Family Interventions:

If a loved one is struggling with addiction, waiting for him or her to hit rock bottom or decide to seek treatment is not the best approach to dealing with the situation. The issue of dependency on drugs or alcohol affects the entire family, not just the addict. And the longer the situation is allowed to continue, the more deeply entrenched the disease will become.

Ignoring the problem or making excuses for someone else’s behavior until he or she is “ready” to change is not going to bring the matter to a resolution. Family interventions are the best way to get someone you care for into an inpatient treatment program.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is a type of meeting where a group of concerned individuals (family and close friends) get together to present a united front to persuade a person to seek help or treatment for a problem. Ideally, it is held in a neutral location and the discussion somewhere private. This is not a family outing that you can hold in a restaurant or other public place.

Involving A Professional Interventionist

Many families work with a professional interventionist to guide them through this process. These are counselors who can explain how the intervention process works and answer any questions the family may have in advance. The counselor will want to meet with the family members in advance and spend some time getting to know them. Each family is different, and no two interventions are going to be exactly alike.

Everyone who will be present on the day of the intervention will be asked to write a letter that explains exactly how their loved one’s addiction has affected him or her. The goal is not to be angry or confrontational, but rather to share the impact the addiction has had on the entire family in a caring manner.

Consequences For Refusing To Go To A Drug Or Alcohol Treatment Program

Ideally, arrangements have been made in advance for the person to go directly into treatment if he or she agrees to get help. The decision always needs to rest with the individual; however, there needs to be clear consequences for refusing to get help. Family members need to be clear that they are no longer willing to support an addicted family member who continues to drink or use drugs.

Above It All Treatment Center can offer a number of treatment options for your loved one. Our custom drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs are based on each client’s individual needs. We offer short term, long term, and sober living options to help clients achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.

The first step to get on the road to a better life is to get your loved one to agree to seek help. Family interventions bring matters to a head and help you reach that goal.

More Tips On Confronting Addiction In A Loved One

Holistic Addiction Treatment

Drug addiction is a common issue that causes many people to seek treatment. An inpatient facility offers a number of options designed to get to the root of the addiction and help clients. A holistic drug treatment program includes elements that treat a client’s body, mind, and soul. All aspects have been affected by the addiction and need healing as part of the treatment process.

Holistically Treating Physical Needs

A client who arrives at a treatment program will be assessed to determine what his or her needs are before an individual treatment plan can be devised. If a person is still using drugs or alcohol, the first step may include going through holistic detox, or a similar program to free the body from the physical effects of drugs and/or alcohol.

Medically supervised detox is a safer way to deal with this part of the treatment. It involves slowly lowering the amount of drugs and alcohol in a client’s system until he or she is completely drug-free.

Nutrition And Exercise In Holistic Treatment

The other aspect of looking after a client during inpatient drug and alcohol treatment is recognizing that a person may not have been eating properly. The treatment program needs to include some instruction in healthy eating, as well as exercise classes and opportunities to spend time outside.  Because they’re so lost in the addiction, many addicts forget to provide very basic care for themselves.

Addressing Mental Health Needs In Holistic Treatment

Successful addiction treatment must include treating a client’s mental health needs. The initial screening should also include an evaluation for issues like depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. If holistic treatment for co-occurring disorder is required, expert treatment will be provided for the mental health concern as well as individual and group counseling for the addiction. Both issues are addressed concurrently to help clients in recovery.

Over time, clients can learn how to recognize the situations that may act as triggers for them to use drugs or alcohol. They can start to learn how to change thought processes to move away from negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones that can help to strengthen their commitment to sobriety.

Treating Spirit And Soul With Holistic Treatment

The third part of holistic drug and alcohol treatment programs involves focusing on the client’s soul. It’s just as important as taking good care of the body and teaching clients in treatment how to refocus their way of thinking in a more positive manner. A person’s relationship with his or herself is likely broken at this level from the addiction, and it can be repaired as part of the treatment process.

Meditation can help, even though many people may feel awkward about taking the time to be still and experience what they feel as they spend time in quiet contemplation. Over time, this strategy should help clients to develop a sense of peace and mindfulness that they can use to keep stress levels down.

Holistic drug rehabs use this three-pronged approach to help clients develop good strategies for their sobriety goals. The more tools they can add to their inventory, the more likely the client will be able to achieve long-term recovery.

