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If you suffer from drug addiction, alcohol addiction, dual diagnosis or even an eating disorder, then you have probably thought of entering a drug rehab program at a drug addiction treatment center. Even if you have not given it some serious consideration, the odds are good that a loved one has. There are many such addiction treatment programs available, some are well publicized drug rehabs, while other addiction treatment programs seem like they are located in residential neighborhoods. The common thread for all of these drug addiction treatment programs is that each drug addiction treatment center provides the individual with an opportunity to achieve long term recovery from drugs, alcohol, their eating disorder or dual diagnosis. What is this drug addiction treatment success based on? While there may not be an actual secret to addiction treatment success, a successful drug addiction treatment center simply helps the person suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism to break through their denial, become honest and work towards wanting recovery as much as they desired drugs or alcohol. Drug addiction treatment, whether for alcoholism, dual diagnosis or an eating disorder is a process, not an event, and takes time.

Differences in Drug Addiction Treatment While each drug addiction treatment center varies in approach and the addiction treatment philosophy it chooses, some are focused heavily on a spiritual approach, while others only touch spiritually on the periphery and concentrate much more on psychological counseling. Each addiction treatment program seeks to replace the previously self destructive thoughts and behaviors with that of healthier ones.

Jonathan Huttner is a principal with lakeview Health Systems which specializes in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual diagnosis. Lakeview also operates a gay friendly drug rehab and addiction treatment program called Freedom Rings.

You have reached the point that you have determined that you need some sort of alcoholism addiction treatment. However, although you may have seen a great deal about alcoholism on television and in the movies, you may not really know what your options are when it comes to alcoholism addiction treatment in your own life. There really are a number different approaches to alcoholism addiction treatment. Nonetheless, most of the approaches to alcoholism addiction treatment are based two primary types of alcoholism addiction treatment that have become accepted by treatment professionals the world over.

* There is the 12-step alcoholism addiction treatment regimen.

* There is what commonly now is known as the rational recovery alcoholism addiction treatment program.

12-Step Alcoholism Addiction Treatment Options Overview:

The 12-step approach to alcoholism addiction treatment has gained favor around the world over the course of the past few generations. The fundamental underpinning of this approach to alcoholism addiction treatment is that as individual is powerless over alcoholism, that alcoholism is a disease.

The disease of alcoholism can be managed by undertaking the 12-step process of Alcoholics Anonymous that is incorporated into inpatient and outpatient alcoholism addiction treatment programs alike in this day and age.

Rational Recovery Alcoholism Addiction Treatment Options:

Over the course of the last decade and a half, what many consider a new school of alcoholism addiction treatment has started to gain wider acceptance in some sectors. This treatment plan commonly is called “Rational Recovery.”

In Rational Recovery, the concept that a person is powerless of alcoholism is rejected. The idea that alcoholism is a disease over which a person has no control is also called into question. Through the general philosophy of Rational Recovery, a person who “has alcoholism” is thought to be able to overcome his or her alcoholism be retraining the way he or she thinks. By invoking rational thought to his or her alcohol use and abuse the individual is said to be able to bring an end to his or her alcohol abuse and is then able to restore a sense of order to his or her life.

Is it a myth or reality, fact or fiction? The “pink cloud” is an experience common to almost everyone that seeks recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism. Early stage recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism is a period of time that is comprised of a great many challenges and feelings which are difficult to manage. The individual recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism may still be experiencing cravings, symptoms associated with withdrawal or feelings for the first time in sobriety. Each day is a series of “ups and downs, highs and lows, usually accompanied by depression, frustration, hopelessness, anger, resentment which the addict or alcoholic is accustomed to coping with through the use of drugs, alcohol or unhealthy behavioral choices. What is the “pink cloud”?

Then comes a day, followed by a series of days or weeks, where the addict or alcoholic experiences acceptance. He or she is excited at the prospect of what recovery from addiction and alcoholism has to offer and feel as if they have grasped what it takes to maintain quality recovery. All the work they have done in their addiction treatment center and self help group has paid off and they experience a reprieve from all the difficulties that have crossed their path. This reprieve, which is actually a feeling, lasts but for a period of time and as with any feeling, comes and goes. As this feeling of excitement and acceptance passes, the risk for relapse is great as the addict or alcoholic begin to doubt the quality of their recovery. They become scared and thoughts of their drug addiction or alcoholism reappear. Addicts and alcoholics will experience this “pink cloud” phenomenon many times in recovery. As their ability to cope with feelings and situations increase and they become more committed to their relapse prevention program, the less likely relapse is to occur.

Home improvement doesn’t just mean improving your house. The analogy relates directly to your own life in recovery. When you are in recovery from addiction, you are making improvements to your mind, body and spirit. If you don’t tune your mind, body and spirit on a daily basis you may jeapordize your recovery journey. Let’s examine this analogy together.

One of the things that a recovering addict may overlook in the course of their recover are small details like methodologies to manage cravings, control triggers and in building a support system. Obviously, if you overlook these details you may relapse. Think about how you might relate this to our analogy.

