Alcohol Rehab in Russia--New Trends

Historically, the Russian state's drug treatment technology is referred to as "narcology." It is an outgrowth of old Russian psychiatry. Treatment typically consisted only of a heavily medicalized detoxification or may be followed with a course of antipsychotic medications or barbiturates. Drug or alcohol rehabilitation treatment centers that offer more extensive treatment are likely to use hypnotic techniques to implant the idea in the addict that if they drink or use drugs again,  they will die. According to several reports, "only about a third of Russia's regions have any treatment facilities at all. And the results from treatment facilities, when they do exist, are disappointing. Some reports state that 90 percent of addicts relapse in a year or less. In very few cases do any drug treatment centers attempt to teach an addict how to live a drug-free life."
Now, new clinics are forming to help update treatment methods based on Western Models of Alcohol Rehabilitation utilizing the 12 Step Model of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is time to bring treatment out of the shadows. Help is possible for alcohol and drug addiction. Thanks to Sara Rozin and an international program department at Baylor, I participated as a subject matter expert on addiction, stress management, smoking cessation and more to Russia and trained psychologists, Narcologists, HR departments on how to assess and treat addiction. In addition, we helped develop a wellness program on Sakhalin Island. What an exciting time and wonderful experience. By the way, I have an undergraduate degree in Russian, so this made the experience that much more rewarding. One of my most memorable experiences was walking by this church during a service and standing in wonder and awe as the nuns chanted along with the priests during a series. Sakhalin Russian Orthodox Church

How to Coach Using Skype—A Live Demonstration

Coaching via Skype* is increasing in popularity. Many coaches who have shunned coaching by telephone because of its psychological distance are using Skype as a means of having a more personal relationship while still coaching virtually.

Dr.  Michael Klaybor, an executive coach and professional counselor, will provide an actual demonstration of an online Skype coaching session via the internet. This presentation will demonstrate how to:

•       Set up a Skype account for yourself and your client
•       Get your client comfortable with the technology and the coaching process
•       Adjust basic face-to-face coaching techniques for a Skype session
•       Apply practical hints for a successful session

You will find this to be a very practical session with ample opportunity for asking questions about any aspect of using this technology in your coaching practice.

* Skype is a very popular webconferencing and audioconferencing product, available in free of charge (less features) and fee–paid (more features) versions for both Windows and Mac.

On August 6th, I will be presenting to the International Coach Federation (ICF) . This presentation demonstrates on the use of social media is the future now. 

Elements of Wellness

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as, "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
Wellness is a process of making informed choices that will lead one, over a period of time, to a health lifestyle that should result in a sense of wellbeing. Wellness has several components that represent a balance to physical, mental, nutritional, and spiritual components. Some steps to consider to establish and enhance Wellness include:

1. Physical: Re-establishng structural integrity, the foundation of health. This is to allow or improve a free flow of vital energy.
2. Nutritional: Rebalance nutrition. To optimize digestion, replenishing vitamins and minerals will aid assimilation and improve immune system functioning.
3. Sleep: Reprogram the body with regular sleep hygiene, exercise, rest, strength and conditioning.
4. Mental: Strengthen emotional patterns and remove limiting believe systems and negative thinking. 
5. Toxins: Detox from "excessive" alcohol and cigarettes.
6. Life Skills: Social, environmental, financial and occupational care taking. 

As you take time to assess your life balance, happiness, connectedness, you may find that utilizing coaching for wellness to be a great avenue for taking charge of your life by engaging in a holistic approach. Accessing and promoting preventive medical, mental, physical and social balance will in fact, add years and quality to your life.

International SOS Services---iGlobal Pathways Provide Services

Our services range from face-to-face crisis management services, onsite debriefing for mental health emergencies using resources we have established in Houston and Eastern Europe. We also have a great deal of experience utilizing Teletherapy, Internet-based training, and psychological assessment protocols for employees having a wide range of problems. In addition, we can access a global network of providers, who can provide mental health services to employees. Our rapid response team will coordinate with the medical team to quickly assess and/or provide your company with the support it needs - on demand.

iGlobalPathways’ healthcare professionals specialize in support for employee crisis situations and offer emergency psychological services. We believe that emergencies in the workplace not only affect the mental health of an employee, but also may affect the productivity, satisfaction, and safety in the workplace. We offer a crisis response program to help employees cope with traumatic situations, ultimately leading to a more stable and productive work environment.

