Imagine Yourself at Passages : Four Myths about Luxury Rehab Centers
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
Drama Therapy & Addiction
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
Finding the Source of My Pain
By Dr. Kerri Heath “The cure for pain is in the pain.” -Rumi If you are searching for a rehab center, you are probably experiencing a lot of pain. The substances may no longer be working to numb the pain. You know that it is time to heal this painContinue Reading
Unlearning Learned Behavior
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “You have to throw a gold brick into the uncertain waters of the future, and have faith because there will be many difficult days before you will see the returns start rolling in…” -P. T. Barnum Elephants in Captivity Have you ever attended a circusContinue Reading
Getting the High without the Drugs or Alcohol
By Dr. Kerri Heath A person gets addicted to feeling good, so they use anything they can to find that state. If you or a loved one is addicted to something, it is essential to realize that you are really addicted to the feeling that substances bring. Addiction is aContinue Reading
How to Break a Habit
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” Warren Buffett If a habit or old behavior brings about the desired result, why stop doing it? Change is only initiated when the solution to a problem startsContinue Reading
Am I An Addict?
By Dr. Kerri Heath “You will see it when you believe it.” –Wayne Dyer This is a very tough question to answer. An addict is someone whose life is controlled by alcohol or drugs. Anyone who has struggled with substance abuse has told themselves many times that they “have itContinue Reading
Self Soothing Through the 5 Senses
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC Mindfulness is the ability to steer clear from worry and anxiety bringing one’s attention to the present moment. Feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped to deal with life’s challenges is not uncommon early in sobriety. The use of drugs and alcohol is no longer an option, norContinue Reading
Overcoming Addiction: Finding Peace at Passages
By Dr. Kerri Heath “Reserving judgment is a matter of infinite hope.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby I love visiting Passages in Malibu, as it brings a sense of peaceful re-centering every time I visit. The beautiful ocean views and perfectly groomed landscaping create the context, but it isContinue Reading
Online Dating in Addiction Recovery
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC Google “online dating tips” and you will be inundated with article after article ranging from top ranking dating sites to online dating safety tips, to rules of dating, to how to set up a winning profile (or avoid a terrible one). “The Dating Game” ThereContinue Reading
Leaving Addiction and Dismantling Fear: Consciousness Drained of All Doubts
By Dr. Kerri Heath I look forward to meeting with the owner of Passages Malibu, Chris Prentiss, who has dedicated his entire life to helping others reach their highest potential. Being in the same room with someone who is committed to helping you expand and grow is not an opportunityContinue Reading
Recognizing Early Signs of Mania & Depression
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “To heal illness, begin by restoring balance.” –Carolone Myss Individuals who struggle with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder (along with their loved ones) can tell you that there are definite changes in mood and behavior preceding the onset of mania or depression. SomeContinue Reading
A Safe Passage from Addiction with Non-12-Step Luxury Treatment
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
Benefits of Sound Therapy
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this world” -John Locke Sound Therapy—the use of vibrations to affect cellular resonance (the frequency at which an object naturally vibrates). Cellular resonance is found in eachContinue Reading
Overcoming Addiction by Finding Your Flow
By Dr. Kerri Heath “Being in Flow is a mystical or transcendent state where you go beyond your sense of self and you experience exceptional feats of strength and endurance of creativity.” –Glen Gerreyn One of the best ways to overcome addiction is to find your flow. Your flow isContinue Reading
Goal Setting: Rethinking the Past Within the Context of Your Future
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”- Michael Jordan One fact remains true: Individuals who have struggled with substance use and addiction within their lifetime learned to develop a level of resilience and grit thatContinue Reading
Power to Overcome Addiction: Three Steps to Freedom
By Dr. Kerri Heath Admitting that you are facing a life-threatening problem like alcoholism and drug addiction can seem overwhelming. Thoughts and excuses may run through your mind like “there is no way I can stop” or “I am not strong enough to quit.” The pain and problems that youContinue Reading
Disclosing Your Addiction at Work
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Complete honesty is not the same thing as full disclosure.” ― Ron Brackin When an individual seeks help for an addiction or substance use disorder, it is not surprising that other areas of that person’s life begin to shift as well. The workplace environment is noContinue Reading
How to Support Loved Ones Through Mental Health Challenges
By Jennifer McDougall Discussing mental health issues such as depression, anger, or suicidal thoughts is often shrouded in myths and misconceptions. One common myth is that asking someone about their emotional distress could increase their risk of self-harm or harm to others. However, opening a dialogue is crucial to showingContinue Reading
Words Matter: Conversations About Addiction
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “A man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.” –Mark Twain We’ve all heard the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But the field of psychology shows us words do matter.Continue Reading