Drug Rehab Blog

Part of alcohol and drug rehab at Cirque Lodge are unique once in a lifetime activities. These elements are used to inspire an internal change and created vital spiritual experiences. One such unique experience, only at the Cirque Lodge facility, is flights in the Cirque Lodge helicopter. Cirque Lodge has a private helicopter that is used exclusively by the residents as a part of their experiential work. We use the mountains as a recovery venue here in drug rehab. The helicopter gives an entirely different vantage point to these mountain locations.

The helicopter is a part of residents working their 3rd step of the 12-step program. This step involves turning the problems of their addiction, as well as their lives over to the care of a higher power. The helicopter takes these residents to a remote location within the mountains; a place only accessible by the air. In this quiet place one can commune with a power greater then their own. The residents are given some quiet time. They can find a quiet place to meditate and think on things. Surrounded by the beauty and silence of nature, one can make peace with themselves and important life changing decisions.

When it comes time to depart from this mountain location, residents are given the opportunity to leave a promise on the mountain. Some leave messages for themselves, their higher power, or a family member on different rocks and stones. Over the years, this small collection of rocks has become a large mound containing powerful messages of recovery. It is unique activities like the helicopter and being immersed in nature that helps those in drug rehab to find recovery. It gives them the vital spiritual experiences needed to invoke that all important internal change.

Alcoholism and drug addiction are a steady course to insanity. Abusing these things can create chaos in ones life. A part of the purpose of recovery efforts is to restore ones life to sanity. We invite the alcoholic or drug addict to join us here in the mountains, receive treatment for your condition, and find a means for lasting sobriety. Cirque Lodge is well recognized in the field of alcohol and drug rehab. We offer a unique program that uses the serenity of the mountains to help in restoring the alcoholic/addict to sanity.

Residents of the Cirque Lodge do more than just look at the pretty fall colors on the mountain. They are immersed into nature through a number of experiential activities. These activities are used in teaching elements of the recovery process. Nature helps the individual in finding their spirit and in making connections to a power greater than their own. Experiential work also provides a new constructive activity that can replace the using and the drinking. If you or someone you love is suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction, come join us on the mountain, make peace with yourself, and find a means to a long term sobriety.

For many individuals in recovery, the help of a committed sponsor can make a significant difference in a successful and lasting recovery. After alcohol rehab or drug rehab is completed, help and support is found through other means. One such means is with the help of a recovery group. These programs, like a 12-step program of a similar recovery fellowship will encourage the use of a sponsor as a part of the recovery process. Sponsors are integral in working the steps, avoiding a relapse, and helping individuals with social situations, where the triggers to use or drink may be present.

Usually, a sponsor is an individual who is also in successful recovery. They can even have many years of successful sobriety under their belts. Sponsors are continuing to work their 12th step by taking the message of recovery to other alcoholics and addicts. For those fresh out of rehab, this can be a needed crutch for the process of recovery. They can look to their sponsor as an example and for help in dealing with the struggles of addiction and alcoholism.

At Cirque Lodge, we begin the process of recovery in alcohol and drug rehab. When residents of our facility begin to make progress, they are introduced to 12-step meetings and can begin to work with a temporary sponsor. Many people find answers for their addictions with a stay in rehab, but a lot of times, it is the work they put into the recovery process after leaving treatment. The supportive efforts of a fellowship and an addiction sponsor are integral in making this difference.

A lot of times, the alcoholism is developed from other things. People can be suffering in different ways and the use of alcoholic beverages provides them a relief for a time. Whenever these struggles manifest themselves, the individual turns to the bottle and the problem is briefly solved. In the long run, this is not so good. The abuse and habit of abusing alcohol can lead to an addictive attachment. At that point an alcohol rehab or drug rehab can only option. Drinking is no longer the solution to the problem. It is the problem. This is coupled with the preexisting struggles that were being drowned out by the drinking in the first place.

