Recovery Archives - South Florida Drug Rehabilitation | Simple Path Recovery

The Role of EMDR Therapy in Drug Rehab and Long-Term Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:40:46 +0000

Addiction rarely exists in a vacuum. For many people entering drug rehab, substance use is not the core problem but rather a response to unresolved trauma, chronic stress, or painful life experiences that were never fully processed. Over the last decade, addiction treatment has continued to shift toward trauma-informed care, and one therapy has become especially valuable in that shift: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly known as EMDR.

Originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, EMDR therapy is now widely used in drug rehab settings to help individuals address the emotional roots of addiction, reduce relapse risk, and build a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer trigger overwhelming emotional or physical responses. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require clients to repeatedly describe traumatic events in detail. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation, often guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, while the client focuses briefly on a memory.

This process allows the brain to refile painful experiences in a healthier way. The memory remains, but the emotional charge attached to it is reduced. Over time, triggers lose their intensity, negative beliefs soften, and clients gain more emotional stability.

EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol that includes history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation of healthier beliefs, body scanning, closure, and reevaluation. This structured approach makes EMDR both safe and adaptable for use in drug rehab programs.

Why Trauma Matters in Drug Rehab

A significant percentage of people seeking drug rehab have a history of trauma. This may include childhood neglect, abuse, accidents, violence, military combat, medical trauma, or long-term emotional stress. When trauma goes untreated, substances often become a way to cope with intrusive memories, anxiety, emotional numbness, or shame.

Without addressing these underlying issues, relapse risk remains high. EMDR helps bridge this gap by treating the emotional wounds that fuel addictive behaviors rather than focusing only on substance use itself.

How EMDR Supports Recovery in Drug Rehab

Addressing the Root Causes of Substance Use

One of the most powerful benefits of EMDR in drug rehab is its ability to uncover and process the experiences that led to substance use in the first place. Many clients can identify when their drug or alcohol use escalated, but not why. EMDR helps connect those patterns to unresolved memories and beliefs.

As trauma is processed, clients often report fewer urges to escape or numb themselves. Recovery begins to feel less like constant resistance and more like genuine healing.

Reducing Triggers and Cravings

Triggers are not just external situations. They are often internal reactions tied to past experiences. Stress, conflict, rejection, or even success can activate emotional responses that once led to substance use.

EMDR helps desensitize these triggers by reprocessing the memories and emotional associations behind them. As a result, cravings tend to decrease in frequency and intensity, making sobriety more sustainable over time.

Improving Emotional Regulation

Emotional dysregulation is common in early recovery. Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and emotional numbness can make day-to-day life feel overwhelming. EMDR supports the nervous system by helping the brain process unresolved stress and trauma.

As emotional regulation improves, clients gain greater control over their reactions. This makes it easier to handle discomfort without reverting to old coping mechanisms, which is a critical skill in drug rehab and beyond.

Rebuilding Self-Worth and Identity

Addiction often leaves individuals with deeply ingrained negative beliefs about themselves. Thoughts like “I am broken,” “I am weak,” or “I will always fail” are common and can quietly undermine recovery efforts.

EMDR directly targets these beliefs. Through the reprocessing of past experiences, healthier and more accurate self-perceptions begin to take hold. Clients often report increased self-compassion, confidence, and a renewed sense of identity separate from addiction.

EMDR as Part of a Comprehensive Drug Rehab Program

EMDR is not a standalone solution, nor is it meant to replace other forms of therapy. Its strength lies in how well it integrates with comprehensive drug rehab programs that include individual counseling, group therapy, medical support, and relapse prevention planning.

When combined with therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and experiential or holistic approaches, EMDR helps create a well-rounded treatment experience. Cognitive therapies address present-day thought patterns, while EMDR works on unresolved emotional material stored in the nervous system.

This combination allows clients to understand their behaviors intellectually while also healing them emotionally.

Research Supporting EMDR in Addiction Treatment

Over the past several years, research has continued to support the use of EMDR in addiction treatment settings. Studies have shown that EMDR can reduce PTSD symptoms, lower relapse rates, and decrease substance cravings when used alongside standard drug rehab care.

Clinical observations also indicate that clients who process trauma during treatment often engage more fully in recovery, remain in treatment longer, and experience improved emotional resilience after discharge.

