Pax Prentiss

The Clear Benefit of Positive Influences

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:21:43 +0000

Social influence is a phenomenon widely recognized within the scientific community, especially in the field of social psychology. There are important ramifications for this in substance abuse treatment. The social influence theory entails that other people can have an impression which actually affect your actions. However, you can also affect other people’s behavior, thoughts, and attitudes as well!

Your Impression on Others

People should be aware that they can affect others in sometimes profound ways. This is no less true in the world of addiction and recovery. Indeed, it is especially important to recognize this because of the oftentimes drastic consequences that can result from your influence on others. It doesn’t matter if a person is using or not, but they can still potentially shape the behavior, attitudes, and thoughts of others in sometimes unconscious ways.

Types of Impressions

It is of paramount importance that each person recognizes the types of impressions they leave on a person, especially in terms of recovery. Are you leaving a positive or negative impression? Will this impression benefit or not benefit the user in recovery? These things ought to be considered if any real progress or change is to be made, and any serious attempts at sobriety must acknowledge potential influences that could help or hinder whoever is trying to recover.

Marc Jacobs Passage to Sobriety

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:10:29 +0000

“In 1999, at the urging of Wintour and his best friend and longtime business partner Robert Duffy, Jacobs entered the first of a series of US rehabs, including Galliano’s alma mater the Meadows in Arizona. Soon after, he went on to enjoy several years of sobriety. But in 2007, when he reportedly relapsed on heroin, Duffy interceded once again. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, he took a cab to London’s Dorchester Hotel, where Jacobs was staying before a show, and confronted the designer in his room. “Marc, I know what’s going on,” Duffy told his partner, and threatened to quit if Jacobs didn’t go to treatment. “The day after the Louis Vuitton show you’re going back to rehab,” he told the designer. “I’m not going to sit here and watch you kill yourself.” A few days later, Jacobs entered treatment at Passages….”

“…He emerged “a new man,” buff and glowing, health-conscious and clearly content with his cleaned-up life. The handsome designer now regularly appears as the model in his own ads.”

FULL READ – Marc Jacobs Takes On Dior

Why is reality TV so boozy?

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:11:02 +0000

“Being in the business of recovery, my job is to help people get off drugs and alcohol, and these shows are trying to get people on drugs and alcohol,” says Pax Prentiss, co-founder of Malibu rehab Passages and a former addict. “They should be illegal.”

It’s a perception issue that’s not limited to reality, either. Scripted television’s worst offenders, according to Prentiss, include the HBO show “Entourage” and AMC’s “Mad Men,” the latter of which practically mandates a three-martini lunch per episode.

Story: Who’s responsible when reality TV goes too far?

“These shows are really affecting teens in that it makes them curious,” he says. “When you’re 14, 15 or 16 years old and you see these big A-list stars drinking and partying on ‘Entourage,’ you think that’s what drinking and drugs is like, when the reality is it’s actually a much darker place than how it’s portrayed on TV.”

-Full Article and Reality TV and Booze

Keep It Positive!

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:50:41 +0000

There is a part of psychology that is dedicated to the positive aspects of the human mind and behavior that could have drastic implications in the field of addiction treatment. Too often, substance abuse has many negative associations. Whether it’s the person or their lifestyle or the drugs themselves, these negative associations only create or reinforce more and more stigmas. These stigmas only further the anxiety and stress on addicted people.

- From Positivity in Substance Treatment

The Insider on Addiction with Expert Pax Prentiss

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:22:06 +0000

The Insider on Addiction with Expert Pax Prentiss -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLGsF0QeTWo

Interesting Video on Human Motivations

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:16:39 +0000

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us | Hot Sauce! – http://bit.ly/nOsng6

Punishment versus Encouragement at Treatment Centers

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:49:36 +0000

Over the years, many people have developed an incorrect perception of treatment centers for drug and alcohol addiction. Many individuals view these centers as places where clients have to stick to a strict regimen of mopping floors, cleaning toilets, and being punished for their addictions and receive little to no individual therapy. Unfortunately, these stereotypes still resonate in our society today and often frighten people away from seeking help. Luckily, over the year’s drug and alcohol treatment centers have drastically changed and improved, primarily due to the presence of the non 12-step movement and more holistic options. Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura are prime examples of this new type of luxury treatment center that does not believe in demeaning clients for their actions.

Passages does not require its clients to do chores, be punished or engage in any other disciplinary acts. We do not see this as effective; we actually commend our clients for seeking help and wanting to change their lives. Our clients are given one-on-one therapy sessions, nutrition counseling, physical training, massage therapy, and a number of other diverse and personalized activities. At Passages, clients experience a caring, dedicated staff, top of the line therapy, and a safe environment where healing can occur and where they will never be demeaned or punished.

A Better Life

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:04:01 +0000

“It is very difficult to thank someone for giving you back your life. Once again to Chris and Pax and to every staff member, “thank you for your compassion and understanding”. I am profoundly and eternally grateful to Passages for showing me a better life.”

-from A Better Life