THE SILENT ASSAULT ON AMERICANS WITH ADDICTIONS: INSURANCE COMPANIES PLAY DOCTOR THE PTSD, TRAUMA, ADDICTION CONNECTION WHY SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING TEENS TODAY PREVENTING RELAPSE: A NEW VISION HOPE - THE BRIDGE BETWEEN SURRENDER AND FAITH CROSS ADDICTION AND WHAT IT MEANS
ADDICTION AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD): MANAGING TWO ADDICTIONS AT ONCE VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION IS WORKING… ADDICTION AND RECOVERY WHAT IS EQUINE THERAPY? WHY IS IT SO HELPFUL TO RECOVERY CLIENTS?
2
A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Readers, I welcome you to The Sober World magazine. The Sober World is an informative award winning national magazine that’s designed to help parents and families who have loved ones struggling with addiction. We are a FREE printed publication, as well as an online e-magazine reaching people globally in their search for information about Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
one (under the age of 18 yrs. old) and bring them to the facility you have chosen. There are long term Residential Programs (sometimes a year and longer) as well as short term programs (30-90 days), there are Therapeutic Boarding Schools, Wilderness programs, Extended Living and there are Sober Living Housing where they can work, go to meetings and be accountable for staying clean.
We directly mail our printed magazine each month to whoever has been arrested for drugs or alcohol in Palm Beach County as well as distributing locally to the schools, colleges, drug court, coffee houses, meeting halls, doctor offices and more throughout Palm Beach and Broward County. We also directly mail to rehabs throughout the country and have a presence at conferences nationally.
Many times a Criminal Attorney will try to work out a deal with the court to allow your child or loved one to seek treatment as an alternative to jail. I know how overwhelming this period can be for you and I urge every parent or relative of an addict to get some help for yourself. There are many groups that can help you. There is Al-Anon, Alateen (for teenagers), Families Anonymous, Nar-Anon and more. This is a disease that affects the whole family, not just the parents.
Our monthly magazine is available for free on our website at www.thesoberworld.com. If you would like to receive an E-version monthly of the magazine, please send your e-mail address to patricia@thesoberworld.com Drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions throughout the country and is steadily increasing. It is being described as “the biggest manmade epidemic” in the United States. More people are dying from drug overdoses than from any other cause of injury death, including traffic accidents, falls or guns. Many Petty thefts are drug related, as the addicts need for drugs causes them to take desperate measures in order to have the ability to buy their drugs. The availability of prescription narcotics is overwhelming; as parents our hands are tied. Purdue Pharma, the company that manufactures Oxycontin generated $3.1 BILLION in revenue in 2010? Scary isn’t it? Addiction is a disease but there is a terrible stigma attached to it. As family members affected by this disease, we are often too ashamed to speak to anyone about our loved ones addiction, feeling that we will be judged. We try to pass it off as a passing phase in their lives, and some people hide their head in the sand until it becomes very apparent such as through an arrest, getting thrown out of school or even worse an overdose, that we realize the true extent of their addiction. I know that many of you who are reading this now are frantic that their loved one has been arrested. No parent ever wants to see his or her child arrested or put in jail, but this may be your opportunity to save your child or loved one’s life. They are more apt to listen to you now than they were before, when whatever you said may have fallen on deaf ears. This is the point where you know your loved one needs help, but you don’t know where to begin. I have compiled this informative magazine to try to take that fear and anxiety away from you and let you know there are many options to choose from. There are Psychologists and Psychiatrists that specialize in treating people with addictions. There are Education Consultants that will work with you to figure out what your loved ones needs are and come up with the best plan for them. There are Interventionists who will hold an intervention and try to convince your loved one that they need help. There are detox centers that provide medical supervision to help them through the withdrawal process, There are Transport Services that will scoop up your resistant loved To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
Addiction knows no race or religion; it affects the wealthy as well as the poor, the highly educated, old, young-IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. This magazine is dedicated to my son Steven who graduated with top honors from University of Central Florida. He graduated with a degree in Psychology, and was going for his Masters in Applied Behavioral Therapy. He was a highly intelligent, sensitive young man who helped many people get their lives on the right course. He could have accomplished whatever he set his mind out to do. Unfortunately, after graduating from college he tried a drug that was offered to him not realizing how addictive it was and the power it would have over him. My son was 7 months clean when he relapsed and died of a drug overdose. I hope this magazine helps you find the right treatment for your loved one. They have a disease and like all diseases, you try to find the best care suited for their needs. They need help. Deaths from prescription drug overdose have been called the “silent epidemic” for years. There is approximately one American dying every 17 minutes from an accidental prescription drug overdose. Please don’t allow your loved one to become a statistic. I hope you have found this magazine helpful. You may also visit us on the web at www.thesoberworld.com. We are on Face Book at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sober- World/445857548800036 or www.facebook.com/steven.soberworld, Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesoberworld, and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/pub/patricia-rosen/51/210/955/. I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Easter and Passover. Sincerely,
Patricia
Publisher Patricia@TheSoberWorld.com
For Advertising opportunities in our magazine, on our website or to submit articles, please contact Patricia at 561-910-1943 or patricia@thesoberworld.com.
3
IMPORTANT HELPLINE NUMBERS
Struggling with addiction?
211 PALM BEACH/TREASURE COAST 211 WWW.211PALMBEACH.ORG FOR THE TREASURE COAST WWW.211TREASURECOAST.ORG FOR TEENAGERS WWW.TEEN211PBTC.ORG AAHOTLINE-NORTH PALM BEACH 561-655-5700 WWW.AA-PALMBEACHCOUNTY.ORG AA HOTLINE- SOUTH COUNTY 561-276-4581 WWW.AAINPALMBEACH.ORG FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-962-2873 WWW.DCF.STATE.FL.US/PROGRAMS/ABUSE/ AL-ANON- PALM BEACH COUNTY 561-278-3481 WWW.SOUTHFLORIDAALANON.ORG AL-ANON- NORTH PALM BEACH 561-882-0308 WWW.PALMBEACHAFG.ORG FAMILIES ANONYMOUS 847-294-5877 (USA) 800-736-9805 (LOCAL) 561-236-8183 CENTER FOR GROUP COUNSELING 561-483-5300 WWW.GROUPCOUNSELING.ORG CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS 561-364-5205 At the Serenity House Detox we WWW.PBCODA.COM COCAINE ANONYMOUS 954-779-7272 pride ourselves on taking care WWW.FLA-CA.ORG of our clients like our family. COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING 800-426-7711 WWW.GAMBLINGHELP.ORG We are a small private medical CRIMESTOPPERS 800-458-TIPS (8477) detox offering a peaceful and WWW.CRIMESTOPPERSPBC.COM CRIME LINE 800-423-TIPS (8477) compassionate environment. WWW.CRIMELINE.ORG Our clients will have the DEPRESSION AND MANIC DEPRESSION 954-746-2055 WWW.MHABROWARD opportunity to take the first FLORIDA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE 800-500-1119 step in the journey to recovery WWW.FCADV.ORG FLORIDA HIV/AIDS HOTLINE 800-FLA-AIDS (352-2437) in a safe environment. FLORIDA INJURY HELPLINE 800-510-5553 GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS 800-891-1740 www.serenityhousedetox.com WWW.GA-SFL.ORG and WWW.GA-SFL.COM info@serenityhousedetox.com HEPATITUS B HOTLINE 800-891-0707 JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILD SERVICES 561-684-1991 WWW.JFCSONLINE.COM LAWYER ASSISTANCE 800-282-8981 MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS 800-766-6779 WWW.MARIJUANA-ANONYMOUS.ORG NARC ANON FLORIDA REGION 888-947-8885 WWW.NARANONFL.ORG NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS-PALM BEACH 561-848-6262 WWW.PALMCOASTNA.ORG NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD 800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) WWW.1800RUNAWAY.ORG NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) WWW.SUICIDOLOGY.ORG ONLINE MEETING FOR MARIJUANA WWW.MA-ONLINE.ORG OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS- BROWARD COUNTY WWW.GOLDCOAST.OAGROUPS.ORG OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS- PALM BEACH COUNTY WWW.OAPALMBEACHFL.ORG RUTH RALES JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES 561-852-3333 WWW.RUTHRALESJFS.ORG WOMEN IN DISTRESS 954-761-1133 PALM BEACH COUNTY MEETING HALLS ASI specializes in coordinating treatment alternatives to jail time for
CALL US TODAY! Toll Free: 888.960.7798 Admissions: 954.579.2431
“If you have been arrested - CALL US!”
CENTRAL HOUSE 2170 W ATLANTIC AVE. SW CORNER OF ATLANTIC & CONGRESS CLUB OASIS 561-694-1949 CROSSROADS 561-278-8004 WWW.THECROSSROADSCLUB.COM EASY DOES IT 561-433-9971 LAMBDA NORTH CLUBHOUSE WWW.LAMBDANORTH.ORG THE MEETING PLACE 561-255-9866 WWW.THEMEETINGPLACEINC.COM THE TRIANGLE CLUB 561-832-1110 WWW.THETRIANGLECLUBWPB.COM BROWARD COUNTY MEETING HALLS
12 STEP HOUSE 954-523-4984 205 SW 23RD STREET 101 CLUB 700 SW 10TH DRIVE & DIXIE HWY LAMBDA SOUTH CLUB 954-761-9072 WWW.LAMBDASOUTH.COM POMPANO BEACH GROUP SW CORNER OF SE 2ND & FEDERAL HWY PRIDE CENTER 954-463-9005 WWW.PRIDECENTERFLORIDA.ORG WEST BROWARD CLUB 954-476-8290 WWW.WESTBROWARDCLUB.ORG
4
those facing alcohol or drug related charges in the court system.
