Christmas greeting

Click image to enlarge

Wishing all bloggers and followers a peace filled Christmastide!

Blocks to recovery continued...

Sorry folks to not blog for some time!
I've been ultra busy running Addiction retreats and I intend to publish updates over the next week looking at:

• projection {unknowingly putting part of my inner self onto another and reacting} as a recovery issue;
• somatic issues {emotional pain stored as physical pain} and its 'undoing';
• confluence/merging {no boundaries} and the polarity of isolation and it's role in co-dependency/counter dependency.

I'll talk you thru my take on these recovery/healing traps and address solutions for each one.

Peace,
Brian

e. info@innercare.org
w. www.innercare.org
p. 1-604-746-1164

Blocks to recovery - Part 3.

In the struggle to leave drink, drugs etc. behind the recovering person will be faced with trying to let go of 'old messages', negative thoughts, stinking thinking etc.

There are basically 3 approaches that can be taken here:

• Reject the message... even if it is a healthy message! So, the recovering person cannot take in any help or valid information etc.
• Introject the message... this is 'swallowing hook line and sinker'! Here there is no discrimination or thought taken about the message/thought/belief... it is simply internalized in an unreflected manner.
• Reflection on the message/though/belief... this allows for a kind of chewing over the issue to see if it will work for the person and their recovery. This is obviously the healthy option.

This distorted thinking process is behind all addictions and compulsions need to be unpicked in the early recovery process. This is a kind of detoxification process from unhealthy thinking... it requires much reflection and new tools... Cognitive therapies and Gestalt therapy have much to offer here.

Let me know if you need any advice.
Peace,
Brian

1-604-746-1164
Innercare Services International Inc.
Based in British Columbia... serving the world!

blocks to recovery - part 2.

In early recovery form addictions the addict/alcoholic is faced with emerging thoughts and feelings as well as the challenge of interpersonal relations…there are a variety of reactions such as:
[click image on left to enlarge]

• The healthy option is to stay focused and aware of whatever is emerging.

There are typically two other unhealthy paths:
• Being rude… to distance people who might `get too close` and further threaten any addictive process.
• Deflecting … getting completely off the topic to avoid any helpful dialogue.
In the therapeutic process the recovering person is guided toward remaining in a state of awareness in order to learn to face the issues at hand… rather than numb them out via drink, drugs, food, sex, gambling etc.
Let me know your thoughts

Peace,
Brian

info@innercare.org

blocks to recovery - part 1.

In early recovery from addictions the addict/alcoholic is faced with the thaw of long repressed feelings… there are a variety of reactions such as:

• Numbing;
• Sensation;
• Fragmentation.

Click to enlarge image on left

The healthy option is clearly to remain aware of emerging sensations without shutting down or becoming overwhelmed … possible leading to Hyperventilation, Panic etc. In this early stage there is the task of staying with sensation until they grow into an emotional state when they can then be fully felt etc. Obviously there needs to be enough therapeutic support and guidance to enable the person in early recovery to stay with emerging sensation and emotion without using or drinking, gambling etc.

Let me know your thoughts.

Peace,

Brian

info@innercare.org
Innercare Services International Inc.

Missing a piece of the inner puzzle?

Many of our clients are simply looking for a 'missing piece of the puzzle".
They are deeply unhappy and are looking for peace, or are seeking to find out what lies deep within that needs identified and healed, in order for them to lead a fuller life... addiction free and have sound mental health.

But, these missing pieces are an accumulation of years of ignoring facing the tough existential questions:

• Who really am I? ...Beyond my addiction/roles/current knowledge?
  
• What is love?... not narcissism! nor counter or codependency... the very essence of love?
  
• What is life itself... it's truth? etc.

Psychotherapy and spiritual advisers are the professionals who can help resolve these essential questions in the search for meaning in life /recovery. I offer intensive retreats as an alternative to rehab to fast track or deepen recovery and healing.

Blog, call or email me if you need any other info.

Peace,
Brian
e. info@innercare.org
p. 1-604-746-1164 or 1163
w. www.innercare.org

Can a spiritual practice really help in addiction recovery?

There are many benefits to the spiritual practice of Meditation. Chiefly it acts as the ideal relapse prevention tool as it connects you to you higher power and higher self.

