Skip to main content
Tag

recovery

Mar 12
Love0
The Role of a Dedicated Recovery Community

The Role of a Dedicated Recovery Community

By Addiction, Community

Overcoming the effects of addiction is never something a person must face alone. A dedicated recovery community plays an integral role in helping those in recovery explore their best recovery practices while making lasting connections. Engagement in dedicated treatment programs and communities is instrumental in helping each person further their own goals in sobriety. Making the most of each person’s time in these communities is necessary to reap their transformative benefits throughout the journey to a healthy, sober future.

The Importance of a Dedicated Recovery Community

Addiction is an isolating experience. Relationships can deteriorate as a result of substance use as emotional states are tested, risk-taking behaviors and isolation become prevalent, and new stresses manifest. For some, pervasive stigmas can make it difficult to reach out to others for help in overcoming addiction. In contrast, others may find it difficult to address the inherent challenges of addiction recovery if they do not feel supported or understood along their complicated journey.

Connecting with others who are understanding and sympathetic to the challenges of the disease is necessary to create a comprehensive approach to each person’s recovery and overcome the devastating effects of isolation that may still be common.

Isolation can bring intense feelings of anxiety, depression, and more, compounding these already prevalent dangers throughout recovery. Additionally, isolation can even compromise an individual’s motivation to continue pursuing their recovery and sobriety if they feel alone in their journey, either feeling like such transformations are impossible or not worth the effort, birthing greater urges and cravings and informing the risk of relapse in recovery. Getting connected to a community of peers and professionals alike in outpatient treatment is instrumental in overcoming the challenges of addiction recovery and creating a healthy mindset for continued success.

Using the Benefits of a Dedicated Recovery Community

Recovery communities are instrumental in transforming each individual throughout their recovery journey. There is no way to perfectly predict all of the ways in which an individual may encounter stress throughout their journey. Understanding how recovery communities can aid at every stage of recovery is necessary for making the most of their benefits for overcoming both new and known challenges throughout the journey to sobriety.

Creating Relationships

Building new and supportive relationships is a core part of the recovery process, and dedicated recovery communities are instrumental in facilitating these connections. It can be difficult to connect with peers, old friends, or even family throughout the recovery process, especially as an individual is working hard to change their lifestyle and hobbies. A dedicated recovery community is necessary to introduce an individual to others navigating their own changes, all with a sober focus and mindset.

While unfortunate, it may be necessary to distance oneself from previous social groups if they do not understand the need for sobriety or are actively enabling or unsupportive of such a decision. Replacing these social circles with new communities is necessary for maintaining a person’s sobriety in daily life.

The lifelong relationships found in recovery can be wholly transformative, celebrating each and every sober milestone with the utmost support, understanding, and care. Being able to establish these relationships, communicate effectively, and more is one of the major benefits of these communities. Using these communities to meet peers and form a new identity, social circle, and more is necessary for sustained sobriety.

Maintaining Accountability

Recovery is difficult, and there is no simple way to navigate its challenges. Accountability is crucial throughout the recovery process to ensure that an individual is acting in their best interests and to empower those in recovery to be accountable for their successes and triumphs as much as mistakes and challenges. Recovery communities can provide a constant source of perspective and accountability, ensuring that recovery and sobriety are approached with the right mindset and focus.

Developing New Skills

The personalization of each and every recovery journey is instrumental to its success, and a dedicated recovery community can be a constant source of new information, strategies, and perspectives that can continue to influence a person’s sobriety from their first step into the world of sobriety throughout ongoing outpatient care. Relying on peers for new therapeutic ideas, uplifting each other through challenges, and exploring new hobbies are all powerful influences that communities can provide to those in recovery.

Embracing Redpoint’s Community

Redpoint is committed to not just personal healing, but healing for the entire community, fostering transformative environments for those continuing to manage their sobriety in outpatient care. By creating a comprehensive and effective community across multiple locations in Colorado, Redpoint is designed to be a place of camaraderie and change. Each individual journey is personalized and backed by a community of peers and professionals alike to further explore the possibilities available in sobriety.

