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
  
It takes years to nurture a well developed addiction. You're damn good at it! Why quit now? Well, you just need to watch the daily news to see celebrities and non-celebrities; rich and poor; women and men; teens and seniors; whites and persons of color struggle with the consequences from daily doses of toxic substances into their bodies and lives. Imagine, drinking poison for 20-30 years...how does it affect you? You BECOME poisonous! We spend most of our time, our money and relationships centered around our addictions...whew, a lot of work for one addict! Addiction requires your full attention. It doesn't like to share. No way! Some of the warning signs of an addiction are * people who normally love and care for you appear concerned for you, * your hopes and dreams become less and less important, * you are quick to argue and become agitated with anyone inquiring about your alcohol/drug use, * rules/laws become less important to you, * you become depressed or anxious more often, * difficulty sleeping, * needing more and more of the substance...it occupies more of your "head" and thoughts, * ignoring the news about your addict friends being hospitalized or incarcerated because of their alcohol and drug abuse, * getting high after the funeral of a close friend who dies from a drug overdose. Think about it. What a life! Remember, addiction requires your full attention...nothing less! To become a poisonous person takes time, effort and skill. Recovery asks for the same...your full and undivided attention! Now, imagine transforming your life in such a way that you become the opposite of poisonous...well! The Buddhists call this "Enlightenment"! Addiction treatment takes a great deal of courage, effort, patience and diligence to avoid the strong pull of the poison. If you, or a loved one is struggling with being "poisonous", please contact our HelpLine today at (866) 478-9898 and begin the path towards "wellness"! Don't delay, you are worth becoming well. Recuperatio Primoris (Recovery above all else!), Dr. Bill Heran Labels: addiction treatment, Paradise Recovery, signs of addiction
Eliot Spitzer is just the latest example of a powerful man caught in a private and covert life of sexually charged behaviors. Is there a common thread between Roman Catholic priests, State Governors, Senators and other men in powerful positions acting out in sexually inappropriate manner? Yes and No. Yes, because they all display a public image of service and invite us to trust them with their confidence to do their job, while representing something "greater than themselves". A priest represents all that is good and moral, an elected public official represents justice and the common good. Another theme that connects powerful men with sex addictions are the need to compartmentalize their lives and therefore isolate the feelings/emotions associated with the addiction. Oftentimes a sex addict will vehemently deny their behaviors even with video evidence! Denial is, of course, a hallmark sign of any addiction. That is probably why Senator Larry Craig is insisting to keep his post as a senator despite the obvious scandal and embarrassment to his family, friends, staff and the public. The "rush" that a sex addict gets is not unlike the high from most substances. The thoughts and feelings associated with the "danger" element is off the charts for these men. They know, whether a priest, a doctor, senator or governor that if caught, their life will be pure chaos! That is a kind of warped attraction for the sex addict...the thrill of not getting caught and the allure of possibly getting caught in the act. No, since some of these men are not similar since they exhibit more predatory behaviors including: victim grooming, lack of empathy, targeting specific victims (e.g. children, vulnerable subordinates, etc.). The predator sex-addict is much harder to treat, since they usually have more of a anti-social personality. Others are more acting out of poor self-esteem/self-worth, repressed sexual identity, or impulsiveness. These two groups should be treated differently and actually should not be treated in the same group! Overall, it appears that Eliot Spitzer could be classed in the second group. Despite his over-confident public appearance, he may have poor self-efficacy beliefs about himself and was unconsciously trying to "get caught" as a fraud and an addict. We shall see if he will seek treatment...btw, most sex addicts do not seek treatment without some external motivation. Treatment is highly recommended for anyone caught in a sex addiction. It is recommended that the addict be admitted to a residential program to "retreat" from their stressors and triggers and be able to explore what is driving and maintaining such a destructive process in their lives, affecting their work, play and loved ones! Recuperatio Primoris! Dr. Bill Heran CEO Paradise Recovery Honolulu, Hawaii Labels: addiction treatment, gambling addiction, sex addict, sexual addiction, signs of addiction
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