We specialize in a wide range of scenarios, which include:

•      Death in the workplace
•      Stress management
•      Employee conflict
•      Expatriate assessment or repatriation counseling
•      Emotional and mental health problems
•       Addiction problems
•      Family problems
•      Follow-up services

The iGlobalPathways team will:

1.     Travel to the targeted location to provide face-to-face assessment or treatment.

2.     Provide professional consultation via distance learning technology to medical providers.

3.     Provide treatment and/or referral to appropriate resources in the Houston area.

Health & Wellness Committee (RCCT)

We are proud to be a part of the Russian Chamber of Commerce Texas in the development and leadership of the Health & Wellness Committee. In our efforts to bring to light the importance of mental and physical health, we are working to provide resources, education, training to promote wellness to companies, employees and families. To that end, we are will be working with 5 initiatives that are listed below as the focus of the committee. Take a moment to review the mission and key initiatives. If you are interested in joining the committee or have any ideas you would like to share, please contact Sara Rozin. Her email and telephone number are listed below.

The Mission of the Health & Wellness Committee is to assist US multinational businesses to create and maintain a culture of physical and mental health that will benefit both US employees on overseas assignment as well as local employees and employers in host communities and to  strengthen ties between the Texas Medical Center and healthcare providers in Russia.

The Health and Wellness Committee has five key initiatives to:

1.    Develop and maintain a Workplace Wellness Website with information that will help employees stay healthy, especially while on overseas assignments.

2.    Coordinate Executive Health referrals for Russian business visitors. 

3.    Host teleconferences and facilitate telemedicine consultation between healthcare providers in Russia and the Texas Medical Center.

4.    Coordinate healthcare programs between U.S. and Russian universities, medical schools, federal, local and regional governmental agencies.

5.    Facilitate medical specialists and student exchanges and training between U.S. and Russian medical institutions.

the Health and Wellness Committee brings to our partners the resources of the world’s largest medical center. These resources include the combined expertise and experience of 14 hospitals, 2 specialty institutions, and 2 trauma centers as well as 3 medical schools, 6 nursing schools, in addition to schools of dentistry, public health, and pharmacy that train virtually all health-related careers.

If you would like more information or would like to join the RCCT Health and Wellness Committee, contact: Sara Rozin, M.S., Tel: 832-452-1592 E-mail: sararozin@aol.com

Expat Assignment Challenges

According to recent surveys, about 20% of all expatriate assignments fail. The mental, emotional and psychological challenges of adjusting to a new culture and work environment are often greater than either the company or expatriate expects. In addition to the very real consequences of culture shock, stress, burnout and family troubles all to often seem to accompany the expatriate assignment. Of the 20% "failed assignments," it is estimate that approximately 60% of them are due to family related difficulties.

1. You may need a helping hand to assist in the myriad of adjustment issues that will prevail. Ultimately, if the expat is returned home prematurely, the stated business objectives suffer and don't get me. What can be done about this?

1. Provide pre-departure orientation or cross-cultural training. (An introduction to the culture, history, language and business customs of the new country is invaluable.)
2. Talk with expats who have returned from your destination culture before you move there. Ask questions about schooling, housing, child care, medical care, and social life.
3. Check to see if your company has an expatriate manual available.
4. Make sure you understand the job assignment as well as the living situation. 
5. Be sure to be available to your family during weekends and personal time to help with adjustment problems.
6. Have patience and take time to acclimate yourself to the new culture.
7. Plan activities to learn about your new environment.
8. Stay in touch with family and friends via the Internet.
9. Make friends with local colleagues outside the workplace.

Remember, have fun and a sense of adventure. Don't be afraid to try new things.