Addiction is a chronic disease that hijacks the brain via its neural Reward Pathway. Dysfunction in neurotransmitters can lead to specific biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. However, the typical medical perspective of addiction characterizes it primarily as an inability to abstain from or avoid a substance or behavior. Despite the fact that addiction is a neurotransmitter problem, as supported extensively in the academic literature, the current clinical model for treating addiction is not based on correcting this—again, it is largely based on patients abstaining from a drug for “long enough” to hopefully see a benefit. This approach is highly flawed and is why recovery often fails. By correcting neurotransmitter deficiencies with IV Amino Acids, we are best able to address the key biological factors that drive addiction.

To improve mental health after the brain has been treated with IV Amino Acids, we provide Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). KAP provides relief from enduring psychological problems or trauma that have never been addressed or have been treatment-resistant.

Our program focuses on an individual’s positive attributes and strengths instead of weaknesses – who and what they are instead of what they’re not. We emphasize solutions and not the addiction itself. We help our clients see that they amount to much more than, and shouldn’t be defined by, a diagnosis, or a medication. This new mindset motivates change. Our therapeutic approach consists of taking our clients and their loved ones through the 10 Principles of Recovery which have been developed in accordance with evidence-based positive psychological ideologies. These 10 Principles are emphasized throughout the treatment process and promote a positive, strengths-based approach to recovery.

Historically, psychology has focused on mental illness and the negatives in human behavior. This has been especially true in the addiction world as evidenced by the wide use of the label “addict”. In recent years, interest in human potential and well-being has grown. This interest was, in part, due to the positive psychology movement led by prominent scholars/psychologists such as Martin Seligman, Ed Deiner and others who focused attention on the study of human strengths or those inner traits and characteristics that most cultures, religions, and philosophies have highlighted as contributing to the well-being of the individual as well as the world.

Positive psychology focuses more on strengths than on weaknesses, on building the best things in life rather than becoming fixated on the worst, and on those things that contribute to human health rather than perpetually digging at wounds and taking identity from sickness.

An entrenched identity also comes from labeling oneself. Positive-psychological methodology seeks to understand, to intervene and to change the negative self-perception or negative labeling with the objective of improving the life satisfaction and happiness of the person

Nutrition and physical health are important companions to Medication-Assisted Treatment modalities.  Our team of nutritional and health experts will develop a nutrition and fitness plan customized to a client’s unique genetic make-up, fitness levels, and other neurochemical factors.  Throughout the program, our clients develop skills and plans to carry appropriate nutrition and health habits home with them.

Every detail of the client experience at Ampelis Recovery is intentionally crafted to reinforce change and healing.  There are therapeutic benefits associated with music, art, handwriting, being in nature, gardening, and hard work.  Our team of experiential designers leverage the unique setting of the property in Hobble Creek Canyon to create multi-sensory opportunities for clients in all of these areas.  Recovery is not a vacation, rather our clients and their loved ones are engaged in the work required to cultivate meaning through the development of SELF, relationships with OTHERS, and connecting with the DIVINE (not confined to religiosity, but found through what literature calls transcendence that is often found in nature, meditation, spirituality, etc).