Get Clean. Stay Clean.

5 Ways to Break Through to the Other Side

2013-05-23T11:22:00.001-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

"Break on through to the other side, break on through to the other side!" Famous words sang by the late Jim Morrison of The Doors still played on radio stations across the globe today. The 'other side', of course, is up for debate as to what exactly Mr. Morrison et. al. were talking about. For the purposes of this article, the 'other side' will mean, "the opposite side of a problem, that is, the side wherein the solution is discovered, implemented, and success occurs."

Unfortunately, Jim Morrison's death has never been solved. Recently, one close friend of Morrison's suggested that he did not die of natural causes rather he never broke through to the other side of addiction to abstinence and recovery from heroin. He was only 27 when he died.

I have created what I call "The D.i.P.³ Method" as a fun way to remember how to break through to the other side of your problems. It is very simple and is comprised of 5 easy steps that can be repeated until success occurs and the other side approaches. Here they are: (note: application of these 5 principles may cause success and feelings of elation. Use often with reckless abandon!)

The D.i.P.³ Method

1. Dream - You must create a vision or dream of what you want to accomplish in your head and let it marinate in both your head and your heart until you believe it in your bones. Example: "I am clean from all drugs and alcohol." "I take care of myself everyday."
2. Instruct - Tell yourself your vision or dream every day...multiple times a day! Repetition is mother of learning. It's also the mother of dream achievement. Example: Tell yourself a mantra such as "I am committed to sobriety today." "I am committed to my total health today."
3. Push - Fight the resistance. It will get tough. Punch back. Don't forget to block. Bloody noses don't feel good. "It matters what I do, not how I feel!" "This too shall pass!" "I can do whatever I put my mind to!"
4. Pull - If pushing doesn't work, try pulling. Think outside of the box. Look for new perspectives, resources, and supplies to achieve your objective. "I am a winner!" "I am unstoppable!" "I am resilient!"
5. Prodd - Continue to incite yourself to action until the dream is achieved. Don't quit! If you do, you lose. If you press on, winning is worth all the blood, sweat, and tears. Just ask the band of the same name! ;) "Nothing can stop me from success!" "I deserve all the success in the world!"

In recovery from substance abuse, you can utilize this method to help you stay clean. Combine this with time-honored resources such as A.A/N.A., counselors, treatment centers, and other professional settings and you have a recipe for smoother sailing. The waters of life can be choppy but you can adapt and change with the shifting tides while staying dry in your boat as you float along one day at a time.

At The Coleman Institute, we always care about you! You are the most important person to us and it is a privilege to help you get clean and stay clean from drugs and alcohol. Should you find you need our services, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

10 Warning Signs That You Might Need Substance Abuse Detox

2013-05-22T09:25:00.001-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

You frequently you feel as if you are different. You feel and believe that drugs and alcohol make you feel “normal.”
You have developed "tolerance" which means that you need more of the drug or alcohol than you used to in order to get the same effect as when you first started using.
You isolate from friends and family so you can use alcohol and drugs all alone without their interference ruining your fun.
You have had negative legal, academic, work, relational, and/or financial consequences such as DUI's, lost jobs, poor grades, destroyed relationships, or arrests due to alcohol and/or drug addiction.
You have tried to quit many times but can only do so for short periods of time and then you return to using again.
You lie to hide your alcohol and drub abuse.
Your actions have deteriorated over time. You now do things that you never would have dreamed of doing to support your alcohol or drug addiction such as stealing, prostitution, and even violence.
You had a good circle of sober friends that has eroded because you have been focusing on strengthening relationships with friends who abuse drugs or alcohol.
You have lost interest in your physical appearance because of your drug and alcohol abuse.
You are preoccupied with thoughts around when you can use drugs and how you will get the next high much of the time.

If you relate to any of these signs, now is the time to find the right treatment option to help you reclaim your life and be free of all illicit substances.

At The Coleman Institute, we are always here for you. We provide help, hope, and healing to those who need to be detoxed because of their substance abuse. If you find it's time to do something different with your life, give Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart a call at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869). Relief is available if you decide you want it. We'd be happy to help you!

Don't Ever...

