Positive Psychology in Addiction Treatment

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Have you heard the buzz about the power of positivity? It’s hard to avoid if you have access to YouTube videos, a bookstore or a friends that have been swept up by one of the many  positive-thinking movements in pop culture. Are you telling yourself that changing your viewpoint can’t possibly change your reality? Are you not quite buying into the idea that changing your perspective or being more grateful for positive can change your life? Well, consider that there is a whole academic discipline devoted to studying how people can be happier and more fulfilled through positive thinking.  The research conducted by Positive Psychologists over almost two decades is ridiculously compelling and may just pull all of you skeptics over to the other side of the fence – the side of optimism.

What’s amazing about positive psychology is not just the subject matter studied (i.e. strengths, well-being and optimal functioning of an individual), but the fact that “positivity” sometimes forms the basis for research itself.  In Amy R. Krentzman’s article entitled, “Review of the Application of Positive Psychology to Substance Use, Addiction, and Recovery Research,” she says:

“The Hoxmark poster and the theoretical and empirical work described in this review suggest that positive psychology has begun to be applied to theory, research, and intervention in substance use disorders. Although positive psychology and the recovery movement share similar interests and emphases, they differ in important ways that frame the current discussion. Within the field of addiction, the recovery movement is a multi-faceted grassroots effort led by individuals who are themselves in recovery from substance use disorders. The movement is built on a recovery-oriented, rather than a pathology-oriented, framework from which addiction and its resolution are understood. Working from an established set of values and goals, participants in the recovery movement work collectively to remove obstacles to treatment, support multiple paths to recovery, and make larger social systems more supportive of recovery lifestyles (White, 2007).”

Conducting research and stating conclusions is a specialty of experts, but having the wisdom to step back and demonstrate awareness of an entire scientific discipline… that’s powerful. It’s also demonstrative of the way individuals may want to look at their lives and heighten their own personal awareness.

Positive psychology challenges the way people see themselves and their tendency to want to take control of “reality” as they understand it.  But, if everything depends upon perspective and perception, then what’s real?  As this question disturbs people whose wellbeing depends on fixing their circumstances into one unchangeable idea of reality, it also opens a gateway into happiness for those who are willing align with a more positive perspective.

When new ideas change the way we think and inspire us, we can’t help but ask, is this new way of researching  the end all, and is it replacing what came before? Certainly not.

Kertmaz herself says: “Because the field is new and has been embraced by popular culture, critical thinking is essential both in assessing positive-psychological research and in building good science, not only on its foundation, but on the foundation of the decades of relevant scholarship that preceded it.”  Positive psychology principles are the basis for self-help movements which are often commercial in nature.  The authors of inspiring books and videos may or may not honor the science behind the principles to a tee when they present their own ideas.  That means you may want to avoid conflating science with what could be called “fluff” in the scientific community.  But, of course, you are free to take in ideas that you like from the popular movements, whether proven or not, in order to enhance the best and most positive parts of your life.

Watch Larry Smith, LAADC, CAS, III presenting on “Positive Psychology, Happiness & Addiction Treatment.”

Sexual Abuse of Boys and The Path to Recovery

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Sexual abuse of men and boys is a little talked about issue.  Not enough people, clinicians included, know that this kind of trauma is being inflicted upon boys. To make matters worse, males are less likely to report sexual abuse than female victims.

In the mid-1990s, the famous Adverse Childhood Experience Study reported that childhood trauma victims are significantly more likely to become IV drug users. While the addiction may be directly linked to trauma, there are often co-occurring disorders like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and shame that lead a person to seek comfort in dangerous substances.

The secretive culture created by sexual abusers causes a terrible cycle of lies, abuse, and victimization. The organization Stop It Now, defines sexual abuse of a child as “all sexual touching between an adult and a child.” Non-touching behavior that also constitutes abuse, according to Parents Protect, includes showing pornography to a child, deliberately exposing an adult’s genitals to a child, photographing a child in sexual poses, encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts, and inappropriately watching a child undress or use the bathroom.

