Treating addiction with compassion and community

Wellness Wednesday is sponsored by Salut Intermontanya

Many Utahns have experienced addiction or felt its effects in their immediate family. Few things are more difficult and less understood. But there are some key things we all need to know about addiction.

“I love being a therapist, because we get to look at all aspects of a person,” said Regina Dickinson, a licensed clinical social worker at Intermountain Health. Dickinson is passionate about her work helping patients with addiction.

“It’s a field that not many people want to enter. It’s difficult It’s very, very difficult. We have a high attrition rate for doctors in this field because addiction recovery takes a long time and it’s hard to see that long-term goal. And I’ll be honest, sometimes people say, well, why don’t you just let them be? And that’s also hard to explain over and over and over that people need help,” Dickinson said.

He talks about overcoming the impression that addiction is a moral failing, rather than a disease with consistent symptoms across cultures and geography.

“Addiction is addiction. So whether you’re in a small town or a big city, or you’re in southern Utah, or you’re in northern Utah, or you’re in California and you’re in Idaho, addiction is addiction and it looks the same at all levels,” he said.

Dickinson works at the Dayspring Clinic in Logan. One of three treatment and recovery clinics operated by Intermountain Health.

“It’s truly a place where you go and you feel comfortable, you feel like you belong,” he said.

This first impression is critical, because people with addiction often feel guilt and shame.

“You can’t keep it up and expect to stay in recovery, because it will come back and come back and come back, and it makes recovery difficult, and it’s a reason to go back to using.”

Backtracking is common, but less so when the treatment extends beyond the patient.

“It’s really going to be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. And for that, we’re going to offer all the help we can. We’re going to give you individual treatment, we’re going to give you group treatment. We’re going to have your family come in and learn about addiction, and the what they can do will support you,” Dickinson said.

Patients will often stay as inpatients at Dayspring for 30 to 60 days. Some will go straight into what is called an intensive outpatient program. Many will do both. Medical treatments are monitored by staff physicians. Dayspring in Logan offers medical assistance for opioid treatment.

“We’re seeing fentanyl going up. We’re seeing it everywhere,” Dickinson said.

For each patient the goals are simple but difficult. Using proven methods with compassion for ongoing recovery, fueled by insight.

If you suffer from addiction, please get help. The Behavioral Health Navigation Line for Intermountain Health is 833-442-2211. You can also call 988 for help. And if it seems too much, ask someone you trust to help you. It’s not hopeless and you deserve help.