Sober Transitions

Hired Power and Betty Ford Women's Symposium 2012

Hired Power was a break sponsor at the Betty Ford Women's Symposium last Thursday at UCLA. It was definately a day of inspiration to see a conference full of women and men supporting women in recovery. I believe it is safe to say tha a great time was had by all! With women in recovery still a fresh theme check out this article:

Addiction and Gender: Recovery for Women

Women and addiction: Why Whitney wasn't alone Published on March 22, 2012 by Brenda Iliff in A Remarkable Recovery

Whitney Houston's public battle with addiction and untimely passing has shed light on the growing epidemic of addiction among women in the United States. On the surface, Whitney's story may not feel relatable; she was a high-profile celebrity, a gorgeous woman, with an incredible voice and a very public life.

But she was also a woman - a loving mother, an member of a strong family unit and a good friend - she worked hard and battled personal demons including addiction and her story isn't as uncommon as you may think.

Women are the fastest-growing segment for substance abuse in the United States. In fact, according to the Federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, about 2.7 million women in the United States abuse drugs or alcohol. Even more frightening is that the majority who need treatment do not receive it because:

• They are afraid of losing, or being separated from, their families
• They view their substance use as a social activity or habit, rather than an addiction that is disrupting their lives 
• They believe that their substance abuse is the outcome of anxiety or depression, treating the mental health issue while ignoring the addiction
• They are afraid or embarrassed to admit they are struggling with addiction, and hide their drug or alcohol use from family and friends

There are special issues that women face in addiction treatment and recovery. The traditional wisdom of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says that women progress faster in addiction. Now the research is telling us the "why" and more importantly "what" can be done to assist women in recovery.

Like what you're reading? Continue here:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/remarkable-recovery/201203/addiction-and-gender-recovery-women

 

The Worst Addiction Advice You Can Get

On the insanity of stopping addiction before you treat it Published on February 28, 2012 by Lance Dodes, M.D. in The Heart of Addiction

Not long ago, a woman suffering with alcoholism told me she'd been advised by a self-styled "addiction expert" that she should stop drinking before seeking psychotherapy to work out the problems bothering her. In essence, she was being told, "First get better, then get treatment." This ridiculous idea is even stranger if you imagine it being said by a therapist: "Go away and stop drinking, then I'll treat you." Incredibly enough, there are therapists who say just that.

Since addictive (or compulsive) behavior is a psychological symptom—a disastrous effort to manage feelings of overwhelming helplessness—it makes sense that psychotherapy is an optimal way to understand its causes and precipitants, and ultimately the best way to manage it. Of course, there are some people who are unable to do psychotherapy. They are incapable of being introspective or thoughtful about themselves. For these folks a modified approach is needed that does not call upon them to be self-observing. But people with addictions are like anybody else. Most people with addictive symptoms are quite capable of thinking through their problems with competent help.

Naturally, you might note that besides psychotherapy there are other treatment approaches. The most common and famous of these are 12-step programs. They work great for some. But widely publicized academic studies have repeatedly shown that only 5 to 10 percent of all people who attend AA become sober members. That's a lot better than zero percent, of course. But that means that advising people with addictions to delay other treatment in favor of going to a 12-step program will be the wrong recommendation at least 90% of the time. This is unfortunate, since AA is free and widely-available, but there is no getting around the facts. That's not to say AA can't have a supportive role. Sometimes people do well with both psychotherapy and AA. I wrote a paper about that many years ago. But that's different from advising folks to go to AA first and therapy later.

