The effective treatment of adolescents with substance abuse and behavioral disorders requires an approach that includes attention to every aspect of a young person’s life. We see every individual as a whole being. In addition to fully understanding the emotional, developmental, physical, psychological, familial, social and cultural factors, there must be appropriate resources in place to address these issues. Need help? Contact Us Today! (866) 889-3665
Many of us don’t think of self-mutilation as an addiction. We think of drugs, alcohol, gambling and even sex as addictions, but rarely do we classify cutting, burning or other self-harm acts as an addiction. Many people turn to self-mutilation as a consequence of simply inadequate coping skills, the same reason that many turn to drugs. Nearly 2 million people identify themselves as “self-injurers” in the United States alone. Self-injury is defined as a deliberate injury to one’s body that causes tissue damage or marks on the skin as a way to deal with overwhelming feelings or situations. Self-harm is usually not done with the intention of suicide, yet in some cases death does occur. There are many different ways in which people self-harm, they include: cutting, branding, picking at skin or wounds, hair pulling, hitting, excessive piercing or tattooing and even drinking harmful chemicals. At first people usually stumble upon self-harm due to hearing about it and think that it may help them cope with unbearable feelings that they don’t know how to other wise express. People will continue to self-harm if it proves as a successful way of relieving uncomfortable emotions. Endorphins, which are the “feel-good” chemicals in your brain are released during self-harm and are natural pain killers. People recognize the relief self-harm grants them as well as the feeling that they get from the release of endorphins and thus the behavior turns into an addiction. Once the behavior passes into that of an addiction, even though the person may be feeling shame or remorse they find it increasingly difficult to stop.
People who self-harm exhibit some similar traits. Having a limited social support system may contribute as well as growing up in a family where expressions of emotions are discouraged. Many self-injurers usually are also dealing with substance abuse issues, eating disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are many ways that a loved one can contribute to getting someone help. Some examples of ways that a loved one can help a self-injurer include: encourage expressions of emotions, offering a listening empathetic ear, offering to share enjoyable activities and offering support in the way of a therapist of professional. It is also very important to shy away from judgment or shame as it may trigger the self-injurer to want to harm themselves more due to low self-esteem and a feeling of worthlessness.
I’m afraid of people at AA meetings. What can I do?
This was a question I was faced with a while back. I would go to AA meetings but I always hung out on the sidelines of the AA meetings. I guess it was fear. Fear that the people in the rooms of AA would not want to hang out with me. But eventually I was so afraid of getting drunk or use drugs again I forced myself to step up. I started small, with a trash commitment. Then I made it a point to arrive early at the AA meetings as opposed to my usual walk in at 7:29pm. I would raise my hand to share even if it was just to check in. These small steps allowed for other people to get to know me. Maybe not in a BFF kind of way, but I have been really blessed in that when I walk into AA meetings now, I feel like I’m home.
When I started working at Visions Adolescent Drug Treatment Centers two years ago, I didn’t know the 12 Steps from a 12 pack. I wanted to familiarize myself with the program not only for my job, but to satisfy my own curiosity. What I found is that the principles of AA definitely apply to my life. When you get down to it, AA is really about living a life of integrity and service, and staying the course when things go bad. I found that it is about taking care of ourselves and each other, and taking the appropriate actions to right our wrongs. I am lucky to be surrounded by so many recovering adolescent alcoholics and adolescent addicts, and I have nothing but a great respect for those Adolescents and adults who have been reborn through AA, NA, CA or any “A” for that matter!
Here at Visions Teen, We know that adolescent substance abusers differ from adults in many ways. Teen drug and alcohol use often stems from different causes, and they have even more trouble projecting the consequences of their use into the future. In teen addiction treatment, these adolescents must be approached differently than adults because of their unique developmental issues, differences in teen values and teen belief systems, and environmental considerations (e.g., strong peer influences). The use of substances may also compromise an adolescent's mental and emotional development from youth to adulthood because substance use interferes with how people approach and experience interactions we understand, and are ready to help.
"It is my goal to help adolescents in their recovery and reach their full potential." Brian Wildason
Brian joined the Visions team in 2005. He received his Alcohol and Drug Specialist Certificate from Glendale College. Brian is also a registered member of the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE), and has several years of experience working in the adolescent community. Brian is currently working towards his LMFT, and has a heartfelt passion for working with young adults and is an on site adolescent rehab counselor here at Visions Teen.
Therapist, Bill Hoban, MA, M.F.T. has over 16 years experience in the fields of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency treatment. He has served as Director of Program Services, Clinical Director, Program Director, Primary Therapist, and Continuing Care Coordinator for both inpatient and outpatient programs. Prior to coming to Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Bill held the position of Program Director for the inpatient Adolescent Treatment Program at Anacapa Adventist Hospital. In addition, Bill has serves as the Clinical Preceptor for the United States Navy Counseling and Assistance Center at the CBC Naval Base in Port Hueneme, California for the past fourteen years. In this position Bill is responsible for the supervision of Naval Alcohol and Drug counselors. He was awarded Navy Preceptor of the year for 2001.