12 Step Addiction Treatment Programs – Top Questions Answered

Twelve step programs can be part of an inpatient or outpatient drug or alcohol addiction treatment program. Alcoholics Anonymous was the first program to use this approach, and other groups have adapted it to suit their needs. The first step on the road to recovery is to acknowledge that there is a problem. Here are some FAQs about the 12-step approach to treatment.

Why Is It Important For An Addict To Admit The Problem?

In Step 1, the addict admits that he or she is “powerless” over alcohol (or drugs) and that his or her life has become unmanageable. This is the start of the process where the person is starting to come out of denial and starts to focus less on the substance and more on their own contribution to the problem.

How Often Do I Need To Go To 12-Step Meetings?

In the early stages of recovery, a person may go to meetings on a daily basis. For clients who are being treated at 12 step recovery programs, attending meetings may be part of their individual treatment plan. The exact schedule will depend on their needs, and they will continue to attend meetings if they choose to stay at a sober living house after leaving the inpatient treatment program.

Do I Need To Be Religious To Follow A 12-Step Program?

Step 3 does talk about “turning our lives over to the care of God as we understood God,” but this program is non-denominational can be followed by people of any religious faith, as well as by those who consider themselves agnostics or atheists.

When Do I Have To Choose A Sponsor In A 12-Step Program?

You are not required to choose a sponsor in a 12-step program, although you are much more likely to stay sober if you do. If you decide to approach someone about being your sponsor, it should be someone that you have gotten to know from attending several meetings. Take your time and consider the matter carefully. This person should be someone who has been in recovery for a while who can provide guidance and support to you.

Will People Be Judging Me If I Talk At 12-Step Meetings?

Everyone who is going to a recovery meeting understands because they have also struggled with substance abuse issues. Everyone in the room will understand exactly where you are coming from. Nothing you can say will shock anyone there; some group members may have been through similar experiences when they were drinking or using drugs.

Will Anything I Say Be Discussed Outside Of The 12-Step Group?

No. Group members agree that anything discussed during a group meeting is confidential. Whether you are participating in the discussion as part of a 12 step long term rehab program or going to a meeting on your own, the word “anonymous” is in the name for a reason. You can share whatever is on your mind without having to worry about your thoughts or feelings being discussed elsewhere.

The Above It All drug and alcohol Treatment Center focuses on the 12-step approach to recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, as well as several other effective treatment options.

The Role of Spirituality In Addiction Recovery

Many in recovery from alcoholism or addiction often attribute a large portion of their success in abstinence to a spiritual focus within their holistic alcohol & drug treatment program. Though a number of factors ultimately play into a long-lasting recovery – including daily reflection, family, support networks, therapy and routine personal inventory, those who relapse typically blame a loss of spirituality on their setback. Unfortunately, many directly associate spirituality with religion and thus refuse to participate in this crucial recovery component. Knowing the difference between these two areas while placing a focus on spirituality may mean the difference between years of struggle and a perpetual freedom.

Simply put, religion and spirituality are very different concepts. Religion is defined by a very specific set of practices and beliefs that are followed by a particular group. Spirituality, on the other hand, is not organized and is practiced by millions of people at any given moment, without restriction or rules. Spirituality refers to the idea that there is a force greater than you – regardless of what it may be. Some people call this “god”; others find what they’re looking for in nature; for some, this recognition comes in the form of one’s own inner power. The decision is purely up to you, so long as you choose to decide.

The Relationship

The relationship between recovery and spirituality is often defined by the sense of chaos experienced in addiction. Spirituality can serve to restore this imbalance by incorporating a “higher power” into the addict’s life. This is due in part to the idea that while addiction is a progressive clinical disease, it is also recognized as a spiritual imbalance.

When it comes to alcoholism or addiction recovery, perhaps the most important function of spirituality is the camaraderie and support of like-minded individuals. Sharing similar beliefs and views – especially within a group of recovering peers – works to create a sold base from which to launch a lasting recovery.

Alcoholics and addicts are famous for their issues with denial. Though it may be easy to hide the truth from family and friends, it will be difficult to maintain these delusions while engaged in daily spiritual practices. Once the addict is forced to look at their situation in an open and honest manner, the weight of denial will begin to fade.

