Are All Treatment Centers Created Equal?
The German author and philosopher Eckhart Tolle famously said, “Always say ‘yes’ to the present moment… Surrender to what is. Say ‘yes’ to life – and see how life starts suddenly to start working for you rather than against you.” When it comes to recovery, it is important to say “yes!” as soon as the opportunity arises because the window to get help can close quickly. It is also important to remember that not all treatment centers are created equal, and it is important to find the right one that fits you or your loved one’s needs.
Taking the First Step Toward Treatment
Addiction is still highly prevalent in the U.S. and abroad. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “46.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 16.5 percent of the population) met the applicable DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year [2021], including 29.5 million people who were classified as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million people who were classified as having a drug use disorder.”
It is important to remember that recovery is a journey, and that journey can only begin by taking the first step and asking for help. Of course, this may seem simple, but anyone who has struggled with addiction or has had a loved one struggle with addiction knows it is often an involved process.
There are three critical components that one must process if they are going to make a healthy jump into recovery. These components are the three “As:” awareness, acceptance, and action. First, an individual must become aware that they have a problem.
This awareness may come naturally as the signs and symptoms start to build up, or they may need to be helped to see it by close family and friends. One of the best ways to make this awareness known is to stage an intervention.
Understanding Interventions
Many people are now familiar with interventions and staging interventions due to the A&E reality show series by the same name. While this show can be informative, it also leaves much of the intervention process out.
Interventions are complex processes that require professional help. As previously mentioned, the window for getting someone the help they need can close very quickly. That is why it is important to take advantage by using all of the resources available, including a professional interventionist.
A professional interventionist is going to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that everyone involved stays safe. They are going to be able to get everyone together and help them express how they feel toward the individual who is struggling. The interventionist is also going to be skilled at helping the loved one feel comfortable and engaged in the process.
There are two outcomes to an intervention. One is that the individual accepts the help that they need. Two is that they refuse. A professional interventionist will be able to guide the family in the right direction in both instances. If they get help, they will have everything set up to get them to the best treatment center that fits their needs. For example, here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we have interventionists who are qualified to work in all 50 states to help families send their loved ones to get help at our 30-acre luxury facility on the Hamakua Coast on Hawaii’s Big Island.
However, if they refuse help, an interventionist will help the family create boundaries and stick to them. These boundaries may seem hard, but ultimately, it is important to understand that they have everyone’s best interest at heart. Also, well-set boundaries can often help individuals understand that they need help sooner rather than later. When they accept that help, it becomes time to look at different treatment centers to see which ones may be the best fit.
Not All Treatment Centers Are Created Equal
Navigating the number of treatment centers that are currently out there can be a daunting task. It is also important to do plenty of research because not all treatment centers treat the same issues. Also, the sad reality is that some treatment centers put their financial interests above their client’s needs. This can usually be detected by searching what type of different offerings they have and whether they have any accreditations.
Understandably, many people can feel overwhelmed by the process of finding the right treatment center. This is where a quality and highly skilled admissions team can be crucial. Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, our admissions staff has all of the information one might need to make the right choice for recovery. This means financial information and treatment logistics (what do we treat and how do we treat). It is also important to find the right treatment center based on one’s needs
Evaluating Treatment Centers Based on Needs
Of course, the most important part of choosing the right treatment center is choosing one that addresses the exact issues one is struggling with. For example, a treatment center that focuses on substance use disorder (SUD) may not be equipped to also treat alcohol use disorder (AUD).
It is also important to ensure that the treatment center meets one’s scheduling and insurance needs. For example, while many treatment centers take most insurance, not all do. Also, some treatment centers take insurance for certain offerings, but the individual must pay out of pocket for other treatments. Making sure that the financial situation is covered helps the individual focus on getting well rather than their finances.
At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, our admissions team is open and honest about whether we will be a right fit. If we are not, we are happy to direct an individual to where they may get the help they need. Our primary purpose is to help people recover, whether it is here or not. This is emblematic of our values at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab.
Evaluating Treatment Centers Based on Values
When it comes to recovery, it is important to heal at the cellular level. Yes, certain treatments and therapies are going to help make this happen. However, it is also important to choose a recovery center that aligns with one’s ethos.
At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we value recovering at every level – this means physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We also believe in getting to the root/core causes of one’s issues. It is rarely the case that alcohol or other substances are the primary issue. There are underlying causes that must be addressed. We do this by using a multi-angled approach that includes multiple means, methods, and modalities.
Evaluating Treatment Centers Based on Means, Methods, and Modalities
In our experience, we find that overarching “one-note” recovery plans are rarely effective. They are lacking in two critical components of recovery. One is they do not take into account the needs of the individual. Two is they are not comprehensive enough to address all of one’s needs.