ASI is affiliated with a network of treatment centers and licensed attorneys who are qualified and experienced in defending alcohol and drug related charges. For those who are not covered by health insurance for Substance Abuse Treatment, we offer rehab alternatives at a rate substantially discounted from what the treatment centers will normally charge you. Call for a FREE consultation WE PROVIDE: Myles B. Schlam,J.D.,CAP/CCJAP • Interventions • Drug Evaluations CEO, Advocare Solutions,Inc • Drug Charges * • DUI’s * 954-804-6888 • Expert Testimony mschlam@drugtreatmentpro.com • Marchman Acts * www.drugtreatmentpro.com • Criminal Record Expungement *All clients with legal cases will be represented by one of ASI’s licensed network attorneys
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
5
THE SILENT ASSAULT ON AMERICANS WITH ADDICTIONS: INSURANCE COMPANIES PLAY DOCTOR By John Giordano DHL, MAC
Avery was your typical suburban kid; bright and athletic with a bubbly personality and an infectious smile that just seemed to draw people to her. She grew-up in a comfortable home with a big oak tree in her back yard. Her parents were model citizens. Avery had to study hard to stay on the honor role but it paid off. In her senior year of high school, she was accepted at a prominent university in her state. College didn’t come easy for Avery; she had to forgo many of the social aspects of school to have time for study. In her sophomore year a friend offered her an illicit drug to help get through an allnight cram session for a big test the next the morning. It was on this very night that Avery’s life changed for ever. She began using more and more to help keep up her GPA. Eventually she used for recreation. Her drug abuse, like so many before her, grew to become more that she could handle. Avery – who once had such a promising future – dropped out of college. She wanted desperately to get off drugs but couldn’t do it on her own, she was hooked. Avery entered a rehab facility with a fierce determination to overcome her disease; but the treatment she received didn’t work. Drained and emotionally distraught by her entire addiction experience, Avery saw no options other than methadone. Now, everyday after she wipes the sleep from her eyes, Avery stands in line at a clinic in the seedy part of town waiting for her daily dose of methadone. Then she heads off to her minimum wage job in the gardening department of a big home improvement center; not exactly the career path Avery envisioned for herself a short time ago. Avery is just one of what I suspect are millions of people who are abusing drugs or are in an alternative program like methadone who want to get clean but are trapped in the shadows due to insurance companies questionable policies. The insurance industry can track their roots back to 1750 B.C. when Babylonian traders would pay financiers a premium up-front in exchange for their guarantee to cancel the loan should their shipment be stolen or lost at sea. The industry has experienced a lot of twists and turns since its beginnings. However, like any bingo parlor or casino, insurance companies’ profits are based on how little they payout. “Managed Care” came to prominence in the 1970s through the influence of then U.S. President, Richard Nixon. It was sold to the American public as having cost containment benefits at a time of rising healthcare costs but never lived up to its billing. In the early stages of discussion during a White House meeting on February 17, 1971, Nixon expressed his support for the essential philosophy of the HMO. John Ehrlichman, counsel and Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs, explained to the President: “All the incentives are toward less medical care, because the less care they give them, the more money they make.” I suspect decisions made at this and subsequent related meetings over forty-years ago are what sealed Avery’s fate. Addiction treatment is a complicated process that looks more like a curvy path through a forest than a straight line. Research has proven that the best outcomes occur when the patient has had a minimum of 90 days of treatment. There are many judgment calls throughout the process that need to be made by the doctors, therapists and other treatment professionals who are elbow to elbow with the patient through their rehab stay. Patients’ conditions require different levels or tiers of modalities based on how long they’ve been using and how they respond to treatment – everyone responds differently and at their own pace. There are four ‘tiers’ of addiction treatment after detox, with the first one being the most important. The first tier – residential – is what
6
people envision when they think of rehab. It’s an intense thirty-day program where a patient lives on site and is in constant contact with doctors, therapists, counselors and other treatment specialists. This first tier is vitally important to the successful outcome of the patient. Lower levels of treatment are for patients who have completed tier one. Under normal circumstances doctors and therapists who are in close contact treating the patient measure their progress and recommend the next tier of treatment at the appropriate time. Today, “Normal Circumstances” no longer applies. In fact, it has been replaced by “The New Normal” where science and facts hold little sway when considering the bottom line of an insurance company as predicted in the immortal words of John Ehrlichman, “the less care they give them, the more money they make.” In October of 2008 the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was enacted into law. In short, this bill forced health insurers as well as group health plans to cover mental health and substance abuse disorders much like they cover physical health issues. The legislation was applauded by treatment professionals across the country. Everyone in the field viewed this as a major step forward in addiction treatment. What could not have been anticipated at the time was how the insurance companies were going to manipulate the new law. We soon found out. In recent years insurance companies have become emboldened. Their representatives have become increasingly involved in daily patient treatment to the point of entirely taking it over. Case managers, who sit comfortably in their remotely located cubicles, now hold enough power to randomly move a patient from a high tier of treatment to a lower level without medical justification by simply making one phone call. The insurance companies found a loop hole in the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and are wielding it like a sledge hammer to lower their money outlay for treatment. They’re using their purse strings to control every aspect of a patient’s treatment. Just one of the consequences is an adversarial relationship pitting the facilities’ doctors and therapists against insurance company’s contract doctors. The stories I’ve been told are absolutely heartbreaking. One therapist told me she received a call from a case manager instructing her to release her patient who was in the middle of his treatment – that day. When she asked for justification, the case Continued on page 34
SoberWay Program Medical Detox Chemical Dependency and Co-Occurring Disorders Long Term Care through our Customized Program Opiate Specific Treatment for Young Adults Gambling Specific Treatment The Brain Center: Neurofeedback Program Somatic Experiencing® Experiential Therapies Intensive Family Program Christian Based Track Featuring Celebrate Recovery Web-based Aftercare and Monitoring
soberway.com
The Mission at SoberWay We provide our clients with a safe, effective, comprehensive and life-changing therapeutic program in a family-style residential setting using both time tested and cutting edge educational and therapeutic tools to prepare clients to live a clean and sober, 12-Step based, life.
Opiate addiction is at an all time high. We can help you on the road to recovery, the SoberWay. soberway.com or contact 877.917.6237
Other services we offer include: arizonadetoxcenters.com • 877.917.6237 & algamus.org • 888.669.2437 To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
7
THE PTSD, TRAUMA, ADDICTION CONNECTION By Richard H. Siegel, Ph.D. LMFT
The majority of adults in treatment for addiction frequently report significant trauma or abuse in their past. Current research supports an undeniable relationship between trauma / abuse and addiction disorders. This is often the result of past issues creating persistent uncomfortable feelings. Though the individual may not be aware of what’s happening or why, they are looking for a way to help themselves cope. The addicted person initially attempts to selfmedicate, be it with drugs, alcohol, sex, or food…any substance to ease the suffering. Over time, however, these unwanted feelings fuel behaviors that can lead to self-sabotage, and at times personal disasters. In addition, the trance the psyche goes into while pursuing the substance creates blind spots to the disasters up ahead. To understand how to take control over uncontrollable feelings, first let’s address the dynamics of how trauma and abuse create the unwanted feelings that can lead to the need to self-medicate. The psyche, in an attempt to protect itself from something terrible (emotionally or physically) that’s about to happen, freezes in time to prevent the event from occurring. (This is the reason why accident victims still see the car coming at them years later, as if it just happened yesterday.) So, while it’s the nature of reality that time moves forward, a part of self does not. This process is called dissociation and it occurs within the subconscious mind. The term dissociation describes a state of detachment from immediate surroundings or an even more severe detachment, a split of the ego from the psyche. When the psyche splits, we lose a part of self, an unconscious form of self-abandonment. Dissociation is the process that accounts for the birth of the wounded child within. Frozen in time, this part of self is stuck in the past and very often has custody of the adult’s mind and physiology. Meaning that, thoughts, feelings and reactions that are selfdestructive and frequently seem to come out of nowhere, actually come from an earlier self, still frozen in a moment of time just before something awful was about to happen. The ‘child within’ is born within the subconscious during moments of trauma, abuse, loss or rejection. Frozen in time, it creates a disconnection within the self that leaves a trail of persistent uncomfortable feelings that fuel anxiety, depression and addiction. The child within, born as a survival strategy, becomes the source of an emotional and behavioral stronghold that’s hard to break free of. The defense mechanisms we developed as children to prevent pain later in life become an outdated and counter-productive coping mechanism we compulsively use as an adult. So how is it possible to heal the wounded child within through the conscious mind, when the phenomena of dissociation that created the split in the psyche occurred on a subconscious or unconscious level? The answer lies in the following law of the universe: Whatever you resist, will persist. Whatever you feel, can heal. For example, if I asked you to resist thinking about a pink elephant for the next thirty seconds, you would be hard pressed NOT to think about that pink elephant. With regard to feelings, if I resist my real feelings, be it fear, anger, shame, guilt or sadness, it becomes inevitable that at some point I will feel these emotions with even greater intensity down the road; albeit with less emotional control. On the other hand, if I feel the persistent uncomfortable feelings I don’t want to feel…that is if I allow myself to feel the discomfort inside my mind and body…if I allow myself to be with (and not push away) the weight on my shoulder, the lump in my throat, the anxiety in my chest, the knot in my gut, the weakness in my legs, these unwanted feelings will go away. Why? Simply put, feelings don’t last when you allow yourself to feel them. It’s when we push feelings away with drugs, numb them with drink,
8
or push them down with food, that, that particular addiction runs our lives. Addiction is an unwillingness to be uncomfortable even as it perpetuates unwanted feelings we want to be rid of. Like a Chinese finger puzzle that only strengthens its grip when we struggle, resisting negative feelings tightens its emotional grip. The solution to the finger puzzle is to push into it, not pull away. So to be released from the grip of anger, guilt, fear, shame, sadness or rejection you can feel your feelings until they lose their grip on you. That is to get comfortable with being uncomfortable until the emotion loses its charge…and its hold on your mind and body. This generates an emotional pain that comes from an unconscious source that is hard to endure. If happened at a time when the patient was a child, keep in mind that the child’s equation is always the same: It’s my fault. Hence, we come to accept the notion that we are unlovable. It’s very painful to feel unlovable. And, out of that belief, we then act and react to prove this to be true. Why? Addiction has a double payoff. Drugs and alcohol can suspend bad feelings with stimulation; fill an emptiness, or calm anxiety. Over time, however, it can destroy relationships and careers. When you’re sober and realize the damage you’ve done, it proves that you’re right…you are defective, you are worthless. While the feelings of not being good enough are terrible, it feels good to be right. Being right is one of the strongest drives of all human emotions. Hard to imagine that feeling worthless has a payoff, but it does. Why? Because being right validates us, even when it’s at our own expense. Being wrong shames us…and shame hurts at the very core of our being. Ever notice how you, or other people, take great pains to avoid being wrong? How many arguments are simply about the desire to be right? Another factor impeding our ability to stay with feelings long enough for them to lose their charge is fear. We are afraid of letting real feelings come to the surface. Most people will explain, justify, and rationalize their reasons for abusing drugs and alcohol because they’re afraid of feeling the pain inside. Some are just afraid to face their fears. As the great, respected philosopher, SpongeBob SquarePants once wisely said, “I don’t want to face my fears. I’m afraid of them!” So what is the answer? The answer still lies in the equation, the law of the universe that: Whatever you resist will persist and whatever you feel can heal. Just as addiction is an unwillingness to feel uncomfortable, sobriety is a willingness to be uncomfortable. In other words, to Continued on page 34
OVER 40 YEARS OF HELPING FAMILIES FIND THE COURAGE TO RECOVER Seabrook House has been helping families find the courage to find recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction and substance abuse since 1974. Seabrook House’s main campus is located in Bridgeton, NJ and is home to our detox and inpatient residential programs, along with various outpatient programs. This location is licensed to accommodate up to 37 detox beds, and 72 residential rehab beds. Changes for Women is our high-end women’s extended care program also located in Bridgeton, NJ. Changes is licensed to provide long term rehab opportunity for up to 37 female residents. Our luxurious 90-day transitional living facility for men, Seabrook House West, is located in north central Pennsylvania in the town of Westfield. West offers detox and residential rehabilitation, PHP and IOP. Our location is licensed to provide luxurious transitional living opportunity for up to 36 male residents. Seabrook House has three outpatient offices in Cherry Hill, Northfield, Bridgeton, and Morristown, NJ.
