About Us

“Serious substance abuse treatment that facilitates individuals recovering from addiction to ‘re‐imagine’ their lives utilizing a holistic approach that addresses life‐span development and core spiritual integration.”

Our History

FIFTH DIRECTION has existed as an educational resource since 2003 providing seekers with spiritual resources at www.fifthdirection.com as well as a FIFTH DIRECTION Channel on YouTube. The company incorporated as a Non‐Profit in the State of Texas in 2013 and received 501(c)(3) recognition by the IRS in 2014. In 2016 SIRIUS*RECOVERY was registered as a DBA with the State of Texas as our Addiction & Recovery Service. All donations to FIFTH DIRECTION and SIRIUS*RECOVERY are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

After having experienced working in the Chemical Dependency / Substance Abuse Treatment “industry” Dean was unsettled by the fact that the “success” rate is dismally low. A widely held statistic is that 1 out of 10 clients actually “make it.” A few problems were immediately obvious. The treatments offered only addressed the symptoms, i.e., the substance abuse. The deeper problem underlying the substance use or as one therapist put it “the things no one wants to talk about” were rarely addressed. When given this information, client’s intuitively know this is true. These “core issues,” the real problems, are always emotional with anxiety underlying virtually all maladaptive behaviors.

SIRIUS*RECOVERY has developed a new treatment modality that addresses the core emotional issues that drive addictive behavior. This is not Treatment as Usual (TAU). This is emotional work that can empower a person to make lasting change. There are three interwoven areas that make up the process: emotion work, mindfulness practice, and a life vision / purpose. This combination “re‐imagines” what recovery looks like for the individual. No longer is the person identified by their addictive behavior, e.g., I’m an alcoholic; no longer is the person relegated to ongoing meetings about their addiction in order to maintain their sobriety; and finally, the person is no longer controlled by unaddressed emotional issues. True freedom from all addictive behaviors is possible.

Our Development

Dean developed his recovery process while working directly with clients. He believes anxiety is the underlying cause of addictive behaviors. The cause of that anxiety is the lack of connection or secure attachment (as children). This is based on the addiction science of Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Kevin McCauley as well as the Family Systems Theory of Dr. Murray Bowen which posits that managing anxiety in relationships is what fundamentally motivates us and causes the tension between a need for individuality and freedom and closeness and connection.

If I feel connected with my Self, family, and community, if I can learn to be kind to my Self and others, I will feel gratitude for my life and using drugs will no longer “make sense” to me.

The approach with clients is to teach them Awareness Meditation (Vipassana) to manage their anxiety. This is a bi‐product rather than a goal. The goal is non‐judging experiencing of whatever “is.” CES(Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation) is also used which acts on the mid‐brain to directly address the anxiety. Clients are taught to feel their emotions so they can learn to manage them skillfully. This process is based on the work of Karla McLaren ‐ The Language of Emotions. Clients are taught to feel and release their emotions using them as a guide to personal and spiritual growth.

Dean’s observation is that persons with substance abuse problems are actually highly sensitive and highly spiritual people. In this culture they are not taught how to manage their emotions, so when they find their drug of choice it becomes the solution for all of their problems. It also fills the need for connection even if it is a false sense of connection.

Staff

Dean Alan Sims, MAR

Dean holds a Master of Arts in Religion with a Concentration in Spiritual Formation from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Iowa. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from The University of Texas at Austin. He completed his Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate at Lone Star College ‐ Montgomery in 2014. He has worked at the Cheyenne Center DSHS Intensive Residential Treatment Program in Houston, Texas, at Pathway to Recovery Intensive Residential Treatment Program in La Marque, Texas with Court Ordered, DSHS‐funded, Self‐Pay, and Insurance clients. He has also worked as a residential supervisor for the Northeast Texas Treatment Center in Overton, Texas. He understands the gamut of clients and their differing needs. With over 30 years’ experience with spiritual direction and substance abuse, Dean can work with anyone from any background.

Contact Us Now for Help

There is no charge for an initial screening. Find out how we can help you get the life you want for yourself.

To schedule an appointment please call 281-619-8550 or e-mail. Sessions are via phone or video-conferencing which is convenient and keeps our rate low: $125/session. Sessions are generally 1 to 1.5 hours. Our Collaborative Conversational Approach is organic and the session evolves naturally.