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At the Claudia Black Young Adult Center, we help you to access PPO insurance plans with out-of-network benefits. Our team of professionals makes Utilization Review and insurance billing easier so our patients can get the care they need.

Start The Journey Towards Recovery

If you are or your loved one is struggling with unresolved emotional trauma, addiction, have a dual diagnosis or have failed past treatment, we can help. At The Claudia Black Young Adult Center, we guide young adults through recovery by examining the root causes of their disorders. Please fill out the form or call the number below for more information on how we can help.

Showing posts with label Depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Depression. Show all posts

9/18/17

What Do I Do With My Child?

Addiction TreatmentCollege can be an exciting time for many young adults; it is where they experience many firsts, including a new lifestyle, friends, roommates, exposure to new cultures and a wide-variety of principles and thinking. Unfortunately, when many students are unable to handle these firsts, they’re more likely to struggle. Insecure and unable to manage the new environment or adjustments they can become susceptible to depression and anxiety.

In fact, the average onset for many mental health conditions is around the ages of 18 to 24, when many young adults find themselves attending college. According to the 2006 American College Health Association Survey, 45 percent of women and 36 percent of men felt so depressed that it was difficult to function.

Why Do So Many Young Adults Find Themselves Struggling?

Many young adults may find themselves feeling lost because the familiar people in their lives are no longer there to reinforce their identity, this leaves the student feeling disoriented and lacking confidence in their sense of self. Academic stressors can cultivate feelings of inadequacy, this combined with outside pressure of parental expectations can quite often become overwhelming to a person who is already dealing with so much going on in their lives.

This combination of a lack of confidence and a precarious identity can lead young adults to make poor decisions regarding drinking and drugs. In fact, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) report, Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Substance Abuse at America’s Colleges and Universities, 45 percent of college students binge drink and nearly 21 percent abuse prescription or illegal drugs.

This explosion in the intensity of substance abuse among college students carries devastating consequences. Each year:


  • More than 1,700 students die from alcohol poisoning and alcohol-related injuries

  • 700,000 students are assaulted by classmates who were drinking

  • Almost 100,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assaults and rapes
Dealing with the Aftermath

Young adults ages 18 to 26 often have a perception of feeling “in-between,” knowing they are free from adolescent struggles and looking for independence. When a young adult is unable to cope with the rigors of academic life and find themselves dismissed from college, they along with their parents may not know what to do. They may be asking themselves, “How do I deal with my child’s addiction issues?” “How can I help my child resolve their traumatic experience?” or even more plainly, “How can I get my son or daughter back on track for a successful life?”

It’s Time to Call the Claudia Black Young Adult Center

A key to long-term recovery for young adults is finding a way to tap into an overall sense of purpose. At the Claudia Black Young Adult Center, we have developed a customized approach to target this unique population. Addictions, emotional trauma, and certain mood disorders may surface during this time period in a person’s life and may be connected to the presence of a dysregulated brainstem. The Claudia Black Young Adult Center understands the enormous complexity of how the human brain functions in young adults. We utilize proven treatments to help regulate our patients during the healing process, allowing them to embrace long-term recovery.

The Claudia Black Young Adult Center in Wickenburg, Arizona, provides an intensive, experientially-based 45-day treatment program for young adults ages 18 to 26 who are struggling with unresolved emotional trauma, addiction, have a dual diagnosis or who have failed past addiction treatments. Dr. Claudia Black - renowned author, speaker, and trainer who has been working with family systems and addictive disorders since the 1970s - is the clinical architect of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center.

In a safe and nurturing community composed of their peers, young adults are guided on their journey of recovery by examining the underlying causes of addiction and co-occurring disorders. The goal is for these individuals to gain the courage to face difficult issues, including grief and loss; heal from emotional trauma; and become accountable for their own feelings, behaviors, and recovery.

Contact us today or call 866-286-0105 to learn more about how our world-class treatment program can empower your child and set them on a course for success.

9/14/17

PTSD in Children of Alcoholics

Young Adult Mental HealthIn addition to the basics of food and shelter, children also need stability, consistency, and emotional care in order to thrive. Typically, at a young age, children form an emotional attachment with their caregivers and this has an influence on their development. The most important emotional attachment for a child is usually their parents. Children learn from their parents how to behave, how to function in life, and how to form other healthy relationships. When children grow up in unstable environments, it can disrupt normal development and lead to difficulties, such as mental health conditions.

