“I just took a piss, and I seen codeine coming out” — this one’s from Atlanta rapper, Future, on his song, “Thought It Was a Drought.” “Eatin’ on an Adderall / Wash it down with alcohol / Writin’ holy mackerel / Actual or” — poetry from Detriot’s own Danny Brown’s on his track, “Adderall Admiral,” that was featured on his 2011 album XXX. Staying in the same state, this lyric is from up and coming viral Flint Michigan rapper, Rio Da Yung OG, who decided to make it plain, rapping: “I’m a f***** dope head, I’m so addicted/ and I’ll never put it down, I’m so committed.” Eight years ago, California rapper, Tyga, did numbers with his song, “Molly,” featuring Wiz Khalifa.
We don’t have to stay in hip-hop or this era either. J.J. Cale’s record, “Cocaine,” dropped in 1977; Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” won her a Grammy. The highly popular (no pun intended) tune by Afroman, “Because I Got High,” casually talks about putting off responsibilities due to his love of marijuana. Music has a long history of promoting drug use, and if we were to venture into television and movies, we’d be here all day naming all of the “iconic” mediums that have told us substance abuse is okay.
Pop culture’s promotion of drug misuse has been green-lit for years, but for someone who is serious about recovery, this is absolutely the last thing they need.
The Role of Drug Culture for Clients With SUDs
To understand to role of drug culture on individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), it’s essential to first recognize the nature of drug culture in general. For example, substance abuse can be a learned behavior. Substance use is an experience found pleasurable over time, and the rituals involved serve as a focus for those who use drugs when the drugs are not available. People can be as taken by the excitement of drug culture as they are by the drug itself.
These factors simply don’t go away when clients’ are in treatment.
What It Means to Be a Culturally Competent Clinician
From in-house treatment recovery to outpatient services, it’s imperative that providers understand how cultural aspects of substance use reinforce addiction and relapse. Drug culture is a domain that requires proficiency in clinical skills, programmatic development, and administrative practices. Facilities should recognize a client’s level of involvement in drug culture, how they can help clients identify and develop alternatives to the drug cultures in which they participate — all of which are important in assisting clients in creating a culture of recovery.
That’s what makes places like White House Recovery and Detox special — we don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Our staff consists of licensed therapists, certified counselors, and registered drug and alcohol technicians that are dedicated to working with each individual and providing a treatment experience that is different, realistic, and allows for success.
For example, in our residential treatment, we work with you to determine the best care plan for you personally. In addition, we provide aftercare services once you complete the program. The following is an example of what you can expect to experience during residential treatment:
- An interview assessment and detailed plans for your stay and aftercare
- Symptom and progress monitoring
- A structured daily routine
- Nutritional meals and education about the importance of healthy living during recovery
- Group and one-on-one therapy
- Education about the effects of substance abuse and information on relapse prevention
- An introduction to 12-Step and other treatment literature and concepts
When you’re looking for a place for recovery, be sure to ask about the different types of treatment they provide. You want to be sure that your personal goals and background are considered because here, at White House Recovery and Detox, each patient’s care plan and aftercare resources are tailored to their needs.
Alternative Pop Culture
Just because there’s a lot of bad pop culture out there doesn’t mean it’s all negative. For example, White House Recovery and Detox provides music therapy, as studies have shown that your brain physically responds to music and can even sync up with specific beats and rhythms to achieve a calming effect. There are many aspects of music therapy, including the creation of music itself and the technical mastery of the equipment and software, that translates to useful job skills. We encourage group music creation, and we connect you with a staff member with expertise in the following areas, which they can teach to anyone interested in learning:
- Music creation and performance
- Recording software and technologies
- Music production
Everywhere around us, no matter whether or not you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, pop culture constantly pumps drug culture into our media. It’s in rap, country, pop, and rock. It’s in our movies, our commercials — it is virtually inescapable. This can be hard for anyone, not just someone in recovery, as cultural and social dynamics are tied to the pressures of succumbing to these ills. That is why you need a facility that will cater to your individual needs and be in tune with your personal background — not a cookie-cutter place with limited treatment options. Here at White House Recovery and Detox, we not only offer music and alternative therapies but take these factors into consideration, molding a treatment that caters to you. We understand that combating the effects of drug culture requires proficiency in clinical skills. Call us at (800) 510-5393 to find out more.