Exploring outside community groups, and using Redpoint to find your best community in recovery, from 12-Step programs to non-12-Step options and more, is part of the personal journey of recovery. Overcoming addiction is always difficult, but it is never a journey that should be taken alone. Dedicated recovery groups and continued engagement in understanding communities can make for the best mentality and comprehensive approach to a transformed, sober future.

Effective recovery and sobriety are most effective when supported by a community of peers and supports. Redpoint is here to introduce you to a community of like-minded peers and professionals today. We believe in the communal power of healing, incorporating not just a collection of sympathetic and understanding people to help you navigate the complexities of addiction recovery but also the local communities across Colorado to create a sense of belonging and comfort. We champion the opportunity to help you find your most effective recovery community for sustained sobriety and effective support both inside and outside our walls. For more information on how our communities can support your sober transformation, call us today at (303) 710-8496.

Feb 25
Love0
Embracing Experiential Therapy in Recovery

Embracing Experiential Therapy in Recovery

By Featured, Therapy

Each individual will have a unique approach to effective treatment and recovery practices for overcoming the effects of addiction. Whether an individual is overcoming the use of drugs or processing the effects of alcohol on their life, engaging in the right programs, strategies, and experiences is crucial for a truly transformative recovery. Effective use of experiential therapy can make a huge difference in the efficacy of each individual’s treatment. Exploring the options available can ensure that each individual can create their best treatment and recovery plan.

What Is Experiential Therapy?

Getting actively engaged and involved with dedicated therapeutic modalities is essential to embrace their transformative effects truly. While education throughout the recovery process is essential, actively practicing strategies and exploring new experiences is necessary for effective sober change. Experiential therapy is a category of various strategies that help an individual get involved with their whole self to create the best possible approach to sobriety.

These therapies use various tools, activities, or other resources to empower those in recovery to explore past experiences, anxieties, depression, current stresses, new perspectives, and their best practices and health. By involving the whole self in treatment, each individual can better explore the most important and pertinent skills throughout recovery. They can also personalize their unique experiences in outpatient treatment and bring these skills into practice outside of a dedicated treatment setting.

Forms of Experiential Therapy

The term “experiential therapy” encompasses a wide array of skills, with each individual being able to choose and explore new options at each stage of their recovery. Finding the best practices will be a personal journey. Even if an individual does not reap the same benefits as a peer in one particular practice, it is always possible to adjust their approach to a new experience that can be more effective for their continued sober efforts.

Addiction uniquely affects each individual, and there is no “cookie-cutter” approach to change. Instead, finding the best collection of skills is necessary for each individual, with a dedicated recovery program being most effective when they are taken personally.

Art Therapy

Artistic outlets can be a great experience for those in recovery. For some, using art to express complex emotions or feelings that they may not have the vocabulary to express otherwise can be essential for processing these emotions and preventing them from building up in their mind.

Others may utilize art to form new communication strategies with family members, professionals, and peers. From expressing difficult emotions to exploring various artistic forms, each individual can find new modes of expression and create tangible representations of challenges and new perspectives to challenge and overcome the effects of addiction.

Using Meditation in Daily Life

Meditation can be a powerful skill to practice throughout addiction recovery. Having an opportunity to detach physically and emotionally from the stresses of daily life outside of the treatment facility during outpatient care can have myriad recovery benefits.

Using a dedicated meditation space can also empower those in recovery to practice mindfulness and explore their physical and emotional needs. Processing and relinquishing difficult emotions before they can manifest into other behaviors or taking a moment to acknowledge and work through urges and cravings prevalent throughout recovery is a powerful skill and experience for creating feelings of agency and control over the stresses of daily life.

