Treatment Modalities at The Unified Wellness Center, First Responders Treatment Center

Addiction Treatment for First Responders

Treatment for addiction in First Responders looks very different from treatment for the general public. Addiction rates among First Responders are higher than addiction seen among the general population. The addiction treatment program at The Unified Wellness Center considers the underlying reasons for this. Therefore, we provide culturally competent care for the men and women who show up for us regardless of the situation.

Detox Services

The Unified Wellness Center holds a subacute level of care license – second only to what hospitals can provide. Our First Responders Treatment Center is comfortable and homey, and each participant is medically monitored through withdrawal to ensure a safe, and successful detox.

Trauma Treatment

While anyone can experience trauma that leads to drug and alcohol use disorders, First Responders must compartmentalize traumatic experiences “on the fly” to help those in an emergency. The trauma treatment program is designed to help First Responders deal with the trauma they face on a daily basis, and to give them the tools they need to recover and thrive in their careers.

PTSD Treatment

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops symptoms of PTSD, but the percentage of first responders with PTSD symptoms far exceeds the percentage we see in the general population. Rates of suicide among first responders are also far higher than in other populations. PTSD treatment is an essential component of the first responders’ treatment program we offer at The Unified Wellness Center.

12-Step Program

The Unified Wellness Center uses components of the 12-Steps as a component of our addiction treatment program. This is far superior to attending meetings on your own. In civilian treatment programs, participants may not be able to relate to one another, especially when you stick a first responder in a group of civilians. The Unified Wellness Center provides culturally competent leadership through the 12-Steps and works to ensure that our first responders have the tools necessary for lasting recovery.

SMART Recovery Program

For those who don’t connect well with the 12-Steps, the SMART Recovery program is a wonderful alternative. The Unified Wellness Center offers both programs because we recognize that in addition to providing an individualized treatment plan, we also want to allow for experiences and therapies that bond our participants so they can support each other along the way.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment that facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories and other complex or harmful life situations and brings them to an adaptable resolution. Done by a specially trained therapist, this therapy is proven to be effective on trauma by relieving the affective distress and reformulating the negative memories and beliefs.

Addiction Treatment Aftercare

Aftercare is an essential component of lasting healing and recovery. We have a culturally-competent network of clinicians and resources for ongoing support to our first responders once they complete treatment. Regardless of your location, we can connect you with support through the journey of recovery even after you leave our first responder treatment center.

Individual Therapy

At The Unified Wellness Center, our clinicians create an INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT PLAN for each of our First Responders. That plan includes therapy sessions, also known as “one-on-ones.” Individual Therapy is one type of psychotherapy in which a trained therapist helps a single person work through personal issues or challenges they have been facing. This presents the residents with the opportunity to address the problems that they are not comfortable sharing in a group setting or focus on their own personal needs.

Group Therapy

The Unified Wellness Center is exclusive to First Responders. Our program was created by First Responders for First Responders. This is one reason our center is so unique.

Group sessions are done with people who understand your culture and share many of your struggles. You are not alone.  We facilitate groups that are relevant to the struggles of a First Responder.

Upon your arrival, you will be given a complete evaluation and individualized treatment plan, including an assessment of group therapies that will be beneficial. A few of the groups we offer are:

• Grief and Loss
• PTSD/PTSI Trauma
• Stress Management and Coping Skills
• Trauma Resolution
• Physical Pain
• Meditation
• Chemical Dependency Education
• Relapse Prevention
• Anger Management
• Self- Care And many more…

Family Therapy

When someone struggles with alcohol, substance abuse, or mental health challenges, their friends and family often feel the impact. Relationships can suffer.  Communication breaks down and trust begins to disintegrate. Families are torn apart, and the effects are widespread.

The Unified Wellness Center has created a Family Therapy program that assists First Responders and their loved ones in the healing process.  Offered to all residents and their families, this therapy can help in giving all parties the necessary tools to prepare for the First Responder’s homecoming and his or her future, as well as address issues from the past. Family sessions can be done in person with one of our experienced clinicians.  Zoom meetings are available for those loved ones whose distance may be an issue.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of talk therapy that is experienced by a mental health counselor, such as a therapist or a psychotherapist. In a structured way, CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so that you may view challenging situations more clearly and learn to respond to them more effectively. CBT is a useful tool to address various challenges. For example, it may help you:

• Learn techniques for coping with stressful life situations
• Identify ways to manage emotions
• Resolve relationship conflicts and learn better ways to communicate
• Cope with grief and loss
• Overcome emotional trauma related to abuse or violence

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing IM is a directive, client-centered counseling modality for eliciting behavior change by helping a person to explore and resolve ambivalence.  It is effective to use in excessive drug or alcohol use. IM has also been shown to be helpful in a number of other conditions such as smoking cessation, reducing sexual risk behaviors, and improving treatment adherence. The desired result is to assist the person in changing longstanding behaviors that can pose significant health and wellbeing risks.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a modified type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Its main objective is to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve relationships with others. This therapy is found to be effective in treating PTSD/PTSI. DBT can be used in group therapy, where patients are taught behavioral skills in a group setting with their peers. It can also be used in individual therapy, where their learned skills are adapted to their personal challenges.

Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness

Yoga and Meditation have been around for centuries. The benefits of these ancient arts are numerous to one’s overall health. Studies have shown that engaging in the daily practice of yoga, combined with meditation, can decrease anxiety and depression. The studies also show that it builds resilience to stress and helps many with physical pain.

Along with yoga and meditation, we also incorporate mindfulness. Mindfulness is the quality or state of being conscious or aware of what is going on without overreacting or becoming overwhelmed by what is happening all around us.

Breathworks

Breathwork is an Ancient Active Healing Practice in which various breathing practices are utilized to consciously control breathing to influence a person’s emotional, mental, and physical state.  This form of meditation is known to produce such benefits as:

• Letting go of difficult challenges
• Inner peace
• Deep Relaxation
• Forgiveness of self and others
• Self Acceptance /Self Love
• Connecting to a Life Purpose

Mechanics of Recovery

These psycho-educational seminars are taught by a motivational Registered Addiction Specialist and Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, Paxton Dickerson. In recovery himself since 2001, Mr. Dickerson advocates his successful design for living through seminars that make a difference.  Some of his topics include:

• relapse prevention
• identification of distorted thinking coupled with maladaptive behaviors
• Spirituality
• Emotional Healing
• Life Skills

Mechanics in Recovery is more than addiction. It’s psychological nuances to overcome trauma, obsessions, compulsions, and grief as well as mental/emotional approaches to business, relationships, and life……

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD Therapy)

NAD is a naturally occurring co-enzyme of niacin that helps cells in our bodies produce energy. This vital co-enzyme is responsible for keeping your metabolism, DNA, and overall health intact.

When a person abuses drugs or alcohol, their natural amount is depleted. There are several other causes of NAD depletion. They include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
• Poor diet
• Lack of proper sleep

This incredible IV therapy offers so many benefits.

• It improves your general wellbeing
• Protects your Brain
• Treats addiction by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings
• Combats Depression
• Boosts Cognition
• Increase Energy Levels
• Promotes Weight Loss

As part of your treatment at The Unified Wellness Center, you will have an opportunity to experience NAD infusions.  NAD is a vital component to restoring your general health and wellbeing.