Healing in Nature

If you have ever been camping, sat around a bonfire, or even taken a moment to enjoy a park, then you have felt the power that nature may stir inside all of us. In this article, Sam Louie discusses his use of nature in healing therapy. Louie believes being in nature and having contact with wildlife without the distractions of cell phones or even speaking can be a great tool in the healing process. We are so used to having a multitude of accessories at our fingertips, but if we strip these distractions away, and instead sit in silence and solitude within nature, we may experience deep, meaningful and even spiritual moments within ourselves.

For a more in-depth look at Louie’s therapy techniques and how they utilize the power of nature, click the link below. Enjoy!

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Molly Schmidt, SAC-IT

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Relapse & Momentary Perspectives

There are two thoughts often preceding a relapse - it's a special occasion or this is the last time. Both sentiments come from what Dr. Shahram Heshmat calls a "momentary perspective."  This perspective favors immediate gratification over the long term satisfaction that comes from a "big picture perspective." The major takeaway is realizing that while one relapse may not cause a great deal of harm there will absolutely be damage from the repeated pattern.

Read more here. 

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Addiction from a Loved One’s Point of View

There is nothing more painful than seeing someone you love, suffer from the disease of addiction.  It can be overwhelming.  Not only do you feel the need to help them, you forget to help yourself.  Understanding the disease of addiction, can help you to deal with the journey of recovery. Listed in the attached article, you will find information that will help you to understand the realities of addiction and how to cope.  There is hope.

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Jean H. Moral, SAC-IT

Inside the Brain

West Grove Clinic staff discovered a unique website founded by Paul Henry, a researcher of the neuropsychology of addictive behaviors, who is also a recovering addict. The site features a collection of articles discussing what the creator and his writing team believe about addictive behavior, neurobiology, and the relationship of stress/emotional regulation to addiction. The site offers information and support to both people experiencing addiction, and those who simply wish to learn more about the addiction.

Click below to check it out:

Inside the Brain

Happy reading!

Meditation, Yoga, & Acupuncture in Recovery

What do meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have to do with recovering from addiction? They have a lot to do with the recovery process. According to Taite and other researchers, regular meditation has an impact on the brain, yoga has many mental health benefits and can help your overall well-being, and acupuncture can help balance the energy in your body. Here at West Grove Clinic, we take a holistic approach to treating addiction. We not only integrate things like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and other forms of holistic treatment into our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), but we also have a variety of clinicians who specialize in a holistic treatment modalities.

Check out the link below to learn more about how holistic treatment relates to recovery. Enjoy!

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Sara Saunders BA, SAC-IT