Flexibility and choice are the cornerstones of our Integrative Approach. We recognize that people with alcohol and drug abuse problems are not all alike and that no single treatment approach or recovery program works best for everyone. The fact is, there are many different pathways to successful recovery and a combination of individually-tailored strategies often produces the best results. Our Integrative Approach focuses on doing "what works" and on fitting the treatment to the patient, not vice versa.

As described in Dr. Washton's recent book, this approach blends together some of the most effective treatment strategies available in the addiction field today.

These include:

• Motivation-enhancement techniques designed to engage clients in the process of change and to enhance their motivation and readiness to take definitive action.
• Cognitive-behavioral techniques designed to help clients identify, anticipate, and avoid/manage triggers for substance use and other compulsive behaviors; and, to develop more effective coping and problem-solving skills.
• Relapse prevention strategies designed to short circuit the relapse process before it leads back to substance use and to prevent a temporary slip or lapse from escalating into a full-blown relapse.
• 12-Step facilitation strategies designed to educate clients about the advantages and limitations of AA and other 12-step programs, dispel common myths about these programs, and reduce barriers to potential involvement.
• Psychodynamic (insight-oriented) therapy techniques designed to help clients identify and work through underlying emotional and psychological issues to enhance their quality of life, reduce their desire to self-medicate with alcohol/drugs or other addictive behaviors, and prevent relapse over the long term.
• Pharmacological interventions - when needed, we refer our clients to consulting psychiatrists or addiction medicine physicians who can prescribe safe and effective medications to help ease physical withdrawal, alleviate psychiatric symptoms, and reduce relapse potential.