2013-05-17T16:53:00.003-04:00

Don't ever forget the truths listed above! Today's article is short and sweet. Recovery is a whole-person healing process. The statements above remind us to take care of ourselves in every way. Take this to heart. It will serve you well in your recovery. This weekend spend some time reading and reflecting on these ideas and how you can apply them to your life. Positive input helps create positive outpoint which, in turn, helps you create the positive life you want!

At The Coleman Institute, don't ever worry about being judged or misunderstood by us. We are always here for you. Our desire is to help you bring change to your life by getting clean and staying clean from drugs and/or alcohol. Should you find that you need our services, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

- Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

What if Opporunity Doesn't Knock?!?

2013-05-15T18:08:00.002-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

You've probably heard the famous saying that 'Opportunity Knocks' before this column. It's an old adage and many times it is very true. That is, 'opportunity' shows up or 'knocks' in the form of a phone call, an email, or a letter when we least expect it. New jobs have been obtained by answering opportunity's knocking. Dates and subsequent marriages have occured because someone was listening for the faint knocking of opportunity's knuckles of their door of life. What if, however, opportunity doesn't knock?

This is a great question. We often wonder whether life is a series of random experiences or if the universe is run by a Divine Being(s) or if we are just floating on a random rock in a big universe with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes, this is not a pleasant question to answer because the answers are not always obvious. However, one thing we can consider that does make sense: personal application.

As I said before, sometimes, opportunity knocks. However, sometimes opportunity doesn't know to knock and we need to build it a door to knock on. That is, you can influence your future by your actions. But change really starts before that. It begins with your thoughts. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions shape your present and your future. And sometimes, you have to build the door on which opportunity can knock it's proverbial knuckles.

How do you do that? Glad you asked. Sometimes 'building a door' is in the form of preparation like weekly training for a marathon in the near future. Other times, it involves studying a subject hard for 4 years in college so you can become a trial lawyer. Still, it might include asking for help from someone to do for you what you cannot do for yourself. This is how recovery works.

If you 'build the door' of recovery by asking for help, opportunity will come knocking. It can't not happen. It is the way things work. When you ask for help, eventually, someone will help you. And when they help you, the possibilities of your life will expand exponentially thus inviting opportunity to knock.

Everyday, in our line of work, we hear the knock of opportunity daily. As people submit themselves to the detox and rehabilitative process, we see and hear opportunity knocking change into lives that were formerly shattered. It is a great sight to see!

At The Coleman Institute, we are always here for you. Our desire is to help you bring change to your life by getting clean and staying clean from drugs and/or alcohol. Should you find that you need our services, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

How Do I Ask for Help?

2013-05-09T16:44:00.003-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

Did the title of this blog article grab your attention? Maybe you found it a bit stupid because the answer seems so obvious. Perhaps it intrigued you because you wondered if it was a trick question.

Truthfully, the title is neither. It is not obvious how to ask for help because so many people fail to do it. And, I can assure you dear reader, it is not a trick question. Actually, it is a very important and vital question for everyone but especially for people who struggle with addiction!

If you want to know how to ask for help, the simple answer is: just ask! The hardest part of that answer is: how? Why is it hard? Shame and embarassment are two emotional schoolyard bullies who will do anything to keep you from asking for help. They shove you up against the wall of self-disdain. They wrestle you onto the ground of self-loathing. You kick and scream and bite and even cuss but they don't let go very easily.

Most of us want to be able to beat things on our own. This mindset is the primary reason we do not ask for help. Then, we will be weak. Then, we will be dependent. Then, we will be imperfect. And yes, even then, we will be truthful. Because the fact of the matter is, every one is weak, dependent and imperfect. Please realize, of course, that these descriptors do not equal other ones like awful, bad, and unlovable. Since there are no all-powerful, perfect people, it can't be any other way. And that is ok...if we ask for help.

Do you ask for help when you need it? Do you ask long before it's too late and you're up the proverbial creek without a paddle? Have you ever felt the relief that comes when you humble yourself to ask someone to help you out? If you haven't, I urge you to do it. You'll be glad you did.

We want you to know that at The Coleman Institute you are our pride and joy. It is because of you that we exist: to help people get clean and stay clean from drugs and alcohol. Should you find that you need our services, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

What is Detox?

