Thinking Errors

Loss of sobriety can often be linked to Cognitive Distortions which are also called thinking errors. A cognition is a thought. A distortion is a misrepresentation of an object, situation, or thought. For example, when you stand in front of a mirror in a fun house it reflects a distorted image of yourself. A Cognitive Distortion, or think error, is also a distorted reflection of a situation.
"All or Nothing" thinking is a Cognitive Distortion. An example is when some says: "I am always late" when they arrive after the start time of their work schdeule. They may be late occassionally they may be late frequently; but, it is doubtful they are late every day and still have a job.
Recognizing thinking errors is often part of the treatment for addiction in the best alcohol rehabs and the best drug rehabs.

Rules in Drug Rehab

The best drug rehabs and best alcohol rehabs have a structure within which the staff and clients go about their business of achieving recovery. Why are rules so important? Because rules are a major component of the structure. OK, so why is structure important?

Structure = Recovery. Got it? Structure is the essential foundation for building a lasting recovery. The rules, adherence to the rules, and enforcement of the rules promotes addiction recovery. Addiction loves chaos and confusion. Addiction hates structure and rules. The lack of rules and structure promotes chaos. Addiction loves that!! If you want to get well in rehab, there has to be a structure rooted in personal and house rules.

Rules and structure may seem a bit painful or bothersome at first glance. However, they are the foundation to your beginning journey on the road to addiction recovery. Call Paradise Recovery at 866-478-9898 to learn more about what it takes to get on the recovery path.

Oops! I had a Little (Big) SLIP!

Unfortunately, slips happen, right?

Often, however, slips don't just passively "happen". Most often slips "happen" because of something that we have actively done or not done. The best addiction treatment centers will tell you that sobriety has to become a lifestyle. It has to be the main priority in your life. If it isn't, you are on your way to a "SLIP".

S = Sobriety
L = Loses
I = Its
P = Priority

Once Sobriety Loses Its Priority, your "slip" is right around the corner. Drug rehab, alcohol rehab and addiction treatment trains you how to make sobriety a priority in your life. It teaches you how to transform your life and your thinking. If sobriety becomes interwoven in the very fabric of your being, it will always be a priority for you. Then, you won't have to go through those little (big) SLIPS.

Paradise Recovery I

Paradise Recovery is a licensed primary addiction treatment program in Hawaii. It is a private, highly effective treatment experience unlike any other addiction treatment program in Hawaii. In fact, Paradise Recovery is one of the finest drug rehab centers in the country. They offer a unique blend of holistic drug rehab programming which is expertly and seamlessly integrated into a highly effective rehab for drugs, alcohol and other addictions. The Paradise Recovery staff are wonderful!

Paradise Recovery is always able to help. They have a 24-hour HelpLine with a counselor standing by. They can make sure that you get the treatment that you or your loved one needs. Their toll-free number is 866-478-9898

The True Cure of Addiction

A rehab in Malibu, California, falsely advertises they have a "cure" for addiction. Their processes and interventions, most people would agree, are helpful and would aid someone with an authentic desire to stay clean and sober from addictions of any kind. However, their program does NOT offer a cure. I know this. I've treated individuals who have completed this particular program, and they were far from "cured!"

What is the cure from addiction? The cure, in my opinion, is your daily surrender that you are not in control of your addiction and when you relapse you and your life becomes chaotic and unmanageable. Ever heard that logic in the past? I hope so. It is the First Step of Alcoholics Anonymous. You don't have to subscribe to AA or NA to benefit from its wisdom.

To surrender, submit, make humble yourself and believe that if you do not drink, pop pills, snort, or shoot up today then you life will be less chaotic and more manageable. Now, for the addict that is a BIG STEP, since the drug of choice has "helped" them through some tough times. Believe me, I've been to too many funerals of addicts and alcoholics, including my 42 year-old brother's, to deny the effects of prolonged addictive behaviors.

What is the TRUE cure of addiction? Transformation. Addiction requires your full attention and wants nothing less than your total destruction and death (whatever that means and looks like in your life). In turn, recovery requires nothing less than your full attention towards health and recovery! So, there is a cure, but its not in some book or in some "passage" in Malibu.

If you, or someone you know is in need of quality private rehab services, then please call our 24-Hour HelpLine and speak with one of our recovery counselors today. Call (866) 478-9898 today!


