Saving Lives through Real Treatment and Real Results

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program (30, 60, 90 days plus)

Call Now! WE CAN HELP! 1-888-687-7332

Get Help Now!

1-888-687-7332

Patient Testimonials

Join Our Facebook Community

Why 12 step based treatment works.

Treatment and the 12 steps:

To begin the year, I thought we would look at the relationship between treatment and the 12 steps of recovery. The 12 steps have long been considered the most effective way to help a chemical abuser, drugs or alcohol, a sex addict, gambler, shopaholic, exercise addict, you got it I think, face and recover from their addiction of choice. This is not a guess, conjuncture, or implied statistic. This is a fact. While many other ways exist that can be helpful, nothing is on record as being as effective with people who have addictive personalities, than the 12 steps are. This is bore out both by scientific, medical, and practical feedback. While you may find pockets of people representing every know way for sobriety to work, you will not come close to finding one method or modality that helps more people(several million in different anonymous groups world wide. Anonymous groups include but are not limited to, AA, NA, CA, HA, CMA, PA, SLA, SA, MA). There is a reason for this. Over the next year we will explore why that is and why treatment is so important in today's society. I began writing this piece planning on doing a quick intro and then moving into step 1. It became apparent to me that I needed to devote a whole article on why 12 step based treatment centers work so well. Thankfully, some of the steps can be combined into one article so we can start the actual step by step breakdown next month.

So, why does 12 step based treatment work. Simple, look at it like this. Any addiction problem effects the user or abuser on 4 basic levels. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This is why addiction of any kind differs from a bad habit. A bad habit, say biting your nails, generally only effects you in a few ways. You bite the nail, so that is physical and you do it when you are nervous which is emotional. Although it is hard to stop a bad habit, any addict would tell you quitting heroin or alcohol use is about a million times harder than quitting your biting habit. When a drug makes a person feel physically different, calms or speeds up their mind, quells their emotions and allows them to feel a higher connection or purpose(hence the term "high" as in getting higher), you are looking at one heck of an enemy if you are trying to convince the person that walking away from this drug is the right thing to do. So, if you have a four pronged problem, you better offer a four pronged solution. Ever try to bail hay with a one or two pronged pitchfork? You better clear your calender for a few months, because you are going to be bailing hay for a while.

A 12 step approach program offers a four pronged solution. By definition, the 12 steps facilitate changes on all four levels of life by themselves. Treatment does a wonderful job of connecting the dots and allowing the person a safe, secure, and wonderful place to heal in all four areas. In a place like River Source, you are given tools like Yoga, gym, the suana, and most importantly(in my humble opinion)constant connection to Naturopathic MDs who can help guide the physical healing. In counseling and life coaching the mental and emotional parts of recovery are discovered and explored and in groups and with sponsors, pastors, families and friends, the spirituality of life and recovery are re-found or in some cases found for the very first time. If the steps are the glue that keeps a life together and thriving, than treatment is the glue gun that helps deliver the message and secures that a person in treatment will have the best shot at getting well. Thanks for reading and check back next month for more on this topic.

**please note that all matter stated here is that of an independent writer and does not represent the River Source trying to re-define the steps, this is simply a look at how treatment uses the 12 steps. In support of that purpose, only a synopsis of each step will be included every month. For a list of the 12 steps and the accurate definitions please contact AA world services or obtain a copy of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous".**

Treatment and the 12 steps

Step One

February 2012

As we discussed here last month (please read the above or Jan 2012 article prior to this one if you can, if not no worries), 12 step recovery based treatment programs are, according to research, the most successful type of treatment programs. We broke this down a bit last month so now we will begin to explore treatment's unique relationship with each of the 12 steps.

The 1st step in a 12-step program relates to the admission of a personal problem and the unmanageability of the life of the person in question. This is referred to in full as powerlessness. And that one term and what it represents makes the difference in millions of lives every day. The acceptance or the denial of one's powerlessness creates success and failures each and every day, both in treatment and in the population at large. Only after a person has admitted their powerlessness will they be willing to admit their unmanageability as well.

