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Pine Grove uses Ancient Labyrinth Experience to Facilitate Modern Treatment

Pine Grove Behavioral Health, a service of Forrest General Hospital, is using innovative, yet ancient, methods to treat modern patients with modern problems, thanks to a new labyrinth.

Though this is a new addition to the treatments and experiences offered for Pine Grove patients, the practice of walking labyrinths has been used in many cultures for over 3,500 years. A labyrinth consists of a walking path, designated by a pattern set into or printed on the floor or constructed of stones or other materials. Though there are many kinds of labyrinths, all share the basic features of one entrance and exit, a single path and a center. Those who walk a labyrinth, including Pine Grove’s patients, may use it for prayer, reflection, or as an opportunity to center themselves for healing.

“A labyrinth is a wonderful therapeutic tool that allows patients to move away from some of the constant chatter in their heads to find a place of stillness,” said Peter Smeele, Director of Spiritual Services at Pine Grove. Smeele added that a labyrinth offers the opportunity for Pine Grove’s patients to remember and release, but also to receive and to learn to live with their hearts wide open.

A labyrinth walk mirrors a life journey in that no two people walk the labyrinth in the exact same way. The labyrinth can be walked alone or with others, silently or while singing or speaking, creating an experience that fosters reflection and enlightment, as well as a process of self-discovery. For patients at Pine Grove, who may be recovering from an addiction or eating disorder, or learning to live with a psychiatric disease, each step is an opportunity to simply reflect, or to celebrate the goals and accomplishments reached on the road to recovery.

The purchase of this portable labyrinth allows counselors and other Pine Grove staff to learn how to integrate it into treatment programs, in anticipation of construction of a permanent labyrinth, to be located within Pine Grove’s Spiritual Grounds. This area is designed to be a space that encourages healing for both patients and the community. The area for the ongoing Spiritual Grounds project is located on the Pine Grove campus, at the corner of Richburg Road and 28th Avenue Extension, and represents Pine Grove’s commitment to promote healing and positively affect patients, their families and community members far into the future.

The first element of Spiritual Grounds was dedicated last fall with the unveiling of the Paul McMullan Plaza and Circle of Healing Sculpture. Preparations are already underway for future elements, including a chapel, bell tower, meditation garden and the permanent labyrinth. This project is being supported and facilitated by Forrest General, Pine Grove and the Forrest General Healthcare Foundation, which is currently working to raise funds for future elements of the Spiritual Grounds area, as well as other future developments for the hospital.

Visit http://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/ or call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) for more information.

Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is known as one of the nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses. For over twenty five years Pine Grove has offered a continuum of services ranging from outpatient to inpatient and residential treatment for adults, children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric and addictive diseases. Specialized services include the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, and professionals struggling with interpersonal difficulties. The Pine Grove Mission is to be a leader in healing and changing lives by providing the highest quality behavioral health services.

Energy Drinks and Recovery: A Dangerous Mix by Scott Hambleton, MD

Scott Hambleton, MD

Energy drinks are designed and advertised to increase performance of the user, both mentally and physically by combining caffeine, carbohydrates, vitamins and various herbal supplements to provide a stimulant effect greater than the effect of caffeine alone.

Caution is warranted for anyone who chooses to drink an energy beverage, even healthy adults without a history of a substance use disorder. Red Bull is banned in Norway, Uruguay and Denmark, as the result of an 18 year old athlete who died hours after drinking four cans prior to an event in 2000. Although the FDA limits the caffeine content in soft drink food products to 71mg per 12 ounce can, energy drinks are designated as dietary supplements, and are not limited in their caffeine content.

Coca-Cola Classic contains 34mg per 12 ounces, Starbucks coffee contains 160mg per 8 ounce cup, and some energy drinks contain in excess of 500mg per can! Over-the-counter caffeine-containing products require warning labels and caffeine content, yet energy drinks do not. Other stimulants such as ginseng, yerba mate, kola nut, green tea extract, bitter orange and guarana are often added to energy drinks to enhance the effects of caffeine.

Pharmacologic tolerance and withdrawal develop quickly. Caffeine intoxication (DSM-IV R code 305.90) is an acute overdose of caffeine, usually occurring with doses in excess of about 300 milligrams in a new user, with no tolerance. In children and adolescents who are not habitual caffeine users, vulnerability to caffeine intoxication may be markedly increased. Signs and symptoms include facial flushing, restlessness, anxiety and irritability. Less common, but potential manifestations include cardiac arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, seizures, mania, psychomotor agitation, psychosis and death! Other caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders include caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, caffeine-induced sleep disorder and caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified.

Everyone can agree that recovery is a precious gift worth guarding at any cost. Unfortunately, addiction is a chronic disease that has a tendency toward relapse, and recovery from a relapse is not always possible. Death is a very real consequence of relapse! Just as a diabetic needs to be cautious about their intake of sugar, the recovering alcoholic and addict must be cautious about the use of mood-altering drugs, including prescribed and over-the-counter preparations. Anything that has the potential to increase cravings is dangerous!

Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant drug and excessive use can trigger cocaine and methamphetamine cravings. Restlessness, irritability and discontentedness (RIDS) are caused by excessive caffeine intake and caffeine withdrawal. RIDS are a great reason to relapse with drug and alcohol use! The best bet is to play it safe and avoid the use of any energy drinks.

