Category: Explore Options

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Does Rehab Work?

Going to rehab requires investing what you can’t get back: time (and money). It’s an investment in your future and wellbeing. 

Fortunately, it’s time and money well spent since rehab does work for various reasons, mainly willingness to get help and a commitment to recovery. While it’s true that rehab isn’t a guaranteed success for everyone, if you have those in your pocket, you’ve got no reason to doubt rehab will benefit you. 

What Is Rehab?

Rehab is where you go for intensive treatment for addiction and/or mental health conditions. You can go to rehab for drug and alcohol addiction, mental health conditions, eating disorders, and co-occurring conditions (having an addiction and a mental health condition, for example).

You don’t have to be at your rock bottom or last leg to go to rehab. However, those with more urgent or intense needs often attend rehab because it’s the most intensive form of treatment—compared to outpatient levels of care or therapy sessions every so often. But reaching that point isn’t a prerequisite for treatment.

Rehabs typically provide both medical and therapeutic care, helping patients detox if needed, address health needs, and then begin the process of emotional growth and healing. Rehabs can vary widely in terms of the therapeutic approaches they use and the specific therapies offered. But you’ll often see a blend of evidence-based and holistic therapies tailored to comprehensive recovery.

Effectiveness of Rehab

No level of treatment expertise, fancy therapies, or luxurious amenities can guarantee rehab will be effective—thankfully, those aren’t what you need to make it successful for you. Here’s an overarching look at what makes rehab effective:

  • Desire to attend treatment
  • Commitment to recovery; willing to ‘put in the work’
  • Personalized care
  • Qualified staff

Success Rates

About 75% of people with an addiction recover1. Because recovery is diverse and variable by person, few ‘true’ statistics for the success of rehab specifically exist. But many researchers, clinicians, and scientists agree willingness to get treatment and get better leads to success. 

Factors Influencing Success

Going to rehab and getting treatment is largely credited for recovery, though not everyone who recovers from an addiction or mental health condition receives formal treatment in rehab. But for those who do, the length of time in treatment correlates strongly to its success2.  

Care that aligns with your preferences and culture can also improve your chances of success. For example, if spirituality plays an important role in your life, treatment that includes that will likely resonate better with you. 

Components of Effective Rehab Programs

Several components, such as a broad range of approaches, personalized care, and compassionate staff, set rehabs up for success.

Evidence-Based Practices

An evidence-based practice means there’s evidence backing its effectiveness. It’s been vetted by scientists, clinicians, and published case studies demonstrating how and why it works, and who it may not be as effective for. 

Examples of evidence-based practices include:

Personalized Treatment Plans

Therapies are more effective when they’re delivered in a personalized treatment plan. For example, if horses scare you, equine therapy probably wouldn’t be a great fit for you. Instead, a center with personalized care plans would offer you another option, like art therapy or EMDR.

Personalized treatment accounts for your conditions and diagnoses, cultural background, family history, and your preferences. Tailored treatment can help you connect more to the recovery process and feel hopeful on your journey.

Challenges in Measuring Rehab’s Effectiveness

Trying to measure the overall effectiveness of rehab is a bit like answering the question, “Does going to college mean you’ll get a good job?”

Theoretically, yes. But everyone’s experience is different. If you went to college, even got into Harvard, but didn’t put in the effort to pass your classes and loathed your time there, you wouldn’t get the same post-graduation results as someone who studies, does all their homework, and wants the education for the job they have in mind.

Similarly, someone who goes to rehab but doesn’t engage in treatment with the goal of recovery won’t have the same experience as someone who does. For them it wouldn’t be as effective, even though they went. 

Most Outcomes Go Unmeasured

Rehabs may try to collect information on their success rates so they can publish it on their website and make their outcomes public. But gathering that information takes time and work. Even if a rehab sends out a short questionnaire to each patient a year or so after their discharge,

  1. Not everyone will respond.
  2. There’s no way of knowing if their responses are truthful.
  3. People may do the survey but decline to have the information collected and published, especially if confidentiality is a major issue.

Plus, addiction can be a relapsing disorder3 like asthma and diabetes. Some consider ‘successful treatment’ as a recovery with zero relapses. Some view relapses as a natural part of the recovery process—they happen, but don’t mean rehab didn’t work. There’s no right way to feel about relapses. But they can alter the overall perception of rehab’s effectiveness.

Patient Experiences and Testimonials

Rehab can have life-changing effects, whether people go once, twice, or two dozen times. Many rehabs post the testimonials of past clients, highlighting their experiences in treatment. We asked two of our own at Recovery.com for their stories: Amanda Uphoff, Chief of Staff, and Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer.

Success Stories

Amanda describes her rehab experience as this,

“My first residential treatment experience was eye-opening in that I truly learned the meaning of the phrase, “Wherever you go, there you are.” I was hoping for a silver-bullet situation, only to find that I was still me, with the same obsessions and character defects, just in a different place. I wasn’t ready to do whatever it took, and ended up back in treatment a couple years later. This program was a much better fit for me: gender-specific, farther away from home, and with a strong spirituality component. My recovery took root there, and for the first time, I practiced surrender. I admitted into a step-down IOP program before leaving that residential program, and began working with a mentor assigned through IOP. While relapse is a part of my recovery, I will celebrate 5 years of continuous sobriety this year. Don’t quit before the miracle!”

Amanda Uphoff, Chief of Staff

Cliff says, 

“I went to the same residential treatment center (rehab) twice in 2018 – the first time I went I didn’t want to go and I went because my family gave me an ultimatum – I checked myself out “AMA” (against medical advice) after two weeks. The counselors and the staff implored me to stay longer as they knew I was far from being prepared to deal with the real world – I had no idea that I was a really sick person and I was so naive. At the time I had a 34 year relationship with alcohol and hadn’t gone more than a week or two without being intoxicated from alcohol. I did manage to have 90 days of sobriety followed by a brutal relapse which landed me back there for a second tour – the relapse convinced me that I was powerless as I truly didn’t want to drink again. In the first week of my second visit I experienced a major shift in mindset and willingness and I surrendered – that was almost six years ago – I don’t think I could have achieved sobriety without residential treatment and I may not even be alive today had I not had this second opportunity with residential treatment. I am so grateful that these resources were available for me.”

Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer

Challenges and Setbacks

Some people go to rehab to appease others. They don’t want to be there or recover, which makes committing to the process harder. A lack of willingness can become a setback when someone goes through the motions of rehab, gets released, and immediately goes back to substance use. While relapses don’t erase progress, they can delay long-term recovery and the benefits that come with it.

Rehabs with low-quality care can also set back someone’s recovery. Cost doesn’t always mean the care will match the value; any rehab can have great, or less passionate, professionals. Patient reviews, checking what therapies they have, and the clinician’s credentials can shed light on the true quality of a rehab’s care.

Role of Support Systems in Recovery

The support of family and friends can make all the difference in someone’s recovery4. They can 1) offer encouragement and motivation to stay committed to recovery and 2) help their loved one find their treatment options and go with them to any initial appointments as emotional support.

Many rehabs involve related or chosen family in the recovery process directly through family therapy. This setting helps the family unit heal emotional wounds, process their addiction, and strengthen relationships. Family members also learn how to better support their loved one once they return home, which can be crucial in preventing a relapse—and helping families know what to do if one happens.

Alternatives to Traditional Rehab

The ‘traditional’ route of residential rehab may not work for everyone, and that’s okay. Many other options exist just for that reason. For example,

  • Peer-support programs: Peers in recovery lead these sessions, instead of therapists or other mental health professionals. Groups may discuss a certain topic, challenges they’re facing, or what’s going well in life. They form bonds and a crucial sense of belonging. The 12-Step meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are an example of a peer-support program.
  • Alternative treatments: A more holistic approach may appeal to those with different cultural backgrounds or spiritual preferences. Alternative treatments include Ayurveda, acupuncture, nature therapy, supplements, herbal remedies, and more. 
  • Psychedelics: As an emerging treatment option, psychedelics are becoming a more mainstream treatment option for addiction and mental health recovery. For some, they can have a more immediate and long-lasting effect than traditional therapies and medications. 
  • Virtual options: Virtual rehab is also becoming more and more mainstream. Those living in remote areas or with mobility limitations may find virtual options most effective.

