addiction Archives - Page 23 of 27 - Enlightened Solutions

Waiting for the Transformation

Written by enlightened solutions on October 23, 2017. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Family Recovery. Leave a Comment

Recovery means different things to different people. For the addicts, there had only been one way to cope. This was to reach for the bottle or drug which has the power to mask the pain inside. There could have been other circumstances that come into play, but in the end, alcohol is there to make life appear easier. This might work at first, but those with addiction problems will find themselves worse off almost every time they decide to drink or use. The way the mind functions in an addict is to rationalize why what is so clearly the wrong decision, is a perfectly fine idea. It’s complete insanity and until there is a spiritual experience there will be a difficult road to go down.

Living in contrary action is how all addicts should operate. For example, there might be an instance when the mind is telling the addict that it’s okay to stop at a bar for food. The addict can also eat at a somewhere that doesn’t sell alcohol. Why would the addict choose the bar setting? The reason is that the mind wants what it wants, and that’s an excuse to drink or use. The mind is loud and can justify almost anything. If the addicts the mind win, there might be a relapse at risk.

This is why we suggest using certain tools in situations like these. A spiritual experience will give the addict hope. Having a connection with a God of their understanding, will guide them out of harm’s way. God’s will would will never include any substances. It’s as if a dog owner watched its beloved animal run into a pack of coyotes. This would be the same concept as him watch over the addicts destruction with sadness. That is why having a connection with a higher power is such a powerful tool for growth and serenity. For those who have a hard time accepting there is a God, remember that it’s not a religious concept as much as it’s spiritual.

One of the main suggestions alcoholics highly recommend is the act of reaching out to others in need. Prayer or meditation is a way of coping when the addict feels they might take a drink or drug. Anytime an addict decides against the idea of the drink or participate in harmful behavior,, the transformation takes place. In recovery, the addict learns new behavior and that every day sober is a true miracle. Having spirituality will have a new meaning each day and the addict will find true love and happiness within.

Enlightened Solution’s holistic program is a spiritually based and will help guide addicts to see the light through our many methods of treatment. Finding self-love is important to move on from the past with grace and dignity. For more questions call: 833-801-5483.

3 Interesting Ways to Incorporate Chakra Therapy into Daily Living

Written by enlightened solutions on October 20, 2017. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Alternative Therapy. Leave a Comment

The chakras are 7 energy whirlpools that vibrate at various points between the base of your spinal column and the top of your head. Each chakra has unique spiritual properties and focusing on any one will elevate the functioning of all. However, there are times that it is beneficial to focus on a specific chakra with alignment to the unique challenges being presented by life. Following are some examples to enhance your spiritual experience by engaging your chakras:

Food: there are many ways to engage food as chakra therapy. Some examples: eat root vegetables to address to the insecurities that may be experienced in one’s physical safety; consume strawberries to balance your sacral chakra which holds the energy for creative and sensual expression. The way that these foods become therapy is by focusing on the intention as you consume them.
Sleep: as bedtime approaches, you can have a short dialogue with a specific chakra. An example could be to focus on the heart chakra and invite the heart to use sleep as a period of healing instead of hiding from the pains of life. This practice is amplified by sleeping with a green stone on or near the heart so that the intention is being held safely by it as you release consciousness.
Exercise: to focus on bringing more power into your life, an individual may focus on running from their solar plexus, located at the midpoint between the pubic bone and the belly button. Imagining a yellow surge of energy that allows the runners stride to lead from this location of the body. Through this visual, both the quality and color of this chakra is engaged. Another way to engage this practice is through intention while dancing. If there is a need to elevate sensual energy in your life, you can dance with a heightened awareness of moving through the hips and pelvis combined with visualizing the color orange in this location.

If you are struggling with addiction, alcoholism, and/or mental health, know that there is hope. There is a solution. Harmoniously fusing together the best elements of clinical care, holistic healing, and 12-step philosophy, Enlightened Solutions has created a program of total transformation for men and women seeking recovery. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs in New Jersey.

The Sponsor/Sponsee Roles in AA’s 12-Step Program

Written by enlightened solutions on October 19, 2017. Posted in 12 Step Program, Addiction, Drugs & Alcohol. Leave a Comment

There are many different support groups in the game of addiction. The few that fall into a similar category include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Al-Anon, Codependents Anonymous (CODA). These all follow a 12-step program. Upon early recovery, it’s suggested to attend meetings daily. While finding meetings that fit, it’s important to keep an eye out for a sponsor. A sponsor is defined as another member who takes the sponsee through the 12 steps. A sponsee would be defined as a new member to the program or a member that wants to repeat the steps. A new member or newcomer should look for a sponsor that has what they want for themselves. This can mean a few different things that include happiness, spirituality, healthy relationships and so on. It’s suggested for the sponsee to interview the potential sponsor before entering an agreement that may as well be doomed from the start. Here are a few questions a sponsee might consider asking:

What is expected of me?
Do you have a call time? (A time each day to call)
How quickly will we be going through the steps?

