Leading Addiction Rehab in Rancho Mirage, CA

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    Addiction Therapeutic Services Offers Quality Addiction Rehab in Rancho Mirage, CA

    Just as the education community has discovered there are seven distinct styles of learning—some kids learn visually, some are auditory learners, some are physical learners, etc.—the same type of distinction can be made for how people respond differently to various forms of addiction treatment.  Humans have very individualized wiring; affecting our beliefs and preferences and distinctly impacting what stimuli we will respond to.

    Trends in addiction treatment have led it to become rote and mechanical, the exact opposite of how treatment for drug and alcohol dependency should be designed.  There shouldn’t be any preconceived boxes for the person seeking treatment to fit in to!  At Addiction Therapeutic Services (ATS), a leading addiction rehab in Rancho Mirage, California, our entire program is customized to the individual.  ATS offers Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), which allow the client to continue to work, attend school, and actively parent when appropriate, offering a sound alternative to inpatient treatment rehabs.

    At ATS we believe that a person’s potential for real, sustained change lies in the program’s ability to identify unique personal traits in our clients, and then match those with the appropriate treatment plan and therapeutic modality.  By taking the time to do a deep assessment of the prospective client, ATS can customize its treatment program to align with all aspects of their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.  As a result, our clients are responsive to their therapy instead of resentful of it.  This allows the client to feel a sense of ownership of his or her recovery, leading to a successful outcome.

    A Holistic Approach to Recovery

    ATS addiction rehab in Rancho Mirage serves people who are suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, as well as co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.  At ATS we offer a smorgasbord of different types of therapy, each with its own clinical focus.  Based on the Living in Balance (LIB) Curriculum, an approach oriented for group settings, our program techniques are drawn from cognitive, behavioral, and experiential treatment aspects, with an important emphasis on relapse prevention.

    Topics addressed in the LIB program cover the gamut, but all are pertinent to a recovering addict’s life.  Some of these include:

    • Attitudes and beliefs
    • Negative emotions
    • Nutrition
    • Sleep disturbances
    • Anger and communication
    • Sexuality
    • Spirituality
    • Money management
    • Grief and loss
    • Education and vocational development

    Throughout the program, clients learn how to monitor their feelings and behavior, and how to use relaxation and visualization techniques.  Clients are taught how to conduct self-assessments and to actively implement effective coping and relapse prevention skills.

    By offering classes that teach life skills, mindfulness, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and even art and music therapy, our diverse and eclectic program offers many different avenues that all lead to the ultimate destination: lifelong recovery from addiction.

    ATS Family Program

    Most people live their lives within some form of a family unit.  Addiction can wreak havoc on families, causing serious breaches of trust and pushing the family dynamic into stress and turmoil.  The family unit is our safe harbor, so ATS places a great deal of emphasis on its Family Program in order to mend the damage that addiction has caused within the family, helping it to begin the healing process.

    The ATS Family Program offers several tools for the family to access during the recovery journey with their loved one.  Topics include:

    • Understanding the disease of addiction
    • The faces of addiction
    • Relapse prevention
    • Communication
    • Forgiveness
    • Co-dependency
    • Roles in dysfunctional families

    The Family Program offers solace to members of the families who learn that they are not alone as they discover how much they have in common with each other.  ATS encourages families to bond with each other, where a common camaraderie elicits a sense of comfort and support.  Family Program is conveniently schedule on weekends to accommodate the busy lives of our client’s families.

