The module is Holistic, Voluntary, exclusive, individualized for Single client treatments and tailor-made for the same at a Destination of choice.
All primary therapeutic modalities are completed prior to lunch.
Aim - the individual experiences the freedom to decide when he/she sleeps or wakes up. Initiates and evolves self -discipline and responsibility.
The day begins with a Meditation lasting about 25minutes called the Kundalini for the morning ,which is a wake up meditation. Every meditation is active, cathartic and psychotherapeutic.
Aim – Slow the intensity, frequency and duration of thoughts. To enhance the practice of being in the present. To increase a state of awareness thereby not dwelling on the past or being apprehensive about the future. To release suppressed and repressed emotions and physical cellular memories of painful incidents of the past.
Through the meditative processes, the addictive patterns are made conscious and dealt with, the stubborn emotional memories and habitual patterns of thinking emoting and behaving that get stored in the body get released. Compassion towards self and self love develops and evolves.
Eg. Clients have shared that as a few weeks passed they experienced their thoughts slowing down. Any emotion that would in the past linger and trouble them dissipated quickly.
Observations - physical restlessness subsided. The ability to focus at any task at hand improved. Insight into one’s self and one’s emotions improved. Calmness surfaced.
This is followed by tea with the counselors which can go on to a Counselling session for over 2 hours at times.
Aim - Self - disclosure sharing through experiential counselors enables the client to identify with one’s own experiences and proves inspirational and motivational to do what it takes to not find the need to use.
I generally start my day between 5:30 am and 6:00 am. I’m able to comfortably go down and make a cup of coffee and bring it to my room where I am able to sit on the balcony and enjoy the morning coolness. Sometimes substituting the patio out front if there is another client awake.
After doing my first meditation (Kundalini) I’m able to sit with one of my counselors and share with him/her what's on my mind or anything that may be bothering me. Often it leads to some struggle that I have had in my past. Mornings are good for me, it seems to flow more smoothly. Also, other clients may be sharing as well and I get to relate to their experiences as well the counselors.
Aim - Understanding oneself in the light of one’s life and experiences away from the substance open up the individual to new experiences.
Audio Visual aides –Sharings regarding addiction or videos relevant to the topic, self-help, spiritual discourses etc.
Time and Duration - Completed before lunch, duration can vary as per the topic.
Aim - Identifying with one’s own life experiences while using, stimulates honest introspection of oneself. And initiates a desire for self-growth.
Introspective JournalingFormat of writing the perceived painful incident in detail and separately labeling the emotions felt during the incident and being aware where one is responsible in the process. Every writing session is followed by a short meditation comprising Indian Classical Instrumental music with periods of silence in between. This enables the emotions that have surfaced during the writing to settle without being suppressed or repressed again.
Apart from core individual issues, primary common issues of resentments and fears are dealt with. Sexuality, which, at most times is the most common reason for slips and relapses is dealt with very openly and healthily at Anatta.
Aim - Developing a detachment of the lingering emotions from the incident of the past leading to the development of new neural networks of perceiving, thinking and behaving, and assuming responsibility for one’s life .
The journey of self–discovery through honest writing though initially painful, becomes exciting and helps to identify the patterns of one's perceptions of life events and identifications with the persona after substance use. Acceptance of self surfaces. Identifications are broken and life is looked at, emotions experienced and dealt with realistically.
Eg. A client shared that due to the writing he changed so much, through a 180-degree internal transformation that he could not believe that he was that person whose experiences he had written about .
Soon after I would freshen up have to breakfast with everyone and begin my writing. I usually pick a spot where I am not disturbed, outdoors if aloud, and weather permits. Immediately followed by my second meditation (Art of Listening).
Usually around this time all are awake and doing their respective things and I have more time to sit and have some coffee and have a leisure conversation and/or more sharing may happen. Anytime between 9 am and 11 am a counselor will take me to the gym which is close by and may either join me or wait for me to do my workout or swim laps in the pool.
