Powerlessness and Strength

The first step in addiction recovery is to admit powerlessness. The word itself carries a huge amount of negative connotation, making the first step sometimes insurmountable to many alcoholics and addicts. After all who amongst us wants to acknowledge to ourselves, not to mention to others, that we lack power, that we don't possess the power to stop (using or drinking or gambling or eating or whatever the addictive behavior may be).

The paradox is this--By admitting powerlessness, we gain strength.

By making this simple admission, "I am powerless" we can acknowledge that we need help.

And by starting with that simple statement we can begin to seek those who can help us.

Meaning we are no longer alone with our addiction.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, reach out for help. A few simple words can get you the strength you need to begin the road to recovery.

Meaning that others can share in providing a solution.

Meaning that we can begin to surround ourselves with people who know what we are going through, and who can help us.

So powerlessness doesn't mean weakness. Powerlessness leads to community. It leads to solution. It leads to the strength.

How can I Stop Drinking?

The reason that you are asking the question, most likely, is because you have not been able to stop drinking alcohol by yourself. But therein the question, lies the answer. You can't stop drinking. You are trying to control your drinking. Trying to cut back. Limit the number of days that you drink, or maybe the time: "I won't drink before 8pm or after 11pm". "I won't drink on Mondays through Thursdays.

These are all the "control" types of questions that most people with an alcohol addiction go through on their way to finally realizing that they can't stop drinking. Once you stop asking, "how can I stop drinking?" and realize "I can't stop drinking on my own", then you are ready for help. Many times, a person will go into an alcohol rehab as one step in which they are reaching out for help.

To stop drinking alcohol when you are an alcoholic requires more than the cessation of putting a glass or bottle of alcohol to your lips. It is a much, much more than that. It requires a transformative change of your person. Your way of thinking, the lens through which you view the world and yourself, your interactions with people, your leisure activities, all must be revamped. In this case, change is not a negative thing. It ends up being extraordinarily positive and allows you to really start living again. That's a big difference from just not taking a drink anymore!

The best alcohol rehabs can get you started on the path of starting your life anew. They do this by helping you positively transform yourself, both on the inside and on the outside. Find a top alcohol rehab program now to begin your transformation.

The H.O.W to in Alcohol Rehab

Many alcoholics may wonder "how" they can succeed in alcohol rehab. Many alcoholics may wonder "how" they can even consider alcohol rehab. The disease of alcoholism is always lurking on the shoulder of the alcoholic. Wanting the alcoholic to give in to doubts, to give in to fear, so that the disease may once again manifest itself through the alcoholic.

There is a H.O.W to succeed in alcohol or drug rehab. Honesty...Open-Mindedness...and Willingness. With these adopted attitudes, the alcoholic increases their chance of success in rehab, not to mention, success in sustained recovery.

If you or a loved one is suffering from the disease of alcoholism, please call our 24hour HelpLine @ 866-478-9898.

The Benefits of an Exclusive Drug Rehab

There are numerous drug rehab centers out there. However not too many compare to Paradise Recovery. Offering the drug addict or alcoholic a private, serene atmosphere, we are only an eight bed treatment program. Being in an exclusive drug rehab, the alcoholic or drug addict need not worry about being mixed up in the crowd. We offer personalized, individual and group therapy, along with Acupuncture, Qi Gong, Personal Fitness Training, Yoga, Therapeutic Massage. Your meals are prepared fresh daily by our Executive Chef.

When privacy and individualized therapy are important factors to you or a loved ones recovery, we are it! Paradise Recovery. Please call our 24 hour help line at
1-866-478-9898.

The Best Alcohol Rehab Experience

The alcoholic who has chosen to go through alcohol rehab has a choice. They can choose to be resistant, closing themselves off to a valuable life experience and most likely relapse OR the alcoholic can choose to surrender and take part in one of the most enriching life experiences. To the alcoholic, the word "surrender" may be translated as being "weak" or "cowardly", when in actuality, the word "surrender" simply can be translated as moving to the "winning" side.

To truly have the best alcohol rehab experience the alcoholic has to be ready and willing to change.

If you or a loved one wants to experience the best alcohol rehab, please call us, we are Paradise Recovery and we are here to help! Please call our 24 hour help line at
1-866-478-9898.

Owning up to Alcoholism

Although alcoholism is a disease, it is very important for the alcoholic to "own up" to their part of the disease. Oftentimes when the alcoholic is in alcohol rehab, they are taught that although they have a disease, they are responsible for allowing the disease to continue. How so, you may ask? Let's look at the alcoholic that continues to blame others for their misfortune, if they continue to place blame on others, they are not taking responsibility of the part of the disease that wants the alcoholic to place blame. If the alcoholic were to assume responsibility, they are then allowed to look within themselves, understand the disease of alcoholism and move forward in a healthier way. And as a result are more likely not to relapse. Taking responsibility for the disease of alcoholism is an integral part of sustained recovery!

