With rumors circulating about Tiger Woods coming to Wickenburg for treatment at the Meadows – A few staff at Gatehouse Academy would like to take a stance on the issue.

From Mike Baldassare, Director of Marketing:

If Tiger were to seek treatment for Sex Addiction, in our opinion, it would not be an excuse to pin blame on an addiction.  Instead, it would be viewed as an admission of wrong doing and a willingness to take responsibility for harms done.

As people who have committed similar transgressions, we may be a little more sympathetic than the general public.  Call us ‘glass-half-full’ optimists, but Tiger is human.  In our own pursuit of perfection, we found out we have flaws as part of our human make-up.

It is our strong belief that, no matter how bad it is, no matter how many times you do it – you always deserve another chance.  It us our hope that people may be open to giving tiger just that – a chance for taking responsibility and receiving forgiveness.

From Matt Brown, Admissions:

Many are asking about the differences between Tiger Wood’s supposed sex addiction and what most would consider “normal” drug addiction.  In my experience in working with addicts the line between the two is invisible.  The motivation for the addict is the same, whether their drug of choice is sex or cocaine.  The objective is to change how we feel in the moment.  The method of executing that change can vary from drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling or a myriad of other methods.  The result is the same, we get the instant gratification we are seeking to change how we feel.
So if I’m asked what the difference is between Tiger Woods and I guy like me, whose drugs of choice were cocaine and alcohol, I say there is none.  If in fact Tiger Woods is a sex addict, we are just two guys who took different roads to get to the same place, and we both left wreckage along the way.  We both hurt spouses and family members.  On the positive side, if a person with an addiction, whatever the addiction may be, can find a way to replace the need for instant gratification with something meaningful and lasting, real happiness can be had.  It requires hard work and a strong support system, but the work is always worth it.

From Todd Welch, Director of Admissions:

The recent events in the Life of golfing icon Tiger Woods reflect a level of unmanageability with regard to love, attachment, and sex that is indicative of addiction.  Addiction research has demonstrated the strong similarity between sex and love addictions and drug and alcohol addiction, insofar as these behaviors all stimulate the reward center of the brain.  Furthermore, the antisocial aspects of infidelity can also be alluring and addictive.  The reward center of the brain desires satisfaction through the simplest means and can sometimes, in the situation of a loss of control through addiction, override the executive and social-conscience based functions of the higher brain, or frontal lobe.  Perhaps Tiger tasted the high of an enlarged and seductive romantic life and fell into the powerlessness of repeated mistakes and uncharacteristic behavior associated with addiction.  Of course, he will be chastised from the Moral camp and those who undoubtedly biased by our society’s very Judeo-Christian inheritance of ideas about sex and right relations.  In any case, the man cannot be happy at this point.  He is not a victim, unless one can victimize oneself.  He must take responsibility for the awareness of a problem in his life and internalize the need for a responsible path to recovery, happy living, and hopefully more championships.

From Justin Dufour, Admissions:

I first must start by saying that I truly believe that drug addiction, alcoholism, compulsive gambling and of course sex addiction are diseases and are a matter of powerlessness, not bad decisions.  This is an important opinion to state before diving into the Tiger Woods situation and whether or not he should or will go to a treatment center.  If you don’t buy into the disease aspect of addiction then I can assure you that you have probably never seen a loved one on countless occasions make irrational decisions for their addiction.  How else do you explain a mother abandoning a child and their duties as a parent to get a fix of heroin?  Do you really believe they don’t love their child?  If you witness a loved one who you have spent years around and truly know that they are a good person and all of a sudden when afflicted by drug addiction or alcoholism turns on everything and everyone that they have ever loved, than you are probably convinced that these kinds of addictions are all about powerlessness.  Before this blog becomes about something it’s not, I will say that addicts and alcoholics need to be held responsible for anything and everything that they do while in their hopeless state of mind and body.  They aren’t off the hook at all for their actions and especially not the addict who is shown the path to recovery because they have options and are given a spiritual tool-set that can help them recover like the millions that attend 12 step meetings every day.  So now that you know where I stand on the nature of addiction I must say that I believe there is a very good possibility that Tiger Woods is a sex addict and maybe addicted to more things that the public may not yet know about but with that said if he does choose to go to treatment for his addictions at this point in his life it will be nothing more than a public relations maneuver, and a very good one at that.

