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Online treatment program helps people with
addictions
Anne Kelly
RECORD STAFF
ROBERT WILSON, RECORD STAFF
An online addiction treatment program,
designed and operated by local psychotherapists,
can help bridge the gap while people are waiting
for treatment.
Called the All-Addictions Recovery Program,
it aims to help those with addictions, as well
as their loved ones.
"If someone was on a waiting list, which are
sometimes lengthy, they can begin treatment
right away," said founder Paul Radkowski, a
psychotherapist in private practice in Waterloo
and Cambridge.
He said he wants to provide information,
support and techniques to people all over the
world to overcome trauma and addiction issues.
"We are a local company trying to make a
global impact," said Radkowski, who has a
masters of theological studies in pastoral
counselling from Wilfrid Laurier University.
The program runs three to six months and
costs $79 a month. The addictions can include
shopping, self-cutting, overeating, pornography,
drugs, alcohol or nicotine.
Sign up anonymously at
www.liferecoveryprogram.com; an e-mail
address is required. There is no wait list and
participants receive an in-depth assessment to
determine if they are at risk or how much they
may be at risk.
Radkowski said the service is valuable to
anyone who faces long waits and high costs for
outpatient or residential treatment, or who has
recently left a treatment facility and needs
ongoing support.
The first three months after discharge is
when relapse is most likely, he said.
Bi-weekly psycho-educational video and audio
workshops offer practical tools for the addicted
person or their loved ones.
There are easy-to-follow homework exercises
to help free participants of addictive behaviour
and strengthen their self-control.
The program is based on the latest cognitive
behavioural therapy techniques, Radkowski added.
Participants learn how to decrease painful
emotions and understand what is happening to
them on a physical, mental and emotional level.
They also learn techniques to help identify
their triggers and help develop healthier ways
of coping.
While Radkowski said he highly recommends
group therapy, this program offers privacy and
convenience.
Before entering private practice, he worked
for the federal government in the Northwest
Territories, initiating treatment programs.
Radkowski was named outstanding addictions
professional for 2008 by the International
Association of Addiction and Offender
Counselors.
akelly@therecord.com
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