    Addiction Therapeutic Services is Here to Help

    Addiction Therapeutic Services is a leading Addiction Rehab in Rancho Mirage which is located in the beautiful foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains.  In this soothing space of safety and serenity, real recovery from addiction or dual diagnosis is able to begin.  ATS is CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited, meaning that it provides internationally recognized high standards within the addiction treatment field.  For a high quality IOP that features holistic, individualized treatment care, contact ATS today at (760) 349-7007

    C-Suite Conference for Recovery Industry Begins the Dialogue About Parity and Other Insurance-related Issues

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    C-Suite Conference

    C-Suite Executive eventRecoveryView.com, an online journal, kicked off National Recovery Month with the C-Suite Executive Symposium, subtitled “Strategies for Behavioral Healthcare and Substance Abuse Treatment in the New Insurance Economy. RecoveryView.com.” The topics covered were a matter of great import for treatment centers and individual practitioners. Most of all, each of the issues discussed directly bears on the decisions insurance companies make with regard to claims filed by treatment centers. Client-care is at risk when insurance companies don’t pay out, so it was inspiring and comforting for many in the industry to see the huge number of professionals come together to sort out the issues at hand.

    Renee Popovits, J.D. then shared her insights and expertise in “Corporate compliance” making it clear that every facility must have a code of ethics.

    Sharon Rain, a marketer for Addiction Therapeutic Services says she “really enjoyed the attorneys as well as hearing from Cigna.” That is Cigna’s Chief Medical Officer, Douglas Nemecek, M.D., M.B.A. Rain appreciated the opportunity to cultivate a better understanding of what has been happening in the insurance industry. “I didn’t know the details before. There has been anxiety about what has been happening with the insurance companies.”  While Rain felt some unsettled vibes in the room, she feels that “with everybody working together, there is no doubt things are going to get better.”

    Tony Marquez, consultant, called the symposium “very informative and inspiring.”  To deal with the drug epidemic as an individual or as a business is one thing, but to begin addressing these issues from an insurance perspective, is something that Marquez found inspiring.

    “We need to keep up this dialogue,” said Marquez. “Also, it was very courageous of the Cigna person today to open up a dialogue that brings up points on opposite sides of the road.”

    Sheila Mason, a nurse who has worked in behavioral health care for over 30 years said

    “the presentations were so detailed and eye-catching.”  She particularly loved the presentation by Dr. Louise Stanger on “Standard of Care and Ethical Issues. “Dr. Stanger was animated and engaging, said Mason. Mason was also intrigued by Stampp Corbin’s, MBA, presentation on “Mental Health Parity: Your Business, Your Rights, Your Bottom Line.”  She was surprised that mental health centers could ask for an external review in the case of a denial by an insurance company.

    “I’ve done appeals for over ten years…” she said. But had never heard of this external review option.

    A trend in the industry is to see businesses not as competitors but as partners in a joint effort toward better ethics and more power in the dialogue with large insurance companies. Scott Kiloby, J.D., Addiction Treatment Advocacy Coalition Board member, said that it’s important to share information. He also pointed out that there is a two-pronged approach that consists of standing up to the insurance companies and remaining compliant. Other presenters on the Executive Panel with Kiloby were Lori Phelps, Ph.D., Pete Nielson, Sherry Daley, and Rebecca Flood, MHS, LCDC, CADCII, BRI II.  The panel was moderated by Joan Borsten who has become well known for fighting against certain insurance company decisions that have impacted individuals and professionals across the Recovery Industry.

    The C-Suite event was sponsored by several treatment centers and others in the recovery industry. It also featured exhibitors. Those present were Addiction Therapeutic Services, Hope by the Sea, Addiction Treatment Coalition, A&M Symposium, Benchmark Transitions, Dynamic, Hired Power, Millennium, Milestones Ranch Malibu, Catalyst Group and His House Treatment Centers.

    Josie Herndon of Addiction Therapeutic Services is glad that “the conversation in the industry has started.” She pointed out that national associations are now working together and talking about future collaborations.

    While there is quite a ways to go, the C-Suite conversations demonstrated that quality of care, efficiency and the best ethics on both sides of the conversation will be essential to making sure that clients and treatment centers come out as winners.

    As Marvin Ventrell, J.D. of National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers put it,
    “The transformation of a human being must be our guiding objective.”

