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Iboga Blog
Iboga Blog
27th January 2021
The Addiction Treatment Industry: A Closer Look
The addiction treatment industry is full of committed professionals doing their best to help addicts escape from the nightmare of addiction. We would like to preface this post expressing our gratitude, love, and support for all of those remarkable individuals devoting their lives to the struggle against addiction. But as in any industry, there are a number of problematic trends, profit-motivated businesses, and self-serving individuals and institutions that are preying on the afflicted, and lining their pockets as their clients suffer. Today we’ll be taking a look at the major problems we see in the drug rehab industry.
The Costs
This problem is particularly pronounced in America, but it exists around the world. This recent Vox study explored the astronomical costs of treatment, telling the stories of families taken to the brink of financial ruin by their attempts to save a loved one. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in the US in 2018 concluded that approximately 314,000 Americans wanted and needed treatment in 2018, but were unable to afford it because they weren’t covered by insurance. Another study found that drug treatment services were over 10x more likely to be excluded from insurance plans than other medical services and that the disparity was growing larger.
Insurance companies have also done a poor job of selecting treatment providers within the rehab industry, often pushing clients to cheaper centers in Florida rather than more expensive facilities closer to home. An influential article published by the New Yorker last fall details the “Florida Shuffle”, a phenomenon where addicts are funneled into sober homes who profit from insurance payouts while offering minimal services beyond 12 Step meetings and urine tests. In fact, many of the treatment centers and sober homes in America were charging insurance companies up to $20,000 per month for the urinalysis of a single patient, while offering sub-standard care.
The New Yorker article tells of one such center, Good Decisions, operated by Kenneth Bailynson, who bought the Green Terrace Condominium complex and opened a urinalysis lab. As the New Yorker writes:
The Palm Beach Post reported that Bailynson turned Green Terrace into “an armed camp, where guards with guns made sure addicts did not leave.” At his detention hearing, Jim Hayes, the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, described Good Decisions as a “piss farm,” in business “only to harvest residents’ urine.”
Facilities like these often attempted to lure patients in with smartphones, gift cards, and free rent. Many of the sober homes and treatment centers in the existing rehab industry have condoned drug use on their premises, and confined patients against their will. As John Lehman of the Recovery Outcomes Institute noted, South Florida became “the relapse, rather than the recovery, capital of the world.
Enduring Questions
Because relapse is so common, facilities are subject to so little regulation, and the fact that we still have an incomplete understanding of the neurological processes that underlie addiction, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what treatments, or elements of treatment programs, work. As one analyst told Vox, There are 4,000 quality control measures for Medicare and Medicaid services in America. “There are none for addiction - zero.”
Shatterproof, an American organization dedicated to establishing national standards of care for addiction treatment is looking to change this reality. They’ve teamed up with many large insurers to try to “identify, reward, and promote” treatment providers who scrupulously follow the scientific evidence and provide a high standard of care. While cynics might speculate that this is the result of insurance companies losing lawsuits against the families of those victimized by the Florida Shuffle and insurance coverage that discriminates against the addicted (the case Wit vs. United Behavioral Health found the company guilty of wrongly rejecting 50,000 claims, and other lawsuits abound), the move toward national and even international standards is largely positive.
But the fact remains that studies of treatment outcomes are largely conducted by the facilities themselves. They generally rely on self-reporting from past clients, with no verification of claims of sobriety. And the treatment centers are incentivized to select data points, or even falsify data, in order to appear more attractive to potential clients. While Shatterproof aims to become similar to Yelp! and allow potential clients access to data from patients, insurance companies, and providers in order to accurately assess facilities, we’re a long way from having the information we need.
The Influence of Stigma
Because of the dangerous stigma which surrounds addiction, many promising treatments, and public health policies are neglected. Opioid replacement therapies, needle exchanges, safe injection sites, and promising alternative therapies like ayahuasca and ibogaine remain illegal in a host of jurisdictions. As the opioid crisis rages on, and more lives are lost to overdose every day, the stigma of addiction often prevents lawmakers from utilizing approaches that have been proven to save lives and experimenting with treatments that have the potential to win the war with addiction.
While the scientific evidence that addiction is a medical problem occurring in the brain has become overwhelming, people and governments in many countries around the world are stubbornly clinging to misguided moral notions that force us to battle addiction with one hand tied behind our backs. Can you imagine if potentially lifesaving cancer treatments were neglected, hospitals’ mortality rates went unrecorded, or those with hypertension were told that their inability to lower their blood pressure was a personal failing? Most of the problems we are experiencing in the rehab industry could be overcome if the public demanded that addiction be dealt with as a common health problem.
At Iboga Tree Healing House we are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our patients. We will continue to advocate against the stigma of addiction, and for the strictest possible standards in patient safety and quality of treatment. If you feel that you need a treatment center that is devoted to the health and well-being of its clients, get in touch with us today!
21st January 2021 • Sticky Post
Rehab in France: Why French Addicts Are Seeking Addiction Treatment Abroad
France’s drug problem is bad, and it has been getting worse. There are epidemics of heroin use, a flood of cocaine from South America, and the constant importation of hashish from nearby Morocco. In 2019, President Emmanuel Macron admitted that the country was losing the fight against drugs in neighborhoods such as Marseille’s notorious 14th District and Paris’ “banlieues.” As the opioid crisis rages on, increasing numbers of French people have been experimenting with and becoming addicted to, the same opioid-based pain pills that have devastated communities across the United States. People in France are dying almost every day from opioid overdoses, and the problem seems likely to grow worse in the new decade.
The banlieues, social housing projects in the suburbs of major cities, are a huge cause of concern. They’re plagued by violence, rampant drug use, and radical Islam, but France’s drug problem goes far deeper than the slums of Paris and Marseille. In fact, the country has some of the highest rates of drug use in the E.U., together with some of the strictest laws concerning drug use. France has continually resisted calls to modernize its drug policies, even while acknowledging the shortcomings of the status quo. If you’re investigating rehab in France looking for solutions and a sense of hope, turning your gaze abroad may seem like the wisest approach.
Why Portugal?
Addiction treatment in France: why french addicts are looking abroad
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction (much like France in the 1980s) when they made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm-reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as Canada Switzerland and Germany to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance-abuse problems.
France has embraced some of the principles of harm-reduction, particularly by implementing needle exchanges and a pilot project for supervised injection sites. But the country still relies on opioid replacement therapy, usually involving buprenorphine, as a way to treat opioid addiction. While buprenorphine can stabilize the lifestyles of addicts and prevent HIV and overdoses, it leaves those seeking treatment dependent on a narcotic substance and does little to address the issues underlying addiction. If you’re looking to truly defeat your addiction, buprenorphine probably isn’t the best option.