Engaging in Psychodrama

Psychodrama is a unique and powerful form of experiential therapy where individuals are encouraged to act out scenes from their past and explore new perspectives and how these events may continue to impact their thoughts or emotions. Redpoint offers a dedicated six-week training in psychodrama to help those overcoming addiction better understand its continued effects on an individual. They can also process grief, trauma, and other personal challenges to continue engaging in a holistic form of healing while getting actively engaged with peers.

The Benefits of Somatic Experiencing

Somatic experiencing is a unique experience throughout recovery as an individual is guided not only through difficult thoughts and emotions but also encouraged and empowered to understand better how these feelings can manifest tangibly in their body. By helping individuals better connect their emotional state and physical body and attentiveness, they can better understand the connection between their emotional and physical needs. They can also embrace a more mindful approach to their continued health and sobriety. Professionals may use guided imagery, talking, and more in conjunction with a calming and safe environment to guide an individual through challenging feelings or memories.

There is never just one path to a healthy, sober future. Exploring the various opportunities where needed can ensure that each individual can create their own best recovery plan to use inside and outside a treatment facility. Each of these experiential therapy options and more can be instrumental in creating this individualized approach to sobriety. Working with professionals can help each individual create their collection of best practices for a healthy, sober future.

Experiential therapies offer new practices and ways to get involved in active recovery efforts. We at Redpoint are dedicated to personalizing your recovery program and finding the most effective experiences for your sober journey. We understand that no two journeys with addiction and recovery will be the same, and we are committed to providing flexible options, locations at Fort Collins, Glennwood Springs, and Longmont, and encouraging different avenues in which to explore how you can develop your best healthy and sober life. For more information on the experiential therapies offered that may benefit you or to speak to a caring, trained staff member about any questions or concerns, call us today at (303) 710-8496.

Jul 23
Love3
Redpoint Center How to Let Go Recovery Mental Health

How to Let Go: Guilt, Shame, and Self-Love

By Mental Health

Do people sometimes tell you to just let go? It is not always easy. The truth is, change is hard. Furthermore, letting go, for many of us, is new. To let go means we’re enacting new behavior. Many of us hold on to things when we’re actively drinking and drugging. We hold on to resentments, fears, anger, betrayals, frustrations, self-doubt; the list goes on. Our mental health and well-being depend on our capacity for self-care. So, what does it mean to let go? And, more importantly, how do we do it?

What Does it Mean to Let Go?

The best apology is changed behavior. If you or someone you love is in recovery, you may know this statement to be true. But sometimes, even after we have changed our behavior in sobriety, something chips away at our progress and confidence: guilt and shame. Guilt and shame can be an indicator of how we don’t want to be. So often though, these negative states become chronic companions, controlling our thoughts, our feelings, and our behaviors. What can we do? Even after our families and friends have forgiven us, we may continue to harbor these heavy emotions because we have not forgiven ourselves.

When we make mistakes, especially large ones, we may let it define us. Hence, we label ourselves.  “I’m a terrible mother.” “I am a horrible person.” “We should have known better.” “It’ll never change.” And perhaps the worst of them all, “I don’t deserve to be loved or to be happy.” These feelings stem from not feeling we are enough. Thankfully, none of these statements have to be true. Furthermore, we are in control.

Defining Ourselves: Self-Awareness and Forgiveness

The first step to emotional well-being is reminding yourself that you are worthy. This is no easy feat. To start, we must know that we do deserve love, no matter what we have done, and that we can move forward. When we refuse to release our guilt and shame, we are in essence bringing the past into the present and creating more of the same. We become stuck. The experience might be familiar to many of us. Perhaps we did something embarrassing when drinking or drugging (um, haven’t we all?!) We may still feel shame and continue to grovel and apologize as if we just made the mistake this morning. What’s more, we punish ourselves with guilt and remorse. This self-abuse is no different than our addictive patterns. In fact, it mirrors our low self-worth. In addition, it erodes our relationships. Sometimes, when we exhaust our amends list and apologize to every person in our lives, we may still owe ourselves an apology. “I am so sorry I constantly put you in danger, abuse you, and neglect your needs and feelings.” Softening towards ourselves can be a crucial part of self-forgiveness and releasing guilt. 

