Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

At Tranquil Shores’ alcohol addiction treatment center in Tampa, Florida, we recognize your unique addiction story and understand the importance of a personalized treatment plan for long-term success in recovery.

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Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Millions of adults in the United States face the struggles of substance abuse on a daily basis. Alcohol dependency, as well as prescription and illegal drug addiction, can cause significant physical, emotional and financial harm to individuals and their families. Each year, the abuse of alcohol and drugs results in millions of emergency room visits and sadly hundreds of thousands of individuals suffer fatal consequences due to their addictions. While it may at times seem overwhelming, these struggles can be overcome.

The truth is that addiction is not a choice. It is a brain disorder that is influenced by environmental, biological and behavioral factors. Unfortunately, the challenges of addiction can be compounded by a number of other co-occurring mental illnesses. Anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder are only some of the additional obstacles that intersect with a substance abuse disorder. Thankfully, Tranquil Shores on the Gulf Coast of Florida can provide effective and customized treatment programs for those who wish to overcome these debilitating issues.

Accelerated resolution therapy is an innovative treatment option designed to help those suffering from a post traumatic stress disorder, however, it has also been successfully applied in treatment programs targeting a number of other issues including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance abuse. This treatment method is a brief yet effective form of exposure-based therapy that decreases an individual’s internal and external reactions to negative memories and thoughts. Over the course of two weeks, individuals will engage in limited therapy sessions that will attempt to provide swift and lasting resolutions.

We understand that living with a dual diagnosis is no easy feat for the millions that face a complexity of symptoms on a daily basis. To ensure each individual is receiving the best care and attention during their stay at Tranquil Shores, we maintain a 3-to-1 counselor-to-client ratio. We believe that this level of personalized treatment dramatically improves program efficiency.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a substance abuse disorder, know that you don’t need to face these struggles alone. Our Tampa-based facility can help you regain control of your life and move forward toward a happy and healthy future.

Call Tranquil Shores today to speak with a compassionate counselor and apply for admission to begin your journey to recovery.

Evidence-Based Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Accelerated resolution therapy is an exercise that uses visualization techniques and a combination of other therapeutic approaches to help an individual cope with and overcome re-experiencing the distress of their previous traumatic events. Although accelerated resolution therapy has only been in practice for a short amount of time, it has been successfully applied to treat individuals of all ages suffering from PTSD, addiction and other mental afflictions.

Many individuals report feeling a significant sense of relief after undergoing a minimal amount of accelerated resolution therapy sessions. Studies suggest that this therapy option effectively desensitizes an individual to their traumatic event rapidly without causing the individual to become trapped in these negative emotions or memories throughout and after the session. Accelerated resolution therapy offers individuals living with PTSD and other afflictions the opportunity to quickly and in many cases permanently resolve their trauma-related distress.

Why Accelerated Resolution Therapy is Used in Addiction Treatment

There are many reasons why an individual may unwillingly develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Risk factors that influence addiction include substance abuse during early developmental stages, environmental factors like family structure, social circles and quality of life and even a person’s unique biological makeup. Living through traumatic events, especially those experienced during key developmental years, has also been linked to substance abuse and dependence. The high comorbidity rate between PTSD and substance use disorders can present increased challenges to those addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Psychological trauma can manifest in many forms. It’s important to acknowledge that the definition of trauma may subjective from person to person. Because each individual processes the events of their lives in their own ways, what may be a manageable situation for one person may be considered a traumatic event for another. Ultimately, psychological trauma results from an event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to emotionally cope with the experience. Some forms of trauma may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Physical or sexual abuse or assault
  • Emotional or psychological abuse which includes neglect, grief, separation and bullying
  • Serious accidents or illnesses requiring medical intervention
  • Witnessing or being involved in personal or interpersonal violence, domestic violence, community violence, school violence or past regional traumas
  • Natural or manmade disasters
  • Trauma or retraumatization induced by governmental involvement
  • Civilian or military trauma from combat, war, terrorism or political violence

Research has shown that there is a connection between PTSD and addiction in civilians as well veterans. In fact, nearly one-third of veterans who are seeking help for a substance use disorder also suffer from PTSD. In response to traumatic events such as combat, these individuals may increase their consumption of drugs or alcohol which can, unfortunately, increase the intensity of their PTSD symptoms. Studies have shown that accelerated resolution therapy can be effective in treating the symptoms of PTSD.

Those who serve in our Armed Forces may experience traumatic events that dramatically alter their psychological well-being. These men and women are just as susceptible to developing an addiction and damaging mental health issues as those in the civilian sector. Although their complex experiences may be traumatizing, there are treatment programs that specialize in the substance abuse and PTSD treatment for veterans and military personnel. If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction brought upon by traumatic events experienced while serving our country, there is hope.

Tranquil Shores offers substance abuse treatment programs for veterans and current members of the military. Our counselors are experienced in treating PTSD in conjunction with addiction and many other co-occurring mental health issues. We acknowledge that transitioning from the military to civilian life may also compound these problems and offer a calming drug and alcohol rehabilitation center along Madeira Beach that addresses addiction in its many forms. We have the rehabilitation programs necessary to help veterans and active duty military personnel manage and overcome their PTSD and addictions.

Tranquil Shores Accelerated Resolution Therapy

On the serene shores of Madeira Beach, Tranquil Shores has helped those from the Tampa Bay area and around the world learn to overcome and manage their addictions. For years, we’ve provided those suffering from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders with customized treatment programs that enable them to find balance in their lives. Our team of highly-trained and compassionate counselors dedicates themselves to identifying and understanding the underlying causes, emotional triggers and environmental factors that lead to each individual’s unique addiction.

