Synergy Goup Services; A New Treatment Paridigm

We at Synergy Group Services have had almost 20 years of dealing with the disease of addiction at times as patients, and as family members. Addiction has touched our lives in the "first person". This experience is invaluable when our attention is directed towards helping our clients move forward to their own recovery. Studies show that parents who remember what it is like to be a child have fewer conflicts with their children than those who have no such memory. Placing ourselves into the shoes of those around us makes all of us more understanding; more forgiving; more real.

We now live our lives primarily in the "third person" as therapists, administrators, and physicians. but we never forget what it is like to have been there in the first person. This uniquely qualifies us to care for everyone who has experienced the many faces of addiction. Whether you are a patient or a family member or just a significant other, there are all sorts of obstacles that you must hurdle to achieve recovery. Perhaps one of the most significant obstacles is embarrassment. Embarrassment that leads to cover-up and excuses. embarrassment that hinders recovery because you can't fix what you are not willing to uncover or reveal. We have HEARD all the excuses. We have USED many of the excuses.

Addiction touches more lives than any of us will ever know. The challenge is to get it out in the open so that everyone can heal. Not just the person who is addicted but everyone he or she has ever touched in a meaningful way. We will help you find the answer to the questions "Why do I use?", "Why did they do this to our family?", "How can we find help?" It all stats with honesty and openness. All of us have had our issues. We must relate to each other in the "first person"

Are you embarrassed? Are you afraid? Do you feel alone? Your NOT. Get over it. Get help. Tell me how we can help.

Addiction Treatment; If We Could Only Fix the Parents

"Like father, Like Son." "A chip off the old block." "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Sound familiar? All sayings designed to demonstrate how simple genetics really are. All created to show that in life it is not what your know or who you know, but instead where you came from. Lucky of unlucky. It really is that simple. At the end of the day we can move the dirt around a bit to modify the landscape but there is only so much we can do to change the basic materials we are given.

That being said when it comes to understanding a person with addiction and getting a handle on what tools they possess for change, it is always best to look up one or two branches above them and see what's there. Unfortunately there is often a great deal of pathology. When that is the case you really get an opportunity to see we at times an addicts hands are tied. Sometimes the family pathology is so severe that you have to wonder how anyone survived in this gene pool.

Addicts are often hand cuffed by their genetics and have to work extra hared to overcome the limitations that their parents have unknowingly place upon them. Family therapy can be very enlightening and no decent treatment program should be without some sort of family program. Not only does it serve to help heal the disrupted family dynamics but it gives everyone involved a chance to understand what we are working with and what our limitations might be. The saddest of situations is when you have an addict who is desperate to heal and they are being held back by a family member who never bothered or cared to see and treat their own pathology. I saw that today during family therapy when a girl who has worked so hard to get better will probably only do so if she completely severs her ties with her incredibly disease father.

So addiction is not always the addicts fault. Sometimes it was just in their stars and mother nature is a powerful force.

Double Standards

Several years ago during an episode of the hit show "Ally McBeal", Ally is running through a litany of problems she is having and extolling the severity of each problem. Her colleague looks at her and asks, "What makes you think that your problems are more important than my problems?" Ally looks her colleague straight in the eye and says, "Because they are MY problems!"

This sort of parochial view of our world is what often leads to double standards and having double standards, while being uniquely human, leads to all sorts of problems. Everyone openly admits that insurance fraud is wrong and leads to a global inflation of rates, yet at the same time doesn't everyone ask the local auto repair shop to find a way to "cover my deductible". People think that our country is too litigious until they slip in WalMart.

Double standards exist in the world of addiction as well. We judge people who are ticketed for DUI as evil,careless, and reckless individuals. yet at the same time we have all driven under the influence. We have all at some point in our lives gotten behind the wheel when we should have called a cab. What is the difference between us and those who have a DUI on their record? Luck. Obviously that is not true for someone who just got their third DUI. They are evil, careless, and reckless.

How about how we treat those who are famous when they fall under the spell of addiction or alcohol. Some how this seems to only serve as boost to their celebrity while the rest of us are demonized for our behavior.

Perhaps the simplest solution is simply to "do unto others.... It is perhaps too simplistic and even a bit naive to a assume that one would step back from a situation and say "what if?" before they judge. If they could the world would a different place. More tolerance. More patience. More understanding.

Sounds nice.

