Author Archives: Ruben Carreri

Dynamic Quotes From Some Who Have “Been There”

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“When things go wrong, don’t go with them!”  Roger Babson

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you!”  Jim Rohn

“If the addict is pleased with your help, you are probably enabling.”  Sandy Swenson, Author

“Rock bottoms became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”  J.K. Rawling, author, Harry Potter Books

“There is no person walking the face of the earth who demonstrates more courage, dignity, honesty, and integrity, on a daily basis, than an addict in recovery.”  Anonymous

“Recovery did not open the gates of Heaven and let me in.  Recovery opened the gates of Hell and let me out!”  Anonymous

“Addiction is the only disease that manipulates your mind and assures you that you do not have it” AddictsToday.com

“I am not defined by my relapses, but my decision to stay in recovery despite them.”  RecoveryExperts.com

“Just because your father was an alcoholic, or drug addict, or any other dysfunctional behavior, do not be tempted to use that as your excuse.  If you do, you are looking at the wrong Father!”

“Eventually, every addict WILL have their last high… choose recovery so you can talk about yours!”  (paraphrased author unknown)

 

Boom-Boom cares… really cares from the depths of my heart!  I am crying for those of you who may be lost and are resisting recovery.  Just know that He has cleared your runway and you are ready for takeoff to something much better, if you choose.  Additionally, if you are in recovery, I am filled with deep admiration for your courage and sense of purpose!  I am praying for all of you and your Father is calling you all near to Him.  His grace and mercy, for you, is far greater than your greatest sin!
1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Mark Burchell on sober living homes

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Mark Burchell, Founder and CEO of The Doorway to Recovery and its sober living homes is pleased to announce that our sober living homes currently have openings for men’s sober living in Livonia, Plymouth, and Westland, and for women in our Redford or Livonia homes.

These Sober Living Homes provide a safe place where men and women are able to work a recovery program, where there is peer support, peer pressure, monitoring, drug and alcohol testing, accountability, and most importantly, a place where men or women are able to work a solid recovery program and maintain freedom from drugs and alcohol!  Our program works, for those who work it!

The success rate is very high for men and women who are committed to a year or more in sober living.  Check out this video, Dr. Michael Fox, on sober living homes and their importance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq5cNemstPY).  In addition to running two private addiction medicine practices, Dr. Michael Fox is the attending physician at St Mary Mercy Hospital’s Chemical Dependency Unit in Livonia, MI.

The Doorway to Recovery has been in operation since 2002, and has been providing superior sober living, a structured recovery program, and an opportunity for continued growth in recovery since it’s conception and first Sober Living Home, the Cooley House (http://thedoorwaytorecovery.org/cooley-home/). 

The New Programs offered at The Doorway to Recovery are able to address issues other than drugs or alcohol.  Sometimes it’s a codependency issue; sometimes it is another form of an addiction (gambling, food, etc).  Whatever the case, under our Life Recovery Program, our programs allow for healing from many issues.  Check out our Life Recovery page: (http://thedoorwaytorecovery.org/life-recovery/)

In the case that an individual is suffering from mental health issues, our staff is able to provide recommendations to local facilities that treat mental health, IF we are unable to address the issue with someone on our staff.  Through our network of referrals, Doorway to Recovery is able to work with dually diagnosed substance abuse patients.

If you have questions about The Doorway to Recovery, its programs, or it’s sober living homes, please do not hesitate to contact our Main Office at any time – 248-987-2696.  Remember, The Doorway to Recovery is always open to you!

The New Doorway to Recovery

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To Whom It May Concern,

The Doorway to Recovery Program and Services is pleased to announce our new and improved sober living program. “The New Doorway to Recovery” features new homes, new administrative procedures, and most importantly our new Life Recovery Program, designed to help men and women in and out of our sober living homes achieve continued sobriety.  This letter is to keep you, the in-patient substance abuse treatment providers, in the loop of what we have going on.

The Doorway to Recovery has recently opened a new women’s home in Redford, the Seminole Home, our newest addition to our women’s sober living program.  This beautiful 3 bedroom home is a place where up to 5 women are able to call home, located near public transportation, many employment opportunities, two blocks from the Metro-West ALANO club, and many restaurants and shops.  Currently our women’s homes are located in Redford and Livonia while our men’s homes are located in Detroit (Old Redford), Livonia, Plymouth, and Westland.

The New Doorway to Recovery’s administrative office features effective case management which monitors and tracks our participant’s progress in our sober living program.  With this data, we are then able to report on our participant’s behalf to referring treatment providers, allowing for effective communication and feedback to better serve those in our sober living homes.

