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In recent years, animal-assisted therapy has grown in popularity. It can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, and it’s become a common complement to traditional substance use disorder treatment.

Interaction with animals is associated with several health benefits in humans. Studies have shown that owning a pet can change the body’s stress response, including blood pressure response in stressful situations. Owning a pet is also associated with lower cholesterol and increased physical activity. There may also be an association between pet ownership and lower rates of obesity.

Owning a pet, working with a service animal or visiting therapy animals can provide mental health benefits, but those scenarios aren’t considered animal-assisted therapy.

“Animal-assisted therapy, which the industry refers to as animal-assisted interventions, is actually an umbrella term that houses multiple therapeutic, education or recreational activities,” Leslie Stewart, an assistant professor of counseling at Idaho State University, told DrugRehab.com.

Stewart helped develop the American Counseling Association’s competencies for conducting animal-assisted therapy and has facilitated animal-human interactions for 12 years.

“Animal-assisted therapy is a greatly misused and misunderstood term both in the industry and in the public,” Stewart said. “To truly be animal-assisted therapy, it’s got to be a goal-directed intervention that’s directly tied to a client’s treatment plan. And it has to be conducted by a provider who is appropriately trained or certified in their health care human services profession.”

Licensed physicians, therapists, nurses or social workers can conduct animal-assisted therapy after receiving specialized training. The animal involved in the therapy should also receive training and meet several standards to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the therapy.

Numerous types of animals can be used during animal-assisted therapy.

Animals approved by Pet Partners, a leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting the human-animal bond, include:
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Horses
  • Pigs
  • Rabbits
  • Llamas and alpacas
  • Birds
  • Pigs
  • Rats

Dogs are the most common animals involved in animal-assisted therapy. Equine therapy, in which clients interact with horses, is also common during substance abuse treatment. Researchers haven’t compared therapies with different animals to determine if one animal is more effective than another. The effectiveness of any approved animal therapy is believed to be similar.

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Addiction

Animal-assisted therapy for substance use disorders hasn’t been studied as much as AAT for other mental health conditions. Published studies involving people with addiction show that the therapy seems to strengthen the “therapeutic alliance,” a term referring to the relationship between a patient and his or her therapist.

“Animal-assisted therapy in all of its forms, whether we’re talking about equine, canine, et cetera, does tend to improve the client’s perception of their relationship with their provider,” Stewart said. “That’s particularly important because the client’s perception of the working relationship with the provider is the No. 1 predictor of positive outcomes in any kind of psychotherapy.”

Many clients with substance use disorders leave treatment too soon. A strong therapeutic alliance makes patients more likely to continue treatment and benefit from therapy. The presence of an animal during therapy is believed to enhance the therapeutic alliance and to reduce anxiety during treatment.

“Animals can really serve as a model for mindfulness about experiencing emotions in real time.” — LESLIE STEWART

“I think the therapeutic alliance is absolutely critical, especially with substance abuse and trauma,” Stewart said. “For folks who identify in those populations, it can be even more challenging to develop a relationship with the provider.”

Animal-assisted therapy can also aid in other aspects of recovery. Several studies have found evidence that it can improve mood, boost confidence and bolster social and communication skills.

“With substance use disorders and trauma disorders, there is a lot of emotional dysregulation or discomfort with experiencing and processing emotions,” Stewart said. “Animals can really serve as a model for mindfulness about experiencing emotions in real time.

They can educate us about the purpose of emotions, and they can almost serve as a model as someone is relearning how to navigate the world of an emotional being.”

Animal-assisted therapy shouldn’t take the place of standard components of effective addiction treatment. Addiction treatment should include supervised detox, counseling and therapy, and aftercare support. AAT should be an auxiliary component that increases the effectiveness of counseling and therapy.

Equine Therapy for Addiction

Equine therapy has grown in popularity in addiction treatment, and it’s one of the most heavily researched animal-assisted treatments for substance use disorders. Studies support the use of equine therapy for several mental illnesses.

Equine therapy activities include:
  • Choosing a horse
  • Horse grooming
  • Mounted work
  • Walking/trotting
  • Lunging
  • Equine games

The therapy can be combined with other evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or experiential therapy. Aspects of therapy often include role-playing or role-reversal.

“I do think that working with horses offers an additional skill-building element,” Stewart said. “There are a lot of competencies that go into being able to work with a horse. Only a small percentage of that is actually riding a horse.

You have a lot of skill building opportunities with a horse that don’t present themselves as easily with dogs, rabbits and other species.”

In a small study, individuals receiving substance abuse treatment described how they felt about equine therapy. One described it as a very positive experience. Another individual said it was “much of the reason why I’m still here [in treatment].” A third participant said, “It’s very good motivation to think ahead in my life.”

The statements were representative of themes that arose among eight participants. The study was published in 2016 in Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment.

Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Co-Occurring Disorders

Almost two-thirds of people with substance use disorders also have a co-occurring mental illness, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

A large portion of people struggling with substance abuse have histories of trauma or abuse. When conducted properly, animal-assisted therapy may be able to help those individuals in ways that therapists can’t.

“With folks who have survived trauma, there are certain physical aspects of engaging with an animal that wouldn’t be possible without the inclusion of the animal,” Stewart said. “An aspect of animal-assisted therapy that I have utilized heavily in my work with sexual assault survivors is reorienting the survivor to healthy, mutually beneficial, nonsexual touch.”

Animal-assisted therapy may also reduce anxiety, sadness and insecurity. Anxiety and mood disorders commonly co-occur alongside substance use disorders. When implemented in a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all of the underlying causes of addiction, animal-assisted therapy may improve recovery outcomes.

Looking for addiction treatment?We have programs designed specifically for you.

Who Conducts Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Any type of mental health therapy should be conducted by a person with a reputable degree in a field related to mental health. But having a master’s or doctorate degree in counseling or addiction doesn’t necessarily qualify someone to conduct animal-assisted therapy.

“The enthusiasm about [animal-assisted therapy] is growing faster than the provider or facility competence,” Stewart said. “If you don’t get a provider who is appropriately trained, appropriately competent — and if the welfare of the animal isn’t ensured to a certain standard — it can actually cause harm.”

In general, therapists should be trained and licensed in a specific mental health field and go on to receive further training in animal-assisted therapy.

Individuals who conduct animal-assisted therapy include:
  • Nurses
  • Therapists
  • Counselors
  • Social workers
  • Psychologists
  • Physicians

Animals should also receive obedience training and preparation for animal-assisted interventions. Some organizations test an animal’s well-being and temperament to ensure that animal-assisted therapy is appropriate for it.