Continuing Care and Relapse Prevention

Imagine treatment for a broken leg—even if you spend a lot of time at the hospital and leave with it in a nice cast, it still needs help and attention to heal completely. If you began walking on it, not going to follow-up appointments, or even taking the cast off simply because you got released from the hospital, the results wouldn’t be good.

Addiction treatment often follows a similar scenario. If you leave rehab and return to all your usual habits and behaviors, neglecting follow-up sessions and maintaining your progress, it’ll likely be much harder to stay on the path to recovery. 

Importance of Aftercare

Aftercare begins after you leave rehab. It’s less intensive and requires less time than residential treatment, like weekly therapy sessions and 12-Step meetings. Residential rehabs often offer their own form of aftercare, which typically includes check-ins from staff and resources for the patient to connect with help 24/7. 

Aftercare serves as a crucial median between the world of residential rehab and outside life5. It eases the transition, helping patients strengthen their newfound recovery and avoid relapse. It also solidifies that patients are still cared for and valued, even after they leave intensive care. 

Back to the example of the broken leg, aftercare would look like using crutches and going to all your doctor’s appointments. You would avoid stairs, bumpy terrain, and practice pain-reducing habits like icing and elevating your leg to make the recovery process smoother. Addiction recovery isn’t all too different—you’ll avoid places you used to go to use substances (like a bar or club), go to your aftercare sessions and join a recovery group, and practice habits like self-care and stress reduction to proactively address the intense emotions that could lead to relapse. 

Strategies for Long-term Success

Recovery is an active state you have to continually choose. Strategies and habits can strengthen this practice and help you get back on track in case of a relapse. Here are some examples:

  1. Have accountability partners. Identify which friends or family members could help you stay accountable to your sobriety. They may send you a text each morning to check in, or they can be the person you call when cravings and temptations get strong.
  2. Integrate self-care into your routines. This doesn’t mean take a bubble bath every night (though you could), rather, to habitually practice activities that relieve negative emotions and bring you joy. Set aside a little time each day to spend time doing these activities.
  3. Connect to a support group. Join a local recovery community to stay in regular contact with others in recovery. This could be a 12-Step group, a SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery group, or even a sports league with people in recovery.
  4. Prioritize continued care. Maintaining your recovery is as important as achieving it in the first place. Going to therapy or an outpatient program can help you navigate stressors and challenges as they arise, strengthen your overall recovery, and keep you connected with treatment professionals. 

Making The Decision to Enter Rehab

How do you know if going to rehab is the right thing to do?

A crystal-clear answer likely won’t come—you’ll have to listen to yourself and your gut. Ask yourself questions like,

  • Do I want to keep living the way I am now, or am I willing to make a serious effort for change?
  • Can I get through a day without using substances?
  • Are the physical effects of stopping too uncomfortable to bear? (Note: it’s always safest to detox in a professional setting and not by yourself.)
  • Can I really get better on my own or do I need help?
  • Will I lose relationships with my loved ones if I go on like this?

You can start your search for the best treatment for you using Recovery.com. Talk about it with your support system, too; they can help you with the technical details and offer emotional support.

As you make your decision and commit to treatment, keep in mind rehab isn’t a cure-all and often reaps benefits based on your willingness to recover, and if you’re ready to commit. Not everyone goes to rehab once and never relapses again, and that’s okay. 
Rehab is much more than a substance-free place—it teaches you skills for recovery, connects you to peers, and addresses underlying causes of addiction through therapy and personalized healing. Find a rehab that fits your needs on Recovery.com.

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Urge Surfing: A Mindful Technique to Navigate Through Cravings

Have you ever given in to a craving for sugar or salt? Coffee? A movie you’ve seen a dozen times, ignoring all the others on your roster?

These passing, innocent cravings happen to all of us. Indulging doesn’t usually cost your sobriety, relationships, or financial wellness. But the urge to take drugs, drink alcohol, or gamble can. Urges can arise at any point in your recovery journey and can derail even the straightest course. That’s where urge surfing comes in. 

Urge surfing, a specialized mindfulness technique, can help you “ride the wave” of an urge and experience them less and less. Urges typically last 30 minutes at most when they’re handled mindfully and calmly through urge surfing.

You can use urge surfing for more than addiction recovery, too. Use it to navigate any kind of urge, anytime, anywhere.

Introduction to Urge Surfing

Psychologist Alan Marlatt developed the mindfulness-based urge surfing technique1 as a quick and effective way for people to navigate cravings. Urge surfing is based on the mindfulness principle that urges, like waves, rise, peak, and eventually crash and dissipate. It sees addiction cravings as “rideable” and bearable with the right tools and practices.  

Compared to other interventions, like mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, urge surfing has a much faster impact. You may immediately notice benefits instead of the expected 2-4 weeks with traditional therapy and other interventions. You can also practice urge surfing almost anywhere, whereas traditional therapy often occurs in a specific setting (like an office you have to travel to). And, you can urge surf without the guidance of a professional, making it even more accessible.

With its ease and effectiveness, urge surfing has been used as a tool for addiction recovery1 and craving management. It teaches you to mindfully notice, sit with, and “ride” urges without self-judgment or fear.

Understanding Cravings and Impulses

Cravings are strong desires for something, like dessert after a meal or a cup of coffee on a groggy morning. People in recovery and active addiction often experience cravings for substances. Cravings can occur as your body adjusts to not having a substance, like alcohol. Certain places, situations, and emotions can also trigger cravings2, since your brain relates substance use to relieving stress and other unpleasant emotions. Even someone in long-term recovery can experience intense cravings. 

Impulses are sudden desires to do something. For example, you may see a soft blanket and feel a strong impulse to run your hand over it. You might reach out to touch it without even thinking about it. But, some impulses you first feel, notice, and then decide to act on it or not, like an impulse to touch a hot stove. While impulses are typically brief and fleeting, they can feel intense and usually lead to immediate action. This distinguishes them from cravings, which are persistent desires for something specific. 

An urge can feel more dire and discombobulating than a craving or an impulse. Negative emotions, like sadness and anxiety, can increase urges3 and make them harder to resist. But urge surfing can mitigate the urge and soothe the emotions flowing with it.

The Principles of Urge Surfing

The grounding principle of urge surfing is that you can navigate and alleviate urges without giving in. It hinges on mindfulness and experiencing emotions without self-judgment, fear, or worry. You may not experience a change in your urges, but rather in how you respond to them4. By staying present and focusing on the sensations in your body, you can ride out the urge without giving in to it.  

The “wave” you ride has 4 core parts: a trigger, rise, peak, and fall. As you continuously surf these waves, you’ll get better and better at understanding and alleviating urges. 

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Step-by-Step Guide to Urge Surfing

The process of urge surfing5, like cravings and urges themselves, varies from person to person. One person may quickly ride the wave of an urge, while someone else may need a half hour of peaceful solitude to reach the end of the wave. So–listen to your body and what works for you without expectations or judgment. If you don’t feel it helps right away, stick with it. Try it again and keep yourself open to the possibility of success.

Acknowledgment

Urge surfing starts by noticing and acknowledging what you’re feeling. This may look like:

“I want a drink right now. I feel my mouth watering and want the sensation of it in my stomach. I’m irritated and distracted because it’s hard to think of anything else.”

You can also notice your environment, mood, and other factors that may have triggered the urge. Did you see or feel something that triggered it? Make note of it if you can. 

Acceptance

Next, you accept the urge, rather than resist or condemn it. It’s happening, but you can choose how you respond to it. Now, if you want, you can also adjust your environment. Maybe sit in a private room, cross-legged with your eyes shut. Keep in mind you can urge surf anywhere, but have the option to pick your environment.

