Premium, Exclusive, Private Rehab

Premium, Exclusive, Private Rehab

See why Serenity Vista Alcohol and other Drug Addiction Treatment Center of Boquete, Panama, is fast becoming one of the world leading, affordable, luxury international drug rehab facilities.

John Derry, B.Sc.Phm., M.A.

Founder and Director

Am I in Denial About My Drinking?

D.E.N.I.A.L. - Don't Even kNow I Am Lying

How do I know I am in denial, if I am in denial? Denial is the hallmark symptom of addiction. Addiction is the only disease that tells you that you don't have a disease.

You can take an online quiz, or call John Derry from Serenity Vista. John Derry understands addiction, and he understands recovery. John Derry stands ready to talk to anyone who needs help. He is the Founder and Director of Serenity Vista in Panama. Exclusive, International and Private. It works.

Tropical Serenity Vista in Panama - Drug Rehab that Works.

www.serenityvista.com

Find out the truth about your drinking and drugging.

Drug Rehab Center Announces Enhanced Men's Treatment Program | PRLog

Drug Rehab Center Announces Enhanced Men's Treatment Program | PRLog

Boquete, Panama, a co-ed program, is now offering enhanced men's treatment services which aim to further improve the overall rate of success within an industry plagued by relapse.  And while Serenity Vista is known worldwide as performing far above most other treatment facilities in terms of low rate of relapse, there's always room for improvement in this field. Read More...

Affordable Rehab, Come and find the Holistic Rehabilitation that you need for Alcohol Treatment. Come to Serenity Vista in Central America, Panama. www.serenityvista.com

Affordable, Effective Treatment for Smoking Tobacco

http://www.serenityvista.com/blog/affordable-effective-treatment-for-smoking-tobacco.htm

If you could stop smoking on your own, 

you already would've

Many people do not realize the fact that cigarette smoking and/or 

other tobacco-related products are among the most difficult addictions 

to shake from one's life. It has been said by people of all walks, 

including heroin addicts, crack addicts and so on, that quitting 

smoking is the single toughest addiction they've ever faced 

throughout their lives!

Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat in Boquete, Panama

In the mountain highlands, clean and green. www.serenityvista.com

Serenity Vista Panama Treatment Endorses Consumer Review Site | PRLog

Serenity Vista Panama Treatment Endorses Consumer Review Site | PRLog

Serenity Vista Addiction Facility of Panama Leads ... - Silobreaker

Serenity Vista Addiction Facility of Panama Leads ... - Silobreaker

Recovery in Paradise - Heal from Addiction in Boquete, Panama - YouTube

Recovery in Paradise - Heal from Addiction in Boquete, Panama - YouTube

When Canada's best drug rehab looked for a new home better aligned to their expanded holistic vision of healing, Panama offered the perfect venue. Serenity Vista, now nestled in the mountain highlands of Boquete, land of eternal spring, offers rehab guests unparalled infusion of natural serenity that is transformational.

12 & Zen - Where the 12 Steps Meet Zen Koans

  A Great New Book by Bill Krumbein.
  Available at Amazon

Foreward by Jane Derry

Bill Krumbein first made email contact with me in May of 2010. He wrote: “I’m very intrigued how you came about using Zen koans at your recovery center. This is how I found your page, by typing in ‘koan’ and ‘recovery’.” Bill told me about the Pacific Zen Institute, his connection with it, and their plans for implementing a combination of the 12 Steps and Zen. He also was curious about my own connection with Zen koans, and how they were used at our center.

1997 found me in the very early stages of a new way of life, following a sincere and passionate desire to improve my conscious contact with ‘God’. I was working on my understanding of Him/Her/It or Them by pursuing a degree in Religious Studies, and came across a tattered, falling apart copy of the 1957 book Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings, compiled by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki. Careful with the loose pages, I read them over and over. I was intrigued by how koans are sparse, short, and clean, with nothing superfluous, like a Haiku or 12 Step slogan. 10 years later, when I found myself as the Spiritual Counsellor/Facilitator at our own addiction recovery treatment center I began using the koans with our guests as a vehicle to demonstrate the lack of a linear, common sense answer to spirituality. Recovery and Zen are very similar. They make no logical sense. You have to let go to hang on, surrender to win, and die to live.

