Robert Alexander Center for Recovery

Alcohol
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism, or drinking excessively throughout the week, signals an alcohol use disorder.

Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep issues. They are highly habit forming, and their abuse can cause mood changes and poor judgement.

Chronic Relapse
Consistent relapse occurs repeatedly, after partial recovery from addiction. This condition requires long-term treatment.

Co-Occurring Disorders
A person with multiple mental health diagnoses, such as addiction and depression, has co-occurring disorders also called dual diagnosis.

Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant with euphoric effects. Agitation, muscle ticks, psychosis, and heart issues are common symptoms of cocaine abuse.

Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive and illegal opioid. It can cause insomnia, collapsed veins, heart issues, and additional mental health issues.

Opioids
Opioids produce pain-relief and euphoria, which can lead to addiction. This class of drugs includes prescribed medication and the illegal drug heroin.

Trauma
Some traumatic events are so disturbing that they cause long-term mental health problems. Those ongoing issues can also be referred to as ‘trauma.’

Day Treatment
In a PHP, patients live at home but follow an intensive schedule of treatment. Most programs require you to be on-site for about 40 hours per week.

Detox
Detox fully and safely removes toxic substances from the body, allowing the next steps in treatment to begin with a clean slate.

Intensive Outpatient Program
In an IOP, patients live at home, but attend treatment for up to 30 hours a week. Most programs include talk therapy, support groups, and other methods.

Outpatient Program
During outpatient rehab, patients attend a structured treatment program while continuing to live at home.

Residential
In a residential rehab program, patients live onsite, with access to daily treatment and 24-hour care. An average stay is 30-90 days.

Evidence-Based
A combination of scientifically rooted therapies and treatments make up evidence-based care, defined by their measured and proven results.

Individual Treatment
Individual care meets the needs of each patient, using personalized treatment to provide them the most relevant care and greatest chance of success.

Twelve Step
Incorporating spirituality, community, and responsibility, 12-Step philosophies prioritize the guidance of a Higher Power and a continuation of 12-Step practices.

Family Involvement
Providers involve family in the treatment of their loved one through family therapy, visits, or both–because addiction is a family disease.

Holistic
A non-medicinal, wellness-focused approach that aims to align the mind, body, and spirit for deep and lasting healing.

Personalized Treatment
The specific needs, histories, and conditions of individual patients receive personalized, highly relevant care throughout their recovery journey.

Medical
Medical addiction treatment uses approved medications to manage withdrawals and cravings, and to treat contributing mental health conditions.

Experiential
Expressive tools and therapies help patients process past situations, learn more about themselves, and find healing through action.

Wellness
Wellness philosophies focus on the physical, mental, and spiritual wellness of each patient, helping them restore purpose with natural remedies.

Non 12 Step
Non-12-Step philosophies veer from the spiritual focus of the 12-Steps and instead treat the disease of addiction with holistic or secular modalities.

Gestalt Therapy
This treatment teaches self-awareness, interrupts negative thought patterns, and gives patients insight into how their environment impacts mental health.

Dance Therapy
This experiential therapy uses dance to improve body awareness, physical health, and social skills.

Stress Management
Patients learn specific stress management techniques, like breathing exercises and how to safely anticipate triggers.

Narrative Therapy
Through narrative therapy, patients rewrite past events with a positive focus. They separate themselves from the problem to see their purpose and capabilities.

Spiritual Care
Tending to spiritual health helps treatment become more effective, allowing patients to better cope with their emotions and rebuild their spiritual wellbeing.

Tai Chi
A self-paced, graceful exercise that aligns physical and mental energy, using ancient Chinese practices for modern-day wellness.

Sound Therapy
Sound therapy incorporates music, sound waves, and vibrations to promote emotional and spiritual healing.

Equine Therapy
Guided interactions with trained horses, their handler, and a therapist can help patients improve their self-esteem, trust, empathy, and social skills.

1-on-1 Counseling
Patient and therapist meet 1-on-1 to work through difficult emotions and behavioral challenges in a personal, private setting.

Mindfulness Therapy
This ancient practice can be mental, emotional, and even spiritual. In meditation, you focus your attention on the present moment without judgement.

Life Skills
Teaching life skills like cooking, cleaning, clear communication, and even basic math provides a strong foundation for continued recovery.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy
ABFT is a trauma-focused therapy that teaches you to form healthy relationships by rebuilding trust and healing attachment issues formed in childhood.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
A type of cognitive therapy that identifies negative self-defeating thoughts and behaviors, rewriting beliefs to be positive, empowering, and present.

Animal Therapy
Animals can inspire trust and self-worth. In this experiential therapy, guided interactions are used to improve social skills and emotion regulation.

Adventure Therapy
This experiential approach uses the physical and emotional challenges of outdoor activities as tools for personal growth.