Stay Present, Curious, and Patient

Stay on the wave—notice and accept however intense the urge feels with curiosity and patience. Don’t force yourself to do anything about it, just experience it. Even if it feels bad or uncomfortable, you’re still in control. Picture a wave in your head, and that you’re on top of the crest as it moves towards the shore. 

Use your breathing as a grounding tool. Imagine it as the pulse of the water beneath you, moving within the wave. 

Reorient as You’re Ready

Check in on how intense the urge feels. Does it feel distant now? Do you feel more in control? If you do, you’re ready to come to shore. Reorient to your surroundings (what you can hear, feel, smell, and taste) and open your eyes if you shut them. 

Reflect on the experience and what you may have learned from it. Write it down or record a voice note. Keeping track like this can help you realize progress, learn what triggers your urges, and know yourself better.

Applications of Urge Surfing

You can use urge surfing for all sorts of cravings and urges, related to addiction or not. Less intense urges, like an urge to check social media or have a certain food, can pass quickly with urge surfing. The intense urges to use substances can take longer to “ride”, but it’s just as doable. 

You can also use urge surfing as a tool for emotional regulation, which works almost the same way. Instead of riding an urge, you move through an intense emotion like anger or panic. You’ll notice the emotion and accept it without judgment, then let it pass without acting on it.

Because you can urge surf almost anytime, anywhere, it’s a practical tool for the cravings, urges, impulses, and intense emotions encountered in daily life. You could surf the urge to respond angrily in a work email, or use urge surfing to cut down on or quit smoking.

Challenges and Support

Those who dislike or struggle with meditation may find urge surfing tedious. Practice and repetition can help, especially if you make your environment as comfortable as possible. Try playing instrumental music or binaural beats to help you focus.

The intensity and discomfort of urges can also pose a challenge, as urge surfing requires you to feel but not to act on the urge. Sitting with that discomfort can feel difficult at first. But as you keep doing it, you’ll get more used to the process and confident in your ability to “surf” safely to shore.

Build Hope as You Hang 10

Urge surfing serves as a powerful sobriety tool and resource for hope. Use it to manage urges to take substances, impulses, and reactive behaviors any time in your life. You can see just how capable you are of managing urges and navigating challenging moments.

As you become more adept at urge surfing, you’ll discover a growing confidence in your capacity to manage difficult situations and make empowered choices in your recovery. This skill doesn’t just apply to sobriety; it’s a life skill that enhances your overall self-efficacy and agency. Each successful experience of riding out an urge reinforces a hopeful outlook, showing you can overcome challenges and continue on your path to recovery and well-being.

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Ethical Care and Recovery: A Cornerstone for Healing

Ethics and quality treatment go hand-in-hand. One often doesn’t exist without the other and if they do, the impact of either lessens. In an industry shaped by unethical practices, some of which have just become the norm, a pursuit of ethics sets many organizations and providers apart.

We’ll explore what ethics are in the behavioral health industry and why they’re such an important part of recovery—regardless of the conditions present, the level of care, or patient preferences. Ethics remain the baseline of effective care.

Listen to our podcast episode with Marvin Ventrell, CEO of the National Association of Addiction Providers (NAATP), to learn more about ethics in treatment from the person who spearheaded the effort.

Ethics: What They Are and Why They Matter

At first thought, ‘being ethical’ may sound like feeding the homeless, treating others fairly, or being honest. People without ethics often star as villains in books and films, but in reality, a lack of ethics often shows in more subtle ways. Sometimes, that’s because we or another party don’t know the ethics of a certain industry, place, or demographic and act unethically by accident. Other times, acting unethically is an intentional choice to manipulate and mislead for personal gain. Usually, monetary.

Treatment that prioritizes ethics both improves the chances of success and helps patients feel respected and cared for, which maintains their dignity. Lacking ethics has consequences, from being hurtful to costing someone the recovery opportunity they deserved. In dire cases, unethical practices can directly or indirectly end someone’s life. 

Unethical Practices in Addiction Treatment

Ethics in the addiction treatment space have gotten more robust and structured, but that wasn’t always the case. Old practices still happen today and, unfortunately, can marr the otherwise respectable reputation of treatment providers. These are some of those practices.

Patient Brokering

Patient brokering is the practice of unethically attracting people to a certain treatment center through a broker that offers free flights, gifts, money, or even drugs. The ‘broker’ who refers them to treatment gets a compensation fee. Sometimes, brokers will help people relapse and then encourage them to go to the specific treatment center that gives them compensation. Brokers may share their fees to encourage patients to relapse and go to treatment.

The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to pay for addiction treatment, which means patients with good-paying insurance are often the targets of patient brokering, or body brokering. Once the patient’s insurance is charged, they’re run through treatment quickly, primed to relapse and return again to the center (so they can charge their insurance again). 

Thankfully, patient brokering has become illegal and therefore less common. But it still happens. States like Florida and California still battle shady providers and brokers, shutting them down as soon as they can. 

Misleading Marketing

Some treatment centers rely on misleading marketing to draw in patients—and their insurance. AI-generated images or generic stock photos make the center look nicer than it is, or advertise amenities and therapies that don’t actually exist (like private bedrooms, a pool, or equine therapy). The center could also claim they have more experienced or higher qualified staff than they actually do, like saying all their therapists are masters-level when they aren’t.

Thinking they’ve found an amazing center at an equally amazing price, patients or their loved ones may commit to treatment and pay upfront for their care without realizing they’ve been duped. 

Paying for Leads

Some treatment providers pay for ‘leads’ to their website, which are website clicks, phone calls, or messages indicating interest in treatment. For example, a treatment center may pay a directory or call center to send them a certain amount of leads. One way a call center can do this is by saying other treatment centers are full or closed, leaving the one paying them as ‘the only option.’ 

Lack of Transparency

Some treatment centers purposefully make it difficult to ascertain what they do and how they do it. They may also distort what the living conditions will look like, using vague statements like, “Patients are onsite.” (Living where? What are the rooms like? Is it actually residential? Will there be meals?)

The admissions staff are often just as vague, encouraging you to make your payments, get through the admissions process, and start treatment instead of answering questions. Once you get to the center, you may realize it’s not a good fit or not at all what you expected. 

Exposing Patient Identities

One of the last things many patients want is to see their face plastered over marketing materials or used on the website of the place they went to get treatment. Addiction and mental health treatment is deeply personal and often vulnerable; not something people often want disclosed (especially celebrities or high-ranking corporate employees/employers).

Unethical providers sometimes use pictures of patients to capture their treatment services and amenities. If treatment centers do use pictures of patients in their marketing materials or on social media, the patient must be fully aware and give their approval before the image can show anywhere on the internet or printed materials. 

Ethical Practices in Addiction Treatment

Many treatment providers and industry leaders recognize and prioritize ethics in treatment, slowly but surely changing the entire industry and restoring its reputation. Here’s how.

Clear Advertising

This applies to the treatment center advertising themselves and 3rd-party sites advertising the center. For the center, it means any material or messaging about their center is clear and not misleading. They clearly state what they are, what they do, and what patients can expect. Not only is this ethical and kind, it reduces fear of the unknown (FUD), which can be a barrier to treatment.

Third parties prioritize ethics by clearly marking which listings on their website are paid advertisers. At Recovery.com, for example, you’ll see we mark each treatment provider that pays for an extended reach. This lets visitors and potential patients know what is and isn’t an ad. 

Accurate Language and Images

The way a center portrays themself makes a big difference. If they say they’re the best rehab ever and upload a dozen stock images of a luxury spa, that’d likely change the way a potential patient views them—and sway their treatment decision. 

Sticking to the facts of what they treat, how they treat it, and including pictures of their center only make for a more ethical portrayal. Clear content and pictures also help potential patients make quick, informed decisions at a difficult time.

Updated and Accessible Licensing Information

A good indicator of quality care comes from 1) clinical licensure from the center’s country and state and 2) accreditation from organizations like the NAATP, The Joint Commission, LegitScript, and CARF. 

