The Cabin Newsletter Issue 5: October

The Cabin Newsletter Issue 5: October - December 2014

3FYI
		How do Food Addicts Abstain from Food?

1Alumni Update

Past Clients Share their Recovery Progress

Blog

Will the Stigma of Addiction Prevent this Much Needed Rehab from Being Built?

Greetings from The Cabin

It seems like in the blink of an eye we have arrived in the fourth and last quarter of the year. And an eventful one it has been so far – and there’s always more to do when it comes to increasing society’s awareness of addiction issues and improving standards within our treatment community – so that more addiction sufferers have a chance at a better life.

Toward this objective, we have been sharing knowledge with our peers across Asia and the Middle East with some positive outcomes that we hope to share with you soon. While here in Chiang Mai, we have enhanced our service by including treatment for co-occurring trauma disorders such as PTSD, which is a common diagnosis in addicts.

In terms of awareness – we try to deliver the latest and most useful information to you through this newsletter, our videos, blogs, infographics and social media platforms – and we welcome comments and suggestions to better this service. Please email us at:newsletter@thecabinchiangmai.com

The Cabin Team

FOCUS: Compulsive sexuality is a manifestation of the disease of addiction

by Alastair Mordey, Programme Director at The Cabin Chiang Mai

Compulsive sexuality failed to make it into the new edition of the DSM (the psychiatrists’ bible) in 2013, despite significant attempts by many heavyweight experts in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and medicine to have it included alongside problematic gambling – as an addictive disorder. This leaves compulsive sexuality in a no-man’s land of clinical diagnosis. People who clearly have a significant problem with controlling their sexual behaviour are still officially – not ill – merely misguided, or perhaps suffering from some other illness which makes them excessively sexual.

The problem with this is the very large number of professionals who are dealing with sexually compulsive clients, know full well that it is a distinct disorder in its own right – and to be more accurate – a recognisable manifestation of a recognised illness – addiction. Read more

In the Spotlight		Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment now available at The Cabin
		Since trauma disorders often co-occur with addiction – in fact, it has been recorded that over 50% of those seeking treatment for addiction meet the criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD – The Cabin has augmented its services to offer treatment for both. Besides hiring new therapists who specialise in trauma therapy, many of our current clinical staff enrolled in further training to become certified EMDR therapists. EMDR Therapy is widely recognized as having Level 1 evidence for its clinical efficacy in the treatment of PTSD. Learn more about PTSD and how we treat it at The Cabin Watch how Burmese Saffron Revolution Leader Ashim Gambira has benefitted from PTSD treatment.

The Cabin Highlights

Our clinical team was once again delighted to share their treatment know-how with the Thai government authorities. While the rest of The Cabin staff were only too glad to ensure that our clients had fun at our monthly parties.

Thai Corrections Department visit 8th September, 2014: The Cabin hosted a facility visit for a group of officials from the Thai Juvenile Observation and Protection Department, Ministry of Justice, who wished to consult us on the most effective treatment approach to use with addicted youngsters.
It began with a presentation by Cabin Programme Director, Alastair Mordey about the disease of addiction, the prevalent types of addiction amongst Thai youth and how it is effectively treated in the West with psychotherapy. The session was followed with a tour of The Cabin’s facilities. Later the officials – who expressed great interest in The Cabin’s version of the 12 Steps method - said they would adapt what they had learned during their visit to help the addicted children in their care.

Client parties Some pictures from our monthly, themed client parties – which are looked forward to by both clients and staff.

Mark your Calendar

October 13 -14
Indonesia Roadshow
One-on-one Meetings with Programme Director Alastair Mordey
Cities: Jakarta

October 15-16
International Drug Prevention & Rehabilitation Conference – PREVENT 2014, Malaysia
Venue: Islamic Science University of Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan
Topic: CBT/3 Circles for Internet Addiction
Speaker: Programme Director Alastair Mordey

December 12 -14
World Psychiatric Association Congress 2014 – Hong Kong
Venue: Hong Kong Convention& Exhibition Centre
Topic: A combined Three Circle/CBT Approach to the Treatment of Dual Diagnosis in Inpatient Rehabilitation
Speaker: Programme Director Alastair Mordey

For more information or to attend any of these events email:meetings@thecabinchiangmai.com
bg calendar

	Around Chiang Mai with The Cabin - Whitewater rafting In Chiang Mai there are always an abundance of fun activities to do no matter what the weather is like – and in the rainy season, which lasts from August to October – nothing beats whitewater rafting. The excess rains swell the rivers – transforming them into seething whitewater that pushes its way out of the mountainous tropical rainforests surrounding Chiang Mai. And what better way for our clients to get a pure adrenalin rush than surfing these raging rapids on a rubber raft. Read more

Alumni Update - past clients share their recovery progress

Even though some 1000 clients have successfully completed treatment with us since we began operations in 2009, we still keep in touch with all of them and follow their progress – both through The Cabin’s Online Video Aftercare Programme and, more informally, through the personal relationships that our counsellors have built with many of their clients. When a client leaves The Cabin they are just embarking on their journey of recovery, certain to be filled with challenges and temptations as they begin their new life back home. Here we’d like to share some updates from our alumni.

Deepak, Calcutta, Graduated Jan 2012
I am happy to report my continuing recovery and normal life. I was actually sober for 21 years before I relapsed in 2011 and drank for some 18 months – before coming to The Cabin 2011 Dec/2012Jan for treatment, which went wonderfully well. I am still in touch with most of the counsellors and it’s amazing how this life has changed for betterment. Read more

Erica, Perth, Graduated May 2014
Today I am happy to say that I am 103 days sober and very grateful to The Cabin team and the AA Fellowship. It has certainly been a challenging and interesting journey since I left The Cabin. After feeling quite shell shocked and raw when I first came back, I knew I needed to be in action and implement the suggested things I learned at The Cabin to give myself the best shot I could at recovery. Read more

Jarrod, Melbourne, Graduated April 2014
Since my graduation from the Cabin in April I have found that a whole new way of life has unfolded in front of me. Previously, I had thought that escaping through drugs and alcohol was the answer – now I have found that using the tools learnt at The Cabin, as well as the support from fellow graduates and other support groups not only helps me resolves life’s problems quicker but also opens up a lot more options to move forward. Read more

Matt, Perth, Graduated Oct 2013
I returned to the cabin on the 12th of August 2013 after completing 6 weeks of treatment earlier in January. I had relapsed and I knew I had to give it another shot as I had lived in sobriety previously and wanted that life back. Read more

Steve, Oxford, Graduated Nov 2013
I have now been clean for just over 8 months and feel fantastic. I must admit the first 6 months were a little tricky but I stayed close to the AA program and (against my natural instinct) sought much support. Yes, it is very much a day at a time and so I stay close to AA Meetings – about 3–6 a week and then most days are covered by a bit of serenity and identification anyway. Read more

Chris, Sydney, Graduated April 2014
I am 123 days clean and sober as of today :)
I did the expected things in recovery – 90 meetings in 90 days! I received a sponsor and was always aware of slippery behaviours! I have taken a service position in AA by setting up the meeting with banners and books and coffee and tea and will be chairing the meeting soon! Read more

	Peer support is an extremely important part of the recovery process – if you’d like to share your progress with us and your Cabin Class write to us at newsletter@thecabinchiangmai.com or email your counsellor.