See Tiger Woods has probably the best crisis management team in the world working around the clock by his side at this time.  What these professionals do is script out every move for a star or athlete to help them start to repair the damage they have created.  And what these professionals know is that there is a large population like myself who believe that addiction is a disease of powerlessness.  So why wouldn’t they encourage Tiger to go to treatment for sex addiction, it is the ultimate ploy to turn public opinion, almost make Tiger a sympathetic figure.  Instead of “what a scumbag for doing that to that nice, young woman,” you might here more of “it’s too bad he ruined his marriage,” and “I hope he can come back from this.”  It’s brilliant.  Now they may be able to achieve this without treatment.  He could go on Oprah and cry during an interview and go back to the golf course and start winning again.  Ultimately what will bring Tiger back is some kind of public interview and winning majors which is what he does best.  There are plenty of examples in sports of these come backs, Kobe and A-rod to name a few.  Both images were done being repaired when they won world championships.  In sports there is a saying, winning cures everything, this may be sad but it’s true.  Who knows what Tiger will eventually decide to do but if he does go to treatment it won’t be because he wants recovery.  This is probably the strongest willed athlete in the history of the world and I just don’t believe at this point in his life that he believes he is powerless over anything.  This may come for him in time but it will take more heart-ache and loss.  Honestly, it may never come for him because he has so much cushioning and enabling around him that may prevent him from ever hitting a bottom.  He needs someone other than his wife to be honest with him about his behavior and when you are the world’s number one athlete and a billionaire, you just aren’t surrounded by many people to keep you in check.  When Tiger asks for something he gets it, he probably doesn’t hear the word “no” too often, don’t believe me, ask some of his mistresses.

Many are asking about the differences between Tiger Wood’s supposed sex addiction and what most would consider “normal” drug addiction.  In my experience in working with addicts the line between the two is invisible.  The motivation for the addict is the same, whether their drug of choice is sex or cocaine.  The objective is to change how we feel in the moment.  The method of executing that change can vary from drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling or a myriad of other methods.  The result is the same, we get the instant gratification we are seeking to change how we feel.  So if I’m asked what the difference is between Tiger Woods and I guy like me, whose drugs of choice were cocaine and alcohol, I say there is none.  If in fact Tiger Woods is a sex addict, we are just two guys who took different roads to get to the same place, and we both left wreckage along the way.  We both hurt spouses and family members.  On the positive side, if a person with an addiction, whatever the addiction may be, can find a way to replace the need for instant gratification with something meaningful and lasting, real happiness can be had.  It requires hard work and a strong support system, but the work is always worth it.

According to Psych Central, “Sexual addiction is best described as a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Like all addictions, its negative impact on the addict and on family members increases as the disorder progresses. Over time, the addict usually has to intensify the addictive behavior to achieve the same results.”

Its an intriguing question to ask about the recent Tiger Woods infidelity scandal – Does T-W need to seek help for his recent behavior? Can we go as far to say he needs to complete Sexual Addiction Treatment? Would it excuse some of his ‘transgressions’ if he were to go to admit he needed help? Would it do anything for his problem given his social status, or we he just return to cheating?

Tiger’s latest actions meet some of the criteria that would suggest it might be a more serious problem.  We know, as addicts ourselves, that when the actions of our addiction start to drastically effect our family – we may need to take a closer look at the situation.

Written by Angela A.

In everyday life, I struggle with letting myself let go of how others live their lives, and letting go of control in mine.  It is definitely easier for me to realize that I am powerless over what people do, how they do it, why they do it, and where they do it.  By reviewing my 1^st step, I realize that my powerlessness over others needs to be given away to my Higher Power in my 3^rd step.

There are many times when I want to shake those I love and tell them that what they want is not what they need.  I have to realize that I cannot change anyone.  An individual can only change him or herself.  I have also been in situations where I do not want to live in the moment; however, I have to realize that my Higher Power puts me in specific moments to learn a particular life lesson that He has set before me.

When I live my life according to God’s will, which is doing the next right thing, I am much more content.  When I let others live their own life, I am more focused and less frustrated.  Thank God I don’t have to play God anymore.

Angela is currently enrolled as a resident in Gatehouse Academy’s addiction treatment program.  She offers her review and testimonial by telling us about a lesson she has learned from our 12-Step curriculum.

This week, let’s tackle a very controversial subject in the field of addiction treatment – does recovery from addiction or alcoholism involve finding a cure?

