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An Interview with Matt Eggleston, JD, Director of Admissions at The Ranch
By Meghan Vivo
Do you believe in second chances? Matt Eggleston does. And after you hear his story, you may, too.
When men and women struggling with addiction have reached their lowest point, Matt is there with a heartfelt message of hope. Once a prominent attorney and special judge in Tennessee, Matt’s addiction brought him to the brink of death. But treatment brought him back. Now sober for many years, Matt turned a decade of despair into a life of service.
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Dangerous Detox: Doing It At Home Could Be Deadly
Detox is a fairly popular topic in today’s society. In fact, with all the advertisements on television, in print, and online for products promising to rid the body of accumulated toxins, you might think that detoxing is a simple and easy process with no ill-effects or risks involved.
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What the New ASAM Definition of Addiction Means to You
People in recovery from addiction often look back and say, “I knew I wasn’t a bad person, but somehow I couldn’t stop doing bad things.” Now there’s a formal explanation – addiction is neither a choice nor a sign of weakness, but rather a chronic brain disease.
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Prescription Drug Misuse Is Common Gateway for Injection Drug Use among Adolescents
Initial abuse of prescription drugs such as Vicodin, oxycodone, and other opiates during adolescence has been found to be a common denominator among young injection drug users, according to a new study. Since prescription opioids are now the nation’s leading class of abused prescription drugs among adolescents and young adults, scientists have been concerned over the long-term consequences of this public health problem for younger generations. Researchers at Drexel University’s School of Public Health have discovered that young adults who inject heroin or other opiates tend to have similar histories of prescription opioid misuse during their adolescence.
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An Interview with Chester Williams, Promises’ Court Liaison & Transportation Coordinator
Drug Rehab, Day 1: Greeted with Respect and Compassion
When individuals come to Promises Treatment Centers, Chester Williams’ reassuring face is one of the first of many reminders that they’ve made the right choice. With more than 25 years sober and a compassionate approach tempered with real-world experience, Chester has a way of setting people at ease from the start.
Coping with Thinking Errors: Relapse Prevention Planning for PTSD and Substance Abuse
Trauma symptoms (PTSD) and substance problems often go hand in hand for many people and constitute a dual diagnosis or co-occurring treatment and recovery need. Symptoms of PTSD and of Substance Disorders occur in thoughts, feelings, nightmares, physiological symptoms, behaviors and sensory perceptions. People in recovery from Substance Disorders and co-occurring trauma can have an increase in PTSD symptoms at various stages of addiction recovery.
Elements CEO Dr. David Sack Appears on Good Morning America
In light of the recent death of Amy Winehouse, Dr. David Sack, CEO of Elements and Promises Treatment Centers, discusses the challenges of getting a loved one into treatment, and the special challenges in helping a celebrity get treatment despite all the signs that the addiction has spiraled out of control.
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EMDR and PTSD
A recent clinical trial found that, six months after treatment, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression who had received eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) had fewer symptoms than patients treated with Prozac.
When undergoing EMDR, the patient is usually asked to focus on the clinician’s finger or blinking lights for several minutes while, at the same time, remembering the events that are causing problems in everyday life. Occasionally, practitioners will instead play tones or apply electrical stimulation to the hands. EMDR is a type of treatment that can be administered by counselors and other non-physician mental health professionals.
Should Addiction Treatment Be Covered The Same Way as Heart Disease Treatment?
It’s time to stop talking out of both sides of our mouth. Drug addiction is now recognized as a chronic medical disease just as heart disease and diabetes and cancer are chronic medical diseases. In that sense, addiction is a traditional disease. It should be covered the same way.
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Wandering Around in a Fog: How to Start Thinking Clearly in Recovery
If everything is a bit fuzzy now that you’re in recovery, the first thing to do is not to panic. Recall what you learned about your addiction during rehab? It will take time for your brain to get back to normal, at least to the point where you’re able to perform logical tasks, remember things in sequence, and be able to comprehend written and verbal communication. Of course, it’s one thing to understand that healing takes time. It’s another to know what to do in the meantime. Here are some suggestions that may help you start thinking clearly in recovery.
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