    ATS Employee Fosters Recovery and Builds Bridges Through Community Involvement

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    ATS Fosters Community Involvement

    Community InvolementATS is proud of the quality of services it provides as well as its amazing staff. This month, we are highlighting Mark Worthington, counselor extraordinaire!  We asked him about his involvement in a wonderful organization called The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) and how his participation affects his work as a counselor in recovery.  Here’s what he had to share:

    I am involved in PSGSL is a Non-Profit 501(c)3 Corporation.  We are a slow pitch softball league, established primarily for GLBTQ persons in the Rancho Mirage area, but open to all interested players.

    I was originally introduced to the PSGSL by a friend in early recovery. This friend was a young father struggling with addiction who had been drafted by a major league baseball team only to suffer a career ending injury.  Playing together on the team opened the opportunity for healing, not only for one’s self but also for the family and community.

    The Rancho Mirage Gay Softball League (PSGSL) was originally organized in 2004, by our Founding Fathers Tommie Douglas and Jim Hurst. The league began with 4 teams and approximately 50 participants. Today PSGSL has grown to 14 teams with 200+ participants.

    The purpose of the PSGSL is to foster local, regional, national and international sports competition predominately for gays and lesbians.  We are dedicated to the promotion of the amateur athletic experience for persons of all skill levels and abilities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, creed, religion or national origin. The primary focus of the PSGSL is to provide venues for adult slow-pitch softball competition. Additionally, the organization endeavors to develop people of all abilities and experience to participate in sports competitions.

    As an addictions specialist, understanding the struggle of people from all aspects of life, it occurred to me that engaging with this community could offer me the opportunity for not only personal growth but recovery and community growth as well.

    The Rancho Mirage Roadrunnerz softball team of which I play for was founded in 2010 and is sponsored by the Desert Eye Care Center (DECC). We are organized within the guidelines of NAGAAA and PSGSL.

    Playing softball is a great avenue to exercise, socialize and be a part of something that is bigger than one’s self. Playing softball within the NAGAAA guidelines allows players of different skills and athletic ability to be rated into equally competitive groupings so that play is not only safe but fun. The atmosphere at games and tournaments is one that is conducive to family and friends alike. There is nothing like playing with the support of family and friends cheering you on. Softball in this league offers great opportunity to travel to different venues both locally and abroad.  We have participated in tournaments in Huntington Beach, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas just to name a few on the circuit.  After the softball is over, my family takes time to explore the community, visiting beaches, zoo’s, parks and local food fair.

    Recovery from addictions should include a balanced program. Engaging in healthy activities is essential to having balance in recovery. For me the physical awareness created through practice and play of this sport enhances my health. Playing softball also offers me the opportunity to connect with a portion of the local community and share that connection with my peers and colleagues.

    I believe that playing as part of team brings the same concept to my employment, utilizing strengths of individuals to create a stronger whole unit.

    ====================================================

    PSGSL teams are sponsored by local gay and gay friendly businesses throughout the Coachella Valley.  2016 Team Sponsors include: Contour Dermatology, George’s Alibi Azul, Hunters Bar, Café Palette Restaurant and Bar, Bean Counters Bookkeeping, Desert Eye Care Center, Street Bar, Chill Bar, Tropicale,, Coachella Valley Independent, Bongo Johnny’s and Leo’s Auto Repair. PSGSL games are played at Big League Dreams in Cathedral City on Sunday afternoon at 2pm, in both the Spring and Fall seasons.

    League Council Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at Hunter’s starting at 6:00 PM. psgsl.org.
    Formed in 1977, NAGAAA is a 501c(3) international sports organization comprised of men and women dedicated to providing opportunity and access for the LGBT community to participate in organized softball competition in safe environments. Currently, more than 13,000 players from 43 cities across Canada and the United States participate in member leagues, and the best of these teams converge once a year for head-to-head competition at the annual Gay Softball World Series.

    Celebrating Our 3rd Anniversary!

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    ATS 3rd AnniversaryRecovery, happiness and ice cream filled the offices, reception area and halls of Addiction Therapeutic Services last Friday.  Pondering our third anniversary brought so much joy to our hearts that we couldn’t wait to celebrate the achievement and blessings with others in the recovery community.  The event turned out to be more than just a get together… it was a time for friends in the recovery field to talk about their art, their passions and their future plans.

