Amy Winehouse is another example of a celebrity who claims that a trip to alcohol rehab is not necessarily due to an active addiction but chosen in the interest of maintaining a hard-won sobriety.

A spokesman for Winehouse told Us Weekly that the singer “wants to be ready for performances in Europe this summer and decided to seek an assessment. She will remain [in treatment] on doctors’ advice.”

Unfortunately, anecdotal reports of Winehouse’s behavior immediately before entering alcohol rehab aren’t so diplomatic. A shop owner in North London says that the star came in on her way to treatment – to buy a tiny bottle of booze. An onlooker told The Sun that Winehouse “seemed out of it,” and that “she was stumbling about, slurring her words. I was shocked to see her buy vodka so early in the day, and even more shocked to see her knock it straight back.”

Given these reports, the next development in the story may have fans worried: Winehouse reportedly left inpatient drug rehab after only one week in treatment and opted for outpatient care instead. Though outpatient drug addiction treatment can be extremely beneficial for those with only a short history of active drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, patients who have recently completed an inpatient program, and those who have a strong support system at home to keep them from relapsing when they leave the program, they are not generally recommended for patients with a long-term drug addiction history of the caliber experienced by Winehouse. Though the singer went to drug rehab in January of 2008, reports that she was drinking heavily immediately before entering rehab suggest that her decision to opt for a less restrictive program may not have been one made with her best interest in mind.

Choosing between inpatient and outpatient drug rehab is a big decision for any patient. The good news is that no decision is set in stone: if you begin one program and realize that you aren’t getting what you need, you can always choose another program or opt for something more intensive if necessary. The bad news is that there is a risk when you choose a program that isn’t effective enough – a risk of relapse and a return to active drug addiction with all the residual risks of overdose, accident, and chronic health problems that go along with it.

No one wants to waste time and money on a program that won’t give them what they need to effectively heal from drug addiction. If you or someone you love is living with an active addiction, contact us today at The Canyon to learn more about our addiction treatment programs and how we can help you.

Chris Herren, formerly a basketball player for the Boston Celtics, lost everything to heroin addiction. The one-time small town basketball hero who made national headlines with his basketball skills during his high school days ended up back in his hometown 20 years later, unemployed and looking for a fix. Now married and a father of three, Herren has decided to make the best of his heroin addiction and all the loss he experienced as a result. After attending heroin rehab, he penned an autobiography with the hope of getting his story out there and helping others like him realize that no one is immune to the tragedy of drug addiction.

Herren penned his autobiography, Basketball Junkie: A Memoir, with Bill Reynolds, a journalist. It begins with his high school days and all that he accomplished during his teen years and follows him through his time playing ball at Fresno State in California, his draft to the Denver Nuggets (second round, 33^rd pick overall) and his trade to the Boston Celtics the following year. Unfortunately, the tale turns sour as Herren spares readers no details as he describes the development of his heroin addiction and how it almost made him lose everything.

Here’s the good news: though Herren was unable to rebuild his NBA career, he has been able to remain clean and sober since August of 2008. Herren reports that it took several trips to drug rehab to make his new goals for a drug-free life stick, but he did indeed make it work. In June of 2009, Herren created a basketball player development company called Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren Inc. Here young players can work on their skills through intensive clinics that cover basketball skills, ball handling, strength training, conditioning, and basketball drills. Since opening in 2009, Herren reports training more than 200 up and coming basketball players, among them some of the top pro-ball hopefuls in his area.

Though his heroin addiction took away his own hoop dreams, Herren is using his expertise and his drive to help others avoid the pitfalls that snatched his hopes away and, at the same time, creating a new destiny for himself that is even more commendable than the original. A dedicated father and husband, Herren is no longer allowing heroin addiction to control his life – a goal he reached by starting with heroin rehab.

If heroin addiction is stopping you from achieving your dreams or threatening the things you hold most dear, heroin addiction treatment is the only way to effectively fight the problem. Contact us at The Canyon today to learn more about how we can help you create the life that you want for yourself.

Courts are cracking down more and more on those who enable a patient’s drug addiction by providing them with illicit drugs – especially when the patient takes those drugs and ends up overdosing as a result. A new twist on this legal trend is highlighted by a recent case in which one patient charged with burglary claims that not only are his actions due to his drug addiction, but that his drug addiction isn’t his fault either – it’s the fault of his brother.

Donald Dovenbarger is the man who was charged with six counts of burglary and then sentenced to five years in prison as a result of his crimes. Says Dovenbarger: “I believe he is my biggest relapse trigger. I looked up to Curtis. He was kind of a role model to me. Well, not really a role model, but I just wanted to be like him.”

His point? He shouldn’t have to serve the five years in prison, though he likely won’t argue with the mandatory drug rehab program that the judge ordered for after his release. What Dovenbarger doesn’t see is that, in this case, five years is a blessing; he could have gotten as many as 30 years in prison.