What does it mean to be powerless? At first glance, it may seem simple and often it is, but as is the case with most meaningful things in life, if it is you we are talking about, it is not quite so simple. Personal powerlessness is one of the hardest things for a human being to admit to. We just aren't wired to quit or give up, nor admit there is something we can't do. In many cases, this serves us well. But in the matter of drugs and alcohol, it can literally kill us. A person must get to a place within them of admitting they have lost the power to choose, control, manage, or in any way maintain their alcohol and/or drug use. They must if they wish to have any shot and staying clean. But here is why treatment pays such an important role in this process. Anyone who has suffered even the most basic consequences after using may be able to admit this mentally. But only the person who can admit this to themselves mentally, emotionally, and spiritually (whatever that means for the individual) can get to an internal place of knowing they are beaten and have no hope for recovery on their own power. This, as you can imagine, is very hard for an addict/alcoholic to do.

Much care is taken during the treatment process to softly but honestly explain how one can do this. In programs like those at The River Source, a peer element is added, and people get to experience honesty from their peers in a way none of them ever have before. This process is life changing and literally opens people’s eyes for the first time. Work with staff, peers, and sponsors further locks in the honesty process. Once someone has admitted their defeat, healing can begin. After accepting that they are powerless over drugs or alcohol, or whatever addiction they may have, a person can more easily look at the unmanageability of their life and begin to see that many decisions that they made lead them to a place of not having control.

Treatment professionals are able to help clients see that if any area of their life is not going according to plan, then that is what is meant by “unmanageable”. Once someone can see this truth they can combine what they have felt about being powerless with what they have learned about being unmanageable, and they can take steps to understand what must be done. Simply put, what must be done is anything that needs to happen in order to experience recovery. This is a delicate process and one where many people who don't enter treatment miss, which may be why individuals who enter 12-step based treatment centers, have a much higher success rate than people who do not enter treatment.

The 12 steps are like a house in which your spirit can grow and recover. The 1st step is the foundation of that house. Entering 12 step treatment is like hiring the best contractors in the world to build that foundation. Once that foundation is built, freedom from the destruction of drugs and alcohol lie ahead. See you next month!

**please note that all matter stated here is that of an independent writer and does not represent The River Source trying to re-define the steps, this is simply a look at how treatment uses the 12 steps. In support of that purpose, only a synopsis of each step will be included every month. For a list of the 12 steps and the accurate definitions please contact AA world services or obtain a copy of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous".**

Treatment and the 12 steps - Step 2

Step Two

March 2012

The last line above may be a bit cryptic, but in reality it is very important. A higher power is loosely defined as something that can do something for us that we cannot do for ourselves. Drugs and alcohol absolutely meet that definition, just not in a positive way. This plays into the equation because an addict or alcoholic who is totally resistant to the concept of a higher power can begin to understand that they have had a higher power all along. They just need to learn or as the step implies, come to believe that a power greater than them can be used in a positive and loving way. Treatment really helps this process by showing a new person in recovery scores of others who are living proof that recovery works. This is the best example of a higher power that any new person in recovery can hope to see. The coming to believe part of the step lets people off the hook by allowing for a process. It does not happen over night and can take some time, but via sponsorship, step groups and counseling, a person can come to believe in a power greater than themselves and allow that power to change the way they are living their life. The second part of the second step(ah yes, as with many of the 12 steps, it is a several part process)deals with that higher power(of your understanding)restoring you to sanity.

As you can imagine, this can create all sorts of discord amongst people trying to digest it for the first time. As to appeal to everyone's sensitivity, we will define insanity with Einstein's definition, which many people now believe to be the actual definition of insanity. Einstein is the guy who famously first stated that insanity was "doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results". If you had to pick one line that sums up the life of an addict, I think that one would do just fine. Addicts are known for doing just what the line implies. What the second step lets us know is that if we are willing to believe and do the work that we learn in treatment, that we can be restored to sanity. If insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results, then sanity would be doing new things and getting different results which is exactly what someone in recovery needs. The other key piece is basically most religions and spiritual groups believe that God or a higher power speaks through people. Treatment allows a hurting addict or alcoholic to connect with people they can relate to who are doing well and therefore can help them connect with that higher power.

See you next month!

Treatment and the 12 steps - Step 3

Step Three

April 2012

The 3rd step in a 12 step program deals specifically with turning one's will and life over to the care of a God or a higher power of their understanding. With the acceptance and belief of a Higher Power of our own choosing in step 2, it then makes sense that we would be able to follow that step with one that could implement those new beliefs into actual life circumstances. Step 3 represents an addict's or alcoholic's beginning to really take action to live a new life. This is the part in the recovery process where you see people really begin to change. Liars start becoming honest, thieves start giving, and anger gives way to compassion and understanding. Treatment is a great catalyst for this change. A true advantage is gained in treatment when it comes to the 3rd step because of the difficulty in understanding how to live in God's Will and what that really means. In other words, how does a newly sober addict or alcoholic decide whether or not something he or she wants to do is his/her will or if it’s God's? It’s a tough question for anyone to answer, huh? Well, that is exactly why treatment is so important in this process. Learning to practice this recovery principle takes many months and having the advantage of being taught this information in a safe setting is invaluable to one's spiritual growth and recovery process.