Many providers make these accreditations and licenses easily viewable on their website. You can also search the accreditor’s website for the specific treatment center to see if they’ve been accredited by them.

While licensure and accreditations don’t guarantee successful treatment, they can help you decide on a center and feel more confident in the quality of care you or a loved one will receive. 

Cultural Competency

Cultural competency means the staff at a treatment center have a learned or lived experience that allows them to understand someone’s culture, and how their culture can affect treatment. Cultural competency can help LGBTQ+, non-white, religious, and disabled people feel more comfortable, safe, and understood in treatment.

Making Every Effort to Offer Effective Care

Imagine if you went to the doctor for a sprained ankle and the staff only tossed you an ice pack. Some treatment providers do close to the same thing for addiction and mental health treatment; bare minimum services that don’t address core issues. 

Ethical providers do the opposite: making every effort to give you the best, most effective care they can. They collaborate with each other to better understand your needs and check that they’re addressing them. Depending on their services and available resources, you’ll receive the therapies and practices best attuned to what you need to recover.

Though effort and best intentions don’t guarantee recovery, they go infinitely farther than lackluster care and band-aid solutions. 

Organizations Enforcing Ethics

How does the treatment space enforce the concept of ethics and ethical practices? It takes the bravery and efforts of many organizations determined to improve the space and save lives. One of those organizations is the NAATP, who’s CEO we were privileged to talk with in our recent podcast episode. You can listen to that to learn more about his story and how the NAATP put their stamp on ethics. 

The Joint Commission also offers accreditation for many types of treatment providers. To gain accreditation from the NAATP and The Joint Commission, treatment providers go through rigorous screenings and approvals similar to state licensing. These organizations focus more on ethical care, though, which differs them from a center meeting the state requirements to operate. 
With these organizations and the passion behind them, finding quality, ethical addiction treatment is more than possible. People care. Hope is for everyone.

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Addiction Education in Rehab: Empowering Recovery Through Knowledge

Understanding addiction and mental health provides crucial stepping stones to long-term recovery. That’s why many rehabs provide psychoeducation, which teaches patients about behavioral health conditions. In a psychoeducation class, you’ll learn more about particular substances, how they work, their long-term effects on your brain and body, and why cravings happen. It also explains the connection between addiction and mental health conditions.

Gaining this understanding of yourself and your recovery journey can better prepare you for the road ahead, helping you feel confident in your ability to identify triggers, coping mechanisms, and relapse risks. 

Introduction to Addiction Education

Addiction education1 teaches the biological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. The goal is to demystify the process of addiction recovery and provide vital insights into treatment. Learning about addiction can help people feel more empowered in their recovery and in supporting loved ones.  

Psychoeducation raises awareness about the nature of addiction, including how drugs impact the brain, the progression of tolerance and dependence, and the addictive cycle. Understanding the scientific basis of addiction can help people acknowledge the chronicity of the disorder and why long-term management plays a crucial part in their recovery.

Addiction education in rehab also emphasizes and teaches coping skills for relapse prevention. Patients learn how to recognize triggers, handle cravings, and navigate high-risk situations (like acute stress) without resorting to substances as a coping mechanism. It prepares them for “real-world” settings to bolster confidence in their recovery.

What It Looks Like

Psychoeducation in rehab looks a lot like a regular classroom. You’ll sit in a circle, at tables, or in rows with a whiteboard or screen up front. A “teacher” leads the lessons; they may be therapists, counselors, psychologists, doctors, or someone with lived experience. You’ll commit an hour or so to learn, potentially watching videos and engaging in discussions with the teacher and your peers. Your teacher may also encourage you to take notes.

Core Topics Covered in Addiction Education

Addiction education typically covers the neurological effects of substances, the impact of mental health conditions, the health risks of addiction, and how to recognize and cope with triggers. These topics can go in-depth, like learning how addiction rewires the brain, or broadly address ideas and themes. Classes may also focus on a specific substance, like cocaine or fentanyl. 

Methods of Delivering Addiction Education

Peer interaction, group discussions, and lecture-style lessons provide addiction education. Videos and written projects also contribute. You may watch videos or animated depictions of how substances affect the brain, for example. The educator will likely ask questions or prompt group discussions each session. You and your peers are encouraged to voice questions throughout the lesson to help yourself and others learn.

Psychoeducation may also include interactive workshops, where you and your peers have a more hands-on experience by acting out scenarios or seeing creative depictions of them. For example, you might study a plastic brain to see where addictive substances impact the reward system. Cartoons and drawings help visual learners1 understand and relate to information.

Learning could take place individually, in a group, or in a family setting2. The exact setting will depend on your program and how they structure psychoeducation.

The Impact of Addiction Education on Recovery

Learning about addiction helps you become more self-aware1 and make better-informed choices on your recovery journey. Knowing what triggers cravings can help you avoid them. And, you’ll learn coping tools to manage cravings both long-term and in the moment. These tools, gained by psychoeducation, can strengthen your recovery and empower greater confidence in your journey.

Psychoeducation has been found to improve treatment outcomes1 by reducing relapses and promoting abstinence. It also improves treatment compliance, which can help people stay in treatment longer and get the healing they need.

Integrating Education with Other Treatment Modalities

Psychoeducation in addiction treatment flows in tandem with therapy, medical care, and holistic therapies. It complements each facet of treatment by helping patients better understand the process and how each component works towards recovery.

For example, psychoeducation can educate patients on the medications they’re taking. They’ll learn more about the medication and what it does, helping them understand its benefits, potential side effects, and commit to taking it as prescribed. 

Overcoming Challenges in Addiction Education

Participants can run into challenges in psychoeducation, despite its many benefits. Challenges won’t necessarily make addiction education ineffective, but they can limit how much patients engage in the lessons. Here are some examples of common challenges in addiction education:

  1. Unengaging teaching styles 
  2. Unenthusiastic facilitators
  3. Poorly designed and confusing lessons distracting from the content itself
  4. Mental health and/or learning conditions affecting learning abilities
  5. Peers not getting along
  6. Bias, prejudice, and lack of cultural competency from facilitators

To face these challenges, providers can ensure they assign competent, enthusiastic teachers with clearly defined lesson plans that patients can access beforehand to know what to expect. A syllabus, for example, would detail what patients can expect to learn and keep their lessons moving toward defined goals and milestones.

Teachers should also have access to a variety of learning materials, helping them adapt to various learning styles and meet the needs of their ever-evolving students. Additional training on inclusivity, diversity, and anti-bias can help facilitators create more welcoming environments students feel comfortable engaging in.

Continuing Education and Support Post-Rehab

Addiction education doesn’t end after rehab. You can keep learning every day, in big or small ways. 

Educational Courses and Training

Online training or college courses can deepen your knowledge of addiction and earn you a certification or degree. Your classes will mimic psychoeducation classes in rehab but with graded homework and assignments or other completion requirements. Colleges may offer these courses or platforms like Coursera. 

Support Groups

You can find local or online support groups by searching the internet or connecting with your local community. For example, you could check with your community center for guidance and see where local groups take place. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12-Step groups likely exist in your area and actively welcome new members. Online groups connect you to others in your state, country, or worldwide to share and receive support.

Community Engagement

Your town or city may have activities and groups for those in recovery, like monthly dinners or sports clubs. Even if they’re not geared toward people in recovery, you can still join a group that seems fun to you and meet new people, learn about their experiences, and build your support system.

Learning to Hope

Addiction education in rehab serves as a powerful tool in recovery. It helps you understand how addiction works, what it does to your brain, and why certain triggers cause cravings. Psychoeducation helps you create relapse-prevention strategies centered on your new knowledge of your addiction and contributing factors, like mental health conditions, to empower your recovery.

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Recovery Amid Wealth And Opportunity

It’s not uncommon to hear of a celebrity going to rehab, or finding out a successful CEO has struggled with alcohol use. Sometimes these figures drop off the map, resurfacing once they’ve ‘cleaned up,’ only to make the news again a few months later for the same issues.

