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How to Get My Loved One to Go to an OC Rehab

If your loved one is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction that can be devastating for your mental and physical health. Worry and stress about their decisions can be overwhelming.

To get your loved one to consider going to an OC rehab and successfully complete a program, you must first know what rehabilitation is, what its benefits are, and where to suggest before speaking to your loved one.

It is important to remember that rehabilitation is a challenging experience for both the individual in recovery and their family. And while you want to love and support your loved one, getting clean and staying sober is, ultimately, on them. Education and information about OC rehabs are how you can best support your loved one.

Indah Recovery is a comprehensive OC rehab that can support your loved one through the entire process.

What Is an OC Rehab?

OC rehabs are in Orange County California and are often luxury facilities that cater to the individual needs of your loved one. These OC rehab facilities can be inpatient or outpatient facilities and they support your loved one through detoxification, treatment, and most provide aftercare or supportive options for when they have completed the program.

OC luxury rehabs are often inpatient experiences that help your loved one focus on healing and rehabilitation. This process takes between 30 and 90 days and varies based on the type of drug and length of use. Residential care supports your loved one through detoxification and through intensive therapy treatments that help them build their self-management skills and learn coping skills to function in their real world.

OC outpatient rehabs support individuals through multiple weekly meetings and structured individual and group therapies to develop and hone the coping and self-management skills necessary for developing and living a sober life.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Sober at an OC Rehab?

The benefits of getting sober at an OC rehab start with the high-quality addiction treatment programs. With medically monitored and supported detoxification, clients can experience a more controlled and less painful withdrawal. Additionally, experienced clinicians are always available to your loved one to support them whenever they need it.

Getting sober at an OC rehab also offers many benefits for those who live locally and those who are searching for comprehensive rehab programs. OC rehabs offer comprehensive programs that cater to the needs of their clients.

OC rehabs can benefit those who live locally through their sober experience programs and thorough aftercare. Through this process, clients are able to develop a local sense of sobriety through sober outings. By developing this ability in a local environment, clients are more familiar with engaging in that process on their own.

OC rehabs can also benefit those looking for comprehensive rehabilitation programs by offering high-quality state-of-the-art individualized care. By offering individually tailored treatment, clients can focus on their specific needs and mental health while experiencing the relaxing environment OC has to offer.

How Can Indah Recovery Support Your Loved One?

Indah Recovery is a fully comprehensive detox and residential addiction treatment center in Orange County. Our substance addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each individual client by combining long-established behavioral therapies with innovative alternative therapies to support your loved one.

Our OC rehab facility offers an intimate opportunity for our clients to rehabilitate and recover. With private and semi-private rooms, spa-like amenities, and supportive and compassionate staff, you can be assured that your loved one will be comfortable and cared for at Indah Recovery.

The Benefits of Coed Rehab

Choosing to go to rehab is one of the most difficult decisions you must make when putting yourself and your recovery first. It is important to choose the facility that offers not only what you want, but what can offer a realistic environment for you to recover in.

Addiction treatment programs offer various options based on length of treatment, type of program, and type of facility. When considering all of these options, it is important to consider whether a single-sex or coed rehab center is better for you or your loved one’s addiction recovery.

If you are considering coed rehab for your substance use disorder, check out our Dana Point, CA facility today – Indah Recovery.

What Is Coed Rehab?

Coed rehab is residential inpatient treatment in an addiction treatment facility that supports both men and women. Coed rehab offers mixed-gender group therapy and an opportunity to interact with different genders during the treatment process.

While some may benefit more from single-gender rehabilitation, research shows that coed rehab is no less successful and further states that men nor women are more or less likely to choose single-gender rehabilitation over a mixed-gender facility.

Coed rehab offers a wider variety of treatment options to appeal to both men and women. This provides more opportunities for clients to experience healing in an environment that works for them.

Coed rehabs also allow opportunities for LGBTQIA+ individuals to experience addiction therapy in an environment that is nonrestrictive and allows and supports individual expression.

