Custom Addiction Treatment Programs

While addiction problems have similarities in every case, every case also has challenges and issues unique to each suffering individual. Recognizing the importance of treating each addict’s unique challenges is behind the approach to custom addiction treatment program therapy. Customizing the treatment so it makes an impacting difference in an addict’s life is crucial to long term recovery and can be the difference between getting sober and staying sober.

Alternative Inpatient Residential Therapies

No matter what addiction the patient is suffering with, a custom addiction treatment program can help uncover the underlying issues that contribute to the illness and find ways to adequately address them. The answer may be an inpatient residential treatment program that seeks to instill stability, routine and safety for the patient. Alternative therapies such as art therapy, equine therapy, group therapies and other therapeutic approaches may also be used to help addicts get and stay sober.

Short-Term And Group Treatment Programs

A smart way for addicted individuals to gain control over their addictions is through short term residential treatment programs. Customized treatment programs that are less than thirty days in length allow the individuals to make a change in their life without feeling like they are abandoning their jobs, friends and families. In these treatment programs, expert counselors, doctors and addiction specialists work intensively with people suffering with addictions to help them regroup and recover. Patients often get support through group meetings and gain friendships and relationships they can count on once they re-enter their regular lives. Having a support group they can call on if they feel weak, vulnerable or like relapsing can give people the strength and help they need to stay sober even when life gets difficult or overwhelming.

Long-Term Treatment Programs

Customized long term residential treatment programs are another option people struggling with addiction can explore. Many times, people weighed down by addiction need extensive time and therapy to work through their addiction to get to recovery. Lasting thirty days and longer, these long term programs are designed to teach patients new ways of viewing themselves, the world, their addictions and their abilities to overcome their struggles. Long term treatment programs can be beneficial in helping the patient create new habits and coping strategies during their extended stay that they can put into practice once they return home.

Addiction Recovery Help

Dealing with addiction and the problems and pain it causes is never easy. Admitting to yourself or loved ones that you need help can be one of the most humbling experiences of your life, but it can also be the point where your life takes a turn for the better. If you or someone you love needs help overcoming an addiction, look into our custom treatment programs to see how they can help you make a clean, fresh start to long-term sobriety!

How Do You Reverse The Effects Of Alcohol On The Body?

Excessive drinking over an elongated period can result in serious damage to the brain and liver in addition to other health issues. The amount of damage is generally proportionate to the amount of time spent drinking and the consumption amounts throughout that period.

If you are seeking a change in lifestyle, the good news is that a portion of these negative effects can still be reversed. Though the journey is a difficult one, you will find that the benefits are well worth the effort.

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Steps To Reverse Effects Of Alcohol On The Body

1 – Stop drinking. According to a 2006 study by Stanford University, alcoholics who kick the bottle were able to regain mental abilities and cognitive skills. Results were generally seen following 13 months of complete abstinence and progressed over time.

2 – Nutrition is key! Make vegetables and fruits an everyday habit, choose whole grain alternatives over white flour carbohydrates and opt for white meat instead of red. Eat three meals daily alongside small snacks to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. Avoid sugar, saturated fats and excess salt.

3 – Begin taking stem enhancers*. These are remedies that serve to grow new cells where damage is present. Some people have rebuilt up to 25% of their liver cells with the aid of stem enhancers; improving the health of the liver for years to come. *Always discuss with your physician before starting or taking any supplements, enhancers or medicines.

4 – Get physical! Routine physical activity should become the norm to help your body regain the strength lost during your drinking years. Exercise will also rid your body of toxins that have complied over time.

5 – Take milk thistle seeds. Native to parts of Africa, Europe and Asia, milk thistle is an herb commonly used to address liver issues. Though most people opt for the pill form, it can also be taken in as a tea. Be sure to take milk thistle as directed by the instructions provided on the package. Those who are currently on any prescription medication, are breastfeeding or pregnant are advised to consult with their physician before beginning a milk thistle regimen to avoid any adverse issues.

6 – Drink mineral water. Though it may sound silly, mineral water is widely considered a healthier alternative to tap water. When you drink mineral water, the minerals get deposited throughout the body, resulting in a variety of therapeutic benefits, the major one being the balance of the body overall.

Researching alcohol addiction facilities? Contact Above It All addiction Treatment Center! With a team of seasoned addiction and recovery specialists available to assess and address your individual needs, you can count on Above It All Treatment Center to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time. Call today for more information!