Now that the sponsee has chosen the right fit. It’s time to establish boundaries. There are certain roles the sponsor may not feel comfortable playing. Bringing the family into the recovery of the alcoholic, or any other member seeking help should be not be taken lightly. There are boundaries that can be crossed left and right. It’s wise to make them clear from the start. That’s not saying the family should not be involved in recovery. The 12-steps were built to release the person suffering from the bondage of whatever addiction that may be. It is a sensitive topic that not everyone wants their family being apart of every step of the way. The information must be kept confidential between the sponsee and sponsor to maintain trust. That being said, the sponsor/sponsee relationship is about the sponsee. The sponsor will most times be there for the sponsee during hard times and make suggestions. The sponsor will take the sponsee down a path that they had followed themselves to get sober. This is meant to keep the sponsor sober, thus the beauty of the program. The sponsee must follow suggestions and do the 12 steps to remain spiritually fit and on the road to recovery.

Enlightened Solutions encourages our patients to take advantage of AA’s 12 step program. Our partial program will give the addict the ability to find what works for them our their journey to recovery. Given the opportunity to connect with the community is a life skill we believe in here in New Jersey. Please call for more information: 833-801-5483.

Healing from Painful Past

Written by enlightened solutions on October 17, 2017. Posted in Healthy Living, Mental Health. Leave a Comment

There is a misconception that when an addict quits using, they will go on to live life without issue. Although this may be true to some extent, ridding the body of all substances is only the beginning to living a full sober life. There are many excuses and possibly some valid reasons why alcoholics feel they needed to use their drug of choice. When it comes down to it, there is an underlying cause of why the alcoholic feels they must numb the body. The addict mind is different from the non-addict mind. Addicts don’t have the ability to let things go, persisting to replay events over and over in the mind. It’s exhausting, and one might think why they would put themselves through it if they can shut it up with alcohol or drugs? This is where it gets tricky. Alcoholics will become reliant on the substance and use it to get through life at all cost. This doesn’t end well, given that addicts have a craving for alcohol and drugs that will not allow them to practice any kind of moderation.

Once there is a substance entered into the body in any form, the craving consumes the mind. At this point, there’s no use in maintaining any healthy way of dealing or coping with an unideal situation. Relationships begin to slip away and the alcoholic starts down an unhealthy path to destruction. Thing gets progressively worse and there no way of telling when the alcoholic/addict will decide to get help. When the addict has the willingness to do whatever it takes to stay sober, there will be real potential for growth. We can help get them there.

In AA, it is believed that in order to stay on the path to sobriety, a spiritual experience must take place. Admitting the powerlessness over alcohol is the first step. These steps will coincide with the healing process that an alcoholic will receive in therapy specializing knowledge in addiction. There are different ways of approaching an alcoholic who is in the healing process as well as different therapeutic treatments. Each alcoholic responds differently which is why it’s important to have a well-rounded rehabilitation experience. Feeling safe in an environment caves the way for transformation. Learning about self-love and respect that will enable the patient’s ability to manifest what they are really capable of life. Healing consists of processing the history that never sat well with the alcoholic. Taking a look at the root of the problem and letting it go, will set the alcoholic free!

Enlightened Solutions believes that healing the mind body and spirit is the first step into a life of healthy relationships and sobriety. With a holistic, clinical, and 12 step approach, the addict will learn many tools in guiding a patient to transformation. For more information call 833-801-5483.

How Somatic Experiencing can Help with PTSD

Written by enlightened solutions on October 13, 2017. Posted in Addiction, Alternative Therapy. Leave a Comment

There are many ways Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect the life of an alcoholic. Often, symptoms are overlooked and the trauma persists to keep its hold. First, it’s important to find out what’s actually causing the PTSD. Symptoms can be caused by dangerous life-threatening situations that require any means to survive. For example, those in the military, dealing with the effects of being at war. There can be negative childhood trauma that is caused by something like bullying or being misunderstood. This can include seeing parents go through a divorce, death in the family, and other difficult times in life. There are those too who suffered through a sexual assault, mental or physical abuse and other events that no one should ever have to experience. With each of these traumatic events, those affected may not have been able to process what had happened thoroughly. At this point, if and when the victim gets triggered by the identified event, a feeling of unease unexpectedly begins reliving the trauma all over again. It doesn’t have to be this way and it is impossible to move on from such trauma.