While research continues to evolve, EMDR is now widely recognized as a valuable component of trauma-informed drug rehab programs.

Who Is a Good Candidate for EMDR in Drug Rehab?

Not every client begins EMDR immediately upon entering treatment. Stabilization always comes first. Once a client has developed basic coping skills and emotional safety, EMDR can be introduced gradually and thoughtfully.

EMDR can be effective for individuals with substance use disorders who also struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, or chronic stress. A trained clinician will assess readiness and tailor the approach to each individual’s needs.

EMDR and Long-Term Recovery

Recovery does not end when drug rehab is completed. The goal is long-term emotional health, stability, and resilience. By addressing trauma at its source, EMDR helps reduce the likelihood of unresolved issues resurfacing later as relapse triggers.

Clients who complete EMDR often report feeling more grounded, emotionally present, and capable of handling life’s challenges without returning to substances. This sense of internal stability is one of the most meaningful predictors of sustained recovery.

A Trauma-Informed Path Forward

Modern drug rehab is no longer about willpower alone. It is about understanding the human nervous system, honoring lived experiences, and providing tools that support real healing. EMDR represents a powerful step forward in this evolution.

By helping individuals process the experiences that shaped their addiction, EMDR allows recovery to move beyond symptom management and into genuine transformation.

For those seeking drug rehab that addresses both substance use and the deeper emotional roots beneath it, trauma-informed therapies like EMDR can make all the difference.

About the Author
Matthew Mojave is a member of the Simple Path Recovery team and contributes educational content focused on mental health, addiction recovery, and overall wellness for individuals and families seeking support.

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Alcohol is a Substance

Matthew Koenig — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:04:41 +0000

Is alcohol a substance? To answer this query, another question must be asked: Does the substance alter your mood? Alcohol is a depressant that quickly changes the central nervous system. When people drink alcohol, their physical and cognitive functions become compromised. In fact, it is the oldest and most widely abused substance on the planet.

As drinking increases, most start to experience tremors, rapid pulse, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, sweating, and nausea. Simple Path Recovery helps many people overcome their addiction to alcohol. If you are struggling with alcoholism, our treatment programs can help you get sober and stay that way.

Story of Alcohol

The history of alcohol goes a long way back. The first archeologic proof is dated to 7000 BC. Interestingly enough, alcohol has played a key role in the survival of early people. Why? The process of fermentation preserves and improves the dietary value of drinks and food. Once this discovery was made, alcohol became a commodity for trade and protected the health of the wealthy. Those on poverty levels drank water that could be easily contaminated from unsanitary conditions which spread disease.

When Drinking Goes Beyond Socializing

How would you describe your drinking routine? Maybe it’s hanging out with friends and having a good time. However, when people think of alcoholics most conjure up stereotypes that do not quite fit your picture of an alcoholic. For example, a wino sitting outside drinking out of a paper bag. Alcoholism manifests itself in so many ways. You might only struggle to control your drinking and not consider yourself truly addicted. However, when you can’t just have two drinks for entire evening without feeling anxious, withdrawn, or agitated, then you might be on your way to alcoholism.

Your Mental Health and Alcoholism

If you've been drinking for a long time, you may have noticed your tolerance has increased over time. Tolerance leads to you drinking more to attain the same sensation Chronic drinkers often suffer from a condition called “wet brain.” This disorder is a result of chronic alcohol abuse. This syndrome is a form of dementia that is a result of a shortage of thiamine. thiamin is necessary for the growth, development and function of cells. Alcohol inhibits the body’s ability to absorb this vital brain nutrient.

Simple Path Recovery is an oceanside, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

About the Author
Matthew Koenig is the principal of Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Website Design and SEO, primarily in healthcare and tourism concerns. Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

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The Male Guide to Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 17:20:39 +0000

Addiction recovery is a personal journey that men and women experience differently. Men typically want their rehab and recovery to be clandestine. Okay, that maybe a little dramatic, but men suffer an ego bruise when they must give up substance use. However, in today’s modern world, men’s health topics now include mental health and addiction. In recovery, we are advised to keep things simple, and we’ll do that here.

Here are the top five things that men should absorb and integrate as they work through rehab and into long-term recovery. Each will go a long way to help you transition from the life you knew to a life beyond your wildest dreams in sobriety.