Bill has written this book out of his passion for koans and the 12 steps. In recovery one of the first things we learn is that we cannot keep what we have unless we give it away, and Bill is very generous. You may or may not be in recovery, and you may or may not have any experience with Zen, or with koans. But if you find yourself with this book in your hands, maybe 12 and Zen is the teacher that has appeared for you. 12 and Zen is fun, challenging, easy to read and may cause great upheaval when and where you least expect it. The relationship between the 12 Steps and Zen koans can be a very healthy one, based on respect, vulnerability and mutuality. This marriage of Western and Eastern spiritual traditions may be very prolific. Illustrated with Bill’s own keen Zen photos, the entire book reminds us to stop, ponder, and renew our commitment to the study of what is called in AA, the Language of the Heart. Koans are written in that same code, deciphered only when the mind is not invited, actually excluded from the party.

By connecting one koan to each of the 12 Steps, Bill has created a framework for community to share in the koan/step experience. The book can be used by an individual, but there is a greater opportunity here for a meeting of hearts to share the adventure. Wherever two or more are gathered, we see that ‘we’ can do what ‘I’ cannot. The book also becomes a structured guide for facilitators and leaders of small groups. There is something especially appealing about these combinations, ancient and contemporary, that have no right or wrong answer. They should be approached with curiosity and even better, bewilderment.

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the koans of Zen have been infiltrating my own life and journey for some 15 years now. Bill, on his own unique path, has generously shared this marriage of 12 and Zen through his work with individuals, through his blog and through his small groups at Pacific Zen Institute for several years. Having an opportunity to be a part of Bill’s gift to the world is an honour. These are some amazing peach blossoms (see Step 12), and I encourage you to go ahead and meet the teacher.

Jane Derry, Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat and Treatment, Boquete, Panama

Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat Panama -

Our inaugural newsletter. See why Serenity Vista Addiction  Recovery Retreat and Rehab is the affordable recovery rehab that works. Discover. Recover. Transform..

Serenity Vista is a special place of healing, where up to 8 guests come to find freedom from addiction, peace and serenity.

If you are struggling with staying sober, and want help, we know how, and will help you.

www.icontact-archive.com/XaVRriljT8mDT_BUjGpEmTIvy2nEx4pf?w=2

Finding Joy in the Holidays

Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart... Unknown

Apparently the holiday season is now in full swing, because advertisers are working themselves into their usual frenzy and decorations are starting to appear around town. Making elaborate plans for the holidays can set us up for stress by creating expectations that are difficult or impossible to meet. Remember last year? Did you find yourself trying to squeeze in one more social event and finish the shopping and the perfect gift wrapping of the perfect gifts and do all the baking and get the decorations up outside and find the perfect tree and visit with all your relatives (even the ones you aren't particularly close to) AND find peace and joy? Sound familiar?

Sound impossible? Click here for easy to follow instructions for joy.

This blog posting is written by Karen Graham of Panacea Canada

In recovery, it is extra important to glide through the holidays with serenity. Family often brings out old toxic roles that a person in recovery is trying hard to change. Read this blog, and find some tool for peace of mind.

Codependency - Time for Rehab!

Codependency is a poorly defined term describing relationship difficulties where obsession about another person in the relationship dominates and presents personal and interpersonal dysfunction. It is prevalent yet essentially overlooked from a treatment perspective. There are no 'codependency treatment centers'. The codependent in a relationship often worries about their loved one struggling with addiction, and may 'send' him or her off to rehab. But what about the codependent? Left at home, nothing changes, and the addict may return home clean, sober, and happy. But what about you? Are you happy? Do you deserve rehab too?

If addiction is a chronic, progressive, family disease, and everyone in the family system is affected, then why is it that rehab is typically only for the alcoholic or addict?

Adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) and other forms of codependency are just as significant and impactful as addiction to alcohol, other drugs, or behaviors such as gambling. The alcoholic or addict goes off to rehab and comes home a new person: freed of destructive patterns of thinking and behaving, relieved of shame, guilt and remorse, and with new life skills for living life on life's terms, one day at a time.

But what about you? Perhaps you have grown up with an alcoholic parent. Or you have been in relationship, or marriage, with a suffering alcoholic or addict. You worry about others, try to make things right, give of yourself endlessly, feel upset, disrespected, or taken for granted by the way others treat you, attempt to control people, places or things, feel empty, despair, lesser than, shame, or anger. You feel alone in a sea of people you care for. No one understands.

You need and deserve help too! You too should have a healing, nurturing place where you can go to heal. Have a break. Take time for you. Restore and renew.

Take time for you. Find out who You really are. Get help focusing on your process of change! You can heal from and let go of past hurts, stop worrying about the future, and learn skills for living life, YOUR life, in this moment, to your fullest. And you deserve to have fun too.

The mad cycle of addiction within the entire family can finally be broken. And it starts with you... not the other person who has always seemed to be 'the problem'. It's your time to be free!

Codependency rehab. It's time... and it's your turn!