There are some publicly funded options for rehab in France, and there are also privately run residential treatment facilities in nearby Switzerland. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for those without substantial bank accounts, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates in the region can be as high as 77,000 USD per week! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded rehab in France, you need to be prepared for wait times spanning weeks, or even months, before being placed in an overcrowded and under-funded treatment facility. The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many addicts to the brink of despair.
In theory, seeking rehab in France will not put you at risk of stigma for being an addict in a society that views drug use very harshly. But if you’re living in a small community, word might still spread. If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate care, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in many French communities, particularly rural areas, and studies finding that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many small towns, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!
What Are The Benefits Of Treatment Abroad?
1) Environment
Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect in treatment, and Portugal is a great place to recover from the traumas related to addiction. It’s a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking and cycling. Many French visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare, all while feeling at home with a climate, culture, and society that is familiar enough to feel welcoming. All this, while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of rehab in France. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!
2) Privacy
While increasing numbers of people are coming to the understanding that addiction is a medical issue, there is still a significant social and professional stigma that comes with seeking treatment for substance abuse. If you head to Portugal, it’s easy to tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re off on a much-needed vacation and avoid awkward conversations and prying questions. There’s also no risk that someone will spot you emerging from a clinic or support group meeting and start whispering.
3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home
We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and ibogaine to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into sobriety. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in France (where the substance is completely illegal) can be accessed here with the supervision of health-care professionals.
4) Easy Intake
When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a life-saver. The prospect of waiting months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. Options for rehab in France are often underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of French addicts are pushed into less intensive outpatient treatment programs and buprenorphine maintenance. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!
Iboga Tree Healing House
At Iboga Tree Healing House, we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff. You’d be hard-pressed to find a rehab more committed to the safety of their clients than Iboga Tree Healing House. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.
In addition to offering iboga treatment, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten-hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive for new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our treatments in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
20th January 2021
Alternative Addiction Treatment: Why Governments are Embracing Change At Last
As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities, end lives, and subject individuals and families to the horrors of addiction, a tipping point has been reached. Everyone knows somebody who has been prescribed a powerful, prescription painkiller and struggled with dependence. This health crisis, coupled with changing social attitudes that de-stigmatize addicts and addiction, has sparked a move to push the afflicted away from criminal justice systems and toward health care and treatment. As we begin to examine addiction without the blinders of moral censure and the criminalization of those in its grasp, citizens and their governments are exploring bold new alternative addiction treatment options that have shown great promise in healing the addicted. Let’s examine the factors behind this trend, and what it means going forward.
Big Pharma
For years large, profitable, and seemingly respectable pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, McKesson, and Amerisource Bergen aggressively and misleadingly marketed addictive painkillers in spite of mounting evidence that the drugs were being abused. Communities were flooded with drugs such as OxyContin, and the effects were devastating. As legislators and the public realized the magnitude of the crisis, lawsuits mounted, PR firms scrambled, and treatment facilities were overwhelmed. One effect of the opioid crisis was a loss of trust in both drug manufacturers and the medical establishment, which elected to throw dangerous substances at the symptoms of pain, rather than addressing its root causes. This has led public health officials and addicts to move away from profitable, traditional treatments such as methadone, which create dependence and examine the problem of addiction with fresh eyes.
Neuroscience Breakthroughs
Over the past thirty years, our understanding of the nature of addiction has been fundamentally altered by technologies that give us access to the functioning of the addicted brain. We can now observe the neurological processes and genetic predispositions that feed addiction and create treatments that effectively put this information to use. We’ve learned that changes occur in the addicted brain which dramatically affect how addicts view reward and motivation, regulate emotion, and maintain (or fail to maintain) executive control.
As one researcher wrote of the changes that occur: “Most prominent are the disruptions of an individual's ability to prioritize behaviors that result in long-term benefit over those that provide short-term rewards and the increasing difficulty exerting control over these behaviors even when associated with catastrophic consequences.” Understanding the mental changes that addicts undergo is fundamental to creating alternative addiction treatment models that will rewire the brain, and allow those suffering from substance abuse disorders to return to themselves.
The Truth About Trauma
We’ve long known that trauma and addiction go hand in hand. As the physician and philosopher Gabor Mate has been preaching for years, addiction is often a response to pain and childhood trauma. Researchers at Harvard University have come to realize that Mate’s theories on the nature of addiction were worth exploring. Kerry J. Ressler, chief scientific officer at McLean Hospital and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School has been researching both the psychological and neurological effects of trauma and has found that an overwhelming majority of addicts have been traumatized. He claims his research proves that addiction is “a biological disease. We all have innate drives toward food, sex, and other novelties, but when you begin to abuse drugs, these drives become hijacked so that the normal drives are not nearly as rewarding anymore.”
Dr. Ressler’s research explored the links between addiction, trauma, the amygdala, and the orbitofrontal cortex, areas of the brain which regulate goal-oriented behavior and emotional regulation. He found that increased levels of a neuroplasticity protein, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), drive goal-oriented behavior. In contrast, stress or developmental trauma may lead to atrophy of the OFC neurotrophin systems, which in turn can lead to increased habitual behavior, such as drug-seeking.
It’s clear that reversing these changes in the brain’s functioning will be an important factor in developing alternative addiction treatment models and ultimately defeating addiction in the years to come.
Evolving Understanding
Changes in our understanding of addiction have gone hand in hand with society’s changing attitudes towards drugs. In many Western countries, Harm Reduction has supplanted the war on drugs, cannabis and psilocybin are increasingly being decriminalized, and forward-thinking societies have come to understand that treatment rather than prison is the appropriate response to excessive drug use.
Meanwhile, the potential of utilizing psychoactive substances medicinally has gone mainstream. Using marijuana and CBD to offset the effects of chemotherapy and glaucoma was just the tip of the iceberg. Best-selling authors like Michael Pollan and Tim Ferriss have realized that substances like ibogaine, ayahuasca, and psilocybin, all traditionally used as medicines around the world, have the potential to effectively treat a host of psychiatric ailments ranging from depression and anxiety to addiction. And even celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow are going on talk shows to discuss the incredible potential of psychedelics as medicine.
Scientific studies are confirming that psychedelics can aid the brain in creating neuroplasticity and manufacturing new neurons. Iboga has also been proven to restore dopamine receptors in the brain to a pre-addicted state, as well as dramatically lessening the symptoms of withdrawal for those in recovery. Other studies on ayahuasca and psilocybin in treating alcohol and drug addiction have shown that these substances have a beneficial effect on the neural pathways that influence habit, reward, and pleasure.