Effects of Alcoholic Parents

One environment that can be challenging for children is a home in which one or both caregivers struggle with alcoholism. The characteristics of alcoholism can interfere with a person's typical parenting abilities. They may have an unusual schedule that leads to instability in the child's life and they may not be able to provide consistent care. They may act in unusual or harmful ways towards the child, including making hurtful statements or becoming violent while under the influence. Further, the parents may not be emotionally available, and therefore, the child is not able to have their emotional needs met.

Traumatic Effects on Children

Each child is unique and consequently may respond to such conditions in different ways. One outcome that some will develop is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (more commonly known as PTSD). Many of us associate PTSD with veterans or sexual assault survivors, but in fact, PTSD can grow out of any situation where a person experiences a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. Unfortunately, for children growing up with alcoholic parents, where the caregiving is unstable or even abusive, and this situation can represent a complex (or on-going) trauma experience. When children develop PTSD, it often appears different than it does in adults.

PTSD Symptoms in Children

Many factors combine to affect the exact symptoms an individual with PTSD will exhibit. Specific factors can include the child's intellectual development, presence of other caregivers, and amount of time spent in the traumatic environment. When adults experience PTSD, they often have symptoms of flashbacks and nightmares. Certain reminders of the trauma experience may serve as triggers that launch the person with PTSD into a cascade of difficult memories and psychological effects. However, the developmental level and dependence of children on caregivers can result in other symptoms.

When children experience trauma, they may feel helpless or they may take on responsibilities in the home, while still being unable to resolve the larger situation. They may withdraw or shut down. They may disconnect or dissociate from their surroundings. They may learn to exercise avoidance just to keep going. Other times, children want to seek out help and act out with tantrums or other behavioral problems. These may be methods they developed to help them survive the difficulty of home-life. Unfortunately, any of these behaviors can negatively affect children at school and in other settings.

Comorbid Mental Health Conditions

If left untreated, children of alcoholics (especially those who also experience PTSD) may develop other problems too. Many will also struggle with symptoms of depression or anxiety. Some will struggle with perfectionism and low self-esteem. These children may also have difficulties forming attachments and trusting other individuals in their lives. They may develop other more difficult disorders such as Reactive Attachment Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder. These types of mental health conditions can make it difficult for individuals to form healthy relationships.

Risk for Personal Substance Use

Children who grow up in homes with alcoholic parents, experience trauma, and develop PTSD often go on to have their own issues with substance use disorders. The reasons for this are three-fold. First, these children may have a genetic predisposition towards substance use. Second, they have witnessed substance use and it was role modeled for them. Third, sadly, in their efforts to cope with their PTSD, they often turn to substances as a maladaptive means of coping. They may find that it helps them “numb out” or temporarily reduce their symptoms and set aside their traumatic memories.

Adult Children of Alcoholics

For some individuals, who grow up in homes with alcoholic parents, their childhood is all about survival. They are just trying to get through each day, often taking care of themselves, younger siblings, the home, and even their parents. This survival mode may lead them to just keep functioning (at least on the surface). These children may not notice significant mental health problems until they are able to get themselves into a different situation (sometimes by entering college or moving out on their own). These adult children of alcoholics may then seek help to deal with their unresolved trauma.

Applying What We Know

Practically speaking, we want to use this information and here are some ways:

  • For parents struggling with their own alcohol problems, this may be your call-to-action to get help and improve not just your life, but also the lives of your children.
  • For adults who may see children in difficult situations, speak up and link them to help. Specially trained mental health providers can work with children to help them cope with trauma experiences and build their resilience for their lives ahead.
  • For adults, who grew up in homes with alcoholic parents and complex trauma situations, seek help. Some mental health providers have specialized training in working with trauma.
These providers will be best able to help you alleviate symptoms of PTSD and go on to a better life.

How The Meadows Can Help

The good news is there is hope for individuals who grew up around alcoholism. Research has identified ways that therapy can help. Having a collaborative therapeutic relationship with a skilled therapist will provide a space where you can learn new skills for coping, process through your history of trauma, and move forward into your own healthier life. Specific therapy approaches can be used to best match your personal situation and unique characteristics. You can explore these options with a therapist.