How to Let Go of the Past

The past cannot be changed so it does little good to dwell and stew in our mistakes thinking, “if only…”. We were different people then. We did not have the knowledge of self, wisdom and experience that we have now. Looking back, we were probably doing the best we could with the pain and misery inside us. Today, however, our best looks very different. Upon accepting your past behavior, knowing that you cannot change it, but recognizing that we no longer wish to behave in that way, we can finally move forward in peace as a changed person. 

No matter what you have done in the past, you deserve love now. You can let go, and move forward. You deserve to be happy, and you can be.

For those of us in recovery, even after we change our behavior we may hold onto our mistakes and allow them to continue to eat us alive: guilt. To truly accept forgiveness, we often need to forgive ourselves. But how? How can we forgive ourselves for what we did, the lies we told, the pain we caused? It can be helpful to picture yourself as a friend with a list of mistakes or harms done. You would probably reply in kindness and compassion with, “we love you, we forgive you, that’s all in the past now.” Why is it that we hold ourselves to such unreasonable standards and are so much softer towards friends and those we love. To forgive oneself is one of the greatest acts of self-care. Holding on to guilt is a form of self-punishment, only hurting ourselves further. Consequently, we are also most likely frustrating those around us. Therefore, letting go is true forgiveness. 

You deserve love no matter what you have done.

We do not deserve to be punished and suffer forever.

Allow yourself to be happy and feel peace.

Let go and let yourself be loved.

 

Image courtesy of unsplash

Jul 10
Love1
Redpoint Center Blog Recovery Vulnerability Sober Mental Health

Vulnerability and Recovery: The Power of Authentic Connection

By Mental Health

We’re all human beings and we all want love and connection. So, how do we find it?

Vulnerability takes courage. And in recovery, it’s vital. In order to feel connected, we need to be vulnerable. Today, vulnerability is discussed widely. What’s more, this is largely thanks to one of our favorite researcher-storytellers, Brené Brown who famously charted the course into once uncomfortable topics in the viral TED talk she gave in 2010. If you have not watched this talk in full, we highly recommend it. It’s a game-changer. Specifically, it tackles shame and vulnerability and how important it is that we connect with others.

 Sobriety can be challenging. It can be rocky, uncomfortable, and frustrating at times as we unearth our behaviors and thought patterns. But it can also be a relief. No more hiding, cheating, lying, stealing. Sincere honesty can flow into your life like a cooling ocean wave. When we practice vulnerability and truthfulness in our communications, we deepen our interconnectedness with others. But how do we apply this in our lives?

Vulnerability in Sobriety

Many, upon hearing the word vulnerable, clench up. Fear can surround this word. But, many of us with consistent sobriety have found significant freedom in this word. Sitting in a room with others sharing vulnerable moments and struggles can be a great relief. It allows us to truly be seen, maybe for the first time in our lives, by people who know the experiences and feel what we are feeling. The best part about sobriety and vulnerability is that you are not the first person to experience it. Sharing from the heart connects us with those who have gone before.

Redpoint’s namesake is a climbing term for successfully free climbing a route that we have not been able to complete. Lucky for us, there is a worldwide community of folks in recovery that successfully navigate these routes of living sober. Tapping into this community and feeling the relief of being vulnerable can be life-saving and a testament of the human spirit. 

Mental Health and Being Vulnerable

The relief of vulnerability extends beyond the shared experience of addictive patterns and recovery. We, as humans, need each other. We need connection. Many of us have learned not to admit this for fear of seeming desperate or ‘uncool’. In addition, we may have endured trauma that causes us to distrust people, vowing never to be vulnerable again. This pattern can drive us back into addictive behavior because biologically, we NEED connection, touch, and love. The pain of isolation can run so deep, we use it as a punishment: solitary confinement. The whole world has been feeling the gravity of our need for human connection with lockdowns and quarantine. We are at the pace we are comfortable with and when we allow ourselves to physically connect with others and be in their presence, we can also motionally connect. Hence, we let this vulnerability flow forth. This is when true healing can occur. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t be afraid to seek professional support, ever. You are not alone. We all experience difficult times and we all need help every once in a while. 

