VistaTaos

When she collapsed and was hospitalized on January 23rd, 2012, the first reports of Demi Moore’s health indicated that the actress suffered from exhaustion. As the weeks went by, though, it became clear that Moore, 49, suffered from drug abuse and an eating disorder.

Moore sought help for both at a residential treatment center. She checked in to the center two weeks after being hospitalized.

At the January 23rd party that led to her hospitalization, Moore overindulged in nitrous oxide, also known by the street name: whip-its. She also reportedly smoked a substance similar to incense. Party attendees called 911, and Moore was immediately hospitalized.

Since late 2011, the actress has become more emaciated as well; she has battled an eating disorder since she announced her plans to divorce her unfaithful husband, Ashton Kutcher, in November 2011. The couple had been married six years and when Moore discovered Kutcher’s unfaithful behavior, she announced, "[T]here are certain values and vows that I hold sacred."  

As Moore now struggles to regain her footing in life, the residential treatment center will hopefully help her battle the addiction to drugs and her eating disorder.

Residential treatment centers work with individuals to identify underlying causes to addiction and to disorders. Treatment for the underlying causes coupled with detox and therapy can all help people suffering from many forms of addiction overcome the holds of drugs, alcohol, prescription medications and other addictions. Vista Taos Renewal Center is a residential treatment program located in Taos, New Mexico; it’s just 85 miles north of Santa Fe. Catering to many in need from big cities like Dallas, Austin, Denver, Albuquerque and more, their inpatient treatment program can bring hope and change to those who have lost themselves within addiction. Please seek help today; don’t let addiction ruin your life.

Former bass player of Alice in Chains, 44 year old Mike Starr passed away in his Salt Lake City home on March 8th, 2011. Lately, Starr had been known for his substance abuse problems more than his music. He was on both Sober House and Celebrity Rehab within the past few years, publicly battling addiction. The toxicology report can take as long as two months before the cause of death is indentified, but a friend of Starr said he was mixing Methadone and Xanax the day he died. His drug rehab attempts had failed him.

In February, he was arrested for having pain medication on his person without a prescription. Charges were still pending. That wasn’t his first run in with the law, because of his behavior, he was fired by his band in 1992. In Houston, Texas, Starr spent time in jail for stealing luggage from the Houston Airport. He had experienced friends and fellow musicians around him dying from overdose through the years, yet he never appeared to take drug rehab seriously. Of course, rehabilitation is best in a private location, not posted on cable television for the world to see. Many celebrities who go on these reality shows that promise drug rehab success (and cash for appearing) do often continue with substance abuse problems.

Vista Taos Renewal Center provides drug rehab in a quiet, private setting with one on one therapies (along with group counseling) to aid a person on the road to sobriety. There’s no filming, no fan base to impress and no ratings to keep high at Vista Taos. Your only concern at drug rehab should be sobriety. Call today to learn about the benefits of private, personalized rehabilitation.

Nominations are currently being accepted for this year’s America Honors Recovery celebration. The America Honors Recovery award program was founded by The Johnson Institute in 2004 as a means to celebrate long-term, effective recovery from substance abuse. Nominations can be made to enter a person celebrating recovery for the Vernon Johnson Award. Generally, this is a person that has sought and received successful treatment from a recovery center. Three individuals will be recognized by the award, noting their determination and continued success in the recovery process.

While nominations are accepted for individuals for the Vernon Johnson Award, community organizations at the local, state, and regional levels will also be recognized with the Joel Hernandez Award. Based on the information in the nomination announcement, The Joel Hernandez Award serves to recognize and commend a community organization or recovery center that has been particularly successful in “assessing the specific needs of [its] community and carrying out a vision and mission of mobilizing resources within and outside the recovery community to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.”

The winning organization or recovery center will receive $2,000 and will be recognized at a reception in Washington, D.C. scheduled to be held on June 22nd. The three individuals that receive recognition for the Vernon Johnson Award will also be commended at the June 22nd ceremony. The monetary award given to the winning organization will be sponsored jointly by Faces & Voices of Recovery and Hazelden’s Center for Public Advocacy.

These individuals that recognize their need for assistance through a recovery center in the drug recovery process, and work hard to maintain their sobriety, deserve to be commended for their strength and perseverance during such a time of struggle. Vista Taos Addiction Center in New Mexico treats many such individuals who are committed to changing the direction of their life with the assistance of a recovery center. Nominate a deserving individual or community organization by April 1st, 2011 for them to be considered as a potential winner. For more information, visit www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org.

Willie Jefferson was the receiver for Baylor University’s football team in Waco, Texas.  After his second arrest for drug charges within weeks of each other, the Baylor football player has been ‘fired’ from the team.  The sophomore was arrested in Texas for marijuana possession twice; once while he was the driver and fellow Baylor receiver Joshua Gordon was a passenger.  Both were arrested that evening on drug charges. 