As is the case with many things in recovery and even in life, this topic is subject to as many definitions as there are people willing to define it. The exact specifics of what someone learns in treatment are up to that person's treatment team, but in general they will come to understand the following way of
thinking:

God's Will is loosely defined here as "doing the next right thing for the best of all concerned". Sometimes all concerned is you, sometimes it is the 10 other people in the room as well as you. It all depends. We learn to look at will as another way of saying want. In other words, God's Will = What God / Higher Power of your understanding wants - Self Will = what you want. Then we learn that life = outcomes. In saying we turn our will and our life over to the care of a Higher Power, what we are really saying is that we take what we want and the outcomes arriving from that and instead do what our Higher Power would have us do and enjoy the outcome of that. Here is a simple analogy. If an addict (now sober a few months) walks into a gas station and notices the attendant is in the restroom, chances are high the addict may think "hey, I could grab my chips and drink and run out of here without being caught". Let me hop in with an important point here. I heard from a man much smarter than I that a human being's first thought in any situation is what they want to do. I don't know if that is true or not but it makes great sense to me. So, back to my analogy. If the newly sober addict grabs the chips and runs, chances are good he will be caught and face charges. Even if successful in his heist, he will most likely use again as a result of living in a dishonest way. He wanted to steal, he did steal, and now he is using or in jail. If he, instead, remembers the 3rd step and either A) thinks about what his family, or sponsor or others who support him would have him do (a great way to determine what God's Will in any situation is) B) stops and really thinks his choices and potential consequences through (an important skill taught in treatment) or C) calls his sponsor or support system, the chances of him doing the right thing and feeling very good about himself raise ten-fold. This is just one example of everyday situations that addicts find themselves in that they must learn how to respond to. Using an addict's own thinking can be catastrophic. Learning to trust and rely upon a Higher Power combined with an active desire to try and be the best person one can be is the root of the 3rd step and the root of what is done in treatment to teach such an important component. It is imperative that addicts and alcoholics learn that when we do what we want, the results aren't usually very good. When we trust a loving and supportive Higher Power of our choosing, life goes very well and we are on the path to happiness.

See you next month!

**Please note that all matter stated here is that of an independent writer and does not represent The River Source trying to re-define the steps, this is simply a look at how treatment uses the 12 steps. In support of that purpose, only a synopsis of each step will be included every month. For a list of
the 12 steps and the accurate definitions please contact AA world services or obtain a copy of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous".**

Treatment and the 12 steps - Step 4

Step Four

May 2012

As we discussed here the past few months(please read the 2012 articles prior to this one if you can, if not no worries), 12 step recovery based treatment programs are, according to research, the most successful type of treatment programs. We broke this down a bit, so now we will begin to explore treatment's unique relationship with each of the 12 steps. The 4th step in a 12 step program deals with a personal inventory and the taking of a personal inventory by the individual. This process is amongst the most important in all of recovery. It has been unofficially stated that a person's chances at sobriety increase ten fold if they are able to create a solid, honest and searching inventory. A personal inventory is not much different in nature than the type of inventory you had to stay late one weekend a month to take at your old grocery job. A store takes inventory to find out what they have and what they lack. A personal inventory does much of the same thing. A personal inventory takes an honest look at a person's resentments, fears, sex history(of a self-centered or pain causing experience. For instance, the point of a sex inventory is not for one to catalog and boast of their conquests, but rather to have them see if and how their behavior was boorish, selfish, or harm causing), and allows the individual a chance to come clean with any remaining secrets they have not been honest with. After all, the saying "Your only as sick as your secrets" came from the recovery community. Treatment provides a safe and supportive environment for an addict/alcoholic to work on their inventory. Treatment allows for experienced staff or peers to offer compassion and guidance for this process. An individual goes through many emotions when writing a 4th step, often these emotions can be painful. Treatment provides the proverbial pillow to cry on to allow people to learn to own, process, and let go of their past actions and emotions.

