I know that being abused as a child is part of why I struggle with addiction.  I’ve lived it.  But it’s all behind me, why talk about it?  Why look at it?  What would a luxury drug rehab do for me?

If I really tell the truth, the emotional abandonment I have felt as a child has left me with a sense of emptiness, a constant state of internal deprivation.  I know that I used because I was looking for something I lacked in my life.  Love?  Security?  How is a luxury drug rehab going to give that back to me?  And without some distraction, I can’t bear the pain within.  Drugs, alcohol…they work but never last. I need more, always more.  How is a luxury drug rehab program going to fill this void?

What you have to overcome each day is stunning.  You deserve an environment where you can receive nurturing, support, and healing that fits you and your lifestyle, not an institutional setting or 12-step approach. The finest luxury drug rehab will:

• be a place where you can feel safe and accepted enough to take chances, to find out that you can confront your childhood trauma and pain.
• provide counseling that reveals your strengths and capacity to live without abusing substances.
• provide the most upscale accommodations and comforts.
• serve the freshest organic food.
• replenish and strengthen you with natural healthcare, activity, massage, walks in the countryside with highly trained holistic therapists.
• provide you with the tools to see that you can be your own real and best self everywhere.
• replace struggling with drugs with your own focused goals and mission to take back out into the world.

Luxury drug rehab is a whole new perspective.  It means truly healing the very reasons for the drug abuse at the core.  Isn’t it time to feel deeply whole and well in your own skin?

This article was contributed by Deb Roberts, program administrator at The Exclusive Addiction Treatment Center.

Does advice feed our self-knowledge and ignite our inner fires to heal ourselves?  Well, let’s see. Advice comes from the outside. And while we often get advice from our parents and well-meaning friends–people who often have our best interests at heart–it is based on the assumption that someone else knows us better than we know ourselves. A non 12-step rehab program is different because it’s not about advice.

The truth is it doesn’t matter who the advice comes from as it mostly just pisses us off.  We want control over our own decisions and to follow our own beliefs and values. We crave living our own lives. We think that if someone has to tell us what to do, we must need to be fixed. If we need to be fixed, then we must be no good. Non 12-step rehab doesn’t waste time going down this road because shame feeds addiction.

It’s too painful, too much. I can’t take it.  I’ve got to do something to release the stress. Drugs, alcohol, cutting, eating, not eating, buying?  Whatever gets us through another day and away from all that advice. Why would we want to pursue recovery that is scripted with all the “answers” ready and waiting?  Isn’t that just more of the same?

Non 12-step rehab is customized and focuses on your natural brilliance, even if you can’t yet see it for yourself.  It supports you while you find your answers. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming destructive addictive behaviors and does not assume to know what’s right for you.

So what is non 12-step rehab?

• It’s based on the premise that you are innately brilliant.
• It assumes that you did the best you could with the beliefs and coping skills you had in the past and that now you’re ready to live the life you really want.
• It’s all about supporting that life—the dream of feeling deeply good, balanced and whole.
• It’s based on self-inquiry.  Non 12-step rehab respects you as a unique person with unique struggles and strengths.  Who knows you better than you do when you are ready to know yourself? When you enter non 12-step rehab, you enter a customized program that is focused on processes for recovery and self-discovery that vary from person to person.

Aaron and Elizabeth have been admitted to a program with non 12-step rehab a few days apart.  Each has entered non 12-step rehab with a similar mix of substance abuse, an eating disorder, and excessive buying. They are surprised to discover that non 12-step rehab isn’t a cookie cutter approach. In their non 12-step rehab sessions, Aaron and Elizabeth find themselves being honored and respected in the most meaningful ways they’ve ever experienced.  Their individual non 12-step programs are surprisingly different.  When they compare notes about their treatment team goals they find a breadth of differences because they are different people!  And this empowering non 12-step rehab environment feeds their self respect and enthusiasm for their lives and teaches them to listen to their own individual core values. Non 12-step rehab supports each of them in expressing their joys, pain, fears, triumphs, and goals but it doesn’t do that by following a scripted list of steps.

Non 12-step rehab is about living lives of congruency, integrity and authentic joy. The journey is one of self discovery that goes way beyond sobriety. It’s about living a life of passion and clarity for the rest of our lives.

This article was contributed by The Exclusive Hawaii Addiction Treatment Center, a treatment facility that specializes in non 12-step rehab.

Only fifty percent of drug rehabs offer a dual diagnosis programs. Furthermore, according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Episode Data Set, most of the drug addiction treatment centers that offer comprehensive dual diagnosis programs are privately owned, not state funded and of that number not all comprehensive programs are integrated sufficiently.

Until the last decade or so, dual diagnosis was typically not recognized by treatment professionals. Today, the number of people entering treatment with a mental health disorder continues to grow. In 2002, it was estimated that 40 percent of alcohol abusers also suffered from an independent mood disorder, and 60% of drug abusers suffered from a form of mood disorder. It has been noted that more women suffer from a mental health disorder and substance abuse than men.

A drug rehab that offers comprehensive dual diagnosis programs should have a multidisciplinary team of addiction certified physicians and behavioral health nurses with expert knowledge of mental health disorders. Therapists must be experienced in mental health disorder treatment protocols as well as addiction treatment protocols or best practices.

The ability of a person suffering from both a mental health disorder (such as PTSD, anxiety, or panic disorder for example), and a substance abuse problem to succeed in long term abstinence and recovery will be much more likely if both health issues are properly diagnosed and treated simultaneously.