When celebrities like actors and athletes get caught up in drug problems, once it enters the public light, it becomes difficult to shed that association.  Usually, it’s expected to see them enter a drug abuse treatment center to try and clear their name.  Sometimes it’s successful, but other times it is just for appearances.  Unfortunately, it’s easy for celebrities to slip into a pattern of addiction.  That’s why it’s important for them to take treatment seriously.  They’re not immune to losing their celebrity status…especially athletes.  A bad run with drugs or other legal troubles could mean never being signed to another team if the current one terminates your contract. 

Vista Taos Drug Abuse Treatment center wants everyone, no matter what their social status, to experience a life without addiction.  Their programs are led by licensed experts in the field of addiction.  One drug abuse treatment center is not necessarily the same as the next, so do your homework.  If you or a loved one have an addiction and are ready to start the journey towards a new way of life, consider Vista Taos Drug Abuse Treatment Center offering primary and extended care residential treatment to meet each individual’s needs.  

Spring and summer of 2010 have demonstrated to be a difficult road for famous actress, Lindsay Lohan.  In previous years, Lohan had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and drug possession.  She had served 84 minutes in jail in 2007 and spent quite a bit of time at different residential treatment programs in various locations of the United States.  However, the starlet continued her reckless lifestyle, only to be faced with tougher consequences.

In May of 2010, Lindsay failed to show up for her DUI progress report hearing.  A warrant was issued and later retracted after Lohan’s lawyer stated “travel issues” delayed her.  Her passport was reportedly stolen while in France.  The hearing was moved to later in the month and it was determined that Miss Lohan needed to continue her sobriety with education and a SCRAM bracelet to monitor her blood alcohol levels when she was left unattended. 

In July of 2010, Lindsay Lohan was found guilty of violating her probation.  She did not attend enough of her alcohol education classes and the judge felt it was appropriate to hand Lindsay a 90-day jail sentence.  Beyond that, Lohan was ordered to spend another 90 days in a residential treatment program.  She served only 14 days due to overcrowding and immediately checked into rehab.  After only 23 days in the residential treatment program at UCLA, she was released.  The doctors stated “she had done everything required of her there.”  She continues to seek outpatient therapy. 

The question is: why would someone who has such a public problem with drugs and alcohol be released from a residential treatment program after a mere 3 weeks of treatment?  Surely, she cannot be cured.  Vista Taos Residential Treatment Program in New Mexico understands that a 90 day treatment program should last the duration.  Healing takes time.  Your body and mind need time to recover from the abuse of the addiction.  There is no fast track to wellness.  Yes, outpatient therapy is a benefit but should only start once the patient has taken part in a complete inpatient program.  The chance of long-term sobriety will be greater if these guidelines are applied.

There’s a lot of talk about the abuse of prescription drugs going on right now.  One of the reasons the addiction is so easy to fuel in Oklahoma, is that Mexican pharmacies allow for the sale of hydrocodone, as well as several other dangerous prescription drugs to be sold over the counter.  Just because these medications are created in a pharmaceutical lab by doctors who have nothing but good intentions for these medicines, these drugs are dangerous when abused and can lead to death.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics takes a look at all of the autopsy reports for suspicious deaths in the state.  Yearly, more than a dozen of these deaths could have been prevented, had the person not overdosed on prescription pain pills.  Often, they were mixed with other drugs and even alcohol to intensify the euphoric feeling.  Ironically, these overdoses are from prescription pain medications such as hydrocodone (Vicodin and Lortab, which is the most common prescribed pill for moderate pain, but the most widely abused by addicts all over the United States.

Oklahoma drug abuse treatment center Vista Taos is more than aware of the growing pill addiction craze.  Vista Taos is a drug abuse treatment center with overall wellness in mind.  By treating more than just the addiction, the patient gets a sense of overall empowerment, thus improving the rate of sobriety.  Many other drug abuse treatment centers offer similar programs, but many do not offer the holistic approaches, healing environment and extended care services offered by Vista Taos that are essential for recovery.  The most important thing to know is that you’re not expected to fight your prescription pain pill addiction alone.  There is help

There is most definitely a connection to increased drug use during times of economic distress.  In 2008, a study put out by the DEA showed a significant increase in the number of adult drug-related arrests.  More than 10,000 people in Oklahoma were arrested for marijuana possession in 2008.  With these numbers being so high, it’s only common sense that a respectable residential treatment program is available to people in Oklahoma who need help.  Receiving treatment before being arrested or incarcerated would be ideal, and now people have the choice to get excellent inpatient treatment before suffering the consequences that are sure to come with drug addiction.

A residential treatment program is going to allow a person to be away from the atmosphere that created their current situation.  At Vista Taos Residential Treatment Program in New Mexico, the Oklahoman seeking treatment can actually leave their home state, but not travel too far to get help.  They’ve been treating addiction since 1994 in a peaceful and uplifting environment. 

