Self-Harm Treatment Center Serving Tennessee

Learn More About Self-Harm Treatment at Mirror Lake Recovery Center in Tennessee

Self-harm describes a series of behaviors through which a person intentionally causes physical damage to himself or herself. Common examples of self-harm include burning oneself; pulling out one’s hair; pinching, scratching, and/or cutting one’s skin; intentionally drinking caustic or poisonous liquids; hitting one’s head on walls or other hard objects; and breaking one’s own bones. Though these behaviors are obviously dangerous and can be lethal, self-harm is not undertaken in an attempt to commit suicide. Instead, many people who engage in self-harm do so as a way of gaining control over what they feel are out-of-control lives, or as a means of giving a physical presence to emotional or psychological pain.

When a person who engages in self-harm also abuses or becomes addicted to alcohol or other drugs, the dangers both from the self-harm and the substance abuse can become magnified. For example, the depressant effects of alcohol can induce a greater sense of self-loathing, which can manifest via more severe self-harm, while drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine can quickly plunge a person into a vicious downward spiral of addiction. Also, anyone who engages in self-harm while under the influence of alcohol or another drug may risk inflicting more serious damage than he or she intended, which can lead to myriad additional health problems.

The good news is that help is available for men and women who have been struggling with self-harm and substance abuse. At an effective comprehensive rehab center such as Mirror Lake Recovery Center, skilled and dedicated treatment professionals are prepared to provide the specialized rehab that can help men and women end their dependence upon addictive substances while also providing them with the care and support that will empower them to overcome the urge to engage in self-harm.

Helping a Loved One or Family Member Get Self-Harm Treatment

When you discover that a loved one has been engaging in self-harm, you are likely to be concerned, shocked, and even frightened. If this behavior is accompanied by substance abuse, your initial response may be even more confused and frustrated. These emotions are entirely normal. Self-harm is a widely misunderstood experience that, to those who are not familiar with this type of behavior, can be difficult to comprehend. If you have made such a discovery about someone in your life, please know the following two facts:

1. Your loved one is in crisis and needs professional treatment.
2. You can play an essential role in ensuring that he or she gets that help.

First, you will want to take time to educate yourself about the challenges that your loved one is facing. Talk to your family physician, visit websites of reputable mental health organizations, and consult with mental health experts to get a firm understanding of self-harm, substance abuse, and how these two challenges can impact and exacerbate each other.

Next, research the types of treatment that have helped others who were struggling with problems similar to what your loved one is going through, and identify specific centers that provide the type and level of care that your loved one needs. Be sure to note which centers provide comprehensive services that can address both the chemical dependency and the self-harm. Attempting to treat one of these issues without addressing the other is a recipe for failure.

After you have educated yourself appropriately, you will need to speak to your loved one. If possible, invite a small number of family members and close friends to assist you in this effort. You do not want your loved one to feel as though he or she is being ambushed or overwhelmed, but neither should you put yourself in the position of being the sole voice in support of getting professional help for your loved one. A small compassionate group of close friends or family members can avoid both of these outcomes.

Emphasize that your compassion and empathy, and do not forget that your loved one is in crisis. Remember that your goal here is to have a discussion, not a confrontation. Your loved one may respond with denial or even anger. Do not allow the conversation to devolve into an argument. This is not the time to make accusations, issue ultimatums, or otherwise put yourself in conflict with the person who you are trying to help.

When your loved one agrees to get treatment, offer to provide whatever practical or logistical assistance is necessary to allow him or her to focus on his or her health. Transportation, meals, child care, medical appointments, and other demands can, at a time like this, feel like overwhelming challenges. Take responsibility for ensuring that these matters are taken care of, and give your loved one the freedom to enter treatment and regain his or her health.

Of course, it is essential to remember that rehab is one step in what may be a lifelong treatment process. Before, during, and after your loved one is in rehab, ensure that he or she has no reason to question your continued love and support.

Why Consider Treatment for Self-Harm at Mirror Lake Recovery Center in Tennessee

As indicated earlier on this page, self-harm and untreated chemical dependency can have an intense negative impact on the quality of a person’s life. Self-harm alone can expose a person to myriad intentional and unintentional health problems, including broken bones, infections, and organ damage, as well as the continued psychological stress associated with both the desire to harm oneself and the effort to hide these effects from others. In addition to the dangers of the self-harm itself, the individual is also dealing with underlying issues such as stress, trauma, or low self-esteem. These issues can have a continued negative impact on the person’s psychological wellbeing. Adding substance abuse into the mix raises the risk of both physical and psychological harm, while also making it more difficult for the individual to meet his or her academic, occupational, and personal responsibilities. Depending upon the nature and the effects of his or her substance abuse, the individual may also be at risk for experiencing financial distress and legal problems, including arrest and incarceration. However, effective professional rehab can stop the continued harm, address past damage, and put the person in a much better position to live a healthier, more productive, and more satisfying life, free from the limitations of self-harm and substance abuse.

