Interview with Barbara Sinor
Dr. Sinor is a Psychospiritual Therapist working with individuals dealing with addictions, childhood abuse/incest, PTSD, and adult children of alcoholics. Barbara utilizes a holistic methodology in her counseling, which encompasses forms of hypnotherapy, regression therapy, Gestalt, Jungian dreamwork, and other transpersonal techniques. Dr. Sinor holds a Doctorate in Psychology, an M.A. from John F. Kennedy University, and a B.A. from Pitzer College. Tyler: Welcome, Barbara. I’m happy you could join me today. To begin, will you tell us about what made you and Deborah decide to collaborate on writing “Addiction” and how you went about writing the book together?
Tyler: Barbara, your co-author, Deborah is unable to be here because she passed away in 2006. Since she is unable to speak for herself, will you tell us about how she became interested in being a counselor, why she became involved with a heroin treatment program specifically, and what made her want to write a book about it? Barbara: I can only assume some of her reasons, but I will do my best. I had known Deborah for several years before she decided to become a therapist; however, she was a natural born counselor from the day we met! When her life wasn't turning out as she hoped, she turned to higher education to seek new career options and chose counseling. I believe she chose the addiction arena due to her father's and other family members' alcoholism. Deborah always needed to find out details! She was a real "follow-through" type of person looking into everything and without the rose-colored glasses many of us wear. As far as choosing a heroin treatment clinic? I cannot guess; perhaps the opportunity was just there at the right time in her life. Tyler: You mentioned that Deborah was disillusioned about the patients and how the MMT facility operated. Could you tell us what she thought was unsatisfactory about the situation? Barbara: Where to begin!? Just reading the first few pages of this book, the reader will get an idea of the building, the patients, the staff, and the general overall need for care, support, remodeling, and internal structure. With condoms on the stairwell, all the patients in slippers, the parking lot used as a drug-dealing facility, and the disrespect for the staff—well, you just need to read about it to understand why Deborah was so disillusioned. Tyler: Barbara, you also mentioned that Deborah had difficulty with the patients’ negative views about seeking sobriety. Am I correct that the patients checked themselves into the clinic or were they forced to attend? Can you explain what Deborah understood the patients’ viewpoints to be about seeking sobriety? Barbara: The program was a voluntary program except for the few people who were ordered by the court to attend. My impression about the patients being treated was that they were caught between that proverbial “rock and a hard place” when it came to quitting their heroin use. Most had this desire and several did quit heroin, but they didn't want to push it further and get off the methadone. Many used both! Deborah was in the minority at this clinic to try to instigate complete sobriety; many of the other counselors just didn't want to take the time and effort to follow-through with a patient, even when the patient asked to be detoxed off the methadone. Tyler: Barbara, what about this book resonated with you and made you want to be involved with the project? Barbara: The first time I read Deborah's initial notes, I was hooked! This is how I believe the public will react when they begin reading this potent true-life story. When she allowed me to assist in her writing, editing, and subject matter, I was delighted! Tyler: Who is the audience for “Addiction”? Barbara: The book should be read by anyone interested in our nation's addiction population. That would include teachers, social workers, medical professionals, counselors, clients, and patients. It should be read by those incarcerated, working in hospitals, attending college, in our government, and our general adult population whether addicted, sober, or straight. Tyler: While I can understand the book would be beneficial to anyone, how do you think it would help people with an addiction who know they need to seek help, or the family of addicts who want to get help for a loved one or understand what a loved one is undergoing with an addiction? Barbara: Those addicted may be able to understand that they are not alone. Their struggles are common with millions in this country; this fact alone could help them to realize they have a chance at recovery also. The same goes for loved ones of those addicted. Our society really needs to wake up to the fact that addiction to drugs and alcohol is affecting every facet of our reality: socially, economically, physically, psychologically, and especially in our relationships. Tyler: Barbara, what do you feel is the most important thing you and Deborah want readers to understand about heroin addiction and treatment for it after reading this book? Barbara: That they understand the hardships and pain of people addicted to drugs and alcohol. To see this population with different eyes and ask themselves what they might do to help. We all have the propensity to become addicted to a form of negative behavior or substance; let's begin the journey of learning "why" it happens by understanding those already addicted. Tyler: We hear a lot about drug addiction—just how large of a problem is it really? Does the media give it attention because they like sensational stories, or is heroin one of the most addictive drugs, which means it deserves all the attention it can get? Barbara: Our nation has almost ten percent of its population addicted to some form of drug and/or alcohol. That figure in 2007 (the last year we have these statistics) is 22.3 million. People do not take their first drink, snort, puff, injection or inhalation thinking they will become addicted. They experience it for the first time usually to help alleviate a pain—whether physiological, psychological, or spiritual. One of the major reasons I have become involved in addiction recovery is due to the high percentage of my own patients who have been abused in childhood and had an addiction. This connection is very apparent; also, the connection of abusers who were addicted to a substance at the time they abused others is pronounced. Tyler: Will you explain to us how heroin addiction differs from addiction to other drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine? Barbara: I will briefly go through several types of drugs being abused today. Normally, the brain produces levels of a chemical called dopamine, which balance our emotions somewhere between excitement and depressive moods. When your brain is on drugs, the dopamine transporters and receptors act in abnormal ways. A few examples:
