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Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Rehab Programs
 
Making the decision to enter a rehabilitation program is one of the best you can make in your current situation. When you enter rehab, you are making a choice to change your life for the better and to completely transform the way you see the world, who you associate with, what you do and how you do it. You are essentially entering the program with the hopes of coming out someone completely different, yet new and improved. Whether you succeed or not is up to you, but you can improve your chances by deciding to enter the right type of rehab. You may find yourself entering either an inpatient program or an outpatient program, but which one is better? The answer depends on you and how willing you are to change.
Inpatient Programs
 
Whether you have been placed into an inpatient program against your will or it's a voluntary choice, you will be staying overnight in the facility, usually for a period of several days. This has the positive effect of forcing you to interact and receive treatment with others who are in the exact same boat as you.
 
Oftentimes, when we're facing something as tough as addiction it can be hard to see things from an outside perspective. When you are forced to look at others struggling just as you are, it really helps you see what you're really going through and what you're putting others through.
 
Control Over Your Environment
By far the best reason for choosing an inpatient program is that, when you are forced to stay at the facility, the doctors or experts who operate the facility are able to completely control your environment. You won't be tempted by bars on every corner or by your buddies who just decided to 'pop in' because they hadn't heard from you in a while. Instead, you will only be exposed to the things the doctor deems necessary, and this can increase the effectiveness of, and quicken, treatment.
 
Outpatient Treatment
 
With an outpatient treatment program, you still receive the same amount of treatment except you are able to go home with loved ones at night. This type of treatment tends to solidify the family bond that was usually lacking while you were at your worst. But this type of treatment is only for those who really want to get better. It's for those who are serious about treatment. Because, with an outpatient program, you are likely to be tempted. You may witness actors drinking or using drugs while watching a movie, you may have friends want to pick you up and take you out, or a dozen other things could happen that could derail your progress for good.
 
However, if you think you're strong enough to handle it, an outpatient program will help you build up your independence more rapidly, and you will become stronger because of your ordeal. But again, if your heart isn't totally into rehabilitation, you'll go right back to your old ways the moment you leave the safe and temptation-free environment of the rehab facility.
Which Program is for You?
 
Most people will immediately choose the outpatient facility because they like the idea of sleeping in their own bed. But if you have ever tried to quit your addiction before and you lapsed, you may do the same again. Only when you know your resolve is rock-hard and that you won't waver to any type of temptation should you choose an outpatient program.
 
For you to get adequate treatment, doctors should be able to monitory what you experience and who you speak to during treatment. While that can be done while you're at the facility, that monitoring ends the moment you get home. That's when you may gas up and see that six-pack calling to you in the freezer window or you may have your dealer literally calling you to ask if you need anything. Don't put yourself in that type of situation. An inpatient treatment will make sure you enter as the broken person you are and that you emerge a brand-new version of yourself, able to take on the world.
 
Now that you know what each program entails, you can make a better choice for you. You can beat this addiction and you can become a better person because of it, but you will only get better when you choose the right type of rehab program for your addiction. 

 

Arizona Abuse Treatment
When it comes to abuse treatment, Arizona has a series of different options for the individual to choose from. There are major clinics located in most of the main cities in the state. From the Rio de Esperanza clinic in Cottonwood to the Flagstaff Drug Rehab and Alcohol Abuse Center, you will find there are a number of choices. There are a number of different Assisted Recovery Centers you have to help find the treatment you need in this state and each is dedicated to helping you get past the addiction that is holding you down.

One of the main ways that the abuse treatment center works is that they try to focus not only on helping you to detox from the addiction you are facing, but are also determined to figure out why you are abusing. The fact of the matter is most people have an underlying reason why they started to drink and do drugs and this then aided the addiction to keep getting worse.

For some, it could be family problems that have caused them some pain. There also may be a history of drug or alcohol abuse in the family that has helped to increase the probability of abuse in a certain individual. The trained staff at the abuse treatment center will be able to pinpoint the reasons and will in turn make an honest effort to try and correct the problem before it continues to lead the individual down a dark path.  It is important to note that while some people are court ordered to these treatment facilities, not everyone is legally required to attend. There are a number of people who have people that care for them step in and begin the intervention process and help to lead them towards finding a solution.

