{"id":2748,"date":"2013-06-10T02:29:01","date_gmt":"2013-06-10T09:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748"},"modified":"2013-06-10T02:30:30","modified_gmt":"2013-06-10T09:30:30","slug":"u-me-ass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748","title":{"rendered":"U, ME & ASS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAssumption\u00a0is the mother of the screw-up\u201d<\/em><\/strong> Angelo Donghia<\/p>\n

Homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty are a complex, convoluted entanglement of interrelated issues. Like an onion there are multiple layers that need to be peeled away to get to the core.<\/p>\n

The dominant barrier to making headway against homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty is the fact that the majority of people confuse their assumptions with knowledge, fact and reality.<\/p>\n

Alfred Adler<\/em>\u00a0was a physician, psychotherapist, and the founder of Individual psychology and is often considered one of the most important figures in psychology history who stated:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe human mind shows an urge to capture into fixed forms through unreal assumptions, that is, fictions, that which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cthat which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible\u201d \u00a0<\/em>is an accurate reflection of the reality one faces in tackling the muddle that is homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty.<\/p>\n

People assume there is a solution when there isn\u2019t; we can address the individual issues and challenges but there is no \u2018solution\u2019.<\/p>\n

People assume the existence of one (or a few) \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approaches when the reality is that, while there are shared needs, each individuals journey to wellness is unique and your support system has to be flexible enough to deliver support reflecting an individual\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

People assume that all that is needed is to go to treatment when the evidence is overwhelming that on its own our current system of treatment fails those who go to treatment. There is an interview available online where the interviewer is shocked when Dr. Gabor Mate speaks of 5% sober at the end of their first year as being excellent results \u2013 using our current approach.<\/p>\n

People assume the current method is the approach we should be using. Our current system of treatment gets people sober and somewhat stable. The key to an individual\u2019s success is what occurs after they leave treatment. The vast bulk of what an individual needs to do to achieve wellness remains to be done after they leave treatment and will require years of work. We know what community based supports and programs a person requires to achieve wellness; best practices elsewhere provide examples and guides as to how to dramatically increase a person\u2019s probability of achieving wellness.<\/p>\n

People assume dealing with addiction, mental health, poverty or those homeless is easy. I once had a chain smoker stand there puffing through cigarette after cigarette while explaining that all an addict needed to do was quit, never seeing the absurdity of the situation. Did you know that more people are addicted to nicotine after their first use than are addicted to heroin after first use?<\/p>\n

People assume that people can be forced or motivated to find wellness. You can lock people up and deny them access to drugs [although drug smuggling and use in prison demonstrate the futility of trying to deal with medical issues outside of the medical system] but unless you plan to lock them up permanently…….. \u201cplease daddy, please dear if you loved me…\u201d does not provide the will needed to slog along the path to wellness. The level of motivation needed to keep moving forward; even on the days the headwinds are pushing you backwards can only come from within, deep within, the individual.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can’t make assumptions when you’re dealing with health issues.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Assumptions have mired us in the insanity of doing the same behaviour over and over as though somehow the results will be different next time.<\/p>\n

The abundance of quotes available addressing the consequences of assumptions demonstrates the truth of Christopher Meloni\u2019s observation \u201cToo often, people find it easier to make assumptions and stick with what they believe……. it makes their job easier. The good people constantly search for something different.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

If we want to stop letting homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty \u2018drive the bus\u2019 and to take control of the bus we need to set aside assumptions [and what we want to be true] and focus on the realities. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we worked on the\u00a0assumption\u00a0that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Orville Wright<\/p>\n

Assume: to make an ass out of U and ME.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*****************************************<\/p>\n

An Assumption Example from The James Commentary:<\/p>\n

Stardate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 91041.31<\/p>\n

Sol III Date: \u00a0\u00a0 13\/06\/08\/22.02<\/p>\n

On the matter of assumptions I offer for your consideration:<\/p>\n

Thrifty:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 practicing economy or\u00a0economical\u00a0management; frugal:\u00a0a<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>thrifty<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>shopper<\/em><\/p>\n