2013-05-06T11:12:00.001-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

Detox is an familiar yet unfamiliar term to many people. For some, it conjures up images of a raw vegetable diet to cleanse the body. They think of it as a 'nutritional reboot' to their system. While there is a type of detox that involves nutrition, substance abuse detox is a very different thing altogether.

To answer the question "what is detox?", we first need to understand why someone would want or need a detox in the first place. Simply put, when people use substances at an abusive level, their bodies begin to pay the price. Often times, they will try to stop on their own. Usually, they fail!

Therefore, when drug and alcohol use has gotten out of hand, it means that the body, mind, and spirit have become literally 'toxic'. Dictionary.com defines 'toxic' this way, "of, pertaining to, affected with, or caused by a toxin or poison: a toxic condition." It may seem fairly obvious that drugs and alcohol can be toxins to the body but every weekend in America many people find out the hard way!

Since drugs and alcohol are toxins to the system, a person must recover from their effects. This is the rub. Addiction doesn't allow people to just quit, pack it up and go home. No, it's like a jealous spouse that checks your cell phone, reads your email, and goes through your wallet making sure you stay faithful to them and no one else. It's ultimate weapon of choice: withdrawal! And what an effective weapon it is, keeping people trapped in the cycle of addiction day in and day out. As Eric Clapton once said, "Addiction doesn't negotiate!"

And that's exactly why people need detox! They can't do it on their own. The symptoms are just too strong! The pull is just too much! The pain is overwhelming!

At The Coleman Institute, our suite of detox treatments remove the poisonous toxins of excessive drugs and alcohol from a person's system in a safe, effective, outpatient environment so that health and vitality can be restored. Our highly trained medical staff make sure that each detox is handled with care and compassion during the detox process. It's a privilege to be able to help our patients become renewed and restored!

Furthermore, care does not end there. We are committed to helping you stay clean with an aftercare plan that is individualized just for you and your needs. Time and again, we have seen that the combination of our highly successful detox process followed by consistent and appropriate aftercare leads to a happy and healthy recovery journey.

Always know that at The Coleman Institute, we're here when you need us. If you or someone you love has an addiction, we would love to help you heal. Please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869)

Who Needs Detox?

2013-05-02T09:52:00.004-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

"I tried to beat this thing cold turkey," he said with a tired rasp in his voice. I had heard the sentiment a thousand times before from other brave yet addicted people who came to our clinic to get off drugs and/or alcohol. He continued, "It was like, the withdrawal symptoms were just too much. I felt like I was dying. In fact, dying almost seemed better than having to go through all that pain like diarrhea, cold sweats, hot flashes, restless and cramped legs, vomiting, and really high anxiety. I felt like I was going to come out of my skin!" I nodded my head trying to convey a sense of compassion and empathy. It's very hard to watch such suffering.

Ever felt that way? I sincerely hope not! Withdrawal from alcohol and/or drug addiction is brutal for most people. On average, it takes 7-10 days for a person to completely withdraw from their substance of choice. Unfortunately, on average, most people "cave", that is, go back to their drug of choice, around Day 3 to Day 5. Of course, there are always outliers but they are the exception not the rule.

Perhaps you've been there or you are there again. Maybe you've tried valiantly to get off that stupid drug you hate so much and keep failing no matter how hard you try. I have good news: it's not because you're weak. It's because the drug or drink is that strong!

Who needs detox? Anyone who is tired of being a slave to drugs who can't quit cold turkey. Who needs detox? Anyone who is tired of having to drink to start their day or to go to sleep at night or to get through that next meeting with your boss.

Give up. Ask for help. You'll be so glad you did. You deserve it. The drugs and alcohol don't deserve you!

Oxycontin: A Gateway to Heroin?

2013-04-29T09:46:00.001-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

Prescription pills are the rage right now. People from all walks of life get sucked into using prescription pills for several reasons. First, many are legitimately prescribed them for legitimate physical pain and the patient doesn't know that their brain is set up for addiction. Second, some feel that it is ok to go to a doctor and fake pain so they can get these same pills. Third, others justify that they don't have a problem because these pills are 'made by the manufacturer' so they are 'safer than street drugs'. To add insult to injury, due to the large demand and short supply of Oxycontin on the street, many people are now 'graduating' from their prescription pill use to a whole new level of addiction via heroin!

