Category Archives: Alcohol Rehab

Passages Malibu & Passages Ventura Drug & Alcohol Treatment Centers Support National Prevention Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Malibu, Calif. (May 17, 2012) Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura, the world’s leading drug and alcohol rehab centers, are proud to support the first annual National Prevention Week, which is held from Monday, May 21, 2012 through Friday, May 25, 2012. This health observance is an opportunity for community members and leaders to learn more about behavioral health issues and get involved in ongoing prevention efforts.

National Prevention Week is a new annual health observance week that is supported by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) to celebrate and support the work that community organizations, individuals, healthcare providers, and treatment centers, such as Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura, do year round to help heal and to promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.

National Prevention Week’s themes are as follows:

Monday, May 21: Prevention of Underage Drinking
Tuesday, May 22: Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Use
Wednesday, May 23: Prevention of Alcohol Abuse
Thursday, May 24: Suicide Prevention
Friday, May 25: Promotion of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Well-Being

Being a drug and alcohol treatment center that takes the holistic approach to healing the mind, body, and spirit to help promote overall wellness, balance, health, and freedom from substance and alcohol dependency, Passages is thrilled that this new observance has been placed on our national calendar.

“My hope is that we can bring more awareness to the growing problems of underage drinking, prescription drug abuse, and illicit drug use this year and the years to come. National Prevention Week gives us the opportunity to just that. Bringing awareness to these important issues in our society is exactly what’s going to create positive change. Hopefully, everyone will participate in spreading the message during this week and beyond,” says Pax Prentiss, CEO and co-founder of Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura.

National Prevention Week 2012 is timed for the start of summer because, as SAMHSA explains, “Summer is a season filled with celebrations and recreational activities that can potentially be linked to substance use and abuse, such as graduation parties, proms, weddings, boating, and camping excursions. It is also timed to allow schools to take part in a prevention-themed event before the school year ends, raising awareness in students of all ages. The percentages of marijuana, cigarette, and alcohol initiates among youth increase between spring (April and May) and summer (June and July), and the timing of National Prevention Week 2012 will help to raise awareness in youth at this crucial time of year.”

If you or a loved one is in need of help with an addiction to any type of substance – alcohol, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, prescription medicine, painkillers, or any other type of addictive substance – help is out there. Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura offer customized, holistic, non-12 Step treatment plans for every type of addiction. Their addiction treatment centers in Malibu and Ventura, California are two of only 6% of the nation’s behavioral health treatment programs that have earned the coveted JCAHO accreditation.

Please join Passages Malibu, Passages Ventura, and SAMHSA in spreading the word of National Prevention Week.

About Passages Malibu & Passages Ventura:

Founded by Chris Prentiss and Pax Prentiss, Passages Malibu opened in 2001 with its second location, Passages Ventura, opening in 2009. The two drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers offer an alternative to the 12 Step/AA model of addiction treatment by taking a holistic approach with a program that focuses on the underlying issues of substance dependency, rather than suggesting that addiction is an incurable disease. Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura have earned the coveted JCAHO (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accreditation, which has only been given to 6% of the nation’s behavioral health treatment programs. The co-founders are also authors of the acclaimed series of treatment books that include their groundbreaking flagship book, “The Alcoholism & Addiction Cure.” At Passages, we believe: Addiction Ends Here™.

For general inquiries about treatment, contact: 866-233-1753

For more information:
www.passagesmalibu.com
www.passagesventura.com
www.facebook.com/passagesmaliburehab
www.twitter.com/passagesrehab
http://www.youtube.com/passages

For media inquiries, contact:
press@passagesmalibu.com

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Poll: What Do You Think Of The New Passages Malibu Website?

Passages Malibu launched a new and improved website this week at www.passagesmalibu.com with more social interaction, more videos, more detailed information, and a beautifully shot new Passages Malibu Experience Video Tour, which takes you through the lush 10-acre grounds of our 5-star premium treatment center and tells the tale of one client’s powerful journey to recovery.