Jun 01
Love1
Redpoint Center Mental Health Addiction Treatment Blog Feel Connected

How to Feel Connected During Tough Times

By Community, Mental Health

by Wendy Stine, Addiction Counselor & Program Manager at The Redpoint Center

There’s no doubt that many of us are feeling frazzled, ungrounded, and anxious. These feelings can make us feel isolated even more than we already are. Also, tumultuous times like this can be stressful. Our familiar routines may have become almost obsolete without a clear path to normalcy. In addition, it can be really hard to sustain isolation, for anyone. But, it’s even harder when struggling with mental health or substance issues.

Tips on How to Feel Connected

While we may be spending more time at home with family, we are also feeling more disconnected from the world. Our usual interactions with coworkers, fellow gym rats, and neighbors are on hold. In addition, social distance guidelines tell us to keep a 6-8 foot distance, but we are wired for human contact. Research tells us that this lack of connection during COVID-19 breeds mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression. So, what’s a human to do?
  • Tap into the network. To start, we can feel connected when we interact mindfully, such as using social media for one to one interactions, or for live classes instead of commenting on old posts or general scrolling
  • Do something for someone else. Service work is a beautiful way to feel part of. We can also feel connected when we make cookies for a neighbor, a senior center, or cut someone else’s lawn.
  • Meditation is a powerful practice. Also, certain types of meditation are about feeling connected. Metta is a longstanding loving-kindness meditation style. This loving-kindness meditation is a way to get quiet and embody compassionate awareness. It helps to ensure we feel connected.
  • Reach out. Is there a friend or loved one you’re missing? Write a heartfelt letter.
While there is no substitute for a hug from a friend, a smile from your favorite coworker, or a simple touch on the shoulder, it can help us feel like we are connected to the human race. At least for the time being. May we all feel connected during this challenging time.

It’s OK to Seek Support

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, drug addiction, or mental health problems, The Redpoint Center is here to help. The Redpoint Center treats both adults and youth struggling with addiction and alcohol abuse. To learn more about our Longmont Drug Rehab in Boulder County Colorado, call 888-509-3153.
Even if Redpoint is not the appropriate facility, we will help you find what will work best for you and your family.
There is nothing wrong with struggling. It is OK to go through hard times. Many of us know the pain and the way back. We are here to help.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 
Image courtesy of unsplash.
Mar 25
Love1
Redpoint Center COVID-19 Recovery Support Coronavirus Sober

COVID-19, Quarantine, and Life in Recovery

By Community, Mental Health
COVID-19 is the illness caused by the Coronavirus. Life as we know it has been brought to a halt by COVID-19. For many, uncertainty and change generates a high level of anxiety. There may be anxiety coming from the slow pace and the lack of “things to do.” Many of us are accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle. An average day may consist of driving the kids to school, going to an appointment, going to work, running out for lunch, going back to work, picking up the kids, driving them to their after-school activities, making dinner, attending nightly commitments, and so on. For the time being, most of that is canceled or postponed. While it feels different from our normal lives, we can appreciate and take advantage of this pause. The fear of the unknown, the threat of illness, or concern around financial hardship are all valid. But, there is an opportunity to find positivity that lies beneath the turmoil.

Slowing Down for COVID-19

Most of us talk about how nice it would be to slow down. Our lives move fast. COVID-19 is forcing us all to do this. Many of us have extra time with family now. In addition, we can read books out loud with the kids. Perhaps there’s time to cook dinner together with a significant other or reconnect with family members who live far away. We have extra time with pets, who appreciate more cuddles and playtime. Now could be the perfect time to finally start digging into that stack of books you have been wanting to read. It’s also a good time for finishing or starting a home improvement project. This pause came at a perfect time to allow us more space in our schedules to do some spring cleaning,  a puzzle, or start learning how to knit, dance, or finally hop on that Peloton bike that hasn’t been touched since Christmas. In fact, maybe now that you’ve had to stop moving so fast, you notice that you haven’t been taking the best care of yourself. Maybe now is a great time to finally look at getting a therapist, going through an online treatment program to address a detrimental relationship with substances, or beginning a new meditation routine.