Looking for a holistic drug rehab in California? Contact Above It All treatment Center today! With a team of seasoned addiction and recovery specialists available to assess and address your individual needs you can count on Above It All to have you smiling, healthy and on the fast track to success in no time. Call today for more information!

How To Find Spiritual Awakening Through The 12 Steps of Recovery

At first glance, it may seem as though going to a 12-step recovery program and gaining a spiritual awakening might not have very much in common. It’s human nature to want things to come quickly and easily, and recovery is no different. Working through the 12 steps is a difficult endeavor, but the results are always worth the effort.

If you take a look at the wording of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, 4 of them refer to a Higher Power or to a spiritual awakening directly. You don’t have to be a member of a specific religious faith to follow these steps to sobriety. They are written in a way which makes them adaptable for people of any denomination. The third step addresses this idea when it allows participants to make a decision to turn their will and their lives “over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

No One Way to Sobriety

While each person may be walking along similar steps, their journey is a unique one. The 12-step program refers to tools like prayer and meditation, which can be used to get in touch with one’s self during and after any formal treatment at a drug and alcohol program, has been completed.

Once a client becomes familiar with using tools like prayer, meditation, and mindfulness as part of his or her everyday life, they can be used regularly. This combination of personal resources is an excellent way to reduce stress and stay focused on what is happening in the present. Addicts need to learn to take life “one day at a time.” For some people in recovery, the time frame needs to be shortened to an hour at a time.

Using these strategies can help them stay centered when difficult situations arise and they are tempted to give in and start using drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with boredom, stress, anxiety, grief, or any difficult situation they are facing. Addiction recovery programs include 12-step programs along with counseling (individual and group sessions), equine therapy, and group outings to help clients learn how to adjust to life without drugs or alcohol.

Working the 12 steps is a way of life and the riches that can be discovered on the spiritual journey are numerous. All that a person needs to get started is the willingness to make a change and then everything falls into place from that point.  The greatest gifts of recovery include letting go of shame, guilt, and fear and experiencing more peace, joy, and happiness than ever before.

Alcohol 12 Step Program Proves Human Touch Works In Addiction Treatment

With science trying to crack the key to addiction to find a simple solution to this complicated disease, will we ever get to the point where sufferers will simply be able to go to the doctor, be prescribed a pill, and pronounce themselves cured?

There certainly is a place for scientific research in the field of addiction and the results of a 2007 British report released by neuroscientist Jeffrey W. Dalley and several colleagues in ScienceMag found that rats with fewer dopamine receptors are more likely to exhibit impulsive behavior, including using cocaine.

However, alcohol addiction treatment needs to include something more than just looking at the science of what happens to a client’s brain before he or she seeks help at a facility. The 12-step model is still being used for one very good reason: it helps people get and stay sober.

Working the 12 Steps as Part of Recovery

The first step on the road to recovery for someone who starts going to meetings is to admit that he or she is an alcoholic. Making this simple statement is a very simple and powerful act, since it often comes in the face of years of denial and lies about there being a problem at all.

The meetings are intended to be a safe place, and anything discussed in that context is supposed to remain private. Members are free to share anything they wish about their past or current struggles, fears, hopes, and triumphs when they start going to 12 step recovery meetings.

Simply being in a room with a group of people who understand exactly what it’s like to be an alcoholic creates a type of mental shorthand between members. They already have something in common that they can start to build on.

Other Steps in the Process

As time goes by and clients feel ready, they can move through the other steps in the program to find spiritual truth, accepting one’s own character defects, making a list of all those who have been harmed because of drinking, asking for forgiveness, and more. .Everyone works through the list of steps at their own pace. Sobriety is a lifestyle, and it’s not a specific destination or a goal that a client can achieve.

Unfortunately, there is no point at which someone can be pronounced “cured” from his or her addiction. Recovery is a lifelong process, and clients can continue to attend 12 step programs as often as they feel is necessary to get the help and support they need.

However, the good news is that addicts will learn how to live without drugs or alcohol, and the other destructive character defects they used to cover up their addiction.  Addicts will learn how to live with increasing levels of peace and joy, while at the same time repairing the damage they have done to those they love most.

