The Christmas Alumni 2011 Date has been rescheduled to December 17th from December 10th.

Addiction is described as a family disease. There is good reason for this: family members suffer and become "ill" in many different ways, just as much as the addict in the family. In fact, we use the terminology "co-addict" to describe those family members impacted by the disease process of their loved one.

  

Because family members need to heal, just as the addict needs to heal, family programs, such as the Discovery Program here at Cedars, have been developed to help all those who have been adversely affected by someone else's addiction. It does not matter whether the addict was in the person's life many years ago, perhaps a parent who is no longer alive, or in their life currently - a child, a spouse, a sibling, or even a good friend. If a person has been wounded by addiction, then he or she needs help to heal.

  

So often we find people come into Discovery thinking that they are here to learn all about addiction, how it has affected their loved one, and then how they can help their loved one get better. There is sometimes resistance when we tell them they are to be here just for themselves. Part of the struggle is that they think they haven't been impacted as much as they truly have. Helping them to get to that place of realization is powerful. Sometimes around mid week they say, "It really isn't about the addict, is it?" Every once in a while we do get someone who refuses to see that. Most often it is their fear that they may be turning their loved one away. We tell them to look at their history, because if they don't change what they are doing, it will just keep repeating.     

  

Even if addicts never did seek recovery, or choose not to address their addiction, their loved ones will always be better off having done a family program. The wonderful thing about a family program is that it gives people a safe and confidential environment to delve into their own history, talk about their emotions, and to examine the impact of what it has been like to live with another person in addiction, specifically in relation to 'don't talk, don't trust, and don't feel'. And they learn practical things like setting boundaries and how to be interdependent, not codependent in their relationships.     

  

In our Discovery program participants do learn about the disease process of addiction and how it impacts the brain. Neal Berger, our director, does a masterful job of presenting this information so that people come away with a clear understanding of the physiology and biology of addiction.

 

In addition to Neal, we have other several staff members come in during the week and tell their story and share their expertise, including our physicians who talk about the medical aspects of addiction, and our chaplain who discusses the spiritual aspect. We also have facilitators that guide a poetry workshop, a yoga session and an Alanon session. On the final day we use art as an alternative form of expression to help the participants sum up the week's experiences. Even the idyllic grounds at Cedars play a role in helping facilitate the healing process.

  

Another unique aspect of our program is that it is residential. This can be a very powerful experience as participants get the opportunity to really bond as a group, share stories, and discover that they are not alone. Whether family members chose to do the program before, during, or after their loved one attends the inpatient program doesn't matter. What matters most is that the individual comes when they are ready to do the work.   

  

One of the key things I want family members to take away from the Discovery Program is that it takes two emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and psychologically healthy people to make a great dynamic partnership. If family members want to ensure the best outcome for the addict and for their relationship, then they need to do the work of recovery as well.

By Joe Petriccione, Facilitator, Discovery Programs

 

Each month Recovery Connection profiles a different "principle" that helps us heal and develop our inner spirit and achieve "full" recovery. Recovery is an ongoing journey that involves working on our spiritual and personal growth on a daily basis. To get the most value working with these principles, reflect on the monthly principle in meditation or by journaling about how in recovery you relate to the concepts that are described. Write the affirmation down and repeat it silently to yourself frequently throughout the day(s) in order to change old thinking.

 

This month's spiritual principle is Service: Make a difference to someone else... and experience true joy and fulfillment.

 

We all found our way to recovery, no doubt, because others reached out to help us, and perhaps shared with us what helped them. When we look for ways to help others, we grow in our own recovery, provided we maintain balance and don't overdo it. Being in service allows us to take the focus off of ourselves, and transcend our problems and selfish natures. Selflessly working to improve the lives of others gives our life meaning and purpose. Helping others should always be done from a place of respect and generosity. When we are in service we give of ourselves whole-heartedly, without any holding back, and without any expectation of return. This kind of giving results in great personal reward because it increases our sense of fulfillment, joy, and connection to our Higher Presence. No matter what else we achieve, the quality of our life will come down to the quality of our contribution.

 

Affirmation: Today I will find a way to make someone else's life a little easier, knowing that as I give this gift to them, I am giving a gift to myself.  

 

This spiritual principle is taken from the "Act of Surrender Recovery Cards" which are available in the Cedars' bookstore. To learn more about spiritual principles go to www.actofsurrender.com.

 

Have you been trying to heal from Emotional Eating? Do you overeat, binge eat and generally soothe yourself with food because:  

•  You feel stressed and struggle with problems in your daily life  
• You find yourself in challenging and changing times
• You feel exhausted and overwhelmed by your present life
• You feel empty inside and out of balance
• You feel anxious

Take a step towards more happiness and ease in your life. Join Ina Stockhausen, a therapist who has helped countless women stop Emotional Eating for 3 days of healing. Gather with other women like you at a residential retreat that promises to change the relationship you have with your body, with food and yourself.

  

Incorporating art, movement, ritual and the map of Integrative Body Psychotherapy we will explore:

• Changing negative beliefs that you have about yourself that may be holding you back and are impacting your relationship with food  
• Developing tools YOU need to cope with triggers without reverting back to disordered eating
• What you really long for when you reach for food  
• Updating coping strategies you learned during childhood which no longer serve you well
• Making peace with your body and rediscovering your inner Goddess
• Connecting to your birth right to feel good about yourself  
• Finding a new way to eat - connected to your body and your inner voice

Without the responsibilities and business of daily life you will be able to immerse yourself in healing self-exploration, integrating body, mind, emotions and spirit.

 

This residential Retreat isn't about dieting or weight loss. It is about addressing the underlying issues that drive emotional eating and re-evaluating your connection with food. It is also about connecting with other women.

 

Location: Cedars at Cobble Hill Residential Treatment Centre

November 4th - 6th, 2011

Retreat Cost: $545 Registration Fee includes all the workshop material, 2 nights accommodations at Cedars and all meals.  

The Retreat will begin Friday November 4th at 10 am and finish Sunday November 6th at 2 pm.

 

Early registration discount available. 

click here for more details & to request a registration package, space is limited.