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On March 28, 2008 ABC-TV’s
prime time news program “20-20” featured a special
field report on intervention and recovery. ABC-TV
followed the recovery of Eamon O’Hara, a young alcoholic
from Syracuse, New York. Eamon’s mother was
inspired by actor Daniel Baldwin’s appearance on ABC-TV,
describing his road to recovery. She contacted Baldwin.
ABC arranged for Baldwin to intervene on Eamon and fly with
him to Los Angeles, where he entered the Marshak Clinic’s
28 day residential program. The news crew spent weeks
following Eamon’s progress at the clinic and then
after he graduated, as a resident of Soba Sober Living also
in Malibu. We’re very excited about the results
and the fact that Eamon now has five months of continued
sobriety and has made the principles of the Marshak Method
a part of his daily life .
When a client graduates from
the 28–day Marshak residential program, he/she re-enters
the real world, whether at home or at a sober living, with
the help of a Marshak Method coach like Chris Morro. For
our news section, Chris, who has 8 years of sobriety, knows
yoga and comes from a family of gourmet cooks, answers questions
about the Marshak Clinic’s unique aftercare program.
For the first two months after graduating the residential
program, clients spend 15-20 hours a week working with Chris.
NEWS:
Chris, what is the difference between a Marshak Method coach
and a traditional “sober coach/sober companion”?
CHRIS:
Well, I think the key difference, in my experience, is that
a Marshak Method coach approaches addiction from a
holistic methodology. Like Dr. Marshak and his staff's work
at the clinic, this aftercare program continues in that
same light, dealing with the many facets that addiction
can manifest itself into. I continue working with the
clients on nutrition, yoga, 12 step work, and counseling
as well as dealing with any wreckage left behind before
entering the program. Beyond that my role is simple; hold
space for the client while the whirlwind of life sweeps over
them once back into the real world.
CHRIS:
Every session with the client is unique. While I do have
a plan when I arrive, emphasis is based on the present moment
and the client’s needs at that time. Also, because
of the client's schedule, the sessions vary greatly from
one hour to a full day depending on what's happening
in their life at that moment. I do always try to incorporate
exercise into every session and I like to focus on the steps,
many times with emphasis on the first three steps and developing
a relationship with a higher power. I believe this relationship
with a higher power is essential and the foundation for
all the work ahead. I also will visit the client at any
time it is convenient for them. This will also impact what
the focus will be for that meeting.
NEWS: How
does this work integrate with your own beliefs about health
and sobriety?
CHRIS:
I had the same holistic approach when I got sober eight
years ago. Not as refined as Dr. Marshak’s method,
of course, but I found myself taking a threefold approach
to my addiction, which caused a cyclical effect. A
cleansing of the body lead me to a cleansing of the mind
which in turn lead me to a cleansing of thespirit. These
entities are not separate. When one of these aspects is
ignored it directly affects the others, and for me
affects my serenity. An unhealthy mind affects my spirit
and body. An unhealthy body will affect my mind and spirit.
They are all interconnected. But when I take care of all
three of these facets of life, my level of peace and serenity
increases. It doesn't mean my problems go away, but my ability
to navigate through them is positively effected when
I am balanced.
NEWS:
How has your past come into play in your role as a Marshak
method coach?
CHRIS:
It seems that much of my past was spent preparing me for
this job -- without my even knowing it. Firstly, I
have been in recovery for eight years now and have
worked as a sponsor and with the 12 steps of AA. I have
assisted a master yogi, Mark Whitwell, traveling the country
with him and assisting in his classes. I have a background
in nutrition, and worked in my mother's gourmet catering
and take out business for seven years helping to prepare
healthy, nourishing meals for her clients. And finally, I
have experience working with clients with mental illness,
aiding them as a "Life Coach," as they learned
to live on their own in the outside world. It is funny how
life reveals itself and how seemingly unconnected events
have led me to this place.
NEWS: Any
final thoughts?
CHRIS:
I would just say that 28 days at the Marshak clinic is like
planting a seed in this journey of recovery. An aftercare
program helps that seed grow by nourishing the soil
and giving that seed sustenance and care. This in turn helps
the seed to take root. Without a strong root the plant has
no chance for survival. And so, like a plant, recovery
takes time. The aftercare program is an integral part of
the Marshak Method because it takes the tools learned inside
the clinic and helps the client begin to use them in the
real world with supportive guidance from their coach. The
goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible from
in-patient to out-patient care and to help the client take
root in their new life.