Orientation to Animal-Assisted Therapy

Clients must agree to participate in animal-assisted therapy. No one should be forced or deceived into participating. Before the therapy begins, clients go through an orientation process.

“In all orientations, the client should learn a little bit about the species’s specific body language,” Stewart said. “Horses communicate through body language that looks certain ways. Dogs do the same thing but in different ways. [Clients] should understand behaviors and interactions that are appropriate for the animals.”

Appropriate interactions with dogs include:
  • Petting
  • Brushing
  • Positive obedience training
  • Playing fetch
Inappropriate interactions with dogs include:
  • Restraining hugs
  • Provoking
  • Intimidating
  • Striking

Clients should also learn about which parts of the animal are appropriate to touch. They have to understand that animals aren’t always open to being involved in therapy.

“Just as the client has a choice, so does the animal,” Stewart said. “The animal might choose one day that it doesn’t want to interact. We’re going to respect the animal’s right to choose.”

What to Look for in an Animal-Assisted Therapy Provider

When looking for any substance use treatment facility, clients should look for licensing and accreditation. Rehab facilities must be licensed by the state to treat substance use disorders.

The best treatment providers also have accreditations that indicate they meet standards of quality care. Organizations such as the Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities provide reputable accreditations.

In addition to licenses and accreditations for substance abuse treatment, potential clients can ask about certifications and registrations for animal-assisted therapy. EAGALA and PATH International provide reputable accreditations for equine therapy, and Pet Partners and Therapy Dogs International register therapy dogs.

“Potential clients should know where to look to evaluate their provider’s competence,” Stewart said. “I think the American Counseling Association’s competencies are a good start.”

If a provider is competent in animal-assisted therapy, they should be able to answer the following questions:

  • How are the animals cared for?
  • What constitutes the animal’s consent?
  • If there is an incident, what is the provider’s plan to keep everyone safe?
  • What competencies does the provider possess?

Many rehab facilities don’t have the resources to offer animal-assisted therapy, so clients may travel to farms or other locations to receive the therapy. In those situations, clients should ask about the competencies of the third-party provider.

Who Should Receive Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Advocates for animal-assisted therapy support using the therapy for a wide range of mental health disorders and types of addiction.

Studies on animal-assisted therapy usually include participants with different types of substance use disorders or addictions to multiple substances. It’s unknown whether the therapy is more or less effective for certain types of drug addiction.

Individuals who may not be appropriate candidates for animal-assisted therapy include those who:

  • Dislike animals or are disinterested in working with them
  • Have a history of harming animals
  • Possess allergies that can’t be treated by over-the-counter medicine
  • Have religious or cultural concerns involving animals

“Different cultures have different ideas about human-animal interaction and the roles that humans and animals have in each other’s lives,” Stewart said. “It’s important to understand those before you start incorporating them with a client.”

When conducted by a competent health provider as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan, animal-assisted therapy can help individuals recover from addiction. It can also improve symptoms of other mental health conditions.

https://www.drugrehab.com/treatment/types-of-therapy/animal-assisted/
AUTHOR
Chris Elkins, MA

Senior Content Writer, DrugRehab.com

Chris Elkins worked as a journalist for three years and was published by multiple newspapers and online publications. Since 2015, he’s written about health-related topics, interviewed addiction experts and authored stories of recovery. Chris has a master’s degree in strategic communication and a graduate certificate in health communication.

Author: Chris Elkins, MA | Last Updated: 5/25/18 |18 sources
celkins@drugrehab.com
 @ChrisTheCritic9
EDITOR
Joey Rosenberg
Joey Rosenberg,

Editor, DrugRehab.com

FEATURED EXPERT
Leslie Stewart, Ph.D.
Leslie Stewart, Ph.D.,

Associate Professor of Counseling, Idaho State University

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In recent years, animal-assisted therapy has grown

Featured

Learning to Trust Your Intuition in Recovery

In early recovery, alcoholics and addicts start to experience feelings again, both positive and difficult ones. It’s been said that early in sobriety the highs are really high and the lows are really low. This makes sense when considering that during active addiction all feelings were numbed out including the good ones.

Among the feelings that come back in recovery lies intuition. The “gut feelings” that are beyond wise if we simply heed their guidance. Simple, maybe, but certainly not easy. And that’s because intuition usually comes in a flash and then it’s gone.

It’s the doubting, analytical mind that tends to hang around. It takes practice to learn to trust the intuitive feelings. We’ll discuss how to develop that skill, but first let’s look at how intuition is developed.

The Gift of Innate Intuition

All of us are born with intuition. It’s an innate ability. However, many (if not most) alcoholics and addicts grew up in dysfunctional families that did not validate or approve of feelings being expressed. Feelings start getting repressed early on when growing up in a dysfunctional family.

Alcoholics and addicts also tend to be very sensitive people, meaning that they are usually able to sense when someone is unhappy, upset, angry, etc. But growing up in a family that does not acknowledge feelings can get confusing.

And even worse – if the child senses things are not right in their household but everyone else maintains that things are “fine” or “normal,” then it leads to the child not trusting his or her intuition. The child is feeling pain and chaos around them while everyone else denies what is going on.

It’s not unusual for children to begin numbing their feelings with food or overachievement at an early age. By adolescence, they often resort to drugs or alcohol to turn down the volume of the sensitive, intuitive parts of themselves that are sensing the craziness around them. Unfortunately, by numbing out the craziness, they also numb out the wise inner voice of their gut instinct (or intuition).

Fortunately, with recovery, the body, mind and spirit all heal and restore. The intuition will return, but it takes courage and perseverance to develop it.