John Derry is founder and director of Serenity Vista Recovery Retreat. Codependency is one of Serenity Vista's specializations. Visit http://www.serenityvista.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Derry

Canine Therapy in Addiction Recovery

Canine Therapy is nothing new. Humans and their dogs have been loving and nurturing each other since the first abandoned wolf puppy was adopted by our ancient foreparents. Our relationship with each other has evolved collectively as two species, and as intimately as Travis and Old Yeller. The only thing new about Canine Therapy is calling it Canine Therapy.

Addiction is all about self. Self-absorption, self-pity, self-seeking, self-delusion and self-will are hallmarks of the addict in active addiction. When people come to our addiction treatment facility they are wrapped up in themselves into a pretty small package. Often what first begins to pull away the packing tape is our Canine Therapist, epitomizing the Labrador Retreiver dog, Cocoa.

Dogs are natural healers, bringing joy into recovery

Cocoa Video Therapy

Kleenex Box Super Hero

The scene: A 12 Step meeting, a person sharing begins to cry, the Kleenex Box Super Hero arrives with a flourish.

Recognize the scene? You may have played one of the starring roles. What is really going on here is an excellent example of unhealthy co-dependent and manipulative behaviour. What?! Let's examine the dynamics.

When a person shares in a room full of 12 Step peers, they are often getting in touch with feelings that have long been buried. It can take considerable effort for a person to feel safe enough with feelings of vulnerability to really allow themselves to express their emotions. You've seen it, after a lot of talking, a person may begin to tear up, perhaps to really cry, or even sob. One of the wonderful things about 12 Step Rooms is that when a person is sharing, everyone is paying attention, and respectfully listening, probably empathizing and relating. There is a sacred focus in the room, where the person is being held in love and fellowship by the others present. Most people are intently connecting with what the speaker is conveying through words and emotions, and the speaker has an opportunity to feel this connection, and feel enough trust to continue with their painful process.

Enter the Kleenex Box Super Hero (KBSH). Click here for the full story!

Live and Let Live.

Retreat and Counselling for any persons desiring peace of mind and serenity. Treat yourself to the beauty of Panama, and  learn the subtle ways you may be sabotaging your own happiness.

Surrender to Win - Codependency Treatment and Counselling

Surrender to Win - Serenity Vista - Panama

Surrender is one of those words right up there with 'humility', 'discipline' and 'obedience'
However, in recovery we learn to look at things in a new light.  If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.  Surrender to Win. Find Victory in Defeat.

www.serenityvista.com

12 Step Retreat and Counselling

Legacy

Mom was a woman who would have given whatever she could to see others happy, and always put herself last. – Taken from an obituary column in the local newspaper.

This little sentence says a whole lot about the behaviour of the woman who just passed. Not knowing this person, but based on this description, she was likely a people-pleaser and codependent, maybe even a long-suffering martyr.

What is it like to live with someone who only wants to see others happy, and always puts themselves last? Not very genuine or mutual that’s for sure. This is what codependency and people-pleasing is all about, trying (unconsciously?) to manipulate other people with self-serving behaviour dressed up as generosity and kindness. While growing up in an unpredictable home life, people tend to find ways to keep safe, even when doing so can mean dishonesty and denial of real feelings. These unsatisfying coping skills become the barriers to authentic relationships, and cause real damage to others in the family. Addiction is a family disease, and the whole family suffers.

We have seen it again and again with people who come into recovery, whether they are the substance user or not. People who have spent their whole lives trying to make other people happy and always putting themselves last are almost always suffering from feelings of anger and resentments. They don’t understand why they are continually victimized and taken advantage of by people. They tell us they are not appreciated for their acts of kindness; they are ignored and left behind, or held in contempt by others. Nothing is their fault, or the flip side, everything is their fault. These people are incredibly lonely, but keep trying with their flawed coping skills to keep people close.

Why is it so important for someone to see others happy? Generally the sentiment behind the person wanting everyone around them to be happy is to avoid any uncomfortable feeling within themselves. It can be very distressing to see someone else express emotions like unhappiness, anger or frustration. Listen to these commonly used expressions of the codependent, “ There there, don’t cry”, “It will work out”, “There is a silver lining behind every cloud”, “Everything happens for a reason”, “ He/She didn’t mean it like that, don’t be mad”, “Here Honey, have a drink/meal/money/gift/car keys or ...” , and any number of other platitudes designed to stop the flow of emotion that is causing the uncomfortable feelings in the codependent. Wanting everyone to be happy is wanting people to be inauthentic so as not to cause change. Being inauthentic means one can never be really and truly happy, just good at pretending it.

