Addiction Treatment Centers and How They Can Save Your Loved One’s Life

The initial step towards recovery from any kind of addiction is admitting and accepting their struggle with independence on the substance. Then you need to find out a place where you can go for your treatment which would help you in restoring your overall health, happiness and wellbeing. There are multiple options of treatment that are available at the addiction treatment centers. These centers play a great role in saving the life of your loved one such as breaking the addictive cycle by making them live in a drug-free environment. Digging deeper into the underlying issues and finding out the reasons which made the people rely so much on drugs. These addiction treatment centers help peeling off the layers of your behavior so that they can understand your habits of drugs. Make sure you go through all the therapies so that you can recover quick.

What I Wish I’d Known as a Teenager

It is of extreme importance that teenagers are educated in terms of mental and physical health. Many cases of sexual violence against teenagers can leave them to be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance use disorder, and other trauma-related issues. They also need to be taught that it is good to be anxious but getting on the level of isolation due to this anxiety is not a healthy sign. Besides, your body has a relationship with the food you consume. Sometimes, out of stress teenagers end up binge-eating fast food which leads to a plethora of health problems. Also, not taking enough sleep is one cause behind depression and anxiety. As a parent, you must educate your children about sexual violence if ever taken place with them. There are many issues related to such sexual activities where the consent is missing.

The Meadows Outpatient Program Is More Than An IOP

 

By David Anderson, The Meadows Executive Director

We often refer to The Meadows Outpatient Center as an “Intensive Outpatient Center,” or IOP...

….which it is.

However, in reality, the Meadows Outpatient Center is much more than what most people think of when they refer to an IOP. We like to think of our program as a COMPREHENSIVE outpatient program.

Let me explain…

What is an IOP?

There are many programs all around the country that call themselves IOP programs. These programs vary greatly in how they are set up; but, typically they only offer three, one-hour group therapy sessions per day, three days per week (i.e., nine hours total per week). And often group therapy is all that they offer— no individual therapy, no neurofeedback, no psychiatry, no trauma-sensitive yoga, no art therapy, no Somatic Experiencing, no EMDR, no acupuncture, etc.— Just nine hours per week of group therapy.

Now, compare that to The Meadows Outpatient Program which provides 18-20 hours of services and treatment per week. That is more than twice the amount of services provided in a typical IOP.

Each week, our patients may take advantage of:

• Four 3-hour groups. That’s 12 hours of group therapy each week.
• One hour of art therapy with a trauma/art therapist,
• One hour of trauma-sensitive yoga
• One to two hours of individual therapy per week (including somatic experiencing, EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, and expressive arts)
• A separate Family Recovery Group each Monday (just for family members),
• A weekly multi-family group,
• Private family therapy (as needed for couples or family),
• Two separate 1-hour appointments for Brainpaint Neurofeedback each week (typically with three different protocols during each hour),
• One hour of acupuncture each Friday,
• A one-hour Meadows-produced educational DVD (usually a Pia Mellody talk) in our state-of-the-art conference room on a high-definition big screen (with pizza!) on Fridays,
• Psychiatrist appointments (Typically one hour in the beginning of the program; then one to three follow-up appointments during the course of treatment), and
• Recently added: a once-per-month therapeutic drum circle.

Additionally, the Brain Spa is open at all times for patients to use Cranial Electro Stimulation (CES) machines. The Brain Spa has three relaxing chairs and one massage chair set up with studio quality headphones and iPod Nanos programmed with brain regulation programs (e.g., Hemi-sync binaural beats, Mozart Effect, Guided Imagery, meditation music, etc.)

Nationwide, the hours required for each level of care in behavioral health are…

• Residential/inpatient programs - 24/7 care
• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): Typically 30 hours per week of care,
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): Typically plus/minus 9 hours per week of care.

So, with our 18 to 20 hours of care per week, The Meadows Outpatient program is actually something in-between a PHP and an IOP.

Additional Benefits of The Meadows Outpatient Center

It’s also important to note that The Meadows Comprehensive Outpatient program is now “in network” with both Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Humana. And, our wonderful Finance Team works hard to every to make the step-down to outpatient care affordable, regardless of the patient’s insurance provider.