This broad definition of sexual abuse may help those who are troubled by a trauma-filled past and plagued by the shame of abuse. Oftentimes, a child who has gone through abuse feels that that the abuse was his fault, but this is likely a part of the abuser’s manipulation.  Parents Protect lays out some tactics that abusers use to attract unsuspecting children and to make the child feel complicit in the sexual act or series of acts.  The tactics include “giving gifts, encouraging a child to keep secrets, threats, blackmail, coercion and flattery.”

According to The Men’s Project, one in every six boys will have experienced “unwanted direct sexual contact with an older person before 16.”  But of course, because males seldom report this sort of abuse, this data may be skewed.   According to Randy Boyd, a survivor of sexual abuse and author of Healing the Man Within, 65% of male clients at addictions facilities he’s visited have been abused in their youth.   In his talk at the Rancho Mirage Network Luncheon, he said that the reason for the vicious cycle of abuse and non-reporting is partially cultural.  “Men don’t show emotions,” he said, mocking cultural expectations.

There is also “physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse that happens right along with [sexual abuse]” Boyd emphasized in his talk.  Fear and confusion often result from sexual abuse.  Boyd pointed out that these emotions cause victims to go through life feeling desperate for love and yet unable to trust the people that offer love to them.

Addiction and trauma often go hand-in-hand. Co-occurring disorders in this scenario are very common as well.   Many of the men who have been abused and who later in life appear at addictions treatment centers are often dealing with other mental disorders in addition to their underlying trauma.  There may also be developmental issues. As Boyd says, “you stop growing when the abuse happens.”

Addiction happens for many reasons, but ongoing feelings of shame is one of the major causes of relapse.  With a trauma as personal and heinous as sexual abuse, shame can overshadow the whole life of a man.

While this is a difficult topic to talk about, there is hope.  Growing communities of men and boys are now discussing these matters in therapeutic settings and finding the support they need. There is also a large annual conference called “It happens to boys” that brings in inspiring speakers like John Lee and John Bradshaw.

The journey to healing from addiction and underlying sexual trauma can be difficult, but is a necessary effort for those seeking a better life experience. Therapists and counselors at Addiction Therapeutic Services are equipped to help you along on your journey.  ATS is an Addiction & Dual Diagnosis Treatment Provider in Rancho Mirage, CA and can be reached at (760) 459-1795.

Watch Randy Boyd presenting on “Healing The Man Within: Hope for Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse.”

Evening Outpatient Treatment for Addiction Recovery

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Evening Outpatient Treatment offers More Flexibility

These days, people are often strapped for time, cash and support that meets their unique needs for addiction recovery. The corporate and government employment scene generally keeps people very busy from 8AM to 5PM not including a sometimes lengthy commute. School schedules are often replete with a variety of course options in the morning but sparse selections at night. Finally, most people with children simply cannot or will not put their kids on hold during the day, even for much-needed treatment. These tight and varied schedule demands have caused the need for a paradigm shift in treatment. Many treatment providers have already started offering Outpatient programs to respond the issues of affordability, time and other clinical reasons. Even still, treatment centers are having to continually change how and what they are providing to their clients.

Evening Outpatient Option

Evening Outpatient Programs are one example of customizing treatment for the busy client. It can be extremely helpful for those who want to keep focused on their job or educational aspirations during the day rather than having to shift gears. EOP, like other outpatient programs, offers clients the opportunity to dig deep into the root causes of addiction with a counselor. One of the best aspects of EOP is that it’s a great way to close out the day with a recovery-oriented perspective in a group offering lighter fare, like Life Skills.

On another note, these customized programs help to cut the excuses. For example, there are many high-functioning users out there who have managed to maintain employment, even successful employment, with their substance abuse issues. These people may find that EOP serves their needs without severely hindering their career dreams. Of course, whether an individual will be best-served by an Evening Outpatient program is a clinical decision and should be determined only by clinical staff.