The most important aspect of the “New Doorway to Recovery” is our Life Recovery Program, offering several pathways to a full recovery from drugs and/or alcohol.  Life Recovery’s new programs include:  Back to Basics: an accelerated crash course on the twelve-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Life Recovery Bible Study: a comparative group that examines and discusses biblical scripture and its relation to twelve-step recovery, Weekend Retreats:  monumental healing weekends for men and women who are looking for spiritual growth through the guidance of others, in a nurturing and loving environment plus many other programs that focus on healing and restoration.

We are grateful to be able to share these new programs with our local recovery community, and the treatment providers who make the process possible.  Please do not hesitate to contact our office at any time should you have any questions, comments, or feedback.

 

Sincerely,

Ruben M. Carreri
Office Administrator
Intake Coordinator
248-987-2696 – Office
734-237-8171 – Mobile
Ruben.Carreri@thedoorwaytorecovery.org – Email

Heroin: What is it?

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Doorway to Recovery has been very gifted to have a wonderful intern for the past several months helping out in the office.  I asked him to help us out by writing a blog…  He did a great job laying out information about Heroin and what it does.  If you are a family member or loved one, make sure that you educate yourself by reading through…

 

Heroin: What is it?
Heroin is an opioid drug that is synthesized from morphine, which is naturally occurring from the seed pod of the opium poppy plant. You know, the pretty red flowers that are depicted in paintings. These pretty flowers!

poppy

As beautiful as these flowers are comes a dark and ugly side of them too. From their seed pod, people use the liquids that are extracted to produce heroin. Heroin usually comes in a white or brown powder or in a black sticky substance called “black tar heroin”.

Heroin can be smoked, snorted or injected by the user, all of which deliver the drug to the brain very rapidly. With this rapid delivery to the brain, users have a high risk of addiction, health issues and relapse if the person has quit the drug.

How Does Heroin Affect the Brain?
As soon as the heroin reaches the brain, it is immediately converted back to morphine. While in the brain, the morphine binds to molecules on the cells, which are your opioid receptors. These receptors are located all throughout your brain, body and brain stem- which control automatic processes of life, like breathing, blood pressure and heart beat.
Heroin overdoses more often than not involve the slowing down of breathing and heart rate. With breathing slowing down and heart rate dramatically slower, the brain receives less oxygen, a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to short and long-term neurological effects, including coma, brain damage and death.

Other Health Effects of Heroin
Heroin abuse can and will lead to a number of serious health concerns. Some of which include fatal overdose, spontaneous abortion, hepatitis and HIV. To go along with that, chronic  users can develop collapsed veins, heart lining and valve infections, liver and kidney disease, and pulmonary issues due to the effects on the breathing of the users.
Additionally, street heroin contains toxic additives that can clog vessels that help transport vital oxygen, nutrients and blood to the lungs, liver, kidneys and brain. All of which can cause permanent damage to these vital organs.

heroin_body

The use of heroin during pregnancy can lead to a wide variety of different pregnancy issues. According to drug abuse.org, low birth weight and other developmental issues can develop. Drugabuse.org also states that if the mother is regularly using the drug, the infant can be born with a physical dependency on heroin thus suffering from a condition called neonatal abstinence syndrome or NAS.

heroinbaby

Breaking the addiction process is a tough uphill battle. A battle that is worth the fight. With recovery, you receive your normal life back and you get restored to your family, friends and most importantly, yourself.

For more information on the facts of heroin and how devastating it is, visit the following:

Drugabuse.gov
Drugpolicy.org
Drugfreeworld.org
For help visit or call the following:
1-877-751-7925
1-855-drugfree – 1-1855-378-4373
1-877-670-0564
Drugfree.org

 

 

God’s Grace

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God’s grace

The Doorway to Recovery

Worship Song:  “Grace on top of grace” by Fellowship Creative http://youtu.be/YdNZzWM0vac

 

Definition of grace (verb):  to honor or credit to (someone or something) by one’s presence

 

Thinking point

What has God done with me that he could I could have never done by myself?