Plus, the weather is beautiful all year in Scottsdale, Arizona making The Meadows Outpatient Center the ideal place to begin or continue your journey of recovery. Our safe and nurturing community and our expert staff help patients gain the courage they need to face difficult personal issues including grief and loss, heal from emotional trauma, and become accountable for their own feelings, behaviors, and recovery. Send us an email or call us at 866-913-5010 for more information.

Practicing the Pause

 

 

By Aleah Johnson, The Meadows Alumni Coordinator Have you ever jumped to conclusions, made brash decisions, dove into problem-mode solving mode instead of actively listening, or spoken too soon? I am guilty of all!

The holidays can be a time of cheer, celebration, and love, but they can also bring difficult family dynamics front and center in some households. Through family of origin work, The Meadows helps us understand the different roles family members play, which allows us to learn the skills we need to be successful in our relationships—and in everyday life. Strong relationships are one of the keys to tackling recovery.

More often than not, no matter what our addiction of choice was, you probably had a tendency to use words and actions as weapons, when you should have been using to them to heal and connect. Taking the time to “practice the pause” between your emotional reactions and your actions, helps you to make better choices. Instead of saying something which you will later need to make amends for, you get a chance to reconnect with the present moment, and choose a response that will strengthen your relationships, instead of weaken them.

Relationships aren’t the only place to practice the pause. Life, in general, is in session! We oftentimes forget to intentionally rest, be still, and pause. We take advantage of our go-go momentum and get lost in our own chaos of busyness.
Thoughts, fears, and worries are in full force, which cause us to be on high alert and neglect self-care. Even though it sounds simple, injecting the pause can make a huge difference in your quality of life. After all, isn’t it the little things that make the biggest difference?

How will you practice the pause?

Join Us for the 2017 Meadows Alumni Retreat

The Meadows Alumni Retreat is your opportunity to reconnect, reunite, recharge, and reignite. This retreat is only for those who have participated in one of our 5-day intensive workshops, an intensive outpatient program at The Meadows Outpatient Center, or family week or inpatient treatment at The Meadows, Claudia Black Young Adult Center, Gentle Path at The Meadows, Dawn at The Meadows, Dakota House, or Mellody House. We look forward to creating an unforgettable weekend and reuniting you with your peers!

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Don’t Miss The Meadows Alumni Retreat

By Aleah Johnson, The Meadows Alumni Coordinator

I am thrilled to announce that registration for the 2017 Meadows Alumni Retreat is now OPEN! This is one of my favorite times of the year. This year's retreat was my first one at The Meadows and I can honestly say that it was one of the most impactful weekends I have had. My aha moments from this year's retreat involved a lot of surrender, a lot of being open to trying things someone else's way, and allowing myself to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

The moments, fellowship, laughter, tears, and smiles shared with fellow alumni, as well as The Meadows staff, will be something that I take with me in the years to come.

Here is what some other alumni have to say about it:
"I come because it's like a family reunion with a Meadows re-fuel!" – Amy B.

"When I go to the retreat, I immediately feel a sense of belonging, that this is exactly where I am supposed to be at that time. It’s a great validation and acknowledgement of my time and commitment to my own recovery, being of service, and showing up for others. Hearing about others' journey through recovery is inspiring and an important reminder that I’m not alone!" – Greg F.

"We go back to the retreat because it is a great way to start off the year, we feel inspired and energized from the event. It's also a great way to find out what other programs are being offered by The Meadows." – Chris B.

"I came to the Meadows in September of 2015 with a broken heart & severe depression over the ending of my 27 year marriage. I knew The Meadows was my last resort in healing my heart and learning to live in my new normal. When I came home, my daughter said I was a new person, and I was. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to attend the Alumni Retreat yearly. Seeing old friends, making new friends, and the resources made available to us was phenomenal. It’s an event that will be on my calendar yearly. I don’t want to miss it!" – Lori B.

There is so much to learn, regardless of your time in recovery or the time you have supported someone in recovery since attending Family Week; we offer something for everyone!

Click here for more information and to register - we'll see you there!

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Do I Really Need an Intensive Outpatient Program after Treatment?