Once thought of as just an 'inner-city' drug problem, heroin has now become the chic drug of choice for upwardly mobile members of society. Doctors, judges, lawyers, accountants, ministers, and other seemingly upstanding professionals are getting caught in the vortex of heroin use via oxycontin abuse. For example, in a recent U.S.A. Today article*, researchers at the Carolinas Medical Center found that the majority of their abusing patients came from the 5 best neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC.

At The Coleman Institute, we keep seeing an increase in the number of patients who come in for a heroin detox yet started their drug addiction on Oxycontin. In most cases, patients believed, naively, that Oxycontin wasn't addictive and that heroin was easy to kick. All of them believed at one point or another that they had the strength to bear the withdrawals on their own. None of them succeed which is why they come to see us. Truth be told, it takes 7-10 days to withdraw off opiates and the majority of people cave between Day 3 and Day 5 because the withdrawal symptoms are that unbearable!

There is nothing wrong with being on Oxycontin when it is prescribed carefully by a doctor who is very familiar with addiction and who limits the prescription time frame in order to avoid patients getting addicted. Unfortunately, most doctors have a thumbnail view of addiction, and while they may mean well, they do more damage than good. Furthermore, many patients who either have an addiction or know that addiction runs in their family refuse to be honest and open with the doctor and staff about their personal and/or family history so they can get their drug of choice.

If you or someone you love is hooked on Oxycontin and/or has graduated to Heroin, we can help! We specialize in detox from all opiates. If you have decided that you are tired of being sick and tired of being hooked on drugs and that you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869)

*For more information, here is the link to the aforementioned article in U.S.A. Today (http://usat.ly/ZwdCPV)

Suboxone - More and More Problems Are Showing Up

2013-04-26T16:34:00.001-04:00

Peter R. Coleman, M.D.

Suboxone has become a popular treatment option since its introduction in 2002. There are a number of reasons for this. First, opiate addiction is a common problem. If you add the number of Heroin addicts to all of the people using opiate painkillers in a non- medical way, there are over 30 million people in the US affected by this disease. Second, standard treatments are not very effective. Opiates are extremely powerful. They are very physically addicting. It is very difficult for patients to detoxify off them. And if patients are able to get off opiates, it is even more difficult to stay off them. Opiates effect the pleasure center very powerfully. Patients feel awful when they don’t have them. Without help, most patients relapse back to opiate use pretty quickly.

Suboxone is very powerful. It binds very tightly to the opiate receptors so it lasts a very long time. This means there are less ups and downs than other drugs, which can be helpful when it is used as therapy, but it also means that it lasts a very long time in your system.

In addition, Suboxone turns the opiate receptors on in a powerful way, so it is highly addictive. Because it lasts a very long time it means that the withdrawal off of Suboxone takes a very long time. The withdrawal off Suboxone is very unpleasant and lasts much longer than the withdrawal off Heroin or OxyContin. Patients usually only find out about this when they want to come off their Suboxone. Some patients report withdrawal symptoms lasting 6 months or more. As mentioned earlier, the vast majority of patients are not able to detoxify, even with slow weaning down. They either choose to stay on their Suboxone or they relapse back to street drugs.

Fortunately, here at The Coleman Institute, we have a solution that has a 99% success rate – and only takes 8 days. Our Accelerated Opiate Detoxification and Naltrexone Implants work very well. We use a combination of medicines to help patients feel very comfortable. Our Receptor Restoration Technique gets the brain back to its natural state much faster. Naltrexone implants give patients the support they need to deal with cravings and allow them to get into real recovery. It is so nice to see patients come to us and start feeling better so quickly.

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love has an addiction, we would love to help you heal. If you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869)

Who Are You?

2013-04-26T15:30:00.000-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

One of the hardest things in life is figuring out who we really are and what we are really meant to do. Usually, people struggle the most with these questions during adolescence. Ideally, as we grow older, we should become more clear about our self-identity and our purpose in life. However, many people never experience this growth and get stuck for many different reasons. This is particularly true for those who struggle with substance abuse.

I often tell our addicted clients that the 'party scene' tells you that being sober is 'boring, stupid, and lame'. Oddly enough, people who are sober and don't party often think of the party scene as 'boring, stupid, and lame." Therefore, it is really a matter of opinion as to what is truly boring, stupid, and lame.