Let's take a closer look at the three main components of a 4th step. 1. Resentments-- Resentments are Kryptonite to an addict. Nothing is more dangerous than a life built on resentment. Most people entering treatment have spent years blaming others for their misfortune. A lifetime of "you don't understand", "if you only had my life", "If you had been nicer to me" or my personal favorite "it's the cops fault, he was out to get me". All statements that show a lack of ownership. A person with no ownership is set up to live a life of failure. One must truly learn to look within in order to experience the change necessary for recovery. A 4th step allows a person to write down their resentments, asks them to write down what in their life was effected by that resentment, and then asks the mother of all recovery questions "What was YOUR part!" It is here where the individual must see and own up to the fact that they set themselves up to be hurt. The 4th step is where we learn to live in a world of total ownership and move away from our victim mentality. Treatment helps us do that by providing honest feedback and allowing us to learn responsibility.

2. Fears-- Fears can be broken into two categories. A]-Fears that may never change or "outer" fears. For example, if a person is afraid of sharks, they may always be afraid of sharks. Since that is an outside fear, the person would need learn to deal with or let go of that fear. B]- "Inner" fears. These are the fears that we all must face on some level. Fear of being alone, fear that I am not good enough, fear that people don't like me, etc, etc, etc. These fears can and will be mastered when a person learns to work the 12 steps, especially once the fears are written into an inventory. Both types of fears go on a fears list or part 2 of an inventory. It is very important to be honest about all fears so we can learn to let go and stop letting fear take away life experiences and moments. More about the sharing of these fears will be discussed when we look at step 5 next month.

3. Sex-- Again, this is not the time to make a "brag" list or anything like that. Most addicts have some sex related past actions that they are ashamed of or feel like they need to apologize for. The recovery community refers to the sex part of a 4th step as a way to shape a solid and sound ideal for future relationships or sex based behaviors. For instance, if a person who had casual sex when using or drinking completes an inventory, they would hypothetically learned or realized that they didn't like their old behaviors and would remain abstinent for a period of time and then only engage physically with a true partner in a romantic bond. This would represent great progress. I am not going to go into great detail here due to subject matter that is private and can be viewed as sensitive by some so let's just say it is an important process for people in recovery.

4. Hidden Secrets-- Pretty simple actually. We need to learn to trust people and to not hold anything up in our minds that could block us from experiencing recovery. Secrets are a great offender to that. In a 4th step we learn the importance of trusting and opening up to a confidential source. Much more on this next month on step 5.

This is just a tiny snap shot of what is discussed in a 4th step. This is a tangible, written process that can take 1-2 weeks to complete. Anyone who completes a 4th step is an inspiration to others because of the courage they displayed to look within. Treatment helps provide that confidence.

See you next month!

Treatment and the 12 steps - Step 5

Step Five

June 2012

As we discussed here the past few months (please read the 2012 articles prior to this one if you can, if not no worries), 12 step recovery-based treatment programs are, according to research, the most successful types of treatment programs. We broke this down a bit, so now we will begin to explore treatment's unique relationship with each of the 12 steps.

The 5th step in a 12-step recovery program addresses being entirely honest or admitting our faults, shortcomings, miss-steps, issues, you name it, with ourselves, another person and a higher power of the individuals choice. It makes sense as the 4th step has to do with writing an honest and searching inventory, that the 5th step then follow that up with sharing the aforementioned inventory with another person; normally a sponsor, counselor, or clergyman that is trusted by the alcoholic or addict. While most of the focus (by focus, I mean what the addict or alcoholic fears the most or is most insecure about) is spent on the "another person", all three levels are very important. That said, I figured we could take a look at the three elements of a good 5th step. If you have not read last month's article, please do so or find a definition of a 4th step from somewhere so you know what we are talking about.

Good, let's move on.

Let's take a closer look at the three main components of a 5th step (not necessarily in any particular order for this article).

1. Admitting our exact nature to ourselves: Often considered the easiest of the three prongs (if you will), it actually takes some serious work. It's not so much the admission of any negative act (after all, we did the act so there is really nothing to admit to there) rather, it's the understanding of the nature of what we did wrong and how it affected our own lives and caused pain in the lives of others who have cared or do care for us. As an example: I work with many young people who cannot possibly fathom the pain they have caused their parents until they do a solid inventory and 5th step *Sidebar: this example is a difficult one because no person can really understand what emotional harm they may have caused their parents until they are in fact parents. However, the example is a common one and serves as a good idea of what I am discussing*: End Sidebar. When someone does take or complete an inventory, they are free to get a much better understanding of whom and what they really are, and how important it is to continue to strive to change and to stay clean. This is a vital realization.