What Are the Benefits of Going to Coed Rehab?

Coed rehab allows you to remain in an environment that is more similar to the world outside of the facility. Single-gender rehabilitation only teaches individuals how to interact with people of the same gender in social situations where substances might be present. While this skills set is useful, it is different from the experience of a mixed-gender group.

By attending a coed rehab, you can receive more specialized gender-selected care and will have more opportunities to experience social interactions without substances while still in a safe drug-free environment. In coed rehab you will experience a wider variety of perspectives and viewpoints.

Coed rehab provides all the benefits of a normalized environment while still providing opportunities for single-gender and mixed-gender group therapies.

Through coed rehab you will have the opportunity to experience a more realistic environment, similar to the one you will experience after you have completed the program. A majority of 12-step programs are mixed-gender and allow people to freely join and attend. By learning to heal in a coed environment, clients will already have the familiar coping skills for this similar situation.

Indah Recovery – Luxury Coed Treatment Center

Indah Recovery is a luxury private coed rehab facility in Dana Point, CA. We focus on holistic healing of the mind, body, and spirit, through a combination of traditional and unique therapies that promote wellness.

Our boutique facility offers semi-private rooms with en suite bathrooms and luxury amenities so that your focus can be on healing. Our unique and individually tailored treatment plans are created specifically with the client in mind. By developing a holistic healing plan for our clients, we believe that we can help build the foundation for lifelong recovery.

At Indah Recovery our focus is on you and your rehabilitation. We support you through individual and group therapies, a structured residential schedule, and a relaxing and engaging environment.

Choosing Indah Recovery is selecting a compassionate expert group of people who care about your wellbeing. With experienced staff, trained to support drug and alcohol substance use and dual-diagnosis addiction, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Indah Recovery is the luxury coed rehab facility you’ve been searching for.

What Is Long Term Methadone Use a Sign Of?

A way that doctors have found that helps individuals with opioid addiction is through the use of Methadone.

But what is it and is long term Methadone use a sign of something greater? Do you need to go to rehab for Methadone addiction?

Indah Recovery is here to answer all of your addiction questions. As the premier addiction treatment center in Dana Point, CA, we are here to support you through every step of the process.

What Is Methadone?

Methadone is an opioid agonist. This means that it acts like a cover on the receptors in the brain that respond to opioids facilitating long-term recovery. Methadone can also reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Methadone is a maintenance drug, which means it is provided consistently for a minimum of one year. Through the rehabilitation process, methadone supports individuals by decreasing withdrawal symptoms for opioids like heroin, while providing the pain-relieving side effects of drugs like morphine, which may have instigated overuse.

Methadone is meticulously monitored and administered by doctors through certified treatment programs and can be given as outpatient treatment or while undergoing residential inpatient treatment.

What Does Long Term Methadone Use Mean?

As a structured maintenance medication, used as prescribed, Methadone can be safely administered for over a year before doctors will consider weaning a person off Methadone.

However, Methadone is an addictive schedule II drug, which needs to be monitored and regulated. Long term use does cause an addiction with withdrawal symptoms that can be severe.

Methadone misuse occurs when a person takes improper amounts or combines it with other illicit drugs. Methadone overdoses occur at a rate of nearly 14 people a day according to the CDC and account for 1 of every 3 pain kill overdoses.

So, Is Long Term Methadone Use Helpful or Harmful?

Methadone, when used correctly, is helpful in managing opioid withdrawal symptoms and managing pain.

However, it does need to be closely monitored through a physician. Through this process a doctor can help to wean you off it mildly so that you don’t experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

Let the clinicians at Indah Recovery support you through this process.

How Can Indah Recovery Help?

Indah Recovery is a boutique detox and addiction treatment facility in Orange County, CA. Here our clients can experience rehabilitation and relaxation. Through our treatment programs, clients can undergo addiction treatment and feel the power of holistic healing.

