Conventional wisdom holds that people who struggle with addiction do so because of some innate quality: an “addictive personality.” These people are “addicts for life,” which means that even in recovery, they’re likely to replace one addiction with another. In this view, the best we can hope for is a life of managing symptoms, and the threat of relapse always looms nearby.
But at The Sanctuary, we have a different view of this important experience. We believe people can fully recover from addiction. And modern addiction science proves this.
Are we Really Powerless Over Addiction?
The notion of powerlessness over addiction comes from the 12 Steps: the founding principles of AA. 12-Step groups have undoubtedly helped a vast number of people over the years. But the reality is that AA was founded in the 1930s, and addiction science has progressed greatly since then. This is still held as the go-to solution to addiction, but may in fact not apply to our experience of life today.
Primary care physician Dr. Peter Grinspoon recalls his experience in a conventional residential treatment program. “During my 90 days in rehab, it was forcefully impressed upon me that addictions are routinely substituted,” he says. “This seemed to make sense, as a person would have the same lifelong predispositions to an addiction: genetic makeup, childhood traumas, diagnoses of anxiety or depression — all of which could plausibly set them up to become addicted to, say, alcohol, once they have put in the hard work to get their heroin addiction under control.”
But what if they healed their traumas? What if they integrated the lessons their experiences taught them? At The Sanctuary, we know that it’s entirely possible to undo old patterning and begin to live in a completely different way.
Science proves that expectations become our reality. So if we view ourselves as having limited possibilities, limitations are what we’ll get. But if we challenge ourselves to believe that more is possible, we may be surprised at how much life can change.
Addiction Recovery Strengthens Resilience
As our understanding of addiction evolves, research shows that working in a rehab program actually lowers your risk of developing new addictions in the future. One 2014 study found that “As compared with those who do not recover from a [substance use disorder], people who recover have less than half the risk of developing a new SUD. Contrary to clinical lore, achieving remission does not typically lead to drug substitution, but rather is associated with a lower risk of new SUD onset.”
That’s because the recovery process helps you build a toolkit to deal with the challenges you were previously self-medicating, without the use of substances. Just as there are risk factors for addiction, there are also protective factors. These include:
- Healthy coping skills
- Connection with others
- Reaching out for help when you need it
- Learning to meet your own needs
This is exactly what you learn in rehab – and so much more.
Sometimes it takes a few tries to get recovery right. And if you didn’t gain the traction you wanted the first time, and it may not even be the case that you failed. It may be that the program you tried failed you.
Digging Deeper
We can’t solve problems at the same level of consciousness where they were created. This is why addiction treatment programs based solely on mental health therapy often don’t “stick.” To create lasting change, we need to dig deep into our subconscious and address problems at their core.
At The Sanctuary, our program starts by examining your belief systems. These are often the cause of patterns in our life that we’ve been unable to change.
We form beliefs unconsciously, often from early life experiences. And then, we begin to live by them. That’s why it’s important to look deep within, to recognize the stories we tell ourselves and the coping strategies we build around them. And once you let go of the “failures” of your past, you have more room to embrace the success of your future.
Creating a Life That Doesn’t Include Addiction
Many people find that when they solve what drives their addiction, they don’t have a desire to use substances anymore. That’s why we take the focus off of the substance itself and get right to the core issue.
Of course, we want to deal with your symptoms, make sure you’re physically well and start calming down your nervous system. But then, we want to take a deep dive into what brought you here.
While most 12-Step-based programs focus primarily on treating addiction at the mental level, they don’t consider its larger spiritual and energetic causes. The Sanctuary’s holistic treatment paradigm pays equal attention to mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects, allowing you to gain a new perspective on life.
Being Recovered
The Sanctuary is different from conventional treatment centers in that the goal isn’t for you to be in recovery, it’s to be recovered. We accomplish this through our holistic approach. Our clients find that their issues tend to move from one session into the next, while your treatment team collaborates until you make a breakthrough. Success here isn’t a result of one technique, it’s a combination of all of the diverse therapies you experience, integrated in a highly coordinated way.
Quitting substances is just the first step. So much more is possible, and you’re not limited to a life of managing symptoms and preventing relapse. In fact, most people find that when they address the underlying causes of their addiction, the urge to use substances becomes a thing of the past.
To us, being recovered means:
- You no longer identify with the story that caused you to use harmful coping strategies.
- A diagnosis of addiction doesn’t define who you are.
- You’re not stuck in a paradigm of victimhood.
- You feel whole and healed.
- You’re free to create the life you want and fully participate in it.
Your Journey of Empowerment Starts Now
Addiction doesn’t have to be a life sentence. In fact, it can be the start of a journey that leads to total transformation. And, rehab offers an intensive therapeutic experience, unlike any others. This allows you to build a toolkit that will serve you for the rest of your life.
When we feel whole within ourselves, we don’t need our addictions anymore, because there’s no void to fill.
Are you ready for a journey of empowerment? Contact us today to take the first step.
Kelley Alexander JD. is the co-director of The Sanctuary at Sedona and has worked over the last decade to develop its innovative Integrative Addiction Recovery Program that has helped hundreds of clients to be recovered from addiction and co-occurring disorders. Through her pioneering work, Kelley and her team at The Sanctuary also work with clients to overcome issues related to codependency, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. A JD and former practicing attorney, Kelley holds a BA in World Religions and has done graduate work in psychology. She is an ordained minister, certified shamanic breathwork facilitator, and a graduate of the Four Winds Healing The Light Body School, the premier energy medicine program founded by Alberto Villoldo. Kelley has also been a student of Dr. Joe Dispenza since 2009. She is a member of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology and the Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies. She is a frequent lecturer at seminars and conferences throughout the United States.
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