Addiction recovery: No Glamor, No Awards

It is Academy Awards night. red carpet, glamor, and awards. Robert Downey, Jr. is nominated for an award tonight. Win or lose he is already a major winner. Last year it was Amy Widenhouse who received all the attention during the Grammy Awards. she was nominated and won a Grammy, but her biggest award is pending.

What Robert Downey, Jr. and Amy Widenhouse have in common is their addiction to drugs. Despite Widenhouse's Grammy, Downey has the biggest award. He is clean.

Hollywood often glamorizes addiction. Stars often get a tremendous amount of attention for their addiction troubles. But for the great majority of addicts there is no glamor and there will be no awards nor any publicity and notoriety.

Addiction recovery is a tedious process in which for most the only award is going to be reward that comes from being clean. A personal and private battle fought not in the press or on "Page 6". A struggle in which while there may be many setbacks there is hope that at the end of the day the disease will not prevail.

Work hard. The glamor and the awards are greater than you can possibly know. There is little in life that could have more meaning and that could yield a greater since of pride than beating your addiction.

Addiction Recovery: Trust Me

Insight and honesty. These are qualities that we have often talked about on these pages. Qualities that are often lacking in the personal armentarium of an addict. More specifically lacking in the fabric of those who have a dual diagnosis at the root of their addiction. Bipolar patients in particular are well known for their inability to guide the course of their lives using honesty and insight as their beacons to foster reasonable behavior and foster quality interpersonal relationships.

In both those who have a co-morbidity or dual diagnosis and those who do not, in addition to the challenges they face in overcoming deficiencies in insight and honesty, all addicts must develop a sense of trust in order to overcome their addiction. for a myriad of reasons addicts and alcoholic have been unable to stop the momentum of their disease and change the path of their lives to enter a world of recovery and sobriety. Even those most highly motivated to change have difficulty succeeding. Therefore in order to change the dynamic and head sown a different path they must develop a sense of trust in those who are qualified to help them.

One of the biggest challenges that addicts face in putting their trust in someone who can make decisions for them that they can stand behind. Learning to rework your decision tree is extremely difficult and so during that process you must, as an addict, put your trust in someone who can make good decisions for you Trust in your family, therapist, and physician will help put your recovery on the right path.

Addiction Therapy: A Personal Story

My gambling addiction began one afternoon last spring in 2008. Having time between appointments, I slipped into a casino to pass the time with less than $20.00 in my wallet.
I made a $ 2.00 bet; hit 4 corners, and won over $10,000.00. I couldn’t imagine how I would spend that extra cash; but soon found that it was gone; mostly back to the casino.

Suffering from economic difficulties due to a slump in the Florida Construction Business, I was determined to return time and again to “fix” our financial problems and to escape the woes of whatever else was bothering me. I figured my luck was “up” and continued to visit the casino expecting to win even more.

I continue through December to chase my losses to pay off old and new debts and to escape the worries that awaited me at home but to no avail…and then some!!

I arrived at Synergy Group Services, Inc, on February 5th of 2009. To my relief they identified my Gambling as “Escape Gambling”, assured me it was treatable and treated my Bipolar disorder with medication and therapy as well. Today I am feeling better than I have in years.

Addiction Services: A Testimonial

To whom it may concern;

Thanks to the staff and facilities of Synergy Group Services, Inc, I am able to get my life back. Their unique style is tailored to each individual needs. I was able to focus on my recovery in a healthy/non-institutional facility.

I believe Synergy’s approach to recovery has set me up with a solid foundation to take on the rest of life’s obstacles.

Thank you Synergy Group Services, Inc,

B.G.

Adicition Rehab: "I hate this place!"

last week while interviewing a client who had recently started her drug addiction program, she was convinced that this program was not for her. She didn't like the therapy. She didn't like the house. She didn't like the dual diagnosis that she received. She was lonely. She missed her parents. She didn't fit in with the other clients. SHE WANTED TO GO HOME!

Today was a whole different story. Everything was the polar opposite. She was a different person with a different story.

Rehab is not easy. Good rehab is uncomfortable. Good therapy makes you uncomfortable. If it doesn't then you are wasting your time and your money. The transition, in particular, is the most difficult time. Think back to those first few days at college, the starting of a new job, or just walking into any social situation where you are a newcomer amongst veterans; it just is not that easy. Now multiply that by a factor of many and this should help you understand how difficult the first few days of therapy can be. but just like you don't quit school or your new job, you cannot give up a treatment program just because the first few days are rough.