Most insurances accepted including ACA plans All Seabrook House facilities are internationally recognized, and CARF-accredited addiction treatment centers.
800-761-7575 SeabrookHouse.org SeabrookWest.org Changes4Women.org SHARECounseling.org
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
9
WHY SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING TEENS TODAY A Message from Teen Treatment Center
An alarming trend is occurring across the United States: teenagers are experimenting with synthetic marijuana. They think synthetic cannabinoids are harmless drugs. In reality, these manmade drugs are one of the biggest dangers facing today’s generation of teens. Synthetic marijuana is referred to by a variety of names including K2, Spice, Mojo, fake weed, Yucatan, Skunk and the list goes on and on from there. Regardless of what it is called, synthetic marijuana is among the top three drugs abused by 12th graders, according to the 2014 Monitoring the Future Survey. Parents and clinicians need to know why teens are abusing synthetic cannabinoids, the harmful effects and what’s being done to prevent people from abusing them. Why Teens Are Using Synthetic Marijuana Access. Synthetic drugs are easily accessible; they’re sold in small retail stores such as head shops, convenience stores, and gas stations. Teens can easily purchase designer drugs that are marketed as incense, potpourri and plant food. They are often labeled “not for human consumption” so they are considered “legal”. Although the government has banned several popular labels known to be synthetic marijuana, there’s always a new brand on the shelves, often within a few weeks if not days. What’s more, if teens cannot find designer drugs in retail shops, they can acquire them at music festivals and on the internet. Since the ‘60s and ‘70s, music festivals have always been a cornucopia of illicit drugs, but drug use at today’s music festivals is much more deadly. Many teens attend music festivals for the thrill of experimenting with new designer drugs. Unfortunately, teens often have blind confidence and trust in the type of drugs they consume; it often turns out to be a more dangerous drug they had no idea they were taking. Many savvy teenagers turn to the “darknet” or “dark web” to purchase drugs. They gain access through software programs that create an anonymous “tor” browser website, sort of like a Google for the black market. These hidden pages can mask the users IP address as anonymous and the user can communicate through hidden chatrooms and “wikis”. When teenagers purchase these drugs, they often have no idea what kind of reactions will occur. The Effects of Synthetic Marijuana The chemical makeup of synthetic marijuana causes it to have different side effects than regular marijuana. In fact, depending on the chemical structure, the potency in synthetic marijuana can be 100 times greater than marijuana. With this type of potency, it’s not surprising that synthetic marijuana can cause adverse and life-threatening side effects. Anxiety, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, tremors, kidney damage and seizures are among the side effects caused by synthetic marijuana. Overdoses from synthetic marijuana have been reported throughout the country. Last year, Mojo, a synthetic cannabinoid, made from the compound MAB-CHMINACA, left more than 125 people sick in the Baton Rouge area. New Hampshire also experienced an outbreak of synthetic marijuana overdoses in 2014. At least 41 residents overdosed on a brand of synthetic marijuana labeled “Smacked!” which prompted the state to issue a state of emergency. Overdoses and adverse side effects from synthetic marijuana have sent thousands of people to the hospital. In 2011 alone, synthetic marijuana was linked to 28,531 emergency room visits, which was more than double the number of visits in 2010, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network. Medical professionals are mainly seeing teenagers and young adults coming into the emergency room for synthetic marijuanarelated issues. Over 7,800 patients treated in the emergency room for issues involving synthetic marijuana use were between the ages of 12-17; another 8,212 patients aged 18-20 were treated for synthetic marijuana-related issues.
10
It’s common for people to blame synthetic drug overdoses on other substances. However, in 2011, synthetic marijuana was the only substance involved in nearly two-thirds of synthetic marijuanarelated emergency room visits for 12 to 20 year olds. The effects of synthetic cannabinoids can linger long after an individual has taken them. These drugs can cause individuals who had no previous psychiatric history to have delusions and dysthymia for days, weeks and months after using them. From time to time, synthetic marijuana use can turn deadly. Numerous deaths have been linked to these designer drugs. Tying these deaths to synthetic drug use is often difficult because the chemical compounds in designer drugs are constantly changing, which means that coroners may not be aware of the new chemical compounds when they are conducting the autopsy. Addressing the Issue While states are trying their best to ban synthetic drugs, it’s hard to catch up to the new drugs being created and distributed from China and India. The irony is that the banned substances just end up on the streets or on the internet. Another problem is timing. Rogue chemists from China and India can easily produce a drug within a few days, while it takes U.S. government agencies at least 5 months to first identify and then pass the law to ban that specific drug. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Due to the high rate of emergency visits and overdose deaths, scientists from all over the country are now collaborating with law enforcement agencies to try to control and limit the damage from synthetic drugs. Since synthetic drugs arrived in this country approximately seven years ago, they have left nothing but a path of destruction. Parents are seeking justice for the harm that their children have suffered from synthetic drug use. In the past few years, multiple lawsuits were filed against gas stations and convenience stores for contributing to the death of teens after they purchased the drugs from these outlets. Parents are not the only ones filing lawsuits against these stores. In 2014, a business owner agreed to a $100,000 settlement with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office after selling consumers Spice products with deceptive labels. Many products that were sold in the Aurora store contained chemicals that are banned under state law. Moving Forward While the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is doing everything in their power to combat rogue chemists who use teens as guinea pigs for their next drug, there will always be a threat of a new designer drug. The best thing for professionals to do in the field of substance abuse is to spread awareness to families, teens, and other professionals. It’s critical that parents have a discussion with their teen about what’s out there and the life-threatening effects of synthetic drugs. By addressing the accessibility of synthetic marijuana, discussing the effects, and taking preventative measures, the community can tackle this problem.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Da ily Dea ls
Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Saturdays
5 Happy 6 Easter!
Day of Rest
12
19
Day of Rest Day of Rest
26
Day of Rest
1
- 50% Off Brewed Coffee - 50% Off Lattes - 50% Off Iced Coffee - 50% Off Iced Tea - 50% Off Coffee & Muffins Combo
7 Open AA Meeting 7am Open AA Meeting 5:30pm
13 Open AA Meeting 7am Open AA Meeting 5:30pm
20 Open AA Meeting 7am Open AA Meeting 5:30pm
27
Open AA Meeting 7am
Open AA Meeting 5:30pm
WEDNESDAY Open AA Meeting 7am Open CoDA Meeting 10:30 am Open AA Meeting 12pm
8
Open AA Meeting 7am Creative Journaling 10am
14 Open AA Meeting 7am
Open AA Meeting 7am Open CoDA Meeting 10:30 am Open AA Meeting 12pm
THURSDAY
2
$
3
Open AA Meeting 7am Women’s Open AA Meeting 10:30am
9 Women’s Open AA Meeting 10:30am
$
Holocaust Rememberance Day
Open AA Meeting 7am Open CoDA Meeting Open AA Meeting 7am 10:30 am Creative Journaling Women’s Open AA 10am Open AA Meeting Meeting 10:30am 12pm
21
22 Administrative 23
Professional Day Open AA Meeting 7am Open AA Meeting 7am Women’s Open AA CoDA Meeting Creative Journaling Open 10:30 Meeting 10:30am am 10am Open AA Meeting 12pm Open AA Meeting 7am
28
Open AA Meeting 7am
Creative Journaling 10am
29
Open AA Meeting 7am Open CoDA Meeting 10:30 am Open AA Meeting 12pm
Good Friday Open AA Meeting 7am
10
Open AA Meeting 7am
15 Tax$Day $ 16
FRIDAY
30 Open AA Meeting 7am Women’s Open AA Meeting 10:30am
Open AA Meeting 7am
17 Open AA Meeting 7am
24 Open AA Meeting 7am
SATURDAY
4
Passover Open AA Meeting 12pm
11 Open AA Meeting 12pm
18 Open AA Meeting 12pm
25 Open AA Meeting 12pm
- Unique Wall Accents -Customized Medallions - Recovery Books, Jewelery, & Art - Community Space for Lease
$10 OFF purchase of $50
some exclusions apply
Located in The Shoppes of Atlantis 5865 S. Congress Ave. Lake Worth, FL 33462 To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
Monday - Thursday 7:30am-6:00pm Friday 7:30am -5:00pm Saturday 7:30am-4:00pm Closed Sunday
561-922-0313 WithinBooksCafe.com 11
PREVENTING RELAPSE: A NEW VISION By Paul D. Alleva, MSW
Drug treatment is often considered ineffective at best. At times, it appears that self-help is almost as effective as treatment and it’s free! A major change has to take place in the drug treatment field especially in relation to relapse prevention in order to better our outcomes. The focus in treatment centers has been a cognitive understanding of the disease of addiction. Patients learn about the disease but not enough about the recovery process. In the perception of some; treatment centers have become pimps for relapse more interested in another opportunity to bill another inpatient episode than insuring there is enough support upon discharge to maintain sobriety. For many years in the treatment of addiction, we tried to move away from the moral model and understand that addiction in part was a disease, but we now have moved too far into reliance on medicine pharmaceuticals, and cognitive behavioral therapy as the solution to addiction. Addiction is much more than a mechanism in the brain that malfunctions or a problem that can be solved by logic and selfeducation. If all we needed to handle negative behavioral issues was a new logic model, we could give every addict, diabetic and gambler a book on behavioral adjustment and assume the cure. But it doesn’t work that way! There needs to be a motivation to change behavior and it is irrelevant if the disorder is medical in effect because cure is psychological and without a reason emotionally, spiritually or otherwise to change, behavioral relapse is inevitable. Therefore, motivational therapy and a change in personal identity are crucial for success. Identity Change in identity is key to relapse prevention. The addict who thinks himself as only an addict is doomed to be an addict. Only a change in identity can secure a positive outcome. Thinking of yourself as a recovered addict is key to the solution. Recovered people do not continue with old sick behaviors. The way people see themselves dictates how they behave. People need to identify with their health not their sickness. As a treatment provider we hear all too often “well I’m an addict so I was bound to relapse.” Unless an addict makes a commitment to recovery and sees himself as healthy he will relapse because he will not believe true recovery is possible. As Phil Diaz MSW says, “As someone with 42 years clean and sober, I am aware how important it is to view myself as someone for whom alcohol or drug use is no longer an option. In the end, recovery is mostly a decision to change identity from a user to non user, from a sick person to a healthy one. I consider myself a recovered addict and the big book of AA refers to people in the same way.” Treatment centers need to help clients create healthy successful identities that focus on their strengths and assets rather than their weaknesses and their deficits. Treatment needs to focus on creating new productive lives and less on the addiction and the past. All of us, at some point in our lives need a fresh start. Relapse Two things need to be present to avoid relapse. One is a change in the person’s relationship to his or her drug and a presence of community support that the person can rely on for help when he or she is triggered and the desire to use a drug re-emerges. The first part of avoiding relapse is to change ones relationship to his or her drug. In clinical terms, this is called reaction formation. Reaction formation is a simple process which usually insures sobriety. It is a process in which the patient makes the object of his