At Cirque Lodge, alcohol rehab is personalized for each client. Therapies are personalized to help the alcoholic with the underlying conditions of addiction. Traumatic experiences, suffering from grief, mood disorders; they all can be influencing factors. Rehabilitation efforts work on arresting the disease, while personalized therapies help to address these underlying struggles. Experiential work also teaches coping skills for living with addiction and dealing with the underlying conditions. Our purpose is to replace the despair of these conditions with the hope and joy that comes from living life in recovery.

Throughout an alcohol rehab stay, the individual is receiving endless support. This comes from caring staff members, fellow residents, and for those in extended care, their sponsor. The recovering alcoholic must always have an understanding that there is support for their problems. When these underlying conditions manifest themselves, the alcoholic can turn to this support as opposed to turning back to the bottle. Also, following the 12-step program can help them with this needed support after their time in alcohol rehab is completed.

Alcohol and drug rehab at Cirque Lodge is based on a 30-day program. Primary care consists of the first 30 days. Extended care is available for those in need of additional rehabilitation and treatment. Studies have shown that a lengthier stay in a rehab setting greatly increases the chances of longer term sobriety. Many alcohol and drug rehabs have changed their programming to a 90-day cycle. At Cirque, the duration of stay is still left up to the individual and their families. Options are available for extended care stays. The resident’s primary counselor can help with a professional assessment on whether additional treatment is needed.

Extended care at Cirque Lodge is a step forward in the recovery process. While the resident continues to undertake the personalized care of the alcohol and drug rehab program, they are also provided opportunities to progress with the 12-steps. The resident begins to work more closely with a temporary addiction sponsor and becomes involved within outside 12-step meetings. This time can be used to see more fully the benefits of recovery in the addict/alcoholic’s lives. Experiential activities are still provided in extended care to give these individuals chances to have vital spiritual experiences.

With both primary and extended care, clients are provided a Continuing Care Plan. Aftercare can play a central role in a successful and lasting sobriety. Prior to leaving alcohol and drug rehab at the Lodge or Studio, clients are prepared a plan to continue their recovery efforts. A sober living house, additional therapy, support groups, aftercare groups and continued involvement in 12-step meetings are all elements to continuing the recovery process. Former residents of Cirque Lodge can also return for a few days and guest with us when needed. These are measures to help the alcoholic/addict to continue the process and joys of obtaining new sobriety milestones.

The Cirque Lodge alcohol and drug rehab program consists of a number of unique elements that are coupled in with more traditional forms of recovery work and addiction therapy. Very profound recovery lessons are learned by working with the Cirque Lodge horses. The equine exercise teaches those overcoming alcoholism and drug addiction how to establish trust and to set boundaries. This can be a difficult process as horses are creatures of flight. Lessons in open and honest communication are used in accomplishing the tasks of the equine exercise.

It seems that the residents learn from this exercise exactly what they stand in need of. Each individual can be struggling in different ways and looking for different answers. The horses seem to provide them what they are looking for in their own personal way. Our experiential staff that works with the horses is a part of this equine experience as well. Many times their help provides the insight into life that is needed for long term recovery. It teaches them skills in addressing and dealing with addiction and codependency in their lives.

Some individuals who suffer from alcoholism or drug addiction have a difficult process ahead of them. Becoming clean and sober takes time and usually more than one trip to alcohol or drug rehab. These individuals may not initially be willing to take the steps needed to find successful recovery. It takes work and a commitment, and until the alcoholic/addict realizes this, it can be a struggle.

At Cirque Lodge, we use the 12-step program as a foundation of our recovery effort. This is coupled with the most effective forms of personal, group and family therapies. The 12-step program provides the guideline for achieving a successful and lasting recovery. Those who go through alcohol or drug rehab and embrace these steps are the ones who are usually successfully managing their disease. Since rehab isn’t near enough time to tackle many of these steps, Cirque strives to provide a solid foundation on the initial steps of recovery. We use a spiritually based program to help our residents in recognizing and connecting to a higher power.

