“Your mind is your instrument. Learn to be its master and not its slave.”

Meditation – the practice of connecting to ones inner self ? has existed ever since history was first written. The practice of meditation is constantly mentioned in our scriptures in its various versions and practices. The growing awareness of the various benefits of meditation has not been overlooked by those providing mental health treatments.

Treatment of any mental health disorder essentially demands self-realization of the problem with one’s thinking process. Meditation is commonly used and practiced as part of complementary medicine to help cure almost all kinds of mental health disorders. These include Anxiety Disorders, Binge-Eating, Depression, Addictions and Bi-polar Disorders. This is because meditation helps one to become conscious of one’s thoughts and beliefs, to accept the present without being too judgmental about it and to be able to gradually control the thinking process. The effectiveness of regular meditation is supported by many researches and clinical trials.

The proven results and benefits of meditation has led Sovereign Health of California to incorporate its practice into all our treatment therapies.

Each mental health disorder requires a different form of meditation. At Sovereigh Health of California, we have a team of experts who specialize in the practice of these different forms of meditation ? specialists, who will help and guide patients throughout the sessions. Read more »

“Life Itself is the Proper Binge”

The urge to binge or over-eat may not seem like a problem to most of us. It is a common feeling that arises once in a while and we don’t mind giving in to it. But is this urge frequent? Can you not help but go on binging ? even though you end up feeling bad or guilty about it? Do you look for food at times when you are feeling low or hurt by something? If this is the case, you might be suffering from what is recognized as  Binge Eating Disorder.

Binge Eating Disorder is a form of eating disorder found in approximately 5% of the general population, with a higher prevalence amongst women as compared to men. Whilst it is not yet classified as a separate illness under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth edition (DSM-IV), binge eating disorder is recognized and treated separately from other eating disorders such as Bulimia or Anorexia. Read more »

Greetings!

Sovereign Health of California presents Diane Keddy, as our Guest Speaker at our recurring Monthly Network & Educational Luncheon, on March 14, 2012.

Diane Keddy is a Registered Dietitian and nutrition therapist who has specialized in treating addictions for over 25 years.She has counseled people with eating disorders and chemical dependency in numerous treatment settings, including inpatient, outpatient, residential and currently her private practice in Newport Beach. Diane is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences, and recently spoke on food addiction for the American Dietetic Association and the Orange County Dietetic Association.

She has written extensively on the subject of eating disorders for both professionals and consumers. You can read her Nutrition Hotline articles for Eating Disorders Recovery Today at www.eatingdisordersrecoverytoday.com

Diane enjoys helping her clients find the right path for them to have peace with food. For more information, please visit her web site at www.dianekeddy.com

Following is the schedule program for March Luncheon on March 14, 2012:

• 11.00 am-11.30 am – Registration
• 11.30 am-12.30 pm – Lunch & Networking
• 12.30 pm-01.30 pm – Presentation by Diane Keddy
• 01.30 pm-02:30 pm – Optional Tours

Check out the complete detail here

If you are not able to attend the event, you can view the presentation live by clicking on the following link:

Catch Diane Keddy Live at 12:30 pm on March 14, 2012 by clicking here.

REGISTER NOW TO RSVP

Over 57 million adults in the United States (almost 1 in 4 people) have been found to be suffering from some sort of Mental health disorder. The NIHM predicts that almost 26 percent of adult Americans will be diagnosed as suffering from a mental disorder each year.

With the growing pace of this health issue, early diagnosis is important in order to implement appropriate and effective treatment. Timely intervention can also  reduce cost, as well as preventing lasting damage to the individual.

But what exactly do we call a mental health disorder? A mental health disorder is any kind of dysfunction or disability in the pattern of how a person thinks, perceives, behaves or acts. A mental health disorder of any kind or intensity will impact on almost all aspects of  life ? be it be the social or personal life, physical health or professional front. It can potentially affect performance and the ability to make decisions, thus making life more difficult in an otherwise absolutely normal individual. Read more »

Department of Transportation: Substance Abuse Professional
(DOT/SAP) Qualification and Requalification Training

Trainer: Steven S. Garnham, MEd, CEAP, CAC, CTR, SAP

Effective January 1, 2004, before you can serve as a Substance Abuse Professional under the D.O.T. Regulation, you must have received 12 hours of qualifying training and then pass a qualifying examination. In addition, those qualified as SAP’s must complete 12 hours of continuing education relevant to the SAP function, including recent updates in the regulations. This course contains the latest information. Recertification is required every 3 years.