12
affection, in this case his drug of choice into the object of distain. So where alcohol was once a revered friend, in recovery, becomes the enemy. This simple process establishes an aversion to drug use on a very basic psychological level. It is the process that most successful addicts go through in AA and NA. They become warriors in the fight to heal others from drug addiction rather than contributors to drug use. Twelve step work becomes both a reminder of the new found relationship to drugs and reinforces their decision to view drugs as the enemy they must fight. A community network must also exist to support sobriety and to avoid relapse. This new work can be self-help programs, the church or synagogue or any group which can help the addict to think through his impulse to use and support the use of new coping skills for releasing stress. In our treatment center we say that alcohol and drugs are not the problem- they are the solution to the problem. And if we don’t find the problem that is precipitating drug use then it is very hard to stay sober. Alcohol and drugs are very destructive coping mechanisms which must be replaced. Alcohol and drugs have served to numb the pain of living that most addicts live with. Most addicts take drugs and become isolated from others as a solution to their life trauma. Human connection is the key remedy for the relief of any problem. Human connection removes the isolation and creates new coping tools. AA and NA provide and prescribe human connection which is essential for their success. In the end, treatment centers need to become healing community builders. In the end, we must return to our roots as healers and redefine helping as a service not solely a business. We must look to supply our patients with all that they need regardless of the possibly that we will not be paid for that service. As Diaz says, “In my 42 years of recovery I have seen treatment change from a spiritual mission to heal to a very lucrative business that in the end must seek to perpetuate itself rather than eradicate the problem. In the end, drug use is a spiritual problem. It exists because of vacuumed meaning in people’s lives which they try to fill with sex, money and drugs when what they really need is love, human connection and a sense of real community. Paul D. Alleva is the founding owner of Lifescape Solutions and Evolve Mental Health which he opened in December of 2011, based on a new model of healing and psychotherapy called Spiritual Growth Therapy. His newest book Let Your Soul Evolve: Spiritual Growth for the New Millennium 2nd edition describes the model.
spiritual growth
therapy.com
A New Way of Thinking
Spiritual Growth Therapy (SGT) is a therapeutic way of living that incorporates spirituality into everyday life. Thinking and making decisions from a foundation of love and connection and with a future purpose that finds love and comes from the heart. Promoting individuality with a community driven connection that benefits and prospers all involved is the goal behind spiritual growth. Our devotion is to all individuals who need that extra help. We’ve created a spiritual paradigm to heal people suffering from substance abuse and mental health symptoms within our licensed treatment centers.
Visit our blog for intriguing articles on current events, philosophy, and spiritual growth!
www.SpiritualGrowthTherapy.com
CALL NOW! 844-305-4357
Medication & Comfort Equal The Perfect Detox.
Outpatient Counseling Intensive Outpatient Program Substance Abuse | Mental Health To Schedule an Appointment for One of Our 5 Facilities Contact:
888-443-3869 To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
732.431.5300 201.797.0001 732.736.6559 914.962.5101 732.882.1920
Freehold, NJ Fair Lawn, NJ Toms River, NJ Yorktown, NY Clark, NJ 13
HOPE - THE BRIDGE BETWEEN SURRENDER AND FAITH By Larry Smith, CAS III
Step 2: “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.” *************** I had been given many wake-up calls that it was time to surrender and seek help for my alcoholism and drug addiction. One evening while driving with my son in the car I was arrested for arguing with a police officer over a yellow traffic light that I plowed through. Since the FAA monitors all pilot arrests, and I already had a DUI on my record, I convinced the ALPA (Pilots Union) attorneys to stave off the FAA from requiring a substance abuse evaluation. I thought I had dodged another bullet, when in truth, had just prolonged the inevitable – the reality being that I was a drunk and a drug addict that desperately needed help. My arrogance was only overshadowed by my ignorance, however after my arrest the following year, I was finally ready to surrender. From surrender came a glimmer of hope that some day, some how, I could become whole, and that maybe God would finally smile upon me. “The Realm of the Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek”. ~Alcoholics Anonymous “Under each cornerstone of fear on which you have erected your insane system of belief, the truth lies hidden.” ~A Course in Miracles T-14.VII.2 My misdirected desires were self-designed only to fill the terms of my perceived worldly needs. Pleasure and stimulation were high priorities that I perceived to be requirements for my existence. My broken belief system produced an illusion in my mind that I was completely entitled to my egotistical wants. The ego constantly desired another dose of temporary pleasure, whether it was from chemical substances, sexual gratification, a gambling victory or the approval from others. But these and other short-term pleasures never brought happiness. In fact, they delivered nothing but misery. We all want happiness, however, the means through which we seek that happiness is what really matters. Authentic happiness is the opposite of what our ego says it is. Seeking gratification and approval from others on similarly dark paths blinds us to our real purpose in life and interferes with our ability to actively experience God’s love. I am now aware that as long I am attached to human desires and worldly outcomes, I cannot achieve God-consciousness. Godconsciousness is not an attachment but a state of awareness derived from living in the present. Faith and belief eventually become attached to our vision, and our previous maladaptive belief systems that once served the ego is transformed into an authentic value structure that now serves the Spirit. *************** The Bridge In Step 1, we admitted powerlessness, which ultimately resulted in our surrender. We waved the white flag of desperation as we moved from the unconscious state of unmanageability (level 1) to the conscious state of unmanageability (level 2). These levels were discussed in the October issue of Sober World. The wreckage of our pasts still exists, as does the pain we have self-created. Shedding our denial is the first step in the right direction, but it does nothing to correct the incompetence of our current existence. In Step 3, we make a decision to have faith: To get there, Step 2 serves as the bridge of hope between surrender and faith. Step 2 is a tall order for most alcoholics, addicts and codependents to digest.
14
This is because many have lost faith in the traditional beliefs that they were taught as children. Some never held spiritual beliefs, while others outwardly exhibited strong faith and still were unable to conquer the power that alcohol, drugs and obsessive thinking had over them. I classify hope in two ways: blind hope and authentic hope. Blind Hope Blind hope is an expectation that something you desire will come to fruition. Since expectations are merely resentments in the making, blind hope has no positive significance. This is hope without a plan of action. The expectation that life on earth is fair is one of the greatest errors humans can make. I think of time as the period between conception and death. Time for each of us is only an invisible speck compared to eternity. Whether death occurs in the womb or over 100 years later – it’s an illusion compared to eternity. Time is not equal or fair, but eternity is equal, fair and real. Blind hope is misdirected time: it has no correlation or relevance to eternity. “Time and eternity are both in your mind, and will conflict until you perceive time solely as a means to regain eternity.” ~ACIM7 Authentic Hope Authentic hope has substance and is based on the human experiences of our brothers and sisters before us. Therefore, authentic hope has a track record of results. Authentic hope includes a plan of action and commitment to follow through. There is no mystery in authentic hope – the only requirement is an open mind. Step 2 begins with the phrase, “Came to believe.” This is a brilliant way to introduce a power greater than ourselves. “Came to believe” lets the suffering person off the hook from making a huge commitment to a Higher Power. This phrase indicates that God is patiently waiting in the wings for us to become honest, open-minded and willing. When we are ready for change the door to authentic hope will automatically open. This willingness is the Continued on page 30
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
15
CROSS ADDICTION AND WHAT IT MEANS By Joseph A. Troncale, MD
One of the problems that I see frequently is patients with cross addiction, specifically those who are also being given “legitimate” prescription medications such as stimulants, benzodiazepines and opiates for bona fide symptoms. There is no doubt that all of the classes of medications mentioned above are useful for various conditions. In other words, stimulants such as amphetamines help people who actually have ADHD, benzodiazepines help with muscle relaxation and anxiety, and opiates relieve pain. If you have the disease of addiction, however, these medications stimulate the part of the brain that regulates addiction and addictive behavior. The dopamine dysregulation in the limbic system of the brain seen in addiction is not able to tell the difference between addictive drugs. Therefore, if someone who has addiction is given another addictive drug for whatever reason, the individual with addiction is being set up for relapse into their drug of choice. This concept of “a prescribed medication leading to relapse” is very controversial with many individuals and physicians, largely based on belief systems rather than hard data. For instance, this morning I was talking with a patient who relapsed on alcohol. On getting more data, the patient was given opiate pain medication for a back condition. Although taking it as prescribed, I believe, although I will never be able to prove, that the opiate prescription had a lot to do with the alcohol relapse. We have to figure out a way to help him with his pain and his alcoholism. If possible, accomplish this without the use of opiates. Another problem that I frequently encounter is anxious patients who have been given benzodiazepines by well-meaning physicians to people who have alcoholism. This rarely ends well. The person gets some relief from anxiety but relapses into alcohol use. Since benzodiazepines hit the same type of brain receptors as alcohol, the person is triggered into alcohol use. In my mind, this is an unnecessary risk for alcoholic patients with anxiety.