1. Get Everything out into the Open

Since men typically are private about being in recovery, this may be difficult. Many men are raised not to show weakness, weep or be emotional, in general. However, it is crucial for men to tackle problems and communicate how they feel to live a sober and free life. Bottom line, a person cannot get free from substances unless they are willing to declare they have a problem and ask for help.

2. Get Honest (and Stay Honest)

Call this the second part to the first part. The only way for men to succeed in recovery is to be honest with themselves and those around them. Again, this contrary to how men grow up and doesn’t exactly personify the stereotype of “man up.” Since some males were taught to not be emotional or share their deepest thoughts, this is challenging habit to break. However, your life may depend upon it!

3. Release Your Shame

Another tricky part of getting sober is getting past the “wreckage” of your addiction. When we sober up, we realize that many of the things we did were not our finest moments, and we feel bad. Moreover, we are embarrassed for being addicted to drugs and alcohol and undeserving of treatment or just being sober. However, we are worthy and everyone who is sober has been in your situation. Let those people love you until you can learn to love yourself. It just takes time.

4. Change Your Ways

You can’t expect to have the same routines, go to the same places, and hang out with the same people and get sober! In fact, sobriety provides an opportunity to reset your life. Instead of hanging out in bars, many guys channel the new energy into exercise or reading or another interest. This is also not easy, but you will need to ballast those people, places and things that are associated with your substance use disorder.

5. Put Your Recovery Comes First

Men should go with what they know is best for themselves, which can be challenging for some to figure out. Recovery needs to be put first (so everything else doesn't come last). It is important to prioritize sobriety because for many, their life depends on it.

Using these instructions, men in addiction recovery can regain their health and positive outlooks for their future. Treatment and recovery for men with addiction are serious situations. For many men, it becomes a matter of life or death.

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Top Five Tips for Early Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:56:20 +0000

You’ve gone to detox, completed rehab and your world has changed in real time. Everything you did and was before is now different. You may find yourself questioning if you’ll ever have fun again. It might even be desirable to hide under a rock and away from the world for a bit. The sober, new you is raw and delicate! You may think that everyone is whispering about you. Without drugs or alcohol, life just got up-close and personal. Early recovery is a time of change.

Your chances of a building a sober foundation depend on truthfulness, willingness, and your capacity to be teachable. In treatment, most can talk a good game, but now your home and everyone around you is hoping that you are the real deal!

Below are five top tips that will greatly boost your chances of remaining clean (and become happy).

Join a 12-Step Support Group

A 12-step support group is a community of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope, with each other. Here, you will be greeted with open arms and a lot of hugs. The 12-steppers have walked in your shoes and can provide great insight to recovery from every addiction on the planet. They can offer the relief you once found in drugs. Revealing your story with someone who’s been there, supports healing and responsibility.

Remain TEACHABLE

In treatment, many people let down their guard and appear more open when they are not feeling well. However, when you are back to health and your fighting spirit is back it may create an obstacle. To be successful in your newly sober world, you must cease doing things your way. Remember, your best thinking got you into trouble in the first place. Instead, surrendering your self-will can help you heal and recover more rapidly. Now is the time to let someone else steer the ship for a while.

Keep it in the Present

Early days in recovery can feel like an eternity and creates an opportunity for all kinds of future projections. You didn’t get into addiction overnight, so don’t expect all your problems to go away immediately. Rather than trying to get through the entire day, break it down into smaller increments. The struggle isn’t in your day – it’s in your head. With practice the technique is simple. Pick up the phone to a sober support or go to a meeting. Whatever you’re feeling, ask for advice. Keep breathing and remind yourself why you chose recovery. Then take it one minute, one hour, or one day, at a time. The only thing you need to do is the next right thing!

Exercise

Exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. It boosts your self-esteem and promotes sleep. It also boosts energy, supports a healthy appetite, and releases tension. Just thirty minutes of physical activity a day will help battle fatigue, depression and decrease anxiety. Post-acute withdrawal can go on for the first few months of your recovery. You may feel flat until your dopamine receptors are properly restored. Exercise may bridge the gap faster and (besides) you’ll feel better.

Help Others

When you help others, you concentrate on someone else and the things they are going through. And suddenly you stop thinking about the things on your mind that create stress. Helping another person creates emotions of connection, belonging, and value. Helping another person will do wonders for your self-worth and make you feel good. It’s that feeling that will inspire you to stay sober one day at a time!