Recuperatio Primoris!

The Addiction Cure

No one has the "cure" for addiction, even though some claim that they do. Let's be realistic. If there were a cure for addiction, we would no longer see it in our society. This is far from the truth.

The reality is that addiction recovery requires a lot of work and focus. That is as close to a cure as we can get. It is very possible, with the right treatment program and focus on your part, to have a sustained recovery from addiction. Hopefully, forever. But it requires an ongoing effort.

Seeking the best addiction recovery program is the other part of the equation. The best drug rehab or alcohol rehab can put you on the path of recovery and give you a road map. Once the map to recovery is laid out, your consistent efforts and passion to remain in recovery are what will allow you to prevail over addiction.

Drug Rehab Success Rates

I see a number of drug rehabs claiming that they have the highest success rates in the country. Some say "76% success rate", some "83%", and I think I saw one that said 90%+.

The question that I have is, how did each of those facilities define "success"? That is a really important question. The industry standard is sobriety at the 6 month mark. Is that the number they are using? Also, why aren't their studies published anywhere? If they really have done these studies that show great success rates, why not publish them? Could I take a look at your study?

I can answer most of these questions. The drug rehabs that celebrate their success rates don't want to show you their study. They don't want to publish it. Why? Because the study is not good. It won't qualify as a scientific study, either because they are using lousy definitions of "success", they used a very small number of hand-picked people to include in the study, or the results are not real. It is possible that they really don't have a study. If you have a study, why not let me see it?

Here is the truth about drug rehabs: the best drug rehabs take an integrative, holistic approach to treatment that is individualized based on your core issues and particular needs. That is being borne out in the real scientific studies that are being published in the scientific literature. Those truly are the drug rehabs with the highest success rates.

Being an integrative, holistic treatment program is easier said than done. Most drug and alcohol rehabs don't understand the real meaning of those words. It is very difficult to set up a drug rehab to operate this way, but it is simple and life-changing to receive the benefits of it!

There are some good drug rehabs out there. However, not all of them are what they say they are. Don't settle for less.

Tropical Alcohol and Drug Rehab: Whats the importance of location when choosing a rehab?

When choosing a rehab for your recovery needs, there are dozens of high quality programs in the U.S. Some of these programs are located in cold, harsh climates with environments that resemble a hospital or institutional setting.

We at Paradise Recovery capture the importance of "location" and "environment" when designing our program here in Hawaii. Many of our clients have commented that our location has helped them tremendously in this early phase of treatment!Imagine if your environment was rejuvenating how that could affect your recovery in the early phases of your work. Often, at best we are ambivalent about changing our lives, but if the environment and location is ideal, then you may find yourself benefiting from the climate, floral smells, or the soft, feelings of "Aloha" in a tropical rehab setting.

Paradise offers a sun-drenched, tropical and comfortable environment. However, we also offer best-practice, medical and psychological interventions and support for you to move from an addictive state to a clean and sober life...being FULLY ALIVE!

If you, or anyone you love are experiencing struggle with addiction, please call our 24-Hour HelpLine at (866) 478-9898 and speak with one of our recovery counselors. Make sure you factor in location when you are choosing a rehab for your recovery needs.


Recuperatio Primoris!

Private Rehab: What should you expect and not expect

Choosing a private rehab for your alcohol and drug addiction recovery needs is a smart choice. However, there are considerations you should be aware of prior to and upon admission to the program.

1) Be aware of spa programs: Being in early recovery, there is so much to learn and so much to purge in order to move forward with a recovery that is sustaining. To integrate massage, acupuncture, movement therapy, aroma therapy, etc. into your treatment is recommended for a holistic program attending to a mind, body, spirit approach. The program should offer several individual psychotherapy per week, family/loved ones sessions, traditional and complimentary medical staff, and relapse prevention training. These critical services are a MUST, in conjunction with spa services.

2) Be aware of a penitential model: Some programs have a heavy emphasis on being punitive and punishing their clients. Often these programs have "gurus" who have answers for all your recovery needs. You have punished yourself way too much, you don't need someone allegedly in recovery, playing power games with you and pretending to know you and what your needs are in a matter of days. The staff at the private rehab should respect you and attempt to approach your issues with a solution-focus, resiliency approach.