16
Non-addictive substitutes need to be found for these patients. Since I am not in charge of anyone else’s prescribing but my own, I can only make observations. But there are a whole lot of medications being prescribed that are not good for people with addiction. If you are someone with addiction or know someone with addiction, I suggest that great care be given to accepting prescriptions without a thorough understanding of what the possible ramifications are for someone with the problem of addiction. Once again, I want to put in the disclaimer that I am not saying that someone with addiction should not be given adequate pain medications. I am saying that all medications have to be taken with the realization that intensive monitoring may be needed if someone has to be exposed to addictive medications. Joseph Troncale, MD is Retreat’s Medical Director. He is both a fellow and a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and was named Outstanding Clinician by Addiction Magazine in 2010. He has publications in journals such as The Journal of Addictive Diseases and other peer-reviewed journals.
We are located in beautiful South Florida
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
17
To Learn More About How We Can Help Consultants available 24/7
Call 800.971.1589 18
AmericanAddictionCenters.com
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
19
ADDICTION AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD): MANAGING TWO ADDICTIONS AT ONCE By Michele Rosenthal
Every “bad” behavior (e.g. an addiction) begins with a good intention. That is, the desire for something beneficial—to feel better, calmer, happier, etc. As the antidote to the disturbing effects of trauma, excessive engagement with alcohol or drugs can become a bid for sanity, safety and stability in a world where an inexorable trauma “craving” refuses to be satiated. For those carrying a dark history of survival, the lure of alcohol or drugs can seem a compelling way to counteract the drive of a troublesome habit we don’t usually discuss: trauma addiction. In such cases, the bad behavior indeed begins with good intentions. Of course, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) isn’t typically called a trauma addiction. Technically, it’s a mental illness that affects up to 20% of survivors who experience trauma. But haunting memories can activate addictive drives. Due to trauma-induced neurophysiological changes, many survivors unknowingly struggle with PTSD symptoms that create a sense of despair, hopelessness, powerlessness and anxiety, plus an ever-present sense of danger and utter lack of control. Coping with such a potent combination of daily post-trauma experiences they ache for relief and often find it in addictions. While not all addicts are PTSD survivors and certainly not all PTSD survivors are addicts, a deeper understanding of the link between trauma and addiction, plus learning to identify the presence of PTSD and treatment options can provide a foundation that informs recovery. The Link between Trauma and Addiction According to the “PTSD and the Problem of Alcohol Abuse” jointly released by the National Center from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Department of Veterans Affairs: 1. Estimates suggest that 25-75% of violent trauma and abuse survivors experience issues and problems related to alcohol abuse. 2. 10-33% of people who have survived accidents, illness or natural disasters engage in alcohol abuse. 3. PTSD diagnosis increases a survivor’s risk of alcohol abuse. 4. Both male and female sexual abuse survivors have higher rates of alcohol and drug dependence than those who have not been abused. The National Comorbidity Study concluded: 1. 52% of those diagnosed with lifetime PTSD have concurring alcohol abuse or dependence diagnoses (that’s twice the normal population) 2. 35% of that same population also has a drug abuse or dependence diagnoses (that’s almost three times the nonPTSD adult population) With the connection between trauma and substance abuse firmly established, a question arises: How is PTSD clinically recognized and what can be done to reduce its effects? The answers lie in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM V), survivors’ selfreporting and the large healing arena. Signs and Symptoms of PTSD In June 2013 the DSM V updated PTSD criteria to include the following basic categories of symptoms when they naturally occur (i.e. not driven by substance abuse or medical condition), have persisted for more than four weeks, and creates dysfunction in areas of the patient’s personal, professional and/or social life. Exposure: Experience of a situation that threatens death, injury or sexual violence in ways that a survivor directly experienced the event, witnessed it in person as it happened to someone else, heard about the event happening to a close family member or friend, or experienced repeated and extreme interaction with details of the traumatic event (i.e. first responders).
20
Re-experiencing: Recurrent intrusive memories and thoughts about the event, dreams and nightmares with (thematically) related content, reactions (i.e. flashbacks) in which it feels like the event is happening in real time, enormous psychological and/or physiological distress brought on by external or internal cues that resemble aspects of the trauma. Avoidance: Persistent circumvention of both internal and external cues that resemble traumatic content including thoughts, memories, locations, people and sensory stimulation. Alterations: Changes in cognition or mood as evidenced by amnesia for an important aspect of the trauma, exaggerated and frequent negative beliefs about oneself, others and the world, distorted ideas about the cause or consequences related to the trauma that lead to self-blame or blaming others, consistent negative emotional perspective, lessened interest and participation in activities that previously engendered good feelings, a sense of detachment from oneself or others plus long-term inability to genuinely express positive emotions. Arousal: Subsequent to the traumatic event, an increase in such behaviors as irritability, anger/rage, self-destructive tendencies, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle responses, concentration issues and sleep disturbances. Though many aspects of PTSD may occur immediately following a trauma, some survivors experience delayed expression. In these cases the full spectrum of diagnosable criteria develops more than six months following the inducing event. Accurately initiating an addict’s diagnosis may begin with a selftest (i.e. HealMyPTSD.com/do-I-have-ptsd) and then a referral for an appropriate diagnosis. PTSD Treatment Options Recovery from posttraumatic stress disorder varies due to personal histories, childhood programming, transgenerational effects, present-day support systems and willingness/readiness to engage in recovery processes. Finding long-term relief depends on developing a personalized program for defusing psychological, physical and emotional aspects of trauma. Due to the enormous number of useful techniques for PTSD recovery the following list is only meant to be an introduction, not an exclusive or exhaustive list of options. Popular approaches fall into two categories: Traditional—Evidence-based treatments predominantly focuses on psychological resolution of the trauma conflict including, talk therapy, (cognitive) behavior therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, (Prolonged) Exposure Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Continued on page 22
Our core residential treatment program
Three Strands is a comprehensive, non-denomi-
This one-of-a-kind program is designed for
empowers you to develop the knowledge,
national faith-centered program. You’ll participate
young adults ages 18 to 25 who are at high
motivation and skills needed for lifelong recovery.
in intensive therapy, Christian support groups,
risk of relapse. Using innovative approaches,
With a combination of intensive therapy, attention
worship at local churches, and relapse prevention
we help young people maintain their recovery
to past trauma, education about triggers and de-
planning, among other approaches. We provide
through hands-on skill-building and intensive
velopment of coping skills, you’ll be prepared to
the tools you need to rebuild your life, within the
relapse prevention.
face recovery challenges head on.
embrace of a faith-based, accepting community.
A Fam ily M e m be r of E le m e n ts Be h a vior a l H e a lth
Recovery Place ad Sober World MagaIne .5 page colorscape.indd 1
To Recovery Advertise, Call 561-910-1943 Place ad Sober World MagaIne .5 page colorscape.indd
2
TM
2/20/2015 7:26:08 AM
21
2/20/2015 7:26:10 AM
LIVING BEYOND
A Monthly Column By Dr. Asa Don Brown
IDENTIFYING WITH THE ADDICTION “Addiction isn’t about substance - you aren’t addicted to the substance, you are addicted to the alteration of mood that the substance brings.” ~ Susan Cheever As a clinician, I unapologetically believe that we must no longer identify our patients/clients with the addiction. While they may struggle with an addiction, the addiction itself is no different than any other form of medical ailment or disease. We are no more a broken arm, a cancer, or a liver disease, than we would be an addiction that has held us captive. Why then, have we permitted psychological/psychiatric diagnoses to be equated with one’s personal character? Unfortunately, our patients/clients are identified as “being ...” whatever diagnosis that we are seeking to treat, aid, and manage. If we were diagnosed with a psychological disorder and it was equated to our identity, we may ourselves feel shame, humiliation, and embarrassment. There should be no shame associated with mental health, but if we continue to treat psychological/psychiatric disorders as a person’s overall character then we have an uphill battle. As clinicians, we have taught our patients to identify themselves with the addiction and to cling to ideological perceptive that they are the addiction. Again, we are no more the addiction than we are a broken arm, a cancer or a liver disease. If someone is afflicted with an addiction, they “have” an addiction, they are not the addiction. “Addiction is a disease - a treatable disease - and it needs to be understood.” ~ Dr. Nora Volkow Psychology itself has committed an injustice to those it serves, because we do “label” those with all forms of psychological/psychiatric diseases, disorders, and struggles. Perhaps, as a professional community we ought to rethink our approach to diagnosing and treatment. Perhaps, we ought to reconsider treating all forms of psychological/psychiatric diagnoses as we do all other forms
of medical and physical disorders and diseases. Consider the following; what if you had recently been diagnosed with what is commonly known as “Pink Eye” (Conjunctivitis). As someone struggling with pink eye, you do not want your entire personal character to be eternally associated with this eye disease, no more than you want to be eternally labeled with an acute psychological/psychiatric disorder. Moreover, if you have been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), you do not want this label to be associated with your personal character. Therefore, while many struggle with both chronic and acute psychological/psychiatric disorders, we should begin treating those individuals as we do all other health related conditions. If so, maybe we can move beyond the stigmatization that continues to plague the mental health field. In my final thoughts, I challenge you to consider why we are trained to diagnosis. As all clinicians should be aware of, a clinical diagnosis is central to offering something tangible in an intangible field. The diagnosis provides a source of hope, understanding, comprehension, compassion, clarity and an ability to safely move forward. All psychological/psychiatric diagnoses should help the individual, and those serving him or her, an ability to place some perspective on what has been ailing this individual. As all clinicians know, the addictive nature of the individual often consumes the person; however the addiction is not the person. The addiction is either related to an organic disease or chronic psychological stressors and influence. For many, the addiction’s attraction and charm is the root of the addiction, but the nature of the complex disease almost always has a much more profound historical background. Always remember, that you and those that you treat are no more the addiction than you are any other physical ailment. May you begin living beyond.
