Changing Everything

In some addiction circles, the adage has developed,"Recovery is easy, I just need to change everything about myself."

Seems strange to say, but it carries with it some truth. By everything (what needs to get changed), people think about what makes them an alcoholic or addict. And what makes a person an alcoholic or an addict is how they think, feel and act. So if a person truly wants to recover, they have to change how they think, feel, and act--that is they have to change everything.

The best rehabs focus on helping an addict take those initial steps in changing these areas. therapies are designed to assist the addict in better understanding their own emotional life and to develop those skills that will allow them to better manage their emotional displays. Group work is often dedicated to exposing to the addict the errors they may have in their thinking, defenses they've developed (like denial) that might make them think that their drinking is still okay. And recreational opportunities help the addict learn new and different behaviors that might help replace the old using standard.

Of course, a great deal of recovery focuses on developing or reestablishing a spiritual life as well. And to a large extent this is a shift in thinking, feeling, and doing as well. Connecting with a higher power involves a shift in thought processes, general feelings, and how we behave in displaying new faith patterns.

The best rehabs take a very holistic approach to recovery. It's true that the addict, to recover, has to change everything.

It can sound overwhelming. But it starts simply. Ask for some help. Make a single call. We're here at Paradise Recovery to help you begin these changes. And you can reach us at 1-866-478-9898.

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.

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.

Drug Rehab: Healing the Broken Self

One of the definite benefits of an alcohol and drug rehab is the opportunity to examine the parts of yourself that feel disconnected from you and begin to re-construct a cohesive, whole Self!

One of the hallmark signs of addiction is the temptation to compartmentalize yourself due to the extreme conflict that forces you to live in several worlds (e.g. the family person, the good child, the good worker, etc.) while continuing your addictive behaviors.

This lack of cohesion is harmful and will eventually cause you to lose track of yourself and I've heard many clients say, "I've lost myself!"

The good news is that when you enter an excellent drug rehab, you and the staff begin to work on re-claiming your life back! The absence of the substance and the emotional supports in a safe environment, are all key elements that allow for healing and re-integration of the self. You begin to feel less broken and more whole. It is a courageous act, but a necessary one for anyone who chooses to live without major conflicts, self-hatred and personal failure.

Once you begin to be brutally honest with yourself and others, it becomes the "anti-biotic" needed to fight this bug that is killing you! Honesty, integrity, authenticity and mutuality are all key development opportunities while you are in rehab. A program should provide you with daily opportunities to practice all of these, which will assist you in your search for the True Self!

If you, or someone you know needs the assistance of a rehab, please do not hesitate to call our 24-hour HelpLine at (866) 478-9898.

Recuperatio Primoris (Recovery above all else!)

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.

Drug Treatment Centers are not all the same

Private drug or alcohol treatment centers vary vastly in what they offer, treatment philosophy, and treatment milieu. Many centers simply are not private. They are private pay, but there is nothing private about being in a large facility with 100 other people! Those that truly are private, such as Paradise Recovery and some of the treatment programs in Malibu can vary in treatment philosophy.

Sometimes you can tell a little bit about the treatment philosophy by looking at the staffing page. Look at the staff's credentials. Does the program believe in holistic treatment? Part of doing a holistic program means looking at individual core issues that have served to either trigger the addiction or continue to foster it. These issues, given enough time, need to be treated! Make sure that the staffing of the program is equipped from an educational perspective to navigate those delicate waters.

Not all addiction treatment centers are the same. Choose the one that offers you what you really want. If you want privacy, a holistic approach with high level staffing, individualized care, and a beautiful, healing location, there are very few choices out there!

Getting sober in Hawaii

There is no better place to get sober. Hawaii has an intangible spiritual and healing environment that is difficult to describe. You feel it when you get here. I don't know if it is the blue Pacific waters, the lush green mountains, or the purest air and natural water in the world. Something about these Islands is very special. Maybe it's the people. Hawaii is known for its mature recovery community. There are a lot of people active in recovery here in the Islands. They take their recovery to heart and are great people to help you along the way.

No other place on earth can compare with the beauty, spirit and power of healing that Hawaii has to offer. That's why this is the best place on earth to have a drug rehab center. Addiction treatment is a difficult process that is made so much easier when the forces of nature are behind you. Not to mention a lot of beautiful people who are on your side.

