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Quote of the Week
Gratitude Attitude"
"Love is the power that heals our lives, and love is the power that will ultimately heal this world. Gratitude comes from love. It is the natural expression of a loving heart. Therefore, whenever we express gratitude, we align ourselves with the power that heals us. Giving thanks and praise spreads healing energy and makes our lives and the world a better place to be and live.
Even in our darkest hours, we can cultivate an attitude of gratitude. No matter what is happening around us, we can choose to respond in a way that will help us learn and grow. When we look at our difficulties as opportunities for growth, then we can be grateful for the lessons we are learning from these difficult experiences. There is always a gift in every experience. Expressing gratitude allows us to find it.
Every morning upon waking up, the first words out of my mouth are "Thank You." This allows me to feel immediately connected with God and fills my heart with love. I am grateful that I am alive and breathing and have another day to live life fully and richly.
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Gratitude is our way of saying to all situations, "Welcome! I've been expecting you! Thank you for being here to help me learn and grow." We are always stronger, wiser, and filled more with peaceful power when we face each of life's lessons with this sort of grace.
No matter what the form or physical appearance of situations in your life, see them as teachers lovingly sent to you for your highest and best good. Through these teachers, you learn to trust and lean on God's reliability and love. And the more you lean on God, the more you open the floodgates to your supply of harmony and abundance.
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Gratitude and trust are closely related. In order to be thankful for everyone and everything in my life, I need to trust that the universe makes sense, that everything my soul has chosen to experience in my lifetime has been for my ultimate highest good. I trust that when it appears I'm failing, I'm only learning. I make a great effort to bless my life as it is, both the so-called triumphs and disasters. A line from Kipling's poem If often comes to mind: "If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat these two impostors just thesame."
When I remind myself that I am a student in Earth School , choosing those lessons that enhance my soul's purpose, it's possible to more readily bless every circumstance of my life. Of course, from a more unenlightened segment of myself, I sometimes wonder, "Why did I choose this particular misery?" Yet, gratitude for, and trust in, ultimate justice is the best antidote for the poisonous emotions of self-pity and resentment. I find it impossible to experience gratitude and negative emotions simultaneously.
When my soul arrived in Earth School , it set up some challenging lessons. Many years went by before I learned to see the blessings in these experiences. When I could honestly begin to understand their purpose and to feel gratitude for them, I made an escape from the darkness of a victim's prison into the light of freedomand joy.
Although "illegitimate" was stamped on my birth certificate, I am grateful I now know God has no illegitimate children. I acknowledge God's indwelling presence and embrace my innate worth as I go about completing my legitimate Earth School assignments. Although I was physically and sexually abused as a child, I am grateful that I now know my spirit is indestructible and cannot be harmed by anything done to the Earth Suit. Although I've experienced "failed" relationships, I'm grateful that every relationship presents unique opportunities to practice love and forgiveness, opportunities to learn about myself at deeper levels. I'm grateful that it's possible to learn from relationships after theyare over.
My oldest son Richard died when he was nine, and I'm so very grateful that I know that each soul chooses its Earth School experiences, including the manner and time of departure from the Earth plane. In reality, there is no death; the soul is ageless and eternal, and love knows no barriers of time or space. My second son Robert nearly died when he was two and suffered brain damage as a result of the illness. I am grateful that I know that Robert chose this Earth School lesson, and as his mother, that I chose the experience with him. I've felt much pain watching him struggle with life, but he has demanded from me, and thus has taught me, unconditional love. Such a great gift!
Looking back over my life, I can see the beauty that the windstorms have carved. I trust current and future challenges to facilitate additional soul growth. My heart is filled with gratitude for all the people and events in my life because I now understand their higher purpose. My heart overflows with gratitude for the Divine Love that enfolds, guides, protects and sustains us all!" If you like the Quote of the Week you can see a new one everyday at The Treatment Center Blog Treatment Center Daily Blog |
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PAIN MANAGEMENT
WE TREAT THE DEPENDENCE AND THEN THE PAIN
Introducing our New Pain Management Track. We understand what you're going through and are here to help you. A dependency on prescription medication has become common in this country. It is estimated that today more than 4.7 million Americans are dependent on prescription medications. Whether it is a result of a physical injury caused by an accident, surgery, anxiety, or chronic pain caused by cancer or another disease, people from every walk of life are struggling with this problem. This is a problem that does not have any external signs. It is not something that is easily identified just by a looking at a person, and can affect anyone, anywhere; but we can help.
Or Call 877-679-3342 |
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Michael Jackson's Physician
Michael Jackson's physician is ready to surrender to police if prosecutors in Los Angeles file charges. Dr. Conrad Murray practices medicine in Houston. He spent a day this week meeting with his legal team. The Los Angeles district attorney's office has not yet said if it will file charges against Murray.