Dr. Asa Don Brown Author: Asa Don Brown, Ph.D., C.C.C., D.N.C.C.M., F.A.A.E.T.S. Website: www.asadonbrown.com
ADDICTION AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD): MANAGING TWO ADDICTIONS AT ONCE By Michele Rosenthal
Alternative—Substantive experiential data supports these increasingly popular techniques that discharge blocked/held trauma energy in the mind and body and/or engage the subconscious mind in rewiring exercises. These programs can be more gentle as many do not require examination of specific trauma details which, for many survivors, can be retraumatizing. Popular approaches include hypnosis, Neuro-Linguitistic Programming, Somatic Experiencing, Emotional Freedom Technique, Thought Field Therapy, Tapas Acupressure Technique, and Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises. How Healing Happens A PTSD diagnosis is not a life sentence. With technological advances in the field of science we continue to learn how trauma affects the brain, how those effects alter thoughts, feelings and behaviors, plus how the “fight/flight” survival response can be deactivated. The body and brain can indeed be rewired,
22
Continued from page 20
reprogrammed and relieved of PTSD symptoms. The most effective healing process combines elements of both traditional and alternative categories. On my radio show, Changing Direction, I have interviewed the top experts in trauma, PTSD and neuroscience. They all echo the same refrain, “Talking alone does not heal PTSD.” While traditional and evidence-based approaches are frequently and effectively the starting point for recovery, the addition of alternative practices allows a full mind/body approach to healing what is essentially, a wholly mind/body problem. Michele Rosenthal is an award-winning PTSD blogger, awardnominated author, founder of HealMyPTSD.com, popular keynote speaker, post-trauma coach, host of Changing Direction radio, author of Your Life after Trauma: Powerful Practices to Reclaim Your Identity (W. W. Norton), and a former faculty member of the Clinical Development Institute for Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center.
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
23
VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION IS WORKING… By John Lehman
supportive days and nights to Floridians who live, work and/or pursue higher education opportunities. FARR is a non-profit… All officers, board members and committee chairs are volunteers. Funds raised through our Affiliate Membership program underwrites FARR administration, advocacy, development & distribution of educational content as well as facilitates audit and grievance inspections of FARR Certified Residences. Affiliate support is essential to our mission. The FARR Board recently upgraded this membership category to include access to the member only portal which includes a status report of all applications currently in the certification pipeline. Other benefits are specific to individual support levels: Supporter, Benefactor, Advocate and Champion. To learn more regarding the Affiliate Member program and how you can help support our mission to create, monitor, evaluate and improve standards for recovery residences in Florida, please visit www.farronline.org.
As of January 31, 2015; FARR has certified 48 programs operating 352 recovery homes providing safe, dignified and peer-supportive housing to 1,424 individuals from Miami to Jacksonville and Daytona to Naples. Additionally, the certification pipeline currently includes 49 providers operating 387 homes serving 1,645 persons in recovery. Over the last 33 months, 739 homes serving 3,069 persons have voluntarily sought FARR Certification. Our application velocity has steadily grown to the current rate of 18 new applications for certification each month.
John Lehman is the president of FARR. Over the last two years, he has helped to develop the organizational infrastructure and continues to support initiatives to enhance the rights of residents who seek to enjoy alcohol-drug free housing that is safe, clean, and peer supportive. John is also the managing partner of Cashbox Solutions, a payment system developer that designs financial and management cloud-hosted software solutions for the recovery industry.
Reduce Stigma; Improve Communities Statewide, in partnership with business and civic organizations, certified residences are now engaging in civic improvement projects within their community. As these partnerships grow in scope and scale, the FARR website will tally volunteer service hours invested by residents in their respective communities. Quality Recovery Residences Welcome Standards… FARR, as the Florida affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), has developed a robust infrastructure for administration of the voluntary certification process contemplated by House Bill 21 & Senate Bill 326. We are preparing for significant expansion should the Department (DCF) select FARR as the candidate to implement this legislation.
Certifying safe and dignified recovery residences for individuals seeking peer-supportive housing.
Join At our current pace, by December 31, 2015, FARR anticipates successful certification of over 250 providers operating approximately 2,000 homes serving a capacity of greater than 16,000 persons in recovery (based on average stay of six months). Translated into deliverable services, FARR Certified Residences will, by year-end, offer a capacity of 2.9 million safe, sober and
24
Volunteer
Support
www.farronline.org
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
25
ADDICTION AND RECOVERY By Teresa Boland, ARNP, LMFT, PhD, ABD, FAARM I feel it is important to approach recovery in much the same way I approach all of my patients – holistically – body, soul (mind) and spirit. The triad of body-mind-spirit is interdependent and if one aspect is neglected, then the other two will also suffer. In pursuing the goals of mind and spirit, all too many patients neglect or actually abuse the body – consuming caffeine by the quart, smoking cigarettes by the carton, and eating non nutritious junk food on a daily basis. All of this abuse has a definite impact on the mind and the spirit too. My belief is that no one is really in recovery until his or her BODY is in recovery. The body is more than a receptacle for the mind and the spirit, it is PART of the mind and spirit and disorders of the body that are reflected in the patient’s moods, feelings, and thought processes. You just can’t think straight if you are not feeling well. If you have ever tried to work when sick with the flu, you can understand this concept. The conditions that bring many into the recovery movement have devastating effects on the body from the tiniest cell in the lining of the intestine to the longest nerve connecting the brain to the toes. Nothing escapes unharmed. The devastation is comprehensive because every cell in the body is affected. The billions of cells that carry out basic body processes have not only been poisoned but starved. Often, even before addiction was an issue for many of the patients, they were probably operating with several strikes against them – biological and psychological factors that contributed to the eventual rise of addiction and compulsive disorders. Once the underlying factors are complicated by addiction, alcoholism, or eating disorders, an already bad situation becomes incomparably worse. There is abundant research addressing these very issues. When recovery is viewed from this multifaceted perspective, it is easy to see why many patients are not maximizing their existing recovery programs. It could be why approximately 70% of people who start treatment drop out before the end of the first year. The good news is that there are new technologies and diagnostic tools available that can make a difference in patient’s lives. This new technology could help to significantly improve the quality and length of a patient’s life as well as ensuring better compliance with abstinence. Overwhelming evidence shows that individuals with an addiction history are at a greater risk for relapse if their biochemistry issues go unaddressed. Now, there are specific laboratory assessment profiles and clinical tools in the field of endocrinology, neurology and immunology which can reveal a patient’s status in all areas by looking at neuromodulators, hormones, and immune markers. Having this knowledge enables the practitioner to design targeted interventions that help the patient regain their health. In addition, there are diagnostic tools that measure the intracellular function of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other essential micronutrients within living blood cells (lymphocytes). Lymphocytes carry an individual’s nutritional history for a period of four to six months, versus traditional serum testing which has a much narrower window of function and cannot determine what nutrients have successfully been absorbed within your living cells. These tests can reveal an individual’s nutrient status over a substantial period of time. The results obtained, therefore, uncover deficiencies that a standard serum test may potentially miss. If not corrected, such deficiencies could impair health contributing to the development and/or progression of chronic disease and could certainly impede recovery for these individuals. In addition, overwhelming evidence documents that vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and nutrient deficiencies suppress the function of the immune system and contribute to other diseases. Eating a “balanced diet” hardly ensures that your body is receiving the nutrients it needs because every individual has unique deterrents to the absorption of nutrients. In addition, vitamin, mineral, and nutrient deficiencies caused by over the counter preparations and
26
prescriptions can complicate the picture. Another important laboratory assessment tool looks at food sensitivities. It’s hard to imagine that the food that fuels our bodies can also be the source of health concerns. The fact is that our bodies do react negatively to some food and it can be making you ill. Symptoms can range from severe anaphylactic shock (in the case of peanut allergy) to low grade, persistent headaches and chronic fatigue. Food sensitivity is the general term given to a specific type of reaction that is driven by disruptions in your GI system and an overactive immune system. Unfortunately, it may not always be obvious if foods are causing symptoms. And if foods are causing symptoms, it may not be obvious which foods are at the root of the problem. This particular food sensitivity testing panel is a simple blood test that can detect immune reactions to various foods. Test panels include from 22 to 154 of the most common dietary offenders. Additionally, testing can provide information about “gastrointestinal permeability”, a measure of how likely undigested food particles are crossing from your intestines into blood circulation. All of the aforementioned tests reflect truly individualized medicine and provide a way to identify, correct, and restore optimal health for patients. Teresa Boland is a Fellow of the World Academy of Regenerative Medicine. She is a Psychiatric Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In addition, she holds a certification in Sports Nutrition as well as a diploma for Dietary Supplement Counselor (Dip. DSC). Teresa is certified in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, in Clinical Hypnotherapy and as a Trauma and Loss Specialist and Consultant. Teresa’s personal initiatives have included completing two medical mission trips to Haiti as well as a three week volunteer army duty in Israel for the Israeli Defense Force. Keeping physically fit is important to Teresa. She enjoys martial arts and has trained in Haganah (Israeli Hand-to-Hand Combat) / Muay Thai for six years. She also co-hosted a monthly radio show which dealt with medical and therapy issues. In addition, she co-hosted a radio show and a pilot TV presentation called Life Matters. For further information, please contact the office by email at ttlhlthsolutions@aol.com or by phone at 954-577-0008
Need MeditaƟon? Can’t Sleep?
www.DiscoverThePAL.com Our young adults can gain the life skills they need to make it on their own. Contact us for a consultation. A Family Business
benchmarktransitions.com
The Benchmark Transitions® Program Benchmark Transitions is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to therapeutic transitional living for young men and women, ages 18-28. Our dual-diagnosis model combines clinical treatment, behavioral health therapy, addiction recovery & aftercare, educational & vocational opportunities, job training and life skills in a structured and nurturing environment that fosters self-discovery and autonomy. Benchmark Transitions offers day treatment, IOP and structured transitional living in a sober environment. Minimum length of program is six months with extended care options available. Benchmark is designed to be a step-down transition program for participants coming out of other primary treatment programs, such as Detox, Residential Treatment Centers, Wilderness Therapeutic Programs, hospitalization/stabilization units, and for adolescents aging-out of Therapeutic Boarding Schools. Benchmark is also an ideal option for young adults who are “stuck” at home with failure to launch issues.
Benchmark offers Dual Track Treatment options · Recovery by Benchmark® students are those who have a history of substance use, abuse or addiction.
· Benchmark Behavioral Health students are those who have not exhibited issues with drugs and/or alcohol.
Both options include our comprehensive curriculum of personal growth, education, vocational options & work skills, life skills and clinical treatment.