For over 35 years, The Meadows trauma treatment program has been helping trauma victims heal and learn the skills necessary to cope with the devastating, and often hidden, effects of trauma. The trauma treatment program at The Meadows was specifically designed for trauma survivors by Pia Mellody and a team of world renowned experts including Dr. Peter Levine, John Bradshaw, Dr. Shelley Uram, Dr. Jerry Boriskin, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and Dr. Claudia Black.

We have helped over 45,000 clients to date, through workshops and inpatient treatment programs. To learn more about the trauma workshops and treatment programs at The Meadows, call us at 800-244-4949.

Getting Help For Alcohol Addiction

At The Meadows, we treat all phases of alcohol addiction. From detoxification to our primary treatment program, we build foundations for long-term abstinence and sobriety. We focus on making changes in the way one lives, faces problems and relates to others.

Recovery from alcohol addiction may not seem possible, but it is. Once a person admits to having a problem, he or she has started down the path of recovery. Many patients trust The Meadows’ Alcohol Treatment Program to help them begin their journey toward sobriety. For more information please contact us online or call 800-244-4949 to speak with a representative to discuss your needs.


1/17/17

Trauma Can Lead to Eating Disorders

Addiction TreatmentHeather was raped when was she was a young adult. Her feelings of fear, rage, and powerlessness that followed became overwhelming and unmanageable. Initially, the stress she felt robbed her of her appetite; but, eventually, she began restricting her eating by choice. It gave her a sense of power over her body.

In recent years, it has become more and more apparent to researchers that people like Heather who struggle with eating disorders often also experienced trauma related to abuse. When someone experiences neglect, and/or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, they are frequently left feeling helpless and out of control.

Survivors of trauma may develop an eating disorder as a method of coping with those feelings of helplessness, and the severe anxiety and conflicting emotions that often come with them. They may adapt unhealthy eating behaviors because food intake is something they can control and the focus on food rituals helps them to mask their emotional pain.

Trauma is by far not the only factor in the development of eating disorders—personality and temperament, perfectionism, cultural and peer pressures, family expectations, and genetic and neurological factors can also contribute to the disorder—however, it is a very common one. In order for an individual to achieve long-term recovery from an eating disorder, they must address not only their unhealthy eating and body image issues but also their underlying emotional trauma.

How Does Trauma Trigger Eating Disorders?

There is so much that scientists and researchers still don’t know about the way our minds and bodies are connected. What we do know, thanks to researchers and clinicians like Dr. Peter Levine (who is also a Senior Fellow at The Meadows) is that trauma is held within the body. It cannot be released through intellectual processing alone.

Dr. Levine’s insights are based on the idea that the methods in which we, as humans, subconsciously react to threats aren’t all that different from the ways in which our fellow mammals in the wild react to threats. When animals are presented with a dangerous situation, their brains and bodies automatically produce a survival response of fight, flight, or freeze. Once the threat is gone, they release all of their survival energy through their bodies—often by shivering, sweating, crying, or yawning. Once they have released all of the pent-up energy, they resume their normal activities.

Human beings are missing the crucial, final “release” step in their fight, flight, and freeze responses. Once we experience a survival response, the energy can get “trapped” in our bodies, leading to the development of chronic disorders such as anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD. It can also lead to the development of disordered coping mechanisms, which is what often happens with addiction and eating disorders.

Not only can the trapped energy from trauma trigger the eating disorder, it can also make recovery from the eating disorder very difficult. If the energy from the trauma is not addressed and released during the course of treatment, relapse is much more likely.

Those at high risk for eating disorders because of trauma include victims of sexual abuse, particularly those who suffered at a younger age; victims or observers of domestic violence; and, those who suffer from PTSD.

Treatment for Trauma and Eating Disorders

Successful treatment for eating disorders and trauma requires a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach. Talk therapies, including group and individual counseling sessions, are important, as are coping skills training and nutritional counseling However, since trauma lives in the body as much as in the mind, it’s important to also incorporate body-based therapies including Somatic Experiencing® (SE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Yoga.

