Drug Rehab Blog

We all know someone. That is, we all know someone with some sort of drinking problem. Estimations are that there are millions of people in the United States alone with a form of drinking problem or alcoholism. The very sobering truth is that people die from alcohol related incidents every day, and only a small percentage of individuals who can be identified as alcoholic seek treatment for their condition. Alcohol addiction is treatable condition. An effective alcohol rehab or drug rehab stay can be a life saving decision.

Cirque Lodge offers a recovery program for the alcoholic and their families. Nestled in the Mountains of Utah, the Cirque Lodge offers a private and peaceful recovery experience. Since addiction isn’t something that is cured, we strive to help the recovering alcoholic develop the skill set needed for long term sobriety. A family program is also provided to better educate and prepare the family for life after alcohol rehab. The rehabilitation experience is personalized to meet the individual needs of the alcoholic, with all the needed forms of therapy and care.

Perhaps it is time you reach out to that individual in your life who is struggling with a drinking problem. Your concern and support can be a foundation to them getting the help and treatment that stand in need of. If an intervention is needed, call Cirque Lodge and we can help you find a service. No one should meet their end due of alcohol. Get them the help they deserve.

There is something to be learned from the Cirque Lodge horses. Residents in alcohol and drug rehab can participate in experiential activities that involve working with a horse. This can be a challenging and also spiritual event. At first, the resident and horse are presented to each other. The resident must gain the trust of the horse. This is easier said than done. The addict/alcoholic is used to imposing their will and getting their way. They want immediate gratification. Horses are creatures of flight, and they aren’t willing, initially, to be subject to this type of behavior. This teaches patience.

The process of earning the trust of the horse can be a powerful one. The resident in drug rehab begins to sense or feel desperation, because the horse isn’t willing to trust initially. With the help of instruction from our experiential staff, the resident can begin to make a trusting connection with the horse. The resident must ask proper questions though. This teaches them lessons in asking for help with things that are beyond their control. There is a change within this process when the alcoholic/addict realizes the problem is not with the horse, but with their actions toward the horse.

When the resident begins to work in a partnership with the horse, a strong connection and bond is made. The horse becomes trusting, and willing to submit to commands. The horse no longer even needs the leading rope; it follows willingly. Cirque Lodge residents get exactly what they need from the equine exercise. The alcoholic/addict can have a number of varying things they are dealing with psychologically and emotionally. It seems the horse activity gives them just the therapeutic experience that they are searching for.

Each treatment day at Cirque Lodge helps residents with taking responsibility and helping them with structure. The day starts with breakfast and then is followed by a community meeting. Community gets the residents focused on the addiction treatment day. It starts with a meditation and then the schedule is discussed. Residents are accountable for their attendance to what is scheduled. The structure helps them focus on the alcohol or drug rehab program they are undertaking.

Alcoholism and drug addiction brings with it a lot of chaos. There are no boundaries left to cross and the alcoholic/addict never takes responsibility for their actions. The structure of addiction treatment helps to establish boundaries. As each resident works through their program, they begin to see the need to take responsibility in their lives outside of rehab. These are things needed for the recovery process. Accountability to ones self, the group, family and even higher power can be integral to successful and long term sobriety.

Time on the mountain can be a good measure to overcoming addiction. People with an alcohol or drug addiction can be struggling in a number of ways. It is helpful to get them out of the rigors of daily life and get them to a place that is quiet, peaceful and free of stress. The mountain provides all of this. At Cirque Lodge, we use the mountain as a venue for a different type of alcohol or drug rehab activity. We use different outdoor activities to teach lessons of recovery; while enjoying the serenity and the healing that only nature can provide.

These activities are a part of our experiential program. Each day, Cirque Lodge residents are given the opportunity to participate in a different type of experiential learning activity. We use horses, a ropes course, art and even a private helicopter in experiential work. However, the mountain seems to be the profound element to all of these activities. No matter the time of year, residents have the opportunity to get out onto the mountain and experience the healing here. Some activities are used to teach concepts of the 12-step program. Residents can even find their own quiet place on the mountain for meditation and reflection.

If someone you care about is suffering from addiction, perhaps it is time to get them the help they deserve. The peace and serenity of the mountains can be a good measure at helping them overcome their addictions. The mountain is just an element to a highly effective and intensive rehabilitation program used at Cirque Lodge. It is the balance of treatment and experiential work on the mountain that has helped so many find lasting recovery.

Residents suffering from an addiction to alcohol are treated to the very best in alcohol and drug rehab at Cirque Lodge. Once alcohol treatment is completed, however, they are again faced with many of the problems and triggers that have led to the drinking problem. Prior to leaving Cirque Lodge, each resident works with our aftercare staff in preparing a plan for the recovery process. Successful recovery takes a lot of effort and a personal commitment. The aftercare plan provides measures of additional help, therapy and support. These can be needed tools for the recovery process.