Taking Care of Ourselves

Many have hoped for some relief, a break, a few “extra hours in the day”. Well, like it or not, that time has come. COVID-19 is happening. But we can control our attitudes and our actions.
“I, for one, am going to enjoy this rare pause and as my body has begun to slow down, I will allow my mind to slow down as well,” says Rachael Messaros, individual in long-term recovery and Director of Admissions & Marketing at Redpoint.
As always, a reminder that if you or someone you love is in need of therapeutic support, we are here. Redpoint Center is fully operating, using telehealth tools to stay connected to our clients. Now, more than ever, we need each other.
Dec 16
Love2
What to Expect in Longmont and Boulder Sober Living

Longmont and Boulder Sober Living – What to Expect

By Addiction, Community, Mental Health

You or a loved one has completed residential treatment, now what? First of all, congratulations. Taking and completing that step is a huge one in and of itself. Typically the next step on the road of recovery after rehab is a sober living environment. A sober living home is a supervised, structured space in which folks new to recovery live. Accountability and monitoring are key components to what makes a sober living environment work effectively. In addition, these elements are key to help people stay sober throughout the transition between residential treatment and independent living.

How Does Sober Living Work

Sober living homes provide a safe, structured environment for individuals to learn how to thrive in recovery. These homes are a vital part of the recovery process. Often, those new to recovery start to get back to daily living while in a sober house. In addition, sober homes provide camaraderie and peer support. Studies show that sober homes can increase the likelihood of long-term recovery.

How long do people stay in sober living? There is no set answer to this question. Some people are in sober living for as many as two years, some as short as a few months. Different people need varying levels of accountability and monitoring. Furthermore, a supportive living environment offers different lengths of time because some need more or less structured than others. Hence, the main idea of sober living is a group environment to learn how to practice the tools learned in treatment before living independently.

How to Find a Quality Longmont or Boulder Sober Living House

Professionals, especially clinicians and staff at inpatient or intensive outpatient programs are great resources to rely on. In fact, professional services are ideal when navigating your needs or the needs of your loved one. Those in the recovery field have experience with the varied types of programs and can make the best recommendation based on the individual.

Sober living homes are often helpful to live in when a person is in an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program. In addition, IOP or PHP helps to provide safety and understanding while that person is continuing therapeutic work at the treatment level. Peer support and safe housing is often recommended by a treatment team at this stage because of the risks associated with immediately going back to life as we once knew it. Consequently, when we return the same environment in which we were living prior to treatment, it can be stressful. Also, we may feel loneliness, misunderstanding, or simply have too much responsibility too soon.

Sober Houses = Healthy Living

Colorado-based recovery speaker Don C. often likens this process to the replanting of a dying tree into new soil. If a tree is dying, the soil in which it exists is often unhealthy. To rehabilitate that tree, one must relocate that same tree into new, healthy soil. Often, when that tree is relocated, it tends to thrive and pick up the nutrients from the new soil. Sober homes can be thought of in a similar way. It is the new soil and environment in which someone can begin to build their new life in recovery, rich in the nutrients of daily peer support, and monitoring. Hence, one builds the life skills needed to operate successfully in the world. Community and accountability are two keys to early recovery. A sober house is often the right choice for a person in early recovery to transition back to independence.

Jul 02
Love2
DSC09006

Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Addiction

By Addiction, Community, Media, Mental Health, Misc, Therapy, Treatment

Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy utilizes therapy dogs in mental health and substance abuse treatment with profound impact. Many of us love animals, dogs in particular. In addition, we’ve learned that canines can enhance the benefits of therapeutic modalities. As an animal-friendly program, we see the impact animals have on our clients each day. Furthermore, there are many ways that dogs affect us through the human-animal bond.

