Drug Rehab Blog

Recovery from addiction or alcoholism is a life long process. Even after completing treatment in a drug rehab program, the individual must continually abstain from using addictive substances for the rest of their lives. Even with years of sobriety under one’s belt, the possibility of relapse should always be a concern and a reason for continuing the work of recovery.

Prior to leaving Cirque Lodge, each resident works with aftercare in creating a plan for their recovery process. There are many outpatient elements of help and care programs available for those who have recently completed alcohol or drug rehab. Sober living houses and programs can help the individual reintegrate into society a sober person. Additional therapy and support groups are also available on a voluntary basis. A Continuing Care Plan consists of these different programs that are prepared for those who have graduated Cirque Lodge. 

Central to this plan and the recovery process is a continued effort at the 12-steps. Our aftercare coordinator seeks out 12-step groups and fellowships for residents within their local area. A 12-step fellowship will provide those who are fresh out of drug rehab with a sponsor and a plan for continuing towards a successful long term recovery. These elements can provide a great deal of help and support for those who have completed rehab. However, it is still up to the individual whether they are involved in this process or not. Cirque Lodge offers alumni with a plan and privileges to guide them along the way.

Spring is beginning to show itself here at Cirque Lodge. With spring comes a whole new array of fun and enjoyable experiential activities. These activities provide an avenue for replacing the cravings that is brought on by substance abuse. Things like working in a garden, going for a mountain bike ride, or hike in the canyon can all provide positive lessons for recovery. At the Cirque, we use these activities every day of treatment to provide a unique approach to the recovery process; one that can promote the healing of body, mind and spirit.

These activities are both challenging and enjoyable. Many of them also provide important lessons on behavior and on the 12-step program. Quiet spots are used in mountain environments to connect to one’s higher power. These activities also teach the invaluable lessons on having fun and enjoying sobriety. The mind of the alcoholic/addict can get to the point where they think they need to be high to enjoy themselves. Experiential activities introduce healthy and healing ways to enjoy life once again without this need.

There is something to be said about this beautiful mountain environment. Before this area was settled, the Native Americans of this region viewed these mountains as a sacred place; a place for healing. Those who are suffering and struggling with alcohol or drug addiction can find a healing for themselves within these mountain places. We take full advantage of this environment with experiential activities. Residents are given a number of opportunities to get onto the mountain and experience this power for themselves.

When an individual who is struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction begins the process of recovery, sometimes their biggest enemy is themselves. The behavior and the constant craving to satisfy the addiction will stand in the way of getting better and overcoming. At some points the defenses built up to protect this behavior can be very difficult and a fight. Through these struggles, care and support can help to tear down these defenses and introduce the love and understanding needed for successful recovery.

At Cirque Lodge, our facilities are staffed with caring individuals who are willing to help through these struggles. Some days can be more difficult than others.  Some programs and therapies can also be a struggle. Caring staff members are there to listen, to help and support. They also can provide a more professional and clinical help when needed.

A number of the staff at Cirque Lodge is in successful recovery. Not long ago, they were struggling with chemical dependency similar to our residents. They understand these struggles and can greatly empathize; for they have been through them too. No matter the time of day, a member of staff is available for listening to problems, and offering support and solutions. Professional clinicians are also available each day for addressing the more serious problems that have a hand in the drinking and the drug abuse. The addict/alcoholic must always understand that this support and care is available throughout their lives in recovery. Whether it is within the treatment program, or through the help of a support group, one can find care for their addiction struggles.

Each resident is provided a treatment plan that is tailored for their needs. The specific alcoholic/addict can have very distinct vulnerabilities they are dealing with. To deal with these distinct things, a personalized drug rehab treatment is laid out for them at Cirque Lodge. This begins with a thorough assessment and admissions process. Within this large assortment of professional tests, our clinical staff can determine the best course of action for the treatment experience.

Since there isn’t a set way to treat addiction (what works for one might not be the course of action for another), Cirque Lodge offers many elements of therapy and recovery programs. Personal one-on-one sessions are scheduled and performed each week, and are balanced with other group based treatments, workshops and 12-step elements. Every third week of programming is especially dedicated to working with the family. All of this is balanced with experiential activities that are a unique and effective approach to drug rehab and concepts of recovery.

The treatment plan is continued even after alcohol or drug rehab is completed. Recovery is something that requires a life long commitment and goals. A Continuing Care Plan is prepared for each resident prior to discharge from the Cirque Lodge facility. This plan continues the efforts of the rehab stay and further treatment with additional forms of help, therapy and care. Again, this plan is tailored to provide the individual with care that best suits their needs for the recovery process. An effective plan can be a foundation for sobriety in the long term. At the Cirque, this plan is professionally and carefully prepared for the best possible experience.

Next week marks another family program at Cirque Lodge. The residents of our alcohol and drug rehab facilities are encouraged to invite their loved ones to participate in this program with us. Addiction is a deeply impacting disease. Family members are greatly affected by the influence alcoholism and drugs within the home. Cirque Lodge’s family program provides those who attend with an education and a better focus for recovery. The influence of the family can have both positive and negative impact on the success of sober living.

