Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex illness characterized by an intense compulsive desire to use alcohol and/or drugs that persist even in the face of devastating consequences.  The intial start to addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs and alcohol, over time a person’s ability becomes compromised.

Addiction to alcohol and/or drugs have many dimensions and disrupt many aspects of an individual’s life; mentally, emotionally, spiriturally and physically.  Treatment is not simple.  Our treatment program is effective because of its holistic, multi-disciplinary, bi-modal approach each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must help the individual learn and practice skills related to stress relief, emotional regulation, assertive communication, boundary identification and new healthy ways of relating in the world.  These skills become vital as the client strives to learn a life style and new ways of coping and being in the world.

Families of individuals coping with alcohol and/or drug addiction can support them more readily by understanding that the client will be undergoing a transformative and integrative process.  Addiction is a lifetime disease.  People cannot simply stop using.  Most people require long-term or repeated supports to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence, recovery and wellness.