Recovery is a gift. It requires honesty, tough work, and dedication. But the freedom and joy you experience, far overshadow the work that’s involved. Your body and mind will feel alive in a new way. You’ll be able to work through issues without having to self-medicate. All your relationships will improve, and you will feel good about yourself.

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People and Places in Early Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 14:46:12 +0000

Your World Has Changed

Getting detoxified from drugs and alcohol is a top priority when starting recovery. At the same time, changing your behaviors is a necessary step towards sobriety. An important ingredient to behavior change is to break-up from the environment(s) you once knew. Once a person returns home from treatment, it’s advantageous to be mindful of people, places and things that are tied to your addiction.

Learn to Avoid People Who Abuse Drugs or Alcohol

Coming back to your community after treatment means seeing people who you were close to but may present a threat to your sobriety. The notion of seeing old friends likely feels good, but now that you have started a new, sober life, you need to reevaluate the friends in your circle.

Start by considering the people with whom you spend time. This includes family members, friends, coworkers, and more. Ask yourself some questions about your interactions with them. For instance, are they currently using or abusing drugs or alcohol? At the same time, Will they encourage me to stay healthy and make good choices?

Spending time with people who prove to have a positive influence on your life makes a difference. Likewise, the people who present an obstacle to your sober lifestyle need to be ballast from your life.

Avoid the Places Where Addiction Occurred

One of the pleasures of returning home from treatment involves visiting familiar places. Before going out somewhere, contemplate if the place might be a trigger for you. If you connect a favorite restaurant with having several drinks, it may be best to avoid that for now. Look for other restaurants to create new memories in.

Other places that you might associate with drinking can even include a friend’s house where you used or drank alcoholically. Decide if you are ready to add these places back to your life. If the desire to indulge in drinking or using is too strong, you’ll need some new, sober spots to hang out in. This will not be easy, but it is necessary for the time being.

Be Careful about Dating in Early Sobriety

For those who are single, most professionals recommend their patients avoid getting involved in a relationship too early in recovery. Some even suggest waiting one year. When you do feel ready to join the dating world, be cautious about those prospects and how they may affect your recovery. For example, if a dating profile indicates a person is a daily drinker and is “420” friendly, then you should pass on this type of lifestyle.

You may also feel a natural gravitation toward someone who is in recovery. A lot of people meet and date in 12-step programs. However, make sure that they have a strong footing in recovery. A person who has a shaky recovery can easily influence someone who is in love with them.

You may also begin dating someone who has never dealt with addiction issues. Be upfront that your recovery is your top priority. Without this understanding, it may seem logical to them to say “why don’t you have just one drink with me” or ask you to skip a meeting to do another activity with them. Statements like these would indicate that your sobriety is not their priority. By the way, it’s not their problem, but it is yours so be mindful and vigilant. Your future self will thank you for it!

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Top Tips for a Sober Summertime

Matthew Koenig — Wed, 26 May 2021 22:27:14 +0000

How to Protect Your Recovery in Summertime

As summertime approaches and Covid-19 continues to subside, outdoor group activities will be more popular than ever before. As much fun as summer can be, it can also be one of the trickiest times of the year for people in recovery. That said, there is time for you to prepare now so that you make sure you can protect your sobriety and still have a good time. Learn more about our top tips on having a sober summer and how to deploy your relapse prevention skills.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Drinks)

When you come to a gathering with an ample supply of your favorite mocktail, you won’t feel triggered when you show up and only see beer, wine and bar beverages, and you’ve still got something in your hands to feel comfortable with your friends. By the way, Perrier and a sliver of fruit can look just like a cocktail if you prefer to maintain your sober anonymity.

If you maintain a steady stream of your favorite non-alcoholic beverages, this will make it turnkey to stay on-the-wagon, especially if you’re hanging around the beach, parks and such during this time of year. This will assist to remove just one more impulse that can get in the way if you begin to feel anxious and craving.