Take a look at the new site and tour and then click on the link below to take this poll about what you like most about our new site. We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Poll: What Do You Like Most About Our New Website? http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3019298

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Passages Malibu Launches Innovative New Website

Passages Malibu is a pioneer in drug and alcohol addiction treatment with its holistic, groundbreaking, alternative to the 12 Step/AA method of addiction treatment and recovery and now the world renowned treatment center has created an innovative way to experience their 5-star facilities through the Passages Malibu Treatment Experience virtual tour.

The new tour is the centerpiece of Passages Substance Abuse & Addiction Treatment Center’s revamped website (www.passagesmalibu.com), which re-launched this week with more video and more ways to interact via social media, such as the inclusion of Google+ to our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube offerings. The new website and virtual tour are just few new ways that Passages stays on the cutting edge of the recovery industry.

“We didn’t just want to produce the typical virtual tour that you often see, but rather give the viewer an in-depth look at what the Passages treatment experience is all about. We wanted to tell a personal story about how we can change, and often times save, our clients’ lives, and show them exactly what they will be getting when they check into Passages. We are passionate about recovery and I think this new virtual tour shows just that,” says Pax Prentiss, CEO and co-founder of Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura.

The extended version of the beautifully shot video tour (available at www.passagesmalibutour.com) not only gives a never-before-seen look at what treatment at Passages Malibu is like on their ocean view, 10-acre facility known for cutting-edge recovery methods, a picturesque tranquil environment, and 5-star luxury amenities. But the tour also tells the tale of a typical client, “Ben,” whose career and self-esteem struggles have caused his life to spiral downward. “Ben” has tried and failed to get sober at other treatment centers only to find his way to Passages for a life-changing experience.

Before the existence of Passages, the majority of treatment centers used the 12 Step method of addiction treatment, which depends on the client declaring him or herself an addict or alcoholic for the rest of his or her life and using group therapy as a core source of recovery. This method of staying sober certainly works for some, but it does not work for everyone. In fact, many people are apprehensive of the 12 Step model and refuse to sit in meetings where they must declare themselves as addicts or alcoholics to move forward. For those who find this to be ineffective, there needs to be an alternative way of getting sober.

That’s where Passages Rehab Center comes in. In 2001, Passages introduced a new and exciting alternative to the 12 Step model of treatment with its luxurious facility in Malibu, California and then its second more affordable center in Ventura, California in 2009. And the people came. Why? They came because many people were ready for something different – something better. Passages introduced an entirely new way of looking at addiction, which is reflected in their addiction treatment program. They emphasize one-on-one therapy (instead of group meetings) and holistic treatment. But what really sets them apart from the rest is their belief that addiction is not a disease. Rather, it is a symptom of underlying conditions that are treated through various modes of therapy at their treatment centers, including individual counseling, marriage and family therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, hypnotherapy, life purpose counseling, spiritual counseling, and healthy living (yoga, physical fitness training, and equine therapy), among others.

“Our program places a lot of importance on holistic treatment that empowers the client rather than breaking them down and making them feel powerless,” explains Prentiss. “I strongly feel that there is something to be said for a holistic approach to addiction. I’m not denying the relative successes of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 Step programs. I just think there’s something more than what AA has to offer.”

Truly the crème-de-la-crème of treatment centers, Passages Malibu and its sister facility, Passages Ventura, earned JCAHO (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accreditation, which has only been given to 6% of the nation’s behavioral health treatment programs.