Before you jump to conclusions, please understand that I am not judging those who do party or who have partied in the past. The reality is all of us want to be accepted and loved for who we are right where we are and there is nothing wrong with that. However, most of us give into peer pressure at some point because the power of conformity is very strong. Conformity may or may not be a bad thing depending upon your perspective. When it comes to substance abuse, we believe that conformity is deadly.

So, on this Friday, I ask you: Who Are You? Do you know? Do you care? If you don't care, why? Take some time over the weekend to figure out the answers. When you know who you are, you don't care about who they think you should be or what they think you should do. So give yourself permission today to just be. And then, to just be You. And finally, to be you well!

Signal to Noise Ratio

2013-04-25T09:18:00.002-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

In engineering, there an idea known as the 'signal to noise ratio'. In layman's terms, this means a comparison between a desired signal level (i.e. meaningful information) compared to the level of background noise (i.e. unwanted signal) This may sounds a little confusing to the unintiated but it's really simple to understand.

For example, a friend of mine's father has a hearing disorder: he refuses to wear hearing aids! He is a deaf as a door nail! His signal to noise ratio is awful. The noise ratio, that is the surrounding sounds (as well as poor hearing), keep him from hearing the person who is speaking to him. That's why his common refrain is, "What? What did you say? Can you repeat that?" We all dutifully repeat ourselves umpteen times while thinking to ourselves, "For the love of all things holy, please buy a hearing aid for goodness sakes!!!"

What is your signal to noise ratio in recovery? Perhaps you have not thought of this concept. What I mean is are you able to hear the 'voices of recovery' over the noise of the other voices out there (i.e. partying friends, drug dealers, T.V. commercials, etc.)? Maybe you have not realized how loud the background noise in our culture can be. It's a good thing to pay attention to so that your sobriety stays strong and consistent.

If you're ignoring the background noise, it begs the question what are you actually listening to? This would be the 'signal level' I spoke of earlier. The 'signal' is heard in places like the greater recovery community such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. You hear it in the 'voice' of writers like Tian Dayton whose classic book Emotional Sobriety is helpful to so many in recovery.

This week I challenge you to pay attention to your 'signal to noise ratio' as it relates to your recovery. Pay attention to the sounds around you. Choose whether or not you are going to listen to them or change the station, so to speak. Keep your signal high and drown out the noise of anything that opposes your addiction. You'll be glad you listened!

What's Your Excuse?

2013-04-19T09:50:00.001-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

Excuses. We all have them. We all 'need' them at some point or another to get us out of something we don't want to do. They are the sign of a 'good quitter'. That term, of course, is an oxymoron!

Do you use excuses? Do you look for excuses regularly to help get you out of situations you don't like or desire to be in? If so, STOP IT! Ok, no more cyber yelling, but seriously, please stop making excuses for your own sake. It's holding you back.

When it comes to substance abuse recovery, there is no room for excuses. There is too much at stake! Your life depends on it. Believe me, that is not melodrama. It is the truth.

My challenge for you today is to turn off your cell phone for a few minutes. Cut off the T.V.. Sit quietly and allow yourself to really open up and be honest with yourself about all the areas of your life where you are operating with excuses. Identify them and then analyze them for what they are. The point is not to beat yourself up or judge yourself harshly rather it is just to become aware of the deeper ways your attitude and mindset(s) affect your life positively or negatively. Then decide what, if any, good they are doing for you. If you decide they are no longer good or helpful, discard them for good. Remember that excuses keep you from achieving all the great things you want to achieve in your life. Don't use them. Face reality. Face it and don't avoid it. You'll be so happy that you took that brave step of self-analysis to eliminate all your excuses!

Today or Tomorrow?!?

2013-04-18T09:25:00.002-04:00

“Tomorrow”

(Noun)

"A mystical land where 99% of all human productivity, motivation, and achievement is stored" - Anonymous

“The sun will come out tomorrow,” sang little Orphan Annie in the movie of the same name. And that is very true. However, perhaps it might rain. How about snow? No, Annie was not an amateur weather forecaster rather she was saying that things might be bad today but tomorrow they will get better.

