Hello Visions, It’s been about two and a half weeks in Isreal and I have been thinking about you and wondering when I will find the time to write… today is Israel Independence Day and we have a day of rest…So far things are going well for our daughter’s adolescent recovery and our family; we are still settling down, it will take some time to get organized and to feel at home.Sarah is amazing, yesterday was her 60 days of sobriety, she is going to AA meeting everyday and this gives her a lot of support she also met a …

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, Betty Ford, Safe Harbor and Jaywalker Lodge Present: Friday, May 14th, 2010Dr. Allen Berger Presenting: How to Successfully Utilize Individual, Group and Family TreatmentMile High Church just outside of Denver Community Center9079 W. Alameda AvenueLakewood, Colorado 80226 Click Here to Register Now

New York high school principal’s controversial prom decision. Students at a New York high school celebrated their junior prom But instead of having an after party, they had to go home and straight to bed. This year’s Pearl River High School junior prom was on a school night. And students were expected in class the next morning. The controversial prom was Principal Bill Furdon’s response to last year’s prom , where students students got drunk and high on posted pictures online—oops! “We had one bus come back with a girl that was non-responsive,” Furdon said of an event where 50 …

A violation of privacy? Constitutionally unsound? As a parent, is it alright to go through your kid’s property? Can you breech trust and check text messages? That’s a tricky question that only a parent can answer for themselves. However, if you suspect that your adolescent is using drugs, or using their cell phone for any illegal behavior, you have the right and the duty to investigate. Asking your child outright may not produce the truth. If they are engaged in secretive behavior, lies are bound to follow. You might be surprised what you find if you take a closer look. …

Good Morning Visions: It has been a little over a week since Kiefer left Adolescent Treatment Center with me, therefore, I thought it time for an update. Kiefer was a little skittish the first few days outside of Visions secure bubble. He was easily anxious in certain situations and noticeably cautious. Several days removed from Visions finds Kiefer, relaxed, easily regrouping emotions when needed, clear eyed, largely tranquil, appropriately verbal and self expressive. We have had no meltdowns to date, however, the first AA meeting was located across the street from a local drug dealer/friend therefore we will more than …

Respect is what we want from others, we want them to respect our ideas, lifestyles, beliefs and ultimately every piece of our puzzle. The major disconnect seems to be in our eager willingness to except it and our reluctance to give it. We find ourselves shocked at the fact everyone is unenthusiastic in their use of respect towards us, when we ourselves neglect to give the example of how we expect to be treated. It all boils down to respect for ourselves and others. Without it, confidence can drop, morals and values take a back seat and suddenly we are …

Self respect is an imperative quality; especially in these teenage years where self discoveries becomes the main focus of our lives. It has everything to do with self confidence and nothing to do with being arrogant. There may be a thin line between the two, but being confident ultimately leads to self respect. It is important to be proud of yourself. To know your boundaries because you can respect there are some adventures you would rather not embark on is a feature most people admire. Now I won’t claim that self respect is being true to your boundaries and your …

What exactly is respect? Some sort of character trait that we are expected to learn because it is deemed as something helpful? An attribute expected to make us grateful when we fully achieve something that can be “respected” by others? It’s a combination and so much more. I may sound old-fashioned, but it is something that is meant for those we look up to. It is something meant to achieve respect from others and have pride in ourselves. It is something which helps us to understand the connection we can have with everyone.Respect is listening to someone’s opinions without having …

It seems there are plenty of desirable attributes that have lost their presence in the minds of adolescents. However, there is one I believe is so vital to leading a prosperous life that it is disappointing to witness the lack of conscious attempts to achieve it. Everything depends on respect. Respect for self, respect for others, they both play such a key role in the way we live and the way we are perceived by others. Respect has lost well, its respect. That and I think people do not really realize what it exactly means to respect something or someone. …

A drug user, especially one that has been trying to get clean and sober and is currently relapsing is quick to manipulate friends or loved ones into being “okay” with their drug use. They try to convince them “this time it will be different”. In many cases these “friends” may have some experience using drugs and/or alcohol themselves and compare their own use to that of their friend or loved one. Sometimes these “friends” are completely ignorant to drug addiction and its depths, darkness and destruction. To many, addiction is another persons, family’s reality or simply a reality show they …