Are we at more risk? Economy and Addictions

The current economy is elevating our collective stress levels and making us feel financially vulnerable and unsure about our jobs, careers, etc. Everyday, we are barraged with media and stories from friends and families about how the recession has affected them. Some people are turning to their 'ole addictions to "help" them through all of this uncertainty and stress...the manure of addictions.

Some of the things you can do to avoid having Amy Winehouse as your roommate by February is:

1) Watch limited 24/7 news programs
2) Start watching your alcohol, marijuana and other chemical consumptions
3) Strike more of a balance in your life including: working out, spiritual practices, healthy social connections, study/read
4) Keep close to people who support you for WHO you are, not for WHAT YOU DO for a living
5) Seek professional help if you cannot control your behaviors

If you, or someone you know is struggling with addictions of any kind...please call our HelpLine at (888) 429-7342 and speak with one of our recovery counselors. The cost of not getting help can be great. Call today!

Recuperatio Primoris!

Do Rehabs Work?

Today we hear a great deal about people, mostly celebrities going into rehab. Maybe this reader has a friend or family member entered a rehab for treatment of their drug or alcohol addiction. Like any service industry its important to ask the question: Does rehab work?

Curious question since the work is NOT only the rehab. The majority of the work is the job of the client in treatment. There certainly are fundamental key elements that every rehab worth its salt should have: 1) a structured schedule of activities, therapies, meals, etc. starting with early morning wake-up calls; 2) consistency - that things happen when they are supposed to happen; 3) impact - each rehab should have excellent staff to encourage emotional catharsis, which often helps with insight and change; and 4) repetition - an old teaching tool, to repeat the basic tenants of early recovery over and over again.

Therefore, if the rehab you are seeking has the above basic elements, then its doing its job. Now, the work is the clients. Oftentimes, there is resistance to living without the substance (alcohol, opiates, benzos, marijuana, etc.) and the rehab staff are seen as "bad and evil people" when in fact, they are providing the platform for change and recovery. It's up to the client to receive it and run with it!

If you, or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to alcohol, drug, food, sex or work, please call us today at (888) 429-7342 and speak with one of our recovery counselors.

Recuperatio Primoris!

Losing Freedom, Family and Future: The Common Outcomes of Addictions Gone Untreated

The person addicted often is confronted with multiple losses including: jobs, marriages, friends, etc. Human loss and grief are quite difficult to manage even sober. So, you can imagine how much more difficult to manage the deep feelings of loss when you are addicted to mood altering/numbing substances. Especially, when the losses were as a result of your choices not to get help and to stay in your disease of addiction. The defenses need to be high and impenetrable!

Loss is a too often consequence of addiction. Your loved ones usually stay with you much too long, with the hope you are going to change. When you don't change, and in fact get worse, they just can't stand around and watch you die.

You cannot lick this alone! Once you enter into treatment, some of the losses may be retrieve able, others may not. In any case, treatment is for YOU! Don't hesitate and call us today. Affirmations provides you the treatment you need to put you on the path of a sustained recovery...to regain some of your losses.

Call us today at (888)429-7342 and speak with one of our recovery counselors. Why not start the New Year with a new commitment to health and wellness...go for it!

Scottsdale: The new playground for celebrity addicts

This past week, Charles Barkley, former basketball star and sports commentator was caught driving while intoxicated in Old Town Scottsdale. Aside from his legal violations and issues facing him in the next few weeks, we wish him well in obtaining treatment for his alcohol problem.

Our town has become "party central" for a number of celebrities such as: Paris Hilton, 50 Cent, DMX, P. Diddy just to name a few. It appears that the Paparazzi is less present in the "Valley of the Sun," but the celebrities' behaviors gaining public notice persists.

Fortunately, Affirmations Scottsdale is opening! A private, 10-bed, alcohol and drug rehab to treat individuals and families seeking effective and highly private residential treatment. The model, made famous by Promises Treatment Centers in Malibu, has arrived in Scottsdale and will provide state-of-the-art medically monitored treatment, while respecting its clients needs for high levels of privacy.

If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction call us today at
(888)429-7342 and speak with one of our recovery counselors.

Scottsdale is a beautiful place to visit (especially this time of year), but let's keep it safe and think about coming here for treatment for your addictions and emotional concerns.

Dr. Bill Heran
CEO and Co-Founder

"Recuperatio Primoris"

Pride: The Best Drug and Alcohol Rehabs Take Pride in Their Services

The best drug and alcohol rehabs are the ones that take pride in creating an environment that is aesthetically pleasing with high quality services. Upon entering a high quality drug and alcohol rehab, you should experience an overwhelming feeling that the center takes pride in the quality of treatment you receive. The physical environment should be clean and attractive with a non-chaotic feel. The program staff should be extremely well organized and highly professional. The program and services should be highly structured, yet adaptive to your individualized needs. The best drug and alcohol rehabs take pride in their program and you will know it from the moment you speak with their staff!

If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please call our 24-Hour HelpLine at (888) 429-7342.

Courtney Penniman, MSW, LISAC, CADAC
Clinical Program Director
Affirmations, Scottsdale

PRIDE Institutes a Feeling of Accomplishment for Recovering Alcoholics and Drug Addicts

What is pride? Pride in self? Pride in personal accomplishments? Pride in personal sobriety? A number of years ago, a well-known politician bumped into a reporter on the street. The politician opted to skip the legislative banter that is the staple of most social encounters on Capitol Hill. 'This is what i'm most proud of,' the politician said, pulling from his pocket a medallion with the numeral 18 inscribed on it. Ask any 12-step recovering person who holds a sobriety medallion for their length of sobriety, and he or she is likely to provide you with the same response.

Ironically, the act of being Prideful sometimes holds a negative connotation, particularly from a religious perspective. Concerning the Seven Deadly Sins, for example, Pride heads the list as the most serious of the sins, and the source from which all others arise. It is defined as a desire to be more important to others, combined with an excessive love of self to the point of vanity and narcissism.

The distinction in 12-step programs is that while most people in recovery are proud of their accomplishments, the credit for this accomplishment is typically given to God. There is a right relation to God, and a genuine humility that must preclude credit being given to oneself for the accomplishment of sobriety. One recovering alcoholic described this distinction, 'The day I take credit for my recovery, is the day I get drunk. I give all of the credit to God because He gives me the strength to use the tools of recovery to maintain my sobriety.'

If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please call our 24-Hour HelpLine at (888) 429-7342.

Courtney Penniman, MSW, LISAC, CADAC
Clinical Program Director
Affirmations, Scottsdale

The Gift of Recovery: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

When you think of the Holiday Season you often think of celebrating with friends and family around the tree or Chanukah's festivities. A time when people travel from their encampments away from family to their origins to remember, laugh and eat too much! How about offering the gift of recovery for this year's holiday present?

The gift of recovery is giving the process of human transformation and a reclaiming of a life that has been lost and aimless. Recovery provides us with focus and living consciously day to day, with gratitude and human service.

The more a recovering addict dedicates himself/herself to giving; avoiding the self-centered need to self-medicate, the more you they are building self-esteem and hopefully building healthy human relations.

A recovering person can fly, drive, or walk back to their home of origin with their head held high and be a positive force in the family...loving, caring and sharing their strength and hope with all their loved ones.

Here's wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season and if you are struggling with addiction, or know someone who is struggling, please contact us at Affirmations
(888)429-7342 and speak with one of our recovery counselors. Provide the gift of treatment today to the one you love!

Recuperatio Primoris,

Dr. Bill Heran
CEO and Co-Founder
Affirmations, Scottsdale