28 Days

Lynae N.

October 11, 2009 - 7:35 PM

28 days. When an individual goes into inpatient treatment for an addiction it takes (on average) 28 days to complete. This means that a person walks into treatment and from that moment on they are to be abstinent from whatever their addiction may be for 28 consecutive days. This may seem like a simple task, but for those whose bodies and minds are dependant on their addiction this is very difficult.

I am taking a class this term looking at addictions and how the family system interacts with an individual's addiction. I am one of two students in the class who has experience working with addictions and while I do know some about addictions, I am by no means an expert. I am really looking forward to learning more from my professor on a systemic perspective rather than the traditional individual focus I am well acquainted with.

But I truthfully didn't recognize how much I do know and how much I have experienced until I was in class last Friday. My professor was describing one of the major assignments of the course; to be abstinent from something important to us that we feel dependent on for 28 days. I have done this before and for much longer periods of time for various reasons. Most commonly I have given up sugars, sweets, snacking, caffeine, and all carbohydrates besides whole grains, brown rice, and vegetables. I've learned a lot about myself and my own addictive-like behaviors around food through this process. But being so familiar with the process, I was not prepared for the reaction of my classmates. They were all noticeably agitated about having to give up something they enjoyed. There were so many arguments made and most of them centered on the need to function and the debate about timing (e.g. I want to give up sweets but Halloween is in a few weeks). I had to laugh to myself because this is exactly what someone goes through when they are looking at quitting an addiction. Since there is a dependence on a substance or thing (sex, food, exercise, gambling, drugs, alcohol etc. . .) they too need their substance to function. They also question timing in giving up their beloved habits. Isn't that just human nature though? We tend to look at people through and have a clear perception of who is and who isn't an addict. The truth is, most of us have things that aren't the best for us that we are dependent on in one way or another. For me, this is sugar.

But then I realized that I too was hesitant to do the assignment, but rather than having an argument of functioning, I debated internally because I had done this before. I felt that this made me exempt from having to go through with the assignment. But, as some other addicts can tell you, a period of abstinence does not always mean that the addiction is gone. I know mine is still active or else I wouldn't be reacting to letting it go for another month. I guess that I am human too despite my "knowledge" about addiction. 

So starting this upcoming Friday, I will start my sugar-free life for a month. Other students in the class are giving up other food items, media, and a range of other things they feel dependent on. I will be very interested to see how we all grow in this process.

I propose the same challenge to you. If you are reading and want to join me then I invite you to explore your life, find what you feel you need to get through the day (Coffee maybe?) and give it up for 28 days. The harder it is for you to give up your "addiction" the more you will be able to learn about yourself and understand that experience of someone who is chemically dependent on their substance. This is a fun learning opportunity. I'll keep you updated on my progress and hope you enjoy your own 28 day journey.