PHILOSOPHY: THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE

RDL has evolved into a vibrant blend of many philosophies and evidence-based methodologies after decades of observing what goes wrong in mainstream treatment and continually seeking to improve treatment outcomes. We are passionate about this for two main reasons: our deep compassion for those who are struggling and also because we believe so wholeheartedly in the goldmine of human potential that lies within each unique human being.

From the broadest view, our philosophy can be summarized as:

Looking Through the Eyes of Love.

We look at all aspects of you, your life, and your recovery journey through this compassionate philosophy.

through the eyes of love: YOU

Life is a precious gift. You are a remarkable person here celebrating your life with us and we are honored to support you in doing the deeper work to transform your life from one characterized by struggle to one characterized by flourishing... accessing your deeper, true potential. It is our greatest honor to watch our members transform.

Often in mainstream substance abuse or mental health treatment, people are reduced to symptoms and labels and seen as diseased and defective. We believe in unpathologizing- you are a dimensional human being- not a bundle of maladies.

We apply the tenets of Gabor Mate’s ground-breaking Compassionate Inquiry to identify and help transform the underlying issues causing dysregulation. Through Dr. Richard Schwartz’s brilliant system of understanding and managing our inner worlds, Internal Family Systems (IFS), we view each of our members more compassionately and realistically. We understand within everyone there is a core self, and then parts of this self-energy that form maladaptive aspects of our personality through trauma or the stressors of life. This creates an ethos of non-judgment and unconditional love and support.

We believe the more difficult one’s story, the more potential for great impact they have. With the holistic support we provide, we help our members mitigate the negative effects of the past, evolve out of their self-destructive behaviors, and extract the gold from their unique stories.

We recognize that many people have tremendous, unique spirits that can cause dysregulation and existential aloneness- they have never felt like they fit in. Most of the greatest talents and geniuses have struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues. The idea of wanting to get out of pain or transcend this reality into a better feeling space is not misguided. But the question is- how can we help you build this in your life so that it is real- tangible and sustainable- instead of coming temporarily from destructive substance use? We are here to not only help you resolve your deeper pain but to also help you discover or connect more deeply with purpose and build a life out of it.

through the eyes of love: attachment-focuS

Attachment-focused treatment acknowledges the important role of the way we were both supported in our development and bonded with during childhood. This initial experience in the world shapes our lives, our relationships, and even our very experience of being in each moment. Attachment wounds are often at the root of substance abuse and complex trauma. They underlie our ability to regulate our nervous systems, to express ourselves authentically, to have and hold positive feelings about ourselves and our potential, and to build safe, stable fulfilling lives.

Through this deeper and compassionate understanding, a critical part of our treatment methodology supports healing, growth, and the development of healthier relational patterns. This translates to RDL in several ways.

First- in mainstream treatment, you check in and get separated from your loved ones and your existing clinicians. THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE, we see this as counterintuitive, even harmful to healing. There is an interruption in the bonds and in any work you are in progress with your therapist(s). We welcome your existing clinicians to be a part of your treatment team as well as your loved ones. <We preserve these foundational bonds because as attachment wounds are often at the root of trauma- underlying mental health and substance abuse issues and we do not consider activating deep wounds to be beneficial treatment.>

Second, through our highly specialized staff, you experience unconditional love and acceptance. Most complex trauma includes attachment wounds, which can heal- but when they are re-injured in the treatment process, we recognize things need to be done differently. This vital attachment re-teaches nervous system co-regulation which is an innate human need. We are wounded in relationships with others, and by the same token safe secure relationship helps us heal as we regain the innate ability to reach for support and co-regulate through stable attachment.

Lastly, our attachment-focus treatment style also means- that although we keep our community safe for everyone, we do not abandon or expel people. We customize the support we offer to maintain the bond, offering a Harm Reduction Model in addition to the more traditional Abstinence Model. People don't act out or cry out for attention or to be difficult, they do it for connection- they do it because there are frightened parts of them locked in a trauma response that need support.

We believe in collaborating with you to create a vast base of safe, secure attachments that do not get severed, this naturally translates outward to a newly developed secure attachment style in your life outside treatment. Connection, relationship-building, and community are the core from which all else at RDL builds, as secure attachment is the foundation of wellness and the ability to flourish.

through the eyes of love: YOUR STRUGGLES

THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE we believe treatment (and recovery) involves looking at all aspects of your life without judgment and viewing your symptoms as clues as to what the root issues are that need assistance, rather than signs of disease or defect. This allows us to create customized wrap-around support.

We believe that if you look beneath the surface of a person who is struggling in their life, beyond the symptoms you will see areas of their life that are causing dysregulation. It is that dysregulation, which causes painful sensations that are often beyond words- that turns into substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and many other symptoms often misrepresented as mental illness.

THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE, we see that a dimensional approach is imperative, and it cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. This is why we bring clinicians and facilitators together to collaborate by building individualized treatment teams on a case-by-case basis from our network of phenomenal doctors, therapists, and specialists all doing leading-edge, innovative work rather than maintaining an in-house staff that must service everyone in a uniform program. Many philosophies and modalities must be incorporated to solve each unique puzzle of suffering.

As a result, we have developed a proprietary model of care called The 12 Dimensions of Human Health and Wellness because we know that you can medicate away insomnia, depression, and anxiety- and sometimes that is necessary for relief, but these surface-level symptoms help us understand you better- they are the greatest clues as to what we need to do to help transform what it feels like to be you, so your need for substance use diminishes.

THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE, we don't sign you up for a one-size-fits-all program, we attune to each of our clients individually and as we discover what is affecting them in all areas of life, we create an evolving multidisciplinary team of wrap-around support to begin addressing all the issues where trauma is manifesting, and where support is needed. You are no longer overwhelmed, battling shame and aloneness, you are part of a collaboration of support and life transformation.

through the eyes of love: THE RECOVERY PROCESS

THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE, we view recovery as a continuum. Recovery is not a discreet unit of time as often pitched by other treatment facilities as 30, 60, or 90-day packages. 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 learn, work, focus on our goals, make constructive decisions minding consequences and our future, and manage our daily lives.

It is easy to see how important it is to have support to help you navigate life and its stressors while the executive function of your mind is healing. We provide support for all aspects of the continuum of recovery- the dips, twists, darkness, and high points, all building towards a life of self-sustainable flourishing.

At other treatment centers, you are on your own when you leave- at RDL we know that after you leave inpatient treatment that is where the work of recovery really takes place, and we are with you. At RDL you take your client advocate with you as well as your whole treatment team and you are a welcome part of our program and community for life. The treatment plan changes and extends to fit the new existence you are building.

Our many community events and outings for our members and alumni are designed specifically to help you explore the world in a safe sober supported way and discover what you like to do. In addition, through our online groups, client advocate check-ins, and support of the full community you remain tethered to safety whether you are in residential treatment with us or not.

We customize treatment to your needs and to fit your lifestyle and we adjust as your needs change and evolve, instead of forcing our clients to fit a rigid program. We meet you where you are at, and as that changes, we stay with you in whatever way works best to keep you safe and heading toward your goals.

Viewing the entire recovery process THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE means meeting you where you are at. This means tailoring programs to support you out-patient or in-patient and employing a Harm Reduction Model when necessary instead of abandoning you during vulnerable times. We are an abstinence program wrapped inside of a harm-reduction model. Although our first priority is keeping all our community members safe, we do not expel or punish those who cannot maintain sobriety. We work with you to keep you safe and help you get back onto your path to recovery.

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