“Watching teenagers in recovery regain their sense of self-worth is incredibly rewarding.” - Daniel Dewey
Daniel has been an educator for the past five years. His experience began in a special education school for at risk kids. His undergraduate degree is in English Literature. Additionally, he is able to assist his students across the interdisciplinary spectrum. Daniel works as a liaison between incoming residents and their home school. He helps coordinate and implement an individualized lesson plan, allowing students to stay current with their education. Working directly with the clinical team, he communicates any concerns that will help his students succeed in treatment and in school.
Insanity Once there was a man who went to the doctor because both of his ears were badly burned. When the doctor asked him what happened, he replied that he liked to have a drink or 10 when he got home from work. Last night he was sitting his easy chair watching TV, sipping his drink, while his wife ironed his shirts nearby. The phone rang and he picked up the iron, thinking it was the phone. The doctor then asked why his other ear was burned. The man responded, “The son-of-a-bitch called back!”
The mind of the adolescent addict is amazing. The compulsion to engage in addictive behavior is so great that they will risk injury, jail, emotional torment, and even death. All rationality flies out the door, until what was down is up, what’s wrong is right, and what’s bad is good. We’re all a bit insane, living in an insane world, but such thinking is PURE INSANITY. Einstein was onto something when he said that insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the same results.” It seems that for the adolescent addict, living in a mad world provides a convenient reason to be insane. So how do you switch your thinking pattern if you are in the throws of addiction? The answer is simple: You have to do the opposite of what you were doing. Though it sounds simple, it’s a hard thing to change your behavior when you’ve been doing the same thing for a long time. When you wake up in the morning and don’t want to go to work or school, you go anyway. When you want to lie to someone, you tell the truth. When you want to steal something, you pay for it instead. After a while, this “contrary action” becomes a natural reaction, and insanity dissolves into serenity for the adolescent addict.
"I try to help adolescents find themselves and come to appreciate who they are. Guiding their transformation into young adulthood is my primary goal." - Laurel Shires
Laurel Shires is currently a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Visions residential facility. She joined the Visions team in 2004 as a Program Aide and has also held positions as the Lead Program Aide and Program Aide Supervisor. Laurel is currently in the process of becoming a state certified AOD Counselor while attending courses at Santa Monica College. With over five years of sobriety, she is able to empathize with struggling teens and help them find hope for recovery.
Ryan was born and raised in Longview, TX and moved to California when he was 16. Ryan is an alumnus of Visions and has been affiliated with Visions since he first came to Visions July 10, 2003, as a resident. He was 16 years old at that time. Ryan graduated from Visions’ Inpatient program and then graduated Visions’ Outpatient program a year later. Ryan then began working at Visions as a program aide. After 18 months of sobriety he relapsed, but was able to get sober again. As soon as Ryan celebrated another year of sobriety, he started to work at Visions again as a counselor. Ryan is now 21 and has over 3 years or sobriety. He loves working for Visions because he is able to give back what was given to him when he was just a teenager who didn't know anything except using drugs. Ryan has learned a lot from Visions: Visions Teen taught him how to grow up in sobriety and become a productive person. Ryan is currently working on his counseling degree.
JuliAnn was a resident at Visions’ Inpatient, Outpatient and Scholastic Academy in 2004 when she was 17 years old. JuliAnn had so much gratitude for the program and how it changed her and her family’s relationships that she has been working at Visions ever since she took a year of sobriety. She started as a Program Aide but went back to school to get her certificate to be a chemical dependency counselor and has been working as a counselor since 2007. JuliAnn’s main ambition is to give back to the residents and their families the compassion, guidance and hope that she was given during her stay at visions.
Robert has been with Visions since January of 2005. He obtained a B.S. at Rutgers University in Psychology and Criminal Justice, and then obtained his A.A. in Culinary Arts in California. Prior to culinary school, Robert was a Residential Counselor for adolescents in New Jersey. He started with our program as a part-time chef and is currently the Head Chef, managing the dietary program and personnel at both facilities.
Yael, CAADAC Candidate and Operations Coordinator, is a vital member of the Visions Team. With a background in finance, management and corporate logistics, Yael assists in quality assurance, program planning, development and evaluation. Adolescent treatment is complex and requires insight and empathy; Yael's life experience and commitment to excellence combines the best of both.
Chris is Co-Founder of Visions Adolescent Treatment Center and has worked in the arena of substance abuse rehabilitation for years. Prior to Visions, he was the director of operations for an adult substance abuse treatment center, where he further enhanced his extensive knowledge and groomed his skills in the field of recovery.
With his honed expertise, Chris envisioned creating a full continuum of care for adolescents and their families, where the effective treatment of substance abuse and behavioral disorders involves a holistic approach that includes attention to the adolescents' emotional growth, physical well-being, psychological health, and family relations. With years of his own personal recovery experience, Chris has a deep understanding of substance abuse issues and the means necessary to achieve successful healing. He has proven to be an inspiration and role model for the adolescents and their families.
VISIONS ADOLESCENT TREATMENT CENTERS Personalized programs dedicated to helping youth and their families recover from the destructive effects of substance and other behavior related problems. (866) 889-3665
