Careers >
Careers
The Rush to Rehab; Stop Rehab Abuse!
Author: Simma LiebermanThe Mayor of San Francisco announces that hell enter rehab and counseling for alcohol after its revealed that he had an affair with the wife of his campaign manager. Isaiah Washington is undergoing counseling for his use of a homophobic slur. Michael Richards is in counseling for yelling racist epithets. Met Gibson enters rehab for alcoholism after making anti-Semitic remarks when stopped by police for driving while intoxicated., Sen. Mark Foley enters rehab for alcohol after it was revealed that he had sent sexually suggestive e-mails to teenage pages., Reverend Haggard enters rehab when confronted with having a sexual relationship with a male prostitute.
The list goes on and on and on.
Then there are the Lindsey Lohans and Nicole Ritchies who enter rehab for drugs, alcohol or whatever, become experts on addiction recovery, tell everyone how their lives have changed, yet within a short amount of time are seen partying, driving under the influence, and acting out.
We read the newspapers, listen to the radio and go online wondering, who is next in the line-up for rehab? Who will come out a few weeks later, write their memoirs, go on the speaking circuit, and tell us to live our lives?
There could be a gold mine in running rehab centers for celebrities that dont want to take responsibility for their actions and for counselors who specialize in famous individuals who make racist, homophobic, or any other hate-filled remarks.. Theres probably also money to be made by graphic artists who create diplomas for graduates of rehab and counseling who are declared cured of alcoholism, drug addiction, racism, homophobia, and homosexuality.
Rehab is getting a inferior name and soon there will be no room for the average alcoholic or drug addict who works hard to stay clean and sober, takes responsibility for their actions, and knows that there is still work to do after the first 30 days.
Ive been clean and sober for over 22 years and Ive put a lot of work into transforming my life. One of the first things I learned in AA was that alcoholism and drug addiction are not excuses for injuring yourself or others. Part of my recovery was making a list of individuals who I had harmed, making amends to them personally and accepting the consequences of my past actions. I didnt make an announcement to the world and I still dont think I have all the answers, but I do know a thing or two about rehab.
I realize, for example, that my amends and apologies have to mean something and indicate a change in actions and thought processes. I also know that apologies by proxywhen celebrities make inappropriate remarks then apologize to well-known individuals from the group targeted by the remarksjust dont cut it. There seems to be no end to well-known individuals who make racist remarks about Black individuals and then call Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson seeking absolution, as if they have the power or time to forgive and make such comments ok.
Entering treatment for addiction means you get treatment for your addiction. Any other changes you make are up to you. That also means that.a racist alcoholic, who gets treated for alcoholism can still be a sober racist, anti-Semite, homophobe, or engage in inappropriate behavior.
As a diversity and inclusion strategy consultant, I speak to individuals and organizations throughout the world. I hear racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic remarks from all kinds of people. At the same time, Im with individuals who work hard to understand others who are different than themselves, who learn to demolish through incorrect assumptions and stereotypes, and appreciate the opportunity to interact with others in meaningful dialogue.
Rehab is not the cure for all the -isms or for hate. The cure is education, self-examination and the willingness to get to know individuals from diverse backgrounds as human beings and understand their lives and experiences.
Simma Lieberman
P.S. The cycle continues: Ms.USA was on Larry King talking about her new self and giving advice after several weeks of rehab.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/the-rush-to-rehab-stop-rehab-abuse-116434.html
About the Author:Simma Lieberman is a consultant, author and speaker who helps organizations create more profitable cultures. She specializes in Diversity and Inclusion, Gender Communication and Power Living. Contact Simma to assist your organization and the individuals in it be more successful. Simma Lieberman, 1-510-527-0700, Simma@SimmaLieberman.com, http://www.SimmaLieberman.com
|
|
Keywords:
rehab people make racist addiction after remarks actions counseling al