When we think of simple living, images are evoked of a cool hippie commune, monks living on the generosity of others, Toyota Prius owners, or Martha Stewart...oh well, maybe not! I know for sure that drug and alcohol abuse is NOT a simple-affirming lifestyle. The stories of addicts are woefully wrought with conflict, denial, minimization about the hurt feelings of others, and it goes on and on. Deciding to enter treatment for addiction can be a choice to live more simply, so you may simply live! The addiction disease process is progressive and without attention will simply kill, so why not simply live! Living Simply is choosing to focus one's life in continuous benefit to others and to self. It usually works that way. The more we give and have concern and act on the concerns for others, then it makes our self concern more tolerable. In a complex, often depressing world, to decide to live simply gives us the soul energy to both celebrate and battle whatever crosses our path. When we "aim high" and "play large", wrapped in gratitude, we can see how our life changes...it becomes more simple! "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure...it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us! We ask ourselves who are we to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous, who are we not to be, we are a child of God." Nelson Mandela, his inaugural address, 1994 Recuperatio Primoris Dr. Bill Heran Labels: addiction recovery, addiction treatment, Hawaiian Addiction Treatment, recuperatio primoris
  
The decision to confront an addiction, whether alcohol, drugs, sex, or gambling requires a great deal of personal inventory, discovery, and/or re-discovery. In most addicts lives, running from core issues in our lives (e.g. feelings of worthlessness, childhood trauma, grief/loss, mood swings, etc.)helps to maintain the addiction and the numbing effects of the drug or process addiction. Recovery requires nothing less than transformation! I often say this as a "mantra" when greeting new clients to Paradise Recovery. For certain, the addiction required your full and undivided attention, so recovery will ask for nothing less. Spirituality is a key component to recovery. Notice, I'm not saying, "religion". Spirituality means having to do with your inner world and how your inner world connects with the inner world of another or some other thing. Often the aim of spirituality is peace and inner serenity. However, spirituality has aided many women and men through rough times and when life appears hopeless. Spirituality is both the container and the items in the container. You partner with spirituality to become the most authentic and happy person you can become...you thrive! The self-help movement of alcoholics anonymous (AA)and more recently narcotics anonymous (NA) has been described as the most powerful spiritual movement of our time. The authentic connections, sharings, tears, laughter, coffee, etc. are all ingredients to a spirituality that works for many people who buy-in to the transformation concept. Each person needs to find out for themselves what and how spirituality will bring them to the inner peace and serenity, while not running anymore from the "black pains" in our lives. Obviously, spirituality is very important. It is the ongoing relationship with yourself. You becoming YOU! If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction, please do not hesitate to seek help. The transformation required cannot be accomplished alone! Call our HelpLine at (866) 478-9898. Recuperatio Primoris. Labels: addiction treatment, alcoholics anonymous, drug addiction, gambling addiction, narcotics anonymous, recuperatio primoris, spirituality in addiction
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. Labels: addiction treatment, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, drug treatment philosophy, recuperatio primoris, sex addiction, sexual addiction
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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. Labels: addiction treatment, addiction treatment centers, alcohol rehab, drug rehab, drug treatment philosophy, private drug rehab, recuperatio primoris, sexual addiction, signs of addiction
We often associate two words with the March 17th remembrance of the death of a 5th century Roman Catholic missionary to Ireland: green and drunk! We know that green is a symbol of spring and new life, but why drunkenness? I guess we've made alcohol, or more specifically, green beer, a part of St. Patrick's day celebrations for a very long time. Tipping one too many has become as Irish as a four leaf clover or the blarney stone! So, how can a person in recovery avoid alcohol or any addictive substance on this day where so many people are indulging? The answer: People, Places and Things! First, it's wise to surround yourself with PEOPLE who can celebrate without alcohol or drugs. Yes, it does happen! You will find that hanging out with friends and family who do not drink will help you to stay sober today. If you have no family or friends that don't drink, then get thyself to an AA meeting. This is the PLACE. You can find a meeting in your hometown by searching: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org. There you'll find others who will be emphasizing the "green" association with St. Patrick. The green of spring, of new life...of recovery! So, what are the THINGS? I often define "things" as what inspires you. For example, instead of a glass pipe, or a cocktail glass..why not try a book, a treadmill at the gym, or even a gift for your spouse or child. The things we surround ourselves with affect our character, hence the way we are in the world. Thank you for reading our daily Blog at Paradise Recovery! We wish you and yours a very Happy St. Patrick's Day. I want to end with one of my favorite Irish Blessings: Wishing you a rainbow for sunlight after showers, miles and miles of Irish smiles,for golden happy hours, shamrocks at your doorway for luck and laughter too, and a host of friends that never ends, each day your whole life through! Have a cup of green tea today in celebration of St. Patrick's Day...believe me, you'll thank me tomorrow! Recuperatio Primoris, Dr. Bill Heran Labels: alcohol rehab, alcohol treatment center, recovery events, recuperatio primoris
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