For the woman in the obituary, it is too late to change. She has passed on her life lessons to her family, which is upholding their mother’s behaviour of codependency as something to admire, and probably emulate. While we are still alive, there is opportunity to learn healthy new skills, and pass them on. Maybe it will be our grandchildren who will best learn them from us. Life-long behaviours and tools are not relearned overnight, they take time and guidance and a lot of action. Coming to Serenity Vista Codependent Retreat and Sober Vacation is the perfect opportunity to have a safe place to examine your life and your coping skills. You can learn what being authentic really means, and how to encourage those around you to be authentic, even when there are feelings of unhappiness, anger or frustration.

Compare the obituary below:

Mom was a woman who learned to love her life, her spirituality, herself, and those around her. She took risks and followed her own dreams. She moved outside of her comfort zones and respectfully encouraged others to do the same through her examples. She exuded her own happiness and people felt enriched by being in her company. People knew they were safe with her and were often challenged to look at life in a new and exciting way. 

What kind of obituary do you hope your grandchildren write about you?

Take the Codependency Self-Assessment

Make your reservation before July 31, 2012 and save 15%!

Fall Serenity Vista retreats begin September 1, 2012.

Spaces are limited, so book your recovery retreat program early, and save!



more blog articles...

Gratitude in Recovery from Codependence

Attitude of Gratitude

Some people say  A.A. should stand for Attitude Adjustment, and that is exactly what has to happen if a person has any chance at all at staying sober for any length of time. Here are some tips to help you get to an attitude of gratitude.

Make a gratitude list. I suggest leaving the keyboard, and writing this out the old-fashioned way with pen and paper. If you are having trouble coming up with things you are grateful for, think about some really big things like breathing, eating, eyesight, friends and so on. Even if you don't really feel grateful, write them down anyway, and in the process, you may find your attitude adjusting.
Drop blame...

Click here for the rest of the article

Happy Mother's Day?

Mother's Day

Now there is an emotionally charged topic – for almost everyone! Popular culture would have us believe that all mothers should be, or have been, nurturing, loving and sweet, dishing out wisdom, unconditional love, and healthy delicious meals. Well, that would be nice, and in some cases this is true. Unfortunately however, especially in homes affected by addiction, there are often big helpings of dysfunction served as the main course, if not also the side dishes and dessert.

If you grew up in an alcoholic home, your mom may have been either the alcoholic or the co-dependent enabler, or both. Your mom may still be drinking, or making excuses for your father’s or sibling’s addict behaviour. Your mom may be trying to keep you, or pull you back into the toxic family dynamic where you got sick. Moms, like any other family member suffering from the disease of alcoholism, may have a large arsenal of behaviors that attempt to engage or snag you back into the family dramas.

Recovery can be, but is not always about reconciliation with family. Recovery and healthy behaviour often means detaching and distancing yourself from toxic situations, even if those situations include your mother and other close family members.

This Mother’s Day, my hope for you is authenticity, and the courage to ....click here to read the full article...

Find out if codependency

 is an issue in your life. 

There is help.

Why Panama - Serenity Vista - - Panama

Why Panama - Serenity Vista - - Panama

Zen Ghost Story - Serenity Vista - - Panama

Zen Ghost Story - Serenity Vista - - Panama

I work with people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They are besieged by ways of thinking that destroy peace. Working in drug rehab is very rewarding. I get to comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comforted. Using a variety of techniques I challenge our guests to look at things in new ways. I love to tell them, change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. To illustrate and illumine some new angles, stories can be powerful and non-threatening tools. Here is one of the Zen stories I use - Zen doesn't work for everyone - but when it does - watch out!

The Bean Counter

Takashi's jealous wife was very ill. Before the woman died, she made her husband promise that he would remain ever faithful to her even after death. "If you betray me, I will come back to haunt you!" 
click here for the full story...

Would You Rather Be Right Or Happy - Serenity Vista - - Panama

Would You Rather Be Right Or Happy - Serenity Vista - - Panama



This seems like a crazy question at first doesn't it? Most people emphatically answer "Both!" And they believe they are right. The truth is, you can't be both. Think about the many arguments that you have had, or may be actively embroiled in. Most codependents, addicts and other spiritually unwell people will attempt to prove their 'rightness' right into the grave.

When everything changes in recovery, so does the need to 'save face' and be right at any cost. A person who learns to work their steps and live by spiritual principles will choose peace-of-mind and serenity, and thus emotional /physical sobriety over all else. Ask yourself, "Is this worth losing my serenity or getting drunk over? Is this worth dying over?" That is the bottom line for codependents and addicts in recovery.

Let someone else take on the world. In recovery we believe in keeping our own side of the street clean and know that "what other people think about us in not our business".

Find out if codependency is an issue in your life. There is help.