2. A Higher Power -- If you haven't figured it out by now, 12-step programs are spiritually rooted programs. If someone is absolutely closed minded to this concept and remains (key word) that way after treatment or help, chances are great the 12-step modality will not be of huge benefit to that person. Thankfully, many people are able to grasp and develop some level of a Higher Power that the individual can name and connect with at their pace and with their personality. Again, admitting to whatever HP you choose that you have done wrong would seem obvious. Any belief in any higher being or spirit or whatever you have would, I imagine, a basic all-knowing principle. If this is indeed the case, then why the racket about admitting to this HP or God, as you understand Him, your wrongs? And again I would submit to you that it is not the face value actions but rather the emotions and intentions that we need to seek honesty with. This is the real trick in a spiritual, recovering relationship. The good news is for most people who are at this point in their recovery work already have a solid and honest spiritual connection, making this part of this particular step as close to a "freebie" as someone will get in recovery. And that's good because the on-deck hitter takes some real work to achieve.

3. Another Human Being: This may represent the single most difficult thing for a person in early recovery to follow through with. Outside of the treatment recovery world, well-meaning people who have not had formal treatment, a high number of addicts, and alcoholics go back to using when they reach this point. They just cannot come to bear the fear of sitting down with another person and being totally vulnerable and real. This is where treatment can help with this step. The closeness of peers in treatment and the treatment group structure make it so everybody has a chance to interact, and give feedback to each other and get close to each other. This is a valuable lesson in recovery. Once we begin to trust people we can truly open up to all people. A wise man once said (no not me, not quite that cheesy I promise) "If you are willing to sit with another person and bare your soul, warts and all, the acceptance you feel from that person will represent all people". Think about the power of that. Years of fear, insecurity and doubt can be lifted at once. This is the power of honesty and of getting real, two notions most users have no concept of.

Hopefully that gives you a bit into the inventory process. At this point, we have turned the corner and are ready to work on some step 6 &7! Stay tuned for more on the recovery process.

See you next month!

**please note that all matter stated here is that of an independent writer and does not represent the River Source trying to re-define the steps, this is simply a look at how treatment uses the 12 steps. In support of that purpose, only a synopsis of each step will be included every month. For a list of
the 12 steps and the accurate definitions please contact AA world services or obtain a copy of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous".**

Treatment and the 12 Promises - The 2nd Promise

February 2013

If you have been following this article series from its inception, you will recall we have covered treatment's relationship with the 12 steps and the 12 principles. This year we will examine the 12 "promises" of recovery or what the recovering person and to an extent family, "wins" as a result of sobriety. These articles are independent of the previous year's so no worries if you are just coming on board.

The second* "promise"(in quotations simply because that is not an official recovery term, rather an term of endearment used by the recovery community)discusses a recovering person gaining a new freedom and a new level of happiness or ok-ness, if you will. Freedom is an interesting choice of word here and it truly sums up the state of living that a recovering person experiences if they work a 12 step program. Freedom from what, we all at one point asked? And the true answer, spoken and written by many people is "the bondage of self". Alcoholics and addicts are in a constant process of self-destruction and self sabotage. The addict or alcoholic mind simply will not allow it's host to achieve greatness in life. The addict/alcoholic may experience tangible success in differing areas, but will not emotionally or spiritually embrace a life worth living. For years of using an uncomfortable truth was hidden. Most addicts and alcoholics, long before they engaged in their drug of choice, despised those who did and the substances themselves. We can go back to the age of reason(around 7)and see that once a belief is formed at that time, any further action that goes against that fundamental belief will cause great distress for that person. Any addict or alcoholic has lied to themselves and tricked themselves into actions that they know they dislike, for many years. They must learn to be free from this negative behavior.

Freedom in this sense can and does also mean freedom from the prison the actual substance keeps the abuser locked in. Many addicts/alcoholics when pressed to be honest will admit that using or drinking hasn't "worked" for many years. This doesn't mean they did not achieve intoxication, it means that the glorious emotional payoff once promised by their drug or drink, has faded into an impossible to regain oblivion. In the song "Master of Puppets" by Metallica, the leader singer asks "Master, Master, where's the dreams that I've been after, promised only lies". Brilliant lyrics that although sung about cocaine in the song, can be used for any substance of abuse. Once the user has crossed into this realization but cannot stop, they truly are prisoners and need to be freed. The happiness connection then, becomes any easy one to make. Freedom=Happiness. There is no other way about it in this arena. Happiness for an addict or alcoholic simply means to learn to live life on life's terms and to be present emotionally for all the experiences in your life. To move from spectator to participant in one's own life is a true sign of freedom and happiness.