For example, if you wanted to paint a room in your house and you forgot the paint, the room wouldn’t look new again, right? No, it wouldn’t. So don’t forget what addiction recovery means. When you get educated about recovery from addiction, it isn’t just words and instructions in your head. Recovery from addiction is an art form that you must execute on a daily basis. It’s no different from applying paint on the walls of your house to make it look new again.

Remember, you CAN and WILL recover if you train yourself in applying the techniques of recovery on a daily basis. It’s all about application and not just observation. If you are dedicated to getting into recovery, you must walk the walk and not just talk the talk. There’s always something you can do to improve your recovery process. What can you do right now? Stop reading and start doing.

There are many similarities between drug addiction, alcoholism and a mental health disorder. While the combination of a drug addiction or alcohol addiction and a mental health disorder is called a dual diagnosis, they should all be treated simultaneously in a drug rehab, alcohol rehab or dual diagnosis treatment program.

Below are the listed similarities:

1. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physiological diseases with strong genetic and hereditary components.

2. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physical/mental/spiritual diseases.

3. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders if left untreated are progressive, chronic, incurable, and potentially fatal.

4. Denial of the disease of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders and noncompliance with attempts at addiction treatment, drug rehab or dual diagnosis treatment are symptoms of the disorder.

5. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders manifest loss of control in behavior, thought, and emotions.

6. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders effect the whole family.

7. Growing powerlessness and unmanageability over drug addiction, alcoholism or mental illness’s lead to feelings of guilt, shame, depression, and despair.

8. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are diseases of vulnerability and isolation.

9. Both the primary symptoms of each disease AND loss of control in behavior/thought/emotion are reversible with addiction treatment or dual diagnosis treatment.

10. Recovery consists of: Stabilization of the acute disease Rehabilitation of body, mind, and spirit

11. The risk of relapse in either disease is always high, and relapse in drug addiction or alcoholism will inevitably trigger a relapse in the mental health disorder. 12. The only hope for life-long recovery lies in working our Recovery Program(s): ONE DAY AT A TIME

If you suffer from drug addiction, alcohol addiction, dual diagnosis or even an eating disorder, then you have probably thought of entering a drug rehab program at a drug addiction treatment center. Even if you have not given it some serious consideration, the odds are good that a loved one has. There are many such addiction treatment programs available, some are well publicized drug rehabs, while other addiction treatment programs seem like they are located in residential neighborhoods. The common thread for all of these drug addiction treatment programs is that each drug addiction treatment center provides the individual with an opportunity to achieve long term recovery from drugs, alcohol, their eating disorder or dual diagnosis. What is this drug addiction treatment success based on? While there may not be an actual secret to addiction treatment success, a successful drug addiction treatment center simply helps the person suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism to break through their denial, become honest and work towards wanting recovery as much as they desired drugs or alcohol. Drug addiction treatment, whether for alcoholism, dual diagnosis or an eating disorder is a process, not an event, and takes time.

Differences in Drug Addiction Treatment While each drug addiction treatment center varies in approach and the addiction treatment philosophy it chooses, some are focused heavily on a spiritual approach, while others only touch spiritually on the periphery and concentrate much more on psychological counseling. Each addiction treatment program seeks to replace the previously self destructive thoughts and behaviors with that of healthier ones.

Jonathan Huttner is a principal with lakeview Health Systems which specializes in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual diagnosis. Lakeview also operates a gay friendly drug rehab and addiction treatment program called Freedom Rings.

You have reached the point that you have determined that you need some sort of alcoholism addiction treatment. However, although you may have seen a great deal about alcoholism on television and in the movies, you may not really know what your options are when it comes to alcoholism addiction treatment in your own life. There really are a number different approaches to alcoholism addiction treatment. Nonetheless, most of the approaches to alcoholism addiction treatment are based two primary types of alcoholism addiction treatment that have become accepted by treatment professionals the world over.

* There is the 12-step alcoholism addiction treatment regimen.
* There is what commonly now is known as the rational recovery alcoholism addiction treatment program.

12-Step Alcoholism Addiction Treatment Options Overview:

The 12-step approach to alcoholism addiction treatment has gained favor around the world over the course of the past few generations. The fundamental underpinning of this approach to alcoholism addiction treatment is that as individual is powerless over alcoholism, that alcoholism is a disease.

The disease of alcoholism can be managed by undertaking the 12-step process of Alcoholics Anonymous that is incorporated into inpatient and outpatient alcoholism addiction treatment programs alike in this day and age.

Rational Recovery Alcoholism Addiction Treatment Options:

Over the course of the last decade and a half, what many consider a new school of alcoholism addiction treatment has started to gain wider acceptance in some sectors. This treatment plan commonly is called “Rational Recovery.”

In Rational Recovery, the concept that a person is powerless of alcoholism is rejected. The idea that alcoholism is a disease over which a person has no control is also called into question. Through the general philosophy of Rational Recovery, a person who “has alcoholism” is thought to be able to overcome his or her alcoholism be retraining the way he or she thinks. By invoking rational thought to his or her alcohol use and abuse the individual is said to be able to bring an end to his or her alcohol abuse and is then able to restore a sense of order to his or her life.

