---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the first actions we take at…"
description: "\"“One of the first actions we take at Passages is to ruthlessly scrutinize, always under a doctor's supervision and care, the specific necessity of any ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/chris-prentiss-3634_addiction_one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-pass_3019698.jpg"
---

#  One of the first actions we take at Passages is to…

![“One of the first actions we take at Passages is to ruthlessly scrutinize, always under a doctor's supervision and care, the specific necessity of any mind- altering or mood-altering medications that our clients are taking. As soon as any non essential drugs are out of their systems, the feelings…” quote by Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/chris-prentiss-3634_addiction_one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-pass_3019698.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/chris-prentiss-3634_addiction_one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-pass_3019698.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/chris-prentiss-3634_addiction_one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-pass_3019698.jpg)

> ““One of the first actions we take at Passages is to ruthlessly scrutinize, always under a doctor's supervision and care, the specific necessity of any mind- altering or mood-altering medications that our clients are taking. As soon as any non essential drugs are out of their systems, the feelings they were trying to suppress usually emerge. When that happens, we can see what symptoms the client was masking with drugs or alcohol.””

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

It emphasizes the importance of removing non‑essential psychoactive drugs under medical supervision to reveal underlying emotions and symptoms that were previously masked.

**In simple terms:** Stopping unnecessary meds can uncover hidden feelings and problems.

Key Takeaway

Work with a doctor to taper safely and explore underlying issues.

Themes

mental health medication self‑awareness therapy clinical practice

Mood

cautious reflective supportive

Type

clinical educational therapeutic

When to use this quote

- clinical assessment
- psychiatric evaluation
- patient education
- mindful monitoring

Key Concepts

drug withdrawal emotional processing psychiatry patient autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

- What emotions surface when medication is reduced?
- How can you support clients through this process?

A Different Perspective

Unmasking emotions may be distressing and requires professional guidance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Addiction-treatment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction-treatment/) [Addiction-treatment-center](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction-treatment-center/) [Alcohol abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol-abuse/) [Alcohol addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol-addiction/) [Chris-prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chris-prentiss/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Drug abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug-abuse/) [Drug addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug-addiction/) [Holistic-health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holistic-health/) [Passages-malibu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passages-malibu/) [Passages-ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passages-ventura/) [Pax-prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pax-prentiss/)

## Related quotes

> [“Believe that is cure is possible for you. Discover and heal the underlying causes with a holistic recovery program. Adopt a philosophy based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/believe-that-is-cure-is-possible-for-you-discover-and-heal-the/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

## More by Chris Prentiss

> [“Most centers offer a one-program-fits all type of service, which is rather like a department store that sells one-size fits all clothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/most-centers-offer-a-one-program-fits-all-type-of-service-which-is/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [Your life today is the result of a series of decisions you made that have caused you to arrive where you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/your-life-today-is-the-result-of-a-series-of-decisions-you-made-that/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“If who you are and what you have is what you want, that's perfect. Keep doing what you've been doing and you'll get more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/if-who-you-are-and-what-you-have-is-what-you-want-that-s-perfect-keep/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [When people who believe themselves to be addicts or alcoholics come under great stress or trauma, they mentally give themselves permission to drink or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/when-people-who-believe-themselves-to-be-addicts-or-alcoholics-come/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“The challenges and changes you meet are, in effect, hand delivered to you by a generous, loving Universe for the purpose of making you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/the-challenges-and-changes-you-meet-are-in-effect-hand-delivered-to/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [Each river is different, but they all eventually lead to the ocean. No matter what we’re doing or when, or whether it brings us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/each-river-is-different-but-they-all-eventually-lead-to-the-ocean-no/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“Your perception of the world and the way you see yourself in it has created within your mind a concept, a philosophy, of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/your-perception-of-the-world-and-the-way-you-see-yourself-in-it-has/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“Alcohol is the drug ethanol. They are one and the same. Alcohol is also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is a chemical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/alcohol-is-the-drug-ethanol-they-are-one-and-the-same-alcohol-is-also/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [Whatever you are trying to achieve in life, it is essential that you surround yourself with people who believe that what you seek and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/whatever-you-are-trying-to-achieve-in-life-it-is-essential-that-you/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [The moment you make the internal changes necessary to obtain your goal, the outside world changes instantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/the-moment-you-make-the-internal-changes-necessary-to-obtain-your/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“Your actions create an "energy vortex" that draws in the necessary ingredients for your venture.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/your-actions-create-an-energy-vortex-that-draws-in-the-necessary/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“We like to take credit when we get a new idea, as if we originated the idea in our brain, but what we actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/we-like-to-take-credit-when-we-get-a-new-idea-as-if-we-originated-the/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [You can be happy if you are willing to let go of your past and leave yourself unencumbered so you can fly freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/you-can-be-happy-if-you-are-willing-to-let-go-of-your-past-and-leave/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“A strong personal philosophy does more than sustain us through the tragedies of life. It also stains us daily in everything we think and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/a-strong-personal-philosophy-does-more-than-sustain-us-through-the/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

