Addiction treatment and it's growth.
Alcohol and other drug abuse has been recorded for thousands of years, however, addiction treatment centers have only been in existence for less than a century. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935; prior, there was very little hope for an alcoholic finding lasting recovery.
In the past, most alcoholics suffered a lifetime of frequent visits to mental hospitals and jails, many finally ending in tragic death. As a chronic, progressive disease, no cure for alcoholism or addiction has been found. However, addiction treatment is possible and the disease can be arrested and kept in remission, thanks to the research and development of facilities, like Promises, which offer comprehensive, personalized alcohol and drug treatment programs.
Over the last 2 to 3 decades, considerable research on alcoholism and addiction has been conducted, with the application of such research appearing in clinical practice. Drug and alcohol addition treatment centers, such as Promises, utilize a variety of methodologies to create a pause between the impulse to use and the act of using. Residential drug rehab provides the client with a safe, secure and supervised living situation in which he or she can begin recovery.
By removing the client from his or her old environment and placing them in a safe, supportive environment filled with addiction recovery and professional therapy, residential drug rehab centers can offer clients an opportunity to stabilize medically and psychologically, learn about the disease of addiction, learn about themselves, and gain the tools necessary for ongoing recovery.
Free from day to day contact with 'using friends', unhealthy relationships and drug abuse routines, residential treatment provides an opportunity to focus on recovery with minimal distraction. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers attempt to teach clients how to live, feel, identify and express feelings, process emotions, develop coping and problem solving skills, find solutions and ask for help. In short, addiction treatment can lay the foundation for lasting recovery.
Once a client is admitted to treatment, the healing can begin.
For some clients, alcohol and/or drug detox is the first step. Clients are assessed regarding detoxification needs to determine whether a hospital based detoxification process may be necessary due to co-existing medical conditions which could complicate the process, or a history of seizures or convulsions could interfere.
For most clients, however, detox is possible with medical monitoring in a residential treatment setting. Many stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, require no physical detox. However, medication can still be helpful in managing the resulting severe mood swings. Opiates withdrawal is uncomfortable but not typically dangerous.
Alcohol and benzodiazepines are the most dangerous substances to detox from. A chronic drinker should seek medical attention when attempting to detox because an unmonitored detox could result in seizure and possible death. Benzodiazepines, especially when mixed with alcohol, can create auditory and visual hallucinations and extreme confusion during detox.
The older the client, the more dangerous each detox becomes.
While most clients who detox are not at risk for medical complications, clients often have strong cravings or urges and must fight the urge to leave treatment in order to “have just one more.” Medications can assist in providing a comfortable and safe detoxification, reducing the physical symptoms as well as quelling cravings. Depending on one’s detox condition, a client in alcohol or drug detox may participate in some of the addiction treatment activities. Clients who do not require detoxification can engage in the alcohol or drug rehab program right away.
Promises Treatment Centers Offer Several Levels of Care
In addition to a minimum stay of 30 days in residential treatment, Promises Malibu offers a structured extended care program, referred to as Phase 2, for eligible clients who have completed residential treatment. Our Phase 2 program is similar to the residential primary care program, however, clients are able to structure their week to enable them to integrate into the community.
While clients in residential treatment attend 18 groups a week, individual therapy twice weekly (minimum), family counseling, and other structured activities (e.g., gym, 12 Step Meetings), Phase 2 clients are required to attend 9 groups a week along with individual therapy, family counseling (where appropriate), and may select 2 ancillary services a week in addition to 12 Step meeting attendance.
More about Promises Treatment Centers.
Promises West Los Angeles, CA addiction treatment center offers a minimum stay of 30 days in residential treatment and Sober Living homes. Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Treatment services are located in West Los Angeles, close to the residential treatment program and sober living homes. Clients may choose to attend residential treatment in one facility, and then attend continuing or Extended Care addiction treatment in another facility.
Promises stands out among other treatment centers for many reasons, including:
Promises has been in existence for almost 20 yrs.