As a former Monk I can confidently say that these are 10 good reasons to Meditate:
i. It will tend to get you out of your own self-focused ego awareness.
ii. It will open you help from other levels!
iii. It will relax, re-focus and naturally refresh you;
iv. It teaches grounding skills… centering you;
v. It lets you trust a process of emptying and letting go;
vi. It pushes you to take responsibility for your own spiritual growth by doing what you can… i.e. practicing meditation!
vii. It lets you go from being to doing;
viii. It gives a sense of serenity when used as common practice;
ix. It teaches frustration tolerance and self-discipline;
x. It increases self-acceptance… reducing stress levels.

If you need any advice or want to chat about the many significant benefits of meditation then please contact me.

Peace,
Brian
1-604-746-1164 or 1163
info@innercare.org
www.innercare.org
Based in the Fraser Valley, near Vancouver… serving the rest of the world.

Reforming rehab?

In order to address and reform the world of addictions there needs to be a real emphasis on getting to the core of the addiction & the person. This simply isn't possible with inadequate or poorly matched tools.... i.e. counseling is not designed to deal with acute underlying issues. That's a the role of Psychotherapy.

The 12 steps unfortunately are often done from the head... this simply doesn't work! At the heart of the steps is the 'higher power' issue. But, most addicted persons have significant blocks in their unconscious to a healthy higher power. So, by simply competing written exercises to 'work the steps', you merely bypass the unconscious and end up with a superficial spiritual process. This means that the recovery process is severely compromised.

As a former Monk and pastor I know, from my experience of spiritual direction, the skills that are required to get people thru dysfunctional images of 'God' ...these skills are acquired only after years of serious spiritual formation and discipline... this creates a person who is highly attuned to any spiritual energies and is well acquainted with the many blocks to inner growth... for example:

• 'God' the control freak;
• 'God' the avenger;
• 'God' the puppet master;
• 'God' the unrelenting perfectionist;
• 'God' the sadist......

Meditation is all the rage in the therapeutic world at present... and that's fine on one level but, once again there is a real need for some serious training by those who are guiding recovering person thru meditation.

My reflections are not intended as a severe judgement on the world of rehab ... they are an invitation to take spiritual formation of staff far far more seriously and seek the necessary outside help to do this, if need be.

Let me know you thoughts,
Peace,
Brian

info@innercare.org
www.innercare.org
Serving the world... from British Columbia, near Vancouver.

Alternatives to rehab!

We live in a world messed up by a range of addictions:

• Oxycontin;
• gambling;
• sex addiction....the list goes on and changes each month!

Despite the low success levels, the standard approach is for the family/doctor etc. to send the addicted person to 'rehab'. Well, that's one answer... but, surely there is room for other alternative approaches!?

As a former Director/founder of rehabs I have my own intensive 'retreats' that act as an alternative. There are others... a growing trend of alternatives... a new wave!
I'd very much welcome a dialog with other groups and therapists who offer sound alternative approaches.
click image to enlarge view

My approach is grounded in modern Psychotherapy and ancient Meditation.
Let's hear from others?... to see what they can offer the world at a time when celebrities are dying thru addiction... this is a dangerous cultural message! Our countries need hope! Hope that addiction can be healed / overcome.




Let me know your thoughts.

Peace,
Brian Innercare Services International Inc. Psychotherapy & Soul Care for Addictions!

click images below to view brochures


www.innercare.org

Supporting someone who is addicted?

If you are supporting husband, wife, partner, friend or family member then it is vital you reach out for professional support. The problem….the addiction will simply not go away!
There will be a narrow window opportunity don’t delay... Addiction is life threatening!

You’re resources will lessen through the stress and confusion of trying to support the addicted person. The addicted mind is complex and tests all but the most experienced of professionals.

In my experience… it is unwise and counterproductive to 'shop around' getting what you think is the best bargain. Learn to ask the tough questions, go and visit if possible. There are professionals out there who really know what they are doing, you will need to find them.

I often hear complaints of how much money and time has been wasted through ineffective rehabs and callers are understandably angry! We simply don’t see rehabs as effective enough and this is the feedback we get from our callers!

By contrast we belong to what is emerging as a 'new wave' of alternatives to rehab!
The caller will at first sound hopeless and defeated. I want to leave them with a clear sense of HOPE! I have personally seen clients go thru a remarkable change in a very short space of time... finding inner peace for the first time!

Let me know your thoughts.

Peace,
Catherine

1-604-746-1164 or 1163
info@innercare.org
Innercare services International Inc.
Soul care - Psychotherapy & Meditation retreats for Addiction.

Is an Intervention needed for your family member?

Are you supporting a loved one who is caught in the grip of addiction? This is a very demanding and emotionally exhausting role for you and your family!.. and, I’d strongly advise that you also seek professional assistance.