How does treatment help with this "promise"? By providing tools that help on an emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual level that will allow the client to achieve freedom and happiness. Treatment helps people quickly move through obstacles that otherwise may take them years, if ever, to realized and overcome. Treatment underlines that fact that if you are not free, you cannot enjoy and learn to love life. Everything starts with this premise like it has always. Most every battle is for some form of freedom and addiction is no different. Only with addiction we must be liberated from ourselves or at least the negative part of ourselves. Treatment can do this in a way we may not on our own recognizance. Check back next month as we discuss how we can learn to embrace the past!

*= this is sometimes referred to as the first official "promise". See last month's article for the first according to this writer

**please note that all matter stated here is that of an independent writer and does not represent the River Source trying to re-define the promises, this is simply a look at how treatment uses the 12 promises and helps people achieve them. In support of that purpose, only a synopsis of each promise will be included every month. For a list of the 12 promises and the accurate/official definitions please contact AA world services or obtain a copy of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous".**

Treatment and the 12 Promises: The 4th Promise

April 2013

**please note that all matter stated here is that of an independent writer and does not represent the River Source trying to re-define the promises, this is simply a look at how treatment uses the 12 promises and helps people achieve them. In support of that purpose, only a synopsis of each promise will be included every month. For a list of the 12 promises and the accurate/official definitions please contact AA world services or obtain a copy of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous".**

If you have been following this article series from its inception, you will recall we have covered treatment's relationship with the 12 steps and the 12 principles. This year we will examine the 12 "promises" of recovery or what the recovering person and to an extent family, "wins" as a result of sobriety. These articles are independent of the previous year's so no worries if you are just coming on board.

The fourth "promise"(in quotations simply because that is not an official recovery term, rather an term of endearment used by the recovery community)discusses a recovering person and the process of them coming to know peace. Actually, you could say that we are dealing with two different promises as the knowing of serenity and understanding peace are both mentioned in a way that can be separate or simultaneous but since they are so similar we are going to focus on the word peace. Peace is a big deal for most people and those in recovery are no exception. The promise of serenity which is really just a more peaceful sounding way to say peace, if that makes sense, is a goal that every person entering recovery(and their family members for that matter)wish to obtain. The inner turmoil of addicts is well known all though sometimes forgotten by people who are at the whim of the addict or alcoholics cynical, reactionary lifestyle. In other words, it is easy to forget that the addict or alcoholic is the one in the most turmoil internally, even if they can't even see it. When one's life is chaos on the outside, you can rest assured that it is chaos to the nth degree on the inside.

By experiencing recovery and coming to grips with things like our past we can begin to make the necessary changes to bring about serenity and peace. Amends for harms rendered, restitution for wrongs committed and acceptance of things outside of ourselves help to bring about a peace amongst people in recovery that can only be rivaled by that of folks who have walked a fine line spiritually and emotionally for a long, long time. As a recovering person's self worth grows, they experience more peace and come to understand that the "fight the world" attitude they once had no longer holds purpose. As recovery literature says, "we have ceased fighting everyone and everything". This is the premise behind internal peace. We learn in recovery that we can only "control" our words and actions and if those words and actions are peaceful and helpful, we will experience those things in our emotional state.

How does treatment help with this "promise"? Well, one of the key components of peace as mentioned above is the concept of surrender. Surrender in recovery is when we achieve an acceptance of our issue and stop having to be the answer to all of our and everyone's issues. This is a near impossible place to get to alone. We must have help to see our shortcomings. Treatment is able to provide that help and that perspective from an honest standpoint. Often times, we need this level of help learning to stop fighting and getting into a way of peace. Once we hit this place internally, we are well on our way to a new experience. Have a great spring and see you next month!

Testimonials

"I came to The River Source completely out of self-defense, because I was dying out there. Thirty-three days before I came to The Source I started detoxing at home. My only intention being to stay clean for lent. My life was so miserable and chaotic I figured if I just got clean for lent everything and everybody would leave me alone. The world would be glitter and rainbows. Me and my kids could be happy, but nothing changed. My life was still chaos. At 22 days I relapsed. I was powerless and I..."

Chuvak M. - July 2012

Read More Testimonials -Click Here