Resist the temptation to give in to the whines of your child or loved ones in the first week of their program. Stand firm because if the program is worth its weight and its cost then the dynamic will change and in a short time they will be well on their way to recovery.

Sobriety: Won't or Can't

If you had a child with Down's Syndrome would you insist that they change their IQ from 65 to 95? If you had a parent who was diagnosed with Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type would you ask them to snap out of it? Of course not.

So if you have a child or loved one with addiction can we simply asked them to get it. To get sober as if sobriety is a conscious decision. That one day they will wake up and turn on the switch which leads to sobriety. The simple answer is that many can do this but that many others cannot. It has long been my contention that in many individuals addiction is acquired but that in many others addiction is genetic.

Much like an Alzheimer's patient and a Down's Syndrome patient many patients with addiction are born with a limited ability to prevent or control their disease. In these patients sobriety may not be an option. At least long term sobriety. This doesn't mean that we give up on them entirely but that we approach them in a way in which both we and them have realistic expectations about what sobriety looks like. Given the limitations of such incurable diseases as bipolar disorder, schizo-affective disorder, and certain personality disorders patients can expect to control their disease at times but are severely at risk of multiple relapses.

Recognition of these co-morbid conditions allows us to create a framework by which we can maintain a relationship with our loved one in a way that may have to have some room for their disease, including their addiction. Very few are willing to accept this and fewer are able to accomplish this, but in reality what may give the highest degree of sanity to an insane condition is to have realistic expectations. Under these circumstances not every addict would get the death penalty in they cannot maintain sobriety. Instead, we living in the sober world can welcome them into our world when they are sober and set ground rules for when they are not.

I believe very strongly that one of the reason that addicts have a high suicide rate is because they actually get it. They recognize the above scenario. they know that their underlying disease limits their ability to ever achieve permanent sobriety. That realization then leads to hopelessness and suicide becomes the most viable option to living in addicted world as an outcast forever. Let's not outcast them. Let's look at them with fresh glasses. You would never insist that a Down's Syndrome child will his IQ to be higher. Not all addicts can will themselves to be sober.

Sunday; No Rest for Addiction

Addiction never takes a day off. It is relentless. It just keeps coming. Always moving towards you. It never slows down or takes you out of its sight. No matter what you do it will keep throwing punches and challenges you to either get back up or give in. In that respect it is not unlike many other aspects of life. Life challenges us as well. It is our character that enables to get back up. True character enables you take the hit and get back up. It is not how hard we hit but how hard we can be hit, brush ourselves off, and keep moving ourselves.

So recovery requires strength and character. You have to want to get better. You have to be willing to take the hit. To get back up and keep moving forward. You've got to want it bad. If you do then at least you have a chance. If you don't or if you can't take the hit then perhaps you should stay out of treatment. Going into treatment without the right mind set pollutes a treatment program. It is not fair to the people who are in your program who are willing to take the hit. Recovery is hard enough when you have all the right conditions for you but when there is negativity and drama in the program because someone is disrupting the program then it becomes even harder.

That is why I dislike the concept of halfway houses. You are surrounded by many people who just aren't ready to recover and therefore they jeopardize your recovery. The relapse rate is so high in halfway houses because there are so many who just don't belong there and they are happiest when they can pull someone into relapse with them. Choose your halfway house carefully. Assess the environment closely. Meet the clients and look at the services the program offers. Discuss their drop-out and relapse rate before you unpack your bags. Recovery is hard enough. Don't make it harder.

Why do we care more than addicts?

It seems to be almost universally true. Parents, friends, therapists, and even administrators seem to care more about what happens to an addict or alcoholic than the person with the disease cares. Why is that? I think it is the nature of the disease.

If addicts had intact abilities to think clearly and rationally; to have appropriate insight; and to have good life skills, then for the most part they probably wouldn't be sick. Unfortunately that is not the case. some would say that addicts make a conscious decision to be an addict and therefore they can make a conscious decision to stop being an addict. I am sure that they would if it were that simple. But it just isn't that simple. The analogy would be telling a diabetic to stop being a diabetic. Tell them to lose weight and eat right and their life will be fine. A few can do it, but most cannot. It is the same way with addiction. Some can just do it. for some it was a conscious decision to start and it can be a conscious decision to stop. But for the overwhelming majority it is their disease; not of addiction, but their psychiatric disease, that makes them an addict and prevents their recovery.

