It is our belief that successful recovery requires major lifestyle changes, which include the key components of a healthy lifestyle. The process of creative and active change, involves all aspects of your life. These aspects are Emotional, Physical, Nutritional, and Spiritual. They are all interconnected and synergistic. In other words, the total is greater than the sum of its parts. We believe that helping you to define your new “system or program” of living, and helping you to apply this to your life, is at the core of what we do.

     We must push for Self-Caring, Personal Growth and encourage networking with others in recovery. As you do these things you will learn from others, and incorporate these ideas into your own system of recovery. Growth is ongoing, and requires you to commit to that growth and not become complacent. We believe that you need to begin to achieve balance in all that you do, and begin to think less, worry less and have more time to focus on moving in a positive direction.

      Creative Counseling Center, has brought together the resources needed to begin your journey. Beginning with a comprehensive Substance Abuse and Mental Health Evaluation, and Individualized Recovery Plan will then be created by you and your therapist. The key components we have identified and can provide you with services for are:

Emotional Health: 

Overcoming "Busy Brain" By Living More Mindfully    

    Researchers Harrington and Cleveland have found that how addicts cope with stress -- either by working through a problem or avoiding it -- is a strong predictor of whether they will experience cravings when faced with stress and negative mood.

     "Whether you avoid problems or analyze problems, not only makes a big difference in your life, but also has a powerful impact on someone who has worked hard to stay away from alcohol and other drugs," explained Cleveland.

     "When faced with stress, addicts who have more adaptive coping skills appear to have a better chance of staying in recovery." The findings appeared in a recent issue of Addictive Behaviors. Data suggests that the magnitude of the link between having a stressful day and experiencing substance use cravings doubles for recovering addicts who cope with stress by avoiding it.

     "We found that addicts who deal with stress by avoiding it have twice the number of cravings in a stressful day compared to persons who use problem solving strategies to understand and deal with the stress," explained Cleveland. "Avoidance coping appears to undercut a person's ability to deal with stress and exposes that person to variations in craving that could impact recovery from addiction.""If your basic life strategy is to avoid stress, then your problems will probably end up multiplying and causing you more problems," he added. We will help you to become more solution focused, and process your fears and worries, in order to worry less, and become more faith or hope based in your thinking. 

Physical Health: 

     We will encourage you to engage in some form of movement or exercise by first consulting with your doctor. Regular exercise has always been recommended by doctors for multitudes of physical ailments and conditions—but exercise can mean a whole lot more when it comes to substance addiction recovery.Some research available proves that exercise has created lasting positive effects on patients’ lives during recovery. Not only is physical health enhanced during the rehabilitation stage, but psychological health, lifestyle behavior, self-perception, self-esteem, level of stress, coping mechanisms, and social support are also improved.

     In the 2009 edition of Principles of Addiction Medicine, Dr. James O. Prochaska states that “physical activity helps manage moods, stress, and distress. Also, 60 minutes per week of exercise can provide a recovering person with more than 50 health and mental health benefits. Exercise thus should be prescribed to all sedentary patients with addiction.”

Nutrition: 

     We conduct a nutrition assessment and wuggest a healthy eating plan for you. Daily logging of food and participating in some form of support network, will help you to achieve your nutritional goals, and begin to get control of you physical health. Regular visits with a Primary Care Physician is encouraged, and a complete physical and blood work is suggested for those who have been neglecting their health. Gradual modifications in diet and eating choices is a step-by-step process that will have a major impact on addictions recovery over time. 

Spiritual Wellness: 

     As you develop a greater sense of who you are, and what you have to give others, you begin to move away from the complete self centeredness of addiction and self gratification, and start to fit in rather than "numb out". You will learn that you have value, and that you can experience happiness, connection, and a sense of purpose in your life, without the mindless use of alcohol and other mind and mood altering substances.

     Your addiction has affected your whole life, and it is important to address all of the above areas outlined above, as you begin your journey of recovery. This can only happen with an integrative approach and lifestyle. We can help and guide you as you create this lifestyle that supports your continued recovery and not your addiction. Remember that nothing changes if nothing changes.

Daily Reflection

 July 24-30 , 2010

"There is a quiet place inside of you, a place kept safe for you, where

truth and wisdom remain protected and unharmed."

Dr. Lee Jampolsky