Program
Overview: Multidisciplinary Approach
The Abbey’s philosophy toward substance abuse/dependence treatment is to
provide (1) optimal care, (2) an opportunity for personal growth, and (3) a
safe and stable recovery environment for our clients.
You will notice that we employ a Multidisciplinary Approach to treatment.
We compare treatment to Four-Wheel-Drive in an all-terrain vehicle. By
using multiple approaches, we increase the probability that one or more of
the techniques will help each client toward Recovery. For some
clients, this may be the 12-Step Foundation; for others, our holistic
therapies may provide that extra level of support and inspiration that leads
to Recovery. The important thing is to keep moving forward, regardless
of which “wheel” is doing the pushing!
We use the most effective therapeutic modalities to promote wellness,
healing, and self-discovery within a safe community setting. This is
accomplished through a specialized blend of group, individual counseling and
educational programming.
Each client receives an individual assessment upon arrival to determine his
or her individual needs and level of care. After a new client has
acclimated to the facility’s environment, an individual treatment plan is
tailored to best aid in development of a sober lifestyle. Our clients must
become free not only of chemical dependencies, but must also address the
multitude of negative beliefs and behaviors at the core of the disease of
addiction.
As early as the development of the individualized treatment plan, we begin
to prepare for the client’s discharge – including the goals and milestones
that must be reached before discharge is advisable and recommended.
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Professional Track
We find that The Abbey is particularly well suited to Professionals with
chemical dependency issues – that is, attorneys, physicians (and other
healthcare professionals), corporate executives, pilots, government
officials, clergy, and anyone else who faces high levels of stress in their
lives.
We tailor our treatment to care for our clients with concern and respect.
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30-60-90 Day
Treatment Plans
Research and our own experience indicate that the longer a client can commit
to residential treatment, the greater the likelihood for successful
Recovery, with a decrease in the likelihood of relapse. There are
various reasons that a longer duration of treatment enhances effective
recovery, including the benefit of establishing healthy patterns of behavior
and even healing brain physiology.
Consequently, we suggest that clients commit to a 90-day treatment program.
To facilitate this commitment, we provide significant program fee savings
for clients who remain in residence for more than 30 days.
Because receiving treatment is the most important step in entering Recovery,
we also admit clients for as little as 30 days or even an intensive week or
two – but only where such treatment is appropriate for the client.
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12-Step Foundation
We see the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-Step Recovery program as the
fundamental methodology (that may be combined with other modalities) to
provide a support base for recovery from substance abuse behavioral health
disorders.
There are two chief reasons for our reliance on the 12-Step process: (1)
over the past 60 years, no other treatment philosophy has produced
successful results more reliably; and (2) because of the widespread network
of AA (and its associated meetings, sponsors, etc.) throughout the country,
clients who graduate from The Abbey are likely to find a tremendous support
system in the AA programs in their home communities.
The Abbey offers in-house and outside 12-Step meetings to clients throughout
treatment. This instills in our clients the important part that a
spiritual 12-Step program plays in long-term recovery of our clients. We
encourage all clients to work with a sponsor and to continue to work the
12-Steps after leaving treatment.
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Individual &
Group Counseling
Individual Counseling: Individual sessions are
important at The Abbey. We believe that the time between a client and his
or her primary counselor is vital to crafting and maintaining a successful
treatment plan. Individual counseling offers the client the personal
attention to detail that is so important to effective treatment. Each
client at The Abbey receives 2 sessions of individual counseling/therapy per
week. Some clients may want to include a family member or a partner in
sessions during their treatment. The Abbey offers couples and family
counseling as an additional service.
Group Counseling: The cornerstone of treatment
at The Abbey is our group counseling and group therapy sessions. Our
clients receive a minimum of 2 hours of group counseling or group therapy
every weekday. Our licensed or certified counselor/therapist provides
extensive support in creating a safe and supportive environment for clients
to explore their emotional and behavioral problems and gain feedback from
other clients going through similar experiences. Group counseling sessions
also offer a time for group members to present individual assignments that
are an integral part of the program.