To find out more about the best alcohol rehab, please call our 24 hour help line at
1-866-478-9898.

Restoring the Alcoholic to Sanity

For the alcoholic, the last thing they want to admit is that their drinking has caused them to be "insane" The definition of insanity, to many, is repeating the same behavior over and over again, expecting different results. For example, the alcoholic who needs a drink first thing in the morning, may find that by taking that first drink only results in progressive drinking throughout the day, into the night until they blackout. As insane as alcoholics can be when in the grips of the disease of alcoholism, the alcoholic may really believe they can still have that first drink the next morning, hoping to yield a different result, maybe they believe they can stop after the first drink or two, maybe they believe they can continue drinking "normally" and not to excess that eventually leads to a blackout. Most times, the alcoholic will not be successful in their attempts to control their drinking. That is what we call "insanity".
Many alcoholics have found the answer through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Restoring the alcoholic to sanity is practiced through Step Two of Alcoholics Anonymous.

"We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."

As the alcoholic approaches this step, they begin to consider that maybe, just maybe, there is a Power Greater than themselves - a Power capable of healing their hurt, calming their confusion, and restoring their sanity. The alcoholic learns and understands that finding this "Higher Power" doesn't mean they have to be religious. That's far from the truth, the alcoholic learns that the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is a spiritual, not religious program. As the alcoholic remains sober and continues to work Step Two, they discover that no matter how long their drinking has gone on and how far their insanity has progressed, there is no limit to the ability of a "Higher Power" restoring them to sanity. There is help for the alcoholic.

Alcohol Treatment

When an alcoholic is finally brought to a place where they can no longer deny the nature of their problem, caused by drinking excessively. When all the lies, all the rationalizations, all the illusions fall away, and they stand face to face with what their lives have become; a life without hope, isolated from society, disconnected in relations with loved ones, inability to perform at work, at home. This typically can be called "hitting bottom" to the alcoholic.

Finding alcohol treatment is in the persons best interest. Though it may seem to the alcoholic that all is lost, the truth is that many alcoholics must pass through this, what is referred to as "hitting bottom", before they can truly embark upon a journey of recovery.

If you are looking for Alcohol treatment, please call us toll free at 1-866-478-9898.

The Disease of Addiction

What makes the addict is the disease of addiction - not the drugs, not the alcohol, not the behavior, but the disease. There is "something" within the alcoholic/drug addict that makes it impossible to control the use of drugs or alcohol. This same "something" also makes them prone to obsession and compulsion in other areas of their lives. How can one tell when the disease is active? When the alcoholic/drug addict becomes trapped in obsessive, compulsive, self-centered routines, endless loops that lead nowhere but to physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional decay.

The disease of addiction can manifest itself in many ways. When the alcoholic/drug addict first realizes their problem, they think it's just the drugs or alcohol that is the culprit of their problems. Later to find out that their addiction is wreaking havoc in their lives in any number of ways.

It is suggested that working through the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous can help the addict/alcoholic identify and understand their disease. Help the addict/alcoholic find freedom from active addiction.

Too Young For Recovery?

There are those out there who feel that recovery can only really happen at or after a certain age. The concept is vaguely attached to the idea that the alcoholic/addict must hit absolute bottom for recovery to begin. In other words, to get sober, the alcoholic/addict must experience the loss of everything s/he holds dear or experience life threatening physical challenges in order to get it; "it" being the motivation to change their behavior and thinking, the very fabric of who they are.

It can be this kind of thinking that occasionally dissuades the young person from seeking effective alcohol or drug treatment. However, make no mistake--recovery can be obtained and maintained at any age. Moreover, not every addict has to lose everything in order for the process of recovery to begin. Rock bottom can look different for different people. Perhaps it is the loss of a job; maybe it takes the form of a divorce; to some it might be the estrangement of children.

But to others, rock bottom may be peer disapproval. Or getting arrested for underage drinking. Or getting into a single fight at a concert.

More and more, younger and younger people are beginning at earlier ages to recognize the ways in which alcohol and drugs may be eroding the quality of their lives. And more and more of them are making the choice (not being forced) to do something about it. Age is no longer any kind of a deciding factor. Nor is the extent to which the person has experienced loss. What seems to matter is a willingness to look at pattern of use and it's effect on one's life and decide that change is possible. Regardless of age

Too young for recovery? Never--absolutely not.

