Understanding that every client will have different needs, especially in terms of support and the exploration of addiction, A Forever Recovery strives to provide many options in counseling. Apart from the core foundation offered through AFR’s Moral Reconation Therapy approach, this facility offers clients counseling that can put them on the path they need to achieve recovery. For instance, clients may experience that they will benefit from:

• Faith-based counseling, such as support coming from those who have worked in the Christian environment.
• Progressive, structured counseling, such as those who offer guidance in relation to 12-step modalities.
• Indigenous treatment counseling, a model that is tailored for those with unique spiritual needs and cultures, most notably those within the Native American community.
• Cognitive-based counseling for those who wish to take a more internal, mental approach to their recovery.
• Holistic counseling is available for those who wish to partake in a comprehensive method of recovery. AFR’s holistic track is one that involves addressing addiction from many perspectives, both of the mind and of the body. While individuals may benefit under direct counseling in holistic treatment, they may also seek out less commonplace forms of guidance such as through yoga and meditation classes, lectures from guests and Martial Arts instruction.

Large Variety of Counselors

The counselors found at A Forever Recovery do not all follow the same methods when it comes to how they help their clients move towards recovery. Seeing as how the AFR counselors come from a variety of backgrounds and modality education, the client has greater options when it comes to which approach will work best for them. Counselors often have a strong background in working in rehabilitation environments, such as those who have assisted in 12-step treatment centers, as well as faith-based facilities. Other counselors, who have experienced the damage of addiction and the promise of recovery firsthand, can offer personal insight to those clients who need support from one that they can relate to.

Individual Counseling

One-on-one counseling in a private setting is essential to helping therapists uncover the underlying factors that may have prompted a client’s addiction. While it may take some time, these counselors strive to establish trust and provide a comfortable atmosphere in which a client can become honest and discuss a variety of issues they have endured in life in connection to his or her addiction. With this knowledge and developing relationship, the therapist can assess the individual qualities that are most relevant to the client’s recovery. As such, individual therapy can provide a client with the tools and understanding of how they can avoid falling down the same path they did before.

Group Counseling

Although it may seem like a contradiction, many can pursue self-help treatment through the guidance of others in group counseling environments. Group counseling is available to AFR clients who wish to develop a strong support system in which they can participate in guided discussions with others who suffer from similar issues. Under the guidance of a designated therapist, groups in counseling can tackle difficult issues, achieve immense breakthroughs in recovery, as well as learn how to express their emotions and restore communication skills with others. These environments not only help one learn from the experiences of peers, but also help display that these individuals do not have to face recovery alone.

As every addict’s experience with drug or alcohol use is unique, it is noted that many can experience varying negative effects on the body. Depending on the substance of choice and the duration it was used, some abusers can incur serious damage to not only their mental health, but also that of their physical well-being. Optimal recovery and rehabilitation facilities are known to fully address this kind of damage and provide ways for the client to restore the health of his or her body.

Vitamins and Nutrients

Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to several deficiencies when it comes to one’s health, specifically lack of necessary vitamins and nutrients. This can occur for several reasons, some of which are either directly related to the actual substance or are indirectly associated with the external impact the addiction causes. For instance, those who are addicted to drugs that suppress appetite will most likely lose weight and continuously eat a low amount of food that is dangerous to one’s health; without a balanced and complete diet, one will not get the nutrients they need to function properly.  In other cases, and vital organs can become damaged due to consistent drug use, making it more difficult for the body to produce the resources it needs.

In addition, many drugs can cause one to experience lack of sleep. This fatigue is one that impairs one’s ability to work, think and conduct regular activities. Unfortunately, many addicts turn to the substance to push through these symptoms, entering an endless cycle. After one is detoxed, it is important that they begin to adopt health nutritional habits and determine what specific vitamins he or she is lacking. Through steady consumption of these necessary components, one can return to a balanced health with confidence.

Fitness

Although a recently recovering addict may not feel empowered or have the strength to pursue rigorous exercise, it is important that that follow a path towards greater fitness. Many rehab facilities can experience better results among clients who exercise and participate in regular physical activities—even if the overall exertion is minimal. While these activities can boost one’s physical health, it can also prove a great way to relieve strength and restore self-confidence.

Massage Therapy and Acupuncture

The side effects of withdrawal can place an extreme amount of stress on a recovering addict’s body. While eliminating toxins and restoring physical health and strength are important, it is also essential that those in recovery facility receive therapy to resolve any tension or stress that may build up. As such, many have found that forms of massage therapy or acupuncture are beneficial to individuals who need to relax and focus on the long-term goals of recovery.

Many former addicts who are in recovery will note that the first steps towards overcoming substance abuse are the hardest. While accepting addiction requires the mental strength and commitment of an individual, the process of confronting it will place not only an emotional strain on the individual, but also a physical one. In order to properly assess every area of addiction and to achieve thorough recovery, addicts must first approach detoxification, which can create high-stress symptoms of withdrawal depending on the substance.

A Forever Recovery understands how painful this process can prove, especially if an addict is pursuing recovery after already attempting to receive help through other forms of treatment. As a facility that is committed to open-ended treatment, AFR offers flexibility and options when it comes to approaching the detoxification and withdrawal process.

The AFR Withdrawal Clinic

It is required that every new client to the facility first enter under a 24-hour observation period in the AFR withdrawal clinic. In this environment, a client will not only benefit for an initial evaluation but gain careful examination from a qualified Medical Director, who will determine what path of detoxification, is best for the individual. Depending on the results of the observation a client will either continue with medically supervised withdrawal or standard withdrawal.

Understanding the Substance’s Impact on Withdrawal

Depending on the type of substance, and individual may face different symptoms when their body stops consuming the drug or alcohol. Some substances can prove incredibly dangerous to one’s health if an individual stops taking it all at once. In these cases, the AFR Medical Director may prescribe a careful, medically supervised withdrawal to slowly bring the client off the substance. During medically supervised withdrawals, a client may gain further assistance from medications, such as methadone.

To further understand which situations are appropriate for each type of withdrawal, it is best to look at which substances are applicable to each scenario. The withdrawal symptoms commonly associated with alcohol and opiate abuse typically require the assistance of medication and supervision to help make sure the client remains safe. Other drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, do not require much medical assistance during withdrawal and are more applicable under standard withdrawal. However, each situation is unique and will require official observation before a decision is made.

After Detoxification

It is important for the individual to prove that they have fully come off of a given substance in order to pursue further treatment, such as therapy and body fortification. AFR looks for three requirements to approve a client to move on to the next stages of recovery. Specifically, the client must not prove under the influence of a mood-altering substance,must prove free of any medical risk as a result of withdrawal or previous drug use, as well as prove that they are no longer suffering from any signs of withdrawal. Following this process, the client will move on to the primary care facility where they will have the ability to access many forms of therapy—both of a physical and mental nature. Under a state that is free of influence from a harmful substance, many will have the ability to make stronger repairs in their foundation through the activities offered at AFR.