Frequently
Asked Questions
- What
is Practical Recovery Services (PRS)?
- Why does PRS offer an alternative
to the 12-step approach?
- How
is PRS different from AA and traditional treatment?
- How
can PRS help me?
- Can you help me with other psychological
problems?
- Why
are you qualified to help me?
- If I follow your program how long
will it take to experience improvement?
- Is
this confidential?
- What
services are offered at PRS?
- Do
you accept insurance?
- What
kinds of clients attend PRS?
- What
if I need detox?
- Where
are you located?
- What if I can't get to San Diego?
- How
long is your program?
- What
does all this cost?
1. What is Practical
Recovery Services (PRS)?
PRS
offers treatment for any type of addictive behavior or related
problem, across the full range of treatment settings (detox,
residential, residential alternative, intensive outpatient, or
outpatient).
Treatment is completely individualized. VIPS, professionals,
and anyone with a demanding life will appreciate how our services
are designed around your needs and schedule.
PRS
is one of the few US alternatives to 12-step based addiction
treatment. PRS offers a radically different approach from
traditional treatment (see FAQ 3 or our home page). The 12 steps
originally developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have been extended
to several hundred additional support groups, such as Narcotics
Anonymous (NA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA), and are used in about 93%
of US addiction treatment programs.
Although these programs are helpful to some individuals, most
do not know that alternative approaches exist.
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2. Why does
PRS offer an alternative to the 12-step approach?
Federally
funded research reveals that most individuals referred to AA and
other 12-step groups refuse to attend. Based on AA's own data, most
of those who actually attend do not follow through or benefit
substantially. Some of the reasons for dropping out of 12-step
groups include difficulty accepting the need for a higher power,
belief in a different kind of higher power, not viewing addiction as
a lifelong disease, not wanting to attend groups, or not viewing
oneself as an "alcoholic" or "addict." Many
individuals are also highly aware of the fact that the AA program
has remained unchanged since it was established in 1935, despite the
wealth of scientific information that has since been discovered.
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3. How is PRS
different from AA and traditional treatment?
Like
all addiction treatment providers, PRS views addiction as
potentially life threatening and life deteriorating. PRS supports
increased societal attention to addiction problems.
Our program is completely individualized and designed to accommodate
the time, privacy and other needs of each person. You help construct
your own treatment plan, which can include individual, couple,
family or group sessions. You are not labeled an "addict"
or "alcoholic." Your addictive behavior is understood as a
complex maladaptive behavior, rather than as a disease. You are not
required to believe in a specific type of higher power, or to change
or develop any specific spiritual belief. You are not required to
attend any type of group.
We work with whatever deepest beliefs you already have, to
the extent that you would like to do so. We teach and encourage
self-empowerment, rather than reliance upon a higher power (God
helps those who help themselves!). We assist you in pursuing
abstinence, moderation (a non-harmful level of use), or reduction
(to a less harmful level of use).
The best approach to recovery, like the best approach to exercise or
weight loss, is the one the person will use. Because the PRS
approach is significantly different from the traditional 12-step,
disease model approach, PRS will appeal to some individuals who
might not attend traditional treatment. Attendance in 12-step groups
(or any support group) is not necessary for recovery. Moderation
works well for some clients. When neither abstinence nor moderation
is accepted by a client, harm reduction is appropriate. Addicted
individuals can benefit from professional assistance, not only for
the addiction itself, but also for related or underlying problems.
Although professional assistance is not essential for recovery, it
is often helpful. By comparison, if you wanted to learn to play
piano, and have little prior knowledge, at least you would need to
read some books or ask a few questions. But for rapid progress you
probably need a teacher!
PRS recognizes that many individuals benefit from the traditional
approach, and we support its continued availability. PRS hopes that
our traditional colleagues will support the availability of proven
non-traditional approaches, and inform clients of their existence.
Similarly, PRS informs clients about traditional approaches.
PRS believes that clients need to be informed about all available
approaches, so that informed decisions about treatment can be made.
The success of all addiction treatment is likely to be improved when
clients have freely chosen to attend the type of treatment they
prefer. Just as we value diversity among individuals (with respect
to race, religion, national origin, gender, etc.), we also need to
value diversity in recovery.
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4. How can PRS help me?
At PRS, we
can help you
a. Overcome
all types of addictions including substance abuse and smoking, and
problematic gambling, eating and sexual behavior.
b. Overcome
underlying issues that lead to addiction and its consequences (we
treat the whole person).
c. Achieve
other benefits including:
- Greater maturity
as a person
- Better understanding
of personal goals and values
- Improved ability
to relate to others.
