Hope ADHD Focused Program

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The primary characteristic of ADHD is a lack of focus, impulse control and reward seeking behaviors, which increases the likelihood of developing addiction issues.

ADHD and Addiction Treatment

At Hope Rehab in Thailand, we understand that (ADHD) Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder is a common issue for many of our clients and they often seek help for both ADHD and addiction. It can be a vicious cycle or ‘chicken and egg situation’ as they say – especially if medicated on stimulants for years. Some clients then find a need to counterbalance using other substances like alcohol. Whatever the addiction, it is made all the tougher to overcome together with ADHD.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a dopamine-based brain condition much like addiction. Put simply, it effects the brains reward pathways and chemistry responsible for experiencing pleasure. ADHD is categorized as a learning disability dues to its impact on development.

To treat ADHD it is important to recognize the symptoms….

Boredom
Zoning out
Fidgeting and restlness
Low self-worth
Easily distracted
Procrastination
Time management issues
Memory problems and forgetfulness
Seeking instant gratification
Trouble focusing on routine tasks
Difficulties learning
Trouble following instructions

Feeling Overwhelmed
Not completing commitments
The need for stimulation
Difficulty paying attention
Compuslive behaviour
Poor emotional regulation
Depression and anxiety
Compulsive behaviour.
Low motivation
Anger issues
Low stress tolerance
Feeling lost

ADHD and Substance Issues (Self-Medicating)

The primary characteristic of ADHD is a lack of focus, impulse control and reward seeking behaviors, which increases the likelihood of developing addiction issues. Many sufferers are also self-medicating the ADHD or the imbalance caused by prescribed medications. This then leads to substance abuse and addiction.

ADHD affects the individual who has it and their family. Many people feel confused, overwhelmed, and concerned about their loved one’s behavior. This is especially when medication alone does not provide a solution and even becomes part of the problem.

Thailand: A Change of Environment

The right environment and location can make a huge difference to your treatment and recovery. Hope is located only 45 minutes from Bangkok International Airport (BKK) so easily accessed by our clients. We are in a picturesque part of Thailand with many natural resources nearby. Our location in Thailand is a gentle and spiritual place. Sriracha is the forgotten Jewel in the crown of Thailand. Because of its commercial ports it has been ignored by tourism – a blessing for us perched on the hill overlooking the ships moving in and out of the ‘Port of Siam’. An interesting sight for our clients, sitting on the terrace, watching the sun go down over the sea in the evening.

We offer a supportive community in a peaceful setting where you are given the space to begin healing and thinking about a new future in recovery. Our location is unlike any other in Thailand: it’s safe, surrounded by fresh Sea air and away from temptations.

Hope ADHD/Addiction Treatment Program

The goal is to help our clients understand themselves and develop a recovery program that helps them have a healthy life free of substance abuse. Our program also builds discipline and instils a strong sense of purpose and meaning. The treatment program includes a stable daily schedule, combining therapy and group sessions, coaching and physical activity. These skills can later be transferred into work, education, and life generally.

The Hope ADHD management program takes a robust therapeutic approach to lifestyle change. There are 4 main program pillars, individual therapy, Groupwork, Mindfulness meditation and fitness.

Fitness classes and group activities are an important component of the Hope program. It is long understood that regular exercise aids recovery and mental health. Acting as a natural anti-anxiety and anti-depressant. There are many other benefits for health and quality of life. Regular fitness and physical activities also help with ADHD symptoms, such as mood, teaches behavioral control, sharpens the mind and improves focus.

Evidence-based therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Counselling and goal setting
Groupwork program
Structured daily routines
Physical fitness activities
Mindfulness meditation practices
Sober coaching and relapse prevention
Addiction recovery program

Hope ADHD Focused Program

PROGRAM: Weeks 1 & 2 ADHD and Addiction Treatment Plan

This is generally regarded as the introduction phase of treatment. Clients are given time to settle in. Some clients require a detox and some a few days to adjust to living in a community. This is when you will get to know your counsellor and agree your treatment plan and goals. Together with your counsellor you identify the assignments and activities you wish to focus on. Also at this stage…

Treatment goals
Identifying ADHD symptoms and triggers
Introuduction to mindfulness and coaching
Psychoeducational Groups - understand your issues
CBT
Thai massage therapy
Fitness assessment
Bonding with the community