Somatic Experiencing® (SE)

Somatic experiencing is a body-awareness technique that was developed by Dr. Peter Levine. It was first introduced in his book, Waking the Tiger. With the help of a therapist, patients explore sensations in their bodies as they work to identify and regulate feelings of distress.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

In an EMDR session, a therapist uses external stimuli, like eye movements, tones or taps, to help the patient develop new insights or associations with their memories, triggers, and traumatic experiences. For example, the patient may be asked to focus on a particular memory or bodily sensation while simultaneously moving their eyes back and forth, following the therapist’s fingers as they move across the patient’s field of vision.

Yoga and Meditation

A number of mind-body therapies can aid in stress management, boost mood, and help release trauma from the body. Trauma-sensitive meditation, acupuncture, yoga, and breath work are a few examples of techniques that can be helpful in treating eating disorders and trauma as part of a larger, integrated treatment program.

If you or someone you love is struggling to maintain recovery from anorexia or bulimia, they may be experiencing underlying trauma that needs to be addressed through treatment. Remuda Ranch at The Meadows conducts a thorough assessment of all patients to help determine what, if any, trauma or co-occurring conditions might be making recovery especially difficult for them. We then develop a personalized treatment plan to help ensure progress in recovery. For more information about our programs call our intake staff at 866-390-5100 or send us an email.

12/15/16

How do I say NO to holiday drinking?

Holidays…It’s like music to ears, but are they actually good for us? A holiday is an excuse to abuse drinking. Holidays are not supposed to be enjoyed by drinking. There are several activities to enjoy vacation and alcohol intake is certainly not one of them. Alcohol could easily become addiction if not taken care. Following are the reasons for the addiction of alcohol:
  • Stressful environment: When one feels that atmosphere around him/her is not healthy and they do not feel loved, they start drinking. The pressure of behaving in a certain way, acting in a certain way during vacations leads to alcoholism But alcohol is not the solution, talking is.Talking to someone who is patient enough to understand you, will help you out overcome it.
  • Depression: Social life also complicated. A race to be in the competition is necessary and many times losing it causes depression.Things we bottle up and cannot share with others of lack of listening ears could lead to alcoholism. That happens because it temporarily helps you forget your problems. It is not helpful; instead, this stops progress of your life.
  • Peer pressure: Sitting with group of friends and all forcing you to intake alcohol in one way or other is very common. Do not hesitate to say NO even if they consider you a loser. Looser is not the one who doesn't drink, instead he is the one who know what is good for him and what is not.
  • Family history: People with family history of alcohol should be very careful because that could easily get you.Try healthy drinks instead of alcohol because that will work towards building a healthy you. Also, the member who is addicted, give them health drink too.
Content Source:-  https://goo.gl/qjK2nM

12/5/16

U.S. Surgeon General Issues a Call to Action on Addiction


 U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s release of Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health at yesterday’s Facing Addiction Summit was an unprecedented moment in our country’s fight against addiction and substance misuse. It is the first time in history that a U.S. surgeon general has issued a report focused on drug and alcohol addiction. The report comes at a time when more and more Americans are struggling with the effects of addiction to opioids and heroin. One person dies every 19 minutes from an opioid or heroin overdose. And, the statistics related to other addictions are no less grim. One in seven people in the United States will face a substance misuse disorder, and only 10 percent will get the treatment they need to overcome it.
Shame and stigma are typically major factors in preventing people from reaching out for help and finding treatment. That’s why it was especially encouraging to see Surgeon General Murthy make it clear that addiction is a brain disease and not a sign of depravity:

“We have to recognize (addiction) isn't evidence of a character flaw or a moral failing,” Murthy told USA Today. “It’s a chronic disease of the brain that deserves the same compassion that any other chronic illness does, like diabetes or heart disease.”

Treating Addiction as a Brain Disease

At The Meadows, addressing the neurological aspects of addiction alongside the social and spiritual aspects has always been a top priority. The Meadows Senior Fellow Dr. Shelley Uram often says that our approach includes both “Bottom Up” and “Top Down” therapies. To put it in the simplest of terms, the way your brain has been primed to respond to emotional triggers through your childhood experiences has an impact on the development of addictions and other behavioral health disorders.

Automatic emotional responses (fear, anger, disgust, etc.,) are deeply embedded in your limbic brain—the “bottom” part of your brain—which operates subconsciously.

Read More

11/23/16

Abusive Prescribed medicine…who thought?