So now we are left with an addict who can't make a rational decision even when their life counts on it. So we try as family members and therapists to help them with the decision to get clean. We try to show them that we care enough about them they we won't let them throw their lives away. But quite frankly until we are able to clean up the underlying pathology they will never follow the path to recovery. Care all you want, but until an addict has the tools in place to care as much as you do you are wasting your time, your breath, and your money. Parents spend thousand of dollars on kids who don't want to get better. they are not ready because they don't have the right tools.

For that reason all addicts must go the programs that understand the true pathology of the disease of addiction. A program founded strongly in dual diagnosis. It is only dual diagnosis programs that have a success rate in treating addiction that is even remotely respectable.

You must never stop caring, but you must care appropriately. Care enough to put your loved one in a program that will give them the opportunity to care as well.

Power: Who needs it?

Which is better? Powerless to your addiction or full of power to move forward and through it to a world of recovery? Out of control and letting your addiction take your wherever it wants to or in control of your life and choosing a path that takes you toward a world of independence? Independence from your addiction. Independent enough to say that " I want my life back". To say "I have left that person controlled by drugs behind and now I will enter the world the way people free from addiction know it".

Traditional 12 step programs ask us from the very beginning to admit that we have no power. That we are out of control. that the disease is a stringer entity than we are. Is that true. Is a person who decides to take his or her life back from an addiction really weak. Or do they possess the strongest of all powers.

At some point in the recovery process a conscious decision must be made that an addict will take his life back. That you will leave your addiction behind and never revisit those demons again. a decision must be made that life will be lived in the mainstream. A job will be held. A rent will be paid. A bank account will be opened and a family will be spared. Spared the emotional and financial turmoil which has been brought into their lives without invitation by the decisions of an addict.

When your ready to get clean it will be time to take your life back. Take control. Embrace the power of recovery and walk through the door that allows you to enter the real world.

Spirituality; who needs it?

We all do! Even if you are an atheist. But what does it mean? How does spirituality play any role in my rehabilitation? If there really is a "God" why did he let this happen to me? Where was He when I was alone and drunk or using and out of control?

The questions are easy. The answers are harder. Spirituality is not about God. It is about inner peace. It is about achieve a thought process which is healthy rather than destructive. If a belief in God allows you to achieve that peace then so be it. But a belief in God is not a prerequisite to being spiritual. Nor does a belief in any higher power. My apologies to those who are staunch 12 step supporters. For many you need go no higher than your own cognitive thoughts; to your own prefrontal cortex. Spirituality means taking responsibility for your thoughts and your actions and holding your self responsible for your own behavior to the degree that you are willing to set a course for your life which honorable and respectable. One in which you can be proud of your thinking and your actions--even if no one is around to see them. It is character which best benefits form spirituality because when there is peace then all good things flow from there. Remember that character is defined by own actions when no one is watching. If you can proud of those actions then your character is intact.

In reality a belief in God can have both a negative and positive impact on spirituality and character. An extremist member of Jihad would tell you that it is his belief in God that justifies his behavior. Yet most of us would say that only a revengeful god would condone that sort of behavior and there is no room for a revengeful god in the life of someone who is truly spiritual. Spirituality equates in my mind with peace. If your god gives you that peace then He will be an important and helpful participant in your spirituality. If not then you need to check that god at the door and take a fresher look at what will help you change your dynamics.

Religious or not spirituality plays a large role in assisting you on your path to sobriety. Peaceful thought leads to peaceful behavior. Spirituality is contradictory to addiction. Make spirituality an important part of you rehabilitation program.

Alcoholism: A Personal Story

I have been put through a lot by this disease of addiction. It has eaten away at my body, my relationships and my finances. Now in my 10th day of treatment I am regaining hope for the future and learning to take care of my self. I wish I had arrived at this point earlier, but am grateful to have the opportunity, none the less to strive to reach my goals, start my life over, and live a life of recovery.

I know that what I have ahead of me is not going to be “easy” that’s why I am finally giving up my old ways of thinking and listening to my counselors and advisors for help and input. Addiction is not a way to live; rather a way to die; I am thankful to be alive and pray for those who don’t have the opportunity to get to a place of surrender and blessings of rehabilitation. I get the chance to change everything and live how I’ve always wanted to “live”.