At Indah Recovery, we know that addiction is a unique and devastating illness. We can support you through medically-supported detox (using Methadone) or support you through Methadone misuse. Our non-judgmental staff understand the tricky and pervasive nature of addiction and will be there to support you with compassion and understanding every step of the way.

Our luxury facility curates treatment plans to meet each client’s unique and individual needs by combining traditional evidence-based therapies, with alternative creative therapies, and a spa-like setting. By identifying the root causes of addiction, our clients are better able to tackle the challenges of rehabilitation and develop stronger, more robust coping and stress management skills.

The experienced staff here at Indah Recovery are prepared to support you through group and individual therapy, while encouraging you to nurture an atmosphere of camaraderie and develop a support structure of other clients experiencing similar struggles.

Through detox, residential inpatient treatment, and aftercare, we, here at Indah Recovery, want to support you on the path to sobriety.

America is currently facing an opioid crisis. The process of withdrawing from opioids can be a devastating, stressful, and isolating process. However, doctors have developed several ways to support people who are struggling with addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

A way that doctors have found that helps individuals with opioid addiction is through the use of Methadone.

But what is it and is long term Methadone use a sign of something greater? Do you need to go to rehab for Methadone addiction?

Indah Recovery is here to answer all of your addiction questions. As the premier addiction treatment center in Dana Point, CA, we are here to support you through every step of the process.

What Is Methadone?

Methadone is meticulously monitored and administered by doctors through certified treatment programs and can be given as outpatient treatment or while undergoing residential inpatient treatment.

What Does Long Term Methadone Use Mean?

As a structured maintenance medication, used as prescribed, Methadone can be safely administered for over a year before doctors will consider weaning a person off Methadone.

However, Methadone is an addictive schedule II drug, which needs to be monitored and regulated. Long term use does cause an addiction with withdrawal symptoms that can be severe.

So, Is Long Term Methadone Use Helpful or Harmful?

Methadone, when used correctly, is helpful in managing opioid withdrawal symptoms and managing pain.

However, it does need to be closely monitored through a physician. Through this process a doctor can help to wean you off it mildly so that you don’t experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

Let the clinicians at Indah Recovery support you through this process.

How Can Indah Recovery Help?

Through detox, residential inpatient treatment, and aftercare, we, here at Indah Recovery, want to support you on the path to sobriety.

Find the Best Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in California Today

Do you or a loved one have a mental health disorder that is out of control because of alcohol or drug use? Have you found that managing your anxiety, bipolar disorder, or depression is more challenging with other substances in your system? Have you or your loved one been self-medicating to manage the side effects of anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, or another mental health issue?

This is where dual diagnosis treatment becomes necessary. At Indah Recovery, our expert staff is trained to help you manage your mental health issues and treat your addiction.

What Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Dual diagnosis treatment is when an addiction treatment center also treats a co-occurring mental health issue. Co-occurring mental health disorders can include, but are not limited to, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, ADHD, schizophrenia, and other personality disorders.

Addiction studies have shown that 40-60% of people with alcohol and drug use disorders have a co-occurring mental health issue that may be diagnosed or undiagnosed. In fact, the National Comorbidity Study showed that people with alcohol use disorder are 2 to 3 times more likely to have anxiety than a person who doesn’t.

According to Drugabuse.gov, about 1 in 4 people have both a serious mental illness and a substance use disorder. Studies have shown that this is due to the fact that mental illness and addiction have several common risk factors like genetics, brain function, environment, stress, and trauma. Add that to the fact that mental illness can increase the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder and abusing substances can contribute to the development of mental illness, dual diagnosis treatment is necessary to treat both at the same time.

How Do Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in California Treat Mental Health & Addiction Effectively?

Originally, physicians and therapists thought by treating one of the two, either the mental health issue or the alcohol use disorder, the other would resolve itself. But that isn’t how pervasive mental illness works.