EOP Treatment Option

While EOP sounds like an easier and more convenient way out of addiction, the program should mirror daytime Outpatient in terms of quality of treatment and the “work” that clients engage in to start and maintain a successful path to recovery. The number of hours spent in facilitated groups is also the same between EOP and daytime Outpatient. If a person has opted into EOP, he or she may need to go through drug and alcohol detox and/or residential treatment before starting the program. Detox and residential programs usually do not have an evening only option, but could save an addict’s life. They are usually recommended when the severity of the addiction warrants a higher level of care. Even if you are a busy person, detox and residential care should not be avoided. Like day Outpatient treatment, EOP usually involves process groups and psycho-education classes. At Addiction Therapeutic Services, we are now offering Evening Outpatient Treatment. Our groups include: Relapse Prevention, Family Support Group, Healthy Boundaries, Process Group, and Life Skills which are facilitated by stellar therapists or counselors.

Outpatient Treatment at Addiction Therapeutic Services

ATS believes that treatment is for everyone, and that the program schedule should reflect that. Contact us at (760) 322-1777 for more information on whether Evening Outpatient is the right program for you.

Stress and Emotional Self-Regulation

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Managing Stress for Healthy Well-Being

Stress is a universal problem. Research shows that stress can cause premature aging and lower the body’s immune system responses. Inability to self-regulate emotional and physical responses to feeling stressed out can lead to substance abuse and eventually addictions of various kinds. According to researcher, academian, and author, Dr. Stephen Sideroff, stress also comes into play after an addiction is already in progress, significantly raising the probability of relapse. In appropriate doses, however, stress can help with focus, coping with high-pressure situations and reacting to “real” threats.

In a recent talk at the Rancho Mirage Network Luncheon, Dr. Sideroff asserted that our current human stress responses are “mismatched” to our evolutionary state. For example, the “fight or flight” response has little place in the way we currently live our lives. The adrenaline rush caused by this particular nervous system response leads us to want to run away or take up aggressive behaviors in situations where that is simply unwarranted. It’s also dangerous to our emotional, mental, and physical health. When fight or flight is triggered too often, we live a life of stress, anxiety and potentially other problems. However, getting ourselves into a well-regulated state helps us to judge when these extreme responses are useful and even necessary.

Besides the problem of the evolutionary mismatch, there is also the problem of “freezing” into certain patterns we develop in childhood. Dr. Sideroff’s research demonstrates that patterns are often created in childhood and may contain inappropriate emotional, physical, and mental responses that carry forward into adulthood. These patterns calcify early in life and are mostly unconscious, meaning that we generally do not know that they exist or what kind of impact they have on us. We also have a tendency to recreate these patterns throughout our lives even though they may be damaging to us in various ways.

Although we face some major evolutionary and developmental issues just being part of the human race, there are ways we can change our patterns and align with our current environment. This is a part of what Dr. Sideroff calls “optimal management of personal energy.” Once we’ve achieved a certain level of mastery in this self-regulation process, everything else we want to accomplish tends to become easier.

At the luncheon, Dr. Sideroff stated with certainty, “there is no substitute for practicing relaxation daily.” Many therapists in addiction treatment have embraced relaxation techniques as a part of their therapeutic style. Silent meditation and progressive relaxation are examples of popular techniques, but of course, there are many other ways to relax. You may just need to recall what method you’ve used successfully in the past or go through a trial and error process to find out what gives you the greatest feeling of healthy relaxation. And then… practice it daily!

While reduction of stress is a great thing and leads to a life of greater awareness, Dr. Sideroff says that repressed emotions naturally begin to reveal themselves as stress goes down. Not having to deal with an overkill response to a situation that could have been handled with more calm and ease creates opportunities for an individual to deal with real issues that have been lurking under the surface for a long time. This results in deeper and longer term healing.

