When Dan* left his home to come to MARR for treatment, he left a wife, two adolescent children and all the pressures of a once thriving business that had suffered through his addiction.While at MARR Dan experienced many things. He identified and dealt with areas of his life that had been affected by his addiction. He addressed his attitudes, belief systems, emotions, spirituality, and relationships and then identified his response to those triggers that perpetuated his addiction. Through new relationships established within the therapeutic community, Dan learned to deal with his feelings openly, honestly and responsibly. He began to recognize and share emotions with his community members as well as challenge the motivations behind his own behavior. He even became willing to accept feedback without defensively holding on to old perceptions.
After primary treatment, Dan returned home with the challenge to continue his life of recovery along with the responsibilities of work and family. He actively participated in daily recovery management and continued to utilize the tools he acquired at MARR in order to sustain a healthy life in sobriety. As with any chronic illness, Dan’s new life required vigilance and daily participation in the disciplines of recovery.
We would like for that to be the end of the story, but it’s not reality.So, what happens when that vigilance wanes; when other responsibilities of daily life begin to take priority; when the day at work or at home was too long and tiring to go to a meeting or to call their sponsor? These changes in behavior, thoughts, and feelings may be warning signs that indicate ongoing recovery may be in trouble. Relapse is a process with no set progression but does have warning signs that are evident before the first drink or drug use.
Renewal Week addresses these changes.
MARR recognizes addiction as a chronic disease and that relapse is possible without a daily commitment to the disciplines of recovery. There are times when this commitment erodes and old attitudes, thoughts and behaviors may begin to reappear. MARR introduces Renewal Week as an additional source of support to our alumni during this critical time.Renewal Week is not a substitute for treatment. It is an intense, concentrated program within the structure of our therapeutic community. By design, Renewal Week addresses the warning signs of relapse before the first drink or drug use.
During Renewal Week, alumni “step back” from their current crisis and return to MARR. While living in one of the therapeutic communities for one week, the alumnus will participate in community living and attend all scheduled groups and activities.They will also be assigned an individual therapist to work with them to evaluate their current relapse prevention plan and make appropriate modifications allowing them to correct the “stinking thinking” before physical relapse occurs.
Thirty-five years ago MARR began providing addiction treatment and maintaining long-term relationships in recovery with our clients.Our treatment program and philosophy is reflected in our mission to bring lasting, total recovery to those we serve. Primary treatment provides the opportunity to learn the language and develop the tools necessary for long-term recovery. This is just the beginning, however, of a lifelong process that requires a total commitment to incorporate those tools into a way of living. In this new lifestyle, the client assumes responsibility for their mental physical and spiritual wellbeing. MARR is offering Renewal Week in our commitment to continue to provide the needed support for our clients in their journey in long-term recovery. Renewal Week is available at no charge so MARR alumni might re-engage in healthy recovery.
Alumni who have successfully completed the Intensive Residential Program and are experiencing difficulty maintaining the disciplines of recovery should contact the Assessment Team at MARR to determine if the Renewal Week is appropriate for them.
MARR recognizes that there may be circumstances when a brief structured approach is needed to regain balance. This is the purpose of Renewal Week. Unhealthy changes in attitudes and behavior may have developed, but THERE IS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO TAKING THAT FIRST DRINK OR DRUG.
MARR Assessment Team
2815 Clearview Place
Doraville, Georgia 30340
Direct Line: 678-805-5131