> [“When nothing else worked, we created a holistic, hand-tailored program that saved Pax's life. At Passages, he and I use what we learned in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/when-nothing-else-worked-we-created-a-holistic-hand-tailored-program/)

[Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

[Explore all 125 Chris Prentiss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/)

## More Addiction quotes

> [What has drug addiction done for me? It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/)

Robbin Crosby

> [“The idea that creative endeavor and mind-altering substances are entwined is one of the great pop-intellectual myths of our time... Creative people probably do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-idea-that-creative-endeavor-and-mind-altering-substances-are/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you're talking about alcoholism and addiction; it's not like you're battling leukemia or a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-irsay/i-really-think-the-disease-aspect-gets-lost-when-you-re-talking-about/)

[Jim Irsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-irsay/)

> [I had an addiction to artificial points of success. Like being able to run for this or run for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-gallego/i-had-an-addiction-to-artificial-points-of-success-like-being-able-to/)

[Ruben Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-gallego/)

> [“Addictions are just symptoms of underlying issues, and in my view Nikki self-medicated the emotional pain of his childhood, and being away from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/addictions-are-just-symptoms-of-underlying-issues-and-in-my-view/)

[Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/)

> [“Oil. The great addiction of the civilized world”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-warren/oil-the-great-addiction-of-the-civilized-world/)

[Andrew Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-warren/)

> [“They say when you fall in love in love with someone that person becomes like a drug,an addiction you don't want to live without.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-when-you-fall-in-love-in-love-with-someone-that-person/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Addictions - Run to Jesus instead of running to your addiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/addictions-run-to-jesus-instead-of-running-to-your-addiction/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Music is my personal addiction. So much of everything I've done has only been to open more doors for the music itself. It all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/music-is-my-personal-addiction-so-much-of-everything-i-ve-done-has/)

[Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/)

> [“I am made of a thousand ghosts. Only you can shoot me down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-james/i-am-made-of-a-thousand-ghosts-only-you-can-shoot-me-down/)

Bella James

> [Religious work is one of the best ways to keep from facing your reality if you are Christian, if you are using it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-miller/religious-work-is-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-from-facing-your/)

[Keith Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-miller/)

> [Cold sweats, hallucinations I wanna speed to stop. The hell I'm going through The addiction's taking you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bullet-for-my-valentine/cold-sweats-hallucinations-i-wanna-speed-to-stop-the-hell-i-m-going/)

[Bullet For My Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bullet-for-my-valentine/)

> [As addictions go, reading is among the cleanest, easiest to feed, happiest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/as-addictions-go-reading-is-among-the-cleanest-easiest-to-feed/)

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

> [“Alcoholism is a choice... not a life sentence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-norman/alcoholism-is-a-choice-not-a-life-sentence/)

David Norman

> [“Suckers think that you cure greed with money, addiction with substances, expert problems with experts, banking with bankers, economics with economists, and debt crises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/suckers-think-that-you-cure-greed-with-money-addiction-with/)

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/)

[Browse all 2,134 Addiction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“One of the first actions we take at Passages is to ruthlessly scrutinize, always under a doctor's supervision and care, the specific necessity of any mind- altering or mood-altering medications that our clients are taking. As soon as any non essential drugs are out of their systems, the feelings they were trying to suppress usually emerge. When that happens, we can see what symptoms the client was masking with drugs or alcohol.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Chris Prentiss"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-passages-is-to-ruthlessly/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Addiction"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-passages-is-to-ruthlessly/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/chris-prentiss-3634_addiction_one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-pass_3019698.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/chris-prentiss-3634_addiction_one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-pass_3019698.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/chris-prentiss-3634_addiction_one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-pass_3019698.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“One of the first actions we take at Passages is to ruthlessly scrutinize, always under a doctor's…” — Chris Prentiss",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Chris Prentiss",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“One of the first actions we...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-passages-is-to-ruthlessly/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/one-of-the-first-actions-we-take-at-passages-is-to-ruthlessly/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