1.800.474.4848 To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
27
WHAT IS EQUINE THERAPY? WHY IS IT SO HELPFUL TO RECOVERY CLIENTS? By Lizabeth Olszewski
Equine therapy is extremely effective with clients in recovery because many are detached or disconnected from their feelings. Horses have no hidden agenda. They don’t judge or label, they are in the moment. They never lie. They do not respond to manipulation and they won’t be bullied. Because of this, clients are forced to look at their own agenda and style of communication. Old patterns of behavior and excuses simply do not work. Horses don’t care where you came from or what your past is. They don’t look at race, social class, diagnoses, gender or addiction. This can have a measurable impact because for the first time none of this matters. The client can let go of all of this and discover who they really are. Horses are big and can be intimidating. This immediately brings up fear and self -confidence issues. When working with horses for the first time, horses will many times mirror their behavior. Clients that may have problems forming relationships with family and friends form strong bonds with horses. Horses bring out empathy and caring at all levels.
on the client who squeezed it!!!
Traditional Therapy –v- Equine Therapy
Be sure they operate according to an evidence-based model with safety guidelines and a code of ethics and principles. (Research the model on line. Do your due diligence.)
Traditional therapy happens inside four walls with a therapist. Equine therapy happens in a paddock or herd environment with horses, other clients and two or more facilitators (in case of eagala model). The surroundings, in and of themselves, are serene. Horses are social and will mirror actions and behaviors. Equine therapy is more objective and experiential, allowing the client to bring to the session “where they are: in the moment. In addiction, clients have difficulty being “in the present moment” – most attempt to live in the past or in the future. Through working with horses, clients can feel what it’s like to live in the present maybe for the first time. Equine therapy is becoming very popular with substance abuse treatment centers. Much of its success results from the horse’s ability to get clients “out of their heads and into their bodies” which for many clients who are disconnected, this is a considerable benefit. We’d like to explain an equine therapy exercise to help illustrate the benefits. An Example of an Equine Therapy Exercise After seven clients arrived and “checked in” with the horses, we explained the exercise for the day. The clients would split into two teams and make an obstacle course for the other team to go through. We handed both team’s eggs and spoons. The object for the clients was to “balance” their egg (representing a character defect) while leading a horse through the course. As the two teams started, we noticed some clients were very focused on the egg and not dropping it. Others were very focused on the horse and almost forgot they had the egg. Some clients were giving a lot of praise to the horse as he went through successfully. One client’s horse stopped in the middle of the course and wouldn’t budge. Her team was trying to help her from afar and asked if she wanted help. She said, “No, I can do this on my own. If you help me it’s like I’m cheating.” She figured out later her character default is her inability to ask for help. We discussed how well that works in life and in treatment. She realized if she’d reached out for help she would’ve gotten sober a lot sooner. The facilitator’s job is to give feedback to the clients and allow them to come up with what meaning that session holds for them (many times this is metaphorical). The eagala model we use is experiential as well as being evidence-based. There’s no “right or wrong.” The arena is a safe environment for the clients to explore different options without judgment. When we processed at the end of the session, one of the clients said,” I know a way to squeeze this egg really hard without it breaking.” As he started to squeeze it, very quickly it burst, and egg went ALL OVER the clients, the horses -- everywhere, except
28
He shared that his character defect is impulsivity and he said, “When I act on it, the consequences of my actions ‘go all over everyone else’ – just like the egg did.” Some clients shared their character defects- impatience, perfectionism, can’t forgive, stubborn, and self- pity. As you can see from this exercise, horses help us learn more about ourselves in a natural and non-threatening manner. Some testimonial quotes from clients… “This is first time I’ve felt calm and peaceful since I’ve been sober.” “Being with the horses is the best part of my treatment.” “You said our life would show up in the arena, and it did in so many ways. I wish we could do this every day.” How to Pick an Equine Therapy Provider:
Ensure the company is insured for a minimum of $1,000,000 liability umbrella policy ($1 million per incident, $2 million aggregate). Request a copy of the insurance. Meet the facilitators and visit the site. Do not be afraid to ask questions. In most models the “tech” cannot be in the session due to HIPPA laws but must remain on site. Feel free to contact Horses Healing Hearts for any further information. www.hhhusa.org (upper EAL tab for equine therapy) or 561-713-6133.
Get another opportunity at your life today. Our dedicated team provides a variety of proven recovery methods designed to match your specific needs. Different Addiction Treatment HARP Palm Beach, LLC 2655 North Ocean Drive, Suite 103 Singer Island, FL 33404
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
Call 561-594-0206 Email info@harptreatmentcenter.com Visit harptreatmentcenter.com
29
HOPE – THE BRIDGE BETWEEN SURRENDER AND FAITH By Larry Smith, CAS III
primary principle behind the12 Step recovery process. The 12 Steps are not the only tools available to find hope in recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) also provides practical aid to the suffering person. Think of CBT as providing practicality for spiritual results, and the 12 Steps as providing spirituality for practical results. CBT is a psychotherapeutic approach that addresses dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviors and cognitive processes through a number of goal-oriented, explicit, systematic procedures. CBT is problem-focused and designed to replace maladaptive coping skills with functional ones. CBT and the 12 Steps seek the same goals with similar methods. Recovery is a willingness to make profound changes in belief structures, value systems and daily protocol. We must reinvent how we live life from the moment we awaken until we place our heads on the pillow each evening. In seeking personal growth, we must recognize that we are not our thoughts. By continually examining our thoughts for truth and honesty, we will gradually move toward reality. Sanity The definition of insanity has become a cliché: doing (and thinking) the same things over and over and expecting different results. Interestingly, this characterizes the behavior connected to every form of addiction and cognitive distortion. The word sanity is Greek for wholeness. Step 2 suggests having the belief that a power greater than oneself can restore sanity. Becoming whole is necessary to recover. Restoring sanity begins to happen when we lose the mental obsession to drink or use. How we become whole is unique to each of us, but the more we truly internalize the meaning of each step determines how quickly we recover from the hopeless, insane state of mind created by addiction and codependency. Wholeness
Continued from page 14
positive suggestions for what to do and when followed, they lead to a spiritual awakening. To know something, to believe something and to have faith in something are all different thought processes. Faith is a belief that cannot be proven. Faith is not knowledge, nor is it a feeling. Faith is a choice, a decision, a function of will. At this point, openmindedness becomes important as we adapt to the concept that “more will be revealed.” For those who suffer from addiction and have lost all faith, the message of Step 2 has to do with being open-minded enough to recognize that we don’t have all the answers. In fact, perhaps we should challenge every belief that we hold dear – especially our beliefs about ourselves. Chemical addiction had caused my belief system to break; subsequently my faith was shattered. My sick thinking alienated me from God and my fellow man; I truly had become morally, emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. My low self-esteem was well hidden under a mask of egotistical arrogance. For me, the second step was an opportunity to get to know myself and my brothers and sisters of this world. Step 2 provided another chance at a relationship with the God of my understanding – which, in turn, taught me the truth about myself. My early childhood memory of God was radically changed by religious teachings. Religion taught me that God was a wrathful entity waiting to judge and punish. Some religions imply that God is fear based and shame based. The God of my understanding gives me free will to think and act anyway I choose. As one of my sponsors stated, “You can do any damn fool thing your desire, however every choice you make comes with a consequence. I suggest you choose your consequences first, then determine your choice.”
I can distinctly remember a moment in my life when I felt whole. I was 12 years old and sleeping in my parent’s backyard in the country with no one around. I was lying on my back for what seemed like hours, staring at the black, starlit sky. On this warm and incredibly quiet, dark evening, I was mesmerized, thinking about the enormity of the universe that I had learned about in science class. The millions of stars glowing in unison instilled both feelings of humility and empowerment. I thought about all the people in history who looked up at the same stars and wondered what they were thinking as they gazed at this collection of heavenly artwork. I felt the amazement of the universe and intimately close to the simplistic God I knew at that time, the God of love and truth. In those moments of profound peace, I wanted for nothing. This happened to be the same God with whom I later reacquainted myself with in recovery.
God does not interfere with the choices I make; He patiently waits for me to align my will with His. I now comprehend, that in the long run, only God’s will can prevail, therefore it’s utterly futile to try to force my ego-driven desires onto this world.
Some of the individuals with whom I have worked in recovery have claimed that they never felt whole. They say they came out of the womb broken and cannot relate to the peace and comfort I felt sleeping under the stars. I tell them, “You do not need a reference point to experience wholeness; you only need to believe that a power greater than yourself can deliver you to sanity.” Those without a reference point for wholeness can undergo an amazing spiritual awakening when the miracle of recovery comes to them. I have experienced my own spiritual awakening and I have witnessed it in others
Larry Smith is the founder and CEO of Get Real Recovery, Inc. He is a certified addiction counselor, lecturer, public speaker and author. He has published a goal setting and journaling book for people in recovery, Captain Larry Smith’s Daily Life Plan Journal. When Larry is not counseling, he flies 747s for a major international commercial airline. He is a retired Air Force Fighter Pilot and has accumulated over 20,000 hours of flying time. Larry is an Airline Pilots Association Rep and volunteers with his airline’s Employee Assistance Program. In that capacity, he works with the FAA and medical doctors to assist pilots with addiction problems through a rigorous re-certification process. GetRealRecoveryInc.com
Let Go and Let God The words “Came to believe” signify that the 12 Steps are a process. The 12 Steps are not orders for what not to do, they are
30
The spirit of God is within each of us in the form of a Higher Self. This is a quiet, consistent voice that opposes those ego-driven thoughts. Ego-driven thoughts speak first and speak loudest, so truthful answers and solutions come from quiet moments of solitude. Prayer, and, more importantly, mediation, will eventually reveal that God’s will is our will. Once we are aware that we are the problem, we may allow hope to enter the picture. Hope without honesty, open-mindedness and willingness is meaningless. Hope is a baby step; the courage and determination to take action, and the decision to have faith, are truly the pivotal traits required to secure long-term sobriety.
FlexDek® is the Scientifically Proven Method to Dramatically Reduce Relapse Rates FlexDek® is a new mobile app designed for everyone who is interested in participating in another’s ongoing care. This can be a Spouse, Sponsor, Children, Care Giver, Therapist, Coach or Case Manager. It is compatible with I-Phone, Android and all tablets. For Loved Ones, use it to passively monitor how recovery is progressing based on consistent input by your loved one. When needed, proactive intervention can be accomplished. Let’s face it, trust is long gone and everyone wants it back. What better way than to use today’s technology for the betterment of all involved. This is a proven method to change unwanted behaviors without the usual overbearing, perceived as controlling conversation; did you really go to the meeting? Are you really not drinking? FlexDek® will make your life easier and more relaxing. Put the accountability where it belongs, on the recovering person, then sit back and wait for the alerts to sound. No news is good news!