Research Shows Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy Benefits:

  • Behavioral problems
  • Addiction
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Autism
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Treatment Resistance

Dogs provide unconditional love and acceptance. This can promote health and healing when used in substance abuse and mental health therapy. Also, this positivity provides clients with healthy bonds. The connection creates an opportunity for clients to feel self-love and self-acceptance. Furthermore, animals can help decreases stress and anxiety. Hence, this is positive for the therapeutic process.

Dogs, Emotions, and Self-Regulation

Dogs provide immediate feedback. And they connect on nuanced levels. They can reflect emotions. Also, they help people to identify emotions and practice emotional regulation. Therefore, this allows clients to practice healthy coping skills. This is enhanced with the support of a clinical therapist.

The therapeutic experience can be challenging and stressful at times. A therapy dog can help to decrease anxiety. In addition, time with animals can increase feelings of well-being. This value is significant. As a result, physical activity and dog training can help to improve physical health, communication, and patience.

Benefits of Canine-Assisted Therapy include:

  • Strengthen the therapeutic alliance between therapist and client
  • Increase self-confidence
  • Improve psychosocial functioning
  • Decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
  • Decrease Stress
  • Improve communication skills
  • Better Mood
  • Improve anger management
  • Better physical health

It is important to ensure that both the client and the therapy dog are comfortable. Also, it is key to ensure that both will benefit from the therapeutic encounter. Consequently, this happens prior to engaging in canine-assisted interventions.

At Redpoint, we are lucky to have our own therapy dog named Parker. Parker is generally in the office on most days of the week. He is happy to sit in on a client’s therapy session if he isn’t busy chewing his toys.

Studies reveal the efficacy of animal-assisted modalities. In conclusion, animals have a positive impact. Our furry friends bring love and more!

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, drug addiction, or mental health concerns, we are here to help. The Redpoint Center treats both adults and youth struggling with addiction and alcohol abuse. Learn more about our program.  Call us any time 888-509-3153.

More information on Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy:

  • Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Melanie G. Jones, Simon M. Rice, Susan M. Cotton

  • Research on Benefits of Canine-Assisted Therapy for Adults in Nonmilitary Settings

Janet S. Knisely, Sandra B. Barker, and Randolph T. Barker

  • Patient benefit of dog-assisted interventions in health care: a systematic review Martina Lundqvis, Per Carlsson, Rune Sjödahl, Elvar Theodorssonand   Lars-Åke Levin
Jun 05
Love2
graphicstock three beautiful friends authentic in urban contest H6xY0sjiyW web

EMDR in the Treatment of Addiction

By Addiction, Community, Mental Health, Therapy, Treatment

EMDR to Address Trauma During Addiction Treatment

EMDR is a powerful tool for healing trauma. Studies show that trauma is a risk factor for addiction and substance use disorder. In addition, treatment of trauma is key for individuals to recover from addiction. At the Redpoint Center, we use several different types of treatments for trauma. These modalities differ from talk therapy. One reason talk therapy doesn’t always effectively address trauma is that the memories are stored in the hippocampus, part of the midbrain. Talk therapy doesn’t effectively access these memories stored in the midbrain—it tends to involve the utilization of our frontal lobes. Furthermore, trauma is often stored in the body, requiring somatic attention. Hence, EMDR is a powerful intervention.

Using EMDR to Cope With Trauma and Stress

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy is a positive tool. It helps us access and process memories stored in the midbrain. Our use of EMDR is expanding and helping more people with issues that cause distress. People with substance abuse issues commonly have a history of trauma. In addition, they struggle to cope with stress and often benefit from EMDR.

Research shows that EMDR causes changes in brain chemistry that reverse the damage caused by trauma or acute stress. Bessel van der Kolk, an expert, and researcher, in brain chemistry and trauma, shares several brain studies to support this approach. His PET scan photographs of the brain before and after EMDR sessions show the benefit.