Continue reading here:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-heart-addiction/201202/the-worst-addiction-advice-you-can-get

 

Addicted to Love

Addicted to Love

10 Signs of Love or Sex Addiction by Sexual Recovery Institute

How do you know if a friend, family member, partner, or client may be struggling with love or sex addiction? While the line between these two addictions is often blurry and they exist on somewhat of a continuum, there are a few hallmark signs to watch for when determining if an individual needs treatment:
1.  Constantly seeking a sexual partner, new romance or significant other
2.  An inability or difficulty in being alone
3.  Consistently choosing partners who are abusive or emotionally unavailable
4.  Using sex, seduction and intrigue to “hook” or hold onto a partner
5.  Using sex or romantic intensity to tolerate difficult experiences or emotions
6.  Missing out on important family, career or social experiences in order to maintain a sexual high or romantic relationship
7.  When in a relationship, being detached or unhappy, when out of a relationship, feeling desperate and alone
8.  An inability to leave unhealthy relationships despite repeated promises to self or others
9.  Returning to previously unmanageable or painful relationships despite promises to self or others
10.  Mistaking sexual experiences and romantic intensity for love

If you know someone who needs love or sex addiction treatment, or you have general questions about the SRI Intensive Outpatient Program, please give us a call at: 310-360-0130.
 
Copyright (C) 2011 Sexual Recovery Institute All rights reserved.

A Hunger Artist

Five Anorexia Myths Exploded

Winning the battle against Anorexia by Emily Troscianko

So many people just don't get what it means, to want and need to starve yourself. Why on earth should they? Yet anorexia seems strangely appealing as a subject of media jokes, or magazine gossip, or off-the-cuff comments from acquaintances: ‘She's been looking really anorexic lately'. As someone with anorexia and as someone recovered from it, the myths and misconceptions surrounding the illness have surprised me with their prevalence - they used to upset and infuriate me, now I can better understand them. 

 

Continue reading here:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hunger-artist/200908/five-anorexia-myths-exploded

 

AUDIT Alcohol Screening Test

Use this short screening test to help determine if you should seek help (diagnosis and treatment) for alcoholism (alcohol addiction, abuse and/or dependence).

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=1860&cn=14

A Must Have for Recovering Alcoholics and Addicts:

Bridging the gap between drug and alcohol treatment and living in recovery.

So you're fresh out of rehab. How do you stay sober long enough to shoot that movie and fulfill your celebrity commitments? A live-in Personal Recovery Assistant is exactly what is needed. And now -- this Hollywood “must have” is a certified profession available to everyone.

August 29, 2008

Bringing awareness of drug and alcohol addiction issues to the forefront with programs like Dr Drew Pinsky’s Celebrity Rehab, A & E Television Network’s shows Intervention and The Cleaner, there has recently been several articles and media attention on high profile celebrities struggling with the consequences of drugs, alcohol, gambling, eating disorders and various other addictions.  Many of these celebrities are photographed and profiled hanging out with a “sober buddy, sober babysitter” or so called “minder.”  This awareness is sparking a lot of curiosity of, ‘who is this “stranger” lurking in the shadows on the set, in a business meeting or hanging out at family functions?’ These “strangers” are often being referred to as an associate, assistant, friend or family member but before we give up the secret of what this person does it is important to know why this person is there.  To quote one client, “this person is here to help be a barrier between me and the dragon of my disease: addiction.”

The concept of peer-mentoring in addiction has been around for a long time with the Alcoholics Anonymous role of a sponsor; a recovering addict that volunteers to help fellow addicts get through tough times. The world wide exposure and evolution of this concept has brought a lot of attention to "the stranger", developing the need to create a professional supervised support service that is not sponsorship nor in- home therapy. Hired Power Transitional Recovery Services, a professional service located in both California and New York, identified that regardless which mode of treatment utilized to treat the addict, there is a transition period that takes place when addicts return home or on the road and attempt to maintain a sober lifestyle.  It is a known fact that during the transition, addicts are most vulnerable to relapse and are relapsing at an alarming rate. There is a significant need to "bridge the gap" extending treatment by means of intensive support into the homes and lives of addicts.

