An ideal program for addiction recovery should be accessible to a wide range of people, regardless of divisive cultural tendencies. Furthermore, an effective recovery program won’t compromise long-term well-being for the sake of short-term gain.
Unfortunately, one of America’s most prevalent recovery programs, the 12 step program, may fall short of these goals.
Addictive Internet use in South Korea has spawned a new treatment option: rehab. 
Rabbi Yisrael Pinson runs the web site Jewish Recovery, as well his personal blog Recovery Rabbi. Using these tools, as well as the Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House, located in West Bloomfield, MI, he reaches out to the recovering Jewish community, where he is “dedicated to helping Jewish recovering addicts with their spiritual needs.”We asked him about his various programs, about the 12 steps, and about the strength those in recovery gain through familiar community and shared faith.
AllTreatment: Your services are fairly unique because you focus so much on spirituality. Why is this? What advantages does this approach have over other methods which may disregard this aspect of recovery?
Rabbi Pinson: The most effective programs to address all addictions are 12-step based programs, which are essentially spiritual in nature. It allows for the person to not only recover from a specific addiction, but also to change their lives around, and live more thoughtfully. By infusing the spirituality of the 12 steps with the ancient teachings of the Torah, we empower recovering addicts to continue growing in their spiritual quest.
AT: In what other ways, beyond spiritual help, do you help those in recovery, or do you focus souly on the spiritual aspect of recovery?
RP: Locally, through the Friendship House, and globally through the feedback option on Jewish Recovery, as well as my presence on Facebook and Twitter, I help addicts find the right resources for their recovery. I help people find the right rehabilitation center for their loved ones, as well as connect them with others in their area who have successfully recovered from a similar addiction.
AT: You seem to have a thriving Jewish community around you and your work, “[a] place for Jewish recovering addicts to meet, communicate and support each other in their recovery”. How does this sense of community, shared faith and support effect the recovering addict?
RP: As many studies have shown, recovering addicts have a better chance of long term sobriety when they recover within their original communities and culture. By helping create Jewish Recovery Communities both online and in cities across the world, we are creating a welcoming places for the newcomer to feel accepted and empowered.
AT: You are also the Director of the Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House. How have you been able to share what you have learned here and spread it amongst those who connect with you online?
RP: Our most popular program here, is our weekly Dinner & Learn, where we… eat! and spend some time studying recovery material in the lens on the teaching of Judaism and Kabbalah. Throughout the years we have studied the 12 steps, the “must”s of the Big Book, the Twelve & Twelve, the stories of the Big Book, and now G0d of our Understanding. Those classes are recorded and them uploaded to Jewish Recovery and RecoveryRabbi.org where recovering addicts around the world can listen and download the classes.
Drug addicts, alcoholics, and any “intervention” program on television will exhibit the same difficult truth: many addicts are in denial that they have a problem. They avoid treatment and have no desire to attempt recovery, sometimes because they are truly addicted to the point that they see no hope outside of drugs, but usually because they simply don’t see the extent to which they are suffering. Of course, the longer treatment is avoided, the more drugs and alcohol have time to wreak havoc on an addict’s health and lifestyle.
Physically, avoiding addiction treatment leads to grave consequences. The individual’s addiction can progress to the point of physical harm at best, and death at worst. Even an addict knows that their drug of choice is not good for their health, but continuing to use regardless causes the negative health impacts to pile up and deteriorate the mind and body. It is never too late for an addict to receive the help they need. Physical damage has already been done by the time an individual becomes an addict, but entering recovery quickly can stop the worst effects from taking hold.
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The deepest problems are often not on the physical surface at all, but rather have to do with the addict’s emotions. Addiction takes a dangerous psychological toll on its victims. Many drugs, particularly depressants such as alcohol, bring down the user’s emotional state. Ecstasy (MDMA) has been shown to cause depression days after its use. Indeed, drug and alcohol abuse have consequences far beyond those that can be classified as immediate.
Financial struggles are made far worse by an addict’s refusal of treatment as well. The longer that an individual uses a drug, the more money they end up pouring into their addiction. Drugs and alcohol are expensive vices that often lead users to neglect other financial requirements in order to fund their addictive behavior. While rehabilitation centers and other treatment may come with a hefty price tag, the cost is undeniably far below that of a continuing drug addiction.
Social dangers are another issue brought on by the avoidance of addiction treatment. An addict’s relationship with their family is put at a strain when they refuse help. Employment can easily be lost due to poor job performance and frequent absences, friendships can deteriorate, and the addict must continue to deal with the stresses of appearing to be functional in society while concurrently maintaining an addiction.
Some addicts believe that they can fight their addiction on their own. In truth, it is far more effective to receive help from a professional institution. AllTreatment strongly recommends contacting a treatment center.
Once the decision has been made to seek treatment, the next step is to find a treatment center that suits your needs. Here are some questions that can help guide your decision.
1. Does the organization hold any state licenses or some form of national accreditation?
If the organization is reviewed on a regular basis and is accredited, it shows that the organization is continually improving and maintaining the highest standards it possible can.
2. What type of education and credentials does the organization’s counselors hold?
A strong staff is crucial to any organization, as it is directly linked to the quality of the treatment. Knowing the staff’s training and experience will make the process more comfortable for you.
3. Has the organization had any clinical practice lawsuits filed against it within the last five years?
Lawsuits do not necessarily mean that the organization is guilty of negligence, but it is an indicator of how others have felt about the organization.
4. What are the dynamics of family sessions?
It is key for you and your family to understand how communication will be facilitated. Knowing this information before the treatment process begins will clear much of the anxiety for the patient and family members.
5. Do the organization accept insurance and will it process it for you?
Having the treatment center explain all costs to you upfront and reviewing the payment options with you is very important. Being able to recognize how much of the treatment is going to be covered by insurance will allow you to make plans financially.
6. What responsibilities will the treatment process require of me?
Organizations have different methods of ensuring treatment. There is the possibility that you may get limitations placed on your activities and those you can contact.
7. What type of results should I expect after treatment?
It is important to find what the organization will to do you in terms of the change of behavior after you finish their program. Addiction is a chronic disease, and needs to be managed for the rest of your life.
8. How can the organization help me manage my disease after I leave the program?
The treatment experience is the beginning of a journey that will last the rest of your life. You should inquire as to what services the organization has to offer you after you finish their program, and how much that will cost.
9. How will my medical record be affected?
Health care is becoming more integrated, and as a result communication between health care providers is becoming increasingly vital. Learning about how the organization will inform your health care providers is crucial.
10. How does the organization view medication in the assistance of abstinence?
Some organizations utilize medication as part of the recovery process, and some do not. It is important to get all information about their view on this issue and how it will affect your treatment process, so you can choose the one that matches most with your needs.
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