Message from the CEO

Most alcoholics do not change because they see the light, rather, because they feel the heat. The pain an individual feels prior to entering an alcohol detox center or alcohol rehab center can turn out to be their greatest asset. The problem is what I call “alcoholic amnesia” and this is very different from a blackout. Truth be told most alcoholics cannot after a time recall the suffering of even a month or a year ago. Defense mechanisms are an alcoholic’s way of dealing with unpleasant thoughts and feelings. These defense mechanisms become so ingrained into their personalities that they become part of their overall persona. They are revealed in many areas of their life. The most problematic and most common defense mechanism that I see is “denial.” The alcoholic refutes what is so obvious to everyone around them. It is almost impossible to share with an alcoholic your concerns regarding their self-destructive behaviors without a quick rebuttal from the alcoholic. This tendency to refute, to deny, to disagree, to explain away is so common with alcoholics that this tendency becomes an indicator as to the severity of their alcohol problem. It is denial that causes alcoholic amnesia. The alcoholic actually denies their own suffering. There is an answer to what ails an alcoholic but the key to success requires a state of willingness that often only pain and suffering can generate. One of my goals as CEO is to help our clients see the stark truth about their lifestyle. To help them generate the necessary willingness and desire to change that is critical to a successful outcome. I am not talking about increasing shame or guilt; instead I am referring to increasing self-awareness through a variety of exercises designed to bring our clients closer to reality. And the truth is an alcoholic’s reality is often pain enough to generate sufficient willingness to change their life. I believe that almost anyone can change their life if they have a desire to do so. They often need mentorship from people that have walked in their shoes and came out on the sunny side of street. At our facilities, mentorship is a key component to our overall treatment package. Alcoholism recovery is a work in process and the more a person puts in the more a person gets out. This I believe without equivocation!