Mandala Art Therapy for Addictions

MANDALA is a Sanskrit word for “Healing Circle”.  Here at Moffitt Wellness Retreat for Substance Abuse, we use Mandala Art Therapy to bring peacefulness, creativity, and joy.

Mandalas arise from the compelling human need to know our own inner reality, to align this knowing with our body’s wisdom, and to awaken in ourselves a sense of being in harmony with the Universe.

Mandala art therapy supports meditating, and is a pure representation of our deepest nature.

 

CONTACT MOFFITT WELLNESS RETREAT TODAY FOR A CONFIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT.

Addiction | Staying Sober During the Holidays | 5 Tips

Addiction | Staying Sober During the Holidays | 5 Tips

During the Holiday's it can be very difficult when you may have family and friends who love to celebrate with a celebratory substance (Alcohol, Weed, Opiates, Coke, Heroin, Ecstasy, etc). Holiday occasions can impose feelings of anxiety, depression, or even isolation because you have made profound life changes, where as everyone else still has the same lifestyle as before.  Please read our TOP 5 TIPS in how to Relax within your Sober Holiday.

1.  Do Not Get Hung Up on your State of Sobriety. 

Relax and have a good time.  Our thoughts control our response to the present moment, so do not create an uncomfortable situation when there isn't one.  The moment you decide that you cannot have a good time sober, is when you have created that internal delusional of reality.

2.  Be Selective of Whom you Accept Invitations From.  

You know from the past, and through your own intuition, which parties are appropriate and which ones are not.  Also, you can have fun by creating your own annual party where you can have control of what you accept and what you do not.

3.  Manage your Social Anxiety.

When Anxiety starts to kick in, take 3 deep breaths to relax.  Then, go ask a friend to take a walk to connect on a more personnel basis.  Create space between you and the heavy activity within the party.  Create your own personnel party within the party.

4.  Promote Healthy New Traditions with your Friends and Family.  

This is the time to express all the wonderful new lifestyle changes that you have inherited as your own.  Cook Healthy Pot Luck Dishes, and share information that can help them and their loved ones become healthier themselves.  They will love you for it!  Be an Example, and use your intellectual power to continue to create shifts within your circle.

5.  Give Thanks for Sober Days.  

Take this annual occasion to dedicate your sobriety to yourself and your loved ones.  Reflect, and Smile on the hurdles you have overcome.  Be an Example Towards Change and Growth.  Even though people within your circle may not have an active addiction, most of us reflect on what changes (small or big) need to be made within our lives, and when loved ones see your success, it can give them the confidence to do the same.

Addiction Family Support | 10 Ways Family Can Help

As a family member it can be hard to understand the nature of substance abuse with a loved one.  Especially when we continuously want to believe that by some chance they may be able to handle or control what is going on in their life.  Coming to terms with the reality of the addiction, as a family member can be very difficult.  Many many people do not know what to do.

10 Ways a Family Member can Help a Loved One:

1.  Become knowledgeable and learn the facts about drug and alcohol addiction.  Al-anon & Nar-anon Meetings can be found in your local hometown to help.

2.  Do not try to help or rescue the addict.  If Karma has caught up to them, let them experience it.  The cause of their addiction has brought them here and they need to experience consequences.

3.  Do not financially support the addict by helping them with groceries, bills, court fines, etc.

4.  Don't try to understand or create delusional reasons why the loved one is an addict.

5.  Actions speak louder than words.  Commit to what you say.  Don't get angry over a situation, make threats or initiate consequences, and then backtrack. 

6.  Do not get caught up in their promises.  Becoming clean is a very difficult process for the addict.  They may relapse 2, 5, 10 times before they are able to create and maintain long lasting changes.  The point is they are trying.

7.  Support the addict's new positive ideas and aspirations even if they sound absurd and unrealistic.  This new positive direction, whatever it may be, is a sign that they are finding something to be passionate about.  If they begin to create action towards their aspiration, they have now been able to find something positive to cling to, and have a better chance in staying away from substance abuse.

8.  Don't Preach or Lecture.  This can push the addict in the opposite direction.  Talking doesn't make changes, actions do.

9.  Don't Blame Yourself.  They are an adult and if they use the scapegoat that you are the reason, they are ultimately using you along with many other dimensions of their life as the associated illusion to their addiction.

10.  Don't live in the Past.  The key is to deal with the issue as it exists now, and to focus on the addiction of substance abuse.  Do not go into the past and focus on old negative issues.  The past is gone, and the present is now.  Work on the NOW.

How Long Does Rehab Take?

How Long Does Rehab Take?

There isn't a set period of time that applies to everyone when it comes to rehabilitation. Some addicts may need a 90-day stay at an inpatient treatment facility to truly find their path in recovery, whereas others may only need a 30-day program. It simply varies according to the addiction in question, the individual's history with addiction, dual diagnosis conditions, and the individual's specific physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

Studies find that those who spend longer amounts of time in rehabilitation programs achieve better results of long-term sobriety. This is because more time spent at a treatment facility means more opportunity to focus on the root causes behind the addiction. If these issues are effectively addressed, the individual is more likely to be able to resist temptations to relapse.  Drug and alcohol addiction treatment doesn't end after the patient exits the rehabilitation program, regardless of the length of stay. Recovery is an ongoing process that will continue for the rest of the patient's life. Long-term recovery often involves ongoing therapy, both in individual and group form, and attendance at 12-step meetings (AA, NA). Some patients find other activities that support their ongoing recovery, such as meditation, yoga, exercise or hiking.  It's important to note that many addicts don't achieve perfect, lifelong recovery with one rehab stay. Relapse should not be viewed as a failure; instead, it should be seen as an obstacle to overcome on one's lifelong journey to sobriety. Relapse is an opportunity to reevaluate one's path and get back into a program that offers the support and help needed to maintain sobriety. Many addicts complete more than one stay in rehab before they are able to find their footing in their recovery journey.  It's all part of the process.