Now, clinicians treat both the mental health issue and the alcohol use disorder as a co- occurring disorder through dual diagnosis.

In addiction treatment this looks like detox from illegal or prescribed medication, while teaching mental health management skills, like coping mechanisms and exit strategies for overwhelming situations. Dual diagnosis programs have highly trained staff familiar with both addiction and mental health disorders. Their goal is to support patients and teach them the necessary management skills for a sober lifestyle.

At Indah Recovery, we have highly trained expert staff to facilitate this transition.

How Can Indah Recovery Support Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Indah Recovery is the leading dual diagnosis treatment center in Orange County, California. Our luxury facility boasts intimate and personalized mental health and addiction treatment care.

In order to support you through dual diagnosis treatment, we feel it is crucial to specifically design a treatment plan to your unique needs. Our premier addiction treatment center offers both evidence-based traditional treatment options and unique alternative therapies. By combining both the alternative and traditional, we feel we can better meet our client’s needs through holistic healing of the body, mind, and spirit.

Our staff understands the importance of treating the underlying causes of addiction through mental health and how managing mental health symptoms can cause extreme fluctuations in mood. Our goal at Indah Recovery is to provide you the support and teach you the necessary skills to manage your mental health without substances.

Most dual diagnosis treatment centers in California can’t offer the upscale boutique experience we provide at Indah Recovery. By creating a relaxing and inviting environment, our high-end amenities make it possible for you to stay totally focused on recovery and rehabilitation.

Our Dana Point dual diagnosis treatment center offers detox, residential inpatient care, and aftercare for once you have completed your program.

At Indah Recovery we are here to support you through every step of the recovery process.

How to Do an Intervention for an Alcoholic

Are you concerned about a loved one’s alcohol or drug use? Have you noticed it having a negative impact on their body, relationships, or life?

An intervention may be one way that you can get through to your loved one about the impact their substance use is having on their life and yours. At Indah Recovery we are prepared to support their journey to a healthy and sober lifestyle. Today we’d like to discuss how to do an intervention for an alcoholic.

What Are Common Signs of Alcoholism?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), or alcoholism, is defined as “an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.”

AUD can range from mild to severe depending on the number of symptoms that a person experiences in the span of a year. The AUDIT – Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test – is a series of questions that determine those symptoms. Ranging from questions about how many drinks per week a person consumes, to the risky behaviors they engage in while drinking, this test is a comprehensive, yet initial, assessment of how alcohol impacts a person’s life.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s alcohol consumption, you may be wondering how to help them. An intervention is one way to bring the impact of alcohol use to the person’s attention.

Tips on How to Do an Intervention for an Alcoholic

An intervention is a planned and organized attempt to get someone to seek help with addiction. The type of intervention necessary is dependent on the severity of the dependency to alcohol. An intervention might include educational information, hard truths, and facilitate information about treatment centers.

For mild AUD, a doctor encouraging treatment after an accident or a friend recommending rehab may be enough. Early intervention attempts are likely to be helpful for people who have experienced an accident while driving impaired or a woman who is pregnant.

For moderate to severe AUD, a more intensive response is necessary. Studies have shown that Motivational Interviewing has been successful for reducing the number of alcohol use days.

Additionally, and maybe the hardest part of intervention, is the truth telling. When planning and staging an intervention, each person involved must tell how the user’s substance abuse has impacted them and what they are willing to do if this person refuses treatment. By laying out these clear indicators of choice, the individual can see the impact that their substance use has on others, not just themselves. If your loved one realizes they’re ready or you want to be able to provide educational resources for recovery, Indah Recovery is the rehab treatment center in the Orange County, CA area.

How Can Indah Recovery Help Your Loved One Today?

Our luxury treatment facility is the premier Dana Point alcohol detox and addiction treatment center. With expert clinicians and staff, our residential inpatient treatment program offers a combination of traditional evidence-based therapies with unique alternative therapies to encourage holistic healing of the mind, body, and spirit.

