Recovery Circle: A home for ‘addicts’

If your child gets a lump on his head, you’d bring him immediately to see the doctor, so why wouldn’t you do the same for a family member who is chemically dependent?" Carlos Cass Syyap, Recovery Circle Foundation (RCF) clinical director, remarks. "We at Recovery Circle view chemical dependency as a disease. Healing is centered on helping the patient overcome this debilitating disease. The focus is not so much on correcting the negative behavior as on conquering the cause."

If you suspect that a family member might be chemically dependent, the first thing you can do is to check if there is anyone else in the family who suffers from the disease. "There is a genetic pre-disposition," Syyap explains, "just like cancer or diabetes."

Usually, the first signs appear during the adolescent years. "For most teenagers, this is a time of experimentation," Milagros Capistrano, executive director of the Recovery Circle Foundation, interjects.

The "big five" addictions or dependencies are chemical dependency to drugs or alcohol, gambling, sex and food. "Lately, dependency to technology, like video games, and even shopping, have also been recognized," Syyap adds. The experimentation phase may be temporary and the individual outgrows it and eventually moves on. Or a problem may arise during experimentation and consequently, the individual decides to discontinue the negative behavior. But it can also happen that despite the problems that arise, the individual still continues with the negative behavior.

"It is at this point that he becomes dependent," Syyap explains, "when the behavior results in negative consequences and yet, he still continues." The abuser has become addicted. "The politically correct term is dependent‚ since addict‚ is a shame-based label," says Syyap who is a psychotherapist by training, with a master’s degree in addiction counseling from the Hazelden Institute in Minnesota.

"Dependency goes through the same stages as a relationship that did not work out," Syyap observes. "First is the honeymoon stage when your dependency gives you a high. At maturity, you begin to experience some negative consequences but you continue to have a good time. At the stage of decline, you experience less good time and more negative consequences. At the stage of betrayal, you bottom out. There is no more good time. It has become a disease."

"You will notice that the family member suffering from the disease starts to have difficulty in handling day-to-day tasks," Syyap gives some tips. "He lacks coping skills."

He experiences ups and downs. He is unable to function or use his logic and common sense. The first to go and usually the last to return are the morals and values taught by parents and school. The chemically dependent learns to compromise his morals and values. He starts to lie and make excuses. Honesty and trust are lost."

"This is the red flag that you should watch out for," Syyap gives the advice.

"The tendency is for the responsible person to slip into denial because of the shame attached to dependency and addiction." It is often dismissed as just a phase that the family member is going through. The sense of guilt on the part of the parents and the failure to give the needed guidance prevent them from taking timely action. The disease is mistakenly seen as a moral issue that requires moral punishment. And yet it is never too early to seek help and outside intervention.

"The will to change is best realized with proper guidance," Syyap points out. "This is how Recovery Circle’s program works, by helping the dependent help change himself. Such approach makes Recovery Circle different from other rehabilitation centers where the main objective is to simply detoxify and reform behavior. Our approach is patterned after the Minnesota Model that was pioneered by the Hazelden Foundation as a comprehensive model for addressing addictions. It believes in addiction as a disease and not a result of personal weakness or criminal tendencies. The dependent is viewed as a sensitive human being, capable of change when in the proper environment. He is treated with dignity and respect. Spiritual awakening is an important component of recovery and is integrated into a patient’s life through the 12 Steps modality."

The 45-day stay-in recovery program takes a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual therapies. The treatment takes place in a comfortable, home-like setting at the Alberione Oasis in the hills of Antipolo, Rizal. A typical day starts at 6 a.m. with prayer and meditation, followed by yoga for limbering as well as to promote serenity. After breakfast, time is given for personal grooming as well as chores such as cleaning their rooms. Then one-on-one counseling follows. After lunch come the group therapy, sharing of feelings and concerns. After siesta, there are lectures by counselors as well as alumni of the center, followed by peer interaction and recreation therapy such as sports, basketball or badminton, arts and crafts such as cross-stitching and egg decoration. Therapeutic and interactive assignments are given with focus on the psycho-spiritual. Dinner is at 7 p.m. followed by personal and study time, then prayer and meditation. Lights out at 10 p.m.

"The ratio of our staff to patient is 1 to 1 ," says Capistrano, who holds a professional diploma in family ministry (PDFM) from the Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM) at the Ateneo. "Because personal space and boundaries are highly respected, patients are either in single or twin rooms with private bathrooms. There are separate wings for male and female patients."

"After graduating from the residential program, our patients continue to grow and heal through the support of their families and support groups," adds Capistrano. "The families need to be involved. As co-dependents, they need to be educated and processed in order to help themselves deal with the effects of dependency as well as to gain insights on how to support the dependents in their recovery. The family education program helps make treatment a shared responsibility. It explores relationship issues common among families who live with or care about chemical dependents. The program is non-confrontational and provides participants with the skills to strengthen and build healthy relationships."

RCF has an active alumni outreach as well as educational programs. Talks are given on understanding addiction. "The problem is not the person but the addiction," Syyap reiterates.

It is important to understand how addiction works so that it is recognized for what it is and necessary action can be taken without hesitation or delay.

"When in doubt, there is no doubt," Syyap concludes.

* * *

For more information, call 912-7929 and 911-5934.