Rehab and alternatives!

Over the last 20 years I've been a director of the major kinds of rehab:
~ 12 step facilitation;
~ Therapeutic communities;
~ Christian rehabs;
~ C.B.T. based rehab.
Naturally I have my own take on what does and doesn't work! There are things that can very much improve outcomes. I'd say that the deeper you can go into the person then the more long term change is enabled. But, many centers have staff who are ill equipped for this task!



That's where Psychotherapy and Spiritual Direction wins hands down! Sadly, many well known therapists make no bones about avoiding seeing addicted patients in private practice. If you can find a skilled therapist then pay the money!


In the field of spiritual direction most experts have little experience with those new to recovery... yet, S.D. has so much to offer!


Nowadays I offer an alternative approach to all other forms of addiction treatment... combining Meditation and Psychotherapy.

Want any more advice? Call me for a chat: 1-604-746-1164
Based in the Fraser Valley, B.C. ... serving the world!

Peace,

Brian

Quality of recovery: The 'dry drunk' issue!

What’s your quality of recovery?
This is a key point for any recovering person to face… and even more difficult if you have months or even years of ‘sober-time’!

The question I pose is: ‘what is the quality of your recovery?’ The bottom line is that if you really are dry dunk then you are not far from a slip/binge/relapse! I’m afraid there is way too much focus on time in recovery, and not enough on what’s really going on inside the person.

Common Symptoms of dry drunk syndrome:
Arrogant;
Very judgmental;
Impatient;
Child like behavior;
Irresponsible actions;
Irrational thoughts;
Blames others;
Over the top reactions.

If you are supporting a loved one then try to let them know that their recovery and quality of life can be greatly enhanced by more therapy or spiritual guidance.

I see a lot of people who have been in the fellowships for some time and yet do not have a real handle on recovery… they are struggling and know they need more help. For instance: if you don’t have a real spiritual connection or practice, then there’s something lacking in your recovery or attempts at recovery . That’s the beginning of a truly honest look inside. If you are working with any gifted psychotherapist &/or pastor then you’ll be looking at the deepest parts of yourself.

Suggested books: Mindful Recovery: A Spiritual Path to Healing from Addiction; Addiction & Grace.

Call, blog or email if you want advice or are supporting a loved one.

Peace,
Brian

T. 1-604-746-1164
E. info@innercare.org
W. innercare.org

WHY MEDITATION IS SO HELPFUL

Why meditation helps
Meditation has been around for many thousands years and has some key in-built healing properties. Since addicts and alcoholics are desperately in need of both healing and a spiritual resource, meditation seems to be an ideal fit!

Why meditation is useful:
• Want a way to manage your moods?
• Do you want to learn a radical form of self-acceptance?
• Do you want to find a way to manage depression, stress and anxiety?
• Do you need a daily spiritual boost to get clean/sober or develop recovery?
• Do you suffer from co-dependency and want a simple tool to assist your recovery?

If any of the above are needed then please consider a suitable form of meditation:
[i.] A secularly acceptable form is mindfulness… it’s exceedingly easy to learn, and has numerous physical and emotional benefits… proven by research!
[ii.] If you are a Christian you might want to try the ancient method of sacred reading {lectio divina}… or a more contemporary version: centering prayer.

I’m not saying that recovery is simply a matter of an occasional practice of meditation… it takes daily practice! However, I have known many recovering persons to say that learning meditation was the most significant part of the recovery puzzle!

I am a former monk and currently spiritual advisor/psychotherapist. Let me know your thoughts in this blog or email/call me.

Peace,
Brian
e. info@innercare.org
p. 1-604-746-1164

w. www.innercare.org

Recovering Catholic - Christian?

ARE YOU A ‘RECOVERING CATHOLIC’ or ‘RECOVERING CHRISTIAN’?

If an experience of a church wounded you then you probably qualify!
Fortunately, we live in an age that is more open and less in denial to the reality of spiritual abuse. Sadly, many people have had harsh or abusive words said to them by Priests/pastors… not exactly a portrayal of Christ! In most peoples' view Jesus sided with the emotionally broken person, and extended both healing and compassionate guidance.

So what exactly are you left with? Distorted images of God and:
• SHAME
• RESENTMENT
• SPIRITUAL ALIENATION
• MEANINGLESSNESS
• LONGING FOR SOME KIND OF LOVING GOD

All of the above affect those who are trying to recover from drugs/alcohol… and everyone else too! Many therapists face the challenge of tending to wounded souls… Psychotherapy roughly translated means: ‘care of the soul’.
But, I suspect most therapists struggle with ‘spiritual abuse’ as an issue in therapy. Especially if the client desires to continue their Christian journey.
In my experience it is an amazing liberation for people to work-thru their spiritual wounds.

Protestant-Evangelical Churches are not exempt from the above! Punitive, controlling, perfectionistic images of ‘God’ abound in those who have been hurt by negative elements in these churches.

I do want to emphasize that most people attending churches have a very good experience of church, and find worship extremely helpful and healing.

I am a former Catholic monk and continue to assist those who want to heal and continue their Christian journey and those who feel betrayed by the church and need to find other spiritual practices.


Suggested reading: Care of the soul or Dark nights of the soul.

Let me know if you are a recovering Christian… all sincere comments welcome.

Peace,
Brian
e. http://www.innercare.org/

p. 1-604-746-1164

the depression - addiction link

Is depression the underlying factor in your addiction?
If so then there are a number of things you can do assist your recovery from depression, and learn tools to avoid relapses into depression.
Lately mindfulness meditation has been widely used to treat depression. It’s very easy to learn and there are lots of resources… some of them free.... search i-tunes podcasts. You can learn the basics in only a few minutes… the rest is practice! It has a wonderfully calming effect and is a basic tool for any recovering person:
• Drug addiction
• Co-dependency
• Alcoholism
• Eating disorders
• Gambling
• Sex addiction etc.
Let me know how you get on… please blog me or email [info@innercare.org] for any advice or comments.
Innercare offers a specialized addictions service providing private retreats to professionals in a discreet setting in British Columbia, close to the U.S. border.
We offer intensive retreats [ 14- 21 day] that focus on leading individuals thru a life changing series of unique meditations.
Peace,
Brian & Catherine
Innercare Services International Inc.
1-604-746-1164

Hope!

You need hope for recovery, or any therapy process.

HOPE need to be instilled early on to enable the recovery journey to go on!

This may be difficult to her especially if you are depressed... but, please persist and reach out for help!

At INNERCARE INC. we guide people thru early recovery and give a deep sense of hope thru spiritual development... by leading them thru a series of unique meditations.

See our video on youtube ... hopefully this will give you our message of hope!

Please email us

Or, blog here;

Or, have a confidential chat: 1-604-746-1164

Brian & Catherine

THE COURAGE TO HEAL

Any person who is truly trying to face recovery or recover from alcoholism or drug addiction needs to have the courage to face the underlying issues that:

1. Are at the roots of addictions and have led to the need to cover over these  traumas/losses with chemicals.
2. Make day to day issues more stressful as they live in the 'back grounds' of the mind and take up so much psychological space which:
   

•  diminishes quality of life;
• is a trigger or part of a trigger enables the use of more drink/drugs etc.
  

Please call make contact if you need support to manage the pain inside!

1-604-746-1164

INNERCARE.ORG