Thrift Store:<\/span> \u00a0 a\u00a0retail\u00a0store\u00a0that\u00a0sells secondhand goods\u00a0at\u00a0reduced\u00a0prices.<\/p>\n

We assume that shopping at thrift stores is frugal; after all they are thrift stores, how can a Thrift Store not be a frugal place to shop\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Caveat emptor:<\/span> let\u00a0the\u00a0buyer beware:<\/p>\n

Sometimes Thrift Stores are not very thrifty places to shop.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe least questioned\u00a0assumptions\u00a0are often the most questionable.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Paul Broca<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cAssumption\u00a0is the mother of the screw-up\u201d Angelo Donghia Homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty are a complex, convoluted entanglement of interrelated issues. Like an onion there are multiple layers that need to be peeled away to get to the core. The dominant barrier to making headway against homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty is the fact that the majority of people confuse their assumptions with knowledge, fact and reality. Alfred Adler\u00a0was a physician, psychotherapist, and the founder of Individual psychology and is often considered one of the most important figures in psychology history who stated: \u201cThe human mind shows an urge to capture into fixed forms through unreal assumptions, that is, fictions, that which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cthat which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible\u201d \u00a0is an accurate reflection of the reality one faces in tackling the muddle that is homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty. People assume there is a solution when there isn\u2019t; we can address the individual issues and challenges but there is no \u2018solution\u2019. People assume the existence of one (or a few) \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approaches when the reality is that, while there are shared needs, each individuals journey to wellness is unique and your support system has to be flexible enough to deliver support reflecting an individual\u2019s needs. People assume that all that is needed is to go to treatment when the evidence is overwhelming that on its own our current system of treatment fails those who go to treatment. There is an interview available online where the interviewer is shocked when Dr. Gabor Mate speaks of 5% sober at the end of their first year as being excellent results \u2013 using our current approach. People assume the current method is the approach we should be using. Our current system of treatment gets people sober and somewhat stable. The key to an individual\u2019s success is what occurs after they leave treatment. The vast bulk of what an individual needs to do to achieve wellness remains to be done after they leave treatment and will require years of work. We know what community based supports and programs a person requires to achieve wellness; best practices elsewhere provide examples and guides as to how to dramatically increase a person\u2019s probability of achieving wellness. People assume dealing with addiction, mental health, poverty or those homeless is easy. I once had a chain smoker stand there puffing through cigarette after cigarette while explaining that all an addict needed to do was quit, never seeing the absurdity of the situation. Did you know that more people are addicted to nicotine after their first use than are addicted to heroin after first use? People assume that people can be forced or motivated to find wellness. You can lock people up and deny them access to drugs [although drug smuggling and use in prison demonstrate the futility of trying to deal with medical issues outside of the medical system] but unless you plan to lock them up permanently…….. \u201cplease daddy, please dear if you loved me…\u201d does not provide the will needed to slog along the path to wellness. The level of motivation needed to keep moving forward; even on the days the headwinds are pushing you backwards can only come from within, deep within, the individual. \u201cYou can’t make assumptions when you’re dealing with health issues.\u201d Assumptions have mired us in the insanity of doing the same behaviour over and over as though somehow the results will be different next time. The abundance of quotes available addressing the consequences of assumptions demonstrates the truth of Christopher Meloni\u2019s observation \u201cToo often, people find it easier to make assumptions and stick with what they believe……. it makes their job easier. The good people constantly search for something different.\u201d If we want to stop letting homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty \u2018drive the bus\u2019 and to take control of the bus we need to set aside assumptions [and what we want to be true] and focus on the realities. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cIf we worked on the\u00a0assumption\u00a0that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Orville Wright Assume: to make an ass out of U and ME.   ***************************************** An Assumption Example from The James Commentary: Stardate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 91041.31 Sol III Date: \u00a0\u00a0 13\/06\/08\/22.02 On the matter of assumptions I offer for your consideration: Thrifty:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 practicing economy or\u00a0economical\u00a0management; frugal:\u00a0a\u00a0thrifty\u00a0shopper Thrift Store: \u00a0 a\u00a0retail\u00a0store\u00a0that\u00a0sells secondhand goods\u00a0at\u00a0reduced\u00a0prices. We assume that shopping at thrift stores is frugal; after all they are thrift stores, how can a Thrift Store not be a frugal place to shop\u201d Caveat emptor: let\u00a0the\u00a0buyer beware: Sometimes Thrift Stores are not very thrifty places to shop. \u201cThe least questioned\u00a0assumptions\u00a0are often the most questionable.