3) Be aware of "The Cure" model: The current scientific literature on addiction is clear that there is no cure for addictions of any kind. However, we have many strategies on managing our illness. We have medications, self-help groups, personal transformation, spiritual support, physical fitness and improved self-esteem is all aids in sustaining a recovery and managing your lifelong illness. Some programs will tell you they have a "cure" with unscientific research findings. Some would say, its unethical.

Overall, you need to interview key staff prior to admitting to a private rehab. If key staff (clinical director, program manager, etc.) are not available to you, then you may want to move on to another program. There are many choices...choose the right one for you!

If you, or a loved one needs rehab services, please contact one of our recovery counselors on our 24 Hour HelpLine at (866) 478-9898.

Always direct your thoughts to those truths that will give you confidence, hope, joy, love, thanksgiving, and turn away your mind from those that inspire you with fear, sadness, depression.
- Bertrand Wilbertforce

Recuperatio Primoris!

Oahu Drug Rehabilitation

There is a choice for people from the State of Hawaii who want to stay in the islands for holistic, private addiction treatment, including drugs and alcohol. Several years ago, the people of Hawaii had to turn to the mainland if they wanted private, quality help for alcoholics, drug rehab, or treatment for addiction of all types. This is no longer true. We have one of the best drug and alcohol rehabs in the entire country, located right here in our home state!

Give our HelpLine a call, today: 866-478-9898. We will help you get the help that you need.

A California Drug Rehab Alternative

California is famous for many things, including the Malibu-style drug rehabs and alcohol rehabs. Some are good, some are not so good. If you are looking for an alternative to the California rehabs, consider this: there is a drug, alcohol and addiction treatment program located in one of the most beautiful places on earth: beachfront Hawaii.

Not only is this program in Hawaii, it is one of the best drug and alcohol rehabs in the country. With a holistic, integrated treatment philosophy, Paradise Recovery offers an addiction treatment program that is highly private and individualized.

Hawaii has always been known as a spiritual, healing place. Experience the healing of addiction first-hand. Give us a call on our toll-free HelpLine. We can help.

Maui Drug Rehab Center

There is a choice for people from the State of Hawaii who want to stay in the islands for holistic, private addiction treatment, including drugs and alcohol. Several years ago, the people of Hawaii had to turn to the mainland if they wanted private, quality help for alcoholics, drug rehab, or treatment for addiction of all types. This is no longer true. We have one of the best drug and alcohol rehabs in the entire country, located right here in our home state!

Give our HelpLine a call, today: 866-478-9898. We will help you get the help that you need.

Big Island Drug Rehab Center

There is a choice for people from the State of Hawaii who want to stay in the islands for holistic, private addiction treatment, including drugs and alcohol. Several years ago, the people of Hawaii had to turn to the mainland if they wanted private, quality help for alcoholics, drug rehab, or treatment for addiction of all types. This is no longer true. We have one of the best drug and alcohol rehabs in the entire country, located right here in our home state!

Give our HelpLine a call, today: 866-478-9898. We will help you get the help that you need.

Calming the Waters: The importance of a stable mood in addiction recovery

Have you ever been on a small boat away from shore during a storm? The tides and strength of the ocean is overwhelming and scary. You know there is a force much stronger than you and the boat. You're unsure if you'll be able to manage the boat into safety. Sometimes dealing with emotional instability can feel very similar.

Many people who suffer with mood disorders such as: major depression, anxiety, mania, bi-polar illness, severe irritability, etc. often will describe a life that is not their own. They feel hopeless and helpless in their efforts to bring control and calm into their chaotic and painful emotional worlds. Often, women and men dealing with strong emotional pulls and tugs will try alcohol, drugs, sex and other forms of addition to suppress or alter the emotional state that is causing them stress and discomfort.

When treating an alcohol or drug addiction, a major task of the treatment team is to treat the mood disorder from many different perspectives and disciplines. Often a person needs: a psychiatric evaluation, psychological testing, dietary assessment, physical fitness evaluation, family and spiritual histories. Some of the more effective treatments are: medication, diet changes, exercise, meditation practice and much more. It takes your full attention to manage and change a mood disorder that is complicated by an addiction issue.

Without a stable mood for any significant period of time, it makes recovery almost impossible! The cognitive and learned behaviors associated with the mood issue often makes sobriety a less effective option. The alcohol and/or drugs will be immediately gratifying and will lure you into thinking it is helping you with your problem.

