The mere fact that relapse is more common than uncommon sheds light on how difficult it truly is to break addiction. No one enters rehabilitation with the intention to fail; rather, they enter a treatment program hoping in their heart they can stop using for good. The problem with this approach is addiction doesn’t happen in the heart. It happens in the brain. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic, underlying, largely genetic brain disease, making … [Read more...] about Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
Back2Basics
Combatting Compassion Fatigue
What happens when the provider, the caregiver, starts to burn out? Science reveals that we experience a change biochemically when we have taken on too much. Compassion fatigue creates a whole host of symptoms, including irritability, impatience, exhaustion, intolerance, dread, lack of clarity, poor motivation, a decline in personal well-being regarding sleep, health and mood, a transfer of stress to personal life, the internal eye roll, boredom, feeling of heaviness, forgetfulness, … [Read more...] about Combatting Compassion Fatigue
When You Love an Addict
When you love an addict, it is a painful and confusing journey. The effects of addiction are like a stone being thrown into a pond. There seems to be no ending to the spillover of pain, drama, intensity and insanity. The whole family system is imprinted, and we all suffer. Concepts of recovery for family and loved ones include: Understanding the basics of how addiction wires the brain. Gaining some clarity of how addiction affects personality, mood and behavior. Taking inventory … [Read more...] about When You Love an Addict
Combatting Compassion Fatigue
What happens when the provider, the caregiver, starts to burn out? Science reveals that we experience a change biochemically when we have taken on too much. Compassion fatigue creates a whole host of symptoms, including irritability, impatience, exhaustion, intolerance, dread, lack of clarity, poor motivation, a decline in personal well-being regarding sleep, health and mood, a transfer of stress to personal life, the internal eye roll, boredom, feeling of heaviness, forgetfulness, … [Read more...] about Combatting Compassion Fatigue
Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Living
People who demonstrate a sense of well-being possess nine essential characteristics: balance, resilience, contentment, goal setting, flexibility, self-confidence, support, gratitude and connection. Back2Basics views addiction as a whole-person crisis, building those characteristics into every aspect of the experience to strengthen the well-being and enhance the overall sense of self of every resident. This whole-person approach of addressing the mind and body as one is purposefully embedded … [Read more...] about Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Living
Mindfulness: What it is; How it Works
Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being fully present. In our day of technical addiction and multitasking, this is actually more challenging than ever before, which is probably why mindfulness is becoming so mainstream. There is a desperate need to feel more connected and content. For some, this practice comes naturally. Those who are really present in the kitchen, preparing loving meals and eating with consciousness, already do this practice instinctively. Those who immerse … [Read more...] about Mindfulness: What it is; How it Works
Trudging Along the Road to Happy Destiny with Back2Basics
"I didn’t realize how much I had lost until I felt how much I’ve gained,” said Brad J, a Back2Basics alumnus. Our journey began in May of 2010. Back2Basics has now completed, and is proudly celebrating, seven years of Sober Living here in Flagstaff. B2B is a six-month adventure recovery program for young men struggling with substance abuse issues and are looking for a positive, meaningful life. The uniqueness of Back2Basics lies in the fact that it is a hybrid of outdoor adventure therapy … [Read more...] about Trudging Along the Road to Happy Destiny with Back2Basics
Using Yoga in Recovery Therapy
Back2Basics offers a holistic and integrative approach to the treatment of addiction and co-occurring issues. By nature, the program is designed to bring participants into the outdoors and learn to be more comfortable in their own skin. We also bring in components of nutrition, fitness and mindfulness to complement the therapeutic and recovery work. In addition, the practice of yoga is an important component for teaching young people in recovery to become more “grounded” in their bodies. The … [Read more...] about Using Yoga in Recovery Therapy
Service to Others Can Contribute to a Lifetime of Happiness
People across the world engage in altruistic behaviors, ranging from paying for a cup of coffee for a stranger, donating gently used clothing, toys or household items, or volunteering at a local food bank. Engagement in service to others occurs without the expectation of anything in return. However, the benefits of altruistic behaviors have well-documented positive benefits to the individual in the helper role. For example, studies have shown that youth that engage in acts of volunteerism … [Read more...] about Service to Others Can Contribute to a Lifetime of Happiness
Ten Years of Recovery Through Nature
For 10 years, Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery has been using the natural environment to help young men recover from addiction. The Flagstaff-based program engages men, ages 18 to 35, in a variety of wilderness experiences that are emotionally and physically safe, combined with more traditional therapies such as process groups and one-on-one counseling with a clinician. “We’re a hybrid, beginning with the expeditions for half the week, and the other half of the week focusing on … [Read more...] about Ten Years of Recovery Through Nature