In Arizona, we find that he most commonly abused items are Alcohol and Meth. Each of the different treatment facilities, no matter if they are in Phoenix, Tucson or in other areas of the state will have solutions on how to deal with this problem and help the individual start getting back to the place where they were before the addiction began to rule their life.  But before anyone can get help in this desert state, they need to first admit there is a problem that needs to be rectified. The abuse treatment centers can work through a number of problems, but until the person is ready to begin the process toward recovery, there will be little that they can do to begin helping themselves. That should be taken into consideration when you are looking to get a person the help they need.

If you believe you have a person in your life that needs the help of an abuse treatment facility, be sure you take the first step and contact the center. The trained staff can begin helping you with an intervention process that might be able to get the person that you love, the help that they need before things get far worse for them.
Arizona abuse treatment

When it comes to abuse treatment, Arizona has a series of different options for the individual to choose from. There are major clinics located in most of the main cities in the state. From the Rio de Esperanza clinic in Cottonwood to the Flagstaff Drug Rehab and Alcohol Abuse Center you will find there are a number of choices to choose from. There are a number of different Assisted Recovery Centers you have to help find the treatment you need in this state and each is dedicated to helping you get past the addiction that is holding you down.

One of the main ways that the abuse treatment center works is that they try to focus not only on helping you to detox from the addiction you are facing, but are also determined to figure out why you are abusing. The fact of the matter is most people have an underlying reason why they started to drink and do drugs and this then aided the addiction to keep getting worse.

For some, it could be family problems that have caused them some pain. There also may be a history of drug or alcohol abuse in the family that has helped to increase the probability of abuse in a certain individual. The trained staff at the abuse treatment center will be able to pinpoint the reasons and will in turn make an honest effort to try and correct the problem before it continues to lead the individual down a dark path.

It is important to note that while some people are court ordered to these treatment facilities, not everyone is legally required to attend. There are a number of people who have people that care for them step in and begin the intervention process and help to lead them towards finding a solution.

In Arizona, we find that he most commonly abused items are Alcohol and Meth. Each of the different treatment facilities, no matter if they are in Phoenix, Tucson or in other areas of the state will have solutions on how to deal with this problem and help the individual start getting back to the place where they were before the addiction began to rule their life.

But before anyone can get help in this desert state, they need to first admit there is a problem that needs to be rectified. The abuse treatment centers can work through a number of problems, but until the person is ready to begin the process toward recovery, there will be little that they can do to begin helping themselves. That should be taken into consideration when you are looking to get a person the help they need.

If you believe you have a person in your life that needs the help of an abuse treatment facility, be sure you take the first step and contact the center. The trained staff can begin helping you with an intervention process that might be able to get the person that you love, the help that they need before things get far worse for them.

 

Choosing The Right Arizona Drug Treatment Programs


So you have admitted you have a problem with your addiction, and now is the time to start looking for the right Arizona drug treatment program. There are some things you need to know so that you pick the right facility - one that will give you the best chance of recovery. Not all treatment centers are the same, and knowing this can help you greatly.
The first kind of treatment program is the detox center. This is usually an extremely short term facility, their goal is to get you clean and sober, getting all the drugs and alcohol out of your system so you can start fresh. They are not a complete center however, and should be considered as a start to the road to recovery, not a solution. While they have the staff to handle detoxification situations, they just don't have the kinds of professionals needed to help you stay clean.

Here is what you need to look for in Arizona drug treatment facilities. First of all, they need to have a full staff of highly trained professionals. From doctors that can handle detox, nurses, to take care of patients when they are going through withdraw symptoms. The effects of getting off of drugs, depending on the kind, can be quite severe, both physically as well as emotionally. In some cases, patients may need other, prescribed medication just to deal with this. Like methadone is often used in the treatment of heroin addiction.
This is just the start however. Once the person is clean, there are many other aspects to treatment. One of them is counseling. Many addicts didn't start out this way, some had some underlying trauma that caused them to turn to drugs. It may have started out as a way to escape their problems, then just escalated out of control. Counseling helps the patient learn about what the causes of their addiction was. It could have been they were molested as a child, or had something else that was traumatic in their lives. Professional counselors are trained to handle these situations, and help the patient learn to deal with these emotional problems without drugs.

