Passages Malibu: Addiction Ends Here

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

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:41:00 +0000

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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Got Drugs? Give Them Back On Drug Take Back Day

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:13:41 +0000

This weekend, the Drug Enforcement Administration is helping Americans do a little responsible spring-cleaning and bring awareness to the growing problem prescription drug abuse at the same time. The DEA’s 4th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day takes place this Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. nationwide where anyone can discard their unused, unwanted, and expired prescription drugs in a safe and anonymous way.

“Take Back Day is important because it gives us an opportunity to do a public service by collecting unused, unwanted, and expired drugs that are sitting in people’s houses, in their medicine cabinets, and they really don’t know what to do with them, and they just continue to collect them and they pile up,” Harry S. Sommers, special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta field division, told CNN on Friday.

It’s a timely event as recent studies have shown that prescription drug abuse is on the rise, and, in fact, as Sommers points out, “Prescription drugs, most studies show now, are the most abused drug this side of marijuana in America today.”

The danger of having extra prescription drugs lingering around a household are two-fold: 1) Children, teens, and their friends can, and often do, get into the medicine cabinet and take the drugs for recreational use, often times leading to addiction; and 2) Those who the drugs were prescribed to are more likely to return to that drug when it’s not necessary. For instance, one day you’re prescribed Vicodin after a surgery, and the next month you are taking it to simply feel good or for minor aches and pains.

Another recent study showed that prescription drug abuse often begins at the hand of a family member or friend “lending” that friend or relative one of their prescription pills for simple ailments such as headaches, back pain, and muscle aches that could be easily treated with over-the-counter pain medicines. According to the study, based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health released this Wednesday, more than 70% of people who abuse prescription painkillers have obtained the drug from friends or family.

So, what can you do to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day? Go through your medicine cabinets, gather up all expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs (they’ll even take over-the-counter drugs as long as it’s not in liquid form), and march on over to your local drug collection agency.

The DEA has made the drug drop-off process easy by setting up a website where you enter your city and zip code, and it provides you with a list of free and anonymous collection sites in your area. Approximately 5,000 collections sites are participating nationwide.

To find out where to drop off your prescription drugs, go to: http://1.usa.gov/IdKOc3

To learn more about prescription drug addiction and how to cure it, go to www.passagesmalibu.com and www.passagesventura.com.

Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura support the DEA’s 4th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and encourages everyone to discard their drugs safely this Saturday.

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

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:31:56 +0000

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

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:24:18 +0000

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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Twitter Weekly Updates from Passages Malibu for 2011-10-09

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:54:00 +0000

: Self-Control in Substance Abuse Scenarios http://t.co/R8aRX1Hq #
The Clear Benefit of Positive Influences http://t.co/7e1mlJGW #
CANOE — JAM! Theatre: Broadway drama turned Jackson into addict: http://t.co/phPnsQkQ via @AddThis #

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Self-Control in Substance Abuse Scenarios

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:36:16 +0000

Examples can help to contextualize certain concepts and make them clearer. For instance, just talking about “self-control” in the world of substance abuse seems a bit nebulous. What specifically are we referring to? How is it relevant? Two examples may make the picture a bit more apparent of when it is appropriate to talk about self-control, what constitutes self-control, and other important points that produce interesting discussion and ideally what can be gained from the two examples.

Examples of What Self-Control Is and Isn’t

Jack and Jill both drink alcohol in college. They are finding that it is getting to the point where it is interfering with their ability to do well in school. Jack, who only drinks in social situations, finds it very easy to quit drinking and focus on his schoolwork because alcohol for him was not very important, nor was it an inherent desire.

Jill on the other hand sees drinking as her primary means of enjoyment. However she is able to study, but only after she makes a conscious effort to do schoolwork instead of drinking. In Jack’s case we do not see an instance of self-control because there is no conflict resolution between what he wants and what he ought to do. But in Jill’s case there does seem to be a conflict; namely the desire to drink that conflicts with the desire to do well in school.

The Long-Term Gain

Another example with Jack and Jill can be used to help illustrate the concept of delayed gratification, which is another form of self-control. Jack and Jill are both drug users. They both want to quit using drugs, but at first find it hard to make any real changes. Eventually Jill recognizes that if she stops using now, then in the future she will be better off for a great many reasons.

While the benefits in the long-run are not explicitly clear in her mind, she has a good idea that the benefits in the future will outweigh the costs of quitting now. Unfortunately Jack has a hard time visualizing the long-term benefits. He finds that since the health benefits in the long-run are not readily accessible, he sees no real reason to pursue them. He continues to use drugs.

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Twitter Weekly Updates from Passages Malibu for 2011-10-02

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:54:00 +0000

: Recovery Environments Matter http://t.co/MqNyqVbu #
Why Some People Might Abuse Substances http://t.co/7OPvr7fh #
Malibu Passages – PLEASE NOTE – We are closing this site, but you are very important to us. So please join us on… http://t.co/kNRZlMG0 #
Malibu Passages – PLEASE NOTE – We are closing this site, but you are very important to us. So please join us on… http://t.co/vIUGDjRn #

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Recovery Environments Matter

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:55:42 +0000

Since social influence can play a critical role in a person becoming and staying sober, it is important to use the right environment and the right people to facilitate proper change and avoid negative outcomes. Specifically, positive social influence as well as keeping people out of risky situations will help sobriety. Additionally, when people are exposed to constant relapse, they will believe it to be normal behavior because they are influenced by instances of that behavior, and will themselves become more likely to relapse. So it is important to keep people away from situations where relapse is constantly witnessed.

Negative Environments

In negative environments, or environments where relapse and failure are normal experiences, a person is more likely to adopt similar standards because they are readily accessible. This does not necessarily have to be the case though, since a positive environment is just as likely to influence a person’s behavior as a negative environment. Therefore it seems we should prefer the positive to the negative.

Positive Environments

In positive environments, positive people and behaviors and relationships are more accessible. This accessibility lends itself to effective recovery. People will be influenced by these forces, and will be more likely to achieve sobriety because internal motivation allows for greater self-control, which inevitably leads to higher chances of avoiding relapse.

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Twitter Weekly Updates from Passages Malibu for 2011-08-28

admin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:54:00 +0000

Examine Yourself http://t.co/8mMYEDZ #

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Twitter Weekly Updates from Passages Malibu for 2011-08-21

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:54:00 +0000

"If you are too weak to overcome habits that are obviously bad for you, your future is indeed bleak." -I Ching Wisdom http://t.co/VC9mvBI #

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