Support a Loved One Enhance Your Practice Super Charge Results
® WELLNESS MANAGEMENT
For Professionals, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your client succeed in making healthy lifestyle changes. Whether its wellness management, supporting clients in recovery or helping patients manage other chronic conditions, it’s the reason you do what you do. But when your clients relapse, it can be heartbreaking for you and devastating for them. That’s where FlexDek® comes in; a brandable asset you can customize for your specialty and expertise. It gives you a full suite of tools for surveys, reports, education and goals to increase compliance and reduce relapse.
Download FlexDek® to iPhone or Android
561.265.1564
|
flexdek.net
LIFE’S ONION®
Breakthrough Therapeutic Tool Produces Big Results for Clinics and Clients We all know the saying about what to do when life gives us lemons - make lemonade! But what do you do when life gives you onions? If you’re Mark Wetherbee, founder and creator of Life’s Onion, you make a therapeutic tool so innovative that it is awarded a patent. Life’s Onion is a handheld, onion-shaped device with 12 peels which transforms into a flower when opened. People in self-help and therapy record their goals and achievements on the actual peels, and peeling them back to flower petals as progress is made. It’s a simple tool, but its application is what makes it unique: while there are other methods of tracking improvement, Life’s Onion is the only product which marks people’s progress in a tangible, visual form and remains with them to reinforce their successes. One Life’s Onion user stated, “It will be a daily reminder of my journey through treatment, self-reflection, growth, and continued success in life.” It is not often that people have a visible reminder of their growth and achievements outside of the therapeutic environment, and this was clearly the creator’s goal. Life’s Onion incorporates elements of journaling, art therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Schema Therapy. The tool can be used by an individual or with any therapeutic modality or style. In addition to the tool itself, there is a full package of support materials designed to integrate Life’s Onion into existing programs. After more than 3 years of research, development and field trials, Life’s Onion is now being made available to the public. To find out more visit: www.lifesonion.com
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
31
Look for your FREE issue of The Sober World
You can now find The Sober World at every Starbucks in Palm Beach County as well as schools, colleges, doctor offices, meeting halls and more throughout South Florida. We directly mail to anyone who has been arrested for drugs or alcohol in Palm Beach County, as well as various treatment centers throughout the country. A free issue will be in every attendee’s bag at the following conferences/events: • Innovation in Recovery 2015 - March 30-April 2, San Diego, CA • West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders - May 28-31, La Quinta, CA • NAATP - May 16 - 18, Carlsbad, CA • Innovation in Behavioral Healthcare - June 22-23, 2015, Nashville, TN • C.O.R.E - Clinical Overview of the Recovery ExperiencesJuly 19-22, Amelia Island, FL • Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders - September 10-13, Hyannis, MA • 2015 Moments of Change - September 28 - Oct. 1, Palm Beach, FL • 2015 Lifestyle Intervention Conference- Oct 6-8- Las Vegas, NV
The Sober World is a free national online e-magazine as well as a printed publication. We use an educational and informative approach as an outreach to parents, families, groups and others who have loved ones struggling with addiction.
CONTACT US TODAY!
For information regarding advertising in our magazine or online please contact Patricia at 561-910-1943 or e-mail patricia@thesoberworld.com Visit www.thesoberworld.com
32
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
33
THE PTSD, TRAUMA, ADDICTION CONNECTION By Richard H. Siegel, Ph.D. LMFT
suffer. Suffering is something that most of us are not very good at, particularly on our own. In order to suffer in a way that heals and doesn’t cause more needless pain and anguish, you will need a guide. A mentor- an advisor who is expert in the art of exploring and healing the wounds of the soul. In other words, you need a therapist to guide you from pain to wholeness. A specialist who will heal the pain through the subconscious, get to the core of the feelings and permanently reduce or eliminate them. There is an old story of a group therapy session where patients were asked to describe themselves as a tree. One woman said she was a mighty oak with lush leaves, rich soil, basking in the sunlight. When the therapist pointed out that her description sounded a little too pat and perfect, she broke down crying and said that she really felt like a burnt out stump, but was too afraid and ashamed to admit to herself or anyone else how she really felt. It was only when she acknowledged how she felt and explored what that stump looked like, that she noticed a new branch, new life growing out from the back of the bark. Again, resistance creates persistence and
Continued from page 8
whatever you feel can heal. In addition to working your program and attending meetings, your willingness to explore what’s really going on inside of you with someone who can expertly guide you through to the other side, to life, wholeness and restoration, is what will finally free you from addiction. Dr. Siegel is a Psychotherapist in Deerfield Beach in private practice over 40 years. Dr. Siegel specializes in dissolving the persistent uncomfortable feelings that fuel depression, anxiety, phobias, addictions, PTSD, as well as Wounded Child Within issues. He does Motivation and Performance Coaching with sports professionals from the NFL, PGA, USPTA, NCAA Teams and University Coaches.He can be reached at 954-420-0755
THE SILENT ASSAULT ON AMERICANS WITH ADDICTIONS INSURANCE COMPANIES PLAY DOCTOR By John Giordano DHL, MAC
manager simply stated they were not going to pay for his treatment any more. Another professional told a story of how patients were being moved from ‘tier one’ to lower levels of treatment normally reserved for patients who have completed ‘tier one’ simply as a cost cutting measure. I was told by an addiction specialist of insurance case manager’s that on his first week on the job a high level executive from the home office was in town for meetings and walked through the claims department. The executive lifted a stack of claim files off the manager’s desk and rhetorically asked; “do you know what to do when you have too may claim files?” then threw the handful of files in the trash. In speaking with another knowledgeable professional in addiction treatment I asked; “from what I’ve seen and know, it appears to me that the insurance companies are now dictating all of the treatment protocols;” her response was ‘you are 100% correct!” Nearly all of the decisions made by the case managers are over the objection of the treatment facilities doctors and therapists who are hands on treating the patient. Although the treatment center has the right to call a doctor to doctor meeting, their appeals have almost no effect because the insurance company’s doctor – who has never seen, much less met the patient – has final say over the treating doctor and/or therapist’s objections. In essence, the insurance company’s doctor is the judge, jury and sheriff in any dispute regarding the treatment of all patients – period. The CBS TV Newsmagazine ‘60 Minutes’ did an exposé on Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem (BCBSA) late last year titled “Denied.” I strongly recommend you take a look at it if you didn’t see the show – the link is below. In his report, Scott Pelley did a masterful job of uncovering the extent to which health insurance denies psychiatric care claims and how treatment protocols are being dictated by the insurance company. He found that most of their doctors are contractors paid by the case – earning up to $25,000/month – and managing up to 550 patients per month. Pelley looked at 11 BCBSA contract doctors’ denial rate and found it ranges from 82.76% to 100% over a six month period. This begs the question; how do these actions by the insurance companies help the patient/policy holder become whole again? It just seems counterintuitive to me that we trust our health to an industry whose very existence depends on providing people like
34
Continued from page 6
you and me with the least amount of care possible. What we have today is “Managing Profits” and not “Managed Care.” How we got here I know, but I’ll never understand how human beings could be so cold as to inflict so much pain and suffering on another just for money. Yet this is the society we live in today where what was once a humanitarian directive has been hijacked and reshaped into a new revenue stream for behemoth corporations at the expense of hard working Americans paying their insurance premiums and being denied their benefits. In the ‘New Normal’ all moral, ethical and societal standards are no longer a concern when the bottom line is being discussed. Avery’s story is just one example of untold suffering happening to what I suspect to be millions of Americans across the country – all at the hands of the health insurance industry. What happens now to addicts like Avery who desperately want to get off drugs but are fading in the shadows of this nightmare? Well that depends on us. For those of us fortunate enough to have gone through rehab, we know we didn’t do it on our own. We relied on each other to produce a positive outcome. If we are to effect positive changes in the insurance industry, we need to band together one more time. All I ask is that you contact your congressman and senator and ask them what they are doing to prevent the insurance industry from dictating addiction treatment protocols. If you can’t do it for yourself, please do it for the person behind you who needs treatment but is being blocked by the many barriers put up by the insurance industry. This is our battle and this is our time to shine! “The less care they give them, the more money they make.” – John Ehrlichman CBS TV Newsmagazine ‘60 Minutes’ exposé “Denied.” http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/denied/ John Giordano DHL, MAC is a counselor, President and Founder of the National Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies and Chaplain of the North Miami Police Department. For the latest development in cutting-edge treatment check out his website: http://www.holisticaddictioninfo.com
What makes Holistic Recovery Center different?
Treatment Programs: ` Addiction
` Adult Residential
Holistic Recovery Center’s focus is highly individualized. The client to therapist ratio is never more than 6 clients per therapist. Holistic Recovery Center offers more weekly one-on-one sessions than virtually anywhere else.
` Dual Diagnosis
Holistic Recovery Center is truly holistic. The focus is on healing the mind,body and soul, not just the substance abuse, for a full and lasting recovery.
Out/Inpatient:
Some of the everyday holistic activities include: beach yoga, chiropractic, acupuncture, meditation and more. Client centered facility with 35 beds to ensure the best level of care. Holistic Recovery Center also offers fully furnished apartments with the finest amenities a home could offer. Holistic Recovery Center provides full spa treatments such as manicures, pedicures and haircuts. Enjoy yourself while in treatment with weekend activities such as Go-Kart racing, sporting events, trips to local art museums, etc.
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
` Residential Relapse Recovery ` Substance Abuse • Alcohol • Cocaine • Methamphetamine
• Marijuana • Opiate
` Intensive Outpatient Program ` Outpatient
` Partial Hospitalization (Day Treatment)
` Residential Inpatient Treatment Give up the daily struggle that is caused by active addiction and begin a new chapter in your life, it can all start with a simple phone call!
1-877-673-9048
www.holisticrecoverycenters.com 7709 Davie Road Extension Hollywood, FL 33024 1-877-673-9048
35
P.O. BOX 880175 BOCA RATON, FLORIDA 33488-0175 www.thesoberworld.com
The contents of this book may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without consent of publisher. Every effort has been made to include accurate data, however the publisher cannot be held liable for material content or errors. This publication offers Therapeutic Services, Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitative services, and other related support systems. You should not rely on the information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health care professional because of something you may have read in this publication. The Sober World LLC and its publisher do not recommend nor endorse any advertisers in this magazine and accepts no responsibility for services advertised herein. Content published herein is submitted by advertisers with the sole purpose to aid and educate families that are faced with drug/alcohol and other addiction issues and to help families make informed decisions about preserving quality of life.
36