 

To anyone who has seen the immeasurable power of Christ in their lives, knows the immense grace that God had given to the world by sending his son Jesus.  He lived as a perfect, sinless man, yet he died the death of a sinner.  Remember one of the most well known bible verses:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one  and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  – John 3:16 (NIV)

Talk about grace, a holy God who became flesh to save His people from their sins!  By the very definition of grace, we have been graced by God’s presence in our daily lives since that Holy night in Bethlehem.  Jesus is our advocate to the Father.  Check out what the bible says…

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”  – 1 John 2:1 (NIV)

In order for this to fully work, we must accept and acknowledge the presence of God, and not just in private.  While God may be the only one able to read into the true intentions of our hearts, Jesus, our advocate, is pretty clear on what the “terms and conditions” are for receiving Jesus as an advocate, look at what Jesus said in the book of Matthew:

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”  – Matthew 10:32-33(NIV)

It’s pretty simple, acknowledge Jesus to others, and He will advocate for us to God, that when we sin, which trust me, we will all sin; your pastor, your parents, your children, everybody (thanks to the sin nature brought about in the garden of Eden by Adam and Eve); we have God’s only son standing and working to help us.  Jesus knew what it was like to be tempted by sin, and to not fall to sin, where we have failed.  Yet though our advocate, we experience grace, never ending grace.

God is an awesome God who loves us, shows us daily grace, and helps us overcome the world, including the hurts, habits,and hang ups that we occasionally struggle with.  I am very grateful for the grace that has been bestowed upon myself and my brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you are suffering through an addiction, or have had your live affected by someone with an addiction, take the next step.  Turn to the almighty God.  Give your life to Christ so you may find healing from these hurts, habits, and hang ups.  He is the way, the truth, and the life, and if you are looking for a change in your life, try aligning your life to that of the Creators.

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” – Proverbs 14:27 (NIV)

 

Doorway to Recovery on Ephesians 5:18

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Doorway to Recovery is now a faith based program.  While we do not force anybody to believe anything, but we promote healing and recovery through the power of Jesus Christ, and encourage and love others the way Christ instructs us to love each other.  With that being said, I would like to talk today about Ephesians 5:18, which definitely offers a straightforward solution to those struggling with alcoholism.  Let’s take a look at what exactly it says…

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,”
Ephesians 5:18
N.A.S.B.
(OTHER TRANSLATIONS)

Before we get into this, let’s get ourselves into the context of Ephesians.  Paul is in prison, sometime between 60-62 A.D.  This book was written to encourage believers to walk the walk that Christians are called to walk…

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
Ephesians 5:1-2

Imitators of God… What is so special about this?  I can certainly remember a time when I was an imitator of man… in all man’s sinful ways.  Sin had an appeal to it, and I was hooked.  That is before God’s great grace came into my life and rescued me from that past life.  I am not saying that I’m not tempted to imitate man, nor am I saying that I do not attempt to do so from time to time, but what I am saying is that I know the difference today.  Paul Continues to go deeper into this topic:

“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Ephesians 5:3-5

Ouch!  That really hits hard!  Paul really convicts when he writes!  God is truly our redeemer and how many times have we done, said, or acted things that do not show God’s presence in us?  I am not speaking for anyone else but myself, but I do have a feeling that I’m not the only one who feels this way.

“Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are the Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”
Ephesians 5:7-13

It just keeps convicting me, in myself, and in the process of helping others through their recovery journey.  Quite often men and women who have been living in active addictions do things that are described as “unfruitful deeds of darkness” Ephesians 5:11  It is our job, first as Christians, but secondly as family, friends, and of course mentors, to expose these activities that are a hindrance not only to life itself, but the whole recovery process as well.  Recovery is a process that is thoroughly honest, and quite often deeds that are done by people in recovery are not thoroughly honest or righteous, and it is right for them to be brought to the surface, or to have a light shined on them.

Let’s get back to the central point of this blog…

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
Ephesians 5:15-21

Wow, those verses sum up the mission of Doorway to Recovery, and sum up the recovery process in general.  “Be careful how you walk” Ephesians 5:15 is similar to step 10 – continuing to take personal inventory, “…the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16 reminds me why Doorway to Recovery takes an active stance on keeping individuals busy, through work search, volunteering, and other activities; the days are truly evil, and it’s best to be occupied than to get caught victim of them.  And the most recovery focused verse says, “… do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18, and this is really straight forward that you may be filled with either wine (in the aspect of drunkenness) or with the Spirit, so why choose the one that takes away from your life… Choose the one that fills your life and brings good fruit.

Thank you very much for reading this.  If you have any comments, you are invited to do so below.  From Doorway to Recovery’s Office in Farmington Hills, MI, have a blessed day everybody!