Recovery is a difficult process. The alcoholic/addict must always understand they are never alone with their disease. There is always help available. 12-step fellowships provide a group of support. A sponsor is assigned and helps on a personal level. One element of the experiential work we use at Cirque Lodge is to help our residents realize the advantages of asking for help. Help from the 12-step group and help from a sponsor can provide support and measures of relapse prevention. However, it is still always up to the individual. The recovering alcoholic/addict must always be willing to take the steps to recover.

A recent news article stated that overdose deaths, due to prescription drugs, are at its highest percentages. Virtually every state has seen a massive increase in deaths related to overdoses in the past decade. This is a very real problem. Individuals need help in addressing their addiction to prescription drugs. Time spent in a drug rehab facility can make all the difference. At Cirque Lodge, we want to help you or your loved one who may be struggling with prescription drugs.

Prescription drug addiction walks a fine line. Sometimes it is hard to see it as a problem. We know alcohol abuse is. We can see the destruction that is caused by things like heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine. However, prescriptions were given to us by a professional doctor, and many individuals have a hard time seeing this as a problem. When Cirque Lodge opened its doors, the majority of those we treated were alcoholics. These days, we see a large number of individuals who have an addiction to prescription drugs.

The majority of people out there can use prescription medications without any incidents. There is a percentage though, of individuals who are preconditioned to developing an addiction. These individuals are the ones who can find themselves on the wrong side of the affects of prescription medications. When taking prescription drugs, you should always follow them according to the dosage instructions. For those who have developed an addiction to the medications intended to help them, there is always help, support and care from alcohol and drug rehab programs like Cirque Lodge.

This weekend marks another reunion for Cirque Lodge Alumni. All individuals who have gone through alcohol and drug rehab at Cirque Lodge are invited to return to the serenity of the mountains and participate in a weekend of recovery activities. This weekend of music, socializing and support marks a milestone by being the tenth. For ten years Cirque has helped individuals address the problems of addiction with caring alcohol and drug rehab.

The Annual Reunion is filled with a number of recovery activities to partake in. Friday night begins with an opening social and a speaker meeting. Saturday is filled with guest speakers and a mix-n-mingle activity. The culminating event of the weekend is the bonfire on the mountain. Hundreds of alumni gather around the fire and express their gratitude for recovery. It truly is a powerful thing to see the growing numbers of those who have been through alcohol and drug rehab and through the years, have stayed sober. Some of Cirque’s original clientele still return each year.

Many alumni use this weekend as a way to strengthen their own recovery, but they are not alone. This is a strengthening piece to the staff of the Cirque Lodge facility. With every invite we state ‘If you can’t come for yourself, come for the rest of us’. This annual event is a motivation to keep doing what we do, in providing the highest levels of alcohol and drug rehab treatment we possibly can.

When rehab is completed what’s next? This is something that the recovering alcoholic/addict must face. Of course there is the opportunity to get back to life and work, but all of this is a process. The individual must continue to work at staying clean and sober as well. The impulses of addiction do not end when alcohol and drug rehab ends. There are many ways the alcoholic/addict can find treatment, support and care as they work the recovery process. Getting complacent and not working at recovery is all too often a formula for relapse. A part of the Cirque Lodge program is to arm our residents with the things they need to continue on after they leave drug rehab.

One of these things is a Continuing Care Plan. It consists of additional forms of treatment and therapy, as well as support programs. Residents work with our aftercare staff on finding the best means of continuing care. For some this is a sober living environment initially. By following this plan, those in recovery have solid foundation for a long term clean and sober lifestyle.

At the heart of the Continuing Care Plan and any recovery process is involvement in a 12-step fellowship. Groups like Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous provide needed support for the recovery process. Meetings are held regularly and can be a means to finding support and help in the struggles of recovery. The aftercare staff at Cirque Lodge helps residents in finding 12-step fellowships that meet their specific needs. After alcohol and drug rehab is completed, there still is a lot on the plate of the recovering alcoholic/addict. However, there is always support available, and Cirque Lodge residents are provided this in a Continuing Care Plan.