    Sometimes our line of work can make our hearts heavy, but our Ice Cream Social allowed several of us recovery professionals to think about the best aspects of recovery – like living life to the fullest! Present at this lovely event were talented and passionate marketers, counselors and owners of treatment centers and sober livings.  In candid and friendly discussions over our Coldstone favorites, we all shared aspects of our lives we normally don’t talk about at work.  A therapist shared beautiful artwork, a fine art photographer shared details about one of his most recent projects and a couple of committed recovery industry marketers discussed exciting travel plans that seemed more like spiritual escapades!

    This celebratory event gave us a chance to bring the joys of life to the forefront and replenished us. We at ATS are certain that joy and gratitude help us to bring more positive energy and higher quality treatment to our clients.  And, we are grateful for all we’ve been able to offer to individuals seeking outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for the last three years.  We look forward to many more opportunities to serve the community we love!

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    Nutrition in Early Recovery

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    You are What You Eat!

    When an addicted individual seeks treatment, addiction treatment providers check immediately to see whether a drug or alcohol detox process is necessary. Properly licensed treatment facilities may perform the detox themselves or refer that client out to another facility where drugs are removed from the individual’s system. Given what we have come to know about the importance of diet and nutrition on mood and overall function, when might a nutritional intervention become as necessary as a drug detox?

    Morbidity and mortality from under-nutrition have been addressed on a large scale by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Public-school cafeteria lunches have changed to incorporate more healthy foods and more healthy portions. Food sellers and manufacturers have jumped on the “organic,” “low-fat” and “low-carb” bandwagons in recent years. But how is the recovery community dealing with food-related epidemics that could be hindering the recovery process?

    For many many years, rehab centers had been focused on needs that seem more immediate than nutritional concerns. Facilities had been stocked with sugar-based snacks and coffee, both of which have been implicated in worsening certain symptoms in early recovery like sleeplessness, weight gain, anxiety, and more. As a result, some facilities have started including better nutritional products in their snack rooms and and have advised clients of the potential harms of refined sugar and caffeine. Few have taken the next important step, which is to offer educational classes on nutrition and nutritional counseling.

    “While some maintain that living a healthy life in all arenas is crucial to staying sober, others believe that all the fuss about coffee, junk food, and cigarettes is overblown,” says an article for thefix.com. This idea has been met with plenty of support as well as well as dissent. Those who disagree feel that sobriety is about health in all areas of life and research seems to support the idea that better nutrition leads to better outcomes. On the other hand, supporters feel like it’s okay to quit their vices one at a time. Some have also stated that quitting too many things at once could be damaging to the health of an individual in recovery.

    While the answers regarding nutritional intervention seem to straddle both sides of the argument, it’s important to note that many treatment facilities serve not only to provide treatment for single addiction, but also for other mental health concerns. In order to help clients balance out their moods and smooth out the recovery process in general, attention needs to be paid to nutrition. Also, given that a client’s needs are being seen in a more “holistic” light these days, it behooves treatment centers to begin thinking about how to address clients’ total physical needs and perhaps even include a nutrition plan within each client’s larger discharge plan.

    For now, here are some alternative food choices that might help to boost the body’s internal defenses, regulate a troubled digestive system, and and create a better recovery experience overall:

    1.) Fruits: These will give you your necessary sugar energy without causing problems like weak bones, fatigue, weight gain, and lack of concentration. Skip the fruit flavored candy and reach for a real fruit!

    2.) Vegetables: Vegetables like kimchi, sauerkraut, carrots, green beans, beets, lacto-fermented pickles, traditional cured Greek olives are considered to help regulate gut bacteria. Leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach can also help your digestive tract while alsohelping to regulate blood sugar.

    3.) Protein is a long-lasting source of energy, which is why it’s great to include it in your breakfast in the form of eggs or certain meats. It also improves muscle strength, digestion and may also improve liver function. Legumes are a popular source of protein as well. Chickpeas, cannelloni beans, kidney beans, and lentils can help to regulate blood sugar in addition to providing many of the benefits of traditional meats.

