20-Dec-08 12:00 PM  CST  

Recovery of the Highest Level 

It was nearly 20 years ago when he hit rock bottom. High and drunk most of the time, Steve Sewell couldn’t function without just a little something to get him through his day. And he was getting into trouble left and right. One fateful day, the light shone and he realized that the only times he got into big trouble were when he was drunk. While sitting in jail he began to realize there had to be a change. He agreed to attend court-ordered AA Meetings. At the time, in-patient rehab would have cost him his job, so he chose to “white-knuckle it.” For more than a week he had intense cravings, and severe anxiety, but because he was stubborn, he remained sober. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous; although it was unable to help with the cravings, it did help with attitude changes. Hoping the worst was behind him, Steve went about his normal business. A few years later he divorced his first wife. After 10 years of wellbriety he finally succumbed to the cravings and drank again. Shortly after, he met his soul mate and current wife, Dru. Steve jumped on the AA bandwagon again and Dru entered rehab and began her own journey of wellbriety. Together they struggled with cravings for many years, Steve reporting the intense cravings to drink for more than two years, finding them difficult to ignore. Yet he did.

Several years later, following God’s will, Steve was called to help others with addictions. He received a grant from the Southern Ute Tribe to return to school to become an addictions counselor. Never easy, this was a path that was predetermined for him. It was during his early classes that he first had a glimpse of what would become his life’s work. In pharmacology classes, he first learned of how chemicals can affect the body’s own natural brain chemistry. He later went on to receive the highest level of training for addiction counselors, that leading to being a Certified Addictions Counselor III (CACIII). Through extensive training and research, Steve began to embrace the idea that replacement of specific Amino Acids to the body can aid in affecting how the brain has been altered through addictive substances such as drugs or alcohol. Books such as The Healing Nutrients Within by Eric Braverman and End Your Addiction by Charles Gant became the basis of his research. Studying with some of the foremost experts on the subject, Steve spent time training in Mexico with Dr. William Hitt as well as studying the works of Dr. Kenneth Blum. Steve has since developed his own formula with the aid of many physicians. He utilizes his proprietary formula in his addiction recovery clinic, Mind and Body Works, in Durango, CO.

Through God’s will, Steve is now able to help alcoholics and addicts recover in a safe, non-lockdown environment. His counseling skills aid in the recovery process. Each patient has doctor-prescribed nutritional IVs based on extensive research. Each IV has been able to greatly reduce and in some cases entirely eliminate cravings for most alcoholics and addicts he has treated.

This formula seems to be effective for a variety of brain chemical imbalances that occur from drug or alcohol use. Depletions of Dopamine, Serotonin, GABA, and Endorphin are common. Other ingredients of the intravenous solution include Glutathione (an antioxidant), B vitamins, Vitamin C and a mineral complex. The clinic of Mind and Body Works focuses on ensuring the highest quality care to all our patients. We treat the whole body, not just the addiction. We treat the cause of the addiction, not just the symptoms. Complementary care aids in this process for the client as well. Acupuncture, counseling, massage, infrared sauna, biofeedback, nutrition classes, and a complete physical by our doctors help in the assessment of any physical symptoms that may lead a patient to self medicate.

Most patients report by the end of their treatment feeling the best they ever have in their life and that's a huge jumpstart into wellbriety. Upon graduation from the program, all clients are encouraged to follow up with competent counseling and support groups.

Jump ahead several years. Steve was called once again to complete his journey in life and become a New Warrior. It was springtime, a time for rebirth, and Steve joined MKP. Since June of 2006 he has participated in BSDT, and has now stepped into his Elderhood. Steve is active in weekly I-Groups and has staffed seven NWTAs. He lives his mission "to create a world of acceptance, respect and trust by loving himself instead of judging himself." As far as service to others, Steve realizes many people who need this treatment can't afford it. So one out of every five treatments is given away for free!

 

Source: Sherri Wormser & Steve Sewell

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Content Tags: newsletter • winter 2008

 

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