no self harm contracts

I'm currently in an addictions outpatient treatment program which is really good. I've mentioned cutting a couple of times as being linked to / an alternative to my desire to drink and the staff have generally been pretty cool about it, although I do self censor a lot.

But I had a conversation with the head Dr. this week and mentioned that I had cut within the last 6 weeks and she said I'd have to contract against doing it again. I didn't say anything in response - too chicken, but I have pretty strong feelings against self harm contracts. I think they don't work, are needlessly punitive, and merely increase the self-harmer's sense of shame. Not sure what I'll do if they show up with something for me to sign.

Anyone else have any experience with / thoughts on no self harm contracts.

--splitimage

When between friends, I've found that it hasn't worked. My friend once made me promise on her life that I wouldn't cut again. I broke it and felt really horrible about it, and I didn't feel able to talk to her about it either. So no, I woulnd't really say they worked... in an institutional setting it will probably be even worse, because then you're dealing with people who don't know or understand you. But it's the rules and I don't think it would be in your benefit to fight against them.

My old T and I had a contract...but, it was that I would try to call others first and I would always be honest about it--never hide it. I don't buy into the "no self harm contracts." The only self harm contract I felt was worthwhile was one about suicide...

I think a "no self-harm" contract can be a good thing. As others have pointed out though, it needs to be something YOU can agree to, and earnestly try to do. Something blanket-form might not be so good. A contract means you will try, and want to try to stop doing this behavior, and are unable right now to discipline yourself alone. (this is not a refelction on the self harmer, but on the strength of the problem imo)

What do you try to do when confronted with a situation you feel you must harm yourself? Can you put something like that into your contract? If you don't try to stop yourself at all, and don't want to, then the contract won't work. But, if you really want to find a behavior to replace the self harm, a good contract will help you do that, along with the good doc.

Good wishes on this.

Some contracts are that you will call your t prior to resorting to self harm.

I think it could be a good thing for the right people and under the right circumstances, but then again breaking the contract and then having to deal with the shame to which one is entitled might serve only to worsen the situation.

splitimage what struck me most in your post was that you felt fearful of saying what you thought to your T. You should feel able to speak your mind (though I know it's hard to be assertive with doctors).
I can't claim to know about SI let alone contracts associated with therapy but i can imagine that it might make you feel more shameful of something that might already fill you with self loatching.
Good luck with the outpatient programme.