All of us at the Marshak Clinic
warmly wish to all our wonderful alumni, friends, and colleagues
a Joyous Holiday Season, and a New Year that is filled with
peace, love, and joy. We look forward to working with you
in the coming months to make this world a healthier and
happier place!
Marshak Clinic alumni will
soon be guaranteed a true sober environment during their
extended care programs. A spacious, comfortable home,
which will include a yoga studio and gym, has been
acquired for the Extended Care Program. It is conveniently
located close to upscale shopping areas, freeways and "good"
12 Step meetings.
Dr. Yakov Marshak, MD has
been invited to keynote the U.S. Journal Training, Inc.
(USJT) and the Institute for Integral Development "3rd
Annual Neuroscience meets Recovery" conference that
will take place on September 4-6, 2008. Dr. Marshak will
discuss his extensive research and unique holistic perspective
on recovery in light of the recent advances in neuroscience,
and how this understanding can be used to influence human
thought, emotion, and behavior. Dr. Marshak will address
the effect that alcohol and drugs have on the nervous system
which leads to the development of
addiction and dependence, and explain how the synergistic
components of the Marshak MethodT™ effectively act
to "rebuild the brain" and restore healthy functions.
Neuroscience is the study
of the nervous system, but research in the field includes
genes and other molecules that are the basis for the nervous
system. Dr.Yakov Marshak and his daughter Dr. Sofia Marshak,
MD, Ph.D., have made significant progress in determining
how to distinguish genetic patterns that indicate a genetic
predisposition to addiction, and have created a unique and
effective method to restore the many devastating neurological
and psychiatric symptoms that are oftenthe consequences
of prolonged alcohol and drug abuse. These research findings
are invaluable aid developing ways to prevent and treat
neurological disorders that affect millions of people.
USJT and the Institute for
Integral Development are leaders in the professional development
field, and have provided quality training experiences for
front line practitioners for the last 60 years. They are
an approved provider of Continuing Education for professionals
in the fields of addictions, mental health, and related
helping professions, who provide leading edge approaches
to the ongoing concerns of Health Care Professionals through
workshops, panel discussions, and experiential demonstrations.
Drs. Yakov and Sofia Marshak have made a valuable contribution
in understanding and treating alcoholism and drug addiction,
and we look forward to Dr. Marshak's informative presentation
about their work, research, and the Marshak Method™
to the Health Care Professionals' community.
It is out of this determination
to conquer the overwhelming destructive urge to drink that
inspiration came: instead of drinking Yasha began to do
some exercises he had learned. To his surprise, the craving
for alcohol subsided… and the Marshak MethodTM was
conceived. In the following years the unique components
Dr. Marshak has personally developed have been integrated
with the most up-to-date scientific research of numerous
scientific leaders in the field, making the Marshak MethodTM
the effective and successful program it is today.
With the recent opening of
the Marshak Clinic in Malibu, California, Dr. Yakov Marshak
has completed his mission to bring the experience and scientific
techniques he developed at the Marshak Clinic in Moscow
to the United States. Today - help is available for everyone
who is ready to leave behind the insanity and suffering
of alcoholism and drug addiction, and step into a new healthier
and happier life.
As I say goodbye to 2007 and
welcome in the New Year, I look back with fond memories
at all the exceptional events that have taken place in these
last few months. This was definitively a year of wonderful
new beginnings and many changes. All of us have come a long
way and learned a great deal in the process - and it has
been an enlightening and fascinating journey.
I know that in this last year
we all have grown immensely - both individually and as a
community. As you all remember, together we have faced and
successfully dealt with many, many unexpected and challenging
events… and emerged from the experience as even more
capable and competent individuals.
I want to say a heartfelt
"Thank You" to everyone who has been a part of
my journey - to all the wonderful people who have invested
their time and talent, and have shared their love and light
with others to make this world a supportive community and
better place for everyone. To all the Marshak family and
our brilliant CEO, to all the talented and devoted staff
of Marshak Clinic, to all our successful and happy alumni
and future clients - may the New Year bring you, and everyone
you love, sweet serenity, abundant health, and joyful well-being!
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