The right Arizona drug treatment facilities also employ highly trained nutritionists, and educators. In many cases, an addict doesn't know how to prepare proper meals, let alone eat well, and nutritionists can teach them about health meal planning, etc. In order to change for the better, the addict also needs to learn how to deal with life without drugs. Educators help them learn new habits and skills, how to avoid situations where there is a temptations for using. Many addicts have spent so much time in the pursuit of their drug, hanging out at bars, with other people who use, etc, that this is all they know. They need to be educated about developing new habits. Other educators can help teach the addict what to do if they feel too much stress. Meditation, acupressure, as well as other techniques can help them through rough time.

Finally, a good Arizona drug treatment program that also has after care services. Some of these may refer people to Alcoholics Anonymous, or other programs that are on the outside. This after care needs to be available to the patient 24/7 because temptations don't happen just during the daytime.

Drug Rehab Arizona

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can be a daunting experience for the individual and his or her family. This is because addiction is a damaging condition that can have severe and adverse impacts on physical and mental health - if left unchecked, addiction can lead to an early death. Knowledge of these consequences can compel the person's family and close friends to urge him or her to seek professional help. Making this decision to get help is a very important first step and is the first thing towards finding the right Arizona drug rehab center and eventually complete recovery from drug addiction.
 
There are several Arizona drug rehab centers to choose from and you have to evaluate which one will be right for you. Make sure that the Arizona drug rehab center you select offers recovery and treatment programs that meet your kind of addiction - some rehab centers will specialize in the management and treatment of specific addictions e.g. heroin addiction, cocaine addiction, alcoholism, crystal meth etc. Arizona drug rehab centers offer different programs ranging from personal to group therapy and inpatient to outpatient programs. Specialists at the center will offer advice on what they would consider the best treatment program for your type of addiction. 
Do you have any special needs? For example are you a vegetarian? Then make sure that the Arizona drug rehab center you choose will cater for your special diet. Cost is also a key consideration. How much will the treatment cost you and can you afford it? As important as going to rehab is, joining an Arizona drug rehab center should not leave you financially bankrupt. Look for a rehab center that you can afford based on your own finances as well as any additional funds that are available for you from your friends and family.
 
When you first get to an Arizona drug rehab center, the first thing the rehab center will do is an intake assessment. The facility's staff member will ask you (the patient) a series of questions related to your substance abuse and health history. You might be required to give information on the quantity and type of medication you have used in the past and presently (if you are currently taking any medication) and the symptoms you are experiencing.  This evaluation process lets the facility know if they can meet your need and will also enable the specialists design a care plan for you which will be used during the entire rehab treatment. It will also help them determine your level of motivation towards recovery and if there are any external sources of stress that will hinder the recovery process such as family, social problems and finances.
 
The second part of the recovery process is the detoxification phase. To get rid of drugs or alcohol in your body's system, a structured and monitored process is necessary. This process is known as detoxification (detox). Without the proper monitoring an individual may suffer from severe withdrawal which could lead to medical complications and even death. The detox process can take 3 to 10 hours, and includes a 24 hour monitoring session.  If detox is deemed unnecessary by the Arizona drug rehab specialists, medication drugs may be offered at varying levels to the patient.
 
Chandler, Arizona
Miles' Story: Sober Living
 
The story of Miles, a recovering addict, highlights the hope he acquired through moving into a Sober Living House. It includes real life examples of the insanity and the personal losses of this addict – prior to entering the transitional living home. In order to adhere to Privacy Policy, the author has changed the name and, in some cases, the location to protect the identity of the individual associated with this case.
 
Sober Living House Helps Restore Hope to Addict Who Lost Way
 
(Chandler, Arizona) – From owning two beautiful homes in northern Arizona; two late model trucks; a darling wife and two lovely children… to currently being broke and living in a Sober House, drugs and alcohol brought Miles to his knees.
 
“I checked into this Sober Living House because I had nowhere else to go, “said Miles, a 33-year-old former business man. “I lost my family and the good things in life that you strive for as part of the American dream. Today, I am humbled. I am lucky to be alive and to have this opportunity to start over.”
 
Miles helps to manage a nine-man Sober Living House in the Chandler, Arizona area. With more than 4 months of sobriety and a job waiting tables at a Tempe-based restaurant, he does not dwell on the past or look too much toward the future.
 