Resentments, alcoholics, and rehabilitation

Spend much time with alcoholics in recovery and inevitably the issue of resentments will arise. In most 12 step meetings and throughout the literature, resentments are discussed as the "number one offender" in driving alcoholics towards inappropriate if not fully insane behavior and on occasion directly back to the drink. The un-fully-recovered alcoholic is susceptible to resentments, the tendency to allow personal slights or earlier harms to fester and grow. At a certain point, previous hurts get disproportionate to their origins, they become all-consuming, attacking the alcoholic's resolve to live a serene and sober lifestyle.

"Resentments" really means what it's syllables break into--re--sentiment. The concept is one of having a feeling that remains re felt repeatedly and that doesn't diminish in intensity over time. Quite the opposite, these feelings seem to grow over time. Unfortunately, for alcoholics the prevalent feeling that grow is not positive--it's never a matter of burgeoning joy.

This is not just a problem for alcoholics, non-alcoholics (or normies) also can have resentments--but for non-alcoholics, the overwhelming feelings generally don't lead to life threatening behaviors. Good alcohol rehabilitation allows the alcoholic to examine their resentments, to process through their earlier harms and slights, and to develop coping strategies that will prevent these feelings from leading to catastrophic results. It's possible to live a life free of this pattern. Consider if this a freedom you want.

Daddy's an alcoholic: The lasting effects of alcoholism in the family

When we think of alcoholism, we sometimes fail to think about how the disease and the behavioral dysfunctions associated with the condition, affects the children of the alcoholic. As a therapist, I have treated hundreds of individuals who struggle with self-esteem issues, post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide or homicide all as a result of living in a chaotic family environment.

Children need safe, loving, predictable home lives that reassure them that they, and the family are okay in the world. Well, the home with an alcoholic parent cannot provide that type of home environment. Often, the child takes on adult roles and fills the void to care for the sick parent. At times, the child is molested, abused and/or neglected as well. There are no benefits of having an active alcoholic as a parent! We have also seen that the children of alcoholics have a greater risk of becoming an alcoholic themselves...ugh, what a family legacy!

If you, or a loved one, is an alcoholic, or a child of an alcoholic, then encourage them to seek help for this immediately. There are resources for both the alcoholic (rehab, outpatient treatment, hospitalization) and the child (Ala-Teen, ACOA meetings, individual or group therapy).

Please keep in mind, that saving your life from addiction may also be saving your children from a life of psychological pain and suffering.

Recuperatio Primoris!

Alcoholic and Addicts New In Recovery: The Challenge With Rules

Alcoholics and addicts new in recovery are a notoriously undisciplined bunch. They have difficulty accepting rules enforced on them by others and are quick to buck any type of external authority. It would seem that this can be for many a manifestation of their addictive disease, and once through with alcohol detoxification or drug withdrawal, they must begin to accept rules that have been set down by others.

Sometimes these rules are those set forth by drug rehabilitation centers. Others must face up to rules designed and implemented by the courts or the probation officer. On occasion, the family attempts to exert increasing control on the alcoholic/addict by creating specified instructions for acceptable behavior.

Regardless of where the rules come from, newly recovering alcoholics and addicts have a difficult time adhering or complying. Part of the disease of alcoholism and addiction is an unnerving and continuous self-absorption. It is, by its very nature, a disease that insists that the sufferer (the alcoholic/addict) attend only to their needs. This should be obvious--we're talking about people whose primary drive is to get and stay drunk or high, regardless of the consequences.

True recovery begins when sober alcoholics recognize this tendency to put themselves first and to put themselves above whatever laws that should direct their behavior. These misdirected souls need to accept direction. As recovery continues, they may begin to internalize a sense of immediate right and wrong, but until that time, others have to set down the rules, to lay down the law. And all should expect the alcoholic/addict to try and find their way around these very same rules.

The Family and Alcohol or Drug Treatment

Getting a loved one into alcohol and drug rehabilitation can be the most difficult gesture of caring a loved one can do. In their addiction, the alcoholic/addict my be fully blind to the destruction their addictive behavior is wreaking on those around them. Family members often find that direct reasoning is insufficient if not entirely futile. Denial runs deep with he active drinker or drug user; and when approached they may very well turn on the messenger often with counter accusations and open hostility.

As a result, many wives and husbands, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers will look the other way and ignore the problem. They will allow the use to continue, joining with the addict in minimizing the reality they face. Many families work hard to adapt to the alcoholic, creating a family structure that looks as if it supports the drinking. Family members begin to adopt specified strategies that allow them to adapt to the admittedly crazy behavior of the alcoholic/addict. Family members can often begin to look crazy themselves.