For Hired Power Transitional Recovery Services “the stranger” is a Certified Personal Recovery Assistant whose role is to guide support and mentor clients on utilizing newly learned skills to become self sustaining in their own recovery process.  Hired Power realized the potential criticism and discomfort associated with providing a Certified Personal Recovery Assistant. Criticism such as:  “Why should someone pay for a mentor?  How can we trust a stranger?  Living with someone and maintaining a professional therapeutic relationship is not possible.”   Hired Power Transitional Recovery Services answers these issues by providing a professional, supervised team approach. This team brings more than just a professional in the home, it creates a foundation of recovery in the daily living environment and the community of the individual. Creating a certification process requiring addiction recovery experience, education, extensive background checks, and daily supervision, staff must be carefully screened and prepared, states Nanette Zumwalt owner and CEO of Hired Power Transitional Recovery Services. Hired Power is the only professional service provider to establish this certification creating the highest standards during the most vulnerable times in the recovery process.

With all the media attention and gossip style headlines this service can appear costly, lucrative and glamorous. Maintaining the highest degree of professionalism, confidentiality and reliability Hired Power Transitional Recovery Services makes every effort to provide services not only to the high profile and executive leadership teams but to all individuals transitioning into the early phases of recovery. Zumwalt stated, ‘The majority of people with substance abuse issues are not celebrities, most of our clients are business men and women or their family members, young adults, and occasionally adolescents who have developed chronic substance-abuse and addiction problems.’

 

Hired Power Certified Personal Recovery Assistants recognize the severity of the disease of alcoholism, drug addiction and eating disorders, bringing a daily awareness that lives are at stake.

Announcing: Alpha Intervention

ALPHA INTERVENTION SHEDS LIGHT ON ADDICTION ISSUES IN UPPER MANAGEMENT

Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol Can Have Catastrophic Consequences on a Company; Alpha Intervention Brings Respect and Solutions to the Board Room

San Francisco, August 11, 2008

– Alpha Intervention, a leading company specializing in executive chemical dependency, today publicly announces its services as a carefully managed therapeutic resource for companies struggling with addiction within their leadership. The company, founded by recovery specialist and businesswoman Kate Webster, focuses on drug and alcohol addiction problems affecting people who play a critical role in a company’s success. The issue of addiction exists in all industries and at all levels, yet the lack of resources for people in the upper echelons of a company prompted the founder to fill the void.

“Traditionally, when a company begins to feel the affects of an addict or alcoholic’s disruptive behavior, the Human Resource department steps in and provides solutions for the employee,” stated Founder and President Kate Webster. “Yet a crisis situation at the executive level falls outside the scope of Human Resource capabilities, and therefore requires a unique approach to the Intervention and recovery process.” Alpha Intervention provides a structured and closely managed process, effectively intervening on the addiction and implementing consequences previously avoided due to the senior executives’ position and role in the company.

Alpha Intervention is unique in its service because the members of the team understand the situation not only from the addiction counseling perspective, but also from their prior experience running successful companies.

The Alpha Intervention process:

1. The      Assessment –The Alpha team consults with the relevant parties in the      organization, deciding on the best course of action, taking into account      the specific requirements of the addicted person’s role in the company and      advising on the most appropriate and effective course of action.
2. The      Intervention – The Alpha team creates an environment where the difficult      conversation takes place between the executive with the addiction and the      other key members of the organization. The addiction problem and its      effects on the company are outlined clearly and appropriate solutions are      presented to the addicted person. Treatment recommendations are outlined      and the consequences of not following them made clear.
3. Re-Entry      to the Workplace – Often the most complex part of the Intervention      process, the Alpha Intervention      Re-Entry program puts recovery coaches in place to help the individual      transition back into the workplace and maintain long-term sobriety. A      stringent one year contract allows for closely monitored random drug and      alcohol testing and after-care therapy that greatly increases the chances      of success.

“Kate's life experiences provide a rich background that serves her well as an interventionist for high level business executives,” says Jan Vondracheck, executive director, Hazelden Springbrook. “The clients that have been referred from Kate thus far to Hazelden Springbrook, speak highly of Kate and of their experience in working with her. We're very excited to hear about the work that Kate is doing with executives, as this is an area in which she is keenly competent. We look forward to working with Kate and Alpha Intervention.”