Steve Jobs once said, “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

Developing Intuition

Developing intuition requires discipline and a practice of slowing down and listening. A few ways to develop a practice are:

  • Quiet TimeCreate a morning practice for yourself that includes quiet time or meditation. I’ve often heard people say they can’t sit quietly or meditate because their thinking never stops. And that’s true! It’s important to remember that the goal of meditation is not to have the thoughts cease. The goal is simply to sit and be still and quiet for a specified amount of time. You may only be able to start with 3 minutes, and that’s okay! You can slowly build up to longer periods of time. With practice you’ll begin to notice that the thoughts actually do begin slowing down. And it’s not what happens during the quiet time that matters, it’s what happens outside of it. By dedicating time to a daily practice you’ll begin to notice that anxiety is reduced, emotions are more regulated and intuition is more present.
  • Listen to Your BodyRather than trying to figure out what you “think” about something, find out what you “feel” about it. Bring the topic to mind and then tune into your body.  Do a body scan and see how you feel when you think of the subject. If you are trying to make a decision, see how each option feels in your body when you consider it. Often the path that feels most peaceful will not make logical sense. This is where it takes courage to follow the path that feels right even when family, friends, or society are telling you otherwise.
  • Get CreativeDeveloping the right side of the brain (which is where creativity, intuition and spirituality reside) will help strengthen the intuitive process. Try doing a daily “stream of consciousness” writing to help keep your subconscious clear. This entails writing 2-3 pages without taking your pen off the page. Simply begin writing what is coming up in your mind and keep following one thought after the next until all pages are filled with your flow of thoughts. You may be surprised at what surfaces.Do a collage. Flip through a magazine and without putting conscious thought into it, simply tear out the images and words that you are drawn to. Tear out words, colors, textures, and hues you find satisfying without judging or analyzing why. Next, get a glue stick and piece of poster board and start gluing. Often you’ll end up with a unique piece of abstract art.
  • Notice the FlashesFollow little intuitive hits. Notice when you get a little intuitive flash, like turning down a road you’ve never been on, or stopping at the library as you drive by, or speaking to the person standing in line next to you. Just try it and see where it leads. You may be surprised at what develops. Just like a muscle, the more you practice following your intuition, the stronger it becomes.

Avoid the Traps

Developing intuition often times requires rejecting the will or the ego. We may be solidly determined for something to happen and yet there are little intuitive flashes that indicate otherwise. Often our ego state will get very loud and insist that we work, push and reach that goal! It’s easy to allow our perseverance and drive to make things happen rather than utilizing intuition which tends to allow things to happen with much less effort.

When fully trusting the intuition, you will begin to feel the truth of being in a cosmic flow with the universe supporting all that is occurring. And that is a place very opposite from being in active addiction. That is a place of true recovery.

https://www.recovery.org/pro/articles/learning-to-trust-your-intuition-in-recovery/

by  on March 31, 2017 in , 

 

 

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Learning to Trust Your Intuition in Recovery In early

Featured, Spiritual Recovery

How Meditation Helps the Addicted Brain
Meditation can change lives and brains for the better.

Fairly quickly, it can produce beneficial results for many mental health challenges, ranging from depression and anxiety to age-related decline. Meditation has proven especially helpful in recovery from addiction and in preventing relapse

The benefits of the ancient practice, once viewed as “out there” and “alternative”,  have been thoroughly validated by science. That’s why meditation has become an intrinsic part of the holistic rehabilitation for the drug addicts to help them find the balance between their physical, mental, and spiritual selves. 

On a physical level, a person is learning to alter the way their brain functions by changing their thought patterns. Through neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to change its structure and function through repeated thought and activity, meditation and mindfulness strengthen connections and expand pathways in the brain that are frequently used while weakening and shrinking those areas rarely engaged.

These changes permanently alter the brain’s form and operation.Brain scans of meditators show increased activity in the frontal lobes, the rational brain, and reduced activity in the amygdala, the fear center of the brain. According to Frontiers in Human Neuroscience:

“Meditation training may induce learning, that is not stimulus or task-specific but process specific, and thereby may result in enduring changes in mental function.”

In studies, just eight weeks of training in meditation decreases amygdala response to provoking stimuli in people even when they’re not meditating.

The benefits of meditation and mindfulness are not limited to the brain. Meditation has been shown to strengthen the immune system, reduce blood pressure and the risk of stroke, minimize pain sensitivity, enhance cognitive function, and even grow a bigger brain. I think doctors should prescribe meditation, not medication.)

The Neurological Benefits of Meditation

  • Meditation Reduces Activity in the Brain’s “Me Center” – Research has shown that mindfulness meditation decreases activity in the brain’s default mode network (DMN). The DMN is responsible for that busy “monkey mind”, mind-wandering, and self-referential thoughts.
  • The Effects of Meditation Rival Antidepressants for Depression, Anxiety – A meta-analysis found that meditation reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety equivalent to antidepressants.
  • Meditation Causes Volume Changes in Key Brain Areas – A Harvard study found that eight weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) increased cortical thickness in the hippocampus, which governs learning and memory, and in certain parts of the brain dealing with emotion regulation and self-referential processing. The study also confirmed decreases in the size of the amygdala, which is the brain’s fear and anxiety command center.
  • Meditation Improves Concentration and Attention – One study found that just a couple of weeks of meditation training helped people’s focus and memory during the verbal reasoning section of the GREs.
  • Meditation Reduces Anxiety – Research determined that mindfulness meditation can reduce anxiety by affecting changes in brain regions associated with thoughts about the self. Mindfulness meditation has also proven helpful in reducing social anxiety disorder.
  • Meditation Helps Preserve An Aging Brain – One study found that long-term meditators had younger looking and functioning brains than non-meditators as they aged.

How Meditation Helps With Addiction

The American Journal of Psychiatry has studies documenting correlations between meditation and successful addiction rehabilitation as far back as the 1970s. Regardless of the specific teaching, detaching from thoughts and observing and calming the self is always at the heart of every meditation philosophy.

In this sense, the practice is a mental health tool which teaches a person to put time and distance between themselves and their impulses. This pause between urge and action actually encourages the brain to rewire and helps establish new behaviors. Addicts learn how to calm and soothe themselves without resorting to substance abuse.

Specifically, meditation helps the addicted mind in these ways:

  • A person notices cravings and can address them before they become urgent and overwhelming.
  • Meditation strengthens a person’s ability to focus their attention, making it easier to let go of cravings.
  • Meditation helps a person observe, experience, and detach from cravings without having to act on them.
  • A person who meditates is better able to handle stress, making them less likely to turn to addictive substances as a coping tool in the first place.

Research on the use of meditation for addiction relief is still in its infancy, but the results so far are very promising. Studies have shown meditation to aid in cigarette and substance abuse addiction and relapse.

A Meditation Specifically for Addiction: Urge Surfing

One type of meditation aimed at overcoming addictive conditioning is called urge surfing. Here’s how it works:

While meditating, a person dealing with addiction acknowledges an urge to use when it arises. The meditator lets the feeling crest like a wave and visualizes in that way. The urge is looked at something to be expected rather than something to fight or be ashamed of. It’s all part of the process.

