As part of its fully integrated treatment model, where a number of therapeutic approaches are taken to help our clients get sober and stay sober, JourneyPure At The River offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment that helps clients more fully recover from past traumatic events, events that may have led to their … Continued
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
When Jill R. finished her first day of family programming at JourneyPure at the River, she needed an outlet for her emotions so she poured her heart into a journal, easily filling five pages. “I had to do that for my own self-healing,” she said. It’s been a challenging year for Jill and her son, … Continued
By Nikki Baker Think back to the first time you learned to ride a bike. You probably remember some feelings you were experiencing – fear, excitement, maybe a little trepidation. What you weren’t aware of is how your brain was responding to this new activity, which requires an incredible amount of mental focus and balance. … Continued
When Kim C. takes out her cell phone, she’s constantly greeted with acronyms for hope. Hold On Pain Ends Hang On Peace Exists Having Only Positive Expectations Help Open People’s Eyes HOPE is my mantra. These words remind her of where she has been but more importantly they keep her focused on where she is … Continued
*Tim was a heroin addict. He had a great spirit but was just beat up by life. He was angry with God. And he certainly did not want to climb a 40’ cedar tree just to ring a bell. But Keoni Enlow, adventure facilitator at JourneyPure at the River, knew that this challenge – called … Continued
The Tennessee Opioid Crisis is growing. “We’re going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of money on the opioid crisis,” said president Trump as he declared a state of emergency in August. More than 100 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Recent data is revealing Tennessee … Continued
Since drug and alcohol addiction became a focus of health professionals, one fact remains: About half of addicts and alcoholics relapse after treatment. Between 40 and 60 percent of addicts and alcoholics suffer a relapse after completing treatment, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The question is why? Although many treatment facilities succeed in treating … Continued
Singer/songwriter John McAndrew has led a successful musical career, landing a handful of his songs in a couple of Hollywood movies and capturing the attention of local country superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. But none of that would exist without his journey into recovery coupled with his ability to appreciate the magic of music. … Continued
Coming to terms with the dimensions of reality that addiction encompasses can be a complicated thing. The first thing that addiction does is take away our awareness. Drugs and alcohol lock us in a never-ending cycle of craving and aversion that keep us from accessing the very dimension of self-awareness and pause required to transcend … Continued
When it comes to underage drinking, prevention is the best strategy. Educating adolescents about the dangers of alcohol abuse is critical, as more than 80 percent of youth ages 10 – 18 say parents are the biggest influence in their decision to drink or not. Adolescence can be a challenging time and unfortunately, alcohol can … Continued
Nashville has a diverse recovery community with many resources for those in early recovery and who are trying to get sober. There are many places in Nashville where you can find support from others in recovery as you start to build your sober community. 12-step meetings are a great place to meet those who are … Continued