Change is Coming
As 2021 dawns, we expect all of the trends mentioned above to push governments and regulators towards action. As we’ve seen with the legalization of cannabis and same-sex marriage, changing social attitudes can prompt legislators to move quickly. As overdose death tolls mount and addiction continues to tear families and communities apart, we urge governments around the world to act quickly to adopt alternative addiction treatment approaches. Millions of lives are at stake, and every promising alternative addiction treatment option needs to be explored. If you or someone you know is ready to try an alternative treatment that we know saves lives, reach out to Iboga Tree Healing House today!
12th January 2021 • Sticky Post
Phones in Addiction Treatment: Why Rehabs Set Limits
It didn’t take us long, as individuals and as a society, to become incredibly dependent on our smartphones. From checking the weather and communicating with everyone we know, to watching TV, and even buying Christmas presents, smartphones have become central to modern life. We keenly feel their absence the second the battery dies. We reach for them as soon as we wake up in the morning. Yet most drug treatment centers either ban or severely limit their use (at Iboga Tree Healing House we allow clients to use phones in treatment for one hour every Saturday), much to the irritation, discomfort, and displeasure of their patients and guests. Let’s dive into the reasons why you shouldn’t be staring at that iPhone screen while in treatment, and why using your phone in rehab is a bad idea...
Maximizing Focus
The time you have while in a residential treatment facility is crucially important. You have a limited number of hours to work on the very serious issues that have brought you here. If you’re like the overwhelming majority of our clients, you have very serious issues to work on in order to emerge intact from the nightmare of substance abuse and addiction.
This means that your focus shouldn’t be on social media accounts, YouTube videos, or work email on phones in treatment. You need to devote yourself to rebuilding the physical and mental health that has suffered from your addiction. That requires you to be present, not distracted, as you deal with yourself and others. Whether you’re tasked with an hour of yoga, a detailed personal inventory, or a period of quiet reflection, if you’re not completely committed to the process of recovery, you’ll dramatically lower your chances for success.
If a rehab forbids an object or behavior, there’s likely a good reason behind the decision. Feel free to ask about it, but remember that you’re dealing with experienced professionals who are working hard to help you succeed. Your daily routine is mapped out with thought and care to maximize the benefits each therapy can provide. Whether you’re exercising, practicing mindfulness, sitting in a 12 Step meeting, or undergoing one-on-one therapy, your focus needs to be 100% on the task at hand, and distractions like using phones in treatment will make treatment much less effective.
Building Connection
As mentioned above, we allow our clients one hour each week to use their phones to catch up with the people they care about. Many treatment centers offer a land-line for clients to chat with and receive support from, friends and family. Support from your family is an incredible tool for beating addiction, and one that we wholeheartedly encourage our clients to take advantage of.
But for incoming patients, phones in treatment can have a number of negative effects. The first and most obvious is the temptation to call an old dealer, or a friend from when you were using, and ask them to bring you drugs. Obviously, this wasn’t your plan coming in, but triggers, cravings, and temptations can be too powerful to resist. Newly clean addicts are in an incredibly fragile state, and anything from bad news to a social media post could set off a negative reaction, which could put other clients at risk as well. In order to keep everyone under their care safe, it’s wise to eliminate any risk of substances being smuggled in, or someone else luring you out of rehab.
In addiction treatment, you have an opportunity to reflect on the nature of all of your relationships. If you’ve been living with addiction, we’d be willing to bet that a fair number of them are far from positive and healthy. Taking the time to reflect on who among your friends, family, and acquaintances deserves to be a part of your new life, and who is best left behind for the sake of your health, happiness, and safety is something you have the opportunity to do in treatment. Maintaining constant contact with everyone from your addicted life can be harmful to your well-being.
Mental Health
As you look to rebuild your physical and mental health in treatment, becoming less dependent on your phone is a great step to take. Studies have shown that excessive cell phone use is linked to a number of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. And the symptoms caused by cell phone addiction are especially pronounced in young people, according to a study on 20-24-year-olds conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Other studies have proven that excessive use of cell phones and social media sites increases the stress levels of their users, which also compromises their immune systems.
Treatment is also a time to break down your walls and build meaningful, sober connections with the people around you. It’s much easier to create relationships when you’re fully present and engaged with everything going on around you. Researchers at the University of Essex in the UK conducted multiple experiments on human interactions and concluded that the “results demonstrate that the presence of mobile phones can interfere with human relationships, an effect that is most clear when individuals are discussing personally meaningful topics.”
Let's Get Real
Your treatment center has thought long and hard about how you can best use the limited time available to you to best rebuild your physical and mental strength. Wasting time playing on a cell phone may be a pleasant way to kill an hour, but it’s not going to give you the tools and inner-strength needed to take on your addiction. Instead of directing your attention outward, take this time to focus on the changes that are occurring, and need to occur within yourself. Mindfulness practice, cultivating hobbies and interests, and tackling past traumas are worthwhile goals for this time. Playing Candy Crush and looking at your ex’s Instagram, not so much.
7th January 2021
Models of Therapy: Comparing / Contrasting
As our understanding of the mental processes that occur during addiction has evolved, so have our therapeutic approaches in treating this “dis-ease.” Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has become increasingly popular for dealing with addiction, to the point where it now rivals the 12-Step approach as the “go-to” treatment for many clinics and practitioners. But there are numerous other approaches out there, each with their own set of adherents and detractors. Let’s take a look at the models sparking debate in today’s recovery landscape.
12 Steps And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Since these are the two most well-known and frequently used therapeutic models in addiction therapy, we’ll begin by taking a look at how these approaches differ from each other, and whether they can be used in tandem.
One of the primary differences between the approaches is the “locus of control.” 12-Step models begin by pushing the addict to admit that they are “powerless” in the face of their addiction, while CBT is a method of self-help that aims to teach clients that they have the ability to regulate and control their own behaviors. The two attitudes are seemingly at odds, but as therapists at the Beck Institute note: “Patients sometimes ask us, “How can I take part in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy self-help if I have to admit to being powerless?” Our answer is that the “powerlessness” which they are acknowledging has to do with their prior behavioral and cognitive habits that were maintaining their problems with substances.” So while there is a philosophical difference between the two approaches, they can be reconciled.