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a holistic therapy of “resetting” the nervous system. This is done by reestablishing the nervous systems rhythm, meaning that there must be a break in the natural flow. This kind of treatment should always be executed by a professional with a background in SE. Going through the experience and pinpointing each feeling for what it is will allow the patient to recognize what is going on in their bodies. The doctor conducting the session will ask that the patient embrace the fear with respect. The act of letting the body physically feel what’s happening instead of mentally can establish a new reaction. The stimulation that is brought on by triggering the PTSD, with time, will regulate. The differences between the ups and downs will show signs of improvement, settling back down to the baseline.

Once the patient can become at peace with the identified event there will be less of a physical and mental response to the PTSD. This gives way to new feelings and new events to take place. Lacking the ability to move forward stalls the growth process. This will become a never-ending cycle of reacting out in an unhealthy manner each time a trigger occurs. If there is a break in the cycle there can be many aspects of life that will be interrupted as well. This includes appetite, sleep, digestion, and other main body functions that a person needs to survive. When new situations arise, as they will, the only way to push forward in this process is to complete the old. It’s not about forgetting what had happened but letting the body heal properly. As humans, we don’t get to erase the past, but we can let go of the power it has over us.

Our holistic approach at Enlightened Solutions gives our patients coping mechanisms and insight into painful past or events. Processing trauma is a key factor in moving forward and we are here to help. For more questions call: 833-801-5483.

Female Cocaine Addicts

Written by enlightened solutions on October 11, 2017. Posted in Addiction, Drugs & Alcohol. Leave a Comment

Female cocaine abuse is has been proven to differ from the male counterpart. It is well known that the predisposed female addict will be genetically more prone to addiction. You must consider the different hormones in male and females. With the substance of cocaine, a lowered amount of dopamine will cause the addict to crave this otherwise, unattainable high. However, female addicts start off in a more vulnerable state. This is caused by the increased amount of estrogen levels in women, but when lowered, the effects of cocaine are more comparable to men. Not only will the cocaine have a more intense high, it will also last longer in duration. Females also have been shown to progress in the disease quicker than males as well as finding themselves facing harsher consequences. In treatment, women learn how to cope in healthy ways that won’t include harming the body in any form. The goal is to heal from the outside in. However, the addict must rid the body of any substances before any real healing can begin.

Female addicts suffer from a sufficient damage to the brain. This can lead to psychiatric, medical, employment and relationship problems. While addicted to cocaine, women are more likely than men, to suffer from depression and anxiety. The differences in the cerebral blood flow have been shown to be a contributing factor as to why men and women have these varying effects. Addicts in our environment is helpful in understanding that they are not alone in this process. While in treatment, it’s imperative that the patient feels they are in a safe environment. This allows for patients to communicate their feelings, which gives way for improvements and breakthroughs. The more honest and open the addict can be, the stronger of a foundation can be built. In the long run, any treatment geared towards these issues will be more effective.

The euphoria produced by cocaine is often sought after for its communicative aim. A woman suffering from low self-esteem can become influenced to reach for cocaine in social settings. With an already lesser body image, it can become a habit that an addicted woman feeds her habit at any cost. Cocaine is the boost of confidence needed to feel apart of and happy. This only last until the inevitable come down that is preceded by depression. Strokes, heart attacks, heart arrhythmias and palpitations are all prevalent as well. The cycle can go on for years until something or someone intervenes. Furthermore, overdoses tragically continue to take the addict’s life every day. The addict disregards all health concerns because the power of the addiction overrides all else. What’s most important to the addict in the disease, is how to continue anesthetizing themselves to fill an empty lingering void deep inside.

Enlightened Solutions safe and supportive detox will give the patient the ability to rid the body of it’s harmful toxins. The holistic, clinical and 12-step approach provides guidance and tools for success. This process is vital and we are qualified to help patients start their road to recovery. For more information call: 833-801-5483.

Stress Around the Holidays

Written by enlightened solutions on October 9, 2017. Posted in Addiction, Family Recovery. Leave a Comment

With the holidays approaching, it’s important to have tools set in place for all the unforeseen events that take place during this special time of year.There are many triggers that come into play, and it’s suggested that alcoholics in early recovery take all precautions seriously. There are many tips that make the holiday season much more tolerable and even enjoyable!. When the alcoholic is able to stay in gratitude, it becomes more of a pleasant experience. After living through certain tragic holiday scenarios with families, it’s a new opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. This is wonderful and will be cherished by all who can appreciate the miracle taking place. For those alcoholics that have lost everyone due to the consequences of the disease, there are ways to get through these times without falling into self-pity. It all comes down to gratitude. Staying grateful for each miracle, each day of sobriety, will always be helpful in staying connected to a higher power. When there is this connection, the alcoholic will be guided towards the light.

