Our Clinical Approach

Sober Living by the Sea is made up of several distinct programs that have varying levels of  supervision and treatment intensity.  This variety allows our clinicians to adapt the treatment regimen for each client as the assessment of their progress evolves.

Evidence Based Practices

We have built our treatment processes upon evidence based practices, meaning that the treatment activities have been scientifically shown to be effective by research studies in the fields of psychology and addiction.

Here is a description of 7 key components that are integrated into the treatment program for every client:

12-Step Principles

The 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous is very helpful as a social support system for those in recovery. The 12-Step model is based on working through a series of "steps" with a "sponsor" (and then helping other newcomers once the 12 steps are completed).  We integrate 12-Step meetings into treatment daily and help our clients plan their meeting attendance in the area to which they are going after completing treatment.  The 12-Step program is very beneficial for it's widespread availability and uniformity.  >>Read More About the 12-Steps Principles in our Treatment Program

Stages of Change

It is normal for clients to go through a progression of attitude shifts when they are in treatment.  Our treatment team uses the Stages of Change model to "meet the client where they currently are." If a client is in the "pre-contemplation stage," they are still not yet acknowledging that there is a problem.  This stage requires an entirely different clinical intervention than if the client is in the "contemplation stage" (acknowledging problem but not yet ready or sure of wanting to make a change).  Clients will respond to different instructions, questions, and assignments depending on which stage of change they are in. >>Read More about the Stages of Change Model in our Treatment Program

Pharmacology

Medications are an important element of treatment for many clients.  There have recently been great advancements made in medications that help regulate cravings (like Vivitrol and Suboxone).  We have a staff psychiatrists and several nurses who are trained to recognize the need for such medications and assist with the prescribing and administration of these medications.  Research has shown that the likelihood of a long term positive outcome  goes up when anti-craving medications are integrated into treatment. Since our philosophy is based upon giving the client "the best possible change at achieving long term sobriety," we make it a priority to use the latest proven pharmacological tools to enhance treatment.

Motivational Interviewing

Addiction is often accompanied by denial.  Motivational interviewing is a therapeutic technique that helps an individual acknowledge the problem behavior and guides them through ambivalence to the point of desiring to make a change.  Motivational interviewing does not confront the client and tell them what to do,but rather asks questions that will lead the client to come to conclusions that a change is needed.  Our clinicians use motivational interviewing to establish rapport and create a cooperative therapeutic setting.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very effective approach to building awareness in the client of the effect their own thoughts have on the way they feel.  We find that many of our clients perceive events in their lives through a filter which  causes negative emotions.  Through the probing questions of CBT, clients will learn to see things in a more positive light - and not internalize the things that they would previously dwell on.  Our staff is also fond of CBT because it is designed to get results quickly instill a lasting change in the way clients perceive life's events.   

Contingency Management

Contingency management is method of motivating change through positive and negative consequences. Contingency management is illustrated by our  progressive stages of treatment in our programs.  Within each program there are stages that clients progress through by maintaining sobriety and achieving therapeutic progress.  Then clients may also "step down" from one program to the next if they are demonstrating readiness for less structure.  Clients at our treatment centers benefit from the continuum of care we offer because it allows for continuity of treatment staff through the progression of programs.

Family Systems

We have found that the greatest progress is made when the entire family system is addressed during the treatment process. Addiction occurs as a result of both genetic and environmental factors.  The client's family figures prominently in both of these areas.The disease of addiction is so gradually progressive that often an entire family system will be participating in the "charade of normalcy" by protecting the substance abuser and enabling the addictive behavior.  Every program in our treatment network has a "family program" component and the family is welcomed into the treatment process.