You either have common cold or cancer, you always rely on medicines. Medicines have become your basic requirement. Prescribed medicine is the most common way to treat pain. But many times it must have happened that you depend so much on that, you are unable to let it go.It becomes dependency and then a bad habit resulting into the destruction of physical and mental health. The consequences of prescription medicine abuse have been steadily worsening and young adults between the ages of 15 and 27 are broadening the abuse of prescription medicine. 

Following are the abuse symptoms vary based on the class of drug:

Sedative abuse symptoms include:

  • Drowsy, intoxicated appearance
  • Confusion
  • Unsteady movements
  • Rapid, involuntary eye movement
  • Poor judgment and decision-making

Stimulant abuse symptoms include:

  • Extreme agitation
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Seizures  
  • Heart failure
  • Increased hostility
  • Paranoia
  • Insomnia
  • Weight loss

    Read More

9/12/16

College-Age Suicides Escalate

anxiety disorder treatment
Untreated Depression Costs Lives

Each new day brings rays of sunshine that invite life’s pleasures – the enticing scent of freshly brewed coffee; the warmth of embracing young children as they scurry off to school; or savoring simple bowls of delightful berries in all of its sweetness.

Unfortunately, life’s splendors are no longer in reach for suicide victims. There are no more tomorrows and no options to change course. No more laughter. No more aha moments. No more tender hugs from loved ones. Nothing can reverse the loss of a life to suicide. It’s finite. Over. There are no second chances.

Unfortunately, suicides on college campuses have been accelerating at an alarming rate. Paul Soutter, a sophomore at the College of William & Mary, recently took his own life. A once high-achieving young man, his death has brought increased attention to this epidemic of sorts. His death will forever leave a mark on his family, friends, teachers, and everyone else who knew this young individual who was once so full of life. This was the fourth student death at the college this year.

Full Article Here: Claudia Black Center Blog

7/25/16

Is Pokémon Go Really the Best Medicine for Depression?


If you spend any time at all on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, chances are that you’ve heard of Pokémon Go, the smartphone-based augmented reality game that is taking the world by storm. You’ve probably seen many exclamatory posts from players of that game about snagging “gyms” and hitting “Pokéspots” along with many pictures like this one…
Pokemon Go
… and thought, “What the heck are they talking about?”

What is Pokémon Go?

We’ll leave it to some of the many explainers available online to give you the finer details of this phenomenon. For our purposes, suffice it to say that Pokémon Go is a game that uses the GPS capabilities on your smartphone to create a virtual world full of imaginary creatures that appear on top of the real world around you. So to play the game, you have to actually walk around, explore places, and look for Pokémon to appear through the screen on your phone.

Many Pokémon enthusiasts have said through social media posts, that the game is helping to improve their mental health. Those struggling with depression seem to be most likely to tout the game’s benefits, saying that it’s motivated them to go outside, get some exercise, and socialize with others.
Pokemon Go

Can Pokémon Go “Cure” Depression?

Some research does seem to indicate that games can help people become more motivated and more resilient when facing day-to-day challenges. The two regions of the brain that are most stimulated by game play, the reward pathways and the hippocampus, are the same regions that tend to be under-stimulated in the brains of people who are clinically depressed. So, people who are struggling with depression may often feel better when they are playing games like Pokémon Go and others.

It’s important to note, however, that relieving the symptoms of depression is not the same thing as “curing” the depression. What also is unclear in many cases is whether the game is truly improving the depressed person’s overall mental health, or if they are simply trying to self-medicate with the game.

People who live with unresolved trauma often self-medicate in multiple ways. Many addictions we treat in The Meadows programs, from drugs and alcohol to sex and pornography can be described as attempts to self-medicate. Turning to substances, processes or behaviors (like, gaming, gambling, or sex) to soothe the symptoms that result from your trauma or depression can be dangerous.

If you use Pokémon Go to “escape” from your pain or discomfort, to block negative feelings, or to avoid facing your problems head-on, you may end up making things worse.
In order to truly recover from depression, you have to uncover the root causes of any negative beliefs you hold about yourself and the world. Often, they are rooted in childhood trauma that needs to be addressed and resolved before you can truly experience long-lasting recovery.