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Broca<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,43,25,45,20,62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-addiction-thoughts","category-behaviour","category-point-of-view","category-issues","category-municipal","category-politics-the-issues"],"yoast_head":"\nU, ME & ASS - James W. Breckenridge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"U, ME & ASS - James W. Breckenridge\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cAssumption\u00a0is the mother of the screw-up\u201d Angelo Donghia Homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty are a complex, convoluted entanglement of interrelated issues. Like an onion there are multiple layers that need to be peeled away to get to the core. The dominant barrier to making headway against homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty is the fact that the majority of people confuse their assumptions with knowledge, fact and reality. Alfred Adler\u00a0was a physician, psychotherapist, and the founder of Individual psychology and is often considered one of the most important figures in psychology history who stated: \u201cThe human mind shows an urge to capture into fixed forms through unreal assumptions, that is, fictions, that which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cthat which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible\u201d \u00a0is an accurate reflection of the reality one faces in tackling the muddle that is homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty. People assume there is a solution when there isn\u2019t; we can address the individual issues and challenges but there is no \u2018solution\u2019. People assume the existence of one (or a few) \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approaches when the reality is that, while there are shared needs, each individuals journey to wellness is unique and your support system has to be flexible enough to deliver support reflecting an individual\u2019s needs. People assume that all that is needed is to go to treatment when the evidence is overwhelming that on its own our current system of treatment fails those who go to treatment. There is an interview available online where the interviewer is shocked when Dr. Gabor Mate speaks of 5% sober at the end of their first year as being excellent results \u2013 using our current approach. People assume the current method is the approach we should be using. Our current system of treatment gets people sober and somewhat stable. The key to an individual\u2019s success is what occurs after they leave treatment. The vast bulk of what an individual needs to do to achieve wellness remains to be done after they leave treatment and will require years of work. We know what community based supports and programs a person requires to achieve wellness; best practices elsewhere provide examples and guides as to how to dramatically increase a person\u2019s probability of achieving wellness. People assume dealing with addiction, mental health, poverty or those homeless is easy. I once had a chain smoker stand there puffing through cigarette after cigarette while explaining that all an addict needed to do was quit, never seeing the absurdity of the situation. Did you know that more people are addicted to nicotine after their first use than are addicted to heroin after first use? People assume that people can be forced or motivated to find wellness. You can lock people up and deny them access to drugs [although drug smuggling and use in prison demonstrate the futility of trying to deal with medical issues outside of the medical system] but unless you plan to lock them up permanently…….. \u201cplease daddy, please dear if you loved me…\u201d does not provide the will needed to slog along the path to wellness. The level of motivation needed to keep moving forward; even on the days the headwinds are pushing you backwards can only come from within, deep within, the individual. \u201cYou can’t make assumptions when you’re dealing with health issues.\u201d Assumptions have mired us in the insanity of doing the same behaviour over and over as though somehow the results will be different next time. The abundance of quotes available addressing the consequences of assumptions demonstrates the truth of Christopher Meloni\u2019s observation \u201cToo often, people find it easier to make assumptions and stick with what they believe……. it makes their job easier. The good people constantly search for something different.\u201d If we want to stop letting homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty \u2018drive the bus\u2019 and to take control of the bus we need to set aside assumptions [and what we want to be true] and focus on the realities. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cIf we worked on the\u00a0assumption\u00a0that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Orville Wright Assume: to make an ass out of U and ME.   ***************************************** An Assumption Example from The James Commentary: Stardate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 91041.31 Sol III Date: \u00a0\u00a0 13\/06\/08\/22.02 On the matter of assumptions I offer for your consideration: Thrifty:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 practicing economy or\u00a0economical\u00a0management; frugal:\u00a0a\u00a0thrifty\u00a0shopper Thrift Store: \u00a0 a\u00a0retail\u00a0store\u00a0that\u00a0sells secondhand goods\u00a0at\u00a0reduced\u00a0prices. We assume that shopping at thrift stores is frugal; after all they are thrift stores, how can a Thrift Store not be a frugal place to shop\u201d Caveat emptor: let\u00a0the\u00a0buyer beware: Sometimes Thrift Stores are not very thrifty places to shop. \u201cThe least questioned\u00a0assumptions\u00a0are often the most questionable.