We believe that recovery is a choice, a decision that requires a commitment to a greater awareness. According to Nathaniel Brandon, the avoidance of consciousness or awareness is clearly evident in problems of addictions. When we become dependent on alcohol or drugs the intention is to ameliorate anxiety and pain –to escape awareness of one’s core feelings of powerlessness and suffering. These unpleasant feelings are still present, but we become less aware. To the chemically dependent individual, consciousness is the enemy.
Center For Recovery provides a safe, intimate setting wherein individuals can explore their core issues. They will examine the causes of their mental health and substance abuse problems and learn to identify and express feelings in a healthy manner. Another area of emphasis is learning to identify and meet your needs.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs lists common human needs from the most basic to the most complex.
- survival
- safety
- touching
- attention
- mirroring
- guidance
- listening
- being real
- participating
- acceptance
- opportunity to grieve losses and to grow
- support
- loyalty and trust
- accomplishment, mastery
- transcending the ordinary
- sexuality
- enjoyment, fun
- freedom
- nurturing
- unconditional love
How many of these needs did you get met as a child? How many are being met now?
The goal in recovery is serenity, or peace of mind. This is the opposite of chaos. In order to achieve serenity we must learn to accept the things we cannot change, change the things we can, and have the wisdom to know the difference. This is a minimum requirement. Additionally, we make choices every day that either bring us closer to serenity or closer to chaos and self-destruction. We need to bring greater awareness to our choices, and in doing so we will experience higher self-esteem and feelings of empowerment.
Our goals are to increase self awareness, self-esteem, identify core issues, understand needs, and develop coping tools so that you may live purposefully, experience and handle painful feelings in a healthy way, and to begin to accept and love yourself unconditionally. Recovery is an opportunity to recognize essential value in yourself and others.