The journey of self-regulation is long and can be difficult, but it is well worth the effort. Therapists and counselors at Addiction Therapeutic Services (ATS) are equipped to help you understand the essentials of stress management. ATS is an Addiction & Dual Diagnosis Treatment Provider in Rancho Mirage, CA and can be reached at (760) 322-1777.

Watch Stephen Sideroff, Ph.D presenting on “The Path: Mastering the Nine Pillars of Resilience and Success.” Visit Dr. Sideroff’s website at http://drstephensideroff.com/

Health Insurance for Addiction Treatment

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Using Health Insurance for Addiction Treatment

Reduce Out of Pockets Costs for Rehab

Health Insurance can help reduce the out of pocket costs for those looking for addiction and dual diagnosis treatment programs.  There are various types of insurances plans and range from county, government, employee, or privately funded plans.  Each addiction treatment provider may vary with what insurance plans they take and do not take.

The specific breakdown of insurance coverage starts with this question: does the coverage fall into the category of “private,” where a policyholder usually pays a premium? Or is it “public,” which is funded by the state or county (but may require fees for certain medical services)?  Public insurance is available only to those who qualify and offers some treatment options to those who are eligible.  If you have a government/county funded insurance plan, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a great resource for you.  SAMHSA is a federal agency that provides a wealth of information on its website, www.samhsa.gov, and via its National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

While public insurance is valuable for a great many, those who hold private insurance policies are likely to have more options.  The two most common types of private insurance are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).  With an HMO plan, you can go to a limited list of providers who are considered “in-network.” In-network providers can be individuals or treatment centers who are contracted with your insurance company.  If you want to go outside of the network or see a specialist, you may be able to do so if an in-network provider gives you a referral.

Under a PPO plan, you will be able to go to more health care providers who are considered “out-of-network” or who are not a part of the preferred provider network.  The process with PPO is different and usually does not require a referral to see a specialist.  Another difference is that you may be required to pay your doctor or treatment center when billed and get reimbursed from the insurance company afterward.   These plans are generally more expensive than HMO, but as you can tell, they open up your treatment options quite a bit.

Addiction Therapeutic Services Accepts Insurance

Addiction Therapeutic Services accepts most private insurance plans for those seeking substance abuse treatment.  We are also an in-network provider with Anthem Blue Cross.  We accept Blue Shield, Blue Cross, United, Cigna, Aetna, Healthnet, MHN, and many other plans.  Please call our Admissions helpline today for a free insurance verification and confidential telephone assessment.  Addiction Therapeutic Services is an Addiction & Dual Diagnosis Treatment Provider in Rancho Mirage, CA and can be reached at (760) 322-1777.

LGBTQ Treatment With a Focus on Transgender

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LGBTQ Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Addiction treatment centers in several states are becoming more keen on growing quality programs for LGBTQ clients, but there is still quite a ways to go.  While many counselors and therapists are being trained on the unique issues faced by those identify as LGBTQ, only few are truly equipped to deal with each of the mini-communities within LGBTQ.  They include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, and that’s only to name a few that have come into the light in recent decades.  Of these groups, Transgender may be the most at risk for substance abuse disorders and may also be the most complicated to treat in some instances.

As some in the treatment world are struggling to remember the classifications, others are finding ways to respond to the needs of these individuals.  The treatment community is aware that LGBTQ clients come with unique challenges and that the rates of substance abuse disorders tend to be higher in this population than in those identifying heterosexual. Co-occurring disorders are also far more common in this population, leading to the need for specialized care.

Transgender people may have additional challenges that an experienced therapist can help with.  These challenges deal with body image, stress or trauma related to a transition procedure, lack of understanding from society as a whole, and perhaps feeling alone because there are relatively few people with the same concerns.

