Our Recipe for Success in Recovery
Our clinical program is dedicated to supporting individuals on their path to recovery with a personalized approach that provides intense therapeutic experiences in a clinical setting. We believe that every person is unique, and therefore their treatment plan should be tailored to their individual needs and experiences. Our clients work closely with their treatment team to create a comprehensive treatment plan that encompasses group and individual therapy, adventure therapy, and case management. Our program is designed to help clients develop new skills and immediately implement them into their lives, which can lead to long-lasting positive changes.
In addition to our evidence-based therapies, we also offer attachment-focused therapy, which emphasizes the importance of early relationships and attachments in shaping an individual’s emotional and relational development. By providing a safe and secure environment, we can help individuals process past traumas and attachment wounds, which can lead to healthier attachment patterns and more fulfilling relationships.
When engaging in trauma work, we focus on creating a safe and supportive environment that considers the unique experiences and needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. Our approach to trauma-informed care avoids re-traumatization and promotes healing by fostering a sense of safety, empowerment, and collaboration. We emphasize the importance of building trust, providing education, and developing coping skills to manage the effects of trauma. Practicing trauma-informed care requires a holistic, compassionate, and collaborative approach to care that acknowledges the complexities of trauma and its effects on individuals, families, and communities.
We are also a “family heavy” program and believe in helping and healing the whole family system. Our program is designed to create a safe and supportive environment where family members can share their thoughts and emotions, learn new coping strategies, and work towards rebuilding trust and connection. Family intensives can be emotionally challenging, but also incredibly rewarding, as participants often leave with a deeper understanding of themselves and their family members, as well as practical tools for improving their relationships moving forward.
At Balance House, we are committed to providing our clients with the best possible care, tailored to their unique needs and experiences. Our goal is to help individuals achieve long-lasting recovery and lead fulfilling lives.
Our Recipe for Success in Recovery
We have found recovery is in-motion when a person follows certain steps predicated on developing a Personal Constitution, which is vitally important to the overall process of the Balance House philosophy.
The Balance House program is simple by design. Of the very few things we focus on, it is one’s word that matters most. What we aren’t spending much time discussing is addiction or alcoholism. To be honest, if one could finish school, get a career, have a family, keep family close, and be proud of themselves all while doing drugs and drinking alcohol, then one wouldn’t end up in treatment or at Balance House. However, if you are reading this website, it is for a reason…and we believe it is safe to assume that reason isn’t because you have been on a winning streak. So, we start with some simple promises, both from you and from us.
People are measured by what they do when no one is looking. No one ever really gets away with anything because, at the very least, the individual knows what he did. This self-knowledge of one’s own “defects of character” is what slowly erodes the fabric of who he wishes so badly to be. As we see it, a constitution is comprised of four elements: Honesty, Emotional Health, Social Stability, and Self-Sufficiency. There are vital activities within each element, which helps locate one’s position with regards to their personal constitution in any given moment. For example, Honesty requires a person to keep promises (the trick being taking care with what is promised). Emotional Health requires involvement in continued therapy either through our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or at the very least, weekly individual sessions with a primary therapist. Social Stability requires involvement inside the Balance House program, within the alumni network, or in a 12 Step program of choice. Finally, Self-Sufficiency requires maintaining a schedule that either involves fulfilling academic requirements or actively seeking gainful employment and managing your money while saving for the deposit on an apartment once you leave Balance House. If this looks like too much to accomplish, do not worry, we promise to help you every step of the way.
Benchmarks
Benchmarks are standards that must be in place to give each resident the best chance of long-term recovery. Such benchmarks are very important for many reasons, but mostly because each benchmark shows where the person is at any given moment with regard to their personal constitution. Benchmarks are good measurements that will clearly show whether a person is ready to transition out of Balance House or if they need more time. These benchmarks are essential in early recovery whether or not Balance House is the program you choose.
- Involvement In 12-Step Community
- Gainful Employment or Enrollment in School: Show up every day, budget money, save money, make a reasonable schedule, show up every day, do homework
- Rebuild Critical Family Relationships
- Take Direction
Continue Therapy - Continue Testing
One of the main objectives of Balance House is to stop the insanity of continuing to go through program, after program, after program. Not only is it expensive monetarily, but it is also very expensive in time. As such, we are asking for a commitment of time and trust. We honestly know, all things being equal, that time is essential for our clients and their families to build a foundation upon which they (and the family) can start moving forward in life. This gives enough time for our clients to build a foundation upon which they (and the family) can start moving forward in life.
Our job is to be objective while standing in our truth, a truth rooted in our experience and our expertise. Although we focus squarely on evidence-based treatment, we must also admit the existence of times when a diagnosis cannot explain the hurt, heartbreak, confusion, disappointment, sadness, or anger. Sometimes, those feelings are just that—feelings very real to the person experiencing them.
And what is the definition of success, anyways? To most, the word “success” implies cure in the minds of those closest to the individual in treatment. Sometimes, people even think it means learning how to drink (or do drugs) like a gentleman…or…learning how to control the “urge.” Sometimes, it might just mean experiencing some hope.
What’s our definition of success? Well, that depends. The way we look at it is if we can help a guy who hasn’t stopped using drugs for 10 years stop for one day, we would count that as a success. Helping a guy begin to respect himself and learn to save money to place a deposit down on an apartment is also a success in our book. Helping a guy understand the complexities of his mental health struggles and learning how to cope in a healthy, sustainable way is also a success. Yet, if we ruled the world, our definition of success would be the following:
The guy leaves our program with at least one year of sobriety, enough money to be self-sufficient, and in a space (emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually) where he can—with a clear mind—decide whether he wishes to continue on living the life he has built while toiling with us. After all, the quality of his life will always come down to the decisions he makes and the way that he is able to approach his life’s challenges. We want to get him to a point where he can make good decisions on a regular basis, with a clear head and heart, after building some things in his life he doesn’t want to lose. Certainly, it is harder to make seriously problematic decisions when standing upon a mountain of right decisions.
Combining Traditional Modalities with New Approaches
Our beliefs and dedication make Balance House an especially effective place to begin your journey to sobriety. Call (801) 851-5260 today.