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Thank you to Monsignor Mark Giordani and the Moglia Family Foundation for makring our dream a reality!
The Wellness Center will address the overall comfort of the facility that is reflected in its
physical environmental parameters, such as physical space, thermal, acoustic and visual comfort (Visual comfort that encompasses daylight factors and luminance intensity), seating patterns that enhance social interaction among individuals. The design will be safe and comfortable, emphasizing personal empowerment and individual dignity, thus becoming a catalyst for improving health and enabling individuals to take control of their own healing process.
The center’s design well create a facility that challenges the conventional perceptions regarding behavioral health care at an urban drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. The center’s design is bright, open and inviting, with forms and materials that speak of movement — a metaphor for transitioning through the healing process and, therefore, to the outside world with speed and purpose. The wellness center will integrate meditation, mental imagery, stretching, 12 step orientation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention therapy. Other exercise activities will include weight lifting, dancing, yoga, Zumba, aerobics and other fitness classes.
Evidenced Based: The application of meditation as an intervention for psychological disorders is not unique to the treatment of addictions Jon Kabat-Zinn in the nineteen-nineties developed mindfulness-based stress reduction, which has been utilized to treat borderline personality, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The evidence suggests that greater mindfulness is related to improved treatment outcomes and increasing mindfulness skills literally changes attentional control and a person's relationship to their thoughts.
The goal of relapse prevention is to develop awareness and acceptance of thoughts, feelings, and sensations through practicing mindfulness; and to utilize these mindfulness skills as an effective coping strategy in the face of high-risk situations. Education about craving and instruction on the application of mindfulness skills to the experience of craving is an essential tool in promoting awareness and acceptance of psychological and physiological reactions to substance withdrawal. Specific relapse prevention strategies (teaching effective coping skills, enhancing self-efficacy, challenging positive outcome expectancies, educating about the abstinence violation effect) in conjunction with the client instituting a regular mindfulness practice, provides an opportunity for the client to form an association between being mindful with the implementation of relapse prevention skills.
The Relapse Prevention Model below is the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treatment foundation utilized at Straight & Narrow.
Treatment services provided at Straight & Narrow reflect the SAMSHA Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Comprehensive treatment planning and the collaboration of the multi-disciplinary team allow staff to identify all areas of client needs. The treatment process promotes client stability in all areas of physical and emotional wellbeing, promoting a safe and therapeutic environment while in treatment and upon discharge, psychoeducational sessions on physical health, nutrition and financial planning, encouragement of intellectual growth via continuation of educational goals or obtaining employment, the development of pro-social behaviors and implementation of positive coping skills, and finding a balance with spirituality to maintain a sense of humility and gratitude in ones recovery.
The Wellness Center is designed to meet the physical fitness needs suited for a wide range of individuals that Straight and Narrow serves in recovery. The 3,000 square feet facility will offer various types of equipment from cardio equipment to weight training. The diversity of equipment shall be suitable for both the beginner and experienced client. The equipment will allow for both low impact exercise as well as high interval training to help all clients meet their goals within their comfort and ability levels. Depending upon the individual’s physical abilities and desires the gym shall be equipped to best fit their needs. The integration of fitness and exercise shall provide for a holistic treatment experience. Creating a routine is essential for the maintenance of one’s recovery. If exercise has not been a part of their life before, they might be hesitant to start working out regularly. That is OK. Starting slow and working their way up is the model use. Capitalizing upon successful experiences, such as improving ones mental health and mood, increasing energy levels, reaffirming ones self-esteem, all promote significant lasting change. The gym is not just about getting physically fit; it is about balancing the whole body and mind to work together perfectly. Staff are available to help integrate other aspects of recovery promoting a healthy lifestyle; such as providing education on the benefits of healthy eating, maintaining a balanced diet, understanding the benefits of fitness and exercise, and how this component of their treatment impacts their goals of health and wellness and recovery.
The emotional and social component to fitness is as important as the physical experience. The Wellness Center is a great place for individuals in recovery to meet other people in recovery and help normalize their treatment experience. A crucial part of recovery is all about forming new relationships with healthy and sober people, learning to participate and enjoy activities while sober. The Wellness Center will provide them the opportunity to establish long lasting bonds with wide range of healthy people. The recovery gym is the perfect way to get fit and healthy both emotionally and physically, allowing for positive change to the individuals attitude and outlook on life. Participating at the Center during recovery can help the individual to stay occupied, develop safe and positive coping skills and help them overcome their triggers and cravings to use.