"I haven't received any phone call from anybody asking for the doctor to surrender," said Ed Chernoff, Murray's defense attorney. "If we get the call, we'll be happy to."
Jackson died on June 25 last year after Murray gave the star propofol and two other sedatives. Jackson was a chronic insomniac and Murray was trying to get Jackson to sleep. The Los Angeles County coroner's office ruled the death a homicide.
Propofol is a powerful anesthetic meant to be given in a hospital or other medical facility by a licensed medical professional. The patient needs continual monitoring of vital signs because propofol depresses breathing and heart rate while simultaneously lowering the patient's blood pressure.
Murray is a cardiologist who has said repeatedly that nothing he gave Jackson should have killed him. Giving Jackson propofol was not illegal, so if prosecutors file charges, they must show that Murray was not acting in his patient's best interest while Jackson had other drugs in his system.
It is expected that Murray will be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Melissa Tarling |
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From the Desk of our Clinical
Director
The Treatment Center of The Palm Beaches had a wonderful family workshop last weekend. Many families attended the two day event. In addition we have our first anniversary party on February 6, 2010 from 3-6pm. I am looking forward to seeing you all there. Sunday is the "Sober Bowl" for all of our patients to enjoy the Saints vs. Colts game.
Marcie McMaster, LCSW CAP
Clinical Program Director
The Treatment Center of The Palm Beaches, LLC |
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A Word from Dr. Baker
The National Institute of Drug Addiction (NIDA) describes addiction as a "chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those around them". It is important to understand that the medical community views addiction as a primary disease, and the continued use of drugs/alcohol as a result of altered brain chemistry, rather than a lack or willpower or poor morals. This closely parallels how the author(s) of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous understood addiction many decades ago. Today, our understanding of the disease of addiction and its treatment has increased tremendously due to extensive scientific research and growing social concern. The future of addiction treatment is promising, and it is our hope that all people suffering from this disease will get the help they need. Dr. Paige Baker |
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TGIF
Greetings
When I look back on my childhood I remember my maternal grandparents gathering 12 of their 13 children for Sunday visits. The only thing I can associate with those visits was alcohol. In fact, I literally buried 7 of my aunts and uncles of the disease - the youngest being 30 when you drank herself to death. Our family was paralyzed not knowing what to do to reach out and intervene or facilitate change. This insidious disease skipped a generation and then attached my nephews and the whole family suffered because of the addiction. After losing family members and 3 dear friends in 3 car accidents by 3 drunk drivers in 3 consecutive months, I decided to devote a part of priestly life to ministry and care for the addicted.
Our youth and drug culture focus have us overlooking the vast horizon of the disease effecting all ages and classes. The attitudes people have about alcohol and drugs are filled with prejudices, misconceptions, ignorance, and moral ambiguities. Here are some aspects of alcohol use rarely considered in relationship to addiction:
q It is a powerful mind drug and do lead to drug dependency
q 42% of the people in our penal system are there because of alcohol-related crime
q 10 billion dollars of lost-time due to hangovers yearly
q 32,000 people are killed on our highways resulting from drinking drivers
q 2 1/2 million people are maimed
q 90 million drink to create a pleasurable, utilitarian or drug effect or tranquilizer
Therefore, most of the drinking or using to the point of 'getting high' in our society is decidedly unhealthy for physical, interpersonal, spiritual, and social reasons.
The nature of drug dependency is truly perplexing and beyond comprehension - evidenced by the naivety reflected in a statement: "Why don't they just stop doing that? Or can't they see what they are doing to themselves and others?" These statements imply moral judgments or character problems in someone who is simply not exercising his/her will power. Be advised that drug dependency has 4 characteristics:
q Drug dependency is a recurring, profound, overwhelming urge to repeat "getting high" or becoming intoxicated, and goes beyond will power.
q The need to get high transcends all other natural or learned needs, and becomes stronger than most of the basic human needs.
q The urge to be high/intoxicated is independent of any other aspects of life, but tension, stress, depression, and excitement can trigger the urge.
q Once a person becomes addicted or psychologically dependent on a drug this recurrent state of mind never leaves; it is incurable.