A number of lectures, workshops and activities are provided family during this week. The lectures and workshops can provide a greater education on the nature and behavior of addiction. Family members learn a great deal about their influence on their loved one, and how to avoid enabling and codependent behaviors. Family members also have the chance to enjoy some of the experiential activities that are provided at the Cirque, as well as learning the deeper meaning behind this uniquely effective program.

The family program can be the first time that family members can talk openly and honestly about the struggles of alcoholism or drug addiction with a counselor or therapist. Time is set aside during the week for family therapy groups and personal sessions with one of Cirque’s counselors. Honest communication can help both sides without misunderstanding. It can be a foundation for healing, both for the family members and their loved one in rehab. The family program at Cirque Lodge strives to provide them with the education and tools needed for a successful and long term recovery effort.

Maintaining sobriety over addiction is a life long commitment. Some days may be more difficult than others. Cirque Lodge strives to give residents things to help them as they work at maintaining their sobriety. One element is our Guesting Privilege. This privilege allows those who have completed our program a chance to return for a few days. The privilege is a free service for those who have graduated the alcohol and drug rehab program, as long as they have remained sober.

Alumni of the Cirque can return to the facility and guest up to 96 hours (4 days). This time can be an opportunity to refocus efforts on sobriety and to once again get to the basics of recovery. This is a life time privilege for former Cirque residents.  Whether it has been a few months since treatment, or even a few years, alumni of the drug rehab program can call and make arrangements to guest at our facility. It is based on room availability and approval from the clinical staff.

This privilege was designed to help residents who may be struggling with relapse. It is a nice positive to return to the foundation of recovery and recharge one’s batteries. However, many former alumni also use this privilege as a way to celebrate a milestone in their sobriety as well. It is required that the individual takes part in all aspects of the program during their stay.

When coming into a rehab setting, an addict or alcoholic can have negative views of treatment. They may think that they are being punished for their substance abuse and addiction. They can feel like time in alcohol or drug rehab is comparable to confinement. Oftentimes these are defense mechanisms used to protect the behaviors and habits of using. Cirque Lodge provides a nice facility to do away with these negative misconceptions. When they arrive at our facility, the nice things and care of the staff can help to clean up any misconceptions one might have about rehab.

The facilities of Cirque Lodge provide a very high level of comfort for residents. They are provided with the best of the best in accommodations, amenities and food. High levels of comfort can help the individual relax in the new environment. Amenities can help to treat unwanted stress that comes from addiction withdrawal and the growing pains of the recovery process. The focus is to give our clients in recovery the very best facilities and experience to embark on a long term journey of sobriety.

To help our residents along the way, the Cirque is operated by a caring and professional staff. It is a staff that strives to exceed expectation. Our clinical staff is committed to helping residents with effective therapies, workshops and group programs. Our experiential team is committed to providing residents with engaging activities and programs for spiritual enlightenment. Caring support and effective treatment comes in many forms at the Cirque Lodge. We strive to give each resident an experience that can lead to greater paths and joys of recovery.

This morning, the Cirque Lodge helicopter made a typical landing at the Studio facility. Residents who have been within the drug rehab program for awhile are invited to take part in a private helicopter flight around the surrounding areas of the Cirque. Usually, it is residents who are working on their 3rd step of recovery; making the decision to turn ones will and life over to the care of a higher power. Nature is an ideal backdrop for making such a connection and turning over ones will.

In the helicopter, residents see this beautiful area from an entirely different vantage point. The snow of the high mountains, wildlife, and even the local ski resorts are all seen from the sky. Cirque Lodge’s EC-130 Eurocopter is a soft and safe ride. It is considered a luxury flying machine, and residents are in the care of a very experienced pilot. The activity takes residents of Cirque Lodge over many different places and comes to its zenith on a remote mountain ridge. Here residents can hike around, or just find a quiet spot for some meditation.

On this mountain peak residents are encouraged to leave a message. These messages are left on the rocks and stones of this mountain and piled on top of a cairn. Messages are left for family members, a higher power, and some are personal messages. In the beginning, this was a small cairn made up of not many rocks. As the Cirque Lodge program continues to thrive, the cairn has evolved into quite the massive mound.  The sheer number of stones is a message of hope and recovery. Not just for those who will eventually come to that mountain as a part of drug rehab, but for those of us who work to provide them care each day.

Exercise is a positive for the recovery process. Those overcoming alcoholism or drug addiction can use something like exercise as a natural tool for recovery. The body produces its own high when engaging in the challenge of physical activity. At Cirque Lodge, those in alcohol and drug rehab are provided with an active recovery program. Experiential work helps to provide a physical activity each day. Residents can also take part in working with a trainer, exercising during downtime, and participation in yoga activities.

Alcoholism and drug addiction does a lot of damage. Getting into the practice of constantly using or drinking can leave an individual in pretty sad shape physically. Once in a rehab setting, the individual can begin to recover from the addiction in many ways. Exercise provides the individual with a rebuilding of the physical well being. This rebuilding is coupled with a well balanced culinary program to provide needed nutrients.

Cirque Lodge focuses on treating the body, mind and spirit. With experiential work and options for exercise, our residents are given programs to help their physical well being. Such activities can be a part of daily sober goals and continuing exercise after rehab is completed is also a measure of relapse prevention. This begins for residents at Cirque Lodge. Each day, residents are provided treatment for their mind, therapy for the spirit and exercise options to address physical recovery.