Treatment Philosophy

The 12-Step Model: A Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment and Recovery

At Hanley Center, treatment is based on the goals and spiritual principles of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Like 12-Step programs, Hanley Center approaches addiction treatment holistically, addressing the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of alcoholics and addicts.

Physically, the disease of addiction causes the body to become dependent on alcohol and drugs, which can lead to a lack of nutrition, fitness and a host of other unhealthy physical symptoms.

At Hanley Center, each patient will go through a period of medical detoxification if necessary and medical stabilization for health issues.

Mentally, addiction impairs the cognitive processes, resulting in a preoccupation with using, mental distortions, and defense mechanisms such as denial, minimizing, justifying and blaming.

To address patients’ mental well-being, we educate them about the disease, reframe cognitive distortions, and confront their defense mechanisms.

Emotionally, chemical dependency results in a decreased tolerance for emotional pain, mood swings, difficulty managing feelings and dealing with stress, avoiding, and stuffing or medicating feelings.

To confront their emotional issues, we help patients develop coping skills for dealing with stress and emotions in a healthy way, find safe places, and develop safe relationships to do the “emotional work” of recovery.

Socially, addiction results in interpersonal conflict, destruction of relationships, isolation and withdrawal of friends and family members, loneliness, and decreased involvement in activities that used to be enjoyable and meaningful.

At Hanley Center, we help patients reconnect with leisure activities, reintegrate with others, learn how to ask for help, take responsibility for themselves, make amends, and give back.

Spiritually, the disease of addiction results in a violation of values and morals, remorse, guilt, irrational fears, hopelessness and despair.

Our goal is to help patients identify a power greater than themselves and reconnect with the beauty of life, as well as develop gratitude and a sense of serenity and hope.