Get Away to a California Drug Rehab Center and Focus on Getting Well

Are you looking at options for a drug and alcohol treatment facility for yourself or a loved one? Dealing with this disease is not something that will happen overnight. It’s going to take some time. Making the decision to go to an inpatient program is an effective way to get to the root of the issue and develop a new lifestyle.

Lake Arrowhead Area Offers Numerous Benefits

The Lake Arrowhead area has a lot to offer clients who are in recovery. Checking into an affordable rehab center in this area will allow you or your loved one to spend time in a part of the country that is conveniently located 90 minutes from just about everywhere in southern California, including Los Angeles. Rehab centers offer more than just therapy sessions to clients, and there is plenty to see and do to complement time spent in therapy sessions.

Part of the recovery process is spent in enjoyable activities in the community. Since Lake Arrowhead is a four-season resort, clients can choose from a number of enjoyable activities. Boat and jeep tours are very popular ways to explore the great outdoors. There are plenty of opportunities to see live concerts. The Lake Arrowhead Trolley offers narrated sightseeing tours, including local history and movies filmed in the area.

Inpatient Treatment is Free from Distractions

If you look at the problem of addiction, it is someone trying to deal with pain by using a substance as an anesthetic.  Becoming a client at Above It All Recovery Center will mean a big change in dealing with the addiction. It won’t be possible to continue using drugs or alcohol, for one thing.

The staff at the Center are trained to help clients take a look at the underlying reasons for their addictions and to help them come to terms with them. Each client is unique, and an individual treatment program will be devised to meet his or her needs. This treatment model means that the client gets individualized attention, without having to deal with the stresses of everyday life.

Removing a client from the temptations from his or her everyday surroundings is also an effective strategy. The triggers which normally exist to drink or use drugs are no longer present. You or your loved one can focus on making a fresh start when you choose the Above It All Treatment Center.

12 Step Program forms Basis for Treatment

If you are looking at drug treatment center for yourself or someone you love, you may be wondering about the approach to treatment used. There are many ways that professionals can help clients with substance abuse issues, but the Above It All Treatment Center focuses on 12- step programs to help its clients get clean and sober.

Why has the Center decided on this approach? It is a highly effective way to help addicts get sober and walk on that road over the long term. The 12 steps can be used by people of any religious faith, or no religious affiliation at all.

Working the 12 Step Program

  • Each person works the steps at his or her own pace.
  • The process is meant to be a lifetime process
  • The first step is for the addict to admit that he or she is powerless over the addiction.
  • Part of this process also involves making amends to those who have been hurt as the result of addiction
  • Another step involves taking a personal inventory
  • The final step in the process requires participants to be of service to others.

Being Accountable and Getting Well

One thing drug addicts are very good at is finding ways to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. At worst, they become professional victims and have a slew of excuses why they are not to blame for their addiction. They may even try to pin the blame on their family members or circumstances in their life to deflect it away from themselves.

Working through the 12-step program puts the responsibility for the addiction on the addict. They need to take a look at themselves and their actions and be accountable for the decisions they have made.

Other Treatment Programs Available

The 12-step program is one part of the treatment plan offered to a client who is admitted to the Above It All Inpatient program. Each client will receive specialized care designed to meet his or her individual needs. On arrival, clients are assessed. If necessary, they will go to detox so that their bodies are free from all chemical substances. Only when they are clean will the real treatment begin.

Clients may meet with counselors on an individual basis, participate in group therapy sessions, and see therapists on their own. They will receive instruction on nutrition and participate in hiking and other physical activities. Participating in 12-step meetings is an important part of the daily routine at the treatment center. The days are kept full, and clients learn how to enjoy a number of sober activities so they don’t have time to get bored while they are in treatment. The goal is to stay busy and keep working the 12 steps to get well.

Eventually, they learn how to integrate new healthy behaviors like these on their own, so they can leave the treatment center and liver sober, happy, and peaceful lives throughout the future.

So You Had A Relapse….

Nobody ever said that recovery was an easy process. Though the notion of “not doing” something appears a simple goal, the reality behind drug and alcohol abstinence is unfortunately far more complex. If you’ve hit a bump in your recovery road, you may be wondering where your options lie, and where to turn. In this entry we will provide you with some basic instructions to help get you pointed back in the right direction.

Know that bouncing back from a relapse is no walk in the park. You’ll need to look at what triggered the relapse to occur in order to help you back onto your recovery plan ASAP. Play little mind to the shame, negativity, guilt and fear, and recommit yourself to a brighter tomorrow.