Alcoholics working a 12-step program must also stay connected to its members. There is an immense amount of support in these support groups and all alcoholics should “stay in the pack” when navigating life at this time of year. Being aware of triggers and hearing how others stay sober will keep the alcoholic in action. Being in a state of fear during these times can derail any alcoholic and hearing faith in others will hopefully give the alcoholic hope. In regards to the inevitable holiday parties,alcoholics must put their sobriety first. If that means skipping a year of festivities, then that’s what needs to happen. Nothing should come before sobriety. In many AA communities they offer meeting marathons on Thanksgiving and Christmas. These give alcoholics a safe place for 24 hours if needed. AA members are there to help each other through thick and thin, and these are especially dire times.

When the alcoholic begins to feel lonely and depressed, it’s time to remember what had gotten them to this point. Continuing down a path of self-love is imperative. Often times, people like to indulge in the holidays. The idea of giving a gift out of love and appreciation is wonderful. However, people can get too caught up in all of the stuff. While on a sober spiritual path, the alcoholic can begin to see that it’s not the stuff that makes people happy. It’s the love and laughter that brings joy. Abusing alcohol and drugs can skew anyone’s view on the meaning of the holidays. It’s when the alcoholic clearly sees the true beauty in why holidays are so special, that a transformation takes place. Grace flows freely and soon what felt like a chore to see family, will become a privilege. Those who are without families will find new ones in the rooms of AA and that is beautiful.

Our holistic, clinical and 12-step approach at Enlightened Solutions will teach patients the awareness of triggers and tools to stay on a solid road to recovery. Just like koi fish in our logo, patients will learn to rise prosper as they integrate back into the chaotic world. To learn more call: 833-801-5483.

Female Self-Image and Cocaine

Written by enlightened solutions on October 5, 2017. Posted in Addiction, Addiction Recovery. Leave a Comment

There are many reasons women become perfectionist in today’s society. The fashion industry has placed impracticable expectations on women and this has been a huge issue for the female body image crisis. In magazines models are photoshopped and praised as they walk down the runway clearly lacking body fat. Movie and tv show producers give roles to actresses who must attain eating disorders in order to comply with the weight limitations. The average women cannot realistically keep up with these weight standards. Although there has been much improvement over the years, there is still sexism that exists all over the world today. Woman with addictive qualities and who suffer from eating disorders will find cocaine to be a quick fix in suppressing the appetite. Rapid weight loss is typical and especially desired with an already skewed body image. In these cases, which are extremely common, self-love should be heavily promoted in treatment.

Often times, there is a stigma that comes with cocaine. The general conception is that only wild, party girls use drugs like cocaine. This isn’t a complete fabrication, but it’s not entirely true either. Women all around the world wear many different hats in life. Working mothers can find themselves over stressing about work, bills, and other factors. These have all lead to scores of helpless, burnt out women. A portion of these women will find that cocaine gives an extra energy boost that coffee just can’t compare. However, once the woman becomes addicted, it becomes harder to practice productivity when the overwhelming unattractive side effects kick in. Impulsivity, anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and restlessness are all side effects that will at some point outweigh the positives. Unfortunately, at this point, women will be unable to see any way out. Once accepting help, treatment can help with learning how to balance life’s stressors in a healthy manner.

Cocaine has the ability to come off as fun, stimulating, and sometimes even glamorous. Movies glorify the substance and that tends to make it even more acceptable to the public. A long time ago, it became acceptable for men to treat women as objects. This is a generalization, but true to some extent still. Somewhere along the line, young girls are given this preconceived notion that being authentic, will never be good enough. Body dysmorphia and eating disorders are rampant and as a result, women are drawn to stimulants like cocaine. Only when women addicts begin to practice self-love and heal, there will be no need to seek out the alternative. Neglecting pain by abusing substances will no longer be the norm. However, it’s important to remember that just because it’s apart of the addict’s history, it doesn’t make them any less than, but stronger for overcoming it.

