Crisis Hotline Myths
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela Many people are afraid to ask for help—especially when in crisis.Continue Reading
5 Ways to Confront and Heal Your Inner Demons
By Jennifer McDougall “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” – August Wilson Facing your inner demons takes great courage.Continue Reading
Building Healthy Self-Esteem
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” – Muhammad Ali Self-Esteem begins to form in early childhood. It is shaped by our thoughts, relationships, and life experiences. Understanding self-esteem and theContinue Reading
Fitness in Addiction Recovery
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”-Bruce Lee Exercise is an excellent tool for individuals who suffer from substance use disorders. It provides for practicing healthy coping mechanisms and an increased confidenceContinue Reading
Visual Arts Therapy at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “All art intuitively apprehends coming changes in the collective unconsciousness.” -Carl Gustav Jung Using imagination to create something fresh symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, and rejuvenation. At Passages Malibu, art therapy is used by some of our life purpose counselors as a way to help youContinue Reading
What Are the Warning Signs of Suicide
by Jennifer McDougall “There is no cell culture for depression. You can’t see it on a bone scan or an x-ray. Not everyone with depression will show the same behavioral symptoms.” ― Chris Prentiss, The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure Suicide has become one of the nation’s biggest causes of death amongst teens,Continue Reading
Healing Through Writing at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” -Ernest Hemingway Writing can be a healing process for those struggling with substance use and addiction. By reflecting on and reframing life events, the act of writingContinue Reading
What is Art Therapy | Substance Abuse Treatment at Passages Rehab
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
Getting Sober at Passages Malibu- A True Testimony
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
An Addiction Philosophy: Step Three for Treating Addiction
by Dr. Kerri Heath “Your most important work is always ahead of you, never behind you.” –Dr. Stephen R. Covey There is a way to end addiction. But before you can experience it, you must believe that it’s possible. Currently, you have a philosophy on what addiction is whetherContinue Reading
Discover and Heal Underlying Causes of Addiction: Step Two in Treating Addiction
by Dr. Kerri Heath “Only when we are sick of our sickness shall we cease to be sick.” –The 71st verse of the Tao The problems underlying dependency always have both physical and psychological components, and both have to be treated simultaneously. At Passages Addiction Treatment Center in Malibu, itContinue Reading
Believe: Step One in Treating Addiction
by Dr. Kerri Heath “…the reward of faith is to see what you believe.” -Saint Augustine Do you believe that you can create a better life for yourself than the one you are living? Do you believe that it is possible to be free from the binds of addiction? American’sContinue Reading
A Holistic Approach to Drug Addiction at Passages Rehab
by Dr. Kerri Heath “A holistic approach looks for fundamental underlying issues, rather than only addressing symptoms.” –Fran Sussman A truly great drug rehab center knows that a holistic recovery program will help you discover and heal the underlying causes of addiction, which is the only way to achieveContinue Reading
Start with the Why: Treating Drug and Alcohol Addiction
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
What to Know About Loving an Alcoholic
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
10 Extraordinary Ways to Unlock Your Full Potential
By Jennifer McDougall If you’ve struggled in the past to find motivation and continue to run into the same walls, that leave you feeling blocked in terms of being able to be your ultimate self– the greatest version of yourself, then you have come to the right place. This articleContinue Reading
5 Essential Pre-Sleep Habits for Optimal Rest
By Jennifer McDougall A restful night’s sleep is crucial for our well-being, but the activities we engage in before bedtime significantly influence the quality of our slumber. Here are five essential habits to incorporate into your evening routine to ensure you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. “It’s in theContinue Reading
Talking to Someone in Denial of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
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
5 Tips to Staying Sober at Music Festivals
By Jennifer McDougall Are you preparing for a Spring or Summer music festival, but want to stay sober? At Passages, we have these 5 helpful tips to keep you from straying the course in your sobriety and staying sober while at these heavily drug and alcohol infused music festivals. 1.Continue Reading
The Best 5 Ways to Reduce Stress From Your Life Today
By Jennifer McDougall Are you ready to eliminate stress from your life and become more at ease without fear and doubt? At Passages, we are here to help you achieve and maintain a stressfree lifestyle to help avoid from straying the course in your sobriety. Here are 5 of theContinue Reading