Another seemingly large difference between the two methods is their guiding philosophies. The 12 Step program was initially inspired by the Oxford Group, a Christian organization which both Bill W. and Dr. Bob (the program’s founders) belonged to. As a result, spirituality is an essential component of the method, figuring prominently in the 12 Steps, 12 traditions, and Big Book. While strong efforts have been made to become inclusive of members of all faiths, agnostics, and even atheists, the spiritual component remains foundational to the movement. The 12 Step model is also based on the idea that addiction is a life-long condition without a cure, and that an addict will be an addict (hopefully in recovery) forever.
Meanwhile, CBT is based upon scientific principles rather than spiritual ones. It is meant to provide time-sensitive, practical solutions to a patient’s problems, whether with addiction, or any other disorder. It borrows components from a broad range of other therapeutic models but is essentially focused on identifying goals, and working towards them by recognizing and changing harmful patterns of thought and behavior. Simply put, the goal is to develop skills in recognizing what type of situation you’re in, moderating your thoughts and behaviors accordingly, and reacting in the way you desire. CBT models for treatment view addiction as an undesirable behavior that, when eliminated, is cured.
One final difference is the way each approach views harm reduction. The 12 Step model is based on absolute, life-long abstinence. Any slip in sobriety, even a single beer or joint, is viewed as a failure that puts the addict back to square one in treatment. CBT-based models, on the other hand, view their goal as allowing clients to lead healthier lives, and view any decrease in drug use or even a move to safer habits when using, as worthwhile goals and improvements which should be praised, and built upon.
While the differences in philosophy and approach are certainly significant, the two programs are certainly not irreconcilable. As one of our favorite precepts from the world of recovery states: “take what you need and leave the rest.” We’d guess that the majority of those in recovery have used elements of 12 Step programs and CBT in their journey to sobriety, and we’d recommend that you experiment with both and see what works for you.
SMART Recovery and The 12 Steps
Now that we’ve taken a look at the philosophical elements of both programs, let’s take a look at the differences in practice. The principles of CBT have inspired the SMART Recovery program, which can be either an alternative or a complement to 12-Step Programs. 12-Step meetings are led by peers and based on the principle of “sharing”, with participants offering their advice, experience, and struggles. In a 12-Step meeting, there is no “cross-talk”, meaning that you can’t comment on or criticize what someone else has shared. SMART Recovery meetings, on the other hand, are led by professional therapists or counselors, and cross-talk is allowed and encouraged. One powerful tool that the 12-Step model offers is the sponsor, someone who has been in recovery for a while and completed the steps, who provides advice, support, and fellowship with a newcomer. The sponsor is an extremely valuable resource for emotional support and they have proved crucially important for many recovering addicts and alcoholics.
The two approaches also differ in their conception of the addict’s journey to sobriety. In most 12-Step programs, individuals are encouraged to regularly go through the steps again. The idea that anyone in recovery is always in danger of relapse is common, hence the precept “too many years and not enough days,” which roughly means that an alcoholic or addict has become complacent, stopped actively practicing the steps, and relapsed. SMART Recovery, on the other hand, feels that those in recovery can become cured. As they write:
For many sincere participants there will come a time when attending our groups, or participating in our other services, is more in conflict with the pursuit of their life goals than enhancing them. Although these participants will always be welcome back if they want to come, this conflict signals that the time for graduation has arrived.
Other Alternatives
Existential Therapy
This form of therapy is based on the principles of existential philosophy as developed by thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Treatment focuses on identifying questions relating to the meaning of life, the responsibilities, and freedom individuals have to make choices, and the individual’s place in the universe and society. This method of treatment is probably more valuable to individuals who are already on their way in recovery and are looking to find meaning in their lives and make positive choices.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy is based on the goal of pushing the patient towards an understanding of the present based on their current reality, rather than preconceptions based on what has happened in the past. The goal is to eliminate negative thought patterns and build awareness of the control and responsibility individuals have over situations and emotions. Gestalt Therapy employs guided visualizations to promote self-awareness and personal ownership while emphasizing that recollections of the past are inherently unreliable. The guiding philosophy is that self-awareness in the present will result in more positive choices relating to physical and mental health. Gestalt Therapy is a good option for those looking to move on from past traumas.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic Therapy is a broad umbrella that contains a wide range of treatments that are generally personalized for the patient. These treatments are most effective as a complement to other forms of therapy, working to rebuild the overall well-being of those in recovery and also deal with the symptoms of withdrawal. Yoga, Tai Chi, mindfulness practice, art therapy, equine therapy, exercise, nutrition, breathwork, and music are all examples of holistic therapy. While the benefits of holistic therapy may seem peripheral to treating addiction, rebuilding overall health, learning to practice self-care, and creating positive patterns of behavior are all extremely important elements of learning to live a healthy and sober life.
Naikan Therapy
Naikan is the Japanese term for “looking inside” or “seeing oneself through the mind’s eye.” The therapy was pioneered by Ishin Yoshimoto, a devout Buddhist who sought to offer a more accessible opportunity for everyone to benefit from the arduous self-reflection demanded by many Buddhist sects.
Naikan is designed to allow us to investigate and gain perspective on our relationships with ourselves, the other people in our lives, and the nature of existence. It is focused on three fundamental questions that define interpersonal relationships:
What have I received from ______?
What have I given to ______?
What troubles and difficulties have I caused ______?
Naikan has proved useful for those dealing with addiction because it allows the patient to let go of resentments, a source of emotional pain that is particularly damaging for those dealing with addiction. Many of those who practice Naikan come to realize how much others have contributed to their lives and cultivate an invaluable sense of gratitude towards those around them.
Person-Centered Therapy
Person-centered therapy is a form of treatment where the client takes the lead, and the therapist acts as a “compassionate facilitator.” In this form of therapy, the therapist refrains from steering conversations and judging or interpreting what is said. They’re meant to exhibit empathy and encouragement while encouraging you to listen to yourself and take control of your own life. Their role is to simply guide you through the process of self-exploration, allowing you to draw your own conclusions and grow on your own. This form of therapy is recommended for highly motivated people, as well as people who struggle with trust and self-confidence issues.