Read the weather reports and know your nautical mapping before you go on your next boating trip! Making significant and conscious transformations are required to attend to these life-threatening illnesses.

If you or someone you love is suffering from a mood disorder and addiction, please call us today on our 24-Hour HelpLine at (866) 478-9898 and speak with one of our trained recovery counselors.

Recuperatio Primoris,
Dr. Bill

"After half a century in psychiatric practice, I know without a doubt that the source of addiction is spiritual deficiency. Irrespective of whether we are religious or atheist, all human beings are spiritual by nature and spirituality is the cornerstone of our recovery.” Abraham Twerski, M.D.

Double Trouble: A few considerations when treating Dual Diagnosis

When an addict is struggling with a mental illness (e.g. Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, schizophrenia) and a co-morbid addiction disease process, we call this DUAL DIAGNOSIS. Only a small percentage of treatment centers are designed to treat persons with dual diagnosis. It presents a challenge for programs that believe you need to treat the addiction before you treat the mental illness.

When you focus on the addiction treatment the mental illness reminds you its around, and when you only focus on the mental illness, the addiction feels "neglected and alone" and will remind you that it is a force working against health and recovery. Both are considered detox and causes insanity and death!

Recovery requires full attention on both: the mental illness and the addiction disease. A person cannot be full alive when their mental illness is not stable. The same applies with addiction: you are not in recovery when you are continuing to use and further create insanity and chaos in your life and the lives around you.

If you or a loved one has a dual diagnosis, call our 24-Hour HelpLine at (866) 478-9898 and speak with one of our recovery counselors. Don't delay...both of these diseases require your full attention today!

Recuperatio Primoris,
Dr. Bill

"Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one" Marianne Williamson

The Best Drug Rehab Experience

The drug addict who has chosen to go through drug rehab has a choice. They can choose to be resistant, closing themselves off to a valuable life experience and most likely relapse OR the drug addict can choose to surrender and take part in one of the most enriching life experiences. To the drug addict, 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 drug rehab experience the drug addict has to be ready and willing to change.

If you or a loved one wants to experience the best drug 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.

The "doing" part of Drug Rehab

The best drug rehabs are about "doing". When you come to a drug rehab, it is to begin the "doing" of recovery. It is not just the rehab that is "doing". Mostly, it is you. It is an active process for the addict! Recovery is not something that just happens while you passively sit by and wait for the things to be "done" to you so that you can have recovery. The recovery process takes work.

The critical part of a drug or alcohol rehab is the process whereby you are guided in your "doing". The best drug rehabs and best alcohol rehabs privide you with expert guidance and direction so that your work is meaningful and efficient as it leads you on the path to recovery. A recovery "map" is provided to you so that you can quickly get your bearings and move forward in a meaningful way.

Please be careful in selecting a rehab. Most that are out there do not provide a sound recovery map. You don't want to spend time and money gambling with your life, only to find that you are floundering because a sound recovery map was not provided. With great directions, the "doing" part of recovery becomes much easier!

Does Rehab have to be painful? A New Generation of Drug Rehab

The treatment philosophy is important when choosing an alcohol/drug rehab. There appears to be a lingering bias from families, mental health professionals, family physicians, etc. that checking into an alcohol and drug rehab needs to be a painful and demoralizing experience. Lets talk about what NEEDS to happen in rehab, some of which may be painful, but the program should not take a sadistic, self-righteous approach towards treatment.

We often say, at Paradise Recovery, that we wouldn't treat cancer patients, persons with diabetes, or AIDS patients with this level of blame and medieval penitential attitude that some practitioners and treatment centers still advocate. I'll say, that many individuals who feel that the addict has to "hurt" before they can bask in the light of a clean and sober life, often experienced this type of rehab themselves, and want to "share the wealth".

What needs to happen in rehab is the following:

1) Disclose - be able to speak about your life as an alcoholic or addict. Particularly, how your abuse of substances, sex, gambling, etc. has increased chaos in your life and the life of loved ones around you.

2) Detach - be able to detach from the chaos and "calm and stay" with yourself in this process of self-discovery and transformation.

3) Deliver - be committed to a life of recovery and use your own awareness of yourself to make the daily decision to stop the chaos and insanity and move towards health and rejuvenation!