Using an Integrated Recovery Model, we address all aspects of the addiction to help individuals free themselves from substance dependency and regain control of their lives. Our accelerated resolution therapy program, along with our other treatment options that focus on co-occurring disorders, offers individuals and their families the opportunity to heal the wounds that an addiction has caused and move forward to a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Addiction is a powerful disease and the decision to overcome substance abuse is an act of courage and admiration. Located in Tampa Bay, Fla., Tranquil Shores’ private facility is equipped to help veterans, active duty military personnel and anyone else struggling with PTSD, addiction and other co-occurring disorders successfully manage their symptoms and free themselves from substance dependency. With a commitment to ensuring each and every individual is given the care and attention they need, the team at Tranquil Shores is ready to help you reclaim your life.

Contact Tranquil Shores to learn more about our treatment options and discover how our holistic programs can help those who serve our country escape the cycle of addiction.

Preparing for Your First Accelerated Resolution Therapy Session

Throughout your path to recovery, the treatment programs that you engage in are designed to maximize efficiency and empower you to overcome your addiction as swiftly and responsibly as possible. Accelerated resolution therapy is typically carried out across a limited number of sessions over the span of two weeks. Each series of one to five sessions will range in length from 60-75 minutes depending on your specific treatment plan. Virtually no preparation is needed for your first session and you will be in control throughout the recovery process.

During accelerated resolution therapy, you’ll be asked to visualize the complete traumatic event sequence while engaging in directed eye movements. As the treatment progresses, you’ll experience physical sensations and emotions which you will learn to immediately relieve yourself while engaging in directed eye movements. As the treatment progresses, you’ll experience physical sensations and emotions which you will learn to immediately relieve yourself. You’ll actively develop solutions to help you process and reconsolidate these memories, enabling you to recall the experience without feeling distressed.

During this method of treatment, you will not be asked to verbally recount the details of your traumatic experience and you will not have any homework or be instructed to actively re-experience your past traumas between sessions. Instead, you’ll work through these experiences within the exercise and leave each session feeling a sense of calm, control and relief.

Getting the Most out of Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Accelerated resolution therapy sessions are limited and are often completed within two weeks of the initial session. Although this treatment method may seem quick and “easy,” recovering from an addiction and mental health disorder takes patience and dedication. Accelerated resolution therapy isn’t an instant cure for PTSD or any other afflictions, however, this treatment method enables you to confront and cope with the traumatic events that you may have experienced.

Learning to react to these memories in ways which are positive, healthy and responsible can help you avoid the temptation of substance abuse and keep you focused on maintaining sobriety. To get the most out of accelerated resolution therapy, and any other treatment program offered at Tranquil Shores, we insist that you approach all of your therapy programs with an open mind. These programs are designed to help you not only free yourself from the addiction but also to treat the underlying causes that influenced your substance abuse.

An addiction is not without its complications and like any other disease, addictions and mental illnesses are unique to the individual and require specialized treatment plans to achieve success. You must acknowledge that there are biological, environmental and underlying factors that influence your addiction and that these elements may need to be addressed in particular ways. Some treatment options will be more effective than others.

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The Difference Between Accelerated Resolution Therapy and EMDR

Accelerated resolution therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy are similar in that they both utilize eye movements and guided visualizations to help process and mitigate negative memories. They both aim to confront triggers that may cause the individual to re-experience a traumatic episode and assist them in developing behaviors that can be used to combat these reactions in the future. Though there are similarities that make both treatment options effective, the elements of accelerated resolution therapy that differ from EMDR may increase the success rate of treatment for some individuals.

Instead of using free association when attempting to desensitize an individual’s response to traumatic events, accelerated resolution therapy makes the individual directly aware of their trauma and immediately provides them with a relief from the negative emotions experienced. Unlike expressive therapy sessions, accelerated resolution therapy does not require an individual to discuss their traumatic experiences in detail. This allows them to receive treatment for their PTSD without having to feel uncomfortable describing the traumatic details to a counselor.

While EMDR therapy is an appropriate treatment option for those struggling with PTSD, accelerated resolution therapy is an alternative method that may be more beneficial for individuals who wish to cope and overcome past traumas via a methodology that does not require them to verbally relive the experience. This process focuses on the symptoms or issues that the individual is ready to face and allows them to organically process the causes of their current distress.

Pros and Cons of Accelerated Resolution Therapy

When an individual is faced with a life-altering disease, it can be a difficult and challenging period of their lives. We acknowledge the tremendous obstacles a disease can create and understand that the idea of a “cure” becomes a top priority for many individuals and their families. Treatment options and their effectiveness will vary depending on the disease itself and how it uniquely impacts the individual suffering. It’s important to understand that diseases like addiction, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues cannot be traditionally “cured.”

However, successful management of these diseases is possible. Working in combination with other treatment programs and exercises, accelerated resolution therapy can be an effective form of treatment that helps addicts suffering from PTSD or other mental afflictions.

During accelerated resolution therapy, as well as any other therapy exercises that center on moments of personal trauma, you may re-experience emotions or sensations that are similar to those you felt during the time of previous traumas. This is part of the healing process, and your counselor will assist you in finding immediate relief from those reactions as you re-experience them. You must always remember that therapy is designed to not only help you confront your fears but to empower you to overcome them as well.

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