My Life Story

I never thought I was an alcoholic. I thought I was a hard working physician, caring mother and loving wife. My story begins in my pursuit of my medical degree as a teenager. I did very well in high school excelling in all sports, clubs and academics. I began drinking at the legal age of eighteen. I then went to college where I found life and academics more challenging and less rewarding. I hid my inadequacies academically and socially by binge drinking and binge eating which eventually lead to bulimia. These were tough years. I made it through, eventually was accepted into medical school, residency and had a family. My drinking toned down and became more social. Life then, seemed to become more manageable. I even excelled again in my training and was elected chief medical resident. My life quickly changed again when I chose to join a practice out of state with four male physicians. It was a successful practice but I had constraints and felt inferior, inadequate once again. My drinking increased from social to more self-satisfying to alleviate the initial stresses of this new life style. The demands quickly rose, with increased patient load, hospital consults and less personal time. It became a vicious chaotic cycle. My home became my bar room. I began to drink in hiding, drink more often and in increasing amounts to cope with this.

Eventually my husband, then my best friend voiced concern and finally my family confronted me about my drinking. I was in denial. I refused to admit there was a problem even though I had tried to stop numerous times on my own. I had suffered too many consequences along the way. I failed friends, family, my practice and fooled myself all along. I disconnected with my family and the world in general. I had worsening self esteem and became more withdrawn. This spiraling came to a screeching halt one Christmas’ eve when I was arrested with a DUI. I put the precious life of my daughter and countless others on the line. Thank goodness no physical damage occurred; only emotional scars to heal.

I entered rehabilitation reluctantly yet scared. I was hardened by the years of numbing with alcohol. I had to learn that life is full of emotions and it is good to feel. I write this story while still in rehabilitation and in these few short weeks I do know that my life is different. I have a life free from the pain and degradation of drinking and denial. I want to keep this life of peace, serenity and tranquility that I have found. I want to take these principles and learn how to be a good mother, wife, and doctor but must remain honest with myself and remain sober.

Holistic Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

In recent years there has been a lot of discussion as well as more alcohol and chemical dependency treatment centers embracing the concept of Holistic Treatment. What is the basic treatment concept of a Holistic Treatment program? On first blush Holistic Treatment to some might sound like a far out super spiritual concept of alcohol and chemical dependency treatment. Nothing could be further from the truth. The basic concept of a Holistic Treatment Program is to treat Body, Mind and Spirit. The disease of addiction has a multi faceted affect on the individual. It negatively affects body, mind and spirit. Therefore, to treat the entire disease of addiction all three components of the disease must be addressed appropriately.

When evaluating treatment outcomes as accurately as we can, it is obvious that the treatment failure rate is much too high and definitely unacceptable. The basic core of many alcohol and chemical dependency treatment programs is Twelve Step. Everyone who is either operating an addiction treatment program or has been positively impacted by Twelve Step knows and understands the value of Twelve Step. But, the key question to be asked is should we be satisfied with positive treatment outcomes as low as 5-15% 90 days after clients are discharged from treatment? I for one, feel that these type of clinical treatment outcomes are just not acceptable. This prompts me to ask the obvious question, what can we do to better improve our success rates in treating alcohol and chemically dependent clients?

One solution to address the low success rates of treatment is to research alternative or agentive treatments. When I researched alternative treatment options I embraced the concept of a well planned and implemented Holistic Treatment design. In my opinion the program design incorporates the key elements of Twelve Step as well as blending the key elements of a Holistic Treatment design. There are numerous legitimate elements of Holistic Treatment such as acupuncture, physical fitness protocols, massage therapy just to mention a few. These elements are well accepted as proven elements that can add to the potential for success.

The disease of addiction is insidious, manipulating and a challenge to treat. Therefore the treatment of this disease must be creative and utilize all the tools available to achieve success in treating alcohol and chemical dependency. If you where a client afflicted with an addiction what type of treatment program would you embrace?

Addiction Services: From a Family that Knows

We at Synergy Group Services have had almost 20 years of dealing with the disease of addiction at times as patients, and as family members. Addiction has touched our lives in the "first person". This experience is invaluable when our attention is directed towards helping our clients move forward to their own recovery. Studies show that parents who remember what it is like to be a child have fewer conflicts with their children than those who have no such memory. Placing ourselves into the shoes of those around us makes all of us more understanding; more forgiving; more real.