This is what you need in alcohol and drug treatment...the basics! We, at Paradise Recovery do not advocate a medieval, penitential, self-righteous approach. That just makes addicts either angry, or converts them to become self-absorbed and self-righteous clean and sober persons. THIS IS NOT RECOVERY!

Recovery humbly discloses, detaches and delivers! If you, or a loved one needs professional, caring private rehab services call our 24-Hour HelpLine at (866) 478-9898 for more information and admission details.

Recuperatio Primoris! (Recovery above all else!)

Dr. Bill Heran

Gary Dourdan, "CSI" star caught with drugs

Gary Dourdan was recently caught with cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, miscellaneous prescription drugs and paraphernalia. Appears that drug addiction has once again hit Hollywood! The disease of drug addiction can be so cunning, baffling and powerful, even Hollywood stars, who appear to have it made, with money, glamour and the like, are prey to it. One hopes that Gary Dourdan will seek the best drug rehab treatment for his addiction to drugs.

Need help with drug treatment? Call our 24 hour help line at 1-866-478-9898, we're here to help!

Resistance to Drug Rehab

For many practicing drug addicts, the last thing on their mind is going to drug rehab. The disease tells the drug addict, "You don't need help! You're not the problem, they are!" They, meaning the significant other, co-worker, employer, children, parents, society, the list goes on and on. After all who wants to go to drug rehab to admit that they are, through drugging, the main source of the problem? Checking into a drug rehab is a BIG step, oftentimes, the hardest step to make. Humility and surrender are key components to recovery, one's that the disease of drug addiction is very resistant to.Once that BIG step is taken, however, the transformation will begin. Recovery is an inside job and being admitted to a drug rehab will assist in healing from within. At Paradise Recovery, we help the drug addict in the transformation process to a healthier, spirited soul. Not only do we offer top-notch therapy, we also introduce you to an array of healing techniques, which include Yoga, Acupuncture, Qi Gong (Movement Therapy), Fitness Training, Meditation. We are the New Generation of Rehabs, combining traditional with new age techniques to be able to offer the best a drug rehab can offer.If you or a loved one needs help, please contact us on our 24 hour HelpLine at 1-866-478-9898.

Individualized Treatment is Key in Drug Rehab

The most recent studies show that individualized treatment is the cornerstone to successful rehab from drugs or alcohol. The best drug rehabs and best alcohol rehabs offer individualized care that is balanced with the other therapeutic modalities.

Let's talk about that balance a little bit. What I mean here is that individual therapy is one of the major components to a successful recovery. Studies also show that group therapy is a very important component when it comes to recovery. What we have then is a need to balance group and individual work. Individual work focuses on your specific core issues that have brought you to this point. There are certain warning signs and triggers that are specific to you and your risk of relapse. There are family dynamics that are special to you and no one else. These issues and more are all addressed in the individual and family therapy process.

On the other hand, addiction is a disease that is not unique. There are many aspects of the disease that addicts all have in common and all must face. Many of these issues are best addressed in group therapy sessions. There is a certain support and knowledge that comes from being involved in group work that can not be gotten from individual therapy alone.

When choosing a drug rehab, alcohol rehab, or addiction rehab center make sure that there is a balance of the right things that you are going to need in order to get on the road of a sustained recovery.

My Cat is an Addict... the Power of Addiction

Yes, my cat is an addict. To be specific, he is a sex addict. When there is a female cat around in heat, he becomes a different cat. It's not my cat. Must belong to someone else I think.... he is no longer the friendly, playful and loving being that he was. Now, he is completely focused on getting outside to mate with that female cat that is howling incessantly. He won't eat. He barely sleeps. He no longer grooms himself. He doesn't care about me anymore, the one who has loved him more than anyone.

As the loving father that I am, I had mercy on my cat. I had the family jewels removed in an unceremonious procedure. Now, he is happy again. He is loving, playful, and attentive. He eats and takes care of himself. I have my cat back.

Was my cat really a sex addict? Sounds kind of funny, but think of the human parallel. What happens with humans as their addiction spirals out of control? I would argue that the same thing happens with the human being as what happened with my cat. My cat didn't necessarily have a disease per se, but he did have a biological drive to reproduce that was rather overwhelming for him. He couldn't overcome it on his own. No one could reason with him or talk him out of his state of mind. Nothing could stop him, even though he was literally wasting away. Well, almost nothing... the orchidectomy did the trick this time.