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Broca\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"James W. Breckenridge\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2013-06-10T09:29:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2013-06-10T09:30:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ThriftstorePrice-300x225.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"James W. Breckenridge\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"James W. Breckenridge\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"James W. Breckenridge\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5e8aac012477fbd6782de6641b564730\"},\"headline\":\"U, ME & ASS\",\"datePublished\":\"2013-06-10T09:29:01+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2013-06-10T09:30:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748\"},\"wordCount\":815,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/06\\\/ThriftstorePrice-300x225.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Addiction\",\"behaviour\",\"Consider\",\"Issues\",\"Municipal\",\"Politics\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748\",\"name\":\"U, ME & ASS - James W. Breckenridge\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/06\\\/ThriftstorePrice-300x225.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2013-06-10T09:29:01+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2013-06-10T09:30:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5e8aac012477fbd6782de6641b564730\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/06\\\/ThriftstorePrice.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/06\\\/ThriftstorePrice.jpg\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"960\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?p=2748#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"U, ME & ASS\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/\",\"name\":\"James W. Breckenridge\",\"description\":\"Advocate for the Homeless in Abbotsford, BC\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5e8aac012477fbd6782de6641b564730\",\"name\":\"James W. Breckenridge\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ff6c8deb98ae4c6bdac84466bb69fa996132849ab712df7ee59522caf3872c10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ff6c8deb98ae4c6bdac84466bb69fa996132849ab712df7ee59522caf3872c10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ff6c8deb98ae4c6bdac84466bb69fa996132849ab712df7ee59522caf3872c10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"James W. Breckenridge\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"U, ME & ASS - James W. Breckenridge","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"U, ME & ASS - James W. Breckenridge","og_description":"\u201cAssumption\u00a0is the mother of the screw-up\u201d Angelo Donghia Homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty are a complex, convoluted entanglement of interrelated issues. Like an onion there are multiple layers that need to be peeled away to get to the core. The dominant barrier to making headway against homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty is the fact that the majority of people confuse their assumptions with knowledge, fact and reality. Alfred Adler\u00a0was a physician, psychotherapist, and the founder of Individual psychology and is often considered one of the most important figures in psychology history who stated: \u201cThe human mind shows an urge to capture into fixed forms through unreal assumptions, that is, fictions, that which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cthat which is chaotic, always in flux, and incomprehensible\u201d \u00a0is an accurate reflection of the reality one faces in tackling the muddle that is homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty. People assume there is a solution when there isn\u2019t; we can address the individual issues and challenges but there is no \u2018solution\u2019. People assume the existence of one (or a few) \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approaches when the reality is that, while there are shared needs, each individuals journey to wellness is unique and your support system has to be flexible enough to deliver support reflecting an individual\u2019s needs. People assume that all that is needed is to go to treatment when the evidence is overwhelming that on its own our current system of treatment fails those who go to treatment. There is an interview available online where the interviewer is shocked when Dr. Gabor Mate speaks of 5% sober at the end of their first year as being excellent results \u2013 using our current approach. People assume the current method is the approach we should be using. Our current system of treatment gets people sober and somewhat stable. The key to an individual\u2019s success is what occurs after they leave treatment. The vast bulk of what an individual needs to do to achieve wellness remains to be done after they leave treatment and will require years of work. We know what community based supports and programs a person requires to achieve wellness; best practices elsewhere provide examples and guides as to how to dramatically increase a person\u2019s probability of achieving wellness. People assume dealing with addiction, mental health, poverty or those homeless is easy. I once had a chain smoker stand there puffing through cigarette after cigarette while explaining that