There are specialists: 'Interventionists' whose role is specifically to assist any family in bringing the addicted person to the point of accepting help by going to rehab.

We belong to a ‘new wave’ of services… we offer an alternative to rehab for busy motivated professionals who want to do get to the bottom of their addiction/s in a very short space of time {10 to 21 days}.

If you are struggling to support a loved one who’s addicted then put yourself in the hands of a trained interventionist… call/contact Catherine or myself if you need any other advice.

Or contact:
Association of Intervention specialists

The our preferred interventionist is James & Janice Dunn:1-250-714-0055

Peace,
Brian & Catherine

www.innercare.org
info@innercare.org
1-604-746-1164 or 1163

Based in B.C., Canada serving North America and the rest of the world!

Relpase prevention from addiction - continued

In a proper RELAPSE PREVENTION therapy there are intervention strategies can be grouped into 3 categories:

1. Coping skills training: Coping skills training strategies include both action and thinking skills techniques;
2. Cognitive therapy: therapy procedures are designed to provide clients with ways to re-frame the habit change process as learning experience with errors and setbacks expected as mastery develops.
3. lifestyle modification: lifestyle modification strategies such as meditation, exercise, and spiritual practices are designed to strengthen a client's overall coping capacity.

The coping skills training forms the cornerstone of relapse prevention based therapy, teaching client’s strategies to: (a) understand relapse as a process; (b) identify and cope effectively with high-risk situations; (c) cope with urges and craving; (d) implement damage control procedures during a lapse to minimize its negative consequences; (e) stay engaged in therapy even after a lapse; (f) learn how to create a more balanced lifestyle.

Let me know if you need any advice etc.

Peace,

Brian

1-604-746-1164 www.innercare.org info@innercare.org

Based in British Columbia near Vancouver... serving the world!

Relpase prevention from addiction - continued

Recovery involves facing a series of hard questions ... honestly and without dodging the need to change as a result of the answers:

• Do wonder why you are Addicted?... what's really at the core of your wounded self?
• Is there a nagging feeling that there might be a 'skeleton in the closet'...a forgotten trauma?
• Do you have a nagging background feeling of anxiety for no know reason?
• Do you slip or lapse after a few weeks and cannot understand the reasons for this pattern?

Psychotherapy and Spiritual guidance... in expert hands... will greatly assist you to resolve the above questions.
Let me know if you need any help finding an expert to help you or a loved one.
Peace,
Brian

1-604-746-1164 www.innercare.org info@innercare.org
Based in British Columbia near Vancouver... serving the world!

Relpase prevention from addiction - continued

If you are struggling to stay clean and sober then you ought to seek professional assistance. As I mentioned in my former bog/s Psychotherapy is in my opinion one of the best resources for assistance.... here, briefly is why:

1. It cuts thru years of defenses quickly... whilst respecting their survival roles.
2. It gets to core issues that are at the heart of using and drinking;
3. It is the most sophisticated psychological tool we currently have to address a wide range of emotional and mental health issues.

Please get help if you are struggling with addiction or any other major life issue... even in a few sessions you could get a sense of hope! Although treatment takes longer, it's so much easier when those low moods don't dominate your existence {e.g depression, loneliness, hopelessness, chronic anxiety etc}.

Peace,

Brian

info@innercare.org 1-604-746-1164 www.innercare.org

{Brian is a former monk and director of rehab clinics,
who now spends his time facilitating intensive addiction retreats,
that blends Psychotherapy and Meditation.}

Based in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver... serving Canada and the rest of the world!

Relapse prevention?

What are the typical issues you tend to relapse over?

• Peer pressure to drink/drug? 
  
• Rows with your significant other?
  
• Negative emotions {e.g. anger, shame, loneliness, depression, grief, despair, jealousy etc.}?
  

If you are somewhat aware of the triggers then you have the beginnings of a relapse prevention plan.

However, I would also add that in order for long-term remission from addictions to occur, and the person to be truly happy, the deeper/underlying reason must be explored. Psychotherapy is therefore the ideal tool for this purpose. 

Unfortunately, Psychotherapists who are truly specialists in the addiction field are few and far between. This has left a gulf in the addiction field that counseling has tried to fill. The stats show a very low success rate for typical counseling based treatments. I'm not just trying to 'dis' counseling! It certainly has its place with less chronic/complex human issues. 

As a director/founder/trouble-shooter in rehab clinics in several countries I have formed an opinion based on many years of experience in the addiction world.