The goal is to monitor the urge – watch it rise and fall without giving in to it. Meditative breathing serves as the metaphorical surfboard and lets the person ride on top of the urge and observe it without being sucked in. Over time and with practice, resisting urges starts to become easier.

Meditation Groups For Addicts

The Internet Yogi!

This website was developed by David Shannahoff-Khalsa, a research scientist at the University of California, San Diego who specializes in treating psychiatric disorders with Kundalini Yoga. He has developed a protocol using Kundalini Yoga meditation to treat obsessive compulsive disorders and addiction.

These techniques can also help improve mental concentration and mental stability, reduce anxiety and depression, and promote a deep sense of inner peace. The protocol uses unique intense active meditative breathing, chanting, and movement techniques (all while sitting in a chair), and is available for purchase on videotape on his website.

In addition, Dr. Shannahoff-Khalsa has an article describing a specific Kundalini Yoga meditation technique for treating addictive disorders that is available online, which has proven helpful in reducing the obsessive thinking and cravings that often lead to relapse.

by Debbie Hampton

https://thebestbrainpossible.com/how-meditation-helps-the-addicted-brain/

 

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How Meditation Helps the Addicted Brain Meditation can

Featured, Personal Journeys

What is a Recovery Journey?
It’s both an individual story of your personal journey from addiction to recovery and a communal story that relates to the greater whole of humanity. … Sharing your story with another person makes your recovery more real. It’s not a recovery story until you tell someone about it.

You Are Not Alone
Sharing stories is a way to connect with people and inspire others who may be struggling with behavioral health conditions. When you share your recovery journey and how your recovery has impacted those around you, you show people they are not alone. Your story can also demonstrate that treatment works and recovery is possible.

Why Does Your Story Matter?
Stories Matter: Why Stories are Important to Our Lives and Culture. When you tell a story, you spark a connection. That is how humans have communicated since the beginning of time —by telling stories. … As human beings, we are automatically drawn to stories because we see ourselves reflected in them.

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What is a Recovery Journey? It's both an

Addiction, Featured, Poetry, Recovery


An Outsider’s Love by David Barnes 

Though the world may judge you by your cracks, yet failing to understand,

That your beauty of character was created by how you were made whole again.

Your recovery occurred not by changing who you were, but rather by a life
that would be regained,

By changing your relationship to who you had become.

Because, for a fundamental part is honoring how you feel.

At times in your darkest moments you remarked you were actually too afraid to heal,

Because your identity was centered around the trauma you experienced.

The pain was all too real.

At first you had no idea who you were and that was terrifying.

Yet you never forget how far  you had come.

All the times you pushed on when you felt you couldn’t.

The desire to escape from yourself and run.

Yet, every morning you got out of your bed no matter how hard it was.

You came through another day.

You realised life was too short to spend another day at war at this time only with yourself.

In some way, YOU NEVER FORGOT how much STRENGTH and COURAGE you had gained.

This beautiful piece of once broken pottery called YOU.

Pieced carefully back together.

I SEE IN YOU NOT THE APPEARANCE OF broken pottery called YOU.

NOT THE APPEARANCE OF CRACKS.

Only a BEAUTIFUL form made whole by the courage and determination in moving forward continuously to renew.

 

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An Outsider's Love by David Barnes  Though the

Featured, Spiritual Recovery

Spirituality and Health/Recovery
“Remembering to Feed Our Spirits”

(editor’s note: The following sections are excerpts from an online posting about Spirituality and  Recovery/Illness. To see the full version of this powerpoint article use the link at the end of this article
to read it in it’s entirety)

Addiction: a Chronic Illness Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual

Biological-
• Continued addictive behaviors despite the risks to health
• Physical problems (ulcers, high blood pressure, GI bleeds…)
• Physical injury or abuse
• Involvement in potentially dangerous and abusive situations (automobile, motorcycle, bicycle accidents)
• Sleep disturbances: not enough or too much sleep; sleep apnea

Psychological –
• Failed efforts to control the addiction
• Emotional instability (mood swings, depression, paranoia, fear of going insane)
• Loss of self-esteem
• Hopelessness or despair
• Guilt
• Strong fears about your future
• Suicide thoughts, feelings, plan

Spiritual –
• Fear
• Secrets and Hiding
• Self-ridicule
• Intimacy barriers (self, others and Spirit)
• Feeling abandoned
• Disconnection/Isolation

Social –
• Increase in marital relationship problems; risk of loss
• Risk to the well being of one’s family
• Loss of respect
• Decrease in productivity at work/school
• Impairment at work/loss of job/license

How does the disease of addiction
affect a person’s spirituality?

Features of Addiction
Fear
Secrets and Hiding
Self-ridicule
Shame (action against morals)
Barriers to intimacy (self, others and Spirit)
 Disconnection/Isolation

Features of Spirituality
Hope
Meaningful connection
Meaning and purpo
Forgiveness/Acceptance
Sense of belonging
Relationships/Community

The AA Big Book First Edition published in 1939, defined alcoholism as a three-fold disease that affects the individual physically, mentally and spiritually.

The American Medical Association categorized Alcoholism as a Illness in 1956.

What is Recovery?

Recovery is a process of change whereby individuals work to improve their own health and wellness and to live a meaningful life in a community of their choice while striving to achieve their full potential.

SAMHSA Essentially, recovery from addiction complex and dynamic process encompassing all the positive benefits to physical, mental and social (and spiritual) health that can happen when people with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, or their family members, get the help they need.

NCADD Recovery in AA is defined not only as physical abstinence but also includes personality change and spiritual growth that are a result of working the 12 steps.
Big Book, 2001, Chapter 5

Healing Components of Recovery Body

– detoxification, physical healing, brain healing Mind/emotion
– hopefulness, balance and healthy management of emotions Social
– re-integration and healing of relations Spiritual
– meaningful connection, sense of belonging, sense of acceptance and ease

Spirituality and Recovery is about Opening Up and Out

Spirituality is essential to healing from addictive disease and other chronic illnesses…in addition to improving quality of health.

Impact of spirituality on treatment outcomes Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found religious and spiritual support as motivating factors in successful recovery Simpson 2003).

A systematic review of the literature (29 studies from PubMed, CINAHL and Psych Info.) focused upon the role spirituality and religion plays in substance abuse treatment outcomes. For most studies, evidence was found suggesting some support for a beneficial relationship between spirituality or religion and recovery from substance use disorders. Walton-Moss, Ray and Woodruff (John Hopkins) JAN, 2013.

