STEP TEN:
CONSEQUENCES FOR SMOKING ARE ESTABLISHED (AND REFINED)
Even though there was a universal resolution to treat tobacco like all other addictions, putting it into practice was not (indeed is not) always clear.
If a client was to relapse on tobacco (ie have a smoke) would we remove him from the Manor and the program? If the offence was for alcohol or drugs the answer would have unequivocally been yes, however tobacco did not seem
that clear cut.
Also, we undergo regular random testing for other substances….how were we to know if a client was sneaking tobacco?
Ultimately we decided, again as an organization, that there would indeed be consequences for relapse on tobacco, but that those consequences would be more gradual in nature than those of relapse to other substances. A first offence for tobacco relapse would be that the offender would be asked to stay in the house for a week. A second offence would be two weeks. A third would be removal from the program. These consequences were decided by the clients themselves.
As for testing, we acquired a device that, when exhaled into, measures carbon monoxide content. If the level of carbon monoxide is over a certain amount, it means that the subject has smoked within the last 24 hours.
Has it been a flawless process? No.
Is the system being continually refined even now? Yes.
The important thing I believe is that our overall stance on tobacco is known and accepted both within our organization and outside of it.
That, and we as an organization can sleep soundly knowing that we are dealing with the elephant in the room within the addictions field.
If a client was to relapse on tobacco (ie have a smoke) would we remove him from the Manor and the program? If the offence was for alcohol or drugs the answer would have unequivocally been yes, however tobacco did not seem
that clear cut.
Also, we undergo regular random testing for other substances….how were we to know if a client was sneaking tobacco?
Ultimately we decided, again as an organization, that there would indeed be consequences for relapse on tobacco, but that those consequences would be more gradual in nature than those of relapse to other substances. A first offence for tobacco relapse would be that the offender would be asked to stay in the house for a week. A second offence would be two weeks. A third would be removal from the program. These consequences were decided by the clients themselves.
As for testing, we acquired a device that, when exhaled into, measures carbon monoxide content. If the level of carbon monoxide is over a certain amount, it means that the subject has smoked within the last 24 hours.
Has it been a flawless process? No.
Is the system being continually refined even now? Yes.
The important thing I believe is that our overall stance on tobacco is known and accepted both within our organization and outside of it.
That, and we as an organization can sleep soundly knowing that we are dealing with the elephant in the room within the addictions field.