At Northbound we require all of our clients to journal every night while they are in the first phase of drug and alcohol treatment. For their first 30 days, all clients do what is called a 10th step in Alcoholics Anonymous. They are given a journal which outlines a format for them to write in their journals every night. Each journal entry is reviewed by our designated “clinical journal reader” and feedback is given. Journaling is a big part of recovery. The daily discipline of writing in a journal every night helps people in recovery review and take stock of their day. In Alcoholics Anonymous it is suggested that people in recovery do a 10th step every night. People who work a good recovery program do this on a daily basis.
At Northbound we have our clients do a lot of writing. The therapeutic benefits of writing in a journal, and writing in general, have long been known in the psychological community. Writing helps people externalize and bring into reality thoughts and emotions that otherwise might remain trapped in their psyche. It helps people process their thoughts and emotions with themselves and with the clinical staff at Northbound. At Northbound the clinical staff reviews all of the writing done by the clients. The clinical staff writes comments in the margins of their writing. These comments are meant to facilitate further growth and insight into their behavior. Our hope is that clients will continue to use writing as a therapeutic tool when they leave us.
Author
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Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
