treatment

Trauma and Substance Use

February 23, 2018 // by Aton Center

Trauma and Substance Use

Substance use is extremely common in individuals who have trauma. In fact, the 2010 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions showed that almost half of people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder have some kind of a substance use disorder, and one in five are substance dependent. Symptoms of trauma can include persistent memories or flashbacks, anxiety, irritability, feeling on edge, irritability, insomnia, loss of interest, and a feeling of emptiness or numbness. When someone has gone through trauma, and they don’t have the resources to cope, they often try to find anything to relieve their symptoms – including substances.

So what does this mean for substance abuse treatment?

If symptoms of trauma are so overwhelming that they lead to self-medication, it can be effective to treat both simultaneously. This allows relief from symptoms that survivors of trauma have been trying to medicate away, while at the same time focusing on treating the addiction which has taken on a life of its own. There are many trauma treatments out there, from Somatic Experiencing, to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to Prolonged Exposure.

At AToN, we offer EMDR therapy, a treatment that has been shown to be highly effective in treating symptoms of trauma. Trauma can be a difficult thing to confront, but when done with a skilled clinician in a safe environment, most people find that it is well worth it!

Kirsten Helgager, PsyD
Psychologist
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Fortune Telling Error

January 25, 2018 // by Aton Center

In working with the residents at the AToN center a empirically based treatment modality we use is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This form of psychotherapy can help with addictions but also help address underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, panic and others. CBT can assist people in identifying and changing distorted thought patterns that can lead to exaggerated emotional responses and unhealthy behaviors. One of these thought patters can be called “Fortune Telling Error” or another way of putting it is “Self-Fulfilling Prophecies.”

If stuck in this process a person may have thoughts like “I’ll never be able to quit, I can’t do it, nothing will ever change for the better, I’m destined to relapse.” These thoughts create their own reality that may be different from the actual situation you are facing. When a person is convinced of a given outcome they will conceded and act appropriately. Resolving this distortion involves taking a more objective view of one’s situation and potential.

Using CBT techniques a person can influence their thinking with more accurate and positive perspectives on their difficulties. Instead of the examples above a person can learn to say to themselves “I can not use this day, hour, minute; change for the better is possible, I can put effort into the task, today hasn’t happened yet, sobriety can happen.” These messages create the possibility for improvement and change and can propel someone towards taking constructive steps in their recovery.

Chad K. Cox PsyD PSY23320
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Individualized Treatment

October 5, 2017 // by Aton Center

The term “individualized treatment” is a popular buzzword that you will often see touted by multiple treatment centers. This buzzword may be confusing; what exactly does it mean? Well, here is how individualized treatment is achieved at AToN Center:

Every morning, our entire Clinical Team meets together and reviews each and every resident’s progress in treatment. Think about it- you have six Licensed Clinical psychologists, one Marriage and Family Therapist and four Level II Certified Chemical Dependency Counselors all looking at your case and discussing YOUR needs! While there are some standard exercises that all residents learn – such as learning how to utilize a thought record or how to communicate assertively – your treatment will not look the same as someone else’s.

The most common feedback we at AToN receive, is that the daily individual sessions provided is crucial to our resident’s progress. These individual sessions allow our clinicians to address your specific needs – and can include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, biofeedback or EMDR. AToN Center also offers residents multiple modalities for community support – including SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Refuge Recovery and 12 Step.

AToN also has a maximum of seven residents per group – so no one gets lost in the shuffle! Each clinician has approximately three residents on their case load maximum – allowing your treatment to be closely monitored and unique to your needs.

AToN Center also focuses on discharge planning – and the entire Clinical Team discusses what the ideal discharge plan should be to strengthen your chances for success. While we have strong local resources, we also have connections across the nation to help you find quality treatment should you discharge outside of the San Diego area.

If you or a loved one is seeking a treatment team that will provide honest and true individualized care – do not hesitate to contact AToN Center for further information.

Cassandra Cannon, Ph.D.
Clinical Director
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Gratitude in Recovery

September 19, 2017 // by Aton Center

In working with residents at the AToN Center I often see how developing an attitude of gratitude can be a very powerful asset in recovery. I think of gratitude from the perspective of being a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. I look at the results of a client’s thought processes and give them options to change and modify their thinking. For example, if a person has thoughts such as “I can’t believe I’m being treated this way, this is totally unfair”, “I’m being taken advantage of”, “It’s my friend’s, parent’s, or partner’s fault that I’m in this condition”, a person will likely be encouraging their sense of entitlement and resentments.

In micro-focusing on what you don’t have you miss out on all of the things that you do have. Thoughts such as “I appreciate those around me, “I’m glad that help is available”, “This isn’t exactly what I wanted but I’ll make the most of it”, and “I’ve been given a great deal,” can help a person focus on what they already have. Changing your thought process can facilitate having more gratitude and appreciation in life.

Dr.Chad Cox PsyD
AToN Center 888-535-1516

AToN Center Addiction Treatment Center Video

September 8, 2017 // by Aton Center

AToN Center is a completely private rehab in San Diego. Our top-rated addiction treatment facilities are each located on intimate two acre estates nestled in the hills between the Pacific Ocean and the upscale neighborhood of Rancho Santa Fe.

Community for Help with Addiction

August 12, 2017 // by Aton Center

People who come to receive treatment at AToN come from a myriad of different backgrounds and cultures. Most share a common goal or bond, that is their desire to achieve freedom from the life damaging consequences of alcohol and drug use.