Read About What To Avoid During Recovery From Alcohol

Naveen Andrews Talks About Sober Living, Role As Princess Diana’s Lost Love

Actor Naveen Andrews is familiar to fans of the television program, “Lost.” In his latest film, “Diana,” he takes on the role of Pakistani heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan opposite Naomi Watts in the title role. The movie, which is based on Kate Snell’s book, “Diana: Her Last Love,” tells the story of the late Princess of Wales’ romantic relationship with the doctor.

In an interview to promote the film, Andrews was also candid about his alcoholism and history of heroin abuse. He is now living a sober life and says that he feels relieved that he “has found a way to function without those things.”

Sober Living Part Of Addiction Treatment Process

For addicts, there is no such thing as being “finished” or “cured.” When someone enters a treatment facility, it is the first step in the journey to deal with this complicated disease. A client may need to go through detox before starting an individualized course of treatment, which may include attending 12-step program meetings, participating in equine therapy sessions, or learning ways to cope with stress. Once this phase of treatment is completed, follow-up care at the Above It All sober living house can be arranged to provide support to clients.

Support Needed For Transition To Independent Living

Part of the addiction treatment process involves giving clients the tools they need to deal with triggers that will stimulate the urge to drink or use drugs. The Above It All Treatment Center sober living home gives clients a safe, supportive place to stay in the early days of recovery, when they are most vulnerable to these types of cravings.

Guests pay their rent every month, in advance. This amount also includes the services of a driver to take them to their 12-step meetings.

There is no time limit imposed on how long a guest can choose to stay at the sober living house. A typical stay is between two and three months, but a person may decide to stay for a shorter or longer time. As long as a guest follows the program rules, he or she is welcome to stay in the house.

Insurance Coverage for Stay In Sober Living House

Health insurance coverage may be available for addiction treatment, which includes the stay in a sober living house. Our services are covered by a number of major health insurance providers.

Making the transition to find a way to function without drugs and alcohol is not something that can be done overnight. It requires a series of steps, and constant vigilance to maintain lifelong sobriety. All the elements of the treatment plan, including the sober living house, have an important role to play to help clients achieve their goal of getting (and staying) clean and sober.

Your Sober Living Guide

After years of escapism through drug and alcohol abuse, the recovery process must be met with a fair amount of optimism. Many adhere to a belief that the root of their issues lies with the addiction: eliminate the addiction = enjoy health and happiness. However, many who have embarked on this journey prior can tell you that health and happiness are not necessarily guaranteed by rehabilitation alone. As with anything worth having, these desires take a fair amount of persistence, thought and planning, to enjoy.

Steps to Sober Living

1 – Discover the stresses, problems and hurts that initially triggered the addiction. Divorce, business failures, family illness, and low self-esteem are not issues that will disappear simply because you have stopped using. Learning to understand and recognize these issues will allow you to place a focus on working through them rather than drowning them in drugs and alcohol.

2 – Gain an appreciation for your sobriety and the strength it took you to get where you are today. Rehabilitation is something that many people lack the courage to attempt, let alone make it through. Take pride in your achievement and use that as a base to maintain your sobriety long-term.

3 – Accept and understand that, while you may have made your share of mistakes, you deserve to enjoy the good in life just as much as the next person. Beating yourself up over past indescrepencies will do little to encourage your well being. Immerse yourself in the full spectrum of emotion that comes with sobriety – the good, the bad and the ugly.

4 – Steer clear of negative situations and people from your addictive past and instead spend time growing new relationships and memories with those who support you. Seek out inspiration, hope and positivity in these areas while emphasizing your own self-worth.

5 – Determine a purpose – an activity that promotes determination and joy. This can be something small and personal like parenting, or larger than yourself like volunteer work. The activity itself does not matter, so long as it provides you with goals, ambition, happiness and life! If it’s worth fighting for, you’re onto something good.

6 – Invest in your spiritual being to find solace within yourself. Some drive down Eastern inspired roads towards inner peace; others seek out a true relationship with God. The real goal is to construct an environment within your life where you can accept yourself for being you… every last inch and flaw.

Find more sober recovery tips and tricks at AboveItAllTreatment.com!

Important Diet Recommendations For The Recovering Alcoholic

Important-Diet-Recommendations-For-The-Recovering-AlcoholicAlcoholism is the only known disease to affect each and every system and cell within the body. From the cardiovascular and digestive systems to a variety of organs including the liver and brain, no area is left untouched. Because alcohol does not expel toxins while robbing cells of nutrition, alcoholics are often malnourished. Proper diet is essential to the recovery process by way of repairing the damage done to the body through excess abuse. When combined with routine exercise, healthy eating habits can do wonders to ensure a safe, comfortable and happy transition into sobriety.