Spiritual Needs of Patients with Chronic Disease
Research Highlights:

1) Chronic illness has a significant impact on physical/functional, emotional, social and spiritual well-being;

2) Spiritual support is associated with better quality of life;

3) Needs for peace, unaffected health and social support corresponds with Maslow’s core needs; Healthcare that addresses patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs will contribute to patient’s improvement and recovery;

4)  There is a need for better tools and strategies to address these needs.

Harold G. Koenig, MD, Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health, Duke University and Arndt Bussing, Center for Integrated Medicine, Quality of Life and Spiritual Coping, U. of Witten/Herdecke, Germany

Spirituality is viewed as a:
Protective Factor
Instills Hope Meaning
Making Social Support- affiliation with a group
Meaningful Connection- prayer/meditation


Pay Attention…to your inner Spirit:
– Spend more time with loving and encouraging family and friends
– Go outside as much as possible
– Reduce distractions (Phone, TV, Internet, News)
– Observe your thoughts about the people around you
– Look at art, listen to music, sing and dance
– Participate in recovery community Play ……Say YES!!!!!!!!!!!
– Be intentional about prayer and meditation
– Find ways to “be” without having to “do” something

Linda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CAP, CARN-AP
Chief Executive Officer, Intervention Project for Nurses

http://www.alternativeprograms.org/resources/conf2016/material/lsmithpdf.pdf

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Spirituality and Health/Recovery “Remembering to Feed Our

Featured, Spiritual Recovery


By embarking on a spiritual journey, you can discover who you truly are. A spiritual journey is a very individual and intimate quest to consciously deepen your insight about life. Some people decide to go on a spiritual journey in order to pose themselves profound questions about their life.

The journey can, for instance, help them to better understand their purpose in life. Others seek to intensively study the nature of reality or wish to grow their understanding of God. Whatever it is, a spiritual journey can greatly help you to be more at peace with yourself and the world. It can be a fantastic opportunity to let go of the past and to stop worrying about the future.
You can also use the spiritual quest to straighten things out with yourself and the world.By doing so, you may discover beneficial insights about the problems and challenges you’re confronted with. The following presents you everything you need to know about embarking on a spiritual journey.

Naturally, each spiritual journey is quite unique. In fact, the term means a great number of things to different people. For some, it is the decision to live a faithful life in service to other people and their faith. Others consider their entire life as a spiritual journey. After all, isn’t life in itself a journey in one way or the other?

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

But it isn’t so important how each of us defines the term. What is important, however, is that you have the right tools at hand to make the most out of your spiritual journey. While every journey is unique, they all share certain commonalities. They all rely on common, or at least very similar, steps.

These steps might not always be arranged in precisely the same order. Some people will develop an interest in their spiritual journey when they are old, whereas others embarked on it at a very young age.

Spiritual Journey

Have the courage to embark on a spiritual journey and see where it leads you.

The intention of the following is not to force you in a specific direction. Instead, consider the advice as a fundament and framework upon which you can build a spiritual journey according to your own beliefs.

How to embark on a spiritual journey

Each and every one of us is living an entirely different life. We all come from different backgrounds and have different pasts. We make different experiences during our lifetimes. Even further, every one of us believes in totally different things. Your life is absolutely not comparable to mine.

Therefore, it’s only too understandable that everyone’s journey in life is quite unique. This is the reason why we all have to embark on our own spiritual journey. We all need to embark on a journey that aligns with our own beliefs (and/or faith). And this is how it should be. Walking in the footsteps of another man or woman may be inspiring at first.

However, it might not necessarily be beneficial to simply try and copy another person’s accomplishments. Have the courage to create your own path. If you go on a journey other people designed or intended for you, you may never experience the profound insights that come from traveling on your own and unique journey.

Let’s begin with a short explanation of the term “spiritual journey.”

Definition of the term “spiritual journey”

In general, a spiritual journey describes the process of a person embarking on a quest to deepen their knowledge, understanding and wisdom about themselves, the world and/or God.

The phrase can refer to a person seeking to lead an intentional and conscious lifestyle in order to gain various insights about themselves and life. But it can also refer to the intentional search of a deeper understanding about God and perhaps also their faith.

While some believe a person needs to decide to embark on a spiritual journey, it may prove more beneficial to consider our entire life as a spiritual journey. Doing so can help us to realize that all the experiences we make in life are important steppingstones in our journeys.

How to go on a spiritual journey

The following will give you a better understanding on what you can do to embark on a spiritual journey. Understand these tips as marker posts that point you in the right direction. They are not intended to be a step-by-step instruction.

You also don’t need to follow their specific order. Simply see if these tips resonate with you. If they are applicable to your own life and situation, apply them and see if they are useful to you.

1. Where do you want to go?

It’s always best to know where you’re going. This holds true for those who travel in real life, but also for those who embark on a spiritual journey. If you don’t have a clear destination in mind, you’ll be more likely to walk mindlessly without making progress.

But if you do have an approximate idea of where you want to go, it will be much easier to steer your actions in one direction. It may be incredibly difficult to know exactly where you want to go with your life. At the same time, it can be challenging to discover your purpose in life. However, the idea is to roughly know where you want to go.

This does not mean that you already have to know the ultimate destination of your journey. In fact, the destination might change over the course of time. This is perfectly fine and absolutely not a problem. In fact, it’s encouraged to adapt your goals as you progress in life. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t have a clear destination in mind when you make your first step. Have a goal and keep adjusting it.

2. Have the courage to embark on your own journey

There are many people who try to force you in a specific direction. They will tell you that there is only one path and that all others are leading you nowhere. However, should we really assume that the path an individual embarks in is any better or worse than another person’s journey? What is important is that you find YOUR path.

But it is even more important that you have the courage to follow where this path leads you. If you allow others to force you in a given direction, you may not find the necessary motivation and perseverance to stick to it.

3. Develop a roadmap

Once you have a rough idea where your journey should lead you, it’s a good idea to develop a roadmap. The map is nothing else but a written strategy on how you intend to come closer to your destination.

The strategy could detail the specific goals about going on a spiritual journey. But it could also detail what exactly you intend to do in order to reach these goals. [Don’t worry if you don’t know precisely where you destination lies. The following tips will address this issue.]

When you develop your roadmap, it’s important to think about some meaningful goals you wish to accomplish. Write these goals down and rank them according to their importance. For instance, you may wish to set yourself the goal to explore the nature of reality. Or you wish to develop a deeper connection to God.