So, my invitation to reader is to seek out an expert Psychotherapist. 

My invitation to counselors is to re-train in Psychotherapy, or at least seek supervision from a Psychotherapist who will assist in helping you gain a 'psychotherapeutic' perspective.

Peace,

Brian

{A former Monk, Director of clinics and Psychotherapist who facilitates intensive addiction retreats as profound alternative to Rehab}.

1-604-746-1164

e. info@innercare.org

w. www.innercare.org

Recovery from sexual abuse- part two

Addictions have causes! By that I mean that many people who have experienced early traumas are so wounded by them that they are likely to be vulnerable to addiction or depression etc.

In therapy or spiritual direction the client has to face their inner truth... they may have to face the awful truth that they are victims of sexual abuse. However, they now have a voice and this can become a truly empowering time for them! The victim becomes the survivor... who will continue to heal and thrive in life.

If you have been abuses or even suspect you have then please consider seeking professional help. 

Peace,

Brian

e. info@innercare.org

w. www.innercare.org

p. 1-604-746-1164

                           Client's image in the healing process

Recovery from sexual abuse - part one

In my many years as a psychotherapist and spiritual adviser I've encountered many brave souls who have faced the awful realization and memories of sexual abuse.
Telling their story and breaking the silence is clearly the first step. Many people have felt unable to share their painful stories with anyone... for a range of reasons:

• You don't know how to express this pain;
• You don't know what the reaction might be!
• You've minimized the incident!
• You don't want to make things worse;
  
• You don't want to 'betray' the abuser;
  
• You fear what others may do to the abuser if they told;
• You still fear retribution from the abuser;
• You don't know of others who have recovered and don't understand the stages of recovery;
• You feel responsible and are controlled by guilt/shame;

Client art image: This picture shows a symbolic
vent/attack on the abuser to discharge rage!

If you have been abused then your human rights were violated!

I now focus on providing intensive retreats for a speedy healing solution to a range of human issues: addictions {all kinds}, abuse, trauma, depression, chronic grief etc.

Peace,
Brian

Based near Vancouver and serving Canada and the rest of the world.
e. info@innercare.org
w. www.innercare.org
p. 1-604-746-1164 {8 am - 9 pm P.S.T.}

Self-awareness in recovery - continued.

Deep self-awareness is critical to any real attempts at recovery. This is the the secret hidden from many who have attempted to relay solely on self-help forums, to face the complexities of healing addictions.

I recall being quite shocked by a comment from a volunteer person who'd sat in a group therapy session I was offering in a rehab center... he said that in these workshops the fledgling recovering addicts were doing things that he had not done! He was 15 years clean /sober and was extremely well respected in the recovery world.

Both Meditation and Psychotherapy offer a depth perspective so vital for healing and sustained recovery.

Peace,
Brian
Please contact me for more info.
e. info@innercare.org
w. WWW.INNERCARE.ORG
p. 1-604-746-1164
Based in the Fraser Valley {near Vancovuer}... serving the world!

Self-awareness in recovery

In order to properly ‘recover’ from any addiction there is a need to keep a sustained effort of ‘self-inquiry’. This self-inquiry must be taught in the recovery setting of choice, and this must be then applied to daily life. In order to develop in the recovery process recovery tools need to be practiced until they are second nature. In the event of being ‘caught’ in a high-risk situation it is imperative that the recovering person have a sound ability to exit the situation, and apply the necessary self-care…. applying the tools. I cannot imagine anyone pulling off the practice of recovery tools if there is only a basic knowledge and experience of them.
So, my message today is that it is an act of self-neglect to not have a daily practice of recovery tools… the outcome is at best a ‘slip’… and at worst death!

Problem # 1. Most self care tools that are taught are inadequate…they are not properly researched, and are simply borrowed from self-help models with no modifications.
Problem # 2. A lot of the focus in recovery settings is on finding external support rather than assisting the recovering person to focus on self-management. i.e. developing emotional intelligence. This leaves a person vulnerable when s/he cannot access support from others!
Problem # 3. Trauma {P.T.S.D. or sexual abuse issues} and co-dependency issues often surface soon after treatment, and some seriously thought out tools need to be taught to help manage and work thru these underlying problems.

I’ve spent years developing alternative approaches, as have a few others. Please contact me should you wish to explore these.

e. info@innercare.org
p. 1-604-746-1164
w. WWW.INNERCARE.ORG

Based in the Fraser valley, near Vancouver… serving Canada and the rest of the world!