Otherwise, the relief you originally experienced from the game will start to fade, and the more depressed you feel the more time you will spend playing the game. The more time you spend playing the game, the less time you’ll spend addressing the real problems that both cause and accompany your depression. In the worst cases, you may end up struggling with a full-blown gaming addiction. Get Help for Depression

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, and playing Pokémon Go has helped you to feel a little more hopeful and a little more like yourself, that’s great! But, it’s important not to rely on the game alone for relief. Recovery from depression requires a multi-faceted approach to treatment which can include therapy, neurofeedback and biofeedback techniques, trauma work, and sometimes medication. The Claudia Black Center for Young Adults at The Meadows (and all of The Meadows programs) offers all of these options at their treatment centers in Arizona, along with a thorough assessment to determine which might work best for you.

Give us a call today at 855-333-6075 or send us a message through our website to learn more.
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5/31/16

11 Signs Your Young Adult May Need Help

Addiction Treatment ArizonaBy Ashley Chesky, MA, LAC and Patricia Plum, MSW, LMSW

Do you sometimes feel that you no longer recognize the child that you raised? When you look at your young adult, do you find yourself asking,"Who is this person?" Do you feel "crazy," "lost," or “at your wits end?” Have you lost all hope?

Maybe this is where hope begins.

Dramatic personality changes often occur due to trauma, drug addiction treatment, mental health issues, or some combination. Oftentimes, as families, we struggle to identify what is "normal" and what are red flags.

Here are some warning signs, questions you should ask yourself, and questions you may already be asking yourself that might help you to decide whether or not to get help. The more red flags you identify the greater the urgency…

1. Emotional Extremes

Ask yourself, "Am I walking on egg shells?"

Has your young adult begun showing extreme emotions in any of the following areas?
Extreme Anger
Raging or fighting. Reactivity when they are told “no.”
Extreme Anxiety
Especially during everyday activities that once brought about no fear.
Extreme Euphoria
Laughing for no apparent reason, or at inappropriate times.
Extreme Lack of Emotion
Or, a vacillation between emotional extremes.

2. Physical Change

Are you saying to yourself, "They look different?"

Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Have you noticed a lack of appetite, them showing little no interest in food or restricting themselves from eating? Have they begun to overeat or eat in response to emotion and not from actual hunger?
Changes in personal hygiene
Has the young adult lost interest in their personal appearance, stopped bathing, stopped brushing his or her teeth, or failed to seek medical assistance when needed? Do they no longer clean their clothes or keep a clean living space? Or, to the opposite extreme, have they become obsessive about cleanliness or about looking and being perfect?

3. Withdrawing or isolation:

Are you asking yourself, "What are they up to?"

Have they begun to disregard family time, no longer showing up to dinners, holidays, or special events?
Have you begun to notice excessive time in their room, with "friends", on their phone, or other technology?
Do they not answer when you call or "never see" the text message?

4. Dishonesty

Ask yourself, "Can I trust them?"

Do you get the sense that you are being manipulated, lied to, or deceived?
Do you feel they contact you only to get something?
Do they answer every question with a question, biding their time?
Do they appear to have an excuse for everything?
Are they using phrases like, "I am fine," "It's ok," when it is obvious they are not?

5. Poor work or school performance

Are you saying to yourself, "Has there been any progression?"

Is the young adult constantly blaming coworkers, teachers or others for their own short comings?
Has the individual been unable to hold a job for more than six months?
Has the young adult dropped classes or been placed on academic probation?
Have they been suspended or expelled for dysfunctional behavior?

6. Legal problems

Have you had to ask, "Do we need to get a lawyer?"

Has the young adult found him or herself in the jail system due to DUI, fighting, theft, minor in possession, drugs, or paraphernalia?
Have allegations of sexual or physical assault been discussed?

7. Self Harm

Have you ever thought to yourself, "How did that happen?"

Does the person in question have unexplained cuts, scratches, bruises, or abrasions?
Are they wearing clothing that appears inappropriate to the season, perhaps to cover markings?
Do they explain away cuts bruises or burns that appear in inappropriate places or in distinct patterns?

8. Suicidal or Homicidal Threats or Behaviors Have you asked yourself, "Are they serious?"

Does the young adult make threats of harm to themselves or others?
Do they talk about having a fantasy of harming to others?
Have you found violent materials in their room, or on their computer, phone, etc?
Do they have a fascination with weapons or death?
Have they harmed animals?
Do they struggle with self harm?

9. Paraphernalia

Have you ever asked, "What is this?"