Therapeutic Communities
Therapeutic communities are generally long-term residences (though outpatient options do exist) that aim to use fellowship and peer-support to combat addiction. There are many different forms of TCs, some catering to individuals with dual diagnosis, the LGBTQ+ community, adolescents, and various other issues and populations. TCs leverage the power of many, and as clients progress through them they often are given positions of responsibility and even employment. The approach taken at these facilities is often described as “community as method”, where active participation in a household, and the responsibilities of social life “drive individual change and the attainment of therapeutic goals.” Therapeutic communities are especially beneficial to young people, those with severe addiction problems, and at-risk groups. They have also proven effective at boosting participation in aftercare. However, the structured, regimented nature of life in TCs and the time commitment involved mean that they aren’t the right solution for everyone.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Trauma-informed therapy is a method developed by Dr. Stephanie Covington, among others, as a way to offer more effective treatment for health issues, particularly for women and girls. The American Department of Health and Human Services estimates that up to 99% of women in substance abuse treatment have suffered trauma, and both males and females who have suffered Adverse Childhood Experiences are far, far more likely to develop substance abuse issues. Trauma-informed therapy essentially entails that your treatment provider will have an awareness of how trauma reshapes the brain and alters responses to stressors, and uses that knowledge not to address the trauma, but its symptoms. Utilizing the strategies and techniques of trauma-informed therapy can be a game-changer in treating addiction, as it works to establish safety (defined as stability, adequate supports, and coping skills) before addressing serious issues and processing the roots of trauma. This approach minimizes the harms that can be caused by diving into painful memories and emotions before the patient has the coping skills to deal with them.
Next Steps
As you can see, there are myriad options for dealing with the pain which has driven your addiction, and the pain which your addiction has caused. We strongly recommend looking at all of them, and honestly assessing your personality and your needs before deciding on a course of treatment. Remember, there’s no harm in experimenting with different forms of therapy. If you have any questions about Naikan, kundalini yoga, or any of the other holistic options offered at Tabula Rasa Retreat, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
6th January 2021 • Sticky Post
High-Functioning Addicts: Why Professionals Succumb to Addiction
When we think about addiction, we generally tend to picture someone who has reached “rock bottom.” Society’s image of the addict is generally a person whose affliction has taken everything away from them. Broken families, financial ruin, powerlessness, and homelessness are often the default image our minds conjure up when addiction and addicts are under discussion. But in reality, addicts exist in all walks of life, and their circumstances can be radically different from those we’ve mentioned. Our reflexive reaction to the word “addiction” is a result of the severe stigma that surrounds this health problem and is often a barrier to treatment for those who need it most. For "high-functioning addicts", the refusal to admit the severity of the problem can often exacerbate it. That’s why we’re taking a look at the unique challenges high-functioning, successful professionals with addictions face when they need help.
Denial
For many professionals, their identity as an individual is subsumed by their career. Your job may necessitate keeping your personal opinions, feelings, and fears to yourself. And these long-held habits can be a huge barrier to admitting to yourself or those around you that you have a problem and need help with solving it. For people in high-stress jobs who are used to facing significant challenges and dealing with heavy responsibilities, admitting that you’re powerless in the face of addiction is often the most difficult step to take.
Stress
In today’s society, it’s easy to become a workaholic. Smartphones and breakthroughs in communications technology can make it seem like you never really have time off. Many professionals begin to misuse substances as a way to de-stress, often self-medicating in order to fall asleep or blow off steam. But as an addiction develops, the tension of attempting to manage an unmanageable condition while also navigating difficult and exhausting situations at work can lead you into a downward spiral where both causes of stress feed off of each other.
Fear of Professional Disgrace
Doctors, lawyers, and those in the finance industry all have wide circles of acquaintance, and all of their jobs are built on maintaining the trust of their clients. When individuals working in these areas develop problems with substance abuse, they begin to live in fear of discovery, and a sense of living in isolation with a secret generally becomes pronounced. Even mentioning words like “treatment” and “addiction” to colleagues, clients, or supervisors could come with serious professional consequences. As a result, many high-functioning people working in prestigious jobs tend to suffer in silence until their situation becomes critical. In spite of their ample resources, professionals, like the vast majority of those suffering from substance abuse disorders, are highly unlikely to receive the treatment they need.
No Time For Self-Care
People in demanding industries and professions often have a lot of difficulty taking the time that their bodies and minds need to stay healthy. When you’re looking to break free from dependence on a substance, you’ll need time to allow yourself to heal and develop the strategies and skills needed to make recovery last. It’s crucial to remember that if you are a high-functioning person in need of physical, psychological, or spiritual care to deal with a substance use disorder, delaying treatment is almost certain to exacerbate the problem. There are options out there that can work for you, regardless of how busy your schedule is.
Burnout
Demanding schedules, the difficulties of managing other people, tension-filled situations, and a sense of fatigue all lead many high-powered people to burn-out in their careers. And vulnerability to substance abuse is one of the symptoms of this condition. If you’re suffering from burnout (common symptoms are exhaustion, a compromised immune system, depression, insomnia, and a sense of isolation) you may want to factor that in when evaluating your treatment options. It’s important to ask yourself whether substance misuse is the problem or merely a symptom. You may be in need of a facility that has experience and expertise in treating both conditions.
Find Solutions That Work For You!
One of the options you should consider is an Executive Rehab Center. These facilities are designed for high-functioning addicts and alcoholics to receive the treatment they need in a setting that allows them to experience a minimum of disruption in their professional lives. Many facilities offer amenities like conference rooms, access to computers, travel support, and firm commitments to maintaining privacy which is often vitally important to clients. They’ll be willing to work your commitments and professional needs into a custom treatment plan that allows you to stay in good standing at work while dealing with your issues. These treatment centers also generally offer a more luxurious experience than you would encounter at a run of the mill treatment center, often including swimming pools, exercise facilities, and catered meals as well as a more flexible schedule. They also tend to offer comprehensive out-patient services that could offer the support you need.
Many highly successful people with addiction issues opt to receive treatment abroad. One of the main reasons for this is the guarantee of privacy. You run little risk of running into someone you know from your professional life and are all but guaranteed to keep your personal life private. You also can tell your colleagues, clients, and supervisors that you’re taking a much-needed vacation, rather than dealing with a personal issue. In many instances, taking a break from the stresses which have led you into dependence on a substance will have a hugely beneficial effect on your attitude in treatment and the outcomes you achieve. Furthermore, you may gain access to some treatments, such as ibogaine therapy or NAD+, which may not be available in your home country.
High-functioning addicts face unique obstacles in treating their addiction issues, but they also have access to a broad range of facilities and services based on their financial resources, comprehensive insurance plans, and personal connections. If you’re looking for a way to end your addiction, we’d recommend spending the time to look at all of the treatment options that are available and reflecting on your individual needs. If you have any questions about our methods, services, or treatments, feel free to get in touch today!
4th January 2021
Rehab in Spain: Why Spanish Addicts Are Heading Abroad For Treatment
Spain’s drug problems have come in waves, and epidemics of heroin use, a flood of cocaine from South America, and the constant importation of hashish from nearby Morocco ensure that the country always has a steady supply of drugs. As the opioid crisis rages on, increasing numbers of Spaniards have been experimenting with and becoming addicted to, the same opioid-based pain pills that have devastated communities across the United States. Spain’s death rates from opioid-related overdoses have increased significantly over the past decade, and many experts fear that the problem is growing exponentially worse.