At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, all of our treatment plans are individualized and they pull from a wide array of treatment means, methods, and modalities. This includes psychotherapeutic, experiential, and holistic modalities. It also includes more exclusive treatments like psychedelic therapy.
Treatment Centers and Psychedelic Therapy Options
After decades of social stigmas, psychedelic therapies have seen a resurgence in recent years. This is because psychedelic therapies, such as ketamine therapy, have shown very promising results in treating addiction in study after study.
The evidence is promising. According to the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Approaching nearly a century since its introduction into Western addiction medicine, psychedelic therapy has demonstrated clinical success across a range of settings from the real world to controlled clinical research, and more recently double-blind randomized controlled clinical trials… Such an approach also enables for biomarker informed prognosis, ultimately to enable precision-based stratification of patients to specific treatments with the ultimate goal of enabling a personalized medicine approach that will ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
Psychedelic therapy can also work extremely well with experiential therapies. This is because psychedelic therapy often helps to break down the mental and emotional barriers that stand in one’s way of fully engaging with experiential therapies. This includes therapies like surf therapy, equine therapy, and nature immersion therapy.
Understanding Nature Immersion Therapy
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we are able to take advantage of one of the most amazing natural settings on Earth; the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. This includes some amazing waterfalls, stunning beaches, and breathtaking overlooks. There is even a live volcano that clients can hike to. This also lends to great opportunities for effective nature immersion therapy.
Getting out in nature has been shown to have many benefits. According to the National Park Service, “5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation. Frequent exposure to nature reduces anxiety and depression, while promoting a sense of well-being and fulfillment. Physical activity in a green space can reduce stress and lowers cortisol levels by 15%.” However, green space is not all that the Hamakua Coast has to offer. There is also the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean.
Understanding Surf Therapy
Not all treatment centers are created equal because not all treatment centers can offer nature engagement, especially engagement with water activities and surf therapy. Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we are able to take advantage of some of the best surf breaks on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Surf therapy offers a myriad of benefits. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Carefully planned water activities tailored to the needs of the individual can contribute to correct psychosocial and cognitive development. The International Surf Therapy Organization summarizes the benefits of adequately indicated surf therapy as follows: improved physical health and mobility; improved mental health, including reduction of specific symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress and depression; improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, encouragement of independence, resilience and protective coping strategies) and improved social skills.”
Understanding Equine Therapy
Not all treatment centers are able to offer such intensive experiential therapies as equine therapy. At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we can and do.
Equine therapy for addiction and mental health treatment is garnering more and more attention. According to the peer-reviewed journal Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, “Of particular interest are psychotherapies incorporating equines, such as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) and equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP). With these novel and complementary approaches to psychotherapy, the horse serves as a supporter of psychotherapeutic interventions as well as a mediator between psychotherapist and client. In this therapeutic triad (client-horse-therapist), by prompting specific behaviors and serving as a metaphor for understanding internal experiences, the horse facilitates personal exploration and provides a context for interpreting client difficulties.”
The benefits of equine therapy are many. According to the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE, “EFPP [Equine Facilitated Psychiatry and Psychology] includes healthy physical exercise, mental relaxation, self-reflection, enjoyment, and learning new skills. All these factors of therapy contribute to successful treatment. Moreover, motivation, willingness to cooperate, and a positive attitude are the cornerstones for the persistence and effectiveness of institutional treatment for addiction.”
Treatment Centers and Holistic Healing
Not all treatment centers focus on holistic healing. This is not the case at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab.
We believe in healing at the cellular level by focusing on the whole self rather than just the individual parts. Holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation help individuals at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Understanding Yoga and Meditation
The renowned yogi and spiritual teacher B.K.S. Iyengar said, “Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” This “symphony can be particularly helpful for those recovering from addiction and/or mental health.” Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. Originally, it was practiced solely for religious or spiritual purposes, but it has now moved into many areas, including recovery.
Yoga offers many benefits. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent reduce or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional and spiritual pain, suffering or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
Meditation also has a similar history and trajectory. It also offers similar benefits. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency.”
The Exclusive Difference at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab
Eckhart Tolle also said, “Most humans are never fully present in the now because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now.” In recovery, the present moment is crucial, as is the treatment center where that moment takes place.
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we are proud to be able to offer effective treatments in an elite luxury setting. We are also proud to offer individualized, comprehensive care to each and every client.
Recovery is a journey, and it is important to start it in the right place, at the right treatment center. That right place is right here on Hawaii’s Big Island at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab.
The reality is that not all treatment centers are created equally. The key is to find a treatment center that aligns with one’s needs and values. A quality treatment center will also be able to offer a wide array of means, methods, and modalities for recovery. From surf therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy, this is what we are able to offer at Exclusive Hawaii Reahb. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. For more information about what makes us an elite recovery center, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.