But aren’t they rich? They could buy the whole rehab—what’s stopping them from just getting better?

News stories and celebrity gossip often center around that idea, pointing out the unique opportunities the top 10% and 1% have to pursue recovery from addiction and mental health concerns. Why don’t they, when it seems so easy? 

Another question is this: if they do, can they clear the pitfalls of a life that often requires perfection, secrets, and exceeding even the most unattainable expectations?

Life in The Top 10%

Who’s the richest person you know? How does their lifestyle compare to yours?

Then, for most of us, triple or quadruple that level of excess and wealth. That’s the top 10%: actors, singers, royalty, oil tycoons, owners of high-end tech companies, and CEO’s of multi-billion dollar enterprises. They easily afford multiple homes, luxury cars, and don’t flinch at an ivy-league education for their kids. They vacation on tropical islands or massive mountain mansions. They have staff to do what we could consider daily tasks: shopping, paying bills, making meals. 

People in the lower 30%, or even 70%, meanwhile, carefully calculate each shopping trip, each vacation, and each bill to make sure they can cover their basic costs: food, rent, utilities, and other essentials. It’s all too common for a health issue or property damage to send individuals and families into a financially dark place. 

How much easier and better life would be with no financial worries!

The Corroded Side of The Coin

Life in the top 10% looks shiny on one side. On the other, though, it’s often a much different visage. With their positions and prestige the top 10% typically face intense pressure to perform, maintain an image of success, and meet expectations set by the public, their industry, and themselves. 

It’s true we all face pressures, stress, and expectations, regardless of our income or socioeconomic status. However, many of us would agree it sounds daunting to lead a global company with a worldwide impact and reputation to maintain. The stakes change. To maintain their image of success, some of the top 10% may use substances like alcohol, cocaine, or heroin to cope and reach past their normal human capabilities.

This can spiral into addiction—they may even feel destined to struggle with substances like so many of their coworkers and friends. It could seem like a normal part of life, but that’s fortunately not the case. 

Unattainable Expectations And Using Substances to Cope

The nature of someone’s profession can impose high-stakes expectations. An actor, for example, may be expected to win an Oscar by a certain point in their career. To do this they need to get cast in the right films and do everything they can to improve their acting skills, which may involve long hours of training and filming. 

They may not feel capable of meeting their expectations on their own, using substances like cocaine to feel more alert and work longer. This can be just as true for a CEO or a politician with images to maintain and benchmarks to hit. What begins as a seemingly foolproof way to boost performance and retain their success can quickly bloom into dependence, then addiction.

How Wealth And Prestige Can Protect Against Common Consequences

The rock bottom myth purports hitting your rock bottom as the ultimate motivation for treatment. (This is often true, though not at all required.) For many in the top 10%, their wealth and prestige serve as a cushion against rock bottom. This can lead them to believe their substance use has no consequences and causes no harm.

This belief is easy to understand—if you have the cash to make issues go away or cover them up (even from people close to you), they probably won’t seem like a big deal. Excess money also allows you to buy almost whatever you want, whenever you want it, whether that’s a new car or dozens of prescription pain pills a day. The top 10% can fund their addiction without financial consequences, at least in the beginning.

No financial consequences likely means they won’t experience homelessness or resort to criminal behaviors to get extra cash. This protects them from legal troubles and sullying their reputation.

Misconceptions And Biases Towards Treatment

Living a life of luxury and wealth can dissuade the top 10% from seeking treatment, as they assume they’ll be living in a dinky facility with restrictive rules and peers they can’t relate to. A major down-grade, essentially. Privacy concerns can also make treatment seem unfeasible to a celebrity or influential executive.

Going to rehab can seem like a degrading experience to someone who’s used to being treated with prestige and respect. They picture rules, bedtimes, and a strict treatment regime they must follow along with everyone else—people who are nothing like them. 

The Truth About Treatment for The Wealthy

None of these misconceptions and biases end up being true, depending on where you go to treatment. Many luxury rehabs exist just for this unique population, offering high-end accommodations, customized treatment plans, and stringent privacy measures. They also cater to working executives with flexible technology policies and time to work.

At rehabs like these, their clientele enjoy amenities like private bedrooms, fun extracurricular activities, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, pools, gyms, saunas, and much more. Additionally, and perhaps most crucially, they encounter others in treatment with similar backgrounds—affluent, successful, and likely apprehensive about the process.

The Importance of Community

Some members of the top 10% may prefer fully private treatment, but for those who don’t, healing in a community can have a powerful impact. They’ll find real-life proof they aren’t alone in their struggles. They’ll gain support from others and offer it back. They’ll grow new friendships and form connections with both peers and staff. These connections and the tangible sense of not being alone can strengthen their recovery journey for years to come.

Treatment centers often offer group therapy and group activities to help peers connect. Group activities provide a dynamic way for clients to deepen their understanding of themselves and their peers. Depending on the location, these activities can range from tranquil nature excursions and exploring cultural landmarks to more exhilarating adventures like whitewater rafting and ziplining. Additionally, visits to spas offer a serene reprieve, rounding out the diverse array of experiences designed to rejuvenate body and mind.

Leveraging Wealth And Success for Recovery

Wealth and prestige can significantly enhance the recovery experience. For instance, people in the top 10% have the financial means to access high-end treatment services that fit their needs and preferences. The premium costs of these rehabs ensure a more comfortable environment and access to top-tier medical professionals, cutting-edge therapies, and exceptional amenities. Luxury rehabs often include private rooms, gourmet dining options, and expansive grounds.

Top-tier rehabs also create personalized treatment plans tailored to each client. This could include a blend of traditional and alternative therapies, private counseling sessions, and holistic approaches like yoga, meditation, and art therapy.

These aspects not only provide comfort but can also boost the overall effectiveness of treatment, making a higher-priced rehab a worthwhile investment for those who can afford it. But, bear in mind that luxury and private-pay only facilities aren’t the only places to get high-quality treatment. Many, many rehabs worldwide offer life-saving care for affordable prices and accept insurance. 

Recovery in Excess

Ultimately, money doesn’t solve everything. The aspects that come with excess wealth, like extreme pressure to perform and privacy issues, can dissuade people from going to treatment. However, many rehabs around the world exist specifically to address these concerns and more. You can find ultra-luxury centers on Recovery.com and see photos, reviews, and more. 
And to hear more about the recovery experience from a Wall Street trader and CEO of a luxury sober living center, listen to our recent podcast episode with Trey Laird here!

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From Wall Street to AA Meetings: An Executive’s Path to Healing, and How He Uses It to Help Others

Trey Laird is a man in long-term recovery, a CEO and founder, and a member of our advisory board at Recovery.com. He founded The Lighthouse Sober Living and The Lighthouse Recovery Coaching 365 Program, both of which cater to men and women needing support and a safe, comfortable environment in early recovery. 

As one of our advisory board members, Trey plays a key guiding role with lived experience in recovery and the treatment space. Listen to his episode and hear from other guests here!

Trey headshot

A Successful Start

Trey Laird initially worked as an equities trader on Wall Street. He’d graduated from Dartmouth College and began his career quickly, despite spending much of college steadily consuming alcohol and cocaine. Trey then found success in forming and maintaining positive relationships with his Wall Street clients—usually strengthened by drinks or parties after work. Describing his focus with clients, he says,

“It was building relationships…. One of my key positive attributes is I’m generally curious about other people and generally curious about what makes them tick. And today it’s super helpful because that may unlock a door to helping them recover.”

After graduating and beginning his career on Wall Street, Trey married and started a family. Then, at 32, a surgery left him with prescribed pain medications, which turned into a daily habit, and then into an addiction. 

Realizing The Need for Help

Trey eventually took prescription pain pills throughout the day and drank at night, going to bars where he wouldn’t be recognized. He began seeking solitude to drink or use substances, which went far out of his usual character as an extrovert. Trey says, 

“Being somebody that liked to be around a lot of people going to someone that, you know, wanted to not be around those people, was a big warning flag for me.”