At Passages Malibu: “Addiction Ends Here™”

About Passages Malibu & Passages Ventura:

Founded by Chris Prentiss and Pax Prentiss, Passages Malibu opened in 2001 with its second location, Passages Ventura, opening in 2009. The two drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers offer an alternative to the 12-step/AA model of addiction treatment by taking a holistic approach with a program that focuses on the underlying issues of substance dependency, rather than suggesting that addiction is an incurable disease. Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura have earned the coveted JCAHO (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accreditation, which has only been given to 6% of the nation’s behavioral health treatment programs. The co-founders are also authors of the acclaimed series of treatment books that include their groundbreaking flagship book, “The Alcoholism & Addiction Cure.” At Passages, we believe: Addiction Ends Here™. For general inquiries about treatment, contact: 866-233-1753

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How to Identify a Behavioral Addiction

Many people have difficulty understand what a behavioral addiction actually entails, or how to identify them.  Behavioral addictions, or non-substance abuse addictions, are recurring actions or compulsions where an individual participates in a particular activity, despite the negative effects it is having on their relationships, finances, health, or mental state. Some common behavioral addictions are gambling, food, computers, pornography, sex, the internet, video games, work, and exercise, “cutting”, and shopping.  Although some people believe that behavioral addictions are not as serious as substance abuse addictions or do not think of them in the same realm, behavioral addictions do tend to have the same ultimate negative effects and show a similar pattern.

Individuals who suffer from a substance abuse disorders also commonly have one or more behavioral addictions, and vice versa.  Nearly 90% of Americans are exposed to at least one form of addiction in their lives, whether it is a behavioral or a substance addiction. If you suspect someone may be displaying signs of a behavioral addiction, there are a few key things to look for.  Most importantly, if an individual is still repeating a behavior despite being aware of its negative consequences, they may have a behavioral addiction.  If they are being secretive or covering up their actions, or putting their relationships, job, or finances in jeopardy, they may need help.  At Passages, we treat individuals dealing with behavioral, substance, or co-occurring addictions and disorders.

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Risks of Underage Drinking

Underage drinking has several severe and serious consequences.  Numerous studies have been conducted about the effects of alcohol on young people and teenage drinking. There have been several studies that indicate that a person who begins drinking at an early age is more predisposed to risky behaviors, including alcoholism. A recent study from the National Institute of Health evaluated such factors as family history of alcoholism, smoking, childhood antisocial behavior, and drug use, to see what their effects on adult alcoholism would be. The results showed that all of these factors did increase the risk of long-term alcohol use and dependence. With all of these factors taken into consideration, the NIH still found that individuals who began drinking at an earlier age were significantly more likely to develop an addiction to alcohol, and that the dependence is more likely to be chronic and associated with long-term health problems.  According to the study, 47% of people who began drinking before the age of 14 developed a dependence on alcohol.  They also studied a group of people who began drinking at age 21 or older, and out of this group only 9% developed an alcohol issue.  The NIH study also shows a significant amount of evidence that alcohol impairs structural and functional brain development during the adolescent years, and that alcohol affects an adolescent brain very differently than it does an adult brain (the adolescent brain is much more susceptible to damage from repeated alcohol exposure).  If you know someone who is struggling with alcoholism, or a young person who you fear may become an alcoholic, Passages can help.

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Dangers of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking has become a common occurrence in American culture, but what many people do not realize is that binge drinking has very severe health consequences.  Binge drinking is commonly described as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women, in a short period of time.  Prolonged binge drinking or a “bender” is described as the ingestion of a large amount of alcohol over two or more days.  Although some people do not consider binge drinking harmful if they do it infrequently, each time you engage in heavy drinking it is very harmful to your mind and body.  Your body’s blood alcohol content is the ratio of alcohol in your body as compared to the amount of blood in your body.

When you engage in binge drinking, your BAC increases rapidly in a very short period of time.  Binge drinking results in trouble seeing and speaking, loss of control over coordination, motor skills and balance, the inability to walk or stand, and eventual loss of consciousness.  In addition to the obvious outward physical effects, binge drinking can also result in a stroke or other cardiovascular problems, seizure, alcohol poisoning, severe dehydration, choking on your own vomit, and respiratory depression which can lead to death.  Binge drinking leads to unclear thinking and poor decision-making, which results in many more instances of drunk driving and DUI related fatalities, unplanned pregnancies, and contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.  Even if done very infrequently, binge drinking should not be taken lightly.  If you need help with a binge drinking problem, Passages can help.

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