And it’s not like his brother, Curtis, got off scot-free. In fact, Curtis was with Donald on the burglaries and was also charged with six counts of the crime. He too was convicted but his sentence was even stiffer: eight years in prison instead of Donald’s five year sentence.

Donald’s lawyer, Kristen Burkett, agrees that Curtis had a lot to do with Donald’s drug addiction issues, his crimes, and ultimately, his conviction. She said: “That relationship has brought him to where he is today.”

Donald reports that he began using drugs by smoking marijuana, then began drinking, then took prescription drugs, and eventually developed a heroin addiction. He said the real problems began when his brother told him to try Xanax because he would like the high. Hanging out with his brother was what Donald credits with his repeated and unsuccessful attempts to remain clean and sober.

It was perhaps those failed attempts at sobriety that made the judge decide to give him five years – one more than prosecutors asked for. The five-year sentence means that Donald will not be eligible for judicial review and will be required to complete the full sentence, remaining in custody until he completes a drug rehab program – the one thing that will be able to help him from repeating his mistakes in the future, no matter what influences are around him.

If you are living with heroin addiction, alcoholism, marijuana addiction, or addiction to prescription drugs, The Canyon can help. Call now for more information about our different addiction treatment programs.

The lead singer of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler, is one of the greatest frontmen in the business, and his new memoir detailing his long career on the stage is something that many fans are excited about. It’s not just his musical exploits, awards, or information about his latest stint as a judge on American Idol that has fans paying attention. It’s a life fraught with lascivious tales of backstage exploits, drug addiction, and more that has every rock and roll fan turning page after page.

The book is called “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?” and it came out at the beginning of May. Tyler wrote it to shock and awe, providing “all the unexpurgated, brain-jangling tales of debauchery, sex & drugs, transcendence & chemical dependence you will ever want to hear.” Everything from his romantic exploits, his throat surgery, his Hepatitis C diagnosis, his battle with others in his band, the death of his first wife and the divorce from his second wife is in between the covers.

Tyler gets into his drug addiction history in the book as well as some of the interviews he did surrounding the release of his autobiography. In Rolling Stone magazine, he said: “There’s three things that happen to you when you’re addicted to drugs after they take hold, is death, jail and insanity. And I can’t preach that enough. The only reason I wound up in rehab is because I used to the point of falling down. My kids tell me, ‘Daddy, I don’t know who you are anymore.’ Wives leave, bands break up, and it’s really a one-way street. I still liked the ride, but it’s a one-way street.”

It was through drug addiction treatment that Tyler found his way back from drug addiction, and it’s a path that he advocates to anyone who asks. He can’t be more positive about how incredible life is without addiction and the many problems that are caused by an ongoing and untreated addiction to alcohol, heroin, cocaine, prescription pills, and other drugs. Tyler’s the first one to tell you that he’s lucky to be alive and it’s clear from his presence on American Idol and the way he’s won the hearts of viewers that his positive viewpoint permeates every day of his life. In the Rolling Stone interview, Tyler said: “I’m really lucky right now. I’m on top of the world: I’m Hollywood’s little … sweetheart, basically.”

If you would like to find a drug rehab that can help you regain a positive outlook on life, contact us at The Canyon today. We can help.

The first question from most people who know they need drug and alcohol addiction help is: ‘Can I detox by myself at home? Do I need to go to drug rehab?’ Upon hearing that drug treatment includes far more than just medical detox and treatment but an intensive psychological care program designed to help them maintain their newfound sobriety for the long-term, they often follow up by asking: ‘What about online therapy? Can I just do that instead?’

Why Online Therapy is Not Enough to Fight Drug Addiction

Though there are benefits to online therapy for those who are in recovery, it is not a strong enough program on its own to help those who really need medical attention for their drug and alcohol addiction issues. Even the programs that allow for real-time interaction with others in support groups or personal therapy through social network-style instant messages or chatting don’t provide the support necessary to help patients get through the hard parts. It’s still just too easy to avoid logging on or relapse – even relapse and then go online to take part in therapy or support groups. There is no one to truly hold patients accountable for their actions and make sure they are doing the hard work of maintaining the integrity of their program.

The impersonal nature of the internet – despite the live chat sessions – makes real honesty difficult. Body language and facial expressions are important in therapy. They can reveal quite a bit more than words alone about how patients feel about a certain subject or issue. When you’re right in front of someone, it’s hard to hide or avoid questions or avoid being truthful. When you’re online, there’s nothing easier. Typed words don’t even convey tone.

Hard work is a big part of how drug rehab works. If it were easy to stop abusing drugs and alcohol, everyone would do it. Putting in the effort to find and enroll in an inpatient program or make the trip to outpatient treatment every day puts the patient in the driver seat and makes them responsible for their recovery. It’s just too easy to avoid the hard work and emotional honesty required to succeed in recovery when nothing is face to face.