Addiction affects the lives, families, and communities of approximately one in five Americans. More than 50 million people in the U.S. are addicted to sex, alcohol, drugs, an eating disorder, or gambling. It is estimated that every household has contact with at least one person with an addiction.International Bible Society (IBS) offers help to addicts. Unlike anything previously published, IBS offers the voices and faces of actual recovering addicts. The Journey of Recovery New Testament and The Journey of Recovery DVD, endorsed by the American Association of Christian Counselors, will provide real hope to addicts and their families taking a first or next step in their own recovery journey.

Unique to the recovery community, IBS provides photos and footage of real recovering addicts telling their own real stories. According to experts in the field, the DVD is an absolute first, and there is nothing quite like the New Testament book IBS will release this week. The launch of IBS’ new recovery program presents both book and DVD to include the time-tested 12-step program, self-tests, references to specific resources, and tips to find a recovery group or treatment center. According to Ruth Graham, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, “The Journey of Recovery New Testament can be a light along that path for those who struggle with all kinds of addictions.”

“This is my life,” confides the Director of Recovery Ministries at IBS, Mike Richards, Jr., drawing from personal experience. “Addiction thrives in isolation and secrecy. The painful feelings of guilt, shame, fear, etc. — often from childhood trauma — we medicate through addiction. Yet we still feel profoundly alone. Most often addicts have to get to a place of utter desperation before they will consider healthy options and reach out for help.”

It was a hot, humid July evening and I knew that the room wouldn’t be air conditioned. I also knew that the atmosphere would be stuffy and repressive. It had been more than a decade since I’d been to an Al-Anon meeting but, strangely drawn to return, I walked in and was banded an information packet for newcomers. Then, as the group members went through the ritual of their readings, I went through the printed materials. And there it was: the very same pamphlet I’d found so offensive my first visit. I’d come back for one last look to see if anything had changed, but it was just as I’d remembered. The message was clear end essentially as before. The same, it turns out, can be said of the larger twelve-step movement and the addictions field in general: the message has developed riffle in the last six decades.

William Griffith Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, was born November 26, 1895, in East Dorset, Vermont. When he was nine, his parents divorced, apparently because of his father’s drinking, and he was left in the care of his grandparents. In 1918, Wilson married Lois Burnham and began a career as a stockbroker; he also continued his father’s career of drinking.

Later, after years of alcohol abuse and its associated miseries, Wilson began admitting himself to the Charles B. Towns Hospital in Manhattan. On December 11, 1934, he admitted himself for the fourth time and was treated by a neurologist named William Duncan Silkworth. Dr. Silkworth sedated Wilson and began administering treatment with belladonna. What happened next can best be described in Wilson’s own words from his book Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age:

My depression deepened unbearably and finally it

seemed to me as though I were at the very bottom of

the pit. I still gagged badly on the notion of a Power

greater than myself, but finally, just for the moment, the

last vestige of my proud obstinacy was crushed. All at

once I found myself crying out, “If there is a God, let

Him show Himself! I am ready to do anything, anything”

Suddenly the room lit up with a great white light.

I was caught up into an ecstasy which there are no words

to describe. It seemed to me, in a mind’s eye, that I was

on a mountain and that a wind not of air but of spirit

was blowing.

Kathy M. Melvin has to go through another woman’s basement room to get to hers, which is slightly larger than a closet. A television blares from behind one wall, and women’s laughter can be heard beyond the opposite one, over the rain outside. Melvin sits up straight on her tall single bed, under her laundry hanging from pipes overhead and across from a dresser crowded with bottles of lotion. “They’re donated,” she explains. “That’s one of our many blessings.”

Once, 15 years ago, Melvin was regarded as a model ex-offender who had kicked her addiction. She had a steady job teaching inmates to go straight, and a state-funded nonprofit paid her to track individual ex-offenders. Still, in November, Melvin moved here–Leslie’s Place, a West Side shelter for female ex-offenders.

Melvin speaks slowly, her arms crossed over a purple sweat suit and a long gold necklace with the letter “K” on the end. “What do you want to know?” she asks politely. “I guess I can give you an overview. I come from a big family of seven children. My father was Irish Catholic and alcoholic. He beat my mom nightly.”

That was in northwest suburban Mount Prospect. Melvin’s mother divorced him, and she and her children lived in a car until she married another alcoholic. The family moved to Des Plaines, just outside Chicago, when Melvin was 12. She was a good student until high school, when she dropped out and started doing heroin. A year later, at 19, she had a son, then left him with her mother and moved with her boyfriend to Chicago.

A year later, Melvin was arrested for selling drugs. She did 10 months in prison, eight months in a drug treatment facility and six months in a halfway house.

For 10 years after that, Melvin was clean. She had earned her GED in jail, and the warden got her a job at the Illinois Department of Corrections once she was released. Melvin traveled to prisons across the state, telling inmates the story of her own recovery. Many of them “put her on a pedestal,” she said, and took Melvin as a role model.

Melvin also worked at Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, known as TASC, where the courts send addicts for drug treatment instead of jail time. She talked to TASC clients and surveyed them periodically to measure their success after they left the program.