Drug and alcohol addiction are chronic diseases, so it is imperative they are treated as such. For most people suffering from addiction, detoxification and inpatient rehab provides a great start to achieving sobriety and beginning the path to lifelong recovery. Inpatient rehab is a very important first step in treatment that allows a complete focus on safe withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, education on the disease of addiction and the development of strategies to continue in ongoing recovery.

A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. If you have — or think you might have — a mental illness, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. However:

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
• 1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24

A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too. Here are examples of mental health disorders or conditions common today:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – ADHD is a developmental disorder defined by inattention (trouble staying on task, listening); disorganization (losing materials); and hyperactivity-impulsivity (fidgeting, difficulty staying seated or waiting).

Bipolar Disorder – causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. Individuals with this disorder experience extreme high and low moods, known as mania and depression. Some people can be symptom-free for many years between episodes.

Borderline Personality Disorder – BPD is characterized by a pattern of instability in emotions (commonly referred to as dysregulation), interpersonal relationships, and self-image. Individuals with BPD can also struggle with impulsivity and self-harm.

Depression – a mental health condition that involves recurrent and severe changes in mood, motivation, and thought processes that last for more than a minimum of two weeks. These changes in thought processes typically include negative thoughts, doubt, and hopelessness. Depression can also affect and individuals sleep, energy level, appetite, or weight.

Dissociative Disorders – frequently associated with trauma, dissociative disorders disrupt every area of psychological functioning including: consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, motor control and behavior.

Eating Disorders – characterized by the intentional changing of food consumption to the point where physical health and social behaviors are severely affected.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – a disorder that involves persistent, repetitive behaviors, and intrusive thoughts or obsessions by an individual. So much so, that the individual often feels driven to perform (compulsions) in response to the persistent thoughts.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – also referred to as PTSD, it is a disorder that involves a set of physiological and psychological responses, that most often occur in people with unfortunate experiences. For example, individuals that have experienced a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, rape or abuse, war/combat or somethig similar.

Psychosis – characterized as disruptions to a person’s thoughts and perceptions that make it difficult for them to recognize what is real and what is not.

Schizoaffective Disorder – a disorder that involves symptoms of schizophrenia, such as; hallucinations, delusions, symptoms of mood disorder, and depressive or manic episodes.

Schizophrenia – a mental health condition that interferes with an individual’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, relate to others, and make decisions. It can also cause an individual to lose touch with reality, often by hallucinations and delusions.

None of this means that you’re broken or that you, or your family, did something “wrong.” Mental illness is no one’s fault. And for many people, recovery — including meaningful roles in social life, school and work — is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process. Seeking an Austin Inpatient Mental Health Center as soon as possible is the best option for those suffering. Living outside distractions and fully immerses them in the process of getting well. Recovery Centers of America’s comprehensive approach in our inpatient facilities provides 24/7 medical supervision, clinical treatments, spiritual, education, family and other services to effectively heal the physical, mental and emotional damage caused by addiction.

What To Expect At An Austin Inpatient Mental Health Center

During your stay at an Austin inpatient mental health center, patients who are dependent on drugs or alcohol typically start with a medical detoxification process through which we work to detox the body from drugs and alcohol in a safe, comfortable manner. Ongoing residential or inpatient care then provides a structured environment centered around individual, group, and families as well as educational, art and music sessions, recovery/12-step activities, and community sessions. Patients also receive psychiatric, nutritional, spiritual and other services when needed. These sessions are administered by a highly qualified team including masters-level clinicians, therapists, social workers, case managers, medical professionals such as nurses, nurse practitioners and doctors.

BridgeWay is known in the community as an Upscale Sober Living Home with a hands on and engaged staff. It’s also the only Sober Living located in Downtown/South Austin in the Heart of the city. Our homes are researched for their location to create a feeling of comfort and serenity, cultivating a healing space to give our residents. Once you arrive on the property, feel the peace and sense of a retreat. To welcome, nurture and care for individuals and families on their healing journey to recovery, empowering their restoration & transformation from addiction through providing programs that heal the Whole Self, from a shame core to a love core, cultivating meaningful human connection, intimacy and purposeful living.

Sober living houses are also called sober homes and sober living environments, are facilities that provide safe housing and supportive, structured living conditions for people exiting drug and alcohol rehab programs. Sober living homes serve as a transitional environment between such programs and mainstream society. Many sober living homes also accept people who are in recovery from substance abuse but have not recently completed a rehabilitation program.