Trey soon realized his drinking and substance use kept him from being the husband and father he wanted to be. He recognized his need for help and started looking for treatment options close to him.

Entering The Treatment Space

Trey sought treatment without knowing how it worked or what going to rehab really meant. But he went anyway, mentally prepared to stop his drug use. Trey initially planned to keep drinking after treatment, then was required to stop after he joined a 90-day outpatient program. At his wife’s request, Trey moved into his own place. He began going to 12-Step meetings in treatment and during his outpatient program, where he committed himself to at least make it through the 90 days. 

The meetings and the supportive community he found in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) took him by surprise. It was not the cult-like setting he expected, rather, men with stories like his living in recovery. By the end of the 90-day program, his mentality surrounding treatment and substance use radically changed. Trey says,

“And it got to the point where I was like, what would the benefit be of having a beer again?” … “I like what I’m feeling. And more, maybe more importantly, I like the people that I’m around.”

Overcoming Challenges With The Support of a Sober Community

Trey’s path to recovery was strewn with formidable obstacles. During the financial crisis 2008, America’s economy teetered on the brink, presenting an unprecedented challenge. As a Wall Street trader, Trey found himself in the eye of the storm. Yet, his sober community became his anchor, providing unwavering support. 

Trey’s personal life also faced challenges. His wife filed for divorce. The stakes were heightened as the conditions of the divorce mandated that Trey pass a drug-free test to maintain visitation rights with his children. This requirement added another layer of pressure and was a crucial motivator in his steadfast commitment to sobriety.

“Going through that time period and meeting these men who just showed me how to live a life, no matter what, stuck with me. That’s what launched me into my recovery.”

He also adds, 

“The opportunity to interface with a live recovery community was essential.”

Accomplishments and Plans for The Future

New leadership at the company Trey worked for inspired him to leave the finance world and provide other men like him with the recovery community he found so vital. He wanted to offer a link between intensive treatment and home, and so in 2016, he opened The Lighthouse Sober Living. The luxury setting catered to men at first, opening homes for women later. Trey also remarried and has since added more children to his family.

The Lighthouse uniquely offers a sober living space for men like Trey, who have monetary means and have become comfortable in more professional settings. This, and the expectation to ‘man up,’ can make it even more impactful when clients instead embrace vulnerability. 

Since opening The Lighthouse, Trey has also begun a recovery coaching program, The Lighthouse Recovery Coaching 365 Program. Graduates of their sober living program attend the 365 program for 3-6 months, gaining professional recovery coaching and family coaching.

Trey aims to open more sober living homes for men and women and strengthen his local recovery community, extending the gift of support (and recovery) to as many people as he can. We’re excited to have him on our advisory board and call him a friend!


Listen to Trey’s podcast episode here, where our hosts Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri and Cliff McDonald discuss Trey’s journey and all he’s accomplished—personally and professionally. Don’t miss it!

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Employee Wellness: What It Is And Why It Matters

Employee wellness means more than good job performance. It means you are well as a mother, father, child, spouse—as a person. Employee wellness focuses on your mental health, your physical health, your work satisfaction, and ensuring you have access to all available health resources in your company. 

Good job performance is a byproduct of employee wellness, as is a positive company culture and employee retention. Several platforms cater to employee wellness and mental health literacy to encourage this, including Spirence. 

Listen to our podcast episode with Spirence’s Vice President, Laura Kunz, to learn more about the platform and how it came to be.

What Is Employee Wellness?

Employee wellness broadly refers to the overall health and well-being of employees. Well-being is your ability to “address normal stresses, work productively, and realize one’s highest potential.” People with intact well-being perform better1 at work and other areas of life, including their overarching health. 

Employee wellness involves more than just the employee’s at-home efforts to better their health; it centers specifically on what companies can do to improve the workspace and the well-being of their employees. 

To do this, companies often offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These include resources for therapy, stress reduction, and tips for general well-being.

Why Does It Matter?

A positive workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellness offers a host of benefits. It reduces turnover, as employees are most likely to quit a job over toxic workplace cultures2. Studies found poor company cultures are more likely to lead to resignations than low pay or burnout. 

Toxic workplace cultures contribute to higher percentages of depression2, stress, anxiety, and physical health conditions like heart attacks and high blood pressure. These issues follow employees home, affecting their free time and families. 

Even in healthy workplace cultures, heavy workloads, stress, and a lack of mental health resources can drive employees to a better opportunity. Offering them solutions in-house can prevent resignations and foster healthy cultures, healthy employees, and happier home lives. 

Improved Quality of Life

A positive workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellness can improve their overall quality of life. Plus, feeling positive toward work can make non-work hours more enjoyable and enable you to actually rest on days off, contributing to a better quality of life. You’ll have more time and mental energy to focus on who and what you love. 

Since work takes up a majority of our waking hours (⅓ of our lives3), positive or negative experiences there can dictate your well-being outside the office. Negative work environments and poor employee wellness can also affect virtual employees4. Focusing on their wellness and nurturing a positive culture benefits all employees, all the time. 

Higher Work Performance

Happier, healthier employees can connect more with their work and meet the standards set by themselves and their employers. Better mental health and well-being leads to improved productivity5, which benefits both the employee and their employer. Employees get more done and employers can focus more on their business, not rehiring employees. 

Better Overall Health

Poor well-being caused by negative work environments can affect your overall health6 via chronic stress and mental health conditions. Chronic stress can lead to conditions like cancer, heart disease, autoimmune flare-ups, and more. Conditions like depression and anxiety can also develop.

These issues are less likely to affect employees in a positive work environment, improving their overall health.

Tools And Programs for Employee Wellness

Many corporations, big and small, leverage tools and programs to improve the well-being of their employees. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), for example, connect employees to resources about benefits, mental health, and other workplace issues. However, EAPs don’t always meet the needs of employees seeking support, but not clinical mental health services. They may want to learn more about their options or ask questions on behalf of a loved one—not go to counseling or connect with an inpatient program. 

New subclinical products can meet these needs and offer the educational tools needed to improve mental health literacy. Platforms like Spirence offer live webinars, bite-sized informational pieces on mental health, and weekly family sessions to help employees needing acute and non-acute support.

These types of platforms are designed to prevent mental health crises and the need for clinical care. Using them, employees can learn more about mental health and wellness as a whole, understand their treatment options, and pose questions to behavioral health experts. Other employee-wellness platforms include:

  1. Calm’s Corporate Well-Being Program
  2. headversity
  3. Headspace
  4. Limeade
  5. Starling Minds

Education as a Key Component

Many employee platforms share one key component: education. Webinars, articles, videos, and even games educate employees on mental health and treatment options in case their wellness suffers a drop. As their mental health literacy increases, employees can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing how to care for their mental health and well-being.

Platforms like Spirence also provide the option to pose questions to professionals, like therapists, psychologists, and coaches (for free).

The Trickle-Down Effect of Caring Employers

Offering an employee wellness platform, especially a comprehensive one, can make employees feel seen and cared for by their employer. This can build a positive work culture and psychologically safe work environment. In a culture like this, employees are “healthier, happier, more productive, and less likely to leave3.” Profits increase for the company, with higher productivity and less turnover.

Positive work environments contribute to a sense of belonging3, helping employees feel like their contributions and well-being matter. Employee wellness tools can go a long way in fostering this environment. 

How Employees Can Prioritize Their Well-being in and Outside of Work

Employee wellness platforms aren’t the only way to improve and prioritize your mental health and well-being. Here are a few strategies and practices that can protect your wellness and bolster your mental health literacy:

  • Set boundaries at work with clear office hours.
  • If a request beyond your role’s responsibilities comes in, communicate what is and isn’t your job to do.
  • Avoid water-cooler gossip to distance yourself from potential drama and stress. 
  • At-home employees can designate an area of their home solely for work, like a desk in a guest bedroom vs. working on the couch.
  • Seek mental health support through therapy.
  • Educate yourself on mental health and well-being through books, articles, podcasts, and more.