Spain’s rate of cocaine use overtook the USA a decade ago and remains very high, with an estimated 3% of adults in the country using the substance. In spite of the government’s record-breaking number of seizures, the country’s rugged 3000 km long coast makes it Europe’s gateway for smuggled cocaine from South America. Mexican cartels have long used Spain as the first stop on the journey of their products across Europe.
A recent Guardian article also highlighted the problems caused by “narcopisos,” apartments left vacant following the nation’s property crash, which have been overrun with drug dealers and users. In neighborhoods like Barcelona’s El Raval district, residents have seen their lives and communities turned upside down by rampant drug use and the problems it brings. According to the newspaper, “dealers use apps to help customers find the flats where drugs are available. They also tie colored cloths to balconies to signal availability: white for heroin available, blue meaning they are under police surveillance, and red for out of stock.”
The economic crisis has exacerbated Spain’s drug problem while draining the funding needed for measures to combat addiction. According to the head of a Madrid resident’s association, “you have to ask yourself what’s happened to all the preventative resources that existed in Madrid? They basically had the plug pulled during the economic crisis.” 39% of those entering treatment in Spain are primarily cocaine users, while 24% of those seeking to battle their addictions are habitual heroin users. And while the various levels of government support rehab in Spain, thanks to the economic crisis, funding has remained flat, raising wait times and leaving the average rehab in Spain overflowing with clients. If you’re a drug addict in Spain looking for solutions and a sense of hope, turning your gaze abroad may seem like the wisest approach.
Why Portugal?
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction (much like Spain’s heroin problem in the 1980s) when they made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm-reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as France, Switzerland, and Germany to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance-abuse problems.
Spain has embraced some of the principles of harm-reduction, particularly removing the threat of jail for drug possession. But the country still depends heavily on opioid replacement therapy, primarily using methadone, as a way to treat opioid addiction. While methadone can stabilize the lifestyles of addicts and prevent HIV, it leaves those seeking rehab in Spain dependent on a narcotic substance and does little to address the issues underlying addiction. If you’re looking to truly defeat your addiction, methadone likely isn’t the best option.
Some publicly funded options for rehab in Spain are available, and there are also privately run residential treatment facilities. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for Spaniards without substantial bank accounts, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates rising as high as 50,000 Euros per month! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded facility, you need to be prepared for wait times spanning weeks, or even months, before being placed in an overcrowded and under-funded treatment facility. The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many addicts to the brink of despair.
In theory, seeking treatment at a rehab in Spain not put you at risk of stigma for being an addict in a society that views drug use very harshly. But if you’re living in a small community, word might still spread. If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate care, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in many Spanish communities, with studies finding that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many small towns, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!
What Are The Benefits Of Treatment Abroad?
1)
Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect on treatment, and Portugal is a great place to recover from the traumas related to addiction. It’s a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking, and cycling. Many Spanish visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare, all while feeling at home with a climate, culture, and society that is familiar enough to feel welcome. All this, while enjoying a spain rehab center facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of treatment back home. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!
2) Privacy
While increasing numbers of people are coming to the understanding that addiction is a medical issue, there is still a significant social and professional stigma that comes with seeking treatment for substance abuse. If you head to Portugal, it’s easy to tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re off on a much-needed vacation and avoid awkward conversations and prying questions. There’s also no risk that someone will spot you emerging from a clinic or support group meeting and start whispering.
3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home
We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and iboga to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into sobriety. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in Spain (due to their somewhat murky legal status) can be accessed here with the supervision of health-care professionals.
4) Easy Intake
When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a lifesaver. The prospect of waiting months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. Options for rehab in Spain are often underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of Spanish addicts are pushed into less intensive outpatient treatment programs and methadone maintenance. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!
Iboga Tree Healing House
At Iboga Tree Healing House we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff. You’d be hard-pressed to find a treatment center more committed to the safety of their clients than Iboga Tree Healing House. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.
In addition to offering iboga therapy, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive to new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our treatments in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
31st December 2020 • Sticky Post
Personal Inventory: Taking Stock for the New Year
If you have any experience with recovery, you’re probably already familiar with the concept of a personal inventory. The Big Book used by Alcoholics Anonymous describes Step 4 as “a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” But even if you aren’t in a 12 Step Program, tackling a personal inventory should still be a component of your recovery program.
Everyone makes mistakes in life, and everyone is wronged by others. For most addicts, the severity and number of these transgressions are compounded by a lifestyle that’s almost certain to lead to trauma, stress, and dishonesty. A personal inventory is a great tool for examining the effects of the harm done and moving beyond it into a happy, healthy, and sober life.
Facing The Facts
The life of an addict can be a blur, and many people in recovery are just beginning to confront the reality of their own actions and behaviors. It is common to dwell on negative emotions, past trauma, and family dynamics to justify addiction and to minimize our own roles in poisoning relationships and creating problems in our lives and the lives of those around us. One of the most essential benefits those in recovery receive from a personal inventory is the ability to examine and evaluate their own actions without shifting blame, justifying past misdeeds, and becoming bogged down in negative emotions. Addicts and alcoholics necessarily spend years lying to themselves and those around them about the nature, depth, and symptoms of their condition. As you begin to scrupulously examine the facts of your life, you’ll find that the reality of your life and relationships are significantly different from the stories you’ve been telling yourself and those around you. This is a key reason why personal inventories are so essential to recovery.
Fears, Resentment, and Forgiveness
The Big Book suggests that when embarking on the fact-finding stage of the enterprise, you create four columns to list all relevant information on your resentments, fears, sexual conduct, and harm caused to other people. When reflecting on resentments, we should focus on ways to move past anger and forgive those who have caused hurt. By embracing forgiveness and giving others the benefit of the doubt, you can let go of negative emotions that push you towards destructive actions. The 12 Step model lists resentment as the most serious character flaw for alcoholics and addicts, and learning to view the actions of those around you with understanding and compassion is one of the secrets to living a happy life.
At Iboga Tree Healing House, we have found that Naikan Therapy is a powerful tool for moving past resentment and cultivating a sense of gratitude in life. Naikan therapy focuses on reflecting upon your relationships: what you’re offering to and taking from the people around you every day. It has helped our clients move beyond resentment and into a positive outlook on their relationships with loved ones. We’d recommend this treatment as a complement to your personal inventory.
