Often in substance abuse and mental health treatment, there are a lot of complicated terms repeatedly thrown around- terms that sound slick but don’t have much meaning. We would like to take a moment and make sure the terms we use are thoroughly understood because they have tremendous meaning to us and our methodology. Meaning that transforms lives. You can read about our unique and innovative model of care, The 12 Dimensions of Human Health and Wellness here but in this post, we would additionally like to tell you about the special recipe we use in conjunction with the 12 Dimensions which we have discovered highly improves treatment outcomes. We will explain what each aspect means, why it is vital, and how they work together to amplify healing.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS. INDIVIDUALIZED CARE.You will hear these terms frequently in all our touchpoints. In the antiquated mainstream mental health and substance abuse care system a person sees one or maybe even several therapists, and perhaps a medical doctor, psychiatrist, etc. Either the client pieces this support together themselves based on their best abilities in a state of suffering- or if they seek residential treatment, they are assigned to the same staff members everyone sees as part of that treatment center’s one-size-fits-all formula. There is usually no holistic review of all the interconnected aspects of one’s life that may be causing dysregulation or insight into specific cutting-edge deeper trauma work that needs to be done, little to no communication between these practitioners (no collective learning), no deeper discovery of what the true underlying issues causing dysregulation might be beyond that particular practitioner’s specialty. Therapists and psychologists typically specialize in one or a very limited number of modalities and therefore can only be effective in ways native to their training. This can work well for those with milder conditions but as we see evidenced by the statistics, this mainstream model is not effective for those with moderate to severe conditions whether it be substance abuse struggles or mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or cPTSD.
In truth, we are all complex nuanced individuals, our stories so varied, traumas so diverse, this model doesn’t serve the majority of the struggling population who need greater attunement. Complex trauma, cPTSD, is something the mainstream is only recently starting to recognize, and although this is a developmental injury that can heal, it takes a multidisciplinary approach of individuals with many different specialties ranging from cognitive to somatic, to nervous system-focused to begin to help an individual hold a stable baseline, and then get to flourishing. The combination of practitioners needed varies greatly from person to person and also changes throughout their specific healing journey. It takes holistic evaluation, continual attunement, and adjustment in real-time as outlined in more detail here.
Individualized care through multidisciplinary teams, as part of client-led collaboration, while adjusting in real-time as the fluctuations happen throughout the often turbulent recovery process is critical to a successful, sustainable outcome.
ATTACHMENT-BASED APPROACH. Attachment-based care is also imperative in a therapeutic environment. Whereas the status quo in mainstream treatment is judgmental, controlling, punitive, and one-size-fits-all, where clients are penalized or expelled for not conforming, this is the antithesis of conditions that create healing. One can spend their entire life reeling from early attachment disturbances- the complexities of which are often misunderstood on the surface as substance abuse or mental health issues. (This doesn’t even necessarily need to be a history of abuse- perhaps a caretaker had struggled with their own issues or illness and was not able to be as present as a child needed.) But whatever the reason, as a result, one doesn’t learn to regulate their nervous system, and their emotions, or develop healthy mental processes which drive them into building beneficial circumstances in their lives allowing them to live out their full potential. Attachment wounds are often at the root of complex PTSD and substance abuse issues. These wounds are often exacerbated by mainstream treatment models, if not during treatment- then by the disconnect that happens as a client leaves treatment and returns home, losing their connection to their peers and whole wellness support network. You can read about the major differences between Red Door Life’s model of care and the mainstream model here but another major difference that exists within the Red Door Life model of care for substance abuse and recovery is that once a client leaves residential treatment here at Red Door Life- the connection remains. Disconnection is the number one issue that inhibits recovery and worsens relapse. To provide solutions to this, we have a robust telehealth and IOP program featuring specialist-led topical peer groups. Additionally, the client is still supported by their Client Advocate and has their team in place for as long as needed as they transition back into their life and continue their recovery journey. There is no abandonment, only support. Our clients do not experience the trauma of the disconnect which can often be dysregulating. This is not a well-known fact, but people in recovery are at the highest rate for overdose and overdose death after leaving residential treatment because their tolerance level becomes much lower- this is a critical time for necessary support. In the ways we stay connected as a team with our clients, they are at less risk in that way and are no longer alone in navigating the treachery that new recovery can be. They do not return to the environment that was making them sick in the first place, as the same person, without connection to a support network invested in their wellness, relying sheerly on pure willpower for a lasting positive outcome from their time in treatment. Even during times of relapse, which is often an unfortunate part of recovery, we remain steadfast in our connection- to reduce the time and severity and help the client get back on track with minimal damage. We are a community of compassionate care for life, able to serve and support our clients at every step along their ever-changing individual recovery journey, not just when they relapse or come in for a residential stay.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS, INDIVIDUALIZED CARE, ATTACHMENT-BASED APPROACH… PLUS COMMUNITY.Our 12 Dimensions Model of individualized multidisciplinary care is further complimented and amplified by the deliberate incorporation of the community aspect into healing. In most treatment centers, the community element consists of whoever happens to be checked into the facility at the moment. The community element at Red Door Life is very different. We are intentional about cultivating it as part of the medicine. Community allows the nervous system to be reconditioned in a safe environment. Nervous system dysregulation is often the underlying cause of substance abuse issues and trauma-related depression and anxiety. Often those living with mental health and/ or substance abuse issues struggle with shame and therefore, isolation. We are wounded in relationship; we also heal in stable relationship to safe people. Community itself has medicinal properties- when we are in distress, we can come into a state of regulation much faster through connection to safe people rather than in isolation. You can also read more about how substance abuse affects our social and career networks and what Red Door Life has in place as the antidote for that. A supportive community is fostered in all the Red Door Life residences through recovery partners, companions, facilitators and as well as peers walking the same path. In addition, we host Sunday dinners for the entire recovery community, outings, in-house events, foster entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial alliances, and topical specialist-led groups… the spirit of community in the residential houses and as one transitions back home is that of family- unconditional supportive connections for life.
Red Door Life is a Los Angeles, CA substance abuse treatment, recovery, detox, addiction & trauma healing center also featuring companion services, entrepreneurship empowerment, community & education.
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