Sexual orientation is such a central aspect to the identity of some LGBTQ individuals that they often they use drugs and alcohol in order to “numb or enhance sexual feelings.”  Also, while societal views are changing with regard to sexual orientation, shame and guilt still plague the lives of many LGBTQ people, leaving them feeling isolated or rejected.  With the triple whammy of 1. shame, 2. addiction and 3. other mental disorders, specialized care has become a clear necessity.  On top of that, there is a serious social stigma on all of these levels complicating the matter further.

As the behavioral health world catches up with these concerns, some LGBTQ organizations and allies are using education and principles of inclusion to help to reduce shame.  They are also helping society to be aware of who may need specialized treatment that is sensitive to their situation. For example, these days, some organizations prefer that “LGBTIQ” be used as the standard acronym because it is more inclusive of sexual orientations.  The “I” comes from the term “Intersex,” which according to the Intersex Society of North America, “is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.” The “Q” stands for “Questioning.”

Receive Help for Drug and Alcohol Addiction at an LGBTQ Treatment Program

Are you or a loved one suffering from addiction but feel like your concerns are unique and require individualized treatment? If so, please call the ATS Admissions Helpline at (760) 322-1777.  We are trained to help LGBTQ clients and focus on Transgender. We are ready to serve this population and are here to help you.

Can Naltrexone Therapy Help You Maintain Your Recovery?

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What is Naltrexone Therapy and How Does It Work

Naltrexone has been used to help people with their alcohol and opioid cravings since the 1980s. Naltrexone actually blocks the effects of certain drugs and alcohol by binding to opiate receptors in the brain. That means that even if you try, you cannot get high. The blocker is FDA approved and you may see it being sold as Revia or Depade in addition to its most common name, Vivitrol.  Naltrexone is available as a pill, an intravenous injection, and as an implant and will only be prescribed after the patient has stopped using for seven days or more.

According to NIDA, “Naltrexone has been used together with clonidine to shorten detoxification from heroin or methadone from two weeks to only one day.”  This is remarkable and has led many facilities to make Naltrexone an integral part of treatment. Supporting the notion that the blocker has been effective for addiction treatment, National Center for Biotechnology Information cited 2004 and 2006 studies showing that the drug can help increase the period between relapse and reduce alcohol consumption.

While Naltrexone sounds like a miracle-drug at first, you should know that researchers and medical professionals have identified populations that benefit more from this treatment than others. They have also determined conditions that enhance the efficacy of Naltrexone as well as conditions that may undermine the efficacy.  In recent years we have learned that genetics and gender affect how well Naltrexone will work.  There are also studies that show that some patients on opioid blockers will abuse substances less, but that they will not stop completely.  Due to this, many practitioners in the field have suggested using the drug in conjunction with 12-step and psychotherapy.

Some practitioners have even advocated for use of The Sinclair Method in Intensive Outpatient treatment, which is when an alcoholic will only be asked to take Naltrexone before drinking. This method has received much criticism from Alcoholics Anonymous and other abstinence-based programs which say that it promotes drinking and sabotages recover rather than instilling values of abstinence.

Being honest with your doctor about any medical conditions and you drug and alcohol use is important.  Naltrexone can cause immediate withdrawal symptoms and dangerous side-effects.  But, as far as research has demonstrated, the drug can be very helpful in maintaining abstinence.

Receiving Help for a Drug or Alcohol Addiction

If you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, it is crucial to seek help from a licensed treatment program with a skilled treatment team and comprehensive program elements.  Addiction Therapeutic Services is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and a licensed alcohol and drug addiction treatment provider.  Our Admissions Team can answer your questions and provide a free confidential assessment over the phone or in person.  ATS also accepts most private insurance plans and is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross helping you to reduce out of pocket costs.  Call our team today for an insurance check.  Call the ATS Helpline at (760) 322-1777 to get help today.

View a recent presentation hosted by Addiction Therapeutic Services, “Naltrexone Implant: A New Tool to Support Recovery.”