I’ve worked with patients and their families in the addiction treatment field for 25 years. In another chapter of my career, I worked as a therapist for cancer patients and their families. Although both illnesses are life threatening, the journey of healing looks vastly different. When faced with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, I saw […]
Anyone else out there coping with a lot of change during this COVID-19 pandemic we’ve been experiencing? I know at Atlanta Addiction Treatment Center, we have remained open to serve those in need, but with many precautions and adjustments. For me, these acts of flexibility have been navigated during a sea of change in my […]
As I closed out our Family Healing group last Friday, I wished everyone the strength they needed to get through the first weekend of Georgia’s Shelter in Place order. Although we are still having our treatment services in person at this time, we do not have family members in the building and the process of […]
Addict Brain wants you to isolate, but so do the current global COVID-19 pandemic protocols. What’s a person in recovery to do? There are new challenges to navigate in recovery, but some of the tried and true principles still work and are needed now more than ever. I was reading about how other treatment centers […]
RiverMend Health Treatment Facilities Provide Essential Healthcare Services and Will Remain Open When the Government Mandated “Shelter-in-place” Order is Announced As local, state and federal governments continue to take aggressive action to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the possibility of “shelter-in-place” mandates become increasingly likely; some areas of the United States have already enacted such […]
With the increased information and questions circulating about COVID-19 (previously referred to as the Novel Coronavirus), we want to provide updated information and recommendations that we received from state and federal health agencies, as well as recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), to ensure that we have the […]
I had the privilege of leading Multi-Family group today as I do every Friday. The article below about parenting teens caught my attention tonight as I navigate my own journey of parenting teenagers. But, so many of these points apply to family members whose loved ones suffer from the disease of addiction. It’s not their […]
It’s not unusual to see someone enjoying a glass of wine with dinner or planning an office happy hour as a way of socializing and relaxing after work. With 86.4% of Americans reportedly consuming alcohol at least once in their lives, alcohol is one of the most common forms of stress relief in the country. […]
Children are one of God’s greatest gifts. They bring so much joy and love to our lives. Yet, being a mother can also be a uniquely stressful and exhausting experience. First-time mothers can feel particularly overwhelmed. Just taking a shower, eating a meal and sleeping more than a few uninterrupted hours can be a challenge. […]
It seems like whenever we turn on the TV, our computers, mobile devices or the radio, we are confronted with the stark reality that opioids are killing Americans at an alarming rate. It’s on the news every day. It’s affecting people we know. It’s even perhaps infiltrated our own circle of friends and family. According […]
According to a study entitled “A Swedish National Twin Study of Lifetime Major Depression”, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, major depression arises equally from both genetic factors and child rearing experiences. The study sought to uncover evidence that supports major depression is gained from genetics, whether genetic influences in major depression are more […]
If you have recently completed alcohol rehab, congratulations! We know that with God’s guidance you have gone through multiple steps to get to where you are. It hasn’t been easy and it’s required motivation, determination, and a great deal of reflection. Now that you are in recovery, you should stay focused and decrease your chances […]
It’s hard to read any news feed or paper these days and not find an article on the growing opioid epidemic in the United States. It’s alarming and unsettling to see the faces of parents overdosing in a car with their kids in the backseat, or to see a pregnant woman injecting herself with a […]
When you think of the causes of heart disease, poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle and stress may pop into your mind. Although these are obvious risk factors, the fact that substance abuse is also a leading cause of heart disease is rarely discussed. Both prescription and illicit drugs have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system […]
We know that substance abuse causes serious damage to the brain and vital organs, and the heart is no exception. Numerous studies show that there is a direct connection between heart disease and substance abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that drug misuse can cause cardiovascular effects ranging from minor to severe, including […]
Recovery is a journey of healing. For many on this path, feelings of depression and sadness can sometimes be overwhelming. Even with the support of your recovery team, these feelings may creep up on you from time to time. But there are easy ways to boost your mood and lift your spirits when you’re having […]
“Erica”(not her real name) came to Atlanta Addiction Recovery Center not expecting to be prescribed medication to help treat her prescription drug addiction. Overwhelmed at the prospect of stopping her pill intake and facing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, she had been reluctant to begin the detoxification process. She was relieved to discover that there were medications […]
For many, the New Year represents a clean slate. It offers the opportunity for self-reflection and inspires many of us to make the changes necessary to improve our lives. If you’ve been thinking about finally starting a life in recovery, now is an ideal time to begin the journey. But just like most resolutions, your […]
There are many ways to give and receive— and for those in recovery the gift of sponsorship is a mutually beneficial relationship. Sponsorship allows individuals to express gratitude for their sobriety while offering inspiration to one another. Sean Owen describes how he teaches the gift of sponsorship. “The gift of giving and sponsorship can be […]
If your loved one has finally entered a treatment program for their addiction, you may feel a tremendous weight lifted from your shoulders. For the first time in a while you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And although you and your family are on the right path to healing, you […]
Addiction doesn’t just harm the individual, but has damaging, long-lasting effects on family members and friends as well. The daily stress, shame, fear and burden spurred by the disease can leave loved ones feeling devastated and powerless. But there are ways out of the nightmare, to heal, repair relationships and break the cycle of abuse […]
For those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, coping with past trauma is vitally important to the recovery process. When underlying emotional issues aren’t addressed or resolved, the chance of relapsing becomes much higher. To date, standard talk therapy has been the mainstream method of treatment to help patients move past painful, traumatic memories. Although […]
Addiction can affect anyone—regardless of gender, age, race, and background. However, men and women face unique circumstances when battling addiction and may benefit from having treatment geared towards their gender. For example, having separate therapy groups gives men and women the freedom to address the issues that are specific to them in a safe space. […]
“Great treatment exists…good treatment exists…and horrible treatment exists”, says Daniel Lettenberger-Klein, MS, LMFT and Executive Director of RiverMend Health Center of Atlanta and Atlanta Addiction Recovery Center. In his interview with Prodigal Child Ministries, Daniel explains the differing levels of care within addiction treatment and candidly discusses how to navigate pitfalls when dealing with insurance companies and choosing appropriate treatment options.
Starting with crisis intervention all the way through outpatient care, Daniel sheds light on exactly which experts to turn to, what questions to ask and what resources to utilize when a loved one is struggling with addiction.