For Loved Ones…

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Navigating the ways of the recovery community can be….. let’s just say, difficult.  There are so many wonderful people who work at great organizations designed to help any individual through the addiction recovery process, but lets face it, sometimes they can be a challenge to find.  If a loved one of yours is facing an addiction issue, here are some good steps that you can look into….  Please keep in mind that I am not a doctor, nor a medical professional, and these are opinions based off experience that I’ve had working with individuals in the recovery field.  Take no action off these opinions, but only off sound decisions that you research for yourself.  Of course, I need not say, The Doorway to Recovery, or the author of this blog assumes no liability for actions taken based off these opinions…

If you have a loved one who is dependent on a substance, whether it be a legal substance (alcohol), a prescribed controlled substance (xanax, suboxone, pain killers, stimulants, …etc…), or an illegal substance (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, …etc…) chances are you may not know where to turn.  First and foremost, remember that The Doorway to Recovery is always open to you and you loved ones, and we are just a phone call away (248-987-2696)…  We offer sober living homes for men and women in addiction recovery where our participants are able to live a life in recovery, stay clean/sober, maintain employment, and slowly transition from living a life in addiction to living a life in recovery…

This article is going to depict a typical path of recovery that you can suggest for a loved one… Of course if they don’t make the decision to get clean/sober on their own, any piece of the chain may not work….  An intervention can help with that.  The following steps are designed as a guide to someone who wants to get clean and sober…  Take a look…

1.) Detox – Many times an individual who is chemically dependent needs to be detoxed from the substance that they are using…   The detox process can often be painful, and will often require medical attention to make sure that the withdraw symptoms are handled properly and do not pose danger for the individual going through the detox…   It’s always best to have a doctor around for this. Many local institutions from hospitals to rehabilitation centers offer detoxification services.   Remember  – the detox process should be monitored in many cases to ensure the safety….  Detoxing from many substances, including alcohol, can cause serious repercussions that can be a danger to their well-being or even life; for this reason it is almost vital that an evaluation of the individual is done, to make sure they enter into the correct level of care.  For this, you may speak with any doctor, or for a stronger opinion – talk to somebody in the recovery field… An interventionist, a staff member at a recovery center, or a loved one who has successfully worked a recovery program from a similar substance.

2.) Impatient rehab – Quite often after one has detoxed from a substance, there is nothing to stop them from going back to using, other than a true and genuine desire to stop.  Many times, a residential inpatient program can help with that… sometimes known as “rehab”, it is a place where men and women are still near the medical staff, but they are also introduced to the recovery community.  This is done through education, therapy, group therapy, and other programs designed to break the cycle of addiction.  These programs can last as little as 2-3 days, but can go as long as a year…    These days, I’d say that the typical inpatient residential stay is 1-4 weeks.

3.a) Sober Living – When leaving an inpatient program, men and women are frequently tempted to use their substance of choice if they return to where they were living before, as a return to their old environment where using was a typical part of life is a very difficult challenge to face clean and sober.  They are in need of a structured program that will allow for them to grow in their recovery journey, and still seek help to address the issues that come up that threaten their recovery journey.  Many individuals will find a change of space into a sober living home, transitional housing, or halfway house to be beneficial.  Also, some individuals who do not go to an inpatient rehabilitation program find sober living beneficial when faced with struggles of staying clean and sober.   The Doorway to Recovery offers sober living homes for men and women throughout the Detroit Area.  The key to success for someone who stays at a sober living home is that they do not return to the familiar faces, places, and situations that had initially caused them to use drugs and/or drink alcohol in the first place….  Being around people who are sharing in similar struggles, and overcoming them is the key to the high success rate of a sober living program.  With that being added, the structure of housing and program rules can only add benefit to the stay.  Sober living homes often require that participants attend AA, NA, or Celebrate Recovery Meetings.  Drug and alcohol testing is important in this process to prevent relapse.  The Doorway to Recovery offers this – safe, structured, recovery based housing where men and women can live together, pulling each other along the journey of recovery.  Men and women are encouraged to stay at Doorway to Recovery for at least a year, so that they are able to see the changes that come throughout the seasons, that were normally blocked from the use of drugs and alcohol.  Sober living is almost a necessity for men and women who are truly committed to living a full recovery.

3.b) I.O.P./Therapy/Counseling – Drug and alcohol addiction runs hand and hand with mental illness.  Therapy and counseling are almost always vital to help in the continued process of recovery.  I.O.P. is a continued program for men and women who are going through a recovery program but either aren’t accepted into an inpatient residential program (sometimes due to insurance or other factors), or have completed an inpatient stay and would like to continue on a substance abuse focused recovery program.  There are I.O.P. Programs located throughout the area with many different methods of payment including insurance, financing, and payment plans.

