Most treatment centers have a one-size-fits-all 30, 60, or 90-day “program”. The relapse rate statistics in the US are 40-60%! We find that unacceptable and as you will see from reading through our site, we have a very different way of viewing recovery and a very different innovative approach.

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THE CAR WASH MODEL

In these mainstream programs people are extracted from their lives and connections (even important, beneficial ones such as therapists) for an insufficient amount of time for the brain to heal, they detox and “get clean”, get some therapy- and then when the designated time frame is up, they are returned to the same life that was making them sick in the first place, without support (they lose connection to any new bonds they formed- both therapeutic and peer) and are left on their own to navigate the extremely vulnerable time of new sobriety. Rinse and repeat. We call this the Car Wash Model.

These programs set clients up to fail for several reasons:
* This is not enough time for the brain to heal its executive function damaged from substance abuse so one can regain control of their impulses, mood & behavior. It can often take the brain a year or longer for executive function to heal from substance abuse and/or trauma.  Executive function is the management system of the brain- a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, impulse control, decision-making, and the ability to self-regulate emotions. We use these skills every day to manage our daily lives- to learn, work, focus on our goals, and make constructive decisions- taking into account consequences and our desired future.

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*This is also not enough time to rebuild aspects of life that were triggering the substance abuse or mental health struggles in the first place. 

 

* Most mainstream treatment is clinical, and cold, and uses punitive and coercive methods to enforce sobriety. This does not inspire evolution or invite the client to feel like part of a collaboration they WANT to participate in, as their autonomy is diminished.

 

*These programs do not take into account one’s life, individuality, or purpose, or extend the conversation past sobriety to life transformation.  

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* These programs do not take into account that Recovery is not a stint in a treatment center- recovery is a continuum. There are many stages and dips and turns- and in every stage, proper support is needed if one is to stay on their path. 

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*Most mainstream treatment centers see the client through the eyes of pathology- symptoms, diagnoses, and labels like addict. Clients are reduced to their diagnoses instead of looking deeper and discovering what is causing the mental health symptoms and the need to abuse substances. 

 

*Most mainstream business models are crafted by prioritizing profit margin and capitalizing on the inevitable relapse cycle from inferior treatment. Most of these mainstream treatment models are replicas of each other that do not study the problem, invest in innovation towards positive outcomes, or push things forward in any significant way. These programs focus on selling flashy resort-style amenities with inferior methodology that may keep one sober for a time but does not sustainably or comprehensively transform one's life.  

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Recovery is a lifestyle one must learn to integrate, not a one-size-fits-all 30, 60, or 90-day program.

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Recovery is building a new sense of self and a new life.

Recovery is transformation.