Steven S. Garnham, MEd, CEAP, CAC, CTR, SAP, is the current Northeast Region EAP for Amtrak currently serving in this position for over the past 5 years. Steven has worked in the field of behavioral health for almost the past 30 years in positions such as certified addictions counselor, substance abuse professional, certified trauma responder, and Employee Assistance Professional as a sworn officer with the Philadelphia Police Department. During this training, Steven will share his knowledge of the subject matter while keeping the training interactive and engaging.

Registration: 8:30 – 9:00 AM

Training: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Recommended for licensed physicians, and licensed or certified social workers psychologist, employee assistance professionals, marriage and family therapists, and drug and alcohol counselors certified by the
NAADAC, ICRC, or NBCC.

Cost:
Registration By 2/14/2012:
$150 EAPA Members
$175 Non-EAPA Members

2/15/2012 and After
$175 EAPA Members
$200 Non-EAPA Members

Register at: www.sovcal.com/saptraining

Hosted at:
Courtyard Marriot
15433 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA
91403

The term dual Diagnosis refers to the presence of psychological disorders including but not limited to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia concurrent with the presence of drug addiction or alcoholism.

In simple words, people who suffer from depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (commonly termed manic depression), tend to make efforts to overcome these psychological problems or symptoms with the use of alcohol or drugs.

Whilst this ‘self-medication’ creates a temporary sense of relief from the symptoms,  in reality it actually makes their condition worse as the dependence on these chemicals (drugs or alcohol) gradually increases. These psychiatric disorders thereby lead to an eventual drug addiction or alcoholism, giving rise to dual diagnosis.

Dual diagnosis also arises amongst alcoholics or those addicted to drugs when continuous addiction or alcoholism leads to depression, anxiety disorder or other psychological problems.

How Do I Know If I Have A Dual Diagnosis Issue?

A definitive diagnosis of this disorder can only be made by a clinician. However, you can ask yourself few basic questions in order to get an idea if you suffer from this condition.

The most important thing in the discovery and cure of any ailment is being honest to one’s own self in admitting the existence of a habit or condition. Being in a state of denial of a condition or symptom will only make it worse and its treatment all the more difficult and prolonged.

Some symptoms of depression:

• Feeling pessimistic about everything happening around you
• Feeling like crying all the time
•  A tendancy to feel that nothing will ever go right
• Significant changes in sleeping and eating patterns
• Always feeling worried and anxious
• Thinking of committing suicide
• Avoiding socializing or not being able to enjoy things once enjoyed

These, as well as many other symptoms are indicative of depression in an individual.

Symptoms of mania or manic depression (Bipolar disorder) vary from these and include:

• Aggressive behavior
• Increased self confidence or overconfidence
• Decreased sleep without feeling tired
• Irritability
• Hallucinations and delusive thoughts

If you have been suffering from any of these symptoms or are already aware of your psychiatric state, you should check for the presence of addiction.

To check for alcoholism, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you tend to get aggressive or angry when people point out your drinking habits?
• Do you find yourself out of control at certain times in the day or week for the want of  a drink?
• Do you tend to have withdrawal symptoms or experience a sense of being ill when you are not able to drink? This can include shivers, anger, irritability, nervousness or sweating.
• Do you have a tendency to avoid fulfilling your responsibilities towards family, friends and society?
• Do you have poor immunity towards common infections or diseases?

Similar symptoms are often noted amongst those addicted to drugs or moving towards drug addiction.

What is the Treatment for Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis treatment is a challenge which is dealt with and met by very few centers all over the world. The treatment of dual diagnosis is done only at a dual diagnosis treatment center like ours at Sovereign Health, where a team of specialists is dedicated towards taking up that challenge.

Why is Dual Diagnosis Treatment a Challenge?

Dual diagnosis treatment is often called difficult or challenging as the treatment involves addressing two major issues simultaneously treatment of the psychological disorder (including depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, etc.) and rehabilitation treatment for the addiction.

Whilst this might sound as simple as treating any two concurrent conditions, the process is far more complex. The medications involved in the treatment of the psychological disorders often produce side-effects or symptoms that can worsen the withdrawal symptoms that arise during the treatment of addiction.

Dual diagnosis treatment thus involves a very careful and selectively chosen treatment plan with a modified combination of psychotherapies, talk therapies and medications, as well as behavioral interventions. An inpatient treatment plan is usually the most effective in dual diagnosis treatment.

What to Expect From Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Each individual presents with a different set of symptoms. Therefore, dual diagnosis treatment at Sovereign Health involves a specific program, personalized to suit the particular needs of each patient, designed by the team of experts and clinicians at our dual diagnosis rehab facility.