As you progress into examining the harm that you have caused others, it’s important to get specific. You want to address the exact nature of your own wrongs, and the motivation which caused you to hurt those around you. When you’re tackling this part of the process, it’s important to be very careful not to justify or minimize any of your own actions. You should be reflecting on all of your relationships at this stage in the process, in order to create a full accounting of the damage your addiction has caused, and prepare you to begin healing and repairing that damage.
Fears are important because they can often lead us to damaging behavior. They also lead to secrecy, dishonesty, and feelings of inadequacy. Addressing them head-on is a necessary step towards dealing with your own character flaws and changing yourself for the better. While it’s unlikely that you’ll completely conquer every fear you have, learning to respond positively to the feeling of fear will be a great help on your recovery journey.
Let's get emotional
The process of undergoing a personal inventory will also lead you to explore your own emotional development and the ways in which addiction has stunted it. As you undergo the process and unearth painful memories, you’ll get to know which emotions you’re comfortable with experiencing, and which ones you tend to avoid feeling or expressing. Avoiding unpleasant emotions is one of the primary reasons why people turn to substances, and developing a level of comfort and familiarity with your feelings will help you to maintain sobriety.
One tip that many people familiar with personal inventory tend to offer is to begin by creating a list of people, businesses, ideas, principles, situations, and institutions that have played a meaningful role in your life. As you work through the list, think about your memories, and the thoughts and feelings you associate with each. As you examine your own reactions and the emotions which are triggered, you will quickly realize (based on the intensity of your reactions) what you’ll need to focus on as you create an inventory.
What you'll get out of your personal inventory
A well-run business regularly checks its inventory to see what it has. Is a supermarket dangerously low on milk? Does the pharmacy have medications that are about to expire? You’re looking to reach a similar goal within your own brain. What do you have inside yourself that is holding you back and causing you pain? What are your untapped resources and sources of strength? Are you carrying far too many negative emotions and memories into every situation you find yourself in? Do you have an urgent need for emotional support or self-esteem? What can you draw motivation and will-power from when you’re feeling low?
A personal inventory is an integral part of the recovery process because it leads you to discover the truth about yourself and your life. It can help you finally get rid of the false narratives, negative emotions, and counter-productive decision-making processes that trapped you in addiction. It will let you know what relationships need to be repaired and guide you into making amends with those you’ve hurt. It will help you grow. It will help you learn.
It's just worth doing.
24th December 2020 • Sticky Post
10 Clean and Sober Rock Stars to Ring in the New Year With
We tend to associate musicians with the “rock star lifestyle.” For years, the stereotype has been that popular musicians are partying all of the time and that their lifestyles of excess are fuel for the creative fires that give us the songs we adore. But many musicians have experienced the dark side of addiction, come out from under its cloud, and created amazing music without the psychoactive substances that we think of upon hearing the phrase “sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll.” Let’s take a look at 10 amazing stories of clean and sober rockstars still living the life.
1) Elton John
The Rocketman will complete 30 years of sobriety this July, after decades of reliance on cocaine and alcohol. Sir Elton has stated that he was “consumed by cocaine, booze, and who knows what else.” He began using the drug as a way to battle his shyness and open up to others but ended up spending weeks at a time isolated in hotel rooms, alone with his addiction. He cites a 1990 encounter with a teen who had contracted AIDS from a transfusion of tainted blood as the life-changing experience which led him to sobriety. As he puts it “I knew that I had to change. And after he died, I realized that I only had two choices: I was either going to die or I was going to live, and which one did I want to do? And then I said those words, 'I'll get help,' or, 'I need help. I'll get help.' And my life turned around.”
2) Eminem
The controversial Detroit rapper began his career with songs that promoted drug use, but an addiction to powerful opioid painkillers changed his tune. A 2007 overdose put him in the hospital and forced him to take a long look at his life. His weight had ballooned, and his career and life were suffering from his reliance on pain pills. The rapper had some struggles with rehab, claiming that it was difficult to feel anonymous and honestly explore emotions as those around him stared. He has said that “people at rehab were stealing my hats and pens and notebooks and asking for autographs. I couldn’t concentrate on my problem.” But he persevered and beat his addiction with the help of frequent exercise and a private counselor. He’ll be 12 years sober this April.
3) Steven Tyler
The Aerosmith frontman is currently 9 years into his fourth “run” of sobriety, reminding us that for many addicts relapse is a part of the recovery process and not a cause for shame. Tyler worried that his creativity would be impacted by sobriety noting that “When you’re high and you create something out of thin air, and the whole world is singing your f***ing song that you wrote stoned, it’s hard to think that getting high wasn’t the reason that all that happened. But I’d get so high that I couldn’t be creative anymore.” Tyler claims he doesn’t regret his wild years but notes that substance abuse “ takes you down. There’s nothing but jail, insanity or death.”
4) Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey began drinking every day as a teenager, which led her parents to enroll her in a boarding school, where she continued to drink and experiment with other drugs. A stint in a residential treatment facility turned her life around, and she now has over 16 years of sobriety under her belt. As she states “at first it’s fine and you think you have a dark side, it’s exciting, but then you realize the dark side wins every time if you indulge it.”
5) Tyler, The Creator
While many older artists cite the influence of drugs in unlocking their creativity, the endlessly provocative, genre-bending, Grammy-winning artist Tyler, The Creator is evidence that edgy, dark, and creative music can be made while sober. Tyler identifies as “straight-edge” and has shared his opinions on the topic of drugs fueling creativity, tweeting: “if weed made people so creative why does everyone suck? That sh*t is not my thing, not knocking anyone who drink smoke or do whatever but some people like being in control of their head 100 percent.”
6) Vince Staples
Another rapper who defies the stereotype of the hard-partying artist is Vince Staples. Staples grew up in difficult circumstances in Long Beach California, surrounded by violence, and with a father who was an addict. He notes that “I never had time to think about whether my father’s addiction issues led to me not doing drugs because I was too busy trying to cope with the reality of people dying and people trying to kill me.” In his quotes on addiction and pain, he echoes addictions expert Dr. Gabor Mate on the idea of living with pain: “People use drugs as a coping mechanism, and I’ve always held that reality. Reality hurts, but so does addiction—it’s just which pain you choose. That’s the reality of my situation.”
7) Eric Clapton
After years of abusing alcohol and a variety of drugs, Eric Clapton finally achieved lasting sobriety following the birth of his son Conor in 1986. When his son tragically died a few years later, his experiences in recovery helped him to cope with the monumental loss, and the memory of his son inspired his commitment to sobriety, and one of his greatest songs, “Tears In Heaven.” He wrote that “the year 1991 was horrendous on the face of it, but some precious seeds were sown. My recovery from alcoholism had taken on a new meaning. Staying sober really was the most important thing in my life now and had given me direction when I thought I had none.”