Educational Resources for Mental Health Literacy

These are a few options you can check out to teach you more about mental health in the workplace and beyond.

Books 

Podcasts 

Articles

Progression and Promises in Positive Workplaces

Creating positive work environments, healthy workplace cultures, and improving mental health literacy offer a much-needed shift in employee well-being. Wellness platforms can contribute to a healthy workplace by connecting employees to invaluable clinical and subclinical resources—and they show employers care. 

Self-education through books, podcasts, and articles can also bolster your mental health literacy and well-being. With these tools and resources, you can grow and maintain your wellness.

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The Role of Culture in Integrative Care

Your health is more than one limb or organ system functioning correctly. It encompasses your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being—a combined sum of all your parts and systems that work synchronously. But when one aspect gets out of sync, the effects can reverberate through them all. 

Your unique cultural background can affect each aspect of your health (mental, physical, spiritual, and more), which is why addressing it in your healthcare is so important. Integrative care incorporates evidence-based, alternative, and holistic treatments to integrate your unique life and culture into an effective care plan.

You can learn more about integrative care and cultural humility by listening to our recent podcast episode featuring Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal.

What Is Integrative Care?

Healthcare typically provides reactive treatment for specific issues, like manifestations of stress or localized pain. Doctors provide care once symptoms make your life difficult.

Integrative healthcare is more proactive, preventative, and collaborative1. It blends evidence-based, holistic, naturopathic, and alternative medicine to meet your unique needs. Your whole health is considered, going past symptoms to understand your history and how each aspect of your health functions and interacts. For example, if you came in with stress-related symptoms, your appointment would explore:

  • The potential causes
  • Why they cause you stress
  • How you can manage your symptoms, and
  • How to prevent them 

You may even realize that other parts of your health feel the effects and work on treatment for that. If needed, your provider will involve other professionals to ensure that each identified problem area gets the appropriate care.

Integrative care often requires more time to thoroughly explore your overall health and give your provider an in-depth understanding of you. Your provider will ask questions beyond your symptoms, likely delving into your upbringing, culture, spirituality, mental health history, and physical history. You’ll review any past health concerns and what treatments you’ve found beneficial. Your provider will also get a gauge on your preferred approaches, like alternative or evidence-based treatments, to create a custom care plan. You and your provider work as a team, with your contributions and thoughts taken as valuable knowledge. 

Integrative vs. Integrated Care

Integrative and integrated differ in more than just word endings—a few nuanced differences set these two apart. Integrated care treats your mental and physical health as a combined whole. Integrative care considers all aspects of your health and adapts treatment to your cultural background, health history, preferences, and more. 

Each offers benefits beyond traditional healthcare. However, integrative care can be more beneficial to someone with complex conditions, unique cultural considerations, or preferences for non-traditional approaches.

Why Doesn’t Everyone Do Integrative Healthcare?

Because it’s not typically covered by insurance. Integrative care practitioners often operate in private practices or integrative care clinics, which insurance companies don’t often view the same as traditional healthcare. For those reasons, integrative healthcare isn’t usually paid for by insurance; you’d pay out-of-pocket for the costs of:

  • The provider’s time and expertise
  • Lab tests or diagnostic testing
  • All treatments, alternative and/or evidence-based 

Culture: More Than Where You Live

Culture2 includes your “language, ideas, beliefs, customs, codes, institutions, tools, techniques, works of art, rituals, and ceremonies, among other elements.” It’s much more than your ethnicity or what part of the world you come from, though those elements certainly contribute.

Cultures can be subtle but impact us all the same. They can affect how you view the world, how you express yourself, and what you’re comfortable with. Culture can greatly affect the effectiveness of your healthcare, too. 

For example, if you grow up using herbal remedies and alternative treatments, you might feel more comfortable exploring similar options before traditional healthcare. With integrative care, your treatment would align with your preferences and what you feel works for you. If your doctor has contrasting suggestions, you’ll discuss them before implementing them into treatment. 

Religion And Faith

Your faith may impact your healthcare preferences and how you receive it. For example, someone of a Hindu, Jewish, or Buddhist faith may view their health, mental health, and healthcare differently. Beliefs about Karma, pain, and the merits of non-traditional healthcare can require an integrative approach. Feeling seen and understood by their doctor can help people of different religions get the personalized care they need.

Integrative doctors are more likely to understand different religions and religious requirements, including dietary restrictions, prohibited practices, and stigma-related challenges. This element alone can help those with religious requirements feel more comfortable seeking care.

Exploring Your Culture And Its Effects

In your first appointment with an integrative healthcare provider, they may ask you something like, “What’s your cultural background?”

At first, you might not think you have a culture. Many white Americans, for example, wouldn’t identify with an ethnic culture or a religion with set practices and restrictions. But those elements aren’t all that shape your culture. How you grew up, your family’s view on health, and events you experienced collectively can affect your views and preferences. To better understand your culture, your integrative healthcare provider may follow up with questions like:

  1. Did you feel comfortable talking about your health and mental health at home?
  2. Were your health needs met right away, or did monetary restrictions or neglect prevent that?
  3. How did your friends and community view health?
  4. Did you grow up with non-traditional remedies for pain and sickness? Like what?
  5. How would you rank your hierarchy of needs? Are they being met?
  6. Do you or your family incorporate cultural traditions or practices into your healthcare?

Answering these questions, among others, helps your doctor learn more about you and how to meet your needs. Comparatively, traditional healthcare questions may only cover what hurts, how long it’s been hurting, and if it’s worsening. While these elements are vital, they don’t often capture the whole picture like integrative medicine can. 

Healthcare in Harmony

Your culture plays a part in your identity. Healthcare that values and understands your identity, or what you feel makes you you, complements healing. Effective treatment for complex or non-complex conditions runs hand-in-hand with the compassion and trust found at the cornerstone of integrative care. 

With integrative care, you’ll learn to resync each aspect of your health into a melody of well-being. Listen to our recent podcast episode with Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal to delve deeper into integrative care and its importance.

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Beyond Paradise: Exploring The Realities of Rural Healthcare in Hawaii

We were thrilled to talk with Dr. Jonathan Rosenthal, a hospitalist from Kauai, Hawaii, about his 23+ years as a hospitalist and his unique experiences practicing in rural Hawaii. In our newest episode, Dr. Jonathan Rosenthal talks with hosts Dr. Malasri Chaudrey-Malgeri, Editor-in-Chief, and Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer.

Listen to Dr. Rosenthal’s episode and hear from our previous guests here!

Finding a Fit as a Hospitalist

Dr. Rosenthal is a hospitalist in an intensive care unit (ICU). He sees people in the emergency room and admits them into hospital care, working with his patients daily until they’re ready to leave treatment. Dr. Rosenthal has been working as a hospitalist in the remote town of Kauai for almost 13 years, starting his career in urban Seattle.

Dr. Rosenthal came to Kauai seeking a better quality of life and settled in, now living on the island with his wife. Kauai’s rural setting means Dr. Rosenthal works at the only major hospital on the island. He and his other 5-7 coworkers balance the needs of the island’s hospitalized patients. 

Challenges Faced in Rural Populations

Dr. Rosenthal’s community faces distinct challenges, like not having access to care, poverty, health illiteracy, and unhealthy eating. He frequently encounters metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension as residents don’t have the means or access to healthy foods. Meth use also runs rampant:

“​​I was blown away that, like how frequently, you would come across people who are using methamphetamine. It’s really rampant. It often leads to problems that I need to see them for.”

Dr. Rosenthal notes his community has no public resources for the issue of meth use, making awareness and treatment difficult. Finding affordable care also poses a challenge for impoverished residents. 

For the physicians, they face discouragement from a lack of resources and support. Compassion fatigue, burnout, and the grief of being unable to help everyone pose significant challenges for providers in Kauai and other rural areas.

Encountering Wide-Spread Addiction and Mental Health Concerns

Of patients Dr. Rosenthal sees from the ER, he estimates:

“Almost every single time if you have to be hospitalized and you’re under 40, maybe 90 percent of the time, you have some sort of substance abuse and/or mental health, usually both, problem accompanying whatever else is going on.”