Always Have an Exit Strategy

ALWAYS make sure you have your exit strategy prepared. Remember, not too long ago you were probably one of the last to leave, and that’s the time when the problem drinkers spread their wings. If you have ever watched “normies” come to a party, they have one or two drinks, socialize for a time, and then leave. Besides, being around alcohol for too long can start giving you negative, triggering thoughts. It’s like the old saying goes “if you hang around a barbershop long enough, you’ll eventually get a haircut!” Once these thoughts start sneaking into your head, it’s time to leave. The best way to protect your recovery is to have an exit strategy already planned. Some examples include:

Establish an innocent lie. When it comes to safeguarding your sobriety, telling a white lie is more than okay, and you should never feel shame for using one. Faking that you have an early day tomorrow, or another event to appear at that night are good examples. Lastly, you can explain to your host that you’re not feeling good. It’s typically not challenged by anyone.
Just leave. When all else fails, leave on a dime, and don’t dwell on it. If you’re feeling anxious and are recognizing that staying longer could be detrimental to your recovery, you don’t owe anyone a justification. Just head out and send the host a note to let them know you had to leave unexpectedly. That way, there is no pressure to say goodbye or come up with explanations on your way out.

Get Involved with Outdoor Activities

One of the best parts about summer is that there is a whole host of activities you can take part in and try out. One of them might even become your new favorite pastime. Besides, you’ll generally find the non-drinkers gravitate to these hobbies more than the folks who want to curl 12-once beers. Some of these can include:

Swimming
Roller blading
Kayaking
Paddle boarding
Boogie boarding
Volleyball
Camping
Biking

Stay Close to Your Sober Supports

The most valuable tip for sober summertime fun is to stay close to your sober network. Make sure you are going to 12-step meetings, doing your aftercare program, checking in regularly with your therapist and hanging out with friends in recovery. As you know, many of these folks have sober time under their belts and can provide invaluable experience if you don’t know what to do. It’s going to be a busy summer and you would rather be living a life beyond your wildest dreams than heading back to detox and starting over.

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Sober Living: Recovery’s Soft Landing

Matthew Koenig — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 20:20:42 +0000

Exiting the safety of an addiction treatment center is stressful. While you will surely feel better than when you arrived, there are so many doubts about what to expect once you are back home with your family. Remember, the last time you were with them probably wasn’t so rosy! However, everything you discovered while you were in Florida rehab can help you answer these questions and help you cope with continued support and guidance. Nowadays, most recovery clients don’t go back to their community right away. Instead, most are opting to continue outpatient and reside in a sober living home for a measurable period of time. This is the "soft landing" and transitional support that helps clients return to their lives with a renewed purpose and foundation in sobriety.

Sober Living Creates a Bridge to Long-Term Recovery

Instead of putting yourself back into the environment that fueled your addiction, consider transitioning to sober living first. Once you are in a sober home, take the time to develop sober supports and healthy relationships. A supportive environment will boost your likelihood of maintaining your abstinence. The safety and security you can find in sober living will let you concentrate more on building a secure home environment once you leave.

Sober living develops your strength and ability to use the coping skills acquired in rehab. When you return home, you deserve to feel confident in your home. You are worthy of people who love and encourage you in your recovery.

Sober living residences also provide the right tools to give you extra support. If you recognize you are slipping back into old behaviors, you have built-in help through an outpatient program with individual and group therapy. During your “break”, you can galvanize the skills you learned while in partial hospitalization care. You can also learn, through “cross-training,” through camaraderie with your sober living colleagues.

Benefits of Florida Sober living

The goal of sober living homes is to provide the support and care you may not have in your home environment. Residents can practice life skills and coping strategies that they learned while attending inpatient addiction care.

Studies show that clients who transitioned to sober living homes maintained their sobriety over long periods, compared to those who went directly home to their families. Many of the great benefits include:

An alcohol - and drug-free living atmosphere.
IOP and OP levels of care available.
Sober living residents are accountable to each other.
Team support and camaraderie.
Practice coping skills in quasi-supervised environment.

Simple Path Recovery is a oceanside, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

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Continuing Care is for Everyone

Matthew Koenig — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 19:35:26 +0000

Completing addiction treatment is a huge step in the recovery process. During this stage, you may not know what to expect from yourself or your loved ones as you prepare to return the real world. Post rehab life can fill you with angst but going back to your life doesn’t mean you are on your own.