Conditions

  • Choose foods high in healthy carbohydrates and proteins to help reduce those pesky cravings.
  • Include daily multivitamin supplements that include folic acid and B-vitamins, while avoiding food and beverage items that include sugar and caffeine during the initial recovery period.
  • Seek out foods that contain tyrosine, tryptophan and amino acids. These items will work to aid a positive emotional state and promote alertness. Good examples include tofu, seafood, poultry, meat, milk, bananas, sunflower seeds and turkey.

Pyramid

Remember the old food pyramid from grade school? It still applies!

Base your meal choices around these six pyramid groups for adequate nutrition:

1 – Fruits – Apples, grapes, berries, pears, melons, oranges, grapefruit and avocados.

2 – Vegetables – Broccoli, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes, asparagus, carrots, beans, spinach, lettuce.

3 – Oils and fats – Corn, safflower, canola and olive oil. Olives, peanuts and almonds are also wonderful options. Opt for a margarine or mayonnaise without trans fat.

4 – Healthy whole grains – Bulgur, tortillas, brown rice, cereals, whole grain breads and oatmeal.

5 – Meat, poultry and fish – Add fish such as albacore tuna, mackerel, herring and salmon to your diet whenever possible. Eat chicken and turkey without the skin.

6 – Dairy products – Switch to low fat or skim milk, nonfat cottage cheese, and fat free yogurt. Swap your cheddar and Swiss cheeses for mozzarella.

Snacks

When the cravings hit, it’s best to be prepared. Stock up on air popped popcorn without the butter, pretzels, fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt. Chop up a few raw vegetables and dip them in a low-fat dressing or salsa. The better you eat, the better you’ll feel. When it comes to recovery, you need all the help you can get!

Learn More

If you’re struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, Above it All is the place to call! Pick up the phone today and let our team of addiction and recovery specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy and productive lifestyle you’ve been missing.

Sober Living – Activities For Recovery And Independence

For clients who have spent time at a drug and alcohol inpatient treatment facility, going directly home may not be the best choice. To go directly from having a high level of support to being completely independent could put a newly-sober person at risk for a relapse. A much better choice for sober recovery is to take the process slowly and continue to get support from trained counselors on an outpatient basis for a time after leaving the facility.

At first, it may appear as though the person in recovery is spending time just having fun, since the sober social activity list includes a number of enjoyable outings. People in recovery need to keep their days full so that they don’t have any “down” time. If they get bored or have a lot of time to themselves, they may be tempted to start drinking or using drugs or alcohol.

Moving on After Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

A client who decides to move into a sober living house who is also unemployed may need assistance to find work. This is part of moving on after treatment and starting to live a normal life once again. A client can stay at a house and get ongoing support indefinitely, but the ultimate goal is to have the person move into his or her own living space eventually.

Recreation Part of Recovery Process

When clients are in treatment at residential recovery programs, they participate in recreational programs. Part of getting well includes learning how to be healthy, which means looking after all aspects of one’s health. Some clients may not be used to exercising regularly, and some of the activities on the sober activities list can include physical activity.

Other examples of sober living activities include the following:

  • Going to the movies
  • Visiting a museum
  • Going to dinner
  • Shopping
  • Going for a drive
  • Having a game night
  • Going to a concert

An addict actively involved in the cycle of using drugs and/or alcohol may well have forgotten how to have fun. Sharing enjoyable activities with other people can help to form connections with others, heal broken relationships, and create new friendships. Clients who have recently left a drug and alcohol treatment facility may be feeling a little unsure of themselves and participating in sober activities with others is a way for them to begin learning how to interact with others in a healthy way.

It may look as though these clients are just having fun, but getting out and socializing is an integral part in their recovery and staying sober. The alternative is for them to sit alone, get bored, and be tempted to start using again, which results in the familiar spiral downward.