Similarly, we often believe that putting off something for tomorrow that we should do today will make the project easier or better. Perhaps even more sunny! Generally, this is just not the case.

Recovery teaches us to care for ourselves now. We can’t wait to stay sober. We can’t wait to recover. To wait can often mean to overdose. To wait can mean to die. To be arrested. To be institutionalized. If that’s the case, it won’t be a sunny day for sure regardless of whether the sun comes out or not!

Today is the real land where 100% of human productivity, motivation, and achievement can be available if we choose to embrace it. There is no greater productivity, motivation, or achievement than that which involves recovery from substance abuse.

Please do not put off for tomorrow what you can absolutely do today!

- Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

Why Do You Need to Detox When You Could Just Quit ‘Cold Turkey’?

2013-04-15T15:04:00.003-04:00

Often times people ask themselves, "why do I need to detox when I can just quit 'cold turkey'?" It's a fair question. Some people can detox themselves at home without medical assistance. However, that is a very small number of people. The majority of people need help detoxing off drugs and/or alcohol. Could you be one of them?

On average, it takes someone 7-10 days to completely detox off their substance(s) of choice and be completely clean. Most fail without help. As a matter of fact, most cave-in between Day 3 and Day 5 because the withdrawal symptoms are too severe. These symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, cold chills, sweats, shaking, and confusion are very debilitating and relief seems nowhere in sight.

The good news is that you can make a different choice today. You don't have to go through the pain of withdrawal on your own again. The first step is to decide that this thing is bigger than you and that you need help. It's ok not to have it all together and to need assistance. But the old adage still remains true: you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. The choice is yours. Let us help you help yourself today. You'll be glad you did!

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love has an addiction, we would love to help you heal. If you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869)

"I Wasn't Myself!" Sound familiar?

2013-04-10T14:57:00.001-04:00

Ever feel like you're not yourself? Feel like a stranger in your own skin? There's help. Check this out...

Suboxone is Not the Answer!

2013-04-08T15:13:00.000-04:00

If you are struggling to get off of opiates and you made the switch to suboxone, you may find yourself worse off than when you started. Suboxone is not the miracle drug people once thought. It is switching one addiction for another. We can help you get off Suboxone for good!

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love has an addiction, we would love to help you heal. If you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

Withdrawal

2013-04-05T11:04:00.000-04:00

You don't have to go through withdrawal alone. We can help. You are not alone.

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love has an addiction, we would love to help you heal. If you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

An Inconvenient Gift

2013-03-29T15:22:00.000-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

I was walking to a local restaurant for lunch one day after a long morning in the office. As I was ruminating to myself over the tasks that needed to be accomplished that afternoon, a woman interrupted my musing with a question. "Sir, can you help me? I'm really hungry and have no money to get something to eat, " she said earnestly. Immediately, my 'skeptic flag' flew up and I thought to myself, "Lady, I just want to eat lunch alone and you think I'm going to fall for that load of garbage when all you're going to do is go buy drugs and get high!" I work for an alcohol and drug detox center, nonetheless, so I am a bit tainted in my perspective on this subject unfortunately. Sarah, it turns out, would prove me wrong.

Suddenly the thought occurred to me, "maybe she really is hungry. Let's find out! I'd be happy to buy you a meal at this restaurant I'm going to if you would like, " I offered. She smiled and enthusiastically agreed. Maybe she didn't want drugs and alcohol after all.

Silently, we walked into the restaurant. We stood in line and she placed her order. When the time came, I paid the bill for her. She had a smile on her face. We made some small talk. We walked back outside the restaurant and started to part ways. She told me, "Thank you so much because I was so hungry. God bless you.!" I wished her well and got in my car to leave.

I had an unsettled feeling inside me as I drove back to the office. Why did I question her like that? Why couldn't I just give her money? Why did I not give her the benefit of the doubt?

I didn't have immediate answers to those questions but I did realize that when I thought about her eating that sandwich I smiled. I realized that while I may have done a 'good deed' it wasn't without internal conflict and judgment. Alas, Sara smiled and so did I. That was the highlight of my day. And I tell you this not to brag but to give a loud 'Amen' to the quote at the beginning of this article!

