Guiding Light offers men realistic, evidence-based, and effective substance abuse treatment through proven therapy.
Guiding Light Recovery is a professional, holistic and all-encompassing substance abuse treatment program offered to men seeking help from addiction to drugs and alcohol. The program is four months long and gives men a much needed chance to press pause on their lives and the opportunity to put in the work and to make the changes they need to live a life in sobriety.
Case Managers Bring First-hand Experience
Twice a week, Recovery Program Case Managers Daniel Irwin, Mike Ryan, Ryan Becksford, and Jacob Passerman facilitate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) classes to clients in the program. CBT is designed to help the men confront and change the unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors associated with their addictions. All of our Case Managers went through the Guiding Light Recovery program themselves, and they know what they are talking about. One of the most beneficial aspects of the Recovery program is how acquainted with, aware and understanding the staff is to what clients are going through.
Vulnerability in Recovery
Today, Mike talked to the class about the importance of vulnerability for men. For many men, the concept of being vulnerable in any way is inherently uncomfortable. The idea of asking for help goes against many of the deep-seated values instilled in us by society. But that is exactly what clients have to do when they come here. When your life becomes so out-of-control and unmanageable through addiction it is nearly impossible to fix the problem without help.
Something touched on in class today was how difficult it is for recovering addicts to have even a vague conception of psychological and emotional regularity. “We tend to think that when we drink or use, that we will be able to numb out the negative feelings, such as pain in general or shame or guilt. When in reality you numb out all of your emotions. When we continue as addicts to go back to drugs and alcohol to feel good what we’re really doing is muting our own body’s ability to produce healthy feelings.”
Psychology of Sobriety
Getting through the early weeks and months of sobriety is often tremendously difficult due to how mentally overwhelming it can be. In active addiction the human brain is so used to being numbed and flooded with psychological chemicals that getting back to a normal, healthy level of functionality can be extremely trying on one’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This is why Guiding Light Recovery is structured the way it is. It gives men the time and a safe, secure place to work through the incredibly anxious and troublesome months of early sobriety.
Guiding Light Gives Men a Solution
Men often arrive at the doors of 255 Division with nowhere to go, helpless as to what they can do, and hopeless as to whether or not there is any way they can get out of the dark hole that they have dug themselves into. At Guiding Light Recovery we offer men a glimpse of a light at the end of the tunnel, and the tools, structure, and direction they need to get there. It is not an exaggeration to say that this program truly saves lives, and it would not be possible without your support. Thank you so much from all of us at Guiding Light for helping us to continue making a difference in our community one man at a time.
