Conquer Addiction & Celebrate Authentic Freedom

By Bob Cox

When Janina Guarino was lying in a hospital bed during the summer of 1988 with third degree burns all over her body, she couldn’t imagine how things could possibly get any worse. But much to her surprise, they did when her doctor informed her that her chance of survival was just 3%. That same week, her husband announced that he was filing for divorce and leaving her for the woman he had been having an affair with!

During this low point, Janina had plenty of time to reflect on all the choices in her life that led her to the brink of despair. She realized that her addiction to drugs and alcohol had an extremely negative impact on her life and that if she was going to survive this latest fiasco and turn her life around, she had to be willing to take a leap of faith by making new and better decisions.

She began the process by finding the wisdom and courage to forgive her husband and wish him well. Next, she resolved to break free from her destructive addictions and create a new set of coping skills. After defying the odds and surviving her traumatic ordeal, she found a wise and compassionate psychotherapist who helped her create new strategies for personal and professional success.

During this time, she started going to church and met some people there who enjoyed a wide variety of activities that did not revolve around alcohol or drugs. “I realized that there was more to life and all the things that I really loved doing could be done without any alcohol or drugs. So I started doing those things, like motorcycle riding and going to rodeos. If my kids had dreams, I would encourage and help them with whatever they needed to do. I even worked three jobs at times to make sure that they wouldn't lack anything”, explained Janina.

I sat down with Janina to learn more about her amazing life story as well as the business she created three years ago called Better Decisions Counseling Services in Sacramento.

Q: What inspired you to start your own counseling service?

A: Drug and alcohol addiction has destroyed the lives of so many of my family and friends. I wanted to be the beginning of a healthier generation for years to come and live out my dream by helping people break free from addiction. I definitely know what people go through when they're struggling with addiction. Once I overcame my addiction, I wanted to help other people. I lost both my brothers due to addiction, so I want to give back because I’m really grateful that I'm alive today.

Q: What was your life like while you were trapped in addiction?

A: Almost every activity revolved around drugs and alcohol. I was in several near fatal auto and motorcycle accidents due to alcohol and drug addiction. The driver of the motorcycle I was on during that last accident died shortly after that from a heroin overdose.

Q: How did you summon the strength to forgive your husband?

A: I’m not exactly sure, but somehow I was free from any resentment. I was able to let go and allow him to go and be happy with his new life.

Q: Did you have a strong support system to jumpstart your recovery?

A: No, there was really nobody there to help me in the beginning that would sit and listen to me, so yeah I really struggled, especially as a single parent.

Q: Did your background help you with the creation and growth of Better Decisions Counseling Services?

A: Yes, I worked for the state of California for 25 years as a compliance specialist during the day and worked nights counseling kids in group homes. As a compliance specialist, I worked with local counseling organizations like Better Decisions.

Q: Do you have a thorough understanding of all the rules and regulations that are required by the government to make sure that you're providing the very best care?

A: Yes and we try to make sure that we're doing everything that we can. We pride ourselves on having a higher level of expectations, beyond what’s regulated.

Q: If someone you love is struggling with addiction and they want help, what advice would you give them?

A: Call us immediately. We give each client a free consultation and will meet them wherever they're at. From there, we’ll figure out exactly what they need by performing a thorough and detailed assessment.

Q: Do you have a specific method of rehabilitation for everyone who is suffering from addiction?

A: No, every person is unique, so our counseling is customized for each individual. Our program isn't a cookie cutter plan. We offer drug and alcohol counseling for the entire family. When a member of the family is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the entire family is impacted. With a healthier family to come back to, it's going to increase the likelihood of recovery.

Q: What is your rate of success for recovery?

A: Our success rates are very high. Last year, 86% of our clients were sober after 12 months. Once a person has stabilized, there are a whole set of different needs, including assistance finding employment, building credit, enhancing personal appearance and so on. We offer help with these things as well.

Q: How important is it for people in recovery to replace old bad habits (drugs and alcohol) with new good habits?

A: It’s crucially important! We work closely with our clients to help them recall their interests and hobbies before the addiction took over their life.

Q: Do you offer any other services, including those mandated by the courts?

A: Yes, we offer courses in anger management, DUI’s, Department of Transportation education and even drug testing, just to name a few. We also conduct motivational seminars for the employees of several companies in the area.

Q: Are you able to help people in lower income brackets?

A: Yes, we are also now accepting most major insurance plans and that has opened the door to a lot more people in need of our services. We also work on a sliding scale, so even those who have Medical and are on a waiting list trying to get into a program, they can now afford to get the counseling service they need. We also conduct group meetings here every Tuesday night and these meetings are free. This is an ideal setting for someone that knows they have a drug or alcohol problem and they want to ease into finding a solution.

Editor’s notes: For more information about Better Decisions Counseling Services, visit their website at www.betterdecisionsinc.org, stop by their office at 10366 Rockingham Drive in Sacramento or call (916) 368-0700. 