Have you recently found sexual paraphernalia such as pornography, condoms, or fetish objects?
Do they have applications on their phone for "hooking up"?
Do they have drug paraphernalia such as pipes, needles, or pill bottles?
Are you discovering items out of place or in excess, such as tin foil, spoons, or baggies?
Have you noticed household items gone missing or being purchased in excess such aerosol cans or over-the-counter medications?

10. Social Change

Have you looked at your young adult and asked, "What are you doing?"

Have they changed their group of friends? Perhaps begun a romantic relationship and left their friends behind?
Do they no longer find pleasure in the things they once enjoyed?
Are they acting chronically younger than their actual age?
Have they failed to "grow up"?

11. Financial Instability

Are you asking, "Where did all the money go?"

Do they have creditors calling?
Are they always asking for more money? Do they offer vague explanations on why?
Have they taken money without asking?
Is there entitlement to spending money?
Do they appear to always need more?

Help Is Available

We encourage you as parents and loved ones to trust you instinct. Even if you are uncertain about red flags, but you know something is wrong, seek help.

It can never be too soon, but it can be too late.

You can speak with an Intake coordinator at The Claudia Black Center on the phone or online anytime. Call 855.333.6075 or Chat Live online.

5/1/16

Claudia Black to Present at Young Adult Conference

Treatment for Alcohol AddictionThe Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows is proud to serve as a co-host of Ben Franklin Institute’s Young Adult: Failure to Launch Conference, which takes place October 29 – 31 in Tempe, Arizona.

The conference offers advanced clinical training for therapists and counselors. Nineteen continuing education credits (CE’s) are available to those who attend.

The conference will feature the top faculty, authors, and thought leaders in the field of mental health and the issues that affect today’s young adults. Topics will include understanding young adults that get stuck; engaging with difficult clients; treating addiction and trauma in the young adult; intervention strategies for addressing marijuana use; trauma and eating disorders; young adults, sex and the Internet; Positive Psychology and the young adult; and many more.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, Claudia Black, PhD, will give a keynote address on “Addiction and Trauma: Complexity of Treating the Young Adult.” During the 1970s, Dr. Black gave “voice” to both young and adult children from addictive homes. This cutting edge work was critical in creating the foundation for the co-dependency field and a greater understanding of the impact of family trauma. She is a Senior Fellow and Clinical Architect for the Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows.

Also on Thursday, Oct. 29, Leanne Lemire, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director of The Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows, will give a presentation on “Honoring the Survivor Within.” Lemire’s specialty focus is with trauma resolution, addictive disorder, and complex psychiatric disorders among young adults. Her training includes Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Ropes Challenge Course, Gestalt Therapy, and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Ben Franklin Institute, the producer of The Summit for Clinical Excellence Conference, is the premier provider of continuing education for behavioral health, mental health, and addiction professionals. They bring together the best and brightest trainers from many disciplines to offer broader perspectives and to help therapists and counselors to better address the issues that their clients are facing day-to-day.

Behavioral health professionals can register online for the conference at www.bfisummit.com.

4/4/16

August 31 is International verdose Awareness Day

Alcohol Rehab ArizonaDrug overdose is now the leading cause of deaths from injury in the United States.

According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention deaths caused by drug overdose are on the rise. Deaths of women who overdosed on benzodiazepines have risen a staggering 640 percent over the last 12 years, while deaths for both men and women from prescription drug overdose have risen 340 percent.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year. It aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

You can pay tribute to friends and loved ones who have been affected by a fatal overdose on the IOAD’s Tribute page. And, you can help prevent overdose deaths by sharing the warning signs with friends and family.

Overdose Warning Signs

Signs of a drug overdose can vary from person to person. But, here are a few common symptoms:
  • Problems with vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate,blood pressure)
  • Sleepiness, confusion, and coma
  • Skin that is cool and sweaty, or hot and dry.
  • Chest pain and/or shortness of breath. Breathing may get rapid, slow, deep, or shallow.
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea .Vomiting blood, or blood in bowel movements, can be life-threatening.
Get Help Before It'S Too Late

If you suspect someone is experiencing a drug overdose, call 911 immediately. If you can, gather any prescription bottles and/or chemical containers that you suspect the person may have taken and bring them to the emergency room doctor.