With that said, sobriety can seem like an inconvenient gift. It's not what you ask for. You don't want to open it. You're sure it's going to be another awkward colored sweater from your mother but then you find out it's indescribably awesome. Much like food on an empty stomach. Get sober. It's worth it. It's free. You don't have to pay for it. Give yourself the gift and then pass it on!

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love has an addiction, we would love to help you heal. If you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

A Safe, Effective Heroin Detox

2013-03-27T09:59:00.002-04:00

Do you need to detox off of opiates such as heroin or oxycontin? If so, we can help. To learn more, watch this short video below:

Dream On.

2013-03-19T16:11:00.001-04:00

By
Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

"Dream on,

Dream on,

Dream until your dreams come true" - Aerosmith

Have you ever had a dream? When you were a kid, did you ever dream of being as strong as Superman, as fast as The Flash, or as beautiful as a Princess? We all have dreams at some point in our lives about who we want to become. It is part of human nature. Unfortunately, most of us give up on our dreams long before it’s time to quit.

A dream is simply, “a strongly desired goal or purpose.” When you wanted to make the honor roll as a kid, you had a dream. When you wanted to win first place in your swim team competition, you had a dream. When you want to be Teacher of the Year, you have a dream. And, believe it or not, when you want to break free from the chains of addiction, you have a dream.

Sobriety, for many drug users, is nothing but a distant dream. It feels unrealistic. It seems impossible. It feels way too difficult to achieve. Many addicts disregard their dream and choose to remain in the shackles of addiction.

Do you dream of freedom from addiction? Do you dream of never having to chase after another fix ever again? Do you dream of living your life full of love, laughter, and sobriety? Then why don’t you go get it? Dreams are nothing if you don’t take action.

So dream until your dreams come true!

The Ability to Sit Through Discomfort

2013-03-19T13:54:00.000-04:00

Dr. Peter Coleman, M.D.

After I had been clean and sober for about 6 months, I started to notice quite a few people had already relapsed and were back on drugs and alcohol. This bothered me and made me fear for my own sobriety. I asked my therapist if he thought I was going to make it or not. He told me that there are many factors that determine people’s success, but one of them is the ability to sit through pain. He told me that I was already doing all of the right things – going to meetings, working with a sponsor, reading healthy literature, etc. I had already changed my friends and the things I was doing. He also thought I was very good at sitting through pain, so he said that he thought I would make it. I liked his answer.

The truth is my therapist may have sensed that I am pretty good at sitting through discomfort, but I certainly am not perfect at it. In my time, I have certainly overreacted to pain and discomfort. At times, I have felt so afraid that I’ve made bad decisions and judgments. Then I’ve done things that are not helpful. I may have said something that hurt someone else or made a situation worse. I have done things that hurt someone or made the situation worse.

There is a philosophy in recovery circles that everything changes – some people say this about the weather –“if you don’t like the weather, just stick around, because it will change”. The concept with feelings is the same-“if you are feeling really happy and everything is going great - get over it because it won’t last!” The opposite is also very true. If you are feeling anxious, get over it because it won’t last. Fortunately I have now been clean and sober long enough that I know that this is true. I have experienced enough periods of anxiety that I am absolutely certain that I will come out of it and feel better – and usually I feel better much more quickly than I thought I would. In my experience, feelings or anxiety usually don’t last more than a few hours. And of course, like anything that we practice, we get better at it. The more often we practice sitting through anxiety, the quicker it goes away. So, next time you feel all anxious and worried that things aren’t just the way you think they should be – be happy because you have just been given a great learning opportunity!

Desperate To Change

2013-03-15T15:41:00.000-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

Today I met 3 different patients with 3 different stories. The first, a middle-aged woman, was addicted on pain pills. An incredible athlete, she looked to be in the prime of her life not someone who was hooked on opiates. Cloaked in shame, she was afraid to leave detox because of the changes she would have to make and the pain she might feel in the process.

The second patient was a man in his early 20's who was in withdrawal from opiates. He was not feeling good physically. His mother was anxious for a speedy recovery for her son. This was his first legitimate attempt at getting clean and staying clean from his drug addiction.

Last, I spoke to a medical student in his late 20's. He was coming off of a suboxone maintenance dose that was his normal daily regimen for the past 5 years. He was ready and felt confident that he was turning over a new leaf through his detox this week.