Solution Focused and Goal-Oriented Therapy
A quick goal-oriented therapy that helps patients identify their current and future goals, find out how to achieve them, and empower future problem-solving.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
MBCT combines mindfulness practices—like meditation—with cognitive therapy techniques to help patients work through negative thought patterns.

Relapse Prevention Counseling
Relapse prevention counselors teach patients to recognize the signs of relapse and reduce their risk.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
This cognitive behavioral therapy teaches patients to accept challenging feelings and make the appropriate changes to reach personal goals.

Experiential Therapy
With this approach, patients heal by doing. Therapists help patients process difficult emotions to speak, using guided activities like art or dance.

Aromatherapy
Inhaling or topically applying essential oils can help relieve stress, soothe pains, and relieve emotional distress.

Recreation Therapy
In recreation therapy, recovery can be joyful. Patients practice social skills and work through emotional triggers by engaging in fun activities.

Twelve Step Facilitation
12-Step groups offer a framework for addiction recovery. Members commit to a higher power, recognize their issues, and support each other in the healing process.

Hypnotherapy
A hypnotherapist guides patients through a trance-like state. This helps them identify and process subconscious emotions and regain inner control.

Horticultural Therapy
Gardening can be both meditative and inspiring. This therapy encourages social, emotional, and physical recovery.

Psychodrama Therapy
Patients act out real or imagined scenarios under a therapist’s guidance. These exercises foster creative thought, sponteneity, and problem-solving skills.

Expressive Arts
Creative processes like art, writing, or dance use inner creative desires to help boost confidence, emotional growth, and initiate change.

Psychoeducation
This method combines treatment with education, teaching patients about different paths toward recovery. This empowers them to make more effective decisions.

Medication-Assisted Treatment
Combined with behavioral therapy, prescribed medications can enhance treatment by relieving withdrawal symptoms and focus patients on their recovery.

Family Therapy
Family therapy addresses group dynamics within a family system, with a focus on improving communication and interrupting unhealthy relationship patterns.

Relaxation Therapy
Muscle relaxation techniques relax mind and body. They can easily be practiced outside treatment, making it a valuable coping tool for continued recovery.

Interpersonal Therapy
This brief and structured therapy addresses present relationships and improves overall communication at work, home, and other social settings.

Music Therapy
Singing, performing, and even listening to music can be therapeutic. Music therapy sessions are facilitated by certified counselors.

Couples Counseling
Partners work to improve their communication patterns, using advice from their therapist to better their relationship and make healthy changes.

Yoga
Yoga is both a physical and spiritual practice. It includes a flow of movement, breathing techniques, and meditation.

Art Therapy
Visual art invites patients to examine the emotions within their work, focusing on the process of creativity and its gentle therapeutic power.

Eye Movement Therapy (EMDR)
Lateral, guided eye movements help reduce the emotional reactions of retelling and reprocessing trauma, allowing intense feelings to dissipate.

Prescription Drugs
It’s possible to abuse any drug, even prescribed ones. If you crave a medication, or regularly take it more than directed, you may have an addiction.

Co-Occurring Disorders
A person with multiple mental health diagnoses, such as addiction and depression, has co-occurring disorders also called dual diagnosis.

Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant with euphoric effects. Agitation, muscle ticks, psychosis, and heart issues are common symptoms of cocaine abuse.

Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep issues. They are highly habit forming, and their abuse can cause mood changes and poor judgement.

Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a stimulant that causes intense euphoria and heightened awareness. Abuse of this drug can trigger depression, insomnia, and memory problems.

Grief and Loss
Grief is a natural reaction to loss, but severe grief can interfere with your ability to function. You can get treatment for this condition.

Opioids
Opioids produce pain-relief and euphoria, which can lead to addiction. This class of drugs includes prescribed medication and the illegal drug heroin.

Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, or meth, increases energy, agitation, and paranoia. Long-term use can result in severe physical and mental health issues.

Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive and illegal opioid. It can cause insomnia, collapsed veins, heart issues, and additional mental health issues.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a long-term mental health issue caused by a disturbing event or events. Symptoms include anxiety, dissociation, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts.

Synthetic Drugs
Synthetic drugs are made in a lab, unlike plant-based drugs like mushrooms. Most synthetic drugs are either stimulants or synthetic cannabinoids.

Depression
Symptoms of depression may include fatigue, a sense of numbness, and loss of interest in activities. This condition can range from mild to severe.

Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is the excessive and repetitive use of substances, despite harmful consequences to a person’s life, health, and relationships.

Alcohol
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism, or drinking excessively throughout the week, signals an alcohol use disorder.

Chronic Relapse
Consistent relapse occurs repeatedly, after partial recovery from addiction. This condition requires long-term treatment.

Anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can include excessive worry, panic attacks, physical tension, and increased blood pressure.

Trauma
Some traumatic events are so disturbing that they cause long-term mental health problems. Those ongoing issues can also be referred to as ‘trauma.’