Instructions

1 – Take a long hard look at your recent relapse, taking in what lessons you can. Place a focus on what you could have done differently without beating yourself up – mistakes happen to everyone! Make a commitment to maintain sobriety for a 24-hour period, even if it means taking things by the hour.

2 – Grab a notebook and take an indicator inventory of items that may signal a potential relapse. These types of items can include anything from stress and irrational thoughts to particular behaviors or feelings. Think back to how you felt when your relapse occurred and dissect the emotions for future reference

3 – Next to each item in your indicator inventory, write out a positive coping skill to combat it. For example, if you’ve often felt the need to use following a hectic work week, make a commitment to take a jog or swim rather than succumbing to negative emotions and behaviors. By having a plan in place, you will be better equipped to deal with your emotions in a positive fashion.

4 – Recommit yourself to 12-step meetings on a daily basis to help strengthen your recovery.

5 – Obtain a list of contacts from people who are supportive of your recovery. These can be relatives, close friends, AA members, or even our Above It All addiction counselors. Make a point to call people from this list when you’re feeling the temptation to use again.

6 –Break out the notebook again and jot down a healthy list of emotional triggers. This list should be comprised of places, situations, things, and people that you associate with your addiction. As with your indicator inventory, this list will serve in helping you recognize and address trouble situations before they becomes an issue.

7 – Surround yourself with positive people who enjoy you for you! Addiction often stems from a desire to mask the person inside. Keeping the company of people who appreciate the real you will keep you empowered, confident, and on-the-ball.

Need To Talk?

If you are struggling with a recent relapse, our Above It All addiction specialists are on-hand to address your concerns. Give our LA drug rehab center a call today, and get back on track towards a fruitful, happy, and positive recovery.

A Glimpse Into Our Inpatient Drug Abuse Treatment Program

If you’re considering addiction recovery at Above It All treatment center, you may be wondering what to expect throughout the experience. In this entry, we will offer a glimpse into our inpatient drug alcohol treatment program to provide you with a better idea.

What To Expect

Inpatient drug addiction programs offer patients group and individual therapies to aid in the recovery experience. With the personal education and awareness conveyed during treatment, studies show a higher rate of success when compared to patients taking a solo route.

Patients arriving at Above It All will be expected to complete inpatient paperwork, including permission-to-treat and insurance forms. Once paperwork has been completed, luggage is checked before escorting patients to their rooms. Checking personal belongings is a necessary aspect of treatment to ensure no concealed substances make their way into the facility.

During the initial stay, patient phone calls and visits are kept to a minimum. Patients are permitted to communicate with loved ones through our family counseling, alongside a licensed therapist. In this way, family members are able to hear what their loved ones are going through, and the changes taking place throughout treatment.

Patients are also encouraged to attend 12 step meetings on a daily basis. These meetings serve to keep our patients focused, while providing them with a sense of support and education. In many cases, patients will continue attending 12 step meetings  well after their rehab completion.

Considerations

Upon admission, patients are assigned an addiction counselor to help support and monitor their progress throughout treatment. This individual offers private therapy throughout the week, in addition to family therapy sessions.

People turn to rehab programs for a variety of reasons, and unfortunately they are not always the right ones. Simply put, the recovery process will be ineffective unless a patient is truly invested in the rehabilitation process. Though many turn to recovery in an effort to avoid consequences with their family, job or through the court, these reasons alone will do little to ensure success in recovery without the proper mindset.

Time Frame

The amount of time patients spend in rehab varies. Determining factors regarding patient stay includes insurance restrictions, and the patient’s own view on their recovery. In some cases, patients may even opt to extend their rehabilitation stay in order to ensure a smooth and healthy transition back into society.

When the time comes to leave rehab, patients will still have a fair amount of work ahead of them. Follow-up treatment is common, and may include 12-step meetings or outpatient counseling. Maintaining sobriety can often be more difficult than slipping back into old habits. As such, it’s important for patients to continue their education and recovery methods well after they’ve left the Above It All grounds.

If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about your recovery options, our Above It All treatment specialists are on-hand to answer your questions. Give us a call today to speak with a representative and get on track towards the happy, sober and fulfilling lifestyle you’re after!