EMDR and the Brain

The PET scans of one who is remembering trauma light the amygdala in the brain. This is part of the limbic system that is responsible for emotions, survival instincts, and memory. The amygdala is activated when one experiences trauma and acute stress. It is the “smoke detector” that scans the environment and lets us know of a threat or event that is relevant to survival.

When people experience a threat the amygdala becomes activated. The frontal lobe, where cognition and understanding take place, is quite dim because the amygdala is more heightened. Hence, when people are experiencing “normal” day-to-day happenings, the frontal lobe is bright and outshines the amygdala.

Studies Show the Benefits of EMDR

In one study, van der Kolk had several individuals go through EMDR sessions. Before the sessions, the PET scans showed a brain in a trauma state. After the EMDR sessions, the brain appeared normal when the client was bringing to mind the same stressful event. The memory was no longer held as a traumatic memory but as a normal, processed memory.

We found another study where van der Kolk showed that subjects with a complicated traumatic history, after six EMDR sessions, had greatly reduced PTSD symptoms that continued to decrease even more for up to six months after the study.

We do not know exactly how psychotherapy affects the brain’s neurobiology. However, we do know that when people are upset, their brains cannot process information normally. EMDR is similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

During REM sleep, the information from the day is being processed. When people experience trauma, the amygdala becomes hyperactive and stores traumatic information and memory. This makes it difficult to process this information. EMDR creates the same stimulation that occurs during REM sleep. This assists the brain in processing the trauma or issues related to stress.  The end result is that people see disturbing information in a new and less distressing way. Consequently, they are better able to process information.

Getting Started with EMDR in Treatment

We know addiction is connected to acute stress and often trauma. Once a client has dealt with trauma and acute stress through EMDR, he or she is better able to cope. Therefore, they experience healthy relationships, cope with stress, and live a happier life.  In addition, people can recover from addiction since they are no longer, or less affected, by their distress.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, drug addiction, Mental Health problems, The Redpoint Center is here to help. The Redpoint Center treats both adults and youth struggling with addiction and alcohol. Learn more about our Longmont Drug Rehab, by calling 888-509-3153.

May 11
Love7
mushrooms legalized in denver colorado

Mushrooms legalized in Denver Colorado

By Media

Legalization of Mushrooms

We learned on Wednesday May 8, 2019, that Denver voters narrowly passed an initiative decriminalizing psilocybin mushrooms (also referred to as magic mushrooms or shrooms). Denver is the first city in America to decriminalize mushrooms. While Psilocybin is still illegal, the passage of the bill will mean that the city cannot prosecute adults 21 or older who possess the fungus.

 

Effect on the Body and Mind

Psilocybin mushrooms are a naturally occurring fungus of which there are over 200 species that when consumed produce hallucinogenic effects. They belong to a group of drugs known as psychedelics. The effects of psilocybin include euphoria, visual and mental hallucinations, changes in perception, and a distorted sense of time. Shrooms also can produce adverse reactions such as nausea, anxiety, vomiting, disorientation and psychosis.

Consumption of mushrooms generally occurs through oral ingestion, brewing as a tea or added to foods to mask the flavor.

Generally considered non-addictive, repeated use of mushrooms has been shown to produce psychosis, and Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder.

Following the passage of the initiative, many have speculated that more states will enact similar legislation in the coming years. The DEA office in Denver has stated that they will continue prosecuting psilocybin possession and trafficking at the federal level.

 

Reaching Out for Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with hallucinogen addiction, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, Mental Health problems, The Redpoint Center is here to help. We treat both adults and youth struggling with addiction and alcohol. Learn more about our Longmont Drug Rehab, call 888-509-3153.

Close Menu

We are here to help.



Address

The Redpoint Center
1831 Lefthand Cir, Suite H
Longmont, CO 80501


Phone

(888) 509-3153


Contact Us.

 

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.