Enjoy Paradise.

Making treatment your own!

Entering an addiction rehab center is, well, a sobering experience! You will experience a number of emotions as you go through the experience. It is not easy. But it can be life-saving!

Drug rehab or alcohol rehab is a highly personal experience. At least it should be. There are many elements that brought you down the road that you are on. Those elements, some healthy, some not, are uniquely your own. That's why the treatment you should receive is going to be individualized according to your individual needs.

Keep in mind, you are unique. The disease of addiction, however, is not unique. The treatment, therefore, is a delicate balance between treating the non-unique disease with the unique issues that you brought with you. You will not be asked to just "go through the motions" of treatment. You will not be a passive participant in your own treatment. You are going to be an active participant in making the addiction treatment experience your own. This will require a lot of hard work on your part, but with the proper guidance, it will all be very much worth it.

Holistic Drug Rehab. What does it mean?

Better said, what should it mean? A holistic rehab experience, whether it is for drugs, alcohol, sexual addiction, or gambling addiction means that the treatment approach looks at the mind, body and spirit.

Mind, body, and spirit is a sometimes overused phrase that actually does not fully encompass the meaning of holistic treatment. "Mind" actually has two components that need to be addressed. One is the psychological aspect of the addiction. The individual core issues. Also, the behavior of addiction. Yes, addiction is a behavior, as well as a disease, as well as a way of thinking. "Mind" also should address psychiatric issues such as depression and anxiety that often accompany addiction. Left untreated, the risk of relapse is much higher. Plus, who wants to go around with a depressive disorder or anxiety disorder? Both conditions, and many others, are highly treatable. "Body" issues refer to the healing and return to health of the body. Taking care of yourself again! Even before that, though, is learning to take care of yourself. Many people don't know how to properly care for themselves. Now you will learn! Healthy diet, exercise, regular sleep, structure, treating ignored health conditions, etc. "Spirit" is a deeper sense of nurturance that occurs through many different avenues. "Spirit" can be found in the ocean, the wind, the land. Spirit may be found through re-connecting with a religious affiliation or re-connecting with whomever is your higher power. Meditation, yoga, and movement therapy can all help you re-connect with the spirit again.

Mind-body-spirit are not totally separate entities, as you might guess. They are all three connected and intertwined with one another. Balance is key. Balance is one of the keys to a successful holistic addiction rehab experience.

Drug Rehab Success

In our experience, the most successful drug rehab experiences have one thing in common: Recuperatio Primoris.

What the heck does that mean? Dr. Bill is always using that phrase.... and for good reason! Recuperatio Primoris means to put recovery first. Recovery above all else! Your life now needs to be centered around your recovery. As soon as other things in life begin to take priority over recovery, relapses are going to happen. It is simply a matter of time at that point.

So, there you have it. The number one key to a successful drug rehab experience is making recovery the number one priority. And keeping it that way!! Don't let anything or anyone else stand in your way of recovery.

Sounds simple, right?


John Neuhaus, M.D.

Drug Rehab Fights

We are not talking about shouting matches or fist fights here... When you enter drug rehab, you are making a commitment to put up a fight. A fight against the disease of addiction. It is going to be a life or death battle. Addiction can be overwhelming. Therefore, the fight against addiction needs to be even more overwhelming.

What kind of fighting will you be doing when you enter a treatment program? That depends on the individual. Sometimes it is a fight to focus on one's own self. Let's face it; it's not usually a fun process to focus on yourself. It is much easier to look at others and their faults. Then there's the fight of "do I really need to be here?" There's the fight of craving. The fight of feeling like you don't deserve to get better. I mean, you've done so much damage already, right? There's the denial.... oh, the denial.... You see, addiction is a very, very clever disease. It plays all sorts of mind games. The mind games all revolve around trying anything and everything possible to get you to not focus on yourself, get you out of treatment, blame others, pity yourself, make excuses, etc, etc, etc!! This is the fight that is going to take place as soon as you enter treatment.

Remember, this fight is normal. Everyone goes through this battle. Just persevere through it. Don't fall for the clever ways that addiction will try to de-rail your recovery (there will be many). Just remember, recovery above all else!

John Neuhaus, M.D.

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