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The Importance of Individualized Addiction Treatment

Most individuals making a choice to begin treatment for addiction come into the facility with a unique set of challenges; therefore it makes sense that care plans should be individualized.   Which Type of Treatment Is Most Individualized? The two dominant options for treating drug addiction are residential and outpatient treatment. Both of these can be personalized to fit one’s individual needs and experiences, and the reason for picking residential versus outpatient treatment is highly dependent on a person’s clinical needs.   Benefits of Inpatient Treatment Inpatient care is for individuals that really need to be removed from their environment …

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60 MORE Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities

We previously posted a list of 60 substance abuse group therapy activities to give readers an idea of what kinds of topics they might encounter during a theme/support group. We received positive feedback on the list, so we found 60 more to keep you inspired! Please note that Two Dreams utilizes process groups as opposed to theme/support groups. Process groups are focused on self-exploration and giving/receiving feedback. They provide a safe environment in which members can practice newfound interpersonal skills and behaviors. Process groups are mostly unstructured with no singular topic of discussion. Theme groups are focused on support and …

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Hope – February 2016

Dream Journal Volume XXXVI / February 2016 Note From Dr B. Hope is the driving force behind recovery. You can see it in the glowing smile of the elderly man who finally made it through a full year without a drink. You can feel it in the bouncing step of the middle-aged woman whose regular physical therapy sessions have caused her pain levels to decrease. You can hear it in the proud applause of parents watching their now drug-free son walk across the stage to receive his college diploma. You can taste it in the glass of water that the teenage …

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How Do I Know If I Need Drug Addiction Treatment?

Addiction is a difficult disease to define. When does therapeutic drug use cross over into abuse? What is the difference between frequent social drinking and alcohol use disorder? Should comfort-seeking drug use (such as mild-sedative ingestion before bed every night) be considered a disorder? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has acknowledged the difficulty at hand, and set forth guidelines to help users know when to seek help, and to help physicians make accurate diagnoses. Prior to the publication of the current DSM-5, the manual distinguished between abuse and dependence in terms of severity, with “abuse” being …

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Honesty – January 2016

Dream Journal Volume XXXVI / January 2016 Note From Dr B. The idea of making a “New Year’s Resolution” is appealing to individuals across the globe, but it also adds a great deal of pressure to the actions of the upcoming year. People oftentimes make unrealistic promises (ex. I will exercise every single day from now on) and end up disappointed when they are unable to live up to the standard of perfection they set for themselves. So, as a means of relieving ourselves of this unnecessary stress, I propose that we all strive for progress in this upcoming year instead …

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December 2015’s Dream Journal

Dream Journal Volume XXXV / December 2015 Note from Dr. B. The holidays can be a difficult time for individuals in recovery: frustrating family members, crazy Christmas parties, stressful shopping trips, etc. You don’t have to let the season get you down though! There are plenty of ways to stay centered and sober during the winter season. Make sure to listen to your body and avoid letting yourself get hungry. Maintain a regular meal plan full of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Eating a plateful of cookies may seem like a good idea when you’re at an event, but the inevitable …

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November 2015’s Dream Journal

Dream Journal Volume XXXIV / NOV 2015 Note from Dr. B. The ongoing opioid overdose crisis has prompted the CDC to take action in the form of developing new guidelines for qualified prescribers. First and foremost, the CDC stresses that opioid therapy should be utilized only if all other treatment options have been exhausted. Opioids can vastly improve functionality and quality of life, but the benefits must be weighed against the risks of tolerance, addiction, overdose, etc. If opioids are absolutely necessary, the prescribing physician and patient should work together to formulate a safe plan of approach and establish realistic treatment …

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Reverence and Respect – October 2015

The Dream Journal Volume XXXIII / October 2015 Note from Dr. B. The Walk on Washington was a great success! The Two Dreams staff gathered in Washington DC on October 4th in a collective effort to support policies that will improve addiction recovery and end the stigma against those with the disease. Major media networks covered the event, so our voices were heard all across the nation. Fall is a time of transformation, and we look forward to affecting more change as we move towards the end of the year. Monthly Tradition “Tradition Ten – Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on …

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Keeping it Simple with Service – September 2015

Dream Journal Volume XXXII / September 2015 Note from Dr. B. September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate healing and to speak out against the stigma surrounding addiction. The Two Dreams staff members stayed busy this month, especially on the 26th. Clients and staff alike attended the 6th Annual Walk Against Addiction in North Carolina, which was designed to raise awareness of the epidemic that addiction is becoming in America. Our Clinical Director for Two Dreams Outer Banks, Brett Dunning, was a featured speaker at the event. He spoke out against the stigma that patients experience, and emphasized that …

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Innovations in Behavioral Health Conference – Q/A With Our Outreach Coordinator Nancy Davis

Nancy Davis, our Two Dreams New Orleans Outreach coordinator and Administrator, recently attended the Innovations in Behavioral Health Conference in Nashville on June 22-23. Innovations in Behavioral Health is a new conference being offered by Foundations Recovery Network, and is beneficial for those looking to broaden their knowledge and skill set in the treatment industry, medical field, and business management. With our new IOP and OP treatment facility in New Orleans fast approaching its opening day, we thought Nancy Davis would be the perfect person to attend this conference. We recently sat down with Nancy to discuss her experience at …

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