Developing and nurturing this bond with others is often an essential part of the recovery process. We encourage our residents to examine those ways in which they are a part of a greater whole, a community. We also assist them in finding ways to depend on others which are healthy for their recovery.

Recognition and further development of this bond can greatly help sustain the progress made during treatment and move recovering individuals away from factors which lead to relapse. Stay Connected!

AToN Center 888-535-1516

Goal Setting

July 14, 2017 // by Aton Center

We can choose to begin something new every day, every minute of every day…

Goal setting and getting clear on values and what is really important in our lives is a huge part of what we do in recovery from addiction.

As drug and alcohol addiction brings one down a path of destruction, neglect, and abuse of self and others, recovery is about building up. Beginning with discovering values, dreams, and life’s purpose one can create a foundation to obtain far more than ever imagined.

At AToN Center we explore these aspects and work on setting realistic goals for the coming months and learn how to create a life worth being sober for.

In groups we look at values an a baseline for setting goals that are in line with the things we care most about. We look at goals that are obtainable and have meaning as well as how we can illicit support and accountability.

This is a fun process at any time on this journey of life, love, and growth…

Kristin Colton CATC-II
Chemical Dependency Counselor
AToN Center 888-535-1516

How do people get the most out of rehab?

June 30, 2017 // by Aton Center

Here at AToN Center we see a lot of people coming into treatment and successfully staying sober. There is no magical cure for substance use, but we have noticed a few things that successful people have in common:

1. Keep an open mind. This can be hard to do! We all have our perceptions and preconceived notions about rehab and different treatment modalities. At AToN Center our goal is to accept the resident right where they are in treatment, and challenge them to go to the next level. A key component to changing, is allowing yourself to change. In order to do this one needs to relinquish some control, keep an open mind, and remain cognitively flexible. We notice that the individuals who are successful let go of their old attitudes and opinions, and are willing to look at their situation with a new perspective.

2. Challenge yourself. Ok, so this is similar to number 1, but people fighting substance use really need to challenge themselves! These challenges depend on the individual, but in general require the person to step outside of their comfort zone and do things differently than they have in the past.

3. Manage distress. Getting sober is not fun. It can be stressful and it will most certainly require one to obtain new tools to handle stress versus the old “tools” (or your substance of choice). Individuals need to know that there will be moments of discomfort, but they pass. And, the more one is able to sit through distress and practice new skills, the easier it gets.

4. Support. More specifically getting what you need from your support system. Often times family members and friends will try to be supportive, but they may not know the best way to help. People who are successful in recovery are able to tell their loved ones what they need and set appropriate boundaries. This may actually mean telling your support network how NOT to enable you. This often requires a huge shift in the entire way a family, couple, or group functions. It is not easy, but AToN Center strives to support our residents in doing this through our family therapy component of treatment.

5. Follow through. Just do it, even if you think you don’t need it. The people who succeed are the ones who go to Intensive Outpatient Programs, outpatient appointments, and meetings afterward. Even when they are feeling good, confident, and strong, they still show up.

6. Hope. Last but perhaps most important is hope. Allow yourself to be hopeful, start thinking about what your life could be like. Visualize the future that you want. People overcome substance use every day and you can do it too!

Believe in yourself, AToN believes in you!

Dr. Leslie Sanders
Program Director
Licensed Psychologist
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Positive Visions for the Future

May 26, 2017 // by Aton Center

In working as a Psychologist with the residents at the AToN Center I often see states of despair or hopelessness when residents are considering their futures. Some enter into treatment feeling defeated and beaten down by their addictions and struggle to believe that they will be able to sustain their sobriety. Many have experienced treatment in the past, having gone to multiple rehabilitation centers and countless meetings and therapy sessions, yet still become caught by their cravings.

It can be very helpful to then imagine a future that is free of addiction. The simple fact is that today hasn’t happened yet. This means that each day you are presented with you have the chance to influence it for the better. Having a positive vision for the future can also help create drive and motivation for the work your recovery will entail.

Imagine a day that you want to experience some time in the next few months or even years…this could be your graduation, a friend or family member’s wedding, achieving a year of sobriety, running a marathon, or getting a new job. These positive visions for the future can often sustain you through difficult times as you can connect your current difficulties with an eventual positive outcome.

What is your positive vision for the future?

Chad K. Cox PsyD
Psychologist
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Pain Vs. Pleasure

March 12, 2017 // by Aton Center

In my work as a Psychologist at the AToN Center with those suffering with addictions I will often discuss the concept of “delay of gratification.” This refers to the idea that in learning how to postpone pleasure or enjoyment so that more benefits can come in the long run. This concept is very relevant to those suffering with addictions. They have become stuck in a cycle of “immediate gratification” through the drugs and alcohol and then end up paying a large cost in the short and long term.

Some AToN Center residents have found it helpful to look at the dynamic between pain and pleasure with the idea that whatever you get first, you will later get more of the second. This means that if you get the euphoria from substances, then there will be the pain shortly there after and mounting negative consequences in the long run. Compare this with choosing to take the discomfort of going to the gym up front, but then being rewarded afterwards with more energy and in the long run with better health.

Receiving treatment can also be immediately less fun in the short run, but can lead to more stability, better health and improved relationships. To learn greater delay of gratification can be difficult but the hopes are that your struggles will be rewarded many times over.

Dr. Chad K. Cox PsyD
AToN Center 888-535-1516

The Joint Commission

Affiliations

Licensure and Certification

AToN Center – Proud Supporter

Drug and Alcohol Treatment for Men and Women