Here are 8 symptoms of alcoholic-type drinking for all ages and classes:
q Preoccupation with the next time one can drink is the hallmark of a drug dependency.
q Increased Tolerance - in the alcoholic the first hours of drinking are predominantly stimulating rather than sedating.
q Gulping Drinks - taking the drug so that it acts quickly - ordering doubles with the intention of "getting high"
q Drinks Alone - social settings are not required to be using.
q Use as a Medicine - the alcoholic uses it the drug as a panacea, a tranquilizer, or a nightcap for sleep.
q Blackout - an experience of amnesia after drinking or using.
q Protecting the Supply - knowing there is a sufficient supply at home, in trunk, at work
q Non-premeditated Use - drinking without thinking or planning
So this TGIF weekend, consider the best defense for a family struggling with an addict is to gain knowledge, achieve maturity, and have courage to put them into action. Remember addiction is an illness and impacts the whole family. Yet, no person is responsible for drug/alcohol dependence in another or for his/her recovery. The undetected disease, support for its development, and avoidance of treatment can result, and then all are responsible. Families can and should seek the help of a counselor or pastor so as not to enable the person or to support the disease. The problems of the disease lie not merely in chemicals but in people using them. Help for the family is essential outside the circle. Love and compassion make a difference even if the loved one is unwilling to get help. Finally, know that you are never alone for there is a community of professional caring people to whom you can turn for hope.
Ron |
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Derek
This coming weekend is The Treatment Center's one year anniversary! It's hard to believe we have been in business for this long. It seems like only yesterday I was walking into what looked like an abandoned building. There were holes in the walls, no furniture and a dirt path leading into the main entrance. At first it was hard for me to picture how we were going to turn this place into a state-of-the-art treatment facility. But, alas we have done just that and more. In just a year we have become one of the leading treatment facilities in the entire country. I'm proud to say that I work here, and I am helping people every day. I am confident that we can help anyone turn their life around, no matter how far you have fallen. Give yourself a chance, give us a call and let us help you restore your life and your hope...
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COOP'S CORNER
This weekend my 16-year-old nephew was taken to a center in Colorado for drug rehab. He was recently in the hospital for a drug overdose, which was shocking to me. I learned that he had one other overdose episode within the past year as well, but for some reason or another beyond my comprehension, I was not told. I myself had always made it clear that no matter what he or any of my family members are going through that I would always be there and do what I can for them. This is not my first go-round with dealing with this type of issue as my mom and his mom are both in recovery, but this hit me so hard. Maybe it's because I saw him first in the delivery room when he was born. Or the fact that we have always had this amazing connection since his birth, so much so his mom would say she simply was a surrogate for my son. Regardless of anything, the most important thing is you have to be there for your family, even if you don't readily understand why. You must not ever give up on them, because your hope just might be enough hope for them to believe there is hope. Hope to change, hope to be stronger, hope to live life clean and sober. That is the one thing above all else that I do understand.
The Treatment Center give us a call 24/7 at 1-877-392-3342 |
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CEO'S DESK
This Saturday is our One-Year Birthday Party! We will welcome patients, alumni, families, employees and guest to celebrate. I am looking forward to performing my Birthday Rap (I'll put in next week's column) and introducing our very first patient to our most recent patient. Hope to see you here!
Bill Russell
CEO
The Treatment Center
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Birthday Party
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Dear Friends,
The Treatment Center is celebrating its birthday! This past year has far exceeded our wildest dreams and we look forward to what the future holds. We hope to see you all there to celebrate this special anniversary. Come take part in the fun, food, and fellowship.
The party will be on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 from 3:00 to 6:00 at The Treatment Center.
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ALUMNI NEWS
I was recently told an inspiring anecdote that I would like to share.
Three Gods were in heaven discussing the greatest gift they could give to the human race. In their discussion, they decided that we were not ready to receive this gift just yet. The conversation then turned to where they were going to hide the gift. The first God suggested hiding it at the top of the highest mountain. The other two Gods responded, "Today, they have planes and helicopters. It would be easy for them to find it." The second God suggested hiding it at the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean. The other 2 Gods responded with, "Today, they have submarines and sonar. It would be easy for them to find it." After a long pause, the third God said, "I've got it! We will hide the gift within them."
When I heard this anecdote, it was one of those things that stuck with me all day. I thought I would share it with all of you.
Tony Martino
Alumni Coordinator
215.896.7859
Tmartino@thetreatmentcenter.com |
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MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to restore hope. At The Treatment Center we recognize
the value of every person, and are guided by our commitment to deliver
the highest quality of treatment to addicted and dual-diagnosed individuals.
We accomplish this by providing exemplary physical, emotional and
spiritual care for each of our patients and their families. Our goal is
to provide the highest standard of personalized patient care possible
to those suffering from drug addiction, alcoholism, and co-occuring
mental health disorders. The Treatment Center is a place of healing;
we restore the diminished spirit using a holistic multi-disciplinary
approach to treatment in a loving and supportive environment. | |