Perhaps you wish to have more compassion for others or to be less afraid of death. Whatever it is, set a goal and develop a strategy to reach this goal.

4. Keep a journal of your journey

It’s important to understand that your spiritual journey did not begin when you set the intention to embark on it. Instead, it began with your birth. All your life’s experiences culminated in who you are today. All the joy and suffering, the victories and the defeats made you the person you are today.

Therefore, all these experiences contributed important insights and lessons to your spiritual journey. They may not always be pleasant memories, but they all helped you to grow stronger and wiser.

A journal can be an excellent way to record the experiences you make along your journey. By writing down the major events in your life, you’ll be able to better see the golden thread that spans through your life.

But it may also prove very beneficial to take a reflective approach about past experiences as well. Doing so may help you to discover important lessons and insights from the various things that happened to you in life.

5. Decide what role your journey should play in your life

For some people, there’s no greater goal and purpose in their life than to follow where their spiritual journey leads them. Some even dedicate their entire life to this journey. This is perfectly fine, but it may not be the right path for everyone.

It’s therefore quite helpful to decide for yourself which role your spiritual journey should play in your life. Ask yourself how important the spiritual aspects of your journey are to you. Think about the extent of your journey.

You may simply want to integrate new aspect of a more spiritual approach into your existing life. But it’s also possible that you seek to develop a better understanding about yourself, your life, God or your faith.

So it’s always good to decide firsthand how important the spiritual journey is to you. For some people, it’s simply an important aspect of their lives. To others, it’s the very reason for their existence.

Those who are more experienced and have walked for a little longer than us often report that the pace of their spiritual journey gradually increased. At first, their curiosity (or an inner longing) made them explore certain concepts, which they slowly integrated into their life. Step-by-step this led to a profound transformation of their entire life.

Don’t think of your spiritual journey as a short excursion with a fixed beginning and end. Instead, try to think of it as a lifelong journey of growth.

6. There are no mistakes

No good spiritual journey comes without mistakes. It’s not possible to plan every small detail of your journey in advance. As a result, you will sometimes walk in the entirely wrong direction.

In other cases, you might make mistakes that hinder your progress for a little while. Don’t let these challenges discourage you from pursuing your spiritual journey. See what happens to you on your path as valuable experiences. In many cases, we need to take one or two misleading paths in order to find the path that leads us to our goals.

So don’t punish yourself for making a mistake. It’s entirely human. That’s why we’re here. We’re here to experience, to learn and to grow. We all mess up sometimes. When this happens, it’s important that we learn our lesson and give our very best to avoid making similar mistakes in the future.

7. Conquer your mind and ego

Engaging on a spiritual journey means to take responsibility for your life and actions. It means to take control of your mind and ego. An essential aspect of a person’s spiritual journey is to learn what they can do to become more virtuous human beings.

Two major factors that contribute largely to who you are is your mind and ego. By conquering these two and by making them abide your will, you can make quick progress in your journey. Otherwise, your mind and ego will steer you off-course.

Learn to control the chatter of your mind. Notice the subtle influence of your thoughts on your behavior and how you perceive reality. Develop strategies to cleanse your mind and to gain control over your thinking processes. Find ways to think more positively.

8. Start learning from the hardships of your life

Life confronts each and every one of us with great difficulties, challenges and suffering. What most people do in these situations is that they endure the suffering and move on. However, if you embark on a spiritual journey you may want to take a step back and have a look at the bigger picture.

If you ignore what happens to you in life, you went through all this suffering and misery for no good reason. But if you consider the hardships of your life as great educators that teach you valuable lessons, you will truly make big leaps in your journey.

Life is not just black and white. Difficulties and challenges in your life may be incredibly painful. But if you look back and reflect on your past, you will see that all these experiences somehow changed you for the better. Realize that everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by accident. And everything that happens leads to something better.

9. Follow where your intuition leads you

Many people who go on a spiritual journey have no clear idea where this path leads them. They simply feel an inner urge that prompts them to take the first step. Deep inside themselves, they know that is the right decision. They don’t outweigh the pros and cons but trust that their decision leads them in the right direction.

If you go on a spiritual journey, have the courage to follow your intuition, wherever it may lead you. No matter if you call it intuition, higher guidance or gut instinct, pay attention to what it says. Don’t let your worries and doubts decide in which direction you go. Instead, have the courage to experiment and to see where your intuition leads you.

10. Draw inspiration from the Bible.

There’s an almost infinite amount of profound wisdom and practical advice to be found in the Bible and it has inspired billions around the world to become better human beings. Unfortunately, a great number of people reject these teachings. Similarly, many people are simply not interested in “thousand-year-old books.” All these people miss out on incredibly valuable teachings that can be wonderful companions on a spiritual journey.

These texts will help you to get a new perspective on your life and your beliefs. Many of these texts provide excellent inspiration for your spiritual journey. They put the challenges of your journey into context and show you opportunities for growth and spiritual progress.

As you read these texts, you will notice that they can enrich your life and broaden your perspective.

The inspiring teachings of sacred texts might prove to be the right fertilizer that helps you to blossom during your journey. The same holds true for the wise words of sages and saints.

11. Embrace the unknown

If you always walk the path that you’ve always known, you will always go where you’ve always been. Embrace the mystery of the journey. Have the courage to explore new paths and see where they lead you.

Not everything in life can be planned. The illusion of certainty only limits our progress. Especially when it comes to a spiritual journey, you never know for sure what experiences you’ll make and the people you’ll meet. We never truly know how things will unfold during our journey.

If you have the courage to embrace the unknown, you will be presented with great opportunities.

12. Start meditating

All the major religions practice forms of meditation, they are known under different names. But it is important to understand that meditation is simply a tool. You can use it to train your mind but also to make progress in your spiritual journey.

Meditation helps you to calm your mind and to reduce many of its negative influences on your behavior. At the same time, meditating regularly will help you to get in touch with your true self and higher aspects of yourself.

In Conclusion

Throughout the course of a person’s life, there will be many calls to embark on a spiritual journey. These calls to action may come as life-changing experiences, dreams or inspiring conversations that we have. Unfortunately, a great number of people ignore these calls.

They refuse to embark on a spiritual journey because they are afraid where it may lead them. They are not particularly comfortable with the unknown and fear change. As a result, they keep living their life as they always did and deny the increasing urgency of the call.

Instead of running away from your call, try to embrace it. Seek for the mission and purpose of your life. But once you do develop an understanding of your purpose, have the courage to pursue it. Your journey will confront you with uncertainties and challenges. But all these experiences will eventually help you to realize your full potential.