We now live our lives primarily in the "third person" as therapists, administrators, and physicians. but we never forget what it is like to have been there in the first person. This uniquely qualifies us to care for everyone who has experienced the many faces of addiction. Whether you are a patient or a family member or just a significant other, there are all sorts of obstacles that you must hurdle to achieve recovery. Perhaps one of the most significant obstacles is embarrassment. Embarrassment that leads to cover-up and excuses. embarrassment that hinders recovery because you can't fix what you are not willing to uncover or reveal. We have HEARD all the excuses. We have USED many of the excuses.

Addiction touches more lives than any of us will ever know. The challenge is to get it out in the open so that everyone can heal. Not just the person who is addicted but everyone he or she has ever touched in a meaningful way. We will help you find the answer to the questions "Why do I use?", "Why did they do this to our family?", "How can we find help?" It all stats with honesty and openness. All of us have had our issues. We must relate to each other in the "first person"

Are you embarrassed? Are you afraid? Do you feel alone? Your NOT. Get over it. Get help. Tell me how we can help.

Bipolar Disorder; The Genes Don't Fall Far from the Tree

For those who have followed this blog you know that the fundamental question that every addict or alcoholic must answer is "why". Why do I use? Why am I in this position in my life and how do I get back on track? Why can't I stop? Why do I keep subjecting myself and my loved ones to this drama and trauma?

The answer for many is Bipolar Disorder. And while Bipolar disorder may be the buzz word of the new millennium leading to an over diagnosis in some circles; it is clearly under diagnosed in the substance abuse population. Which leads to another "why". Why am I Bipolar?

For most the answer lies in their family tree. Today I saw a client with an addiction who presented to her first day of treatment significantly depressed. she had never before sough out treatment but her family knew she needed help and she finally agreed. On the surface it seemed as though she just suffered from a straight forward Major Depressive Episode. And who could blame her--given what her addiction a=had done to her life and the lives of her family along with the stressor of a bad marriage. But underneath the surface there was more to the story. Her Father was an alcoholic. She had 2 Brothers and a Sister who were alcoholics. Another Sister who suffered from Major Depressive Disorder for many years. And while never seeking treatment herself she had suffered with mood swings for many years.

When her psychological testing was complete the proof was in black and white. but long before she answered the first question on the questionnaire it was blatantly obvious that only one diagnosis would be made: Bipolar Disorder. Her Father has pasted away and her 2 brothers and 2 sisters don't know yet, but they are Bipolar as well. The familial concordance of Bipolar disorder is astronomical and there is little chance of avoiding it. Knowing that allows us to reach out to family members sooner and be more vigilant of their own symptoms of mood before their lives are turned upside down.

Addiction, is Addiction, is Addiction.

It is not the "what", it is the "why". Pick your poison--Alcohol, opiates, cocaine, Meth, inhalants, gambling, or sex. It doesn't matter. It is the "why" that matters. Understanding the triggers to your addiction and understanding the dual diagnosis driving toward your addiction that is what really matters. the agent that you are addicted to is meaningless.

You can go to AA or NA or GA and the process is the same. the key to any addiction recovery program is to help the addict understand the "why". The groups listed above only allow you to feel comfortable in a group that shares your "drug" of choice but they don't offer unique insights to unique characteristics shared by alcoholics or drug addicts or gambling addicts. It is the process of recovery that matters rather than where you started. And it is therefore the end result that matters--recovery and sobriety. Sobriety is not unique to drug addicts or alcoholics. Sobriety can apply to sex addicts and gambling addicts. sobriety means getting away from your addiction of choice and getting clean.

In reality it may be best to blend people with different "drugs" of choice is a common program. It has been my opinion in the past that the best treatment programs mirror real life and don't isolate addicts in an unreal world. It may better help every addict in their recovery process to see addiction from various angles and points of view. When looking for a treatment program don't isolate yourself with people with like addictions. It is not the addiction that matters, in terms of the drug or agent, it is the disease that matters and what it is going to take to recover. Every addict faces the same hurdles and obstacles. Look at the quality of the program and it's therapists, that's what really matters.