Scott Hambleton is medical director of the Pine Grove Women’s Center, a gender-responsive residential treatment program offering three separate programs for women coping with eating disorders, women coping with chemical dependency, and women coping with both. This unique and distinct setting allows the ability of the multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary treatment team to triage treatment components based on the patient's individual and unfolding needs.

Visit http://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/ or call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) for more information.

Gentle Path Welcomes New Director

Pine Grove is pleased to welcome Dr. Susan Campling as the Director of Gentle Path.

Dr. Campling has been a Registered Nurse since 1982, received her Masters of Clinical Psychology in 1998, and her Doctor of Clinical Psychology in 2003. She comes to Pine Grove from Keystone Center Extended Care Unit in Chester, PA where she has served as Director of the Residential program since 2002.

Dr. Campling has worked in the field of addiction for over 20 years. She has served on the faculty of Widner University Doctoral Program, as well as Alvernia College Department of Nursing. She is Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist – Supervisor, Certified Domestic Violence Counselor, Certified Sexual Offender Therapist and Administrator of Abel Assessment of Sexual Interest.

She has presented extensively on the topic of sexual addiction and trauma. We are pleased to have Dr. Campling on the Pine Grove Team. We provide a safe and secure environment where patients work together through many different tracks, programs, and courses to insure patients find the results and recovery they need. Specialized tracks include Impaired Licensed and Legal Programs, Dual Diagnosis/Multiple Addictions, Healthy Sexuality, and a Family Care Program.

Gentle Path is a Pine Grove program for those suffering from sexual addiction, relationship addiction, and sexual anorexia. Developed by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., C.A.S., world-renowned speaker, and author on addiction. Dr. Carnes’ 30-task-model serves as the basic curriculum for treatment. The staff on-hand is multi-disciplinary and includes psychiatrists and addictionologists. The Gentle Path program consists of two components: A Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment and a Residential Treatment Program.

Visit http://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/ or call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) for more information.

Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is known as one of the nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses. For over twenty five years Pine Grove has offered a continuum of services ranging from outpatient to inpatient and residential treatment for adults, children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric and addictive diseases. Specialized services include the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, and professionals struggling with interpersonal difficulties. The Pine Grove Mission is to be a leader in healing and changing lives by providing the highest quality behavioral health services.

Everything in Moderation, Including Moderation

Venkat Baskararajan, MD

The eastern saying, “Everything in moderation, including moderation” in a way refers to human need for indulgence and excess from time to time. All of us can remember eating a little more during Thanksgiving, having a couple of extra drinks or partying a little late, or just waiting up for Santa past our bedtime. All of these little things make the holiday season more memorable.

When the excess and indulgence lasts more than a few days in a row, this can stress out our body. Our body and mind are not independent of each other, so any stress on the body reflects on how we feel or think. So, it’s important to watch out for stressors and have some balance.

Some common stressors during the holidays & how to deal with them:

1- Eating too much or too little

"Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness."

Thanksgiving wouldn’t feel complete if you didn’t stuff yourself, but on most other days it’s important to eat right. Just don’t keep treating yourself to the candy bowl or cookie jar that’s laid out for guests every time you cross the living room.

For a lot of people it’s important to look their best during the holidays and wanting to shed a few pounds before the family photograph gets taken. Starving yourself or skipping meals for days or weeks together can add up to a lot of stress. This sometimes may even backfire and lead to emotional eating. Healthy foods and eating at proper times can give you the body that you need.

Eating unhealthily for days at a time has been shown to make people lethargic, down or irritable. So make sure to eat healthy.

2- Sleeping too little or too much

It is very easy to get thrown off your schedule during the holiday season. You may end up sleeping too little as you may be doing some extra cooking and cleaning.. Or you may end up sleeping more because you don’t have to go to work.

On an average we need 7-8 hours of sleep, but it varies from person to person. Variation in sleep for more than a few days is a huge stress and can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety or depression. Not to mention worsening of blood pressure or blood sugar if you hypertension or diabetes.

So try to get a good night’s rest at least 5 nights a week.

3- Having unrealistic expectations

One the biggest causes of mental stress and anxiety is the need for everything to be perfect during the Holidays. Wanting to find the perfect gifts or trying to have the home decorated perfectly can cause a lot of worry but to some extent are in your control. Wanting the flights to be on time, wanting the traffic not to be horrible, wanting friends and family to be on time for the party and expecting everyone to behave perfectly are things beyond ones control.

Remember that holidays are a time for compassion and giving. If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. So don’t beat yourself up for not having everything perfect or get angry if things did not go as planned.

Taking some deep breaths for one minute a few times a day can do wonders in alleviating you anxiety. Meditation can also help relieve stress and anxiety.

Below is website address that has some free resources to learn meditation.

http://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/ytnc/care/resources.aspx

Try the Loving-Kindness meditation listed on the website. It helps one develop a compassionate attitude towards oneself and others.

So have some fun this holiday season but try to also have some balance in taking care of your mind, body and spirit so you can enjoy the holidays to their fullest.

Venkat Baskararajan, MD sees adult patients in an outpatient setting at South Mississippi Psychiatric Group located at 1 Lincoln Parkway, Ste. 202, Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Dr. Baskararajan is a graduate of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, India. He completed his residency at University of Mississippi Medical Center. For an appointment with Dr. Baskararajan, call 601-288-8050 or visit http://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/ for more information.