“Kate Webster, Kristina Wandzilak and their team bring a superb blend of professionalism, expertise and personal experience to Alpha Intervention,” said Stephanie Brown, Ph.D, founder of the Addictions Institute in Palo   Alto , California

. “I have seen Kate tap into her extensive business experience, passion and dedication to help those with addictions. With her intuitive business sense and professional training as an Interventionist, Kate has a unique perspective into recovery challenges within the corporate world. The team will offer continuing guidance to the individual with support for sobriety, a recovery program, and the challenges of returning to a stressful executive position.”

For more information about addiction at the management level and Alpha Intervention, please visit www.AlphaIntervention.com or call (415) 747-8224

About Alpha Intervention

Founded in 2003, the Alpha Intervention team, made up of a highly trained network of specialists, provides a closely managed therapeutic process of intervention and recovery for the corporate environment. Alpha Intervention has offices in San Francisco, New York, London and works with credited treatment centers throughout the United States.

About Kate Webster, Co-founder and president

Kate Webster is a successful business executive with over fifteen years experience working with Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. and Europe. Webster brings a unique combination of this strong business background and experience as an Executive Interventionist in the field of chemical dependency. She has created a unique one-year treatment model, with the focus on successful re-entry into the workplace and long-term recovery.

About Kristina Wandzilak, Co-Founder

An author and National presenter on addiction and treatment, Kristina Wandzilak founded Full Circle Intervention in 2004, bringing together a team of Intervention experts focusing on the family. Wandzilak is the Co-Founder of Alpha Intervention and as one of our lead Interventionists, brings with her extensive experience of planning and executing successful Interventions and monitoring programs for senior executives across the U.S. and Europe.

About Dr. Jim Tracy

Dr. Jim Tracy is a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Dentistry. As a dentist, Tracy
practiced general dentistry for 18 years, much of that in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. In 1997, he left active practice to develop an Impaired Physician Program for the Nevada Board of Medical examiners. Two years later Dr. Tracy was asked to develop a treatment program for impaired professionals at The Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. He served as a Vice President of the Center's Professional Recovery Program. He currently serves as an Evaluation Committee Member for the California Medical Board’s Physician’s Diversion Program, the California Dental Board’s Diversion Program and the State Bar of California, Lawyers Assistance Program.

About Nanette Zumwalt

Nanette Zumwalt is the President of Hired Power, the leading Personal Recovery Assistant and Sober Companion company in the U.S. Zumwalt has extensive experience in the addiction recovery and mental health fields. Her work has taken her across the United States, establishing extensive contacts among treatment centers, hospitals, therapists, physicians, program directors, and other professionals within the professional community, entertainment and sports industries. The Hired Power team is an excellent resources with in-depth knowledge of current trends in the substance abuse and mental health treatment fields and will provide Alpha Intervention with a National team of Personal Recovery Assistants and Executive Recovery Coaches.

Press Contact:

Katy Garlinghouse

Public Relations Manager

(415) 308-2108

KatyGarlinghouse@AlphaIntervention.com

 

 

 

 

 

Something to brag about :)

It's always nice to be appreciated. Thank you Bill, for the opportunity to come alongside The Menninger Clinic!

(excerpted from an email June, 2008)

The young man in question ended up readmitting here so your services were not needed.  I was however, very impressed with the response of Monique and the front office staff in getting me connected to her when I told the person answering the phone the urgency of the situation.  It’s things like these that keep me coming back as well as referring others to you.  Many thanks.   

Bill Mackey, LCSW, CSAT

 The Menninger Clinic

 

Bridging the Gap

Hired Power's Personal Recovery Assistants provides a service that "bridges the gap" between the addict and their needs.  Many addicts who take the first step and admit they have a problem, often find themselves using again.  It is not easy to stop "cold turkey".  There is a gap between admitting and actually participating in the treatment process.  There is also a gap between participating in the treatment process and actually living in recovery.  See the Hired Power Model-Road to Recovery "Bridging the Gap" for details.