How Online Therapy Can Benefit Drug Addiction Recovery

After you have completed an inpatient program or while you are enrolled in a comprehensive outpatient treatment, online therapy can help to bolster your recovery by adding another dimension to treatment. Though you can always call addiction help lines if you can’t contact anyone else when feeling tempted to relapse at odd hours, online recovery groups are available all the time. You can always log on and find someone to chat with who is going through the same thing. This can be extremely helpful. But on its own, it just isn’t enough.

If you would like to learn more about the comprehensive drug rehab program available to you here at The Canyon, call now. We are always available to discuss your recovery options and the best program for your circumstance. Contact us today.

Though there are not medications FDA-approved to aid in the treatment of addiction to all illicit substances, there are quite a few medications that work quite well to help fight withdrawal symptoms for certain drugs or reduce the cravings that many experience when they try to quit drinking or getting high. Each drug works differently and in different doses for different people according to their drug history and other co-occurring disorders. Medications may not be appropriate for everyone in recovery. But for those living with an addiction and looking for the most effective treatment available, it’s certainly a viable option and one worth exploring.

Medications that Stop You from Getting Drunk or High

Some medications have one purpose: to subvert a patient’s attempt to relapse during recovery. For those fighting alcoholism, Antabuse is a common medication – this drug will make the patient nauseous if he or she attempts to drink while on the medication. Even though many recovering alcoholics know that they are on the drug and how it will affect them if they attempt to override it, they drink anyway and get very ill.

For those struggling with opiate addiction, naltrexone is a commonly prescribed drug. This drug doesn’t make the patient ill if he or she attempts to use heroin or take opiate painkillers, but it does block the receptors in the brain so that the patient will not experience the euphoric effects, or high. It has the same effect on alcoholics, though, when an alcoholic drinks, they will experience the other side effects of alcohol – slurred speech, slow reaction time, et cetera. They just won’t get high from the experience.

Detox Medications

For those who are detoxing off of opiate painkillers, there are a couple of other medication options that work to help the patient immediately stop taking their drug of choice without experiencing the bulk of the withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is the most common. Taken daily, it blocks the effects of opiates like heroin when it is taken in doses of 80 milligrams or more. It is more often used for patients with a high-dose heroin habit and helps them to transition off of heroin more quickly and avoid a painful detox as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives without drugs.

Suboxone is the latest in opiate detox and addiction treatment medications. Approved by the FDA for nothing but opiate addiction treatment, it combines naltrexone and buprenorphine. It is generally most suitable for patients with low-dose heroin or opiate addictions and can be prescribed by any physician certified to dispense the medication.

Are Medications Right for You?

Do you think a medicated detox would work for you? Have you gone through a medicated detox and have any tips or words of caution to offer? Tell us what you think!

You may be absolutely sure that alcohol is causing problems in your life. You may have tried to quit drinking or in some way moderate your drinking for months without any significant change to the ongoing issues created by your alcoholic behavior. You know that alcohol rehab is an option, but you’re still not quite sure whether or not it’s the right option for you or if it’s something that you should pursue right now. The following questions are designed to help you determine whether or not you are ready to get the most out of alcohol detox and addiction treatment. Answer them honestly and thoughtfully. If you would like assistance or if you would like to discuss the possibility of drug addiction treatment as the next step in your life, contact us at The Canyon today.

What Will Alcohol Rehab Do for You Now?

Why would you benefit from coming to treatment now? Has something happened recently to show you just how serious your alcohol addiction has become or the devastating effects it has on your life? Do you feel empowered to take on treatment now knowing that things can only get worse if you continue? This can be a very powerful reason to choose alcohol rehab help.

What’s Your Alcohol Treatment History?

Have you ever been to alcohol addiction treatment before? If so, consider what worked for you and what didn’t. If you chose a less intensive outpatient program, you may consider an inpatient treatment. If you chose an inpatient rehab before, you may opt for a different style of inpatient recovery this time. If you have never been to alcohol rehab, choose the most intensive program that you can find to give yourself the most solid start in recovery as possible.

Do You Have a Plan to Cover the Costs of Alcohol Rehab?

Are you familiar with your resources for paying for alcohol rehab? Many avoid getting the help that they need because they fear that they won’t have the money to pay for a truly comprehensive treatment program. Often, they assume this before they even look into the details. The fact is that many health insurance policies will cover part of the cost of treatment and that financing options are available to help you pay for the remaining amount. All you have to do is ask.

Are You Ready to Go to Alcohol Rehab?

Have you talked to your boss, your landlord, your roommates about leaving for an extended period? Have you made arrangements for your children and/ or pets? What about your bills and your mail? Have you talked to those closest to you and prepared them for what to expect? Do you know what to expect? Have you taken a moment to look over the literature provided by the rehab so you know what to pack, what not to pack and the schedule of therapies and treatments that may be included in your program?

Are you ready for alcohol rehab? If so, contact us today. We can help you prepare for a new life without addiction. Call now.