Some medical professionals, as well as treatment models, believe a cure lies in the form of a pill.  Antabuse and Methadone are probably the most familiar replacement drugs used to treat alcohol or opiate addiction. The idea of replacement therapy is that by creating a medication that safely fulfill the needs of the addiction, the addicted person will be able to live a productive life.

Looking at this solution from a rational perspective, it would appear that the medication acts as a crutch for the addict to rely on.  In other words, it simply creates a new addiction to the medication meant to cure the ailment.  An example can be seen at local methadone clinics, where hundreds line up to get their daily allotment of the medication.  It is apparent that this is the lesser of two evils, but the reality is that it doesn’t support the theory of the cure to addiction coming in the form of a pill.

The polar opposite school of thought comes from the 12 Step perspective.  The core thought being, “We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” This idea can be compared to a person suffering from cancer.

Once someone is diagnosed with cancer and receives successful treatment – it is never considered ‘cured.’  It may go into remission, but the chance always remains that it can return without reason or notice.  According to the 12 Steps, addiction works just the same way – the disease is never cured, rather it is arrested for a period of time and can return if the work is not done to keep it at bay.

In the final analysis, it is up to each individual to decide for themselves how they view addiction. What do you think?

Lindsey Clennell has posted a feature documentry he made on “How people have used yoga as part of their journey in recovery programs from serious addiction problems to a new life of well-being and emotional stability” called ‘Addiction, Recovery, and Yoga‘.

You hear it all the time, that it just takes a few drinks – maybe even just one – to change your life, to have an addiction and become an alcoholic. It’s the same with drugs. One day you’re smoking weed and the next thing you know you’re taking your chances with speed. How does addiction happen? And why is it that some people get addicted so fast, while others don’t get addicted to drugs even though they abuse them all the time?

Addiction, like so many things in life, is complicated. It takes its toll on a person both physically and mentally. In a TIME magazine article, Dr. Nora Volkow (Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse) explained, “Some people have a genetic predisposition to addiction, but because it involves these basic brain functions, everyone will become an addict if sufficiently exposed to drugs or alcohol.” This explains why sometimes addiction seems to set in really quickly for some people. If a predisposition to addiction is a part of your genetic code, then you are naturally likely to become addicted. As the article further explains, for someone who is inclined to become addicted, that person isn’t just more likely to develop an addiction to illegal drugs or alcohol. An addiction can be defined as any behavior a person feels compelled to conduct and cannot discontinue without traumatic effects. It’s possible for someone to become addicted to their work, to cleaning, to gambling or eating – anything, really. Any addiction is unhealthy, and is truly a disease, but the danger level is significantly higher when someone is addicted to substance abuse, because it can kill them.

Of course, sometimes the drug is to blame for causing addiction to set in quickly. Different drugs affect people differently, but there are some drugs – like heroin – that are extremely addictive for just about everyone. Breaking the physical addiction that comes along with those drugs makes detox and rehab very challenging for both the doctors and the addict.

Genetics and drug strength aren’t the only reasons why people become addicted to drugs. Studies show that people with psychological disorders or some form of mental illness are more likely to suffer from drug addiction. New studies are showing that people who start abusing drugs at an early age or as a teenager are more likely to trigger an addiction that can last a lifetime.

Finally, perhaps one of the most prevalent reasons why people get addicted to drugs, and why they start abusing drugs in the first place, is due to social acceptance. It’s all about “the company you keep.” If you hang out with people who enjoy smoking pot, drinking beers, or shooting heroin, then you’re more likely to start using drugs or drinking alcohol because of that environment.

Knowing and understanding why addiction happens can help someone understand their own struggle with addiction. What is even better is that by learning about the triggers of addiction, it can increase a person’s awareness of what addiction is and help prevent it altogether.

An addict’s acknowledgment of the need for help is a major first step in a path towards recovery. Knowing which treatment method to pursue can be just as influential of a decision in the process of overcoming addiction. The withdrawal effects of substances vary, and the severity and duration of detox is often the deciding factor in one’s recovery route.

Health Day News recently reported that extended therapy combined with detox medications have shown to produce noticeable results for opioid addiction in young adults. Detox medications buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naloxone relieve withdrawal symptoms and prevent the physical effects of injected opioids, and have proven more successful in treating addiction when administered over an extended period as compared to short-term treatment programs. The study compared 12 week and  2 week-long treatment programs with the defined drugs, and found that extended treatment patients reported less use of opioids, cocaine and marijuana, less injecting, and less need for additional addiction treatment after 12 weeks. The researchers also found that patients in the long-term program tested positive for opioid use in urine tests more times in weeks four and eight, than at week 12.

