavours (which is why I chose to approach this person specifically in the first place. I believe he is a decent human being.)
Kind regards,
Dr [Name Removed for Privacy]
MB.ChB Prac No [Practice no. removed for privacy]
Specialising in Substance Use Disorders
[contact details removed for privacy]
Fine. Let's do it ourselves then.
working title changed to
Perfect
An alternative perspective on mental health and addiction
to avoid confusion with the #kiss initiative here on Hive
<< You can read the book from the beginning here
The Research & Practices
K.I.S.S UR Already Perfect is a really short book on Mental Health & Addiction with a trauma informed perspective, and holistic approach to treating these, that has better results for many people suffering.
I’ve done extensive research — and personal practice — into this content for (now) eight years in total and am releasing a short book on the key points I discovered, pro bono, as part of a campaign to reduce stigma and raise awareness.
I feel it’s important to share this information as quickly as possible. For free because, often, those that may need it most may not be able to afford it.
My editor keeps telling me people will think it is a load of rubbish if it is freely gifted because human beings place value according and relative to monetary costs to them.
He has a valid point.
This is a commonly known of misconception we humans still buy into.
“If it is expensive, it must be valuable.”
I’ll leave you to consider whether the above statement rings true for you.
I suspect it doesn’t if you give it more thought. And that’s what we’re here to do. Give things a bit more conscious consideration.
So I’m going ahead, despite my editor’s warning, because (quoting my email reply):
“Recovery works best when it’s shared freely.
Some kind of magic happens, when recovery is gifted, that somehow helps people relate to others and make their own connections more quickly.
Also... I don’t give a fuck.
I want people to, possibly, avoid being accidentally hurt by misinformed approaches to mental health and addiction — and to get well as fast as possible.”
The content contained, in what I foresee to be a four Chapter booklet, is not all my discovery.
This is a concise explanation of some connections I did make personally, but mostly some other approaches and therapies that are not widely known about — yet!
That seem to have better and lasting results in treatment.
I feel it’s important to share this information as quickly as possible. For free because, often, those that may need it most may not be able to afford it.
These challenges make it almost impossible to be consistently productive. And, sometimes, are completely debilitating.
Regardless. I can't hold on to it. I have to give it away. Because that is also how recovery "works" best.
I have every faith that those who may need it will find it.
The Research
I researched the full history of the DSM. Fascinating!
Learning how and why the DSM was developed, and how it’s edited to stay current, really changed my perspective on mental health in full.
The history of psychology and psychiatry is very interesting indeed...
In addition:
What defines a disease, the neurology of the brain with regards to a variety of mental disorders and addiction, as well as the physiology of the brain in relation to these
Symptoms of mental disorders / classification and diagnostics
Developmental and Relational trauma
Hereditary trauma
Dysfunctional family “roles”
Emotional and psychological abuse
Codependency
PTSD/C-PTSD and the effects on the physiology of the brain and nervous system
Psychology and its various schools of thought/theory (and some of the academic papers from these that rang true
10.Plant medicines and the effects on the brain / in therapeutic treatment
11.Diet and the effects on the brain and nervous system
12.Physical exercise and the effects on the nervous system and brain
13.The mind/body link
I did detailed (four hours minimum, some over some days) background histories with four other dual diagnosis cases (addiction and — a Schizophrenic, two BiPolars and a BPD)
I have now used this approach (and my own personal combination of other amazing people's professional and academic therapies, theories and skills) with a client who was open to trying something new.
He stopped drinking (to his own surprise) in December 2021. He has not needed treatment or support groups and is now busy coming off his anxiety medication (down to half) under the supervision of his medical doctor).
He recently sent me a message saying he feels better than he ever has and thinks he's okay to move forward on his own now.
I think this is how "treatment" should "work"... ?
What therapies/practices I both used personally, and/or researched at various times over the eight years:
- AA & NA (12 Step Program)
- Adult Child
- SLAA
- CODA
- EDA
- The PolyVagal Theory
- EMDR
- TRE
- Plant medicines
- Yoga & breath-work
- EFT — “Tapping”
- Hypnotherapy
- Talk therapy / Counseling
- Movement Medicine / Conscious Dance
- DBT
- Started a CBT course — unfinished
- NLP
- A variety of meditation techniques (incl: Transcendental and Vipassana)
More to follow on Hive (and only Hive) as quickly as possible. Please do be courageous enough to share on mainstream social media if you feel inclined to. I will answer questions in the comments on these posts and leave them up for anyone who may need information to refer to moving forward.
... to be continued as quickly as possible.
Links to info mentioned in the video above:
Richard Grannon ...
Dr Gabor Maté ...
Dialetical Behaviour Therapy ...
Free to share and distribute
With thanks to the community on Hive for your courage and open-mindedness and to Internet Archive for your service.
This project would never have been completed without your resources and support.
I do not endorse the information shared in K.I.S.S - Keep it Simple Sweetheart Perfect to be used in place of professional medical advice, support groups or specific therapies.
Please do not come off any prescribed medication without the guidance and support of a trained professional.
Please do not step away from any programs of treatment or support groups without the guidance and support of a trained professional.
and Photo by Artur Voznenko on Unsplash