    4.) Healthy Fats: Omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil are examples of healthy fats that help you to better absorb the nutrients mentioned in #1-#3 above! What’s especially great about these fats is that they also help to heal your cells.
    If you’re interested in trying some delicious recipes to support recovery, check out Joan Borsten’s recipe book, Dopamine for Dinner. And, remember to consult your doctor before you try out any new nutritional plan.

    Happy eating and happy recovery to all!

    National Mental Health Awareness Month

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    1949 marked the first year of Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States.  Since then, May has been observed as a time when organizations and individuals could speak out, share their stories and help spread knowledge about mental health. There have been great strides in understanding the causes of mental illnesses as well as remarkable achievements in treatment. Most importantly, the general public is more informed than ever on this topic.  Mental Health Awareness Month has made activists of us all, encouraging us to learn, educate, and break the stigma that holds people back from seeking out much-needed treatment.

    People are passionately partaking in creating awareness this month and centering their activities around the very personal theme, “Life with a Mental Illness.”  To honor this theme, mental health organizations and individuals are utilizing social media to the fullest.  Mental Health America, which is running campaigns throughout the entire month, has invited unique stories via words, pictures and videos and has requested individuals to tag their social media posts with the hashtag #mentalillness. They will be bringing attention to the stories they receive by placing them on their website at mentalhealthamerica.net/feelslike.  Others on Twitter are sharing their personal stories using #mentalhealthawarenessmonth and posting inspiring quotes, ideas and encouragement.

    National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that “1 in 5 Americans will be affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime.”  That 43.8 million people! NAMI also tells us that “approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life” and for children between ages 8 and 15, the estimate is around 13%. These statistics are especially important for treatment providers in the recovery industry to understand because nearly half of those with substance use disorders also have co-occurring mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia as well as less well known disorders. Sadly, while some seek treatment and find their path to recovery, many are hospitalized and even die from these dark, debilitating conditions.

    NAMI also reports numbers specific to minorities saying that African Americans and Hispanic Americans use mental health services less than half as much as Caucasians do. Asian Americans use them even less.  The U.S. Surgeon General reports us that that “minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness, have less access to and availability of mental health services and often receive a poorer quality of mental health care.”  In light of these troubling issues, people in the field have taken measures to address the unique problems faced by minorities. One specific initiative is naming July Minority Mental Health Awareness month.

    We could get discouraged by the emotional and social weight of these statistics, but, since this year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is breaking it down to the individual’s unique experience, we thought we’d share a few inspiring YouTube moments with you!

    Here is “Life with a Mental Illness” from the perspective of a few courageous individuals who have suffered from mental illness and from educators who are committed to breaking the stigma:

    See Dr. Mattu open up his virtual doors for the Month of May on The Psych Show:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6V6lF6Ex4U

    Watch Jazz Robertson break the silence in a simple and unique way:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-mMD3F6khs

    Enjoy some gorgeous mental health related artwork here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqwoB5AsYFw

    Listen to this wonderful song called “Where Has Everyone Gone.” It was written and performed by Nicole Zell for Mental Health Awareness Month:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WkVca9A_xY

    National Mental Health Awareness Month

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    Gratitude: Gifts of Recovery from Unlikely Sources

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    Spring is upon us.  The season is ripe for learning new lessons, being inspired and becoming more aware of all of the bounties of this existence – even for those feeling the recovery blues. The Gifts of Recovery are numerous and come from both ordinary and surprising sources.  It’s just up to each individual to notice.  The gifts come in many different forms including inspirational films, “aha!” moments, strength, courage, reading material, the support of family and friends, treatment options, and many more.  Sometimes, even a positive thought is that gift that propels a person forward in recovery.

    Are you reading this and questioning whether recovery and good feelings are really just a matter of perspective? Well, research spanning a few decades supports that positive thinking and gratitude are powerful sources of good feelings. And, we know that good feelings can push along your recovery and make your struggle more bearable.