 

 

Once you’ve completed an inpatient addiction and mental health treatment program you may be eager to finally go back home and start a brand new life in recovery. Though you got off to a rough start, your treatment has gone remarkably well. You now feel that you’ve finally gotten your unwanted behaviors under control, and have all the tools you need to manage any negative emotions or conflicts that come your way without drinking, using, or slipping back into old unhealthy habits. 

 

As you are drawing near the end of your treatment program, your therapist says to you “I recommend that you spend some time in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) before you go home.”

“But… I’m fine now.” You say. “I’ve gone through this program with flying colors! I am like a brand new person now! Why do I need more treatment?”

 

Should I Go To An IOP?

The first few months—sometimes even the first few years—of recovery is a vulnerable time. It is not uncommon for those new to recovery to relapse soon after completing inpatient treatment. Even people who were very dedicated to getting sober and left inpatient treatment feeling like there was no way they would ever relapse, often end up relapsing.

Good inpatient treatment programs are designed to remove any outside obstacles, temptations, or distractions that might get in the way of your recovery. You don’t have access to alcohol or drugs in treatment, like you would in the “real world.” You aren’t surrounded by people, places and things that you associate with your addiction or disorder. You don’t have to deal with the usual day-to-day stresses of life. You don’t have to cook meals, drive through rush hour traffic to get to work, or manage difficult relationships with your partner, children, or roommates at home.

This is not to say that everything is always sunshine and rainbows in rehab—you will have bad days, conflicts will come up, and you’ll be overwhelmed sometimes by your emotions and fears. But, when those things do come up, there are always staff and peers available to support you through them, and to make sure you are in a safe and secure setting.

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Turning Setbacks into a Comeback

By Aleah Johnson, Alumni Coordinator at The Meadows

 

Setbacks in recovery are pretty much inevitable; nobody is immune to them or their unforeseeable effects. They can range from major occurrences, such as the loss of a loved one, to minor ones, such as having a headache to the point where you cannot function effectively at work.

We so often hear about icons—CEOs, musicians, artists, politicians, etc. — who have given in to temptations; some have had setbacks so big that it has cost them their entire career. But, setbacks do not necessarily have to be a death sentence; nor do they have to be an excuse for not reaching our goals and dreams.
Setbacks can be powerful catalysts for major comebacks. They can, for example, put you in a position where you have a clearer perspective on life, and even bigger drive to overcome your obstacles.

Stay Accountable

A setback is an event that delays your progress or reverses some of the progress you have made. In the context of addictive disorders and recovery, we also call this a relapse.
When you have experienced a setback or a relapse, it is important that you don’t downplay or ignore what has happened. Instead, take accountability, and try to make sense of the situation.
A wise somebody once said, "...you cannot conquer what you cannot confront." How true that is! Denial will hamper any progress that can come from putting things into their proper perspective.

Assess the Situation

Once we have studied our enemy (addiction) and understand it, then we can be on the lookout for the people, places, or things that can put us back into the hole that we are trying to climb out of in the first place.
The best tool you could possibly have for avoiding a relapse is a realistic action plan that will ensure that you do not find yourself in places or situations that intensify your temptation to engage in self-destructive behaviors.
When a setback or relapse has occurred, it is very critical that you begin to ask these very important questions:

• What caused the relapse?
• Can the relapse be traced to old, self-destructive behavioral patterns you slipped back into?
• Were there any other factors that led to the relapse?

Once you have analyzed the situation and have come up with a possible explanation, strategize and devise a sustainable, preventive plan for the future so that the unwanted behaviors will not be repeated again.
For example, if you relapsed by drinking alcohol during a night out with friends, you might need to consider no longer going to night clubs, even if your intention is only to dance and drink sodas.

Sharpen Your Relapse Prevention Tools

Here at The Meadows, we are very committed to equipping each patient against setbacks. We make sure everyone leaves our programs with a set of relapse prevention tools so that when temptations arise, they can hold their ground and resist them.
If a relapse does happen, remember that there is always a second chance: analyze the situation, put it into its proper perspective, and create an action plan to prevent it from happening again in the future.
And, if you need a little extra support getting through the next stage of your recovery, you can always call us. We have an intensive outpatient program and series of outstanding workshops that help keep you on track. Call 800-244-4949 or send us an email.

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