Promises in Malibu, CA was established in 1997, and was the first addiction treatment facility in Malibu, CA, pioneering the “Malibu Model.” Currently, over 20 other facilities have followed Promises Treatment Centers' lead and provide addiction treatment in Malibu, CA.
Promises treats clients with co-occurring disorders. We identify and treat, primarily, chemical dependency and substance abuse, but also, secondarily, treat underlying depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD, personality disorders, or other compulsive disorders.
Promises provides individualized care.
Each Promises facility holds no more than 18 clients in residential treatment, so clinicians are responsible for a small caseload, allowing clients to receive individual attention and care. Each client at Promises is recognized and treated as an individual with a unique set of needs and circumstances. We tailor each client’s treatment plan to an individual’s needs.
Promises Malibu has an independent psychiatrist on site 40 hours per week, plus 5 psychologist level therapists and 2 master’s level therapists.
Each Promises facility provides a 'home-like' environment.
Promises West Los Angeles facility consists of three houses in a residential neighborhood, and accommodates no more than 2 clients to a room.
Promises Malibu facility is located on two 'family' estates in the hills of Malibu. It boasts many amenities, including 2 pools, a tennis court, beautiful and serene views of both the hills and the ocean and gourmet meals.
While remaining firmly rooted in the 12-Steps, Promise Treatment Centers use a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities, including psychiatry, counseling and psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral techniques, stress management strategies, holistic therapy and medically monitored detox.
Promises also has a long-standing, well-established alumni program.
Promises does not keep clients isolated from the “outside world” during their residential stay.
Clients are taken to community-based 12 Step meetings daily as well as a neighborhood gym 5 days a week. In doing so, our clients are experience the “real world” while under the watchful eyes of our staff members. Clients are therefore able to build new, clean and sober experiences and associations in the world outside of treatment, making the transition out of residential addiction treatment easier.
Using the same philosophy, Promises Treatment Centers allow clients to read the newspaper and magazines, listen to the radio, call loved ones and watch TV at appropriate times. Some facilities choose to shelter clients completely from the outside world by containing them within the confines of a facility or prohibiting contact with the outside world during their hospital or residential stay.
Although a 'cut off' method establishes the facility as a safe haven from the world, it also isolates clients and often creates an intense fear and lack of confidence when it is time to return to every day life. By utilizing a social model, Promises prepares its clients for day to day life, such as driving past a liquor store or reading an advertisement for an alcoholic beverage. The key is how Promises teaches clients how to process the feelings which may arrise while engaging in these activities.
Promises offers a high staff to client ratio.
Also, the majority of Promises staff members are in recovery, which benefits clients.
Staff operate as role models offering support and hope to clients.
If the Promises staff can do it, so can it's clients.
Promises allows clients to relate to the staff, feel safe when opening up about their secrets, and surrounds them with 12-step talk, theory, and practice.
As recovering addicts and alcoholics, the Promises staff is 'addiction savvy', so they know how to think like an addict, and can quickly identify addict behavior, search rooms and luggage thoroughly, and recognize many forms of denial and manipulation.
Prior to completing treatment, a discharge plan is developed.
Although 30 days, 90 days, and even several months of treatment are a great start, it is not a cure. Promises discharge plans are aimed at addressing continuing care needs and helping to create a support system for the client’s return home. For example, some clients return home with an appointment to see a local therapist and a list of 12-step meetings in the area, while others are referred to extended care or outpatient programs. Some might be encouraged to attend family therapy and day patient addiction treatment.
As with all levels of care at Promises, a discharge plan is created for the individual. We recognize each of our clients are all individuals with unique needs, so our discharge plan is personalized to benefit each individual person.
Promises’ resource network of professionals extends across the country and around the world.
Whether a client is returning home down the street or across the world, we are able to set the client up with excellent care to support his or her return. Additionally, with alumni located worldwide, we are often able to contact an alumnus in the client’s home community to assist with support on their transition home.
To Return to Promises Treatment Centers' Home Page, click Drug Rehab.