    McCraty and colleagues conducted a study in 1998 in which they studied people who “cultivated appreciation and other positive emotions.” The results were astounding, demonstrating a “mean 23% reduction in cortisol after the intervention period” as well as other indicators of reduced stress!

    If you read one of our previous pieces on stress management and emotional self-regulation, you will know that stress is a part of a vicious cycle.  It can be the cause of addiction, a symptom of an addictive lifestyle and it can also raise the probability of relapse.

    The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley is running a project called Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude where researchers are finding that “people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits including stronger immune systems and lower blood pressure; higher levels of positive emotions; more joy, optimism, and happiness; acting with more generosity and compassion; and feeling less lonely and isolated.”

    For this valuable and groundbreaking research, UC Berkeley is partnered up with UC Davis, home of Professor Robert Emmons. Dr. Emmons is a leading expert on gratitude and has written many books and papers on the topic.  Emmons’s paper entitled “Why Gratitude Enhances Well-Being: What We Know, What We Need To Know” cites a 1998 study by Rosenberg which demonstrated that “Gratitude has been identified as a trait, emotion, and mood. The grateful disposition can be defined as a stable affective trait that would lower the threshold of experiencing gratitude.  As an emotion, gratitude can be understood as an acute, intense and relatively brief psychophysiological reaction to being the recipient of a benefit another.  Lastly, as a stable mood, gratitude has also been identified to have a subtle, broad and longer-duration impact on consciousness (McCullough, Tsang, & Emmons,2004) […] Gratitude promotes optimal functioning at multiple levels of analysis – biological, experiential, personal, relational, familial, institutional, and even cultural (Emmons & McCullough, 2004).”

    Now that you know that gratitude is an attitude, mood and emotion that fuels itself into MORE gratitude… you know what to do! The gifts are boundless through a lens of gratefulness and within your immediate reach.

    ATS is a Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Treatment Provider in Rancho Mirage, CA and can be reached at (760) 459-1795.

    Inspiring Woman Leaders in Behavioral Healthcare

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    Addiction Therapeutic Services was proud to be a co-sponsor for the Women’s CEO Global Alliance Conference in Pacific Grove, CA.   As WCEOGA’S website says, the organization “is taking on a stronger leadership role on behalf of treatment providers in areas such as treatment standards, education, research, and advocacy of legislative, regulatory and reimbursement positions supported by the field.” With well-recognized speakers like Agapi Stassinopolous and Pepper Schwartz, among other experts in behavioral health care, this beautiful event inspired women throughout the industry to be the best leaders they can be.

    ATS’s CEO Josie Herndon is a Founding Member of WCEOGA and Co-Chair for the conference which was held in mid-March.  She and Beata Lundeen of the organization, Prayer for Compassion, led an uplifting roundtable discussion focused on servant leadership and spiritual Balance, while other lectures and discussions offered views on retirement planning, managing, motivation, promotion within an organization, leadership and startups, mentoring, protection of an organization, self-care, succession planning, managing crises and ethics.

    What does participation in a conference of this kind mean practically for treatment?

    First, more education and more access to mentorship in the field means women leaders will be more empowered to offer the highest standard of care for clients.  Also, all of the speakers encouraged self-care and pushed forward the idea that offering the best to employees and clients requires leaders to take care of themselves first.

    Agapi Stassinopolous told the leaders, “everything is love,” among other powerful words. The cornerstone of her message inspired the women to lead with love, and while we’ve heard these sorts of words of late, Stassinopolous took love, respect, and dignity to a new level.  As a part of her talk she knelt to her knees and said, “I don’t want to shake your hand, I want to bow down to you.”

    After several days of learning and bonding, the leaders left Pacific Grove excited to apply their newfound knowledge to their treatment programs and other behavioral health related businesses.

    Learn more about the annual Women’s CEO Global Alliance Conference by calling (760) 459-1795 or visit the website at Women’s CEO Global Alliance Website.

    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.