Helping Victims of PTSD

By Bob Cox

Was I the only one that used to think that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) only affects combat soldiers? I've just recently learned that PTSD is a condition that impacts people in all walks of life. Severe trauma can literally be experienced by anyone at anytime.

PTSD is a serious and potentially debilitating condition that is characterized by three main types of symptoms: 1. Re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares. 2. Emotional numbness and avoidance of people, places and activities that are reminders of the trauma and 3. Increased arousal, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration and being easily angered.

If you've ever experienced any kind of traumatic event, you may have PTSD. People that work in high stress occupations where trauma is commonplace (police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, E.M.T.’s etc.), are more prone to experiencing PTSD; however, everyone has the potential to being exposed. According to a recent study, the most common traumatic events that caused women to develop PTSD were childhood physical abuse (48.5%), being raped (45.9%), being threatened with a weapon (32.6%), sexual molestation (26.5%), being physically attacked (21.3%) and childhood neglect (19.7%). For men, the traumatic events leading to PTSD were being raped (65.0%), combat (38.8%), childhood neglect (23.9%), childhood physical abuse (22.3%) and being sexually molested (12.2%).

I recently spoke to Janina Guarino, the founder of Better Decisions Counseling Services to learn more about the services they’re providing here in Sacramento to help victims that suffer from PTSD.

Q: What are some of the most common experiences you've had helping victims of PTSD?

A: PTSD affects many people and some aren’t even aware that they have the condition. The most common problems people experience includes anxiety, depression, seeing objects, hearing voices, clostrophobia and a variety of unexplained fears. Oftentimes, they don’t understand why they’re feeling overwhelmed.

Q: Better Decisions Counseling Services is known for helping those with negative addictions. How does helping victims of PTSD fit into your umbrella of services?

A: Whenever we’re assessing someone for an addiction, we use a very detailed questionaire. Oftentimes, the causes of addiction can be traced back to one or more traumatic events. By asking our clients if they've had the symptoms of PTSD, like nightmares or sleeping problems, we’re able to get to the true source of the problem.

Q: So, are you actually uncovering the roots of the trauma that caused the addiction?

A: Yes and domestic violence is a significant contributor to PTSD. We offer co-parenting classes and family counseling that helps the families that don’t have the tools to resolve their differences peacefully.

Q: Does it usually take several counseling sessions before you discover a tragic event that has caused PTSD?

A: Yes. We are building relationships with people so that they can feel safe to discuss issues that they haven’t been able to talk about in the past.

Q: You mentioned that you've had great results helping one client in particular that has suffered for years from PTSD. Can you share that story with us?

A: Yes, one of our client’s was seeking help for anger issues at a local V. A. hospital and was advised not to come back unless he had a security escort. We chose to help him in counseling sessions and worked on his anger issues. He has grown tremendously and he continues to make an effort to create healthier relationships with his friends, his family and his past.

Q: Better Decisions will be hosting The 2nd Annual PTSD Fundraiser to help as many people as possible who suffer from this affliction. What’s do you have planned at this worthwhile event?

A: We want to build awareness of PTSD by offering our services to everyone in need, especially to people that may not be able to afford our services. Last year we helped a lot of people in our community.

Q: What kinds of activities and events do you have planned?

A: We’re doing a chili cook off, a prize giveaway and face painting for kids. We will have several sponsors at the event and they will be offering a variety of valuable products and services. Last year, we gave away a big screen TV and several gift cards!

Editors Notes: The 2^nd Annual PTSD Fundraiser event take place on Saturday, November 15, 2014 from 10 am to 3 pm. at Better Decisions Counseling Services, which is located at 10633 Rockingham Road in Sacramento.     

Conquering Addiction

Better Decisions Start with Better Decisions

By Bob Cox

Janina and Alex grew up on the wrong side of the tracks during the wild and crazy 1970's, with an unhealthy supply of drugs, alcohol and never ending parties. Janina’s parents were both alcoholics while two of her three siblings struggled with drug addiction. The one rule in Janina’s house was there were no rules. So, she did what many teenagers do when they are left to their own devices; she ran around with troubled kids like Alex.

Alex came from a broken family (divorce) and he spiraled downward into a lifestyle of trouble. He grew up in a neighborhood that was infested with gangs, crime and drugs. The gang leaders were the only role models in his neighborhood and Alex, like most of the kids he grew up with, looked up to them. He admired their power, their wealth and the respect they commanded. It took several years in prison for Alex to receive a much needed wake up call, which he fortunately answered. That’s when he chose to make better decisions and completely turned his life around.

Janina also struggled as a young adult to find peace and happiness. One day, while she was going through her second divorce, she decided to make better decisions as well, which completely transformed her life. She decided to go into a field that she loved and wanted to be more involved in. She was determined to open up an alcohol and drug counseling facility immediately after she retired.

More than three decades passed since the two friends had seen one another when their paths would cross once again. This time, the friendship would blossom in a healthy and toxic-free environment. Janina found out from a friend that Alex had embraced a positive based lifestyle and had gone on to become a respected drug and alcohol counselor. She was excited to hear the good news, especially after all the self destructive years they once shared. Today, they embrace the same passion for helping others conquer addiction. When she asked Alex if he would be interested in working with her, he said “Yes, absolutely!”