With experienced staff to support your loved one every step of the way through a detailed and individualized treatment program, we help our clients understand the root cause of their addiction and battle the challenges that arise with rehabilitation.

Our state-of-the-art medically monitored detox is the first step to recovery. Through our detox program physicians will evaluate the severity of the clients AUD and support them through withdrawal. By creating unique treatment plans to meet the individual needs of the client, we can curate a holistic healing experience to reduce the chances of relapse after the rehabilitation program has ended.

At Indah Recovery, we are proud to offer a luxury modern facility with high-end amenities to comfort your loved one through the addiction treatment and rehabilitation process. We have created a facility that feels like home, with spacious rooms, a pool, and fully equipped common areas.

Contact Indah Recovery for more information about how we can support your loved one on the journey to sobriety.

Looking for Rehab Centers in Southern California? Let Indah Recovery Be the One for Your

Best recovery treatment programs in Southern California

When it comes to finding rehab centers in Southern California, there are so many options that it is overwhelming to try to find what would even work for you. There are different treatments, locations, traditional vs alternative therapies, and types of care. These things are important when considering rehab centers in Southern California; it could mean the difference between rehabilitation and relapse.

The biggest thing to consider is the type of care you are looking for – outpatient, intensive outpatient, and inpatient care.

Our addiction treatment center, Indah Recovery, offers these types in a relaxing luxury setting.

What Is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab is when you live at an addiction treatment center and participate in a treatment program. These programs range from 30 – 90 days based on the drug or drugs the client is addicted to and the type of support they require to stay sober.

During inpatient rehab, clients will have the opportunity to bond with others going through a similar experience. This is done through group therapy and common area times, and allows clients to build a support system that they can access after completing the rehab program.

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehabilitation is defined as living at home while undergoing treatment, instead of living at the facility. Through this option, clients will have to make frequent trips to the addiction treatment center for support with medically monitored withdrawal, counseling, and other therapy sessions.

This is an excellent option for people who have a stable home and travel. Through this option, clients will travel to the treatment center several times a week and meet with the staff there to discuss withdrawal symptoms, receive medications (if necessary), and participate in individual or group therapy sessions.

Outpatient rehab has many perks like living at home and being able to continue your normal routines, but it does have some concerns that clients considering outpatient therapy should consider. First, while you can continue your typical routines, these are mostly likely the high stress environments that led to or created situations for using. With relapse rates between 40%-60%, clients in outpatient care need to consider their triggers and their support system when choosing this type of care. Outpatient is best used as a step down from inpatient rehab. While we don’t offer outpatient treatment directly at Indah Recovery, we are able to recommend outpatient programs as part of your aftercare plan with us.

What Is Intensive Outpatient Rehab?

Intensive outpatient rehab is a combination of both outpatient and inpatient care. During most intensive outpatient situations, the client will sleep at home, but spend the majority of their waking time participating in therapies, counseling, and sober-group activities at the drug rehabilitation center. People choosing intensive outpatient care may also be able to continue their work schedule and attend therapy around that.

This type of combination care can be unique to each person’s needs. This process allows clients to maintain a mostly normal schedule, while still receiving the intensive addiction support they need. Like outpatient rehab, intensive outpatient is best when used as a step down from inpatient treatment.

How Indah Recovery Can Help You Get Sober Today

Indah Recovery is an upscale boutique rehab facility in Orange County, CA. At our drug and alcohol rehab center, we offer detox, residential inpatient treatment, as well as aftercare planning which includes intensive outpatient and outpatient recommendations.

Our expert staff can support you through traditional evidence-based therapies and our unique alternative therapy options in our luxury rehab facility in SoCal.

By choosing Indah Recovery, you are taking the first steps towards recovery. To support your journey, our compassionate and experienced staff will create an individualized treatment plan to meet your unique needs.