As the drug arrests in Oklahoma continue to rise, treatment becomes more and more relevant.  Residential drug treatment can detour people because of the cost and the fear of leaving their comfort zone for 30-120 days during therapy.  However, unlike the legal system, Vista Taos will work with you to make your recovery manageable on your finances.  The cost of a quality residential treatment program is a drop in the bucket compared to the costs if you are prosecuted for drug trafficking or other serious drug offenses.  The fees for the lawyer alone could be cost prohibitive.  Prison does not typically offer comprehensive support and counseling as you prepare to re-enter life without drugs or alcohol.  It’s never too late for a new start.

According to the story that the Albuquerque Journal reported earlier this month, a drug treatment center that was to house homeless women and their children in two locations was placed on hold because neighbors brought their concerns to the table.  The city commissioner says extra research is in order.  The center was to be in Bernalillo County.  The community has voiced their opinion that they do not want to co-exist with the drug treatment center in the South Valley location.

The project had been called “Renee’s House,” named after a woman who had died of a drug overdose.  It would have offered women and their children a place to stay, 24- hour supervision, drug treatment, alcohol treatment and would have provided valuable job skills and educational training to prepare them to enter the working world after about six to eight months in treatment.  There would have been two locations.  One in South Valley would have been for women on probation.  The women who were not on probation would have been in the Heights. 

The Mountain View Neighborhood Association made a comment that they’re not against services for women who are in need of drug treatment, but “this is not the place for a pilot program. If this was a tried and true program with a proven track record, it might be a different story.” –Patty Grice, President.

However, not all hope is lost; the home in the Heights can still go through with some renovations and be ready to open within the year.

The South Valley location is not only facing problems from neighboring homeowners associations, but also lacks proper public transportation, which would make simple tasks like grocery shopping and finding a job difficult for the women.

There are all kinds of factors that influence a person’s susceptibility to drug abuse and addiction. We know, for instance, that there are genetic factors that play a role. Certain genes predispose some people to alcoholism or other addictive behaviors, and many people who struggle with addiction can name several family members with similar problems.

In addition to genes, environment can play a substantial role in determining whether a person develops a substance abuse problem. It seems only logical that being surrounded by drug users will increase a person’s likelihood of developing a substance abuse problem. These two strong influences on addiction development--genetics and environment--also have a surprising influence on each other, as shown by a recent study on peer drug use.

This Washington University study looked at more than 2,000 female twins, comparing information on the women’s own substance use and that of their friends. What the researchers found was that a woman’s genetic tendency to use drugs was linked to her exposure to drug-using friends. In fact, associating with friends who use drugs seemed to increase the genetic influences on substance abuse.

Studies like these point to the importance of a residential drug treatment center like Vista Taos. At Vista Taos, people struggling with addiction have a safe and supportive environment in which to heal and regain control of their life. It is obvious that peer groups have a tremendous influence on our behavior, and a stay at a residential drug treatment center removes the negative influence of drug-using peers. At a residential drug treatment center like Vista Taos, recovering addicts are surrounded by a supportive group of peers who understand the difficulty and importance of the recovery process. Substituting the negative influence of drug-using peers with the positive influence of recovering users can have a hugely beneficial impact on one’s journey of recovery from drug addiction.

When looking for a drug rehabilitation center, be sure to consider the following topics:

Treatment Type/Philosophy:

Do you like the comprehensiveness of a holistic approach? Are you a fan of the medical model of addiction treatment? Are you a very religious person who would benefit from a Christian-based program? There are many different treatment philosophies, so take the time to learn about the different approaches out there and choose a treatment center whose approach feels comfortable to you.

Services Offered:

Do you need a medically supervised detox? Do complementary therapies like massage and meditation appeal to you? Does your family want to be involved in the treatment process? Different drug rehabilitation centers offer different services, so don’t just assume that whichever one you choose will have what you need. Do a little research—you might find some offer therapies you never thought of that could be very helpful.

Location:

Do you want to stay near home or distance yourself from the environment surrounding your addiction? Do you prefer an urban location or a more remote, natural retreat?

Success Rate:

What statistics can the drug rehabilitation center show you? What is there success rate and how do they calculate it? Success rates can vary quite a bit; while higher is better, a center with a rate higher than 80% is unusual and should raise some red flags—they might consider something “successful” that you would not.

Program Length:

Studies show that 90+ days in a treatment program will give you the best chance for success, but not everyone can spend that much time away from work and family obligations. Is a 30 day program right for you? 90 days? What options are offered by the drug rehabilitation center you’re considering?

Aftercare:

Some centers offer their own aftercare programs, while others help you find follow-up care in your own community. Still others offer no aftercare or assistance in finding it. You might not feel as though you need follow-up care, but choosing a center that will help you find it will better your chances of recovery.