Please don't run out to have an orchidectomy in order to overcome your addiction. It wouldn't work, of course, but ironically having a surgery would be much easier than what the addict has to do in order to maintain on a path of recovery. Fighting addiction is a battle. There is no easy answer. There is no easy solution. However, there are answers. And, there are solutions. Addiction treatment works. To have the best chance of success, look to the best drug rehabs and alcohol rehabs for help. The best rehabs will have a holistic treatment approach and they will work side-by-side with you to overcome your addiction.

Whatever you do, just get help. You can't do it on your own. There is no reasoning with addiction. There is no talking yourself out of it. Addiction is very powerful. There are other ways, however, which are clinically proven to be highly effective. Give this HelpLine a call and they will point you in the right direction: 866-478-9898. You have the power to dial the number. It is the first step.

Who are the best drug rehabs?

Simply, the best drug rehabs are those that are able to provide a holistic approach to your treatment. They will tackle addiction from every angle. They don't overly focus on just one aspect of the addiction.

Imagine if you took your car to the mechanic's garage because the engine was running too hot. The mechanics feel that the radiator is the problem because that's what they usually do if the car is running hot. They replace the radiator, the fluids, the hoses. A lot of time and money is poured into fixing the radiator. You take the car home and it is still running hot. There is no improvement.

You take it back, and they determine that it must be a faulty radiator or hose, so they replace everything again. But still to no avail. The engine still runs hot. You later find out that the mechanics only know how to change radiators. They don't know any other fixes. They never checked the thermostat or the oil level, which were the actual problems behind the engine overheating.

Many drug rehabs have one approach to treating addiction. They hammer away at that one approach. This is usually a group approach, often solely of a 12-step model. Often it is just not enough. Not enough of what you actually needed. It's not that the approach isn't good. Just like the mechanics who put in a perfectly good brand new radiator. It's just that your car didn't really need a new radiator. Of course, a new radiator is always good, but it didn't work for your car's particular problem that it was having.

The best drug rehabs tackle addiction from every facet. This is what is known as a holistic treatment approach: Group therapy. Individual therapy. Psychiatric intervention. Eastern medicine. Western medicine. 12-steps. Non 12-steps. Core issue work. Inner child work. Addiction is a deadly disease. It is best to have a strong team in your corner who knows how to fight the disease on all fronts.

Why choose a gay rehab?

It is a worthwhile discussion whether to choose a gay rehab vs. non-gay rehab. Of course, you should be choosing a rehab that has all the best practice components: excellent therapies, a blend of traditional and complimentary medicine, good community supports, highly trained staff and good direction for aftercare.

What an excellent gay rehab could offer you is: 1) A program that has as its mission to assist gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) individuals and their families; 2) Knowing the program is owned and operated by gay and lesbian professionals in the field of addiction recovery; 3) gay resources back in your home community; aftercare that would continue the gay-affirming work begun in primary treatment (rehab).

There is a reason why some gay folks live in similar urban neighborhoods, shop at similar stores and do not spend money in other businesses. The gay rehab can offer you a safe, familiar environment where the difficult work of recovery can begin!

Even though there are good and excellent programs that say they are "gay-friendly," they fall short of offering what a gay rehab can offer you and your recovery.

Recuperatio Primoris.

Exclusive Drug Rehab and Personal Accountability

Sometimes people get the wrong idea about private or exclusive drug rehabs. They might think it is a spa or mini-vacation. Some people may think that personal accountability goes out the window as soon as they enter a private rehab. There may even be some drug rehabs that are very much like this.

In the best private rehabs, nothing could be further from the truth. The best private drug rehabs are those that take care of you but also expect personal accountability. You need to have personal accountability for yourself, your thoughts, and your actions in order to be successful in recovery. That accountability starts the moment you walk through the door in the best private rehabs. I didn't say that the surroundings are not nice. Or that the food is not great. I am saying that it is not easy. Recovery is a challenge. And personal accountability can be a challenge. You will have to work hard in rehab in order to be a participant in saving your own life. You will be personally accountable for your actions. Personal accountability can be as simple as needing to follow the house rules and as complicated as committing to attending meetings/therapy no matter what else is going on in your life. (Remember, "recovery above all else" is your new mantra).

Sometimes personal accountability feels like a real downer. It means accepting consequences for your actions. But it can also be a beautiful thing. Especially when it becomes the one thing that sustains a lasting recovery.