all an addict needed to do was quit, never seeing the absurdity of the situation. Did you know that more people are addicted to nicotine after their first use than are addicted to heroin after first use? People assume that people can be forced or motivated to find wellness. You can lock people up and deny them access to drugs [although drug smuggling and use in prison demonstrate the futility of trying to deal with medical issues outside of the medical system] but unless you plan to lock them up permanently…….. \u201cplease daddy, please dear if you loved me…\u201d does not provide the will needed to slog along the path to wellness. The level of motivation needed to keep moving forward; even on the days the headwinds are pushing you backwards can only come from within, deep within, the individual. \u201cYou can’t make assumptions when you’re dealing with health issues.\u201d Assumptions have mired us in the insanity of doing the same behaviour over and over as though somehow the results will be different next time. The abundance of quotes available addressing the consequences of assumptions demonstrates the truth of Christopher Meloni\u2019s observation \u201cToo often, people find it easier to make assumptions and stick with what they believe……. it makes their job easier. The good people constantly search for something different.\u201d If we want to stop letting homelessness, addiction, mental healthcare and poverty \u2018drive the bus\u2019 and to take control of the bus we need to set aside assumptions [and what we want to be true] and focus on the realities. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cIf we worked on the\u00a0assumption\u00a0that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Orville Wright Assume: to make an ass out of U and ME.   ***************************************** An Assumption Example from The James Commentary: Stardate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 91041.31 Sol III Date: \u00a0\u00a0 13\/06\/08\/22.02 On the matter of assumptions I offer for your consideration: Thrifty:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 practicing economy or\u00a0economical\u00a0management; frugal:\u00a0a\u00a0thrifty\u00a0shopper Thrift Store: \u00a0 a\u00a0retail\u00a0store\u00a0that\u00a0sells secondhand goods\u00a0at\u00a0reduced\u00a0prices. We assume that shopping at thrift stores is frugal; after all they are thrift stores, how can a Thrift Store not be a frugal place to shop\u201d Caveat emptor: let\u00a0the\u00a0buyer beware: Sometimes Thrift Stores are not very thrifty places to shop. \u201cThe least questioned\u00a0assumptions\u00a0are often the most questionable.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Broca","og_url":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748","og_site_name":"James W. Breckenridge","article_published_time":"2013-06-10T09:29:01+00:00","article_modified_time":"2013-06-10T09:30:30+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ThriftstorePrice-300x225.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"James W. Breckenridge","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"James W. Breckenridge","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748"},"author":{"name":"James W. Breckenridge","@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/#\/schema\/person\/5e8aac012477fbd6782de6641b564730"},"headline":"U, ME & ASS","datePublished":"2013-06-10T09:29:01+00:00","dateModified":"2013-06-10T09:30:30+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748"},"wordCount":815,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ThriftstorePrice-300x225.jpg","articleSection":["Addiction","behaviour","Consider","Issues","Municipal","Politics"],"inLanguage":"en-CA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748","url":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748","name":"U, ME & ASS - James W. Breckenridge","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ThriftstorePrice-300x225.jpg","datePublished":"2013-06-10T09:29:01+00:00","dateModified":"2013-06-10T09:30:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/#\/schema\/person\/5e8aac012477fbd6782de6641b564730"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-CA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-CA","@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ThriftstorePrice.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ThriftstorePrice.jpg","width":"1280","height":"960"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?p=2748#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"U, ME & ASS"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/","name":"James W. Breckenridge","description":"Advocate for the Homeless in Abbotsford, BC","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-CA"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/#\/schema\/person\/5e8aac012477fbd6782de6641b564730","name":"James W. Breckenridge","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-CA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ff6c8deb98ae4c6bdac84466bb69fa996132849ab712df7ee59522caf3872c10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ff6c8deb98ae4c6bdac84466bb69fa996132849ab712df7ee59522caf3872c10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ff6c8deb98ae4c6bdac84466bb69fa996132849ab712df7ee59522caf3872c10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"James W. Breckenridge"},"url":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2748"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2748\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2754,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2748\/revisions\/2754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameswbreckenridge.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}