As the first line of defense, the emergency room takes the primary load of cases involving addiction and severe mental health concerns. Dr. Rosenthal highlights the inadequacy of emergency treatment for long-term recovery, as patients receive treatment for symptoms but not underlying issues.

Ideas and Solutions for All Rural Communities

Dr. Rosenthal notes Kauai actually has one of the highest life expectancies in America, but a large subset of the population are “still quite unhealthy” and don’t have access to healthy foods, as most of Kauai’s wealthier residents do. Nutrition education could go a long way in re-shaping eating habits and lowering the high rate of metabolic disorders.  

As for the addiction concerns his community faces, Dr. Rosenthal says, 

“We need to come up with some sort of public health system that will incentivize people to get clean and stay clean. And to be healthy in general.”

Dr. Rosenthal dreams of opening a low-cost clinic for impoverished residents to get affordable care and pick up fresh fruits and vegetables. Healthy food in his hospital’s cafeteria would also improve access to healthy foods. Showing residents what healthy foods they could buy with constrained budgets and providing cooking classes would educate residents and encourage healthier eating. 

Virtual addiction and mental health services can also make care more accessible for rural patients, as they’d only need a device and internet access to get treatment. Services like these could lighten the burden for Kauai’s emergency rooms and providers like Dr. Rosenthal. Making these resources known through community outreach plays a vital role in patient education and people using their resources.

Listen to Dr. Rosenthal’s episode on The Recovery.com Podcast to hear about his inspiring work and ideas. 

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Sober Curious: Exploring a Life Beyond Alcohol

The sober curious movement is reshaping how people view and consume alcohol. Many are questioning the role of alcohol in their lives, which encourages a reflective look at drinking habits and the potential benefits of reducing or abstaining from alcohol altogether. 

This growing curiosity stems from various motivations, ranging from health concerns to a deeper desire for mindfulness and authenticity in social interactions. Explore if a sober lifestyle is right for you.

Introduction to the Sober Curious Movement

The term “sober curious” was popularized by Ruby Warrington in her 2018 book Sober Curious, which explores a life lived better without alcohol. Rather than focusing on complete abstinence for those with dependency issues, this movement invites everyone to assess their alcohol consumption critically. It has gained traction among people who don’t identify as having an alcohol problem yet feel alcohol doesn’t need to be central in their social lives.

The growing buzz around “sober curious” reflects a trend to reevaluate people’s relationship with alcohol and explore a life beyond its consumption. Curiosity and mindfulness towards alcohol consumption prompts individuals to question societal norms around drinking and consider the impact of alcohol on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

Why People Choose the Sober Curious Path

Research shows that lifestyle behaviors, including alcohol consumption, play a significant role in overall health and well-being. Creating a balanced lifestyle may inspire people to cut back on alcohol, and, as they do so, make other positive changes. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as low to moderate alcohol intake, physical activity, adequate rest, and a balanced diet, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other health conditions1. Drinking less can also help alleviate mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression2. 

In addition to lowering alcohol intake, the sober curious movement explores alternative ways to socialize, relax, and unwind. Alcohol-free social events, mocktails, and wellness activities that promote holistic well-being help people connect and socialize while sober3. By embracing sobriety as a conscious choice rather than a restriction, you can be empowered to prioritize self-care and mindfulness in your daily life. 

Alcohol can often mask or complicate feelings, and being sober allows you to fully experience your emotions and deal with them in a healthier way. Practices such as meditation and yoga, which emphasize mind and body clarity, can promote overall well-being in those exploring abstinence. 

Benefits of Being Sober Curious

Physically, sobriety or lowered alcohol consumption can lead to better sleep, weight loss, and reduced risk of chronic diseases4. However, its benefits go far beyond the physical. 

Alcohol can exacerbate mental health issues like anxiety and depression2. Sobriety often brings a greater emotional balance and can make it easier to handle stress and other emotional challenges. It also allows for more genuine emotional experiences, providing better ground for processing feelings in a healthy way. Without the clouding effects of alcohol, sober individuals may think clearer and have better concentration. This can translate into improved decision-making skills and productivity, both personally and professionally.

The sober curious movement also helps people live authentically. The decision to reduce drinking links to overall wellness, authenticity, and personal growth5. Choosing to be alcohol-free can help you live in alignment with your goals and desires.  

Challenges and Considerations

Transitioning to a less alcohol-centric lifestyle can be a positive and transformative journey, but it often comes with its own set of challenges. In cultures where socializing often revolves around drinking, it may take time to figure out what strategies and situations are most beneficial.

One of the most common hurdles is the social expectation to drink at events, gatherings, or even during business meetings. This can make it difficult to abstain, as people may feel left out or judged by others who drink. For those who regularly drink, cravings can be a significant challenge. These cravings can be both physical and psychological, making the initial period of sobriety particularly tough. For many, simply pouring a drink and bringing the glass to their lips can give a dopamine hit6 (instead of the alcohol itself) that’s hard to let go. 

Alcohol is often at the center of a social gathering, and over time, many begin to equate drinking with bonding, community, and inclusion7. For example, certain drinking games can make you feel like you are part of the party. But when surrounded by the right people, you won’t need alcohol to feel loved and accepted.

Alcohol can also mask social anxiety or other concerns. Fortunately, as you explore a healthier, alcohol-free lifestyle, other tools can also help you overcome this coping mechanism. 

How to Embrace a Sober Curious Lifestyle

Exploring sobriety can be fulfilling, and adopting practical strategies can make the transition smoother and more sustainable. Here are some tips for those interested in reducing their alcohol consumption or becoming completely sober:

  • Mindful drinking: Before drinking, decide how many drinks you will have and stick to that limit. You can also slow down your drinking, which can help you be more aware of the effects of alcohol on your body.
  • Alcohol-free alternatives: Keep a variety of alcohol-free drinks at home, such as mocktails, non-alcoholic beers, sparkling waters, and teas. Many restaurants and bars also offer non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Plan ahead for social events: When attending social gatherings, bring your own alcohol-free drinks so you’ll have something to enjoy. You may also find it beneficial to have a simple response prepared when someone asks why you’re not drinking. You could say, “I’m choosing not to drink because it makes me feel healthier.”
  • Explore new hobbies and interests: Take up hobbies not associated with drinking, such as sports and arts and crafts. This can be a great way to make new, potentially sober, friends.
  • Support networks: You can inform your friends and family about your decision to reduce alcohol consumption so they can provide a supportive environment. Also, many online forums and social media groups focus on sobriety, which can provide inspiration, resources, and a sense of community. You may consider groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, or other local sobriety support groups where you can share experiences and receive encouragement.

Reducing alcohol consumption is a process, and it’s okay to have setbacks. Reflecting on your experiences, feelings, and challenges can help you adjust your goals and recognize the benefits of reducing alcohol. Treat yourself with compassion and consider each step part of a learning curve to achieve your desired lifestyle.

The Impact of the Sober Curious Movement on Society

The sober curious movement has the potential to challenge societal norms around alcohol consumption and reduce the stigma associated with not drinking. It’s also influencing the beverage industry to innovate more non-alcoholic options. 

By promoting open conversations about alcohol and encouraging individuals to make informed choices about their consumption, this movement fosters a culture of inclusivity and acceptance5. It provides a supportive community for those exploring sobriety or seeking a healthier relationship with alcohol. This movement also makes social gatherings more inclusive for those who choose to abstain.

These changes reflect a broader cultural shift towards wellness and conscious consumption, potentially leading to significant public health benefits including lower rates of alcohol-related diseases and accidents.

Creating a Healthy, Fulfilling Lifestyle

The sober curious movement invites you to rethink your relationship with alcohol and consider the benefits of reducing or eliminating alcohol from your life. It’s an opportunity for personal health transformation and a catalyst for broader societal change. Whether for physical well-being, mental clarity, or improved relationships, exploring a sobriety can be a rewarding and enlightening journey.