A comprehensive dual diagnosis program will provide the patient with:
• Regular psychiatric evaluations
• Individualized treatment plan
• Dual diagnosis education
• Medication management education
• Group and Individual counseling (using a variety of therapies)
• Addiction education
• Life skills training
• Exercise and nutritional counseling
• Spiritual workshops or 12 Step meetings
• Individualized after care plan

Without addressing the problems and symptoms of the mental health disorder and without a thorough understanding of drug and alcohol triggers, the person in a drug rehab for dual diagnosis is at greater risk for relapse and a worsening of the mental health disorder symptoms.

There is an endless cycle of addiction. For example, the addict is depressed and longs to be free of those feelings. In desperation, the addict uses drugs or alcohol to alleviate the symptoms. After a short period of time, the alcohol or drugs no longer provide relief and the body has grown accustomed to the drugs and alcohol and demands more, and the symptoms of the depression worsen.

This cycle is repeated until the cycle of addiction is broken, drug use is abandoned, the patient receives a medically supervised detox, proper diagnosis of the mental health disorder is made, stabilizing medication is prescribed if needed, and addiction treatment is obtained.

It is a complex process to accurately diagnose someone who has both a mental health disorder and a substance abuse problem. This is why it is important for the patient to choose a drug treatment center that is able to manage his or her mental health disorder. The first step is always to stop using substances through the aid of a medically supervised detox unit.

This article was contributed by Lakeview Health Systems, a nationally recognized treatment center located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Substance abuse can be caused by different factors. Some people succumb out of curiosity, social acceptance, depression or self-destruction. It also takes many different forms. One can be addicted to Nicotine, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana or many other substances.

Whatever reason, when drug addicts first ventured into the dangerous world of addictive drugs, none had a clear view of the things they were getting themselves into – particularly the agony and despair that takes over their lives. Even if they were trying to destroy themselves, they never realized the pit they’ve entered until they are already trapped and powerless. Before they know it, their life is a mess and drug rehab is severely needed.

It’s sad that many drug users commit crimes such as theft, prostitution or selling drugs in order to support their uncontrollable needs. While intoxicated, some become violent and inflict harm on themselves just to have a closer feel of reality. Even worse, sometimes they harm other s.

Aside from the physical damages substance abuse brings, its effects on the person’s emotional and spiritual well-being is more devastating. Families are torn apart, friendships are shattered and their souls left empty. More heart-breaking is that our society often presents the evils these abusers are committing, but they fail to expose the other side of the story. People don’t want to be around intoxicated people for fear of being harmed. They are left to rot alone in their own misery thus causing them to seek more refuge in drugs to cover up the pain.

Often what society loses sight of is that the addict is a victim as well— a victim of losing control of their actions and the desire to preserve themselves. We can’t always focus on the harm they bring others but need to consider the harm they bring to themselves as well… especially if these are people we love and care for. They need our help.

Will you condemn a cancer patient for being sick? Obviously not. The best course of action is to take him to the hospital and have him treated. Will you blame a dead person for not being able to rise up? The same goes for drug abusers. Why bury them in shame and isolation when there’s still hope to get their lives back? Wouldn’t it be better if that cancer patient gets well and starts again with new strength to enjoy life and make up for lost time with his loved ones? Of course.

Drug addiction should be treated the same way—as a disease. It can be cured if proper medication and attention is given. Fortunately, there are many drug rehab facilities out there dedicated to restore people’s lives.

Time spent in these drug rehab institutions or homes can help them overcome their addiction and come out physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually healed. The approaches taken by treatment centers may differ but they are all headed toward one goal – curing and healing the addict.

If you have a loved one suffering from drug addiction, the best way to show your love and concern is to encourage them to redeem themselves. This can be achieved in several ways and rehabilitation houses are definitely worth considering. Find a place that cares not only for their bodies but for their souls. It’s never too late to make things better. Even in movies, happy endings are usually depicted by scenes of families being reunited, lessons being learned and second chances being given. This, too, can happen in real life.

Learn more about the benefits a trusted drug rehab program can offer.

Alcohol Treatment Centers are Available for You

There are number of alcohol treatment centers available for those in need.  A common treatment option is a detox center.  Here you will be able to detox your body from toxic chemicals and their byproducts.  Detoxification can take months or even years.  Here you will find the support and medical supervision needed during the first few hours and days of abstinence.  Another common treatment option is a sober living home.  These are affordable, alcohol free environments that provide a positive place for peer group recovery.

Seek Alcohol Treatment Centers

There are many things to ask yourself when you are looking for alcohol treatment centers.  Does the program accept your insurance?  Is the facility state-accredited?  Is it clean?  You will most likely be able to find your answers by talking with the facility you are interested in or by talking with your doctor.  Finding the right treatment center involved careful consideration of such things as the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and you or your loved one’s needs.  Remember, this is a personal choice and your treatment must fit your personality.

If you don’t know where to begin your search for an alcohol treatment center, or you have a friend or family member that needs help, let Sober Recovery guide you.  Hundreds of treatment centers are listed here as well as helpful and valuable knowledge about the addiction you our your loved one is facing.

It’s easy to get frustrated when looking for the right alcohol treatment center, but don’t let it discourage you.  Getting the help you need is not only important for you but also for your friends and family.  They are battling the addiction with you.  Don’t give up, help is out there.