One of the guiding principals at JourneyPure is that recovery, whether from substance abuse or a mental health issue or some combination of the two, is not a quick fix. It’s a lifetime journey, one that requires an understanding of the emotional circumstances behind the addiction or mental health issue. It’s a principle that may … Continued
On any given day, Kyle can be found in the detox wing of JourneyPure at the River. He’s not an employee, rather, a recovering addict who is so grateful for the treatment he received there that he stops in to visit with new patients. His mission is to provide some comfort and moral support and … Continued
Every human personality comes with its own defense mechanisms, which we use to avoid painful or inappropriate feelings or delay facing up to an unpleasant truth. Most people employ these defense mechanisms to tweak their everyday realities as a means of coping. For instance, a wife who has just lost her husband might block the … Continued
The old stereotypes of alcohol and drug abuse may conjure images of dark alleys and shady drug deals on the bad side of town. But today, those stereotypes lay by the wayside. In 2017, there is no “typical” addict. It could be your family members, friends, neighbors or co-workers could all be living with an … Continued
Recovering from drug or alcohol abuse is a deeply emotional experience. A person in recovery often struggles with feelings of both accomplishment and dread. Often a person in addiction recovery is most vulnerable to what is said by their closest friends and relatives since these are the people who figure large in their life. No … Continued
“What is addiction, really?” asked the Swiss writer and child abuse expert Alice Miller. “It is a sign, a signal, a symptom of stress.” The often interdependent relationship between addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, bears this out. In fact, the debilitating stress related to the memory of a traumatic event can often create a … Continued
Meet Rhado. Rhado wears the title of assistant barn manager at JourneyPure at the River and he’s an important part of the staff. As a certified emotional support dog or therapy dog Rhado is there for patients in recovery, providing comfort when they are experiencing anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and other conditions. Animal-assisted Therapy Benefits Animal-assisted therapy … Continued
As a physician assistant, Ashley W. admits she used to have a more judgmental view towards addicts. They’re just weak, she thought, a drain to society. But after delivering her last baby, eight surgeries followed throughout that same year – as did the prescription pain medications. Before she knew it, she was not only addicted … Continued
When Jill R’s son finally agreed to go get treatment for his alcoholism and excessive marijuana use, she knew he would thrive in a facility that offered equine therapy. “Equine therapy was super important to me because my son relates with animals very well,” said Jill, who described her son’s fall to addiction “fast and hard” … Continued