Enlightened Solutions will work with women coming from all walks of life. Our strong belief in the importance of self-love will help with a transformation into happiness and health. Our program’s dual-diagnosis treatment will help guide women into bright, fulfilling futures that lay ahead. For more information call: 833-801-5483

Three Methods to Stay Grounded

Written by enlightened solutions on October 3, 2017. Posted in Addiction, Addiction Recovery. Leave a Comment

Alcoholics in early recovery are given many suggestions to get through the difficult times ahead. Each day is a struggle but there are ways to make what might seem like a complicated process, a simple one. Staying grounded is a tool to become one with a higher power. It’s through clearing the chakras that the stem connecting people to mother earth, can be fully applied. Sitting in daily meditation, letting the feeling of peace and serenity become natural, will soon allow for the breath to flow at a calming pace. There are different ways to meditate and it’s okay to start off with hesitation. It’s important to remember not to let some other belief about meditation, allow for judgement. It’s a learning process, and whenever the mind goes off into another direction, just simply bring it back to the breath. Sometimes counting in and out, or saying a mantra will regulate the breath and stay on focus. It takes practice, and there’s no need for perfection.

Some may feel like crying is a form of weakness. This cannot be further from the truth. It’s imperative that feelings that have been stuffed down, be let out. Many alcoholics will suppress pain by shoving down and numbing themselves with alcohol and drugs. There might be years and years of pain stored up, and this includes post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a coping mechanism, alcoholics will ignore this fact with the abuse of substances. If the alcoholic doesn’t know any other ways to cope, it’s what they will turn to anytime something painful comes up. Letting the emotion flow out is a way of releasing this pain. Common therapy methods to deal with PTSD are Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These can help the alcoholic reach down and discover the trauma, its cause, and work towards moving forward. Otherwise, the alcoholic will not be able to grow. In early recovery, the alcohol might be out of the picture, but the healing process has just began.

The last suggestion is to get on a routine. A schedule will help the alcoholic to stay on a steady path to recovery. The alcoholic might become overly confident with excess energy or exhibit displays of exhaustion. Having 12-step meetings to attend, work, and other activities, will make it hard for the alcoholic to isolate or over do it. For example, if the alcoholic is also a workaholic, there should be time in the daily schedule for a walk out in nature, yoga, or a five minute meditation. Early recovery is about building a sturdy foundation that lays the groundwork for successfully living sober. Each alcohol has a different journey and no two programs will be exactly the same. It’s about embracing a new healthy lifestyle, that doesn’t include abusing substances or picking up other bad habits. It’s easy to give up one vice for another, and that is why the alcoholic must follow the suggestions of those who have knowledge in this topic of healing. If an alcoholic listens to these recommendations, it’s possible to change their lives indefinitely.

Enlightened Solutions will help you gain the tools to become more grounded in a fast pace world. Our holistic approach will enlighten lives and encourage patients to find their inner peace. Our partial program let’s you take a look into what’s at the root of the problem and move forward in life. For more information call: 833-801-LIVE

The Ripple Effect of Making Choices

Written by enlightened solutions on September 29, 2017. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Mental Health. Leave a Comment

The journey of recovery is about smashing the illusion of separation and returning to the greater whole. In some ways, we never stopped being part of the whole and once in recovery, this becomes evident. We awaken to all the ways that our addicted lifestyle impacted our loved ones with whom we share our life.

Through this process of awakening to the ripple effect of our daily choices, we are returned to understanding how much power we have to influence the world around us by making our healing our greatest priority. It is a choice about what kind of impact you want to generate with your one finite life.

The power of focused choices and their influence on the greater ecological systems is demonstrated in the popular video, How Wolves Change Rivers. In this video, there is focused effort to increase the population of the wolves. Increasing the wolf population also restored many species in the region and transformed of the geography itself. Every facet of the ecosystem is renewed simply by focusing on healing one element of the ecosystem.

Our recovery journey is the same. A person in their addiction will look at the goal of healing from the bottom of Mount Everest. Gazing at the peak, they imagine the weight 30,000 feet of elevation bearing down on every step. They do not yet know the momentum that each step brings. Or that the joy for progress accelerates this momentum. They do not know that there is a point of being closer to the top than you are to the base of the mountain and that this changes the perspective of the peak.

When in our addiction, we are trapped in the physical and psychological cycle of self-destruction. When in this experience, all of our important life experiences are out of control such as our most valued family and love relationships, our employment and the experience of development within it and financial planning for our future. As we look up at this mountain peak of healing, longing to deeply and truly return to vitality, it seems out of reach. We must remember that there is also a systemic energy that is longing to return us to vitality. It will magically propel us forward much more quickly than may be apparent from the base of the mountain.

Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a harmonious approach to holistic treatment, bringing together the best of evidence-based, alternative, and 12-step therapies. Call us today for information on our transformation programs of treatment for addiction and alcoholism: 833-801-5483.

Tag: addiction