The common thread that ran through each of these stories is this: they were all desperate to change. Desperation is the emotional state of inner despair over a situation that seems helpless and without change. It is the most common feeling for people stuck in substance abuse. Each of these patients, for completely different reasons, were desperate to change the course of their lives.

We often think that being 'desperate' is a bad thing. Sometimes, for sure, it isn't a very exciting option. However, sometimes being desperate is a good thing. In this case, being desperate to escape the claws of potential sickness, financial ruin, legal issues, and/or death, is a very good thing!

Are you desperate to change? Where are you today in your life circumstances? Is there something you've been putting off that to change would radically re-orient your life in a powerful way? Sometimes desperation is a good thing. Give in to it today. Change your life. Watch how you will change in the process!

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love has felt the bite of addiction, we would love to help you heal. If you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitate to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

Acceptance: It Is What It Is!

2013-03-13T16:36:00.000-04:00

Chris Newcomb, M.Div.

Reality Bites. It's actually the name of a movie in the 1990's that was popular amongst 20-30 somethings about the sometimes cruel nature of life, love, and other mysteries. Certainly, the title is a bit humorous albeit somewhat cynical. And truthful. At times.

Acceptance is a very difficult concept to practice even though it is quite easy to comprehend. Reality is indifferent to our wants, needs, and desires. We often spend a lot of time and energy at odds with reality. We expect this. We want that. We get something else. Sometimes, we get more than we expect and are pleasantly surprised. Either way, it is what it is.

What is the key to acceptance? There isn't one. It is a choice. It is the tough choice to choose to accept whatever reality brings and know that you can persevere through that particular reality in time and space.

Feelings about reality are a completely different but related topic. Often, it is not necessarily the reality of a situation that is bad rather it is the emotions that are elicited from that reality that make it bad. Expectations are future resentments waiting to happen. When our expectations are dashed, resentment is easy to pick up. Choosing to accept reality as it is AND also honor our feelings about that reality is the healthiest way to live life. We must take it a step further and examine our resentments and seek to let them go.

I had a friend who would always say, "it is what it is" and it used to annoy me. As I've grown in my understanding and comfort with that notion, I see the wisdom of his words. The reality is, pardon the pun, it is what it is and it isn't what it could or should be, so to speak. That fact is indisputable.

In the end, reality isn't all that bad. Think of the alternative. Learning to accept where we are, who we are, and what happens or doesn't happen in our life is our biggest challenge. When we begin to do that, life doesn't seem as bad. Reality bites, for sure, but often times she kisses. Don't forget to pucker up in expectation!

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love has felt the bite of addiction, we would love to help you heal. If you are in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitant to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).

"A Better Life" - Heroin Detox Testimonial

2013-03-08T16:55:00.000-05:00

Stuck on heroin and looking for a better life? Want to be free? Need to get clean and stay clean? We can help! Listen to this testimonial...call us...we want to help YOU!

Help, Hope and Healing

2013-02-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

I love the sunrise. I love waking up at 5am and seeing the literal start of a brand new day. Of course, those first few moments after I wake up can be a bit painful as my mind cries out 400 ways to Sunday why I should go back into the nice quiet, warm bed from whence I just came! Usually, I don't listen.

A new day signifies three things to me: help, hope and healing. An old book says that "there may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning." I find this to be true. Something about watching the receding shadows as the light marches across the horizon gives me a sense of power that help is on the way. It's a new day!

Just as the new dawn signifies help, it also symbolizes hope for me. If I messed up yesterday, I can always start over today. Today's outcome could dwarf yesterday's failures. All I have to do is try!

Finally, the new sunrise is healing to me. I am human and can only do but so much and need respite. I need a break in space in time like everyone else. Rest helps with that need. Starting over helps with that need. And a new sunrise is healing to my soul because I know like the old saying states, "in the end it will be ok. If it's not ok, it's not the end!"

Set your alarm for 5am tomorrow. Watch the sun come up (wear sunglasses). Bathe in the light of help, hope, and healing!

At The Coleman Institute, we specialize in helping people get clean clean and stay clean from alcohol and drugs. If you or someone you love is in need of detox from opiates, alcohol, benzos, Methadone, or Suboxone, please do not hesitant to call Jennifer Pius or Amy Stewart at 1-877-77-DETOX (33869).