We would usually watch a video or 2 before lunch and discuss any relevant issues. I enjoy reading, so often I would read books recommended to me by the counselors.
After my morning routine we all have lunch together and enjoy each other’s company.
Entertainment On a daily level –
Going to the gym/ swimming as might be the choice are carried out. Sharing can happen over a game too.
Most clients would not rest in the afternoon .
Hence we could have sharing sessions on any particular topic which could go on to an impromptu Counselling session blended in.
The professional pool table would be where we would gather and play various games of pool. Indoor games or outdoor games like table tennis are also indulged in.
At around 4 pm the afternoon mediation of Nadhbrahma is facilitated. This especially aids in slowing the thoughts, relaxing the mind-body, establishing focus, raising awareness, and promoting calmness.
Around 4 pm we start our next meditation (Nadhbrahma) which lasts an hour and then have some free time to play billiards or table tennis. On occasions, one of the counselors may take us to a nearby mountain for a trek or hike.
The Evening meditation would be at around 7 pm for about a little over an hour. This particular one enhanced one’s awareness of the observer behind our actions. Hence, while dancing, watching a video, listening to music, following a guided meditation, being aware of the observer. In Addiction, this enabled one to become aware of the addictive thoughts, one’s patterns of perception and emoting.
This is followed by dinner which can be followed by a Karaoke session and or movie nights or games.
Our final (Evening meditation) concludes around 8 pm and we have a lovely dinner. We usually all agree on a movie to watch or we may do karaoke after our meal.
Three sessions are recommended. The method is Clinical Hypnotherapy based regression therapy.
Incidents that have been extremely painful emotions that have been repressed by the mind are brought to the conscious mind and dealt with in a safe, accepting environment.
Every client without exception, has benefitted from this therapy and has experienced a feeling of freedom from the weight of certain emotional experiences.
Yoga and PranayamaSpecific Yoga asanas and Pranayamas are individualized to each clients requirement and willingness.
The asanas enable one to balance the interior hormonal balance and circulatory harmony. The core muscles are toned better and strengthened. Recovery is faster from physical discomforts.
Breath correction techniques correct a lot of emotional imbalances too as most individuals do not breathe correctly. The breath and emotions are closely linked – one affects the other. Correcting the breath and watching it creates a sense of calm .
Eg - Clinical Observations – individuals who mouth breathe are always overtly anxious individuals who go into intense anxiety states easily, have paranoid traits, are suspicious and insecure.
[The Client’s perspective has not been given here as the above therapies have very subconscious and subjective experiences and results that cannot be explained.]
Meals out, movies, treks, shopping are all included.
A Long-term residential client, once he reached month 3 depending on the progress he has made therapeutically, would be allowed to go out on his own given a car, money to go to the mall, movies, meals, shopping, etc. If there were any challenges he/she faced, the conducive environment of the counselors were always present back at the facility to guide them.
This freedom and trust might not be soon available to the client once he goes back home.
Aim - This is to break the associations between using and fun. Also to develop skills of socializing, decision making, responsible use of freedom, learn to face failure and succeed again. Experiencing and living joyful and fun-filled moments created the confidence that one can be happy and totally enjoy activities without resorting to a “high”
This is the true output on behalf of the client- wherein he/she could truly experience being on one’s own without someone to watch over. This builds confidence and trust in oneself and the experience of simple pleasures of life of what might appear simple to others, without finding the need to use.Eg - Clients have shared that going out on a picnic without a case of alcohol in the boot was unimaginable earlier
Another client shared that not smoking a joint before and after a movie felt strange.
Singing karaoke without alcohol was inconceivable to many.
Clients have also shared being daunted, what will I do alone? But experiencing the same would always take them a step ahead in building self-confidence and experience to stay sober .
Maybe once or twice a week we may go out to the mall to do some shopping and have a meal or 2 out or even see a movie.