For the alcoholic/addict to heal, the family must also heal with them. Beginning with the simple step of getting their loved one into a detoxification and alcohol rehabilitation center, family members can start to address those behaviors they have developed over the years of substance use. They can begin to mend the tattered relationships, heal past wounds, and reestablish the family on the sounder footing of sobriety and recover together.

Paradise Recovery, like other substance abuse rehabilitation centers, focuses a great deal time and attention on the family as a whole. Family therapy, family week, and directed visitation all serve to keep the family unit together as the healing continues. The adage indicates that it takes a village to raise a child. And sometimes it takes a family to heal an alcoholic/addict.

Nutritional Problems in Alcoholism

Alcoholism or heavy alcohol consumption causes a constellation of physical problems for the alcoholic. I am going to address some of these problems in a general way right now. Later, I will address some of the more specific body systems that are altered and damaged due to the alcohol.

Alcoholics that are admitted to alcohol rehab are often surprised to hear of the high percentage of daily calories they are getting from their alcohol use. Sometimes, a person is consuming 70-80% of their calories through alcohol consumption! Obviously, alcohol is not like consuming V-8. It is not a very nutritious drink! It is generally what nutritionists call "empty calories", devoid of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

So one way that the alcoholic becomes nutritionally deficient is by consuming less calories through nutritious food and more empty calories through alcohol. That's the easy part to understand. As you look deeper, you see that alcohol damages the lining of the small intestine and stomach. These damaged cells can not absorb nutrients as well. Next, alcohol inhibits the breakdown of nutrients by decreasing the secretion of important digestive enzymes from the pancreas. So, even when the alcoholic is eating good food, they are less able to absorb the nutrients from it.

One of the nutritional deficiencies that occurs is with a B-complex vitamin called Folic Acid (Folate). As folate levels decrease, it alters further the cells of the small intestine such that even less folate can be absorbed along with other nutrients.

As you can see, one facet of alcohol addiction treatment and alcohol detox involves a nutritional re-feeding and vitamin supplementation. Any good holistic addiction treatment program will address nutritional deficiencies seen in alcoholism with a good dietary evaluation and treatment plan. There will be much more detailed information to follow in future posts!

John Neuhaus, M.D.

Digital Social Networking: The Virtual Recovery Room

I am a definite neophyte when it comes to digital platforms for play and work. I am intrigued by the enthusiasm some of my friends have about "stumble upon", "digg", or "pod casts". I'm old enough to remember when computers were taking up very large, cold rooms at the University. Usually the folks in the computer labs were geeks, socially marginal and many times shy. It was far from being seen as social. It was hard work!

Well, thirty years have past since my freshman year at University and the computer has certainly changed since then. I can't imagine functioning on a day-to-day basis without the digital world.

As an addictions counselor, I am struck how the digital world could be a democratizing venue for alcoholics and addicts to come through the door towards recovery, without being judged and in an environment you are most comfortable! This type of social networking can lessen the stigma and exchange thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc. without leaving your room or your phone.

I wonder what is happening out there in cyberspace for addiction recovery? Are people seeking treatment through their I-Pods? Would love to get some comments on this. Thanks in advance.

Recuperatio Primoris!
Dr. Bill Heran

Denial of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction - Take the Test

Denial...the part of the alcoholism disease or drug addiction disease that tells them they don't have a disease. How many times have you heard about the alcoholic or drug addict minimizing the effects of their disease, not wanting to see the reality of their addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Here's an easy way to tell if you or a loved one may be in denial of alcoholism or drug addiction, as taken from excerpts in the Narcotics Anonymous step working guide:

1. Have you or the alcoholic or drug addict given plausible but untrue reasons for you or their behavior?

2. Have you or the alcoholic or drug addict compulsively acted on an obsession, and then acted as if you or they had actually planned to act that way?

3. How have you or the alcoholic or drug addict blamed other people for you or their behavior?

4. How have you or the alcoholic or drug addict compared you or their addiction or alcoholism with others' addiction or alcoholism?

5. Are you or the alcoholic or drug addict avoiding action because you or they are afraid to be ashamed when facing the results of alcoholism or drug addiction? Are you or the alcoholic or drug addict avoiding taking action because of what others may think?

The list can go on, however these are the key elements of denial that those with alcoholism and drug addiction contend with. This is both a test for alcoholism and a test for drug addiction, they may be a different substance, however the disease manifests itself the same.

If you or a loved one answers "yes" to more than one question, you may want to look into alcohol treatment or drug treatment, also referred to as alcohol rehab or drug rehab. There, professionals will be helpful in unraveling the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction, starting you on your path of sustained recovery.

