How Does the 12-Step Model Support Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Approaching dual diagnosis treatment takes a lot of care and concern for multiple parts of a person’s journey in recovery. Holding a person’s story who has experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, pain, loss, and many other things can be difficult because these may all be factors in their addiction journey. The 12-Step process is designed to […]
5 Lessons to be Learned from Relapse
Relapse is complicated. Whether it happens soon after you first achieve sobriety or years into recovery, it can be a devastating experience. Research into shame and guilt surrounding addiction, however, tells us that beating ourselves up after a slip-up is detrimental to our recovery and increases the likelihood of future relapse. Instead, it is important […]
What Seemed at First a Flimsy Reed
By Beth Legacki, Alumna Tonight, at my homegroup a memory came to mind that I hadn’t thought about in years. It was about an interaction I had in community with our founder, David Elliott, over 11 years ago. I had been at Burning Tree Ranch for two months, still very much spiritually asleep and full of […]
Who Likes to Be Held Accountable?
By: Jay Staples Alumni Friends, family, and work associates hold us accountable. Accountability is paramount for anyone who is inclined to make a change in his or her life. Accountability is necessary when dealing with addiction. If you have a desire for long-term recovery, you must be willing to accept help. But in that request […]
The Importance of Aftercare
By: Megan Souther, Alumni Successfully completing Inpatient treatment is just the beginning. While in treatment a client begins to recover, start working the steps and see how behaviors can hinder recovery. Clients who don’t complete Aftercare have a lower chance of success of maintaining sobriety. So what is Aftercare? Aftercare can range from IOP (Intensive […]
Legally Blind to the Solution
The tragedy that happened in Austin, Texas during the SXSW music festival is just another horrific event caused by lack of communication and education between the addiction field and the judicial system. This, like the countless other high profile addiction fueled “accidents” will soon lose steam and people will get back to their day-to-day routines […]
Time Plus Pain – Long Term Recovery
When an addict or alcoholic hits rock bottom, they know it. The air gets thicker, future looks bleaker, and all hope is lost. The family of a chronic relapser experiences much the same feelings. Much like an addict or alcoholic searches for the next high, family members and loved ones are addicted to “healing” the […]
The Road We Leave Behind
His name is Jordan Belfort, star of “Wolf on Wall Street”. Self-proclaimed “former member of the middle class raised by two accountants in a tiny apartment in Bayside Queens. The year I turned 26 is the head of my own brokerage firm I made 49 million dollars, which really pissed me off because it was […]
Kratom Overdoses and Drug Rehab
In the ongoing search for changing the way that people feel, there is a trend all too alarming to Burning Tree Transitions Services (BTTS) staff concerning people in early recovery, more specifically, young people in early recovery. It may start out by drinking a few more cans of energy drinks, and when that doesn’t work […]
Heidi Smith, Clinical Director
Heidi Smith, (LPC, MA), is the Clinical Director at Burning Tree Ranch in Kaufman, Texas. Along with her full-time responsibilities at Burning Tree, Heidi is a published author, addiction blogger, and keynote speaker. She has presented at numerous conferences, luncheons, and networking events and is quickly becoming the most trusted voice on chronic relapse. Heidi’s […]