PROGRAM: Weeks 3 & 4 ADHD and Addiction Counselling

This is very much the action stage of treatment. After integrating into the community and starting the therapeutic process, it is time to complete the assignments set by your counsellor. Daily groupwork will start to take effect after building trust and sharing. Now it is time to learn the tools to manage the effects of ADHD. By this time you will also start…

Individual counselling
Regular check-ins
Life story and timeline
Recovery assignment work
Mindfulness groups and practice
Fitness and Yoga classes
Offsite excursions

PROGRAM: Weeks 4 plus + Extended Therapy

Advanced treatment program and recovery maintenance stage. Recovery is now well under way and you start making progress and plans. Exploring self-lead recovery and setting a positive example to others in group and the community.

Processing issues with counsellor
Group process
Exposure therapy
Family involvement
Leadership and self-guided recovery
Using ADHD management tools
Community role model

Hope ADHD Focus Program

The Hope program is built on the foundational concept that together we are stronger. Being part of a community provides support, encouragement, inspiration, and shared knowledge. Groupwork is where we work as a team as we strive towards a common goal.

Hope Groupwork program Benefits in brief

Share powerful experiences with others
Personal growth through relationships in the community
Time-management using the Hope program timetable
Communication styles in the outside group
Emotional resilience and tolerance living in a community
Healthy habits, routines, and rituals
Anger management
Confidence and leadership role in group
A supportive community and environment
Opportunities to build meaningful friendships
Discover new interests

There are 4 main program pillars: individual therapy, groupwork, mindfulness meditation and fitness.

Counselling

Counselling is another key element of the Hope program. This relationship is based on trust. It means you get to talk about things without fear of being judged or rejected. The goal of these sessions is to help you achieve your treatment goals. This requires focusing on anything that might be getting in the way of this (e.g. trauma, guilt, denial, or resentment).

Hope individual Counselling benefits in brief:

Goal setting and break goals into manageable steps improve decision-making
Therapeutic assignments set and processed
Develop accountability and responsibility for behaviors
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) understand how thinking patterns affect behavior
Recognize distraction triggers and impulse control
Learn problem-solving skills
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) to encourage change and motivation
Sleep stabilization helps with energy levels
Digital or environmental distraction control
Behavior and Sober Coaching

Mindfulness/Meditation

Those of us with a history of ADHD might be concerned that meditation/mindfulness is beyond us. Perhaps we tried it in the past and found that thoughts just wouldn’t calm down. But this might be like going to the gym for the first time and deciding we are no good at it because we can’t lift the heaviest weights. It is often those of us with ADHD that could most benefit from meditation/mindfulness.

One of the skills we develop in meditation is concentration. Most people say that ADHD means you can’t concentrate, but this is not strictly true. Those of us with the condition can focus perfectly well on things we are interested in. It is just that we become distracted or lose interest easily. Meditation can teach us how to sustain our concentration for longer.

At Hope we understand the important of evidence. One of the things we do as part of the mindfulness program is monitor improvements in concentration. We do this using mala beads where each bead represents one in-breath and out-breath. We challenge ourselves to see how many beads we can go before we get distracted. As the weeks go by, we start to see visible proof of improvements in concentration as we manage to stay longer with the beads.

Mindfulness and mental focus training at Hope in brief:

Meditation groups
Quietening the monkey mind
Grounding techniques
Mala beads to track concertation improvements
Breathing exercises
Mindfulness coaching
Stress management techniques
Appreciating our environment (mindful looking)
Somatic awareness

Physical Activity

Physical activity is great for mind and body. It also helps to boost our self-esteem, energy levels, and motivation. Many of us arrive at rehab feeling like physical wrecks, but it doesn’t have to take long before we start to feel the benefit of exercise and healthy eating.

Physical Exercise Program at Hope in brief:

General fitness training
Gym and muscle workout
Hiking and walking
Muay Thai boxing
Cycling and other outdoor activities
Swimming
Yoga and stretching
Pilates and Tai Chi

Expectations and Treatment Outcomes

Please remember, Hope is not a hotel or resort, we are not even a retreat. We are a serious residential rehabilitation program. This means clients agree to participate in all our therapeutic activities and work on themselves. Hope has the highest success rate with clients who adopt our program and follow their counsellor’s advice. The more effort clients put into their recovery, the more they get out. Obviously the longer a client can afford to commit to treatment the better the outcome.

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