“Right now, my focus is living in the present and helping out in the Sober Living House,” Miles explained. “My job is to do my assigned chore; make sure the other guys do theirs; ensure the security of the house; go to meetings; and make an honest living waiting tables.”
 
Miles mentioned that his Sober Living House gives him an opportunity to submerge himself into a structured sober environment and slowly relocate the freedom and happiness that he once had as an upstanding family man. He said Sober Living is helping him to readjust and to prepare himself for re-entering society. “The opportunity that I currently have to do this is really a reprieve granted to me by my Higher Power – God,” he added.
 
Miles began using cocaine casually and drinking beer occasionally about 12 years ago. His using gathered momentum in mid 2000. However, what really brought this transplanted California native to his knees was huffing
 
“I started huffing computer dust about 4 years ago, “Miles recalled. “ This was my replacement for cocaine which I had stopped using. It was less expensive and much more accessible through legitimate stores like Office Max and Office Depot. It was always within reach.”
Computer dust is a chemically laced, gas-based, air used to clean computer parts. Miles remembers making repeated trips to his neighborhood Office Max and buying several cans of the inhalant and huffing intently in the store’s parking lot.
 
“There were times when I did not have the patience to drive to my apartment,” Miles said. “I would park my car in the Office Max parking lot for up to eight hours sometimes and huff many cans of my new best friend.”
 
Ironically, Miles’ demise came on the heels of his amassing some sober time. Before he started huffing he had six months of sobriety. He had built the foundation for this sober time through a 30-day visit to an Arizona treatment center for cocaine and alcohol addiction. Upon graduating the program, Miles committed himself to recovery.  However, he fell off the wagon after getting a job in a bar as a bouncer. The rigors of keeping inebriated customers in check and trying to protect the safety of every patron got the better of Miles.
 
“I became sick and tired of dealing with so many different drunken personalities,” Miles explained. “The pressure of bouncing problematic drunks got the best of me so I decided to become one of them and resumed my drinking.”
 
This time around… Miles combined his drinking with the huffing, and within a few months he was rapidly free-falling to his death. He became a danger to himself.
 
“I hated who I was and wanted to die,” Miles recalled. “I couldn’t eat; I couldn’t drink; I vomited constantly; I had no memory; I wandered the streets aimlessly in a town that I knew… but had no clue where I was; I was hallucinating.”
 
Thanks to the city’s Emergency Medical Transit (EMT), Miles was rescued and transported to his second Psyche Ward where he spent four days before being transferred to his second 30-day rehab. Since leaving this treatment center, Miles has not lost any ground in his recovery. He checked into his current Sober Living House and has put his nose to the grindstone – sleeping, eating, and drinking recovery. His commitment to Sober Living and the 12-Step Program of Recovery has brought Miles restored hope.
 
When asked to highlight a couple of pros and cons about Sober Living,  Miles paused for a minute and smiles before responding:  “The best part of Sober Living is building strong relationships with other men in the Fellowship of Recovery… who are also willing to go to any lengths to get sober,” he said. “And the most challenging part is privacy… sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough space to operate in; but that’s a very small problem when compared to the benefits that I am gaining from living with eight other sober guys and being held accountable.”
 

 

Mesa, Arizona
Yoga & Recovery
 
An Arizona-based substance abuse treatment facility has raised the level of treatment for its clients through implementing a holistic approach in its treatment program. The center piece of this approach is Yoga – a practice that helps to weave a better mind, a better body, and a better soul for those who practice it. The following story provides excerpts of the experiences clients gained through participating in Yoga. The article also highlights the Yoga instructor’s perspective. In order to adhere to Privacy Policy, the author has changed the name and, in some cases, the location to protect the identity of the individuals associated with this case.
 
Holistic Treatment Center Brings the Benefits of Eastern Medicine to Recovering Drug Addicts
 
(Mesa, Arizona)-- Child Pose;  Chaturanga; Downward-Facing Dog;  Warrior 1;  Warrior 2; Tree Pose; Savasana. These are Yoga terms that Cindy has become familiar with since checking into a holistic treatment center in the Phoenix area for her drug addiction.
 
“My addiction to poly-substances led me here for 90 days,” said Cindy, a New Jersey native who moved to Phoenix three years ago. “Yoga is a part of the recovery program here. It’s required for every able-bodied client. I find it to be a big help.”
 