At Bridgeway, we are passionate about sobriety. Our senior-level team has collectively 60+ years of sobriety. We believe in the capacity of people to change and transition. We provide additional holistic services and resources that other Sober Living environments do not. Whether our residents are continuing the work they’ve already done or are just beginning their spiritual journeys., we provide the support that this process requires.

The journey to continuous, lifelong sobriety doesn’t stop when you get out of rehab. Taking that first step—recognizing that you need help—shows your willingness to lead a healthier life. Typically, though, people from rehab facilities may have a hard time adjusting back to their daily lives. When you get back out, you may end up returning to a harmful living environment. There might be triggers, stressors, and temptations that may jeopardize your ability to stay sober or contribute to a relapse.

Fortunately, our Austin inpatient mental health centers main purpose is easing you back into normal life. Upscale sober living homes do not have the same level of structure or restrictiveness as inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Austin. They provide a safe environment that encourages the development of healthy coping skills and habits. By staying at a sober home, you are improving your chances of staying sober and living a healthier life.

Our “Thrive in Thirty” case management program is designed to offer added support during this critical adjustment period. Whether transitioning from a treatment center or institution, or seeking refuge from an unmanageable real-world situation, “Thrive In Thirty” offers invaluable structure and support that can reduce the risk of relapse, increase opportunities for financial freedom, and enhance the overall quality of life of our members.

What is “Thrive in Thirty”? And how does it work?

All members will attend weekly support groups run by the facilitator. This provides us with an opportunity to get to know our members on a more personal basis, while providing our members a chance to stay connected. Our group setting focuses primarily on five key areas: recovery support, job support, referral suggestions, educational support, and life skills. During our weekly groups all members are required to set goals, and identify actions steps that can be taken toward each goal.

Recovery Support: All members are required to work a program of recovery with a sponsor or mentor. Suggestions about how to find a sponsor, and meeting times and locations will be provided by the facilitator.

Referral Suggestions: Many of our members require additional attention from psychiatrists, doctors, outpatient programs. Omega will provide trusted referrals to any member in need of additional care.

Life Skills: During our weekly support groups our members will be learning to practice basic life skills, coping strategies, and clear communication.

Job Support: Omega offers job support and referrals to employers that we’ve developed relationships with. Jobs are not guaranteed, however, we do provide assistance with resumes, applications, and interviews.

Educational Support: If needed, Omega will provide information for GED programs, college course enrollment, and trade school enrollment.

Weekly Communication with Families: The facilitator will be providing weekly check-ins with families and loved ones to share areas of growth, discuss areas of concern, and share weekly progress notes. Families should expect at least one 10-15 minute phone call per week.

Our Structure Set In Place At BridgeWay Sober Living

People come to BridgeWay Sober Living at different stages in their recovery with different needs. For those reasons we have created a multi-level system to meet the client where they are in their recovery. It’s important to understand that all of our clients are enrolled in our case management program for their first 30 days.

• Attend four recovery meetings per week
• Find a sponsor in the first week and work a recovery program
• Find a weekly service commitment
• Find employment, enroll in school or obtain a volunteer position in the first 30 days
• Attend all house meetings
• Keep personal area neat and clean up after self in kitchen area

Morning Requirements:

• Weekdays: up, bed made, daily chore done by 10:00 am
• Weekends: up, bed made, daily chore done by 12:00 pm

House Visitor Hours:

• Weekdays: 4:00 to 9:00 pm
• Weekends: 2:00 to 9:00 pm

Overnight Passes:

• First month: no overnight passes
• Second month: one overnight pass per week
• Third month: two overnight passes per week

Curfew:

• First month: 10:00 pm
• After first month: 12:00 am

Our homes are ideal for individuals who want more out of life, who truly want to heal, recover and want to experience the happiness, joy and freedom they know is possible. Some of our residents have used words such as feeling stuck, trapped, depressed, angry, numb, just surviving or living through the motions. Many of our residents come into our homes after attending long term treatment care and just need a healthy environment to work their after care program, others have been sober a long time and enjoy the healthy community living aspect that BridgeWay provides. After leaving BridgeWay, our residents leave with a renewed sense of life, joy, happiness and most of all – Self Love. We believe that until we can truly love ourselves, we can’t love our Higher Power or anyone else.

With top medical professionals, evidence-based treatment, and a full continuum of care, you can rest assured you and your loved ones are receiving the best treatment available at our Austin Inpatient Mental Health Center. Contact Bridgeway Sober Living for more information. We can be reach by phone at (512) 598-4875 or feel free to send us an e-mail at: intake@bridgewaysoberliving.com