By Dr. Kerri Heath Sitting in the Zen garden at Passages one afternoon, a client who had only been there for a few days came and sat with us. It was a peaceful day with the soft sounds of the waterfall in the background and the beautiful views of theContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Great theatre is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to” – Willem Dafoe The following is a Q&A provided by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). What is Drama Therapy? NADTA defines drama therapy asContinue Reading
By Dr. Kerri Heath Tucked away in the mountains of Malibu, overlooking the gorgeous Pacific Ocean, sits a rehabilitation center that boasts of being the safe passage to find the other side of pain, guilt, and remorse where healing occurs. Visitors typically arrive at the lowest point in their livesContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” -Michelangelo Artistic and creative expression has a connection to our mental health. In recent years, the use of art therapy has successfully been incorporated into substance use and addiction treatment plans.Continue Reading
It was 10:00 AM. I’d already consumed 10 shots of Svedka vodka and had just poured another 5 shot glass when the phone rang indicating the cab had arrived for my trip to the airport. Next stop, Passages Malibu, where I hoped to conquer my addiction to alcohol. I grabbedContinue Reading
by Dr. Kerri Heath and Chris Prentiss “People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.” –Simon Sinek In his book Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, Simon Sinek presents the idea thatContinue Reading
By Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D. Alcoholism is a problem for many couples. Research shows that over 30% of Americans exceed the FDA guidelines for alcohol use (one drink a day for women and two for men). If your loved one drinks to cope with everyday life, the problem has wormed itsContinue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall The journey to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can be a complex and challenging process, especially when the individual is in denial. Understanding the reasons behind denial, the impact of societal perception, and the challenges faced when helping someone in denial, is crucial for initiating anContinue Reading
Many people are curious when learning that Passages is a non-12 Step addiction rehab center. They ask us, “What does that mean?” Here we have created an infographic to lay it all out for you to better understand the difference between 12 Step and non-12 Step addiction treatment philosophies andContinue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you quit drinking alcohol or how you would feel overall? Many people who get sucked into the destructive habit of drinking alcohol tend to forget who they are without substances. They fail to live without alcohol,Continue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall If you’re someone who is heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol you may feel hopeless and lost in life. The good news is there is hope for achieving complete sobriety and breaking free from addiction so you can finally live a clean and stable life you canContinue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall Besides not waking up with a painful headache and a list of regrets from the night before, there are several other reasons to quit drinking alcohol. The amount of damage alcohol does to your body should be enough to avoid alcohol altogether, but for many, it’s not.Continue Reading
Malibu, Calif. (May 17, 2012) Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura, the world’s leading drug and alcohol rehab centers, are proud to support the first annual National Prevention Week, held from Monday, May 21, 2012, through Friday, May 25, 2012. This health observance is an opportunity for community members and leaders to learn moreContinue Reading
Adjusting to sobriety is difficult. After being in a structured environment through rehab and returning home, some people struggle with not having someone else help them make all their decisions. Thankfully, there are many ways a person can adjust to their new sober lifestyle, so they don’t slip back intoContinue Reading
The abuse of and eventual dependency on drugs and alcohol is merely a mechanism to cope with physical, mental, or emotional pain. To stop your addiction, you must first find the underlying causes of your behaviors and why you are choosing to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol in the firstContinue Reading
Repeated use of dangerous and addictive stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, often causes a powerful physical and mental dependency. It is rarely easy to overcome without attending an inpatient rehab program. A new study has recently found that stimulant drugs change and manipulate the brain’s circuitry, making a recovery followingContinue Reading
Food addiction is a condition that many people find difficult to understand. Many people have unhealthy eating habits and difficulties with food. Still, it can be tricky to determine whether an individual merely struggles with eating or whether they are addicted to food. Food addiction is a pathological disorder characterizedContinue Reading
Many of the articles we read and the studies we observe discuss drug and alcohol abuse in the United States. However, drug and alcohol abuse is a worldwide problem and has been an issue in numerous countries for centuries. Research studies show that specific drugs used vary from country toContinue Reading
Exercise is a very crucial component for an individual recovering from any alcohol or drug abuse. Years of dependency on drugs and alcohol severely diminish your physical state and health, often leading to gaining of fat, loss of muscle tone, and deterioration of the bones and joints. Physical fitness andContinue Reading
Plastic surgery addiction is a term that is fairly new in the treatment world’s vocabulary. Plastic surgery has only been around for a small number of decades. The number of people getting cosmetic procedures has rapidly spiked in the short amount of time it has been available. Many people, especiallyContinue Reading