Cindy express that the one hour classes – Monday through Friday – are helping her to improve her focus and handle stress much more effectively, as she is developing a higher tolerance level toward things that would irritate her in a heartbeat.
 
According to Yoga instructor Perry, one of the most important aspects in taking recovering addicts through a Yoga routine is getting them to practice breathing deeply and completely.
“The breath is of paramount importance in Yoga,” said Perry, who has taught the discipline for two years. “Breathing methodically and deeply tends to calm us down and thwart anxiety. It‘s absolutely important for recovery clients to approach the exercise routine in the calmest manner. This helps them to perform each maneuver with a lot more ease.”
 
Interestingly enough, Perry is an alcoholic in recovery. His introduction to Yoga came right after he had celebrated his 17th year of sobriety and found that his life was beginning to take him to an uncomfortable territory.
 
“I found that I was drifting into old behavior, even after all that clean time,” he said. “I was definitely heading toward a relapse until a good friend suggested that I take a Yoga class in order to clear my mind. I must say that I didn’t care much for Yoga at first… but I found that the physical exercise and spiritual strength gained from the experience yielded a calming effect on my mind. So I continued going to the classes and all those negative feelings and behaviors that I was beginning to be drawn to evaporated.”
 
That Yoga would help to stem Perry’s relapse tide is not an aberration, as research shows that the original intent of this practice centered on helping students to gain the highest level of spiritual goals, self-realization, and mental liberation.

Kevin, another poly-substance abuser and former client at the holistic treatment center said the Yoga sessions helped him to thrive during his 60-day stay, as they enhanced his focus and his desire to embed himself into his recovery program. The 26-year-old Arizona native said the classes conducted by Perry also helped to change his perspective on fitness. “Yoga made me look at fitness differently, as it brought out the best in my body,” he said. “The sessions encouraged me and my peers to try our best and to be proud of our bodies. It was really a cleansing experience for my mind and my body.”

 Perry expressed that the twisting poses are vital for the addict trying to get sober, because these poses compress and flush the internal organs of toxins.  Simply put, he said: “When you unwind from a twist the fluid in the organs washes away toxins present in these organs.”
 
The energetic instructor also stresses forward bending poses, because the bending move is adept at promoting effective liver function. In addition to the bending and twisting poses, Perry‘s class routines are never devoid of the Sun Salutation pose. “I use this pose as a warm up pose to get the heart beating and the breath deepening,” Perry added. “This pose is like an activation switch for all the vital organs in the body.”
 
For Perry, the most challenging part of teaching Yoga to addicts in recovery is getting them to focus within their first two weeks of treatment.
 
“In many cases, their bodies are still adjusting from detoxing,” he explained. “As a result, it becomes challenging for them to do a pose and challenging for me to create a sequence of moves that will help these newcomers to focus from one move to the next.”
 
His reward for working with the addicts comes when he sees their movement, attitudes and bodies begin to transform.
 
“As the Yoga instructor, I am able to see these clients when they first come into treatment,” he said. “I see their pain, their suffering, and in many case … their diminished motor skills. For me, words cannot describe the feeling I get when I see these clients begin to develop their movement… their step… and their sense of purpose. It’s gratifying when a client comes up to me and says ‘my legs don’t shake anymore’… or ‘I can now touch my toes’… It ‘s a monumental step for these addicts to be able to do a Tree Pose on one leg when they could hardly stand straight on both feet during their first week in  treatment.”
 
For former client Dennis who remains sober after graduating treatment more than 18 months ago, the Yoga experience was a key ingredient in the road to his recovery.
 
"I was in terrible physical condition,” he reminisced. “I was grossly overweight, had horrible shakes and had to use a walking stick when I first checked into treatment. I was a complete mess who had abused my body through my extreme drug use and dangerous life style.”
 
 The California native said he never thought he would ever make it back to a normal physical state; but the Yoga experience, he said, dramatically helped right the wrongs he had inflicted onto his body and gave him the focus to approach his recovery with utmost conviction.  
 
“The benefits of Yoga … both physical and mental … were definitely key ingredients in this miracle program that helped change my life while in treatment," he said.
 