Getting through Stressors in Aftercare

You will leave treatment, but recovery won’t leave you. A caring clinical team will be there when you need to talk. Remember, some stressors didn’t go away during your inpatient treatment. The impulse to use may still be present, but so are your coping skills. Identifying potential triggers before they happen is crucial to maintaining sobriety. Sidestep people, places and things that once led to your substance abuse and be mindful of your emotions. You don’t need to live your life in fear, but you will need to be vigilant about your recovery. Remember that guy at your first 12-step meeting who said, “your addiction is doing push-ups in the parking lot.” He was right and you will feel it from time-to-time.

The first time you return to work, see friends, or participate in old activities can be tricky. Handling with these triggers involves the skills you were coached on during rehab. People are another matter in your recovery process. Some people create situations that will lead to stress. A coworker or friend may evoke a reaction that led to your using drugs. Understand how you interact with specific people and make use of the coping skills you learned in rehab. Occasionally you will need to eliminate certain people from your new sober life. This is normal to maintain your sobriety and necessary. You should recall the phrase “it’s a selfish program.” Stay connected with people who want you to succeed and become the best version of yourself.

Link Up with Other Alumni

Reaching out to other alumni will strengthen your recovery journey. In fact, alumni who stay active and engaged with other alums always do better in recovery than those who stay on the sidelines. The alumni program continues to nurture personal relationships that turn into friendships and sober support. Most notably, it keeps them out of isolation and interested in the fun activities that sobriety helps us realize. Also, the more you stay involved in aftercare treatment, the greater chance you have for long-term recovery. The fortification of positive behaviors lay the foundation for your recovery to stay intact during difficult times. Sobriety is a habit you will need to develop. Once you commit to your recovery, the process of working it until it is a habit doesn’t seem like an incredible feat. You can do this, and your treatment center will be there for you when you need it. This is more especially true in the growing age of telehealth!

Simple Path Recovery is a beach side, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

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The Florida Model of Addiction Treatment

Matthew Koenig — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 17:49:09 +0000

When most people think about Florida, they think about sunshine, white sandy beaches, and beautiful ocean breezes all-year round. However, in the world of addiction treatment, Florida is home to over 700 drug and alcohol rehabs. Outside of Southern California you will not find a greater concentration of rehabs. They come in all different sizes and treatment modalities. Typical levels of care include detox, residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient (OP). Most reputable treatment centers will also offer some form of sober living, which is where the Florida model of treatment differentiates itself from hospital-like settings found around the United States. In this environment, clients being treated in PHP, IOP and OP levels of care are integrated with the recovery community from the get-go. They go to outside 12-step meetings, shop for their own groceries and share living space with their peer recovery group. The Florida model of treatment creates a bridge for clients to return to their home communities with confidence and the life skills they need to create lasting recovery.

Sober Living is a Team Sport

One of the reasons addiction treatment is so costly is because it provides total care, supervision housing for their clients. In sober living, the clients have stepped down to the IOP or OP levels of care, which are less restrictive. In IOP, clients come to treatment three times a week, leaving ample time to hold a job or go to school. they also are responsible for paying nominal rent. Each sober living resident is responsible for cooking, cleaning, and other chores divided among the residents. Also, each supervised sober living home operates under an agreement that all clients must agree to before moving in. The obvious benefit is to maintain the integrity of sober living which is managed by regular drug and alcohol testing. However, the lesser-known advantage is the peer support that enhances everyone’s recovery. The clients have a built-in social network all-around them. Whether it’s a tough day or one to cheer on a goal, Florida sober living will offers immeasurable support to clients in a supervised setting. A sober home allows clients to practice life skills, expand their recovery and work on themselves before returning home to their families.

Things to Watch Out For

While a high concentration of recovering adults is a distinct advantage, a portion of these clients will relapse (it’s part of the process). At the same time, opportunistic client brokers are lurking nearby to persuade those who relapse to admit to the “perfect” rehab. Moreover, the body brokers are typically paid a finder’s fee for each admittance. This is patient brokering and is a federal offense, which can include the unsuspecting client. However, the good news is that a good amount of client brokering is being cleaned up through regulation and prosecution. Generally, addiction treatment providers and sober living operators that aren’t concerned with assisting clients to get better can be hard to tell. However, that can be solved with some simple research and questions. For example, review the treatment center’s website to review their licensing and accreditations. Also, read reviews from past clients on social media – you will typically find a lot. Also, ask the treatment provider to divulge their average length of stay. If it is less than 28 days, it is a red flag. In addition, inquire about positive outcomes, alumni program, and continuing care. All in all, treatment centers committed to the highest levels of care operate medium to small, boutique-style centers where the therapist-client ratio is 5:1 or less. That said, most of Florida addiction treatment clients come from other states and may only know that Florida has a wide range of rehabs. However, a little homework, research and question asking can usually help you make the best decision for your loved one to get help, and on the road to long-term recovery.