Hired Power Model: "Road to Recovery, Bridging the Gaps"

Hired Power:  Model for Transition Recovery “Road to Recovery, Bridging the Gaps”

1.  Engaging and Achieving abstinene (Transition)

• Admitting addiction and abuse of drugs and alcohol
• Detoxing, stopping cold turkey,

GAP

·         Denial, procrastination, laziness, peer pressure, breaking habits, social groups,cravings

·         Lack of resources, motivation

Bridge:  Certified Personal Recovery Assistant

·         Has experienced addiction and is in recovery

·         Relates familiar experiences and feelings

·         Encouragement to move to the next step

·         Engagement in recovery lifestyle

·         Trusted partner

2.  Learning Recovery Skills and Relapse Prevention (Transition)

• Treatment Experience
• AA, NA, Treatment Centers
• Therapists, Treatment providers
• Learning new coping skills, tools

GAP

·         Lack experience applying new coping tools

·         Fighting the cravings

·         Unforseen Triggers, and Barriers to recovery

·         Lack of social support

·         Isolation

Bridge:  Certified Personal Recovery Assistant

·         Has experienced addiction and is in recovery

·         Relates familiar experiences and feelings

·         Encouragement to move to the next step

·         Engagement in recovery lifestyle

·         Trusted partner

·         Liason between addict, treatment team, family, community resources

·         Helps identify barriers and triggers

·         Helps create a solution utilizing experience and treatment team

  3.  Recovery Lifestyle (Gaps filled)

·         Applying new coping skills to everyday life

·         Recognizing barriers, and triggers as they arise

·         Developing a new sense of self over time as life events are radically changed

·         Becoming self reliant, and self sustaining, not relying on others

·         Developing new sets of social groups

Once an addict decides to make the change, there are countless options they could follow to recover and maintain a sober lifestyle.  No matter what the recovery process is, however a transition or transformation is taking place.  Psychologists and theorists describe transition as significant life events - changes to the individual’s role or environment that require radical restructuring of the individual’s view of themselves and their world.  Addicts who are used to coping with life while under the influence experience a radical change in their view of themselves and their environment when they decide to live a sober lifestyle.  Addicts sometimes admit they have a problem but are psychologically in denial that they need help.  This can prevent a transition due to procrastination, lack of motivation.  Moreover, while learning and experiencing the tools and techniques to live in recovery is necessary to make a total transformation, the reality of practicing them in real life situations on a daily basis for the rest of the addicts life is extra challenging.  Current treatment models provide the tools or “medicine” for addicts, however unlike taking medicine most of the treatment requires the addict to know when, where, how and why to apply the tools for treatments in order to practice a recovery lifestyle.

Current studies indicate that addicts very rarely stop “cold turkey” for the rest of their life without a relapse ranging from minor to life threatening or fatal consequences.  Studies also show that the longer an addict stays in recovery up to five years, they are more likely to remain in recovery for the rest of their lives.  It has also been found that even after extensive treatment in treatment centers that addicts go home and relapse within the first 90 days. Relapse Prevention theory indicates there are certain triggers and barriers that must be recognized while in recovery.  Only then addicts can know what their challenges are and overcome them.

The Hired Power Model of transition recovery was founded as a result of recognizing the need for many addicts to have constant intensive support during the transition to and from treatment.  By providing support through a CPRA, addicts learn from someone who has been where they are and has made it through the transition.  A Hired Power CPRA is there to mentor addicts through the next step and teach them which tools to use and also teach them when, where, how and why to use them.  Though therapy and treatment give an addict tested tried and true methods of recovery, new coping skills and transitions take time to settle in. 

Hired Power’s CPRA’s assist the client in recognizing their triggers and barriers and mentor them through creating a strategy to face them and minimize their impact on the client.  Thus, “bridging the gaps” and increasing the amount of time an addict is in recovery giving them a better chance of living a lifetime in recovery.