 
 
Mesa, Arizona
Meditation & Recovery

The following story provides examples of the benefits recovering addicts gain through applying meditation to their recovery program. In order to adhere to Privacy Policy, the author has changed the name and, in some cases, the location to protect the identity of the individual associated with this case.

 Meditation a Key Ingredient in Holistic Treatment Program for Alcohol and Drug Addiction

(Mesa, Arizona)  -- The ghostly breath flows within Winston’s lungs and diffuse through the aperture of his nostril – floating from the Arizona desert to the heavenly confines of Africa’s Serengeti. His physical body then follows his breath… and within seconds…  Winston is sitting under a sycamore tree in the most beautiful continent on earth.  The vista evinced during this moment in time shows billowing clouds moving rapidly across the crystal blue backdrop of the sky, and lions and wildebeests roaming side-by-side.  No fire or brimstone exists in this zone – peace and tranquility permeate the air.  Winston, a recovering cocaine addict, is in his meditation world.

On a Sunday morning in the meeting room at The River Source Holistic Treatment facility in Mesa, it’s not uncommon to be taken to places like the one just described.  That’s because it’s the day of the week when the treatment center brings a seated meditation class to clients like Winston.

Led by meditation liaison Chapin, a recovering addict who has been free from the bondage of drugs and alcohol use for more than two years, the 20-minute session helps the recovering addicts to reconnect with themselves and their spiritual being.

“Mediation helped me in my recovery through liberating my soul,” Chapin said. “Without a doubt I learned how to pause when agitated and turn to my spiritual being for guidance.”

Chapin takes the clients through the process in a seated position with eyes closed… legs crossed … and the spine straight but not rigid. As he guides the addicts, the colorful tattoo artist begins by breathing in deeply; holding his breath; and exhaling slowly – following the path of his breath. This process is repeated two or three more times by Chapin and the clients. 

The estimated three-minute breathing exercise emits calmness and helps the clients to get centered and prepared for sitting with themselves for 20 minutes. Chapin refers to the beginning of his meditation session as the relaxation period during which he also takes clients through a scanning process where they focus on their being – from the crown of their head to the sole of their feet – it’s about getting them to feel their existence.

According to Jasper, a former River Source client, meditation was one of the most soothing sequences in his recovery program. “I always looked forward to Sunday mornings because I knew I would at some point go on a journey to a spiritual and peaceful place; a place that only I could construct and experience,” he explained.

Jasper said meditation has helped him to become more in tuned with himself and the recovery journey he has taken to regain his spirituality. He explained that prior to attending the meditation sessions he felt disconnected with himself and was easily irritated on a daily basis.

“I didn’t know how to pause and reflect before making a decision,” Jasper said. “I didn’t know how to wait before responding to a heated situation. I was always moving at 100 miles an hour and was ready to battle without even thinking about consequences. Meditation has taught me how to settle my mind before making decisions.”

For River Source Counselor Sharmyn, who’s been sober for three years, meditation taught her how to become less reactive. She said she has learned how to sit still and open up herself to the universe. “I am now able to find peace in adversity,” she said. “I am now able to slow down and listen to what the universe is trying to tell me. Meditation has helped me to see past myself and to look at the other person. I am now able to consider what’s going on around me before making a decision.”

Sharmyn summed up the meditation principle most profoundly when she explained that it represents a direct line to her higher power (God).  “Prayer is asking and meditation is listening,” she said. “If I just ask and never listen then I will never get past asking.”

 


 

Tucson, Arizona

David’s Story: Crystal Meth


The following story depicts excerpts of a crystal methamphetamine addict’s life. It includes real life examples of the insanity experienced by these addicts daily. In order to adhere to Privacy Policy, the author has changed the names and, in some cases, the location to protect the identity of the individuals associated with the cases.

Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction Puts David on the Brink of Extinction

(Tucson, Arizona) – I sat on the park bench – strung out on Crystal Methamphetamine. I stared into another world and started to see things that weren’t really there. I was hallucinating. I saw a giant bird in a tree that appeared to be half-man- half-bird. Its piercing eyes saw right through me. It perched on the top of a giant eucalyptus tree, the creature continued to look at me as if I were prey. Suddenly, it spreads its wings and appeared to be coming at me like a torpedo. I held my head and screamed. I began running around the park and screaming at the top of my lungs – begging each person in the park to “not let it get me.”