Types of Self-Harm Treatment Offered at Mirror Lake Recovery Center in Tennessee

Mirror Lake, a premier addiction rehab center located in Burns, Tennessee, is one of the state’s longest standing providers of high quality treatment for men and women looking to recover from addiction and self-harm. Offering a three-phase treatment experience that includes medically monitored detox, residential, and partial hospitalization programming, Mirror Lake has been able to help thousands of individuals achieve lasting sobriety.

The top-notch care we provide helps clients realize their capacity to change and grow. With the support of our staff, which includes an addictionologist, a psychiatrist, therapists, nurses, and clinical technicians, our clients are able benefit from our multifaceted rehab that is based on the 12-Step philosophy. Our 146-bed center is also licensed as a sub-acute hospital, which allows us to treat those with complex medical histories that other centers are not able to accommodate. Furthermore, we only utilize proven effective treatment methods and protocols so that each client will experience the most favorable treatment outcomes.

In choosing Mirror Lake as the place to begin your recovery journey, you will receive a treatment plan that is uniquely tailored to your needs and goals. The following are among the components of care that our rehab center provides, and are those that can be included in your personalized plan of treatment:

Medically monitored detoxification: In order to effectively participate in our residential programming, some Mirror Lake clients require detoxification services at the start of their treatment. Closely monitored by our medical staff, our center’s detoxification services allow clients to go through the process of withdrawal with minimal discomfort. Depending on the type of addiction that a client is grappling with, we will select the most appropriate detox protocol to meet his or her needs. Upon completion of detox, clients are then welcome to engage in the next phase of the rehab process.

Medication management services: When engaged in our detox, residential, and partial hospitalization services, clients will receive daily medication management services supervised by our psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and nurses in the event they require relief from the symptoms of self-harm, another mental illness, or an addiction.

Individual therapy: In order to help our clients process their addictions and any additional concerns, such as self-harm, Mirror Lake includes individual therapy into its programming. These sessions are held weekly and allow our clients to develop a therapeutic relationship with an assigned counselor. Short-term goals can be established during sessions, and clients can hone their problem-solving and decision-making skills while navigating the recovery process. Furthermore, clients who were being treated by another counselor prior to starting treatment at Mirror Lake can grant consent to have their counselor participate in these sessions as well.

Family therapy: The process of recovering from an addiction and self-harm can be more successful when an individual has the support of loved ones. At Mirror Lake Recovery Center, we want to help our clients repair and restructure their relationships with those closest to them and do so by offering weekly family therapy sessions. These sessions are led by our devoted counselors who help families heal from the damage addiction has caused.

Family Program: Mirror Lake recognizes that addiction has the capacity to affect more than just the person who is abusing substances. For this reason, we are proud to offer a Family Program each Sunday so that those closest to our clients can benefit from family therapy. Our Family Program takes place on our campus in Burns, Tennessee, and offers the following methods of treatment:  

• Shared meals
• 12-Step based meetings
• Non-denominational worship services
• Video tapes
• Lecture series
• Experiential exercises and conjoint groups

Group therapy: Covering topics and issues identified by our clients or our counselors, group therapy is an integral part of the care we supply. Taking place multiple times per day, group therapy allows clients to gain insight and support from others who have walked similar paths. The following groups are among those that have enabled the men and women of Mirror Lake to learn new skills, gain a better understanding of addiction and recovery, and develop the confidence in knowing that lasting recovery from addiction and self-harm is possible:    

• Recovery Principles
• Living in Balance
• Relapse prevention
• Gender-specific groups

Experiential therapy: When a person comes to Mirror Lake battling an addiction and self-harm, he or she can greatly benefit from our holistic approach to care. Experiential therapy, which helps clients to understand the mind-body connection, is part of this approach and includes the following activities:

• Art therapy
• Yoga

ReNew Program: Mirror Lake is pleased to offer a Christian approach to addiction rehab. For those who are interested in strengthening their faith while participating in treatment, our ReNew Program supplies rehab that is grounded in Christianity. When partaking in this program, clients can benefit from the following while at our center:   

• Meeting with chaplains
• Meditation
• Celebrate recovery meetings
• Bible study using Life Recovery Bible and workbook
• Daily journaling
• Daily worship and prayer
• 12-Step meetings

The above types of treatment can be included in each of our clients’ personalized treatment plans. In choosing to come to our rehab center for treatment, you or the person you care about will learn which treatment methods will be most beneficial in terms of meeting your or your loved one’s needs and goals. Furthermore, upon completion of treatment at Mirror Lake Recovery Center, you or your loved one will receive a thorough discharge plan that will detail the recommendations and resources needed to ensure that recovery is lasting.

With an unparalleled dedication to helping men and women reclaim their lives from addiction, Mirror Lake is prepared to help you come to know a life that is no longer dictated by addiction and self-harm. Let us help you realize your healthier tomorrow, today.