8) Calvin Harris
While most of us associate EDM with a hard-partying lifestyle, Calvin Harris, one of the genre’s most successful musicians, has opted for sobriety and health. He used to drink two bottles of Jack Daniel’s a night, but in 2014 he stopped drinking for the sake of his health and reports that his problems with arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) have disappeared.
9) Trey Anastasio
As the lead singer of the immensely popular jam-band Phish, Trey Anastasio spent years composing anthems that encouraged and celebrated drug use. But the singer developed a severe case of opioid addiction in the ‘00s which left his career, health, and self-esteem reeling. An arrest for narcotics possession in 2007 led him to sobriety: “When I got arrested, I was very sick and I was in the process of losing everything that was dear to me. I had not played a show for two years and was out of communication with the guys in Phish. I was very sick and skinny and crazy and mean. It hurts my head to talk about this stuff, but it’s true.” Anastasio has been sober since 2007, but the struggle to find his footing again has been real: “It’s taken years—and it will probably be a lifetime—of unraveling how far I had strayed from my inner compass.” But he has found the inspiration and energy to make music and embrace life once more.
10) Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr suffered from alcohol addiction so severe that he estimates he was drinking 16 bottles of brandy a day at times, and refusing to leave his LA house because he would have to abstain from drinking while in the car. He eventually checked into rehab when he felt that he couldn’t stop drinking on his own, and he has been happy and healthy for over 30 years, making music with his “All Starr Band.”
If there’s one thing that these musicians can teach those of us in recovery, it’s that creative energy doesn’t come from the substances we imbibe or inject, but from within. The idea of creating while sober terrified many of these stars, but as substances robbed them of their powers, they began to understand just how harmful addiction could be. If you feel like you need help to rediscover your energy, creativity, and even yourself, get in touch with Tabula Rasa Retreat today!
22nd December 2020 • Sticky Post
Recovery Christmas: Dealing With Family Issues
A Recovery Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of the year for those with addiction issues. The stresses of maintaining sobriety are compounded by emotionally fraught encounters, busy schedules, and sky-high expectations. And for many, family situations are the greatest stressor by a mile. If you’re in recovery, your family life has probably been complicated by your past actions, and while family members can be life-saving sources of love and support, your relations can also cause a great deal of emotional pain, and push you into very negative places. To make sure that your recovery Christmas is safe and happy, here’s our guide for dealing with difficult family members this month.
Get Out of the Problem and Into the Solution
If you’ve completed a treatment program, you’ve probably already done your best to begin making amends. If you are still in the very early stages of recovery, the holiday season is a great time to start exploring ways to heal the pain you’ve caused and rebuild relationships that have suffered. It’s entirely possible, and fair, that some family members might still hold grudges or express distrust and disappointment, depending on the extent of your past misdeeds. Remember that it will take time for these people to acknowledge and accept that you have changed. You need to try to show the depth of your commitment to becoming a better person.
It’s perfectly normal for some family members to maintain resentments for some time after your addiction ends. It’s important that you take responsibility for your actions, acknowledge their feelings, and take any steps you can to heal the pain you’ve caused. But it is also fundamental that you recognize when their actions are unreasonable, unkind, and intended to cause pain. Just because you’ve made mistakes doesn’t mean that you deserve to be a punching bag for toxic and emotionally unstable relations.
Mindfulness and Naikan Therapy can be great ways to establish a solid foundation for positive interactions. As Dr. Mike Dow, bestselling author and psychotherapist noted in a recent New York Times article, in situations like this, “your heart rate doesn’t lie.” He recommends monitoring your physical responses to your environment and using yoga, mindfulness exercises, or a long walk to calm down in order to build up “emotional resilience” in tough situations like a recovery Christmas.
Naikan, a Japanese therapy that uses techniques from Buddhist meditation to explore the true nature of our relationships and cultivate a sense of gratitude, can also be very helpful. Reflecting on what your family has done to help and support you throughout your life can allow you to enter fraught situations with a positive attitude, to forgive and let go of resentment, and to view and understand the behavior of your relatives in a new light. In many cases, you’ll find that what is sometimes seen as criticism may be an expression of love and concern and that your relatives truly want what is best for you.
Self-Care Steps for Times of Family Stryfe
1) Recognize Reality And Set Boundaries
If someone in your family is mean-spirited, negative, gossipy, or cruel you shouldn’t make excuses for them. Be honest with yourself and them about how their actions affect others. Set inviolable boundaries for how you will and won’t allow yourself to be treated, and what behavior you simply cannot be around during your recovery Christmas.
2) Establish Rules
If your sobriety depends on certain conditions, discuss establishing rules surrounding them for family gatherings. If some topics need to be off-limits to maintain a positive and friendly environment, try to reach an agreement on this beforehand. It will help you avoid contentious situations, and minimize drama. If you’re not ready to be around excessive drinking or drug use, firmly establish this before your gathering, and allow those who insist on engaging in these behaviors the opportunity to make other plans. Any family member who truly cares about your health and happiness will be willing to accept that the sacrifice is worth it.
3) Remember: You Aren’t A Therapist
It might be tempting to put your recovery experience to use within your family. Whether confronting someone about harmful actions, pushing someone towards therapy or treatment, or trying to mediate a simmering conflict. These are all worthwhile goals, but you need to recognize that a family gathering isn’t the time to accomplish them. You aren’t responsible for someone else’s happiness, or for making their Christmas magical. Maintain a positive attitude, praise the cooking, and wash a dish or two. But postpone solving the problems of your loved ones until you’re in a setting conducive to a long, serious talk.
4) Sometimes Walking Away is the Only Way
This Psychology Today article lists a series of behaviors and attitudes typically associated with toxic personalities. It includes irresponsibility in speech and actions that cause pain to others, a hair-trigger temper and outbursts of disproportionately intense anger, a need to be the center of attention, the refusal to let go of grievances, and a tendency to leave others feeling anxious, troubled, and tormented.
If someone in your family is this damaging to your sense of mental well-being, it may be time to consider avoiding them altogether. You need to exercise self-care and ensure that you are equipped to successfully battle your addiction. You are under no social or familial obligation to allow yourself to be victimized, and you have every right to prioritize your long-term mental and physical health above the needs of a toxic relative. Your family members had the right to demand that you seek help and treatment for the affliction you were battling, and to cut you off if you refused. You shouldn’t be afraid to make the same demands when confronted with someone suffering from an emotional disorder.
The holidays are one of the most difficult times of the year for those fighting addiction. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Iboga Tree Healing House today!