Tyler: If family members know a loved one has a heroin addiction, what should they do? Are they able to help a heroin addict, or is it necessary for that person to make the decision to seek help for him or herself? Barbara: It is very difficult for people to "hide" their use of illicit drugs. Usually the family and friends already have an awareness of the problem, but they choose to ignore their intuition about their loved one. By being open and honest and sharing their feelings and concerns, one can start the process of self-awareness and self-acknowledgement which is the first step necessary for the addict. After that point, it is fully up to the individual to make a personal choice to seek help with recovery. Tyler: “Addiction” book talks about the importance of the training of the counselors in a treatment center and how they need to deal with their own issues before they can be effective helping addicts. Will you tell us more about the training process that Deborah underwent as a counselor? Barbara: She was a California State Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, which entailed college level courses, testing, and an internship. Deborah completed her internship inside a prison working with inmates, which is discussed briefly in the book. Tyler: Deborah also didn’t always agree with the way the treatment center worked. What were some of the things she learned on her own to help her with patients? Barbara: One of the biggest lessons was not to get sucked into the same routine as the others counselors. She witnessed much apathy by most of the counselors themselves and that just promotes negativity and counselor burnout. Deborah was a unique counselor in that her concept of getting to know each of her clients was most important to her. She would even talk with patients of the clinic who were not her own clients to try to help in any manner she could. She actually listened and cared for them so she could better understand how she could offer guidance and a sense of humanity. Tyler: The book has several stories about Deborah’s experiences. Would you share with us one story of an interaction she had with a specific patient that stands out in your mind? Barbara: There are so many stories that touch my heart. The client named Arturo who wanted a life like Ozzie Nelson comes to mind. What a gentle soul, and he tried so hard to make his life better. He slowly detoxed from methadone, searched for a job, took care of his baby daughter, and Deborah was there with him all the way. Then his wife, who was an addict, began a fight with him and started to get violent. He left the house and went straight to talk to Deborah, not wanting to get into a family situation and have the police called. After talking it over with Arturo, Deborah asked him if he trusted her, and he said, "Yes." Then she called the police and explained the situation and asked the police to meet him at his house so he could get his things and take the baby away. They did just that! He went to live with relatives, stayed “clean” but could not find a job. He ended up being arrested for shop-lifting. He was stealing milk for his baby daughter... Tyler: Thanks, Barbara. That’s a great story. Would you tell us next how the way such centers operate has changed since Deborah worked in one? Barbara: I have not visited so I cannot say. But having the president of the American Association of Opioid Treatment Programs write the Foreword for this book, I can tell you he remembers when clinics like the one represented in this book were like this; he worked in one! Now, I believe there are many more constraints from the government on how OTPs are run. Tyler: Barbara, what do you personally hope will be the benefit or legacy of your and Deborah’s book? Barbara: If only one person changes his or her negative views toward those addicted to drugs or alcohol, if only one person changes his or her belief in himself or herself to take that first step toward recovery—this book will have guided two human beings toward enlightenment, and we will be happy! Tyler: If Deborah could speak today, and if she had a heroin addict standing before her now who was considering taking that first step toward recovery, what do you think she would tell that person? Barbara: She would say, "Hey, come on over; glad to have you aboard!" Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Barbara. Before we go, will you tell us about your website and what additional information readers may find there about “Addiction—What’s Really Going On?: Inside a Heroin Treatment Program”? Barbara: My web site contains more interviews, book reviews, and suggested reading for those who wish to follow my work: http://www.drsinor.com. This book is also available online through the publisher Loving Healing Press, in bookstores, at Amazon.com and other online book stores. Tyler: Thank you again, Barbara. I hope you and Deborah have your dream fulfilled of knowing your book has helped many people. ....................................................... Advertising: You can learn about what goes on during heroin treatment by reading articles or books that deal with the subject.
|
Social Media NetworkQuick Links
Sign up for email updates Services for Authors
Literary awards and contests
PreViews
Inside Scoop Live
Review the Book
Reader Views Kids
First Chapter Plus
Blogging Authors
Book Marketing Connections
Authors Access Forum
Book giveaway
|
Along with our book reviews we offer affordable services to meet the needs of our authors in the growing book publishing industry. Our service packages are budget friendly, effective, and will assist the author in showcasing their book to the reading audience.