Blessings to you.....

Healing Alcoholism...Healing Drug Addiction

The process of healing begins with self, begins from within. Typically for alcoholism or drug addiction, the alcoholic or drug addict tends to find blame in people, places or things outside of themselves, essentially robbing themselves of true healing from within.

Drug addiction and alcoholism are both a cunning and baffling disease, that oftentimes, the drug addict or alcoholic cannot see a way to recover. Well, there is, through healing the self, the drug addict and alcoholic can experience sustained recovery. Drug rehabs and alcohol rehabs offer the drug addict and alcoholic the opportunity to essentially begin treatment with self, to identify core issues that led to their alcoholism or drug addiction. There is hope for recovery when you start from within!

Beating Up The Addict

It is the nature of addiction treatment that the addict must be forced to confront his or her true self in order to crack through the shell of denial and begin a path of recovery. Early in many addiction treatment centers, clients are asked to share their autobiographies, and to express the litany of behaviors that led them to seek (or be forced into) drug rehab. This sharing often takes place in a group format. Once the client has completed a review of his life and addiction, the rest of the group is allowed to provide feedback.

This is not a pleasant process. It often looks not unlike a piece of meat being dragged through a tiger's den. It doesn't look nice to an outside observer; and it never feels good to the alcoholic/addict, the piece of meat. It's uncertain if the entire process is effective, if it works.

Having reviewed his or her history, the addict receives feedback in front of others that generally runs along these lines:

"Given what you just told us, you're a pretty worthless individual."

"Your family must be totally disgusted with you. I know I am."

"You're wasting your entire life. Pathetic."

Positive and supportive affirmations aren't generally forthcoming. And unsurprisingly, the alcoholic/addict receiving the feedback in the early days of drug rehab is probably not hearing anything new.

Cutting edge addiction treatment has led to a bit of a paradigm shift in recent years. It's not a movement to coddle the addict, quite the opposite. A realistic appraisal of the events and circumstances that led to and maintained an addictive lifestyle can develop insight and potentially insulate against relapse. But the manner in which this process occurs can make or break the early phase of recovery.

Most clients come to Paradise Recovery already beaten down, knowing that they are in severe need of addiction treatment. We work to move them along the stages of change rapidly and with potency. Sobriety and sustained recovery can be achieved and without the public flogging and humiliation and bruising. Addiction is painful by itself, maybe it's time to reconsider whether addiction treatment has to be.

Addiction Recovery: The Wounded Healer!

Many times when an addict or alcoholic has maintained significant time in recovery, they have strong desires to help others, particularly other alcoholics and addicts hurting. This is a very strong and often effective phenomenon that has touched the lives of many recovering addicts and alcoholics. In an executive drug treatment program or alcohol treatment program, you will find that many of the staff have been personally touched by addiction.

The wounded healer is someone who uses her or his painful life experiences as tools to assist people in need. Often the person in recovery can immediately relate to the suffering of another addict or alcoholic and provide strength and hope through their experiences. Most of the famous healers throughout history were men and women who suffered first, then transformed their suffering into strength to not only help themselves, but others as well.

The smart wounded healer knows when she or he needs to refer to a professional. We need to emphasize the "healing" that needs to take place. We cannot permit our woundedness to direct our actions, it is our experience of healing and strength that acts as support and guidance for the person in need.

Let us all work on our woundedness, so we can become better healers for those of us in need of help and recovery! Together we can make a better and healthier humanity!

Happy Easter from Paradise Recovery!

Recuperatio Primoris,
Dr. Bill Heran

How do I know if I am an alcoholic?

That is a good question. In fact, most doctors will not pick up a diagnosis of alcoholism in their patients, despite all of their medical training! There are a number of signs and symptoms associated with alcoholism and many different types of tests that can be done.

Without getting too complicated, here is a very simple 4 question test called the CAGE Questionnaire that is fairly good at picking up if you have an alcohol problem. The CAGE (C-A-G-E is an acronym) questionnaire was developed by Dr. John Ewing in 1970, founding director of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Even though it was developed a long time ago, CAGE is still one of the best internationally used assessment instruments for identifying problems with alcohol. Here is the test.... just answer yes or no to the following 4 questions:

1. Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people Annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady
nerves or get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?

If you answered "yes" to two or more of these four questions, it is very likely that you are a problem drinker.

One of the most important questions that a counselor can ask when assessing whether a person has an alcohol problem, is "how has the use of alcohol impacted your life?" If alcohol has had a negative overall impact on you as a person, some soul-searching must be done, regardless of how you scored on the CAGE.

John Neuhaus, M.D.