There are many of measures of help and support available to those who have recently completed an alcohol treatment program. For some, it is most advantageous to enroll in a sober living environment for a time. There are also counseling services and independent addiction therapists available to help individuals in recovery. Locally, Cirque Lodge offers an aftercare group for those who remain close to the facility. Those in recovery must understand they are never alone in their addiction. There is always help and support available.

Central to the Continuing Care Plan and a successful recovery is actively continuing the steps of the 12-step process. There are 12-step fellowships and Anonymous based recovery groups in virtually every community. They help those freshly in recovery with a surround of fellowship and support, and also provide them a sponsor to work with. Continued involvement and work at the 12-step process has helped millions find solutions for a lasting recovery. As said earlier, it is a process, it takes effort and isn’t always easy. However, active involvement in these types of recovery programs can be an influential piece in dealing with the drinking problem and long term sobriety.

There isn’t a set way to treat alcoholism or drug addiction. There are a number of therapies used to address this malady, but what works for one addict might not work for another. The Cirque Lodge approach is to provide a number of different forms of treatment and therapy. In this way, we can find the best alcohol or drug rehab approach for each individual resident. We then create a treatment plan that helps to meet these needs with the right forms of programming and therapy.

Cirque is founded on the 12-step program and much of our treatment is founded in the concepts of 12-step recovery. Residents begin the process of working the steps and receiving support. In addition to the 12-steps, Cirque Lodge implements the most modern and effective forms of cognitive and behavioral therapies. These therapies are provided on an individual, group and family level. Every three weeks of our treatment experience is designated specifically for family treatment. Residents invite their close family members to come to our facility and participate in this highly effective experience.

Woven into these traditional forms of alcohol and drug rehab is our experiential program. This is a different take completely on alcoholism and drug recovery. Experiential programming creates activities and experiences that are profoundly effective on those seeking to overcome their addictions. The experiential program uses a number of indoor and outdoor activities that teach strategies for coping, and provides vital spiritual experiences. The healing of nature and the mountain plays a part in all of this. The balance to our programming can be a means to overcoming the disease of addiction and achieving long term sobriety.

Cirque Lodge is known for its experiential program. A number of fun and learning activities are provided those in drug rehab to better prepare them for the recovery process. Our Studio facility has a massive 17,000 sq. ft. indoor soundstage that houses our ropes course. This course consists of two extremely large tripods connected by a number of different climbing activities and obstacles. The ropes course is used in a balance of the many other experiential programming elements that we offer. Our experiential team is experienced and certified as climbing instructors and are available to help residents through all the high ropes events.

Ropes course activities don’t all take place high in the air. A number of team challenges and problem solving exercises are part of our low ropes events. These activities help to build trust and support. They also pose a challenge to the alcoholic/addict to think outside their mindset to accomplish the task. At the end of each experiential ropes course activity, residents in drug rehab have a sit down with the experiential team. They discuss what was learned through the exercise, as well as how it is applied to overcoming addiction and the recovery process. These activities provide fun to those in treatment for addiction. It also helps them to build a number of skills to help them after rehab is completed.

This week at Cirque Lodge is dedicated specifically for the family program. The residents of Cirque Lodge are encouraged to involve their family in the lectures, workshops and therapies provided. Family members can be struggling with their loved ones erratic behaviors due to addiction. Workshops and lectures are used to help educate the family on the nature of addiction and how it affects their loved one in alcohol or drug rehab.

The majority of individuals struggling with addiction and their family members can be classed as having a codependent relationship. A family systems workshop is used to address family members on the behaviors and actions of codependency, and measures the need to be taken to address these behaviors in the home. The communication breakdown is a strong influencing factor in many ways. The workshop helps to educate the family on ways to communicate, share feelings and to establish boundaries.

Following this week, family members are more prepared to assist their loved one through the recovery process. They are more aware of their own behaviors and how such behaviors can be enabling their loved one. For many of the residents at Cirque Lodge, the process of Family Week is the hardest part of rehab. However, in the long run, the family programming can be an essential part to recovery, and continuing to work the 12-steps.

Cirque Lodge Alumni are given privileges to help them during the recovery process. The unique Guesting Privilege allows residents to return to the facility and guest with us, free of charge, for a few days. This can help them refocus on sobriety efforts, as well as remember their life changing experiences here on the mountain. Recovery is a process and can be difficult at times. The Guesting Privilege allows residents who struggle a chance to receive needed treatment and support during their stay. However, the privilege is also available to Alumni who are in successful recovery as well. Some former residents use the Guesting Privilege to celebrate a milestone in their sobriety.

The Guesting Privilege is available to every resident who has successfully completed the alcohol or drug rehab program. It is only offered to those who have stayed sober however. It is based on room availability, and our admissions and clinical staff have a final say on guesting. Those who guest are also required to participate in the daily programming. Recovery can take time, and some days and weeks are better than others. The Guesting Privilege gives alumni a chance to return to treatment for a few days and get right minded toward recovery again.