Staying Sober In Any Situation

“So our rule is not to avoid a place where there is drinking, if we have a legitimate reason for being there. That includes bars, nightclubs, dances, receptions, weddings, even plain ordinary whoopee parties. To a person who has had experience with an alcoholic, this may seem like tempting Providence, but it isn’t.  You will note that we made and important qualification. Therefore, ask yourself on each occasion, “Have I any good social, business, or personal reason for going to this place? Or am I expecting to steal a little vicarious pleasure from the atmosphere of such places?” If you answer these questions satisfactorily, you need have no apprehension. Go or stay away, whichever seems best. But be sure you are on solid spiritual ground before you start and that your motive in going is thoroughly good. Do not think of what you will get out of the occasion. Think of what you can bring to it. But if you are shaky, you had better work with another alcoholic instead!”-from the chapter  “ Working With Others”

– from The Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous

Even though we are receiving addiction recovery this does not mean that we avoid living our life and going out into society. In fact it is encouraged that we go out and enjoy ourselves and our lives to the fullest. While it is smart to be cautious about the scenes we are hanging out in like bars, clubs, and parties if we are spiritually fit we can go anywhere and do anything. We got sober in order to be happy and functioning not isolate and be shut off from the world. When we go to detox, AA, or Above It All drug rehab we receive the tools necessary for dealing with different situations, and live life on life’s terms. Through taking our recovery one day and even one situation at a time we can become happy, healthy functioning members of society. If we are diligent about doing the work we will be able to stay sober through anything.

Following Your Dreams in Sobriety

When it comes to recovery and sobriety we have to follow our dreams. Sometimes we have to commence to outgrow fear, take risks, and show ourselves what we are capable of. It’s one of the blessings and gifts that we receive. We receive alcohol addiction help, get sober, and as a result get to chase our dreams. If we are spiritually fit we get to go anywhere and do anything we want. There are many different opinions within the rooms around what is right or wrong good or bad but we learn through the help of a 30 day rehab program, A.A., or drug addiction detox how to build a foundation and follow our gut. We will come to know how to intuitively handle situations that use to baffle us and we will eventually learn when something doesn’t work for us or isn’t going to long before putting ourselves in harm’s way. We can begin to rely upon a power greater than ourselves and if we go with God in our hearts and sobriety in our minds we can accomplish anything. We got sober not only so we could escape from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body but also so that we could create a life worth living, and that we could be proud of. It’s a life beyond our wildest dreams. We get to live happy, healthy, and free lives. Let this be the first day of the rest of your life. Go and chase you dreams, enjoy sobriety, and live this amazing life we were given to the fullest!

Being of Service

“It is not a matter of giving that is in question, but when and how to give. That often makes the difference between failure and success. The minute we put our work on a service plane, the alcoholic commences to rely upon our assistance rather than upon God. He clamors for this or that, claiming he cannot master alcohol until his material needs are cared for. Nonsense. Some of us have taken very hard knocks to learn this truth: job or no job – wife or no wife- we simply do not stop drinking so long as we place dependence upon other people ahead of dependence on God. Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trusts in God and clean house.” – Pg.98 Working With Others from the Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous

It is normal to want to help other alcoholics out when they are having a hard time with problems other than alcohol however if it is not the right kind of help we could be potentially harming them as far as stunting their sobriety is concerned. After all most of us had gotten to the place where we were willing to ask for alcohol addiction help because we were so desperate. It was painful and difficult at times but we almost always came out the other side. To help out financially or with a place to stay could mean robbing someone of that experience. These struggles for many were what kept us going at times we might have given up. It’s what also makes our new sober life that much more amazing because we were so broken, and beat down that everything else seemed pretty great and we were open to the alternative life sobriety had to offer. Therefore if we come across a newcomer we can help them along the path of recovery instead of taking it on for them. If they need jobs or a home we can work with them on the steps so that they once again can become employable if they are not and we can make suggestions for sober living, an affordable rehab, AA, or rehabs that take insurance etc. We may also share our experience, strength, and hope so that they may be able to see that we went through the same struggles, were able to stay sober, and that through God and sobriety anything is possible.

Getting Sober and Circumstances of Life

“Let no alcoholic say he cannot recover unless he has his family back. This just isn’t so. In some cases the wife will never come back for one reason or another. Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God. We have seen men get well whose families have not returned at all. We have seen others slip when the family came back too soon. Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress. If you persist, remarkable things will happen. When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God’s hands were better than anything we could have planned. Follow the dictates of a higher power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances!” pg.-100 Working with Others from The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

When first receiving alcohol addiction help and getting sober many of us think that life should look a certain way and that we should have certain things or get the things we lost back just because we are sober. While most of us do get our life’s back there are things and relationships that take time to heal and get back. That does not mean we cannot recover. There is no person place or thing that can keep us sober or stop us from recovering. Regardless of age, sex, job, race, political views, religion, and circumstance we can all recover. Those other possessions and relationships will come back if and when they are meant to. All we need to do is show up, and do the work that is asked of us in life, a drug addiction detox, AA, or 30 day rehab program. Regardless of the way our life looks the fact is that if we didn’t drink today, our lives are better for that alone, and the rest is extra.