- Greater self-confidence.
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5. Can you help
me with other psychological problems?
Yes, we can
help you with:
- Anxiety and
fears
- Depression
- Anger
- Parenting
- Relationship
problems
- Dating
- Guilt
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Perfectionism
- Inability to
relax
- Self-esteem
- Work stress
- Shyness
- and many
other problems
6. Why are you qualified to help me?
PRS
has the finest treatment team in the industry!
Compare us and decide for yourself!
Dr. Horvath, the founder of PRS, is a nationally recognized
addictive behavior psychologist. He works closely with the PRS
staff, which is also highly experienced and qualified. Please see staff
biographies for further information.
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7. If I follow your program how
long will it take to experience improvement?
Our goal is
help you begin moving in the right direction from the very first session.
Because each treatment plan is a customized to your specific
needs and problems, our clients are involved with us for various lengths
of time, ranging from days to years.
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8. Is this confidential?
In
accordance with professional ethics and state law, the information
revealed in treatment is confidential, and will not be revealed to
anyone without your written permission, except as required by law.
State law requires that we breach confidentiality if you become
suicidal, homicidal, or gravely disabled, or if a child or elder has
been abused.
If privacy is of utmost importance we offer a VIP option, in
which we bring treatment to you.
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9. What services are offered at PRS?
Regardless
of the setting in which they occur (residential, residential
alternative or outpatient), our primary services are individual,
couple, family, and group therapy and counseling, either in person
or long distance. Attending groups is not required. We also refer to
and work with a wide range of professionals to make sure that all of
your recovery needs are met. If we do not ourselves offer a service
that you need, we will make arrangements for you to have it.
This is why we say that we offer the finest range of services
in the industry: any service you need it available to you!
Please click on Services for a detailed list of some of the
ways we can help.
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10. Do you accept insurance?
No,
although we do provide you with a statement that you can submit to
your health insurance company. The statements you receive include,
if needed, the CPT and diagnosis codes required by your health
insurer.
Unless other billing arrangements have been made, we require
payment in advance or at time of service. Please
contact our Billing Manager, Ana Ferraro, at 858-453-4777, to
discuss the details of your insurance plan. You may prefer not to
submit a statement to your insurance company in order to protect
your privacy.
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11. What kinds of clients attend PRS?
Our
clients typically come from the "hidden population" of
high functioning individuals who nevertheless have significant
addiction problems. Although sometimes our clients are pushed here
by others, most often they choose to attend because on their own
they have chosen to improve their lives. These high functioning
individuals have included:
administrators, artists, attorneys, business owners, chefs,
clergy, computer professionals, contractors, dentists, engineers,
entrepreneurs, executives and managers, financial services
professionals, full-time parents and homemakers, nurses, physicians,
psychiatrists, psychologists, professors and teachers, sales
professionals, scientists, students and successful individuals from
all walks and arenas of life,
who nevertheless need help in this particular area. Our clients are
also diverse, coming from a variety of races, national origins,
religions, ethnic identifications, sexual orientations, physical
abilities, sizes, and ages (including the retired, young adults, and
selected adolescents).
Our
clients, regardless of their backgrounds, want to think for
themselves. They do not
value being told what to do. They
do value being listened to and being asked good questions.
We do not challenge you to hold any particular belief or take
any particular action. We
do challenge you to grow.
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12. What if I need detox?
Please
call to discuss your situation. Sometimes detox is most simply
accomplished in your own locality. If accomplished here there are a
number of factors to consider to make this experience as safe and
comfortable as possible.
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13. Where are
you located?
Our
core services are provided in several office suites in a
professional building in La Jolla (San Diego), California.
We need so many offices to provide our services that
combining offices with client bedrooms would lead to a large and
cumbersome facility.
Clients in residential treatment live in our Residence or at
the Chopra Center for Living, and are brought to the office each
day. Residential alternative clients stay in a variety of locations,
depending on what they desire with respect to proximity to the
office and the level of luxury in their accommodations.
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14. What if I can't get to San Diego?
You can have
telephone counseling sessions.
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15. How long is your program?
Every
client treatment plan is completely individualized. You will work
with us as long as we mutually agree that we are accomplishing
something worthwhile. Treatment plans last anywhere from one session
to years.
Long-term treatment plans typically involve either local
clients, or non-local clients who have multiple shorter stays (days
to weeks).
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16. What does all this cost?
Fees
are based on professional time involved. Please see the section on
Fees.
It is possible to spend as little as $45 per week, and as
much as $35,000 per week.
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