3.c) Support Groups – Support groups are vital through the recovery process, and in the experience of the staff at The Doorway to Recovery, faith based support is the best way to go about the recovery journey.  Faith based recovery programs such as Celebrate Recovery, AA, or NA, use the twelve-steps as a pathway to finding peace with God, the one who brings about a full recovery from anything that anyone could be struggling with.  The twelve-steps are founded on the basic principle of getting support that is needed, growing spiritually, and in turn, helping others.  Doorway to Recovery feels so strongly about twelve-step recovery programs, that it is requirement for all participants to attend twelve-step recovery meetings on a regular basis, at least six per week in fact.  For a complete listing of Celebrate Recovery meetings in the area, visit www.celebraterecoverymichigan.org, for AA Meetings visit www.aa-semi.org, or for NA Meetings, visit www.michigan-na.org.

I hope that this blog has been able to help some of you who are looking help, either for yourself or for a loved one.  If you would like to know more about services that The Doorway to Recovery offers, or you have questions about how and where to begin the recovery journey, please do not hesitate to contact our office at any time.  Our staff would gladly point you in the right direction.  Remember, The Doorway to Recovery is always open to you!

Sincerely,

 

Ruben M. Carreri
Administrative Director and Intake Coordinator
The Doorway to Recovery Program and Services Inc.
33634 W Eight Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-987-2696 – Office
877-751-7925 – 24 Hours
Ruben.Carreri@thedoorwaytorecovery.org

General Information About Sober Living

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Hello World,

Many times while screening calls and answering questions, people will ask what is the purpose of a sober living home?  I can only tell you that sober living is the best decision you can ever make if you are coming out of a rehab, treatment center, or if you have been able to get some clean time together and are still looking for additional support through the process.  But first, by answering what a sober living home is not and what it is, you would be able to better understand what a sober living home is!

What It’s Not / What It Is:

A sober living home is not a place where men and women who are drug addicts or alcoholics go to live…. In order to get in, one must be in recovery, or trying their hardest to live a recovery lifestyle.  Sober living is for those who are looking for change in their lives.  In our sober living homes, anyone who uses drugs or alcohol while enrolled is discharged from the program.

A sober living home is not a detox facility or treatment center.  Many times people will be looking for help while they are still in the process of detoxing from drugs/alcohol.  Part of the intake process includes evaluating a potential client and seeing how they are physically.  If they still have drugs or alcohol in their system and are trying to get clean, a medical facility should be the first step… somewhere where there is medical professionals on staff who can supervise the detox process.  There are detox centers available to anybody, with or without insurance.  A sober living home like ours would be for someone who is already clean/sober, and looking to stay that way.

A sober living home is not where somebody goes to relax and lounge around.  The effective structures of a sober living home keeps an individual engaged in working a strong recovery program, and continuing to take the next right step towards a life free of drugs and alcohol.  Our program requires that men and women find and maintain employment, attend twelve-step meetings of their choice, adhere to curfews and wake-up times, and work with a sponsor.

In Summary:

When you are choosing a sober living home for yourself or a loved one, make sure you evaluate the program’s structure.   Here at The Doorway to Recovery, we have a solid, trusted sober living structure that encompasses all areas of recovery.  Our structure has helped many people over the years, and can help you or your loved one too!  Call our office at any time to do a phone interview or schedule an intake.  I’d love to speak with you!

 

Ruben Carreri
Intake Coordinator / Administrative Director

248-987-2696 – Main Office
877-751-7925 – 24 Hour Help Line
33634 West Eight Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
www.thedoorwaytorecovery.org

“The Doorway to Recovery is always open to you!”

In Memory of Robert (Bob) Shepherd

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Bob was a great guy and one of the most animated people you would ever meet.  His personality was very unique and outgoing and he was never afraid to share what was on his mind.  Bob came to Doorway to Recovery and while he was in our program it was great to be able to see him change and grow.  Bob immediately clicked with others who were in recovery around him and brought laughs to many people.

When we found out Bob had passed away, it brought the good memories of Bob to the front of all our staff’s minds….  When he came in, his no-frills attitude, his kind generous heart.  Bob was a great guy and will be missed.

All of the staff at Doorway to Recovery would like to thank Shannon Hiatt and Southwest Airlines for their generous donation in memory of Bob Shepherd.  These funds will be used for continuing DTR’s Life Recovery Program to be able to reach more people like Bob and help get them out of the grips of addiction.

Thank you again.

Woodside Men’s Retreat

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This past weekend, some of the Men from The Doorway to Recovery took a trip to Timber Wolf Lake for Woodside Bible Church’s Men’s Retreat. The annual Woodside Men’s Retreat was an amazing trip filled with great times and even better people. Check out some of the pictures below.

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