“If you lead me astray, then my wanderings will bring me to my destination.”
Michael Bassey Johnson

I hope you enjoyed reading this article about the different ways to go on a spiritual journey.

Stay victorious!

http://www.planetofsuccess.com/blog/2016/go-spiritual-journey/

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ABOUT The AUTHOR

Steve is the founder of Planet of Success, the #1 choice when it comes to motivation, self-growth and empowerment. This world does not need followers. What it needs is people who stand in their own sovereignty. Join us in the quest to live life to the fullest!

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Featured, Spiritual Recovery, Treatment Programs

What Are the Benefits of a Holistic Recovery Center?
Important Information

This information is for educational purposes only. We never invite or suggest the use, production or purchase of any these substances. Addiction Resource and it’s employees, officers, managers, agents, authors, editors, producers, and contributors shall have no direct or indirect liability, obligation, or responsibility to any person or entity for any loss, damage, or adverse consequences alleged to have happened as a consequence of material on this website. See full text of disclaimer.

Holistic recovery, as the term suggests, encourages people suffering from addiction to turn attention to all aspects of their health—mind, body, and spirit. These centers focus on healing the whole person. They differ from traditional rehabs in that they see the person and their addiction as one whole, not two separate elements.Holistic rehabs are considered an alternative treatment in the vast majority of cases because they don’t favor the conventional model with its focus on 12-step programs and psychotherapy.

Three Types of Holistic Rehab Facilities

Broadly speaking, there are three types of holistic drug treatment centers:

The first focuses on the process of healing using a variety of Eastern-inspired techniques, such as reiki. These centers reject the 12-step model outright, unlike the second type, which does offer 12-step programs but also incorporates elements of Eastern philosophy or healing arts, such as massage therapy or yoga. The third holistic rehab center type is hard to define, because there are a lot of such centers, and their services vary greatly.

Some facilities just label themselves as holistic because they do not use prescription medication. As a result, they are open to any recovering addict as long as he or she has undergone detox and does not require psychiatric drugs.

Basically, any of these types of facilities may be suitable for any given client, but it is important to ask questions about what exactly the treatments will involve.

Getting Help at a Holistic Rehab Center

One speaks of substance abuse when a person is using drugs or alcohol in a misguided attempt to keep a certain issue or aspect in their life under control. Sometimes the person isn’t aware of what this issue is. A holistic addiction treatment center will focus on improving mental, physical, and emotional health, targeting the problematic aspects so clients can become and remain sober.

According to holistic programs, all three areas of health are linked, meaning that a problem in one will affect the other two. Efforts are made to treat each area so the individual can sustain sobriety after the main issues leading to substance misuse are resolved. Like traditional rehabs, these facilities have trained therapists to provide individual and group therapy among other standard rehab features. Additional focus is placed on:

  • Organic meal plans to improve physical health
  • Yoga, tai chi, and other meditation exercises
  • Sports activities – swimming, walking, biking, hiking
  • Music and/or art therapy
  • Acupuncture, massage or other complementary therapy
  • Treatment in scenic locations – seaside or in the mountains

Holistic drug rehab centers aim to treat addiction by introducing as few new chemicals to the patient’s body as possible and achieving a cleanse through herbal remedies and good nutrition.

In cases of severe addiction, undergoing withdrawal at a holistic recovery centeris not recommended, because medication to prevent dangerous side effects, such as seizures, is not administered. In less severe cases, this could be an advantage – holistic practitioners maintain that psychiatric medications can lead to prolonged periods of toxicity, postponing the benefits of a drug-free life.

What to Expect at a Holistic Drug Treatment Center

Different holistic drug rehab centers will offer different treatments, but the process one can expect is generally as follows. Every treatment starts with holistic detox. This is done under medical supervision. Patients meet the doctor on staff when they arrive at the center and receive a full evaluation, going through a protocol that is adapted to individual needs.

Drug use alters the physical properties of the brain, including the activity of neurotransmitters. More specifically, it affects the prefrontal cortex, which is the same area activated to make decisions and judgments. It follows, then, that self-control, motivation, judgment, memory, and even emotional regulation could all be impaired.

A good holistic drug treatment center will take this into account. Treatment begins with Core Belief Restructuring, which is something of a holistic trademark. This comprehensive, effective therapeutic approach can help bring about lasting change due to a combination of experiential learning and cognitive understanding of the behavior behind the addiction.

Treatment at a Holistic Drug Rehab Center

After detox, patients are enrolled in a comprehensive program to heal the brain, broadly speaking. This includes special exercises to reacquire self-control, motivation to attain long-term sobriety, and sound judgment. A key principle of this rehab type is “life from the core essence”, a way to help a recovering addict find happiness by soul-searching.

The program has elements of fear reduction and stress management and, of course, techniques to improve mental, physical, and emotional health. Core essence therapy involves mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques. The mind and body need to work in unison. It isn’t possible to live only in one or the other.

Therapists at a holistic treatment center will take into account the fact that chronic stress is one of the biggest risk factors behind drug and alcohol abuse. Lack of adequate techniques to deal with stress often leads to addiction issues. Stress management and fear reduction modules are integrated into the treatment plan to facilitate long-term healing.

Types of Holistic Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

There are both inpatient and outpatient rehab centers. The first are also known as residential treatment centers, where the patient lives in the facility. If a client chooses the second type, he or she will continue to live at home but attend sessions at the center. The focus on health integration is what both holistic rehab types have in common.

Their programs assimilate the aspects of support that the body needs on each level during the process of recovery. These treatment facilities can offer a wide variety of therapeutic forms, but it is most important to make sure they are able to provide customized plans for specific addiction types.

Shortcomings of Traditional Rehabs

Many recovering addicts find the conventional forms of drug treatment either insufficient or too limiting. Typical 12-step facilities tend to weave religion into their approaches, which can put some potential clients off. Traditional rehabs do not offer supplementary treatments such as yoga, massage, reiki, saunas, energy work, journey work, and nutritional therapy. Another shortcoming is the insistence on using psychiatric drugs.

Eastern philosophies, which can be very beneficial, are not integrated into the therapeutic approach. A holistic rehab facility’s scope will even include Buddhist teachings, guided meditation, guided imagery therapy, and spiritual teachings like Eckhart, The Secret, The Four Agreements, and more.