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Why You Should Have a Schedule in Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 19:59:42 +0000

Many people associate the word schedule (or routine) with an activity that is boring or redundant . However, the word takes on entirely different implications in addiction recovery circles. The reality is that creating and sticking to a schedule can help someone in recovery in many aspects of their sobriety. What are those aspects and how do they help?

Here are four areas where having (and keeping) a schedule have an impact:

Schedules Reduce Anxiety

When we start each day and don’t have a plan for the day, no matter how good our objectives, we typically stray simply because we are without immediate purpose (i.e., schedule). Sleeping in and getting a late start usually leaves people daydreaming in front of their televisions or surfing social media. For example, you may be unemployed and looking for a job and going to a 12-step meeting might be your key daily priorities. However, if you don’t breakdown these goals into time increments you will feel lost. Instead, if you get up close to the same time as you would be working and dedicate most of the business day to your search, you will likely be employed soon. Also, setting up new goals will fill your day before you know it. Exercise is a popular schedule addition to those in early recovery. It is highly productive and a great health benefit. This is the time when your body and mind are still in the healing stages from your addiction. Those in early recovery need the predictability of knowing exactly what you’re going to do each day to help ease their transition into long-term recovery. Being able to look at your daily schedules helps decrease some of the anxiety while promoting goal setting and achievement.

Routines Demonstrate Stability

One of the best most important ingredients to have in early recovery is stability. In short, stability demonstrates to others that you are reliable and dependable. This creates trust with employers, friends, and family alike. When others regard you as stable, it means they feel they can count on you to do what you say, to handle your obligations without being reminded or second-guessed. Stability isn’t something that someone else can give you. While you may be offered a job or be welcomed back to your existing job after addiction treatment, it’s up to you to make good on doing the work that job entails.

In other words, you have the chance to succeed – but you also have the choice to fall short. In supporting stability, success comes from the schedule of being on time for work (or school) each day, performing certain tasks efficiently, and being a capable employee (student). A regular schedule also means having structure for your home life, such as shopping for groceries and cooking healthy meals. It includes paying your bills on-time with a scheduled time frame for completing task. The same goes for doing laundry, cleaning, and other chores. The people who schedule all the things they need to do promote stability to their employers, families and more. chores.

Routines Train You for More Responsibility

No one wants to stay in the same place forever. Instinctively, we all want to make progress and see the fruit of our labor. By adhering to your routine, doing the best you can each day you want to see what lies ahead. Okay, your number one goal is to stay sober, but life is greater than just not using drugs or alcohol. Successful long-term recovery means that you have created an entire new life in recovery, one that includes setting goals and following your ambitions.

When you stick to your routine, you are training yourself for greater responsibility. You will feel competent enough to ask your boss for increased responsibility. If things are coming easier to you at work because you’ve learned how to manage your time, you’ll be well prepared for the next level. For example, if you show up for work on-time for an entire year and your boss is looking for a new manager to open the business, then you are a good candidate! You will have the self-confidence of your months of routine at work, and the results of your steadily improving productivity. This is bound to impress your employer and others who may be in a position to help you move ahead. Your daily routine of dependable task completing demonstrates your commitment to those around you every day.

Schedules Increase Personal Self-Esteem

I have been asked over time about the relationship between making your bed in the morning and recovery. Simply stated, making your bed is an achievement and likely one of you’re the first you complete each day. It is also likely that if you make your bed each morning that other areas of your home will be tidy and neat. It will be a stark comparison to a home without structure in active addiction. At the same time, lack of self-esteem is not easily overcome in the early days of recovery. It impacts some more than others, but every person in recovery suffers from some level of low self-esteem. This generally happens when you have lost everything to your addiction. However, a routine is a ladder that you can climb every day. In fact, performing your daily routine is something that you alone can do to help prove to yourself that you matter and are worthy.

About the Author
Matthew Koenig is the principal of Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Website Design and SEO, primarily in healthcare and tourism concerns. Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

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