Most importantly, dual diagnosis treatment at our dual diagnosis treatment center will begin with a correct and complete diagnosis of your condition and the problems faced by you. We have team of specialists who will put forth questionnaires carefully designed to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Once a correct diagnosis of the condition has been achieved, our expert, experienced team will design a complete plan for recovery. This will involve Group therapies, Psychotherapies, medications and behavioral interventions, combined with other, holistic therapies designed to treat the complete individual, not just the condition.

Complete support and assistance is provided at each step of the dual diagnosis treatment plan with the help of our dedicated team of experts and specialists.

What Are The Effects Of Medications? Will I Get Addicted To Them?

The medications administered during dual diagnosis treatment at Sovereign Health are not addictive and dosages are carefully and closely monitored by our team of dual diagnosis rehab experts to minimize any adverse side effects. These medications are chemicals that alter brain functions and help you get rid of the psychiatric problem and its symptoms. Whilst these can have some side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, etc., all these side-effects are also well taken care of by our specialists. If you feel that the symptoms or side-effects of any medication is beyond your tolerance, you should report this to our dual diagnosis rehab team, when alternatives can be provided.

Staying Clean

Dual diagnosis treatment plans involve a close watch on the fact that one stays away from alcohol or drug use. This is an extremely important aspect and cannot be overlooked as getting back to these addictions will also bring back the psychological problems.

What If I Slip Or Relapse?

There is a common fear of relapse from dual diagnosis treatment amongst a majority of patients. If you have found yourself the right dual diagnosis rehab, you have also helped yourself stay away from the danger of relapse.

At Sovereign Health, the risk of relapse, or slipping from treatment, will be taken care of with the help and support provided by our aftercare program. Our experts are available to help you utilize the skills and techniques you will have learned during treatment. . Constant support from your family or friends or health-professionals also prevents a relapse.

What Is The First Step To Be Taken By Me?

Our team of expert advisors is available 24/7. It just takes few minutes to make a call or send an email. We will take care of the rest.

All you need to do is to remind yourself:  There Is Help Out There!

Are you still deciding whether or not to enter a drug addiction treatment center and wondering how to choose the right center for you, if you do?

A major psychological block with most drug addicts is that the idea of giving up their drug of choice can sometimes seem to be a good, but extremely difficult or almost impossible idea to implement. Whilst an addict may know that the addiction, due to its psychological or physical effects, has been harming him or her in many aspects of life in a grave manner, it really takes a great deal of effort and strong will to take that final step towards giving up the addiction once and for all. This is often accompanied by a lack of confidence or fear of relapse.

Ask yourself few basic questions: Are you respected by your family and friends as much as you would have been if you weren’t addicted to the drug? Does there seem to be deterioration in your judgment or decisions in life since you have been addicted? Do you honestly like the impact of this addiction on your family, personal life, social life or professional life? Do you truly and sincerely feel that life wouldn’t be a better, healthier and guilt-free place once you give up this addiction? Read more »

Greetings!

Sovereign Health of California presents Marcia Ullett, as our Guest Speaker at our recurring Monthly Network & Educational Luncheon, on January 11, 2012.

A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern associated with distress or disability and which is not considered a part of the standard development of an individual. Such disorders are associated with a combination of affective, behavioral, cognitive or perceptual components of a brain or nervous system, often in a social context. The recognition and understanding of mental health conditions have changed over time and there are still variations in definition, assessment and classification of disorder. Over a third of people, in the U.S. report problems, which meets the criteria for diagnosis of various types of mental disorder.

Mental illness falls along a continuum of severity. Even though mental illness is widespread within the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion ? about six percent, or one in seventeen Americans ? all of whom live with a serious mental disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in four adults ? approximately 57.7 million Americans ? experience a mental health disorder in a given year. Read more »

Please join us for our first annual International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) Fundraising Event! Gather with eating disorder professionals and members of the community in celebrating the gift of life by raising awareness to continued excellence in the education, training and certification of eating disorder treatment professionals.

Our theme this year will be Casino Night!  Drinks and  snacks will be served throughout the evening while we network and raise money for our national and local Orange County Chapter.

Throughout the evening there are opportunities to purchase raffle tickets to win prizes.  Raffle prizes are being donated to our chapter from various businesses throughout the community. They  include an Ipad, other electronics, jewelry, spa packages and more!

We hope you can join us! Bring your spouse, your family and your friends.  Let’s celebrate the holidays together for this great cause!

Event Details:

When: Saturday, December 3rd

Time: 5 to 8 pm

Where: Cheryl Burke Studio
28221 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite F
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 [click here for directions]

Cost: $40 for RSVP’s before 11/28/11 [click here to register online]
$50 at the4 door

We hope you can join us! Bring your spouse, your family and your friends.  Let’s celebrate the holidays together for this great cause!

Sincerely,