“He is attacking me, “ I shouted at anyone who made eye contact with me. “Please keep him away from me.”

My behavior was ghastly. I was a raging mad man running half naked through the park. Within minutes I heard a voice echoing from a megaphone. “Put your hands in the air and lay on the ground,” the voice said. “Do it now.”

As I looked to my right I saw what looked like an army of cops. A peek to the left and another army appeared. I was surrounded by police officers with their guns drawn. Realizing that the whole scene was real, I made a sprint to the adjacent quarter-mile track and told the cops to “catch me if you can.” The chase lasted for less than 30 seconds. I was tackled to the ground, pepper sprayed, and cuffed. I felt my whole world crumble as I was thrown in the back of the squad car. I reflected on all the times I said I would get some help -- yet I continued to use crystal. It had taken everything away from me – my family, my health, my presence, and now my freedom. I felt as if I were having an outer body experience. I had been up for 5 days and I felt like a zombie. I felt as if I were in a trance. I felt trapped within myself. I was a lost soul.

At Central Booking I was charged with disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct. I spent seven days in jail before I was able to see a judge whom I candidly told about my history of drug use. The judge gave me a choice – check into a treatment facility, or spend time behind bars. I choose the former. I needed to get off the streets. I needed to clean up myself. My parents and my sister were definitely up for seeing me finally go to a rehab. They literally jumped for joy at the prospect of me getting clean and sober. I was encouraged by their support. I was willing this time around to give sobriety a shot. I had suffered too much the past seven years, while rebuffing every offer that came my way to get help. With my upside down thinking, I continued to let Crystal Methamphetamine literally suck my life away. And now, I am mandated by the courts to go to treatment. I did not make the decision to get sober on my own. Deep down inside, I still wanted to continue using. But I had no choice. I did not want to spend any more time in jail. All I wanted was an opportunity to be clean and sober and to live a good life. However, when the opportunity came to check into the rehab I started to have doubts. If jail was not the alternative, I wouldn’t go to rehab.

I made it to a holistic treatment center in Mesa – not a fancy facility but a place where the counselors and the clients seem to have a great relationship. However, after the first day, I did not want to be there. I started to mentally obsess using crystal and wanted to leave in the most desperate way. At midnight on day two, I made a decision to slip away. I went to the courtyard to smoke a cigarette near midnight and waited for an opportunity to jump the retaining wall. I was out on the streets and looking for a hit. I didn’t care about the consequences. Within an hour, I was off to the races. I found a female who knew where to get the drugs and she offered me a place to use. My usage started at 2AM and didn’t end until noon the next day. I was strung out. I made it back to the treatment facility and was placed on restriction. I also had to sign a contract that stipulated informing the courts if such an incident occurred once more. I struggled through an intense 60-day program. I was now armed with the tools to give myself a chance to recover and to stay out of jail. As I left the facility, I knew that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed and that I had to approach my sobriety one day at a time.
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12/18

With dazed eyes, a dribbling of saliva coming out of her half-opened mouth, a greatly disheveled appearance and extreme tooth decay, all 84 pounds of Shannon slowly shuffled into the clinic at the River Source Naturopathic Treatment Center in March of 2007 as a last ditch effort to help break her devastating cycle of opiate dependency. Just a few short hours earlier, she had been discharged from a local Phoenix, Arizona area hospital for bilateral pneumonia, with additional diagnoses of malnutrition, depression, anxiety, heart palpitations, hyperthyroidism, and opiate withdrawal. Having unsuccessfully attempted to get off of the powerful and long-acting opiate methadone at local community detox facility prior to her admission to the hospital, her family researched the alternatives and discovered the River Source. Upon hospital discharge they brought her directly to us for detoxification and treatment. Admittedly, I had great trepidation to accept her as a patient upon seeing her extremely ill state, and yet in that moment I knew that if something was not done for her that the possibility that she would die within the ensuing weeks was very high, as neither the hospital nor the detox facility had afforded her the level and type of care that she really needed to be given a new lease on life. My colleague Dr. Dave Arneson, N.D., who also worked at the River Source at that time, and with whom I shared the responsibility of treating Shannon during her stay, later commented that it was by far the worst case of a methadone withdrawal he had ever seen.test

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