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Dual
Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
It is extremely unusual for substance abuse or chemical dependency to occur
without the existence of psychological problems or other issues and
concerns.
In many cases, these “Co-Occurring Disorders” may be a root cause of the
addiction itself. This is why we focus not only on client’s addiction,
but also investigate the client’s entire psychological profile to provide as
much appropriate counseling and support as possible.
Some of the Co-Occurring Disorders we address include:
| Depression |
Anxiety |
Relationship Concerns |
| Excessive Stress |
Social
Discomfort/Phobia |
Intimacy Problems |
| Grief |
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder (OCD) |
Sexual Abuse |
| Trauma |
Anger Management |
Sexual Disorders |
| Mood Disorders |
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) |
Physical Abuse |
| Personality Disorders |
Bi-Polar Disorders |
Mental Abuse |
| Self Esteem Concerns |
Pain Management |
Gender-Specific Concerns |
If, for some reason, we are not qualified to address a client’s special
needs, we will assist him or her in finding the appropriate treatment.
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Holistic Therapies
We believe that treating the nature of substance abuse/dependency requires
taking a holistic approach to healing. We understand that for a program to
be a success it must be tailored to meet the specific problems and concerns
of the individual client.
These holistic therapies include:
| Cognitive Therapy
|
Yoga |
Art Therapy |
| Mindfulness &
Acceptance |
Tai Chi |
Music Therapy |
|
Meditation |
Massage |
Dance Therapy |
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
(for treating trauma-based problems) |
Acupuncture |
|
| Chiropractic Care |
|
| Stretching &
Breathing |
|
Of course, other critical holistic elements include
Exercise, Nutrition, and
Spirituality, which are described in more
detail on separate pages on our website.
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Family Counseling
The family program is very important to the successful outcome for many
suffering from chemical dependency. In most cases, substance abuse is a
family problem with its roots based in the way the family members
communicate with one another and what type of boundaries family member have
set with the person suffering from chemical dependency.
We believe that regardless whether the person suffering from chemical
dependency remains sober, the family must learn to understand the nature of
the disease of addiction and the behaviors, communications, and
interpersonal problems that perpetuate substance abuse.
Treatment at The Abbey offers an intense educational program, which teaches
how behavioral problems associated with substance abuse/dependency affects
the interpersonal dynamics of the family. We also identify the present
family system and work toward breaking through the defense mechanism that
have supported or enabled the destructive behaviors of the individual
suffering from addiction. Family programming also encourages the expression
of the painful emotions of feelings that may have been avoided or medicated
in the past. Effective communication is emphasized and the resolution of
past anger and resentment give way to hope and positive support for building
an honest and open relationship within a family or partnership. We also
offer opportunities for recognizing and maintaining healthy boundaries.
The family program offers educational sessions, group counseling, and
individual family therapy in an effort to increase the awareness of family
dynamics and how to create a healthy environment where family members are
encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings.
More information on our Family Program is available
on its own page on our website.
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Relapse Prevention
No treatment program can be successful without addressing the challenge of
relapse prevention. Relapses can certainly occur, and we train our
clients how to prepare for the temptations and indications of possible
relapse so that they may continue in their Recovery.
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Discharge & Aftercare
We begin to prepare for a client’s discharge (or “graduation”) from The
Abbey when we develop the initial treatment plan. By establishing
goals and milestones in conjunction with the client, we can keep focused on
the key steps necessary for effective Recovery.
Once a client graduates from The Abbey, we continue to participate in the
Recovery process, by staying in touch with the client and the client’s other
healthcare providers and even the client’s mentors and sponsors.
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Alumni & Mentoring
Our Abbey Alumni network has several functions.
First, it provides an opportunity for us to stay in contact with our
graduates, to track their progress and provide support in their Recovery.
Second, it gives our graduates the chance to return to The Abbey for various
tune-up functions.
Finally, it encourages our graduates to participate in the recovery of
others – whether by returning for mentoring opportunities at The Abbey or by
mentoring and sponsoring other persons who are entering Recovery.
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