Overdose tragedies are preventable. Many addicts have experienced at least one non-fatal overdose in the course of their addiction; sometimes it is the event that leads them into recovery. But, if you or a loved one has been experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol, we urge you not to wait for a catastrophic, and possibly fatal, overdose to occur. The Claudia Black Center has Intake counselors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call and let us help you find a recovery program that’s right for you.

3/1/16

Wings of Hope

Private Drug TreatmentWe understand how tough making the decision to seek treatment can be for those struggling with trauma, addiction or mental health issues. We want to help recovery take wings, so we’re offering to cover airfare for individuals admitting to inpatient treatment at any of The Meadows programs: The Meadows, the Claudia Black Center for Young Adults, and Gentle Path at The Meadows.

  • Admission must occur between July 20, 2015 and August 31, 2015.
  • Offer is available for a one-way airline ticket to treatment. Cost not to exceed $1,200.
  • Flight arrangement will be made through our corporate travel agent and coordinated by our Intake department.
  • There is no monetary value to this offer.

Please contact our Intake department today at 855-333-6075 for more information.

2/2/16

Connection is the Key to Recovery

Anxiety Disorder Treatment
In a recent TED Talk, journalist and author Johann Hari suggests that “Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong.” He argues that most people in our society see addiction as a simple chemical dependency, when it is actually the result of a failure to connect ─ with family, with friends, with the community, with God, or with a larger sense of purpose.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9DcIMGxMs?feature=player_embedded]

His ideas are proving to be somewhat controversial in the recovery and addiction communities, not so much because of his basic premise, but because of his assertion that these ideas are “new.” (The studies he sites have been well known to psychologists and addiction professionals for years.) He does also seem to oversimplify, in some ways, what is often a very complicated and nuanced problem. And, he calls for the legalization of all recreational drugs as a possible solution, an idea which always sparks a strong debate.

In spite of some of the questionable aspects of his speech, at The Meadows, we do agree with his core principle: that disconnection─ with peers, with communities, with one’s sense of self and/or with a higher power ─ can play a major role in triggering addiction and other behavioral issues.

Interdependence

One of the most important goals we have for our patients at The Meadows is that they learn how to become interdependent. The Meadows Model, developed by Pia Mellody, names dependency as one the four core issues that must be addressed before a person can make a full recovery from addiction or mood disorders. Doing so requires one to reconnect with the child he or she once was. Being too dependent comes from not having needs and wants met as a child. Being anti-dependent comes from being shamed for having needs and wants as child.

Becoming interdependent means learning how to balance your own needs and wants with those of others. If you are interdependent, you are able to ask for help when you need it, help others when they make a reasonable request, and say “no” when necessary to prevent yourself from stretching yourself too thin and becoming resentful.

Without interdependence, there is no recovery. As an addict, the ability to rely on others for help and emotional support, and to give that help and support to others, is critical to staying sober. Without the tools to make and maintain these connections, recovery is impossible to sustain.

A Higher Power

Step 11 in the 12 Step Model for Recovery requires the addict to find a connection with a higher power:

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.”

In most cases, addicts have either always struggled to connect with God, their Higher Power, or their sense of purpose; or, in some way, they got disconnected along the way. Recovery is about getting connected or reconnected.

Jim Corrington, Director of The Meadows Outpatient Services, likes to use the analogy of an orange extension cord to explain:

An orange extension cord is useless and without purpose when it’s hanging on the wall. You have to plug it in to a source of power to give it potential. It does not reach its full potential until you plug something else into IT. So, too, an individual must stay plugged in to their source of power, AND, stay connected to others around them to reach sobriety, and with it, their full potential.

How to Reconnect

Addictions manifest in those areas where people are disconnected but seeking to connect. “Faulty wiring” caused by childhood trauma can make it difficult for them to connect with others or with their sense of purpose, so they end up trying to fill the gap with substances or unhealthy behaviors.

At The Meadows, we take a holistic approach to healing that helps patients to reconnect through their minds, bodies and spirits. Therapy sessions and workshops allow them to find out how they became disconnected, to work on ways to build better relationships with others, and to learn how to nurture themselves. Our new brain center helps them to address any dysregulation they may be experiencing in the brain and nervous system. And, physical activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, equine therapy and ropes courses, allow them to gain even deeper insights into themselves.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction or a disorder and are seeking ways to reconnect, we can help. Contact us for more information.