As substance use disorders (SUDs) become more understood, the stigma surrounding these disorders has also become less prominent. There are now many well-known individuals that have come forward with their struggles with addiction. These individuals include actors like Brad Pitt and Dax Shepard, musicians like Steven Tyler and Elton John, and people with high-profile careers like Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and economist Larry Kudlow.
Everyone’s treatment journey is unique, and everyone deserves recovery, whether they are in the public sphere or not. Wealth and notoriety can influence drug accessibility, as well as create a cadre of people around them, enabling their behavior. These factors can make it all the harder for that individual to get the help they need.
For those struggling with addiction with a more public persona, certain dynamics must be addressed. If not, these can create roadblocks to their potential recovery. Here at Clere Consulting, we understand this, which is why we prioritize confidentiality and have the expertise when it comes to addiction treatment for more public clients. No matter what population, if someone is struggling with SUDs, the time to get help is now.
The ‘High-Profile’ Roadblocks to Recovery
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, “More than 20 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder, and most of them don’t get the treatment they need.” Notice how that statistic does not mention specific populations of people? That is because SUD is indiscriminate.
From the unhoused population to the wealthiest percent, SUDs can affect anyone. Just as it can affect anyone, it affects everyone differently. For those in more “high-profile positions struggling with SUDs, there are certain roadblocks that can hinder getting proper treatment.
One of the roadblocks that high financial means and notoriety can bring is having inordinate access to substances that fuel addiction. When in active addiction, the primary goal for the individual is to feed their addiction at any cost. When the financial cost is taken out of the equation, it can be very dangerous.
Another potential roadblock for affluent individuals getting treatment is the inability of people around them to “say no.” When in positions of power, the dynamic can be such that subordinates don’t want to lose their position of influence. This is when enabling can take place, and even when it looks like “helping,” enabling almost always causes more harm than it does good.
Why Individualized Planning Is Key to Successful Treatment
Publicly visible and financially successful clientele should be treated no differently than other populations struggling with SUDs. What we mean by that is that all populations, in fact, all individuals, should be treated on a case-by-case basis.
When treating an individual in a more high-profile sphere, it is important to account for this in their case management, potential intervention, and companion services. Why? Because the potential for relapse is possible for all people who struggle with addiction. However, for those with greater means and access to their old toxic behaviors, the potential for this relapse is maximized.
By taking an individualized approach to services, it is ensured that all needs of the individual are met. Instead of treating high-profile individuals with the same approach as everyone else, their unique circumstances are taken into account. This ensures more successful recovery.
The Importance of Accountability After Treatment
Maintaining accountability is slightly unique when it comes to high net worth and prominent clients. Often, before treatment, the individuals surrounding them were not maintaining accountability. This is not the friend’s or family’s fault; it just so happens that elevated profiles can cause unbalanced power structures.
Proper case management, treatment, therapy, recovery coaching, and recovery companionship can help mitigate enabling behaviors and promote accountability. A recovery companion, for example, can help the individual avoid triggering situations and keep them locked into the local recovery community.
Maintaining Recovery and Helping Others
One of the greatest blessings of having a public profile in recovery is the ability to share this recovery with others. Of course, recovery and treatment are personal, so it is up to the individual as to whether they want to share their story.
However, whether it is done in private or in public, a successful recovery can go on to inspire others to get the help they need. It has become no secret that the individuals mentioned earlier have helped countless numbers of people in their recovery. Instead of facing stigma, many of them received accolades for their bravery in coming out.
Seeking treatment can be scary for anyone, and that includes those that come from a more high-profile population. However, no matter the person or place, it is important to remember that recovery is available. No matter the person or place, recovery is possible.
Recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) can be a difficult process for anyone. However, there are also certain populations in which their social situations create added obstacles to their recovery. One of these populations is those individuals that are more visible in the public sphere. These individuals may have more visible careers, which can bring an added level of scrutiny to their recovery journey. Here at Clere Consulting, we have specialists that have the specific skills designated for helping these individuals recover. Recovery is an individual journey, which is why everyone deserves an individualized approach. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we can help. For more information, contact Clere Consulting today at (866) 384-8847.