Anxiety; It's One of the Biggest Obstacles

It is anxiety that most often gets in the way of recovery. Anxiety is one of the biggest obstacles that every addict faces before, during, and after treatment. It anxiety is not dealt with head on and thoroughly the recovery will not be possible.

Prior to entering treatment every addict experiences anxiety about coming clean. Clean with regards to being honest about their drug use and clean with regards to becoming drug free. The process of withdrawal or detox can be extremely anxiety producing and anxiety as those withdrawal symptoms kick in will drive an addict to take their next drug rather than having the ability to "tough it out". Clearly the anxiety about confronting your demons and agreeing to enter treatment is another obstacle.

Once in treatment there is the anxiety associated with treatment itself. The discomfort one feels by entering a program with strangers, not know what to expect during the treatment program and working with the therapists themselves. Good therapy makes everyone uncomfortable and that is perhaps more true for an an addict. You must have a desire to get uncomfortable in order for treatment to have any chance and truthfully many addicts just don't have the insight to do it. If they can conquer their fears and their anxiety enough to allow themselves to get honest then they have a better chance.

Lastly, there is the anxiety associated with discharge. staying clean and sober during treatment is the easy part. It is after discharge when the work really begins and the going gets tough. Moving back into the real world where your triggers live is when you will really know if recovery is a possibility. Imagine the stress. Imagine the anxiety.

Choosing a program that understands the importance of dual diagnosis and treatment of anxiety with both counseling and medication if necessary will make all of this an easier process and increase your chances for recovery.

Honesty: To Be or Not To Be

Last week while evaluating an alcoholic as to whether or not she should continue PHP(Partial Hospitalization) treatment or move on to IOP(Intensive Outpatient)treatment my decision was based on one simple element; honesty. My feeling was that if the patient could not be honest about her alcohol and drug use 3 weeks into her treatment then she was not ready to graduate to less intensive therapy. If an addict cannot be honest with themselves first and then their therapist and their family (not necessarily in that order)then they cannot move effectively from abuse to recovery. Honesty is perhaps the most important element to effective treatment and at the same times perhaps the biggest obstacle.

Addicts have spent the entirety of their substance abusing lives being dishonest to anyone who will listen. the only truth they know is that they can never tell the truth. they spend all their time hiding their illness from everyone they know and love. Not necessarily because they don't want to get better but because it spares them from conflict and pain.

Perhaps the biggest challenge that addicts face when it comes to honesty is their employer. Families and friends are easy. They are more forgiving and more loving and more nurturing. Employers, however, are rarely any of those things. you can't entirely blame them. They have a business to protect. But when we preach so strongly that every addict must be honest at all times the question presents itself that how much honesty is an employer entitled to and how much t=can they handle. Employers will often associate substance abuse with a character flaw and make personal judgments about the employee's character that are often unfair and unfounded. Every addict deserves at least one chance to go into treatment and get it right without the fear of losing their job. Employers need to be educated about substance abuse and dual diagnosis so that they can be supportive in an addicts efforts to get clean and sober. That is rarely the case and it needs to change.

Get Clean, Get Arrested, or Get Dead

It sounds harsh. It sounds a bit cold. It sounds a bit matter of fact. But it is rally very simple. And it could not be more true. No matter what your addiction, drugs or alcohol, you really only have three choices. Families usually don't see it that way and in many respects it is the most clear and concise way to frame it. Families are often frustrated and tired with the whole process. The drug use and the battle toward recovery is one that can at times be more difficult for the family than it is for the addict. In the midst of that they often want to believe that perhaps there is another path that the addict can take. Emotionally and financially spent families may be forced to abandon the addict. It is understandable at times, but before you make that choice just remember that these are the only 3 paths that an addict can take. If you are prepared to accept that then you will be better prepared to make a decision.

As hard as it is for the family to come to grip with the three paths, it is even harder for the addict. Moat of them feel as though they can live a "normal" life with their drug or alcohol use for a very long time. Eventually however many of them get it. They know that they must get clean. and they know what will happen if they don't. The smart ones get it sooner and they also know that they can not do it alone. they hope that their family has not given up on them at this point.

When your ready, as either a family or an addict, to get serious about getting clean, it is at this time that you must find a treatment program who understand both the addict and the family. They must also understand the urgency to get clean and sober and to address all the issues which have lead to addiction including dual diagnosis and family dynamics. Synergy Group Services is that program.