This information demonstrates the benefits of prolonged use of detox medications in transforming deep-rooted lifestyle habits. Medication coupled with continuous counseling aids addicts in reaching their long-term goals. Although the administration of such detox medications is controversial due to the risk of dependence, this report reinstates the necessity of viewing addiction recovery as a lifelong process that can’t be wiped clean of the body instantaneously. When considering treatment methods, addicts shouldn’t follow a method that they consider a quick fix; rather, look at treatment as an ever-evolving self-healing process that requires patience and constant care.

That was the sentiment expressed by David Sheff, a father whose son suffered from the self-destructive effects of substance abuse. David Sheff came to Arizona last week with his son, Nic as part of their book tour for Beautiful Boy and Tweak, written by father and son, respectively. Hearing a first-hand account of their experiences – their journey through addiction and into recovery – was both cathartic and eye-opening.

Perhaps one of the most interesting topics that David Sheff brought up was how parents can be in denial of their child’s drug addiction. It was stirring to hear the description of Nic in his teenage years – he was doing well in school, had friends, participated in sports, and was recognized as a young talent in journalism. His son certainly did not look like a drug addict, but sadly, he was.

It’s unfortunate that in our society, have a stereotypical image of what addicts are like. We don’t realize, or maybe we are just wary to accept the fact, that the teens getting high are the sons and daughters of people from all walks of life. Addiction is a disease that can harm anyone, it doesn’t discriminate.

It was easy to see just how true that is after being introduced to Nic Sheff. He candidly expressed how he started smoking pot to numb his sensitivity and emotions. As he further explained, his tolerance for pot became very high and he sought out stronger drugs. When he goes on to describe the raw severity of the self-destruction that came as a consequence of his addiction, it becomes easy to see how lucky he was to survive. Through it all he describes the loneliness, confusion, and fear he experienced. In these moments, Nic shares with us how “normal” you can be and still suffer from addiction.

Despite all the difficulties that both the son and father have faced, and the challenges that are still ahead, it was heartwarming to see how far they have come to share their story with us.

Addiction is riddled with complexities, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are intended to help drug users gain clarity of the power to which it controls actions, thoughts and choices. For those of us without drug and alcohol addiction, understanding the behavior of those who do is a difficult process.
“Why won’t they just stop using?”,”How long until they’re clean?”, “Why do they chose to hurt themselves and the people closest to them?” Questions such as these often go unanswered for relatives, spouses and friends of addicts. Reasoning is ineffective and relating is impossible; many soon realize that they can’t fix the problems of their addicted loved ones.

Dealing with an addicted companion can lead to negative pathologies for non-addicts. Guilt, confusion, frustration, co-dependency, and a weighing sense of obligation can deteriorate individuals who are overwhelmed by their loved one’s disease. To heal the wounds inflicted by addiction, it is important for family members to attend group therapy meetings and share their personal struggles with others who’ve had common experiences. Groups like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, the counterparts to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are 12-step programs that address the role of addiction and recovery in family members’ lives.

To better grasp the battle of an addicted loved one, communication is essential. Relay your feelings about your partner’s decisions and behaviors, and encourage them to discuss their inner struggle. Let go of the idea that you can shield your loved one from the disease and that you can control their actions. Learn more about the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the addiction recovery process.

You may never fully empathize with what your loved one is going through, but taking charge to educate yourself about addiction and conversing with non-addicts in similar circumstances will set you on a path to understanding.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. It’s a time to educate and inform people about the benefits of alcohol and drug rehab programs, and it is the perfect time for people who are suffering from addiction to make a commitment to recovery.

This year’s theme is: “Real People. Real Recovery.” Every day at Gatehouse Academy we see real addiction recovery in young adults as they progress through their individualized treatment programs. Recovering from addiction is no easy task, but it’s refreshing to see professionals, volunteers, families, friends and neighbors support one another throughout the process. Bringing people together to support one another during the recovery process is really what Recovery Month is all about.

Show your support for the people recovering in your community by attending a drug and alcohol addiction recovery event. Many events are going on nationwide, providing people with information and support. This month only comes around once a year, so make the most of it by bringing someone you know who needs help, and don’t forget to invite their families and friends.