I had the privilege to sit down with Janina Guarino and Alex Noriega the other day to learn more about the company that Janina has started here in Rancho Cordova called Better Decisions Counseling Services. I walked away completely uplifted by their resilience to overcome so many obstacles and inspired by their passion to help others that have suffered from similar upbringings. Here’s how our conversation went.

Q: What is Better Decisions Counseling Services?

A: (Janina) Better Decisions is a new alcohol and substance rehabilitation services agency. We offer a wide variety of quality counseling services that go beyond drug and alcohol addiction, such as anger management, co-parenting education, self esteem classes and more. With our unique experiences of being brought up around drug and alcohol addiction, we have genuine empathy and understand the despair our clients feel when they hit rock bottom. Alex and I have been there, so we know what it feels like to lose hope. Fortunately, we both decided to make better decisions and completely turned our lives around. We chose to replace our unhealthy addictions with healthy addictions that have added more joy in our lives and the lives of the people we love. We’ve taken those real life experiences as well as the formal education to assemble a variety of tools to help empower people, so they can be free from unhealthy addictions and progress in life.

Q: How exactly does Better Decisions assist people with negative addictions?

A: (Janina) Once a person has gone through a successful detox program, they need a comprehensive support system and that’s where we come in. We provide people with the education they need to integrate into society and achieve personal and professional success. We don’t have a cookie cutter program, because each person is unique. If someone has certain issues in their life, we address those issues specifically. We teach life skills and social skills to help our clients gain employment. (Alex) We teach our clients the basics, like writing a professional resume, doing mock interviews and offering tips on how to dress for the occasion. (Janina) We’re also assisting people who are going through divorce by providing anger management and parenting courses, which are sometimes required by a court of law when dealing with child custody issues. We even have family and marriage therapy, life coaching and sober companionship.

Q: Are there any other services that Better Decisions provides that are not currently available in the greater Sacramento area?

A: (Janina) Yes, we’re now offering drug testing after 5pm. We’re available from 10am to 8:30pm. The majority of drug testing centers in the area close by 5pm. We also provide Saturday counseling by appointment. (Alex) By staying open after 5pm, we’re trying to accommodate the working class people that need the service but can only come after work.

Q: What’s been your impact on helping families who have someone suffering from an unhealthy addiction?

A: (Janina) It’s been amazing! We’re bringing families together by offering formal counseling for every member of the family. Many family services located throughout Sacramento only treat the individual and exclude the family. We understand that the whole family is greatly impacted when a member has an unhealthy addiction. I was raised in a family with alcoholism and drug addiction, so I know what that’s like. Every member of our family suffered. Had those services been available to me back then, I may have made the decision to seek help a lot sooner.

Q: You mentioned something earlier about adding healthy addictions. What’s that all about?

(Alex) When most people think of addiction, they associate it with all the negative ones. But there are also positive addictions that you can use to fill the hole that’s left when a person removes a negative addiction. (Janina) We try to find out what healthy hobbies our clients once enjoyed and then build on that. Let’s say you used to play in a band and then you got into drugs and had to stop everything because your lifestyle became self destructive. We want to help you remember your first love (music) before the drugs were introduced. We encourage our clients to remember those things that brought them joy so that that they can bring that back into their life, minus the unhealthy addictions.

Q: Can you tell us about your popular women’s support group?

(Alex) Yes, Janina offers a support group for women, which helps build self esteem and is very motivational. (Janina) We have found that women don’t have a lot of support systems available here in the Sacramento area and women need to support each other. We want them to feel comfortable with this masculine disease of addiction. When a woman is in an addictive mindset, she is more apt to solicit the company of a male figure and fall into an unhealthy relationship. By having a women’s support group, we’re finding that it’s okay not to have what I call a better than nothing around, which is a male figure that’s not good for you. Women can now come to the support system and talk it out. You may need other people to talk to about certain things or a place where you can vent and hear somebody else’s perspective. You don’t have to be in a romantic relationship to feel loved and understood. A plutonic relationship is often more healthy.

Q: What are the future goals of Better Decisions?

A: (Janina) Today, we’re an intensive outpatient program, but we plan to have a residential facility in the near future. We’re incorporating the mental health services with substance abuse for the better of the community. (Alex) We’re looking to open a Sober Living Environment (SLE), which offers even more intensive outpatient assistance. We just want to touch the whole community in a positive way. We won’t turn anybody down, everybody is welcome. You have to show up to make a better decision.

Editor’s notes: Janina Guarino is the founder of Better Decisions Counseling Services in Rancho Cordova. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (C.A.D.C. II). Alex Noriega is the general manager for Better Decisions Counseling Services. He is also a Certified Addiction Specialist (C.A.S. I). For more information about Better Decisions Counseling Services, call (916) 368-0700, visit their website www.betterdecisionsinc.org or stop by their office at 10366 Rockingham Drive in Rancho Cordova. Donations are always welcome.