I am in recovery from chemical dependency and compulsive behaviors. I was one of those hopeless cases. I struggled with my addictions for more than 27 years.

I have been through countless treatment centers, halfway houses, outpatient programs, therapy and jails. I could never hit a bottom. I would hit a bottom and keep on digging. I have been in everything from old-school therapeutic communities to the cushy high-end treatment centers. Over the years, although I couldn’t stay sober myself, I developed many treatment philosophies and ideas that I have now put in place in helping others to recover.

I believe that addictive behaviors are dysfunctional coping mechanisms used as a way to medicate and escape from pain, shame and trauma. Over time, these dysfunctional behaviors can become a progressive and fatal disease called addiction. Through comprehensive and individualized holistic treatment program, individuals are able to identify and address their core issues, as well as address the core features of their addictive behaviors.

Essentially, I believe the core issue is trauma. The drugs, alcohol and compulsive behaviors are merely symptoms of the deep-rooted problems. Trauma can be anything, depending on the perception of the individual. What may be traumatic for one individual may not be for another individual. Trauma can be overt or covert, and I believe that much of my trauma stemmed from covert abuse, which laid the foundation for my addictions. A lot of the trauma is stored in the body at a cellular level that traditional talk therapies just cannot reach.

I am an extremist, and as a teenager, I was not only using drugs and alcohol, but I was also stealing. At the age of 16, I was sent to reform school, but they couldn’t handle me. I was even arrested for robbing a liquor store while there, and was later kicked out. Barred from most schools, I continued to struggle with my addictions, and was kicked out of many of the treatment centers I attended.

Most of the treatment centers I attended were excellent, but I realized that I needed more. For instance, I consider the program at The Meadows to be excellent, particularly its shame reduction and trauma resolution program. Going back through my childhood and processing the traumatic events that led to my addictions, I was able to learn new ways of living — how to act, rather than react. Unfortunately, 30 days just was not long enough for me.

I actually conceived the concept of Decision Point Center (DPC) in the midst of my addiction in 1993, but it still took me a few more years to get sober, and I eventually opened DPC in 1997. It was the crowd I ran with who inspired me to open a treatment center. We were a rough crowd; we were very sick and needed help. These were the people I wanted to help — the ones who were overboard, the chronic relapsers, the ones who were in deep denial.

I believe that life is a series of decisions. For many of us, it is a struggle to make functional decisions due to our dysfunctional behaviors. My goal in establishing Decision Point is to empower the individual to make optimal decisions in life based upon self-esteem, serenity and recovery that they gain from our supportive therapeutic process. Make the Decision to Point your life towards freedom, discovery and recovery. For this, my friend, is your Decision Point.

For more information on the Decision Point Center call 877–77-ADMIT (877–772-3648), or visit www.DecisionPointCenter.com.

---

Comments

Add New Search RSS

Write comment
Name:
Email:	do not notifynotify
Title:
UBBCode:	-color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge
	Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.25

3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."