Getting More Addicts into Treatment

The effectiveness of holistic drug rehab depends on a number of factors, some of which are not directly connected to the treatment itself. The “treatment gap” is a known fact—only a small number of those who need substance abuse treatment actually receive it. According to data of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 21.6 million persons over the age of 12 needed treatment for an illegal drug or alcohol use problem, but only 2.3 million received such at a specialized substance abuse facility in 2011.

To reduce the treatment gap, a multilateral approach is needed. Strategies include ensuring insurance parity (efforts to implement such started only recently), increasing access to effective treatment, reducing stigma, and raising awareness of the value of addiction treatment among both addicts and healthcare professionals.

Evidence of Holistic Rehab Effectiveness

Results of a study reported by Yale University show some evidence that this form of rehab can and does benefit recovering addicts. The best way to be sure if it will work in a specific situation and under specific circumstances is by reviewing testimonials. When looking for a treatment center, asking about the success rate is greatly recommended.

The facility either will or won’t be able to provide evidence of their success. It is also important to take into account that two holistic centers may have different success rates albeit having the same idea and very similar programs. The success rates also depend on whether the person is religious or not, and on their beliefs.

Clients who either don’t support or aren’t familiar with Eastern medical and spiritual practices usually don’t find holistic treatment helpful.

There is no consistently effective method of addiction treatment, and holistic rehab is no exception. However, this definitely doesn’t mean it should be rejected. To make a well-informed decision, individuals interested in treatment should look at ratings from alumni, the price of the program, the services offered, and the specializations of the facility.

The setting is also important – a secluded and peaceful area as opposed to a busy neighborhood, a beach or mountain setting, and the style of the resort, if the facility is in one. The organization of choice should definitely be accredited and offer relatively high staff-to-patient ratios. Chronic pain treatment and aqua therapy are a plus.

https://addictionresource.com/drug-rehab/holistic-rehab/

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What Are the Benefits of a Holistic

Featured, Treatment Programs

(The following excerpts are copied and pasted into this article directly from Smart Recovery’s main website. None of this information has been paraphrased or worded differently than how it appears on their website)

_________

If you want to address any addiction or harmful habit, SMART Recovery can help. Major changes can be overwhelming. SMART’s practical tools and social supports are proven effective to support and sustain successful long-term life change.

Harmful habits include substance addictions (to alcohol and other drugs), as well as activity addictions(to behaviors like sex, relationships, spending, gambling, eating, exercise, and self-injury). No matter your harmful habit, SMART can help you change it.

SMART is not just any mutual-support program. Our science-based approach emphasizes self-empowerment and self-reliance. There’s no lifetime commitment; you decide when the time is right to move on.

You choose how to personalize your own plan for successful change. SMART can be used both as a stand-alone program or in combination with other recovery paths. SMART Recovery recognizes the only one who can become truly expert on your recovery is you.

This program offers specific tools and techniques for each of the points:

1. Building and Maintaining Motivation
2. Coping with Urges
3. Managing Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors
4. Living a Balanced Life

People using the SMART Program:

Move away from addictions and toward satisfying lives

Learn tools and techniques for self-directed change

Benefit from improved tools as scientific knowledge of addiction recovery evolve.

About Smart Recovery

SMART Recovery is an abstinence-oriented, not-for-profit organization for individuals with addictive problems. Our self-empowering, free mutual support meetings focus on ideas and techniques to help you change your life from one that is self-destructive and unhappy to one that is constructive and satisfying.

SMART Recovery does not use labels like “addict” or “alcoholic.” We teach scientifically validated methods designed to empower you to change and to develop a more positive lifestyle. After you have become familiar with SMART and are free of any addictive behavior, we encourage you to become a volunteer, so that we can keep expanding the number of meetings we offer.

Addictive behaviors can serve a purpose — to cope with life’s problems and emotional upsets. There can be drawbacks, however: while addictive behaviors may be effective coping methods in the short term, but they may cause harmful problems in the long term.

In SMART we focus on learning coping skills that work well short- and long-term. We base our ideas on what addiction science has shown to be effective. We have adapted these ideas into SMART’s tools for change.

We are not much concerned with the past, except to learn from it. We focus on present-day events and the causes of self-destructive behaviors. We concentrate on what to do about them to achieve a positive lifestyle change, especially in the areas of our lives that are related to harmful addictive behavior.

Key Areas of Awareness and Change

SMART Recovery’s approach to behavioral change is built around our 4-Point Program®:
(1) Building and maintaining the motivation to change.
(2) Coping with urges to use.
(3) Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in an effective way without addictive behaviors.
(4) Living a balanced, positive, and healthy life.

Motives and Goals

Motivation is a key element in nearly all you do. Consider that all human beings share several primary goals: survival, the avoidance of pain, happiness. Any addictive behaviors you engage in are to pursue these primary goals.

We can help you see that you may be meeting these goals short-term but impairing your ability to meet them in the long-term.

Beliefs

What you believe about addiction is important, and there are many beliefs to choose from. You may believe, for example, that you’re powerless, or that after the first drink you lose all control and can’t stop.

These beliefs may actually be damaging to you. Similar examples include, “I’ve tried and failed, so I can’t do it. I need alcohol to cope.” Or, “Because I’ve tried to quit and failed, I’m no good.”

Those beliefs, and many like them, can’t be justified because the evidence just doesn’t support them. We will help you identify, examine, and modify your beliefs about yourself, your problems, and how to change.

Emotions

People often engage in addictive behavior to cope with emotional problems, including anger, guilt, anxiety, and low self-esteem. SMART Recovery teaches you how to diminish your emotional disturbances and increase self-acceptance. Then you can have greater motivation and the ability to change and to live more happily.

Behaviors

Changes in thinking and emotions alone are not enough. Commitment and follow-through are essential. We encourage participants to become involved in enjoyable activities that replace their problematic addictive behaviors.

How SMART Provides Help

Our meeting format is straightforward and organized. Our facilitators are trained to follow the SMART Recovery program and principles to help participants change their behavior. Some of them have had addictive problems, and some haven’t. That doesn’t seem to make any difference.

Remember, SMART Recovery is a mental health and educational program, focused on changing human behavior. SMART Recovery meetings are serious but often fun. We don’t dredge up the past, about which we can do nothing. We can do something about the present and the future.

Our meeting discussions focus on how to apply SMART’s tools for change so that you can go on to lead a more productive and connected life. Near the end of the meeting, the “hat” is passed for donations, which are encouraged but not required.

https://addictionresource.com/drug-rehab/holistic-rehab/

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(The following excerpts are copied and pasted