Our goal is to teach you or your loved one, the skills for life-long recovery. We take this very seriously and offer many different therapy styles to support this goal. From individual to group therapies and alternative therapies like massage and yoga, we will help you build the necessary coping and stress-management skills to live a sober life.

In our modern and relaxing rehab facility we offer multiple high-end amenities to make your stay an opportunity for holistic healing of the mind, body, and spirit.

Call Indah Recovery now as your first step towards sobriety.

How to Help Someone With Drug Addiction and Depression

Normalizing the importance of mental health is something we can all work on being an advocate for. If you think about your friends and loved ones, you can probably name at least one person you know that suffers from depression or maybe has even struggled with substance abuse. Frequently, when people struggle with mental health issues or feel the initial sadness from depression, there is such a societal stigma surrounding these issues they can feel reluctant to mention them. Sometimes, in the initial stages of depression, it can be such a gradual process that a person can almost convince themselves either it’s not a big deal or that it will pass “tomorrow.”

We can all experience days where we feel particularly low or experience a life-changing event that derails all the well-laid plans we had. The lows that a person experiences can most often be moved past by something pleasant or happy we experience and we tend to move on from the low. When experiencing clinical depression, those periods of time a person feels low last and are more challenging to move past. Drug addiction can be a coping mechanism to the feelings a person cannot seem to move past. It is important to understand how to help someone with drug addiction and depression in a non-threatening manner to advocate for them when they can no longer be one for themselves.

What is Depression?

We have all experienced periods of grief, sadness, and frustration. Depression is more than just an emotional response to a life event or a periodic mood change resulting from everyday life.

According to the World Health Organization, over 264 million people of every age suffer from depression. Clinical depression occurs for a period lasting at a minimum of two weeks and interferes with functioning socially, working, and maintaining healthy relationships.

Typically speaking, those who suffer from depression can experience as many as five or more of these symptoms every day:

Energy loss
Interest lost in hobbies and activities
Frequent periods of sleep or inability to sleep
Irritability
Anxiety
Feeling hopeless
Thoughts of suicide or attempt of suicide
Sadness to the point of tears
Difficulty concentrating
Appetite increase
Appetite decrease
Feelings of low self-worth
Feelings of shame or guilt

Causes of Depression

There is no specific known cause of depression. Genetics, hormones and brain chemistry can all contribute. Outlined below are some additional risk factors:

Geography, age, race, and gender
History of depression in the family
Some prescription medications
Certain chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis
Sexual or physical abuse
Neglect
Trauma
Domestic violence
Low self-esteem
Drug or alcohol use disorders
Other disorders such as borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorder

Tips for Helping People With Drug Addiction and Depression

There are some key ways in which we can help those that suffer from depression:

Take the time to research and understand depression on your own time. Understand that they can take different forms.
Offer to assist with daily tasks.
Keep in touch and offer plans without the fear of pressure.
Try not to take things personally or “fix” them.
Try not to offer experience comparison.
Take care of yourself too. Establish healthy boundaries.
Offer to help them find support and encourage their commitment to it.
Listen.
Offer patience.

What is the Connection Between Drug Addiction and Depression?

People who experience depression look for a way to cope with how they are feeling. The overwhelming feeling of permanence to the feelings associated with depression can cause an individual to seek out a substance or activity as a cure for the pain they may be feeling. Unfortunately, because there is a root cause issue at hand, which is the underlying mental health component, this can lead to addiction.

The trouble is that using these temporary methods of self-medication and substance use may offer a brief period of relief. However, they may also cause intensification of negative thoughts and feelings as well. Certain individuals are at higher risk for depression and subsequently more at risk of developing a substance use disorder. These include:

Individuals who are not covered by medical insurance
Individuals who are unable to work
Those that have been unemployed for a long period of time
Hispanics
African Americans
Individuals between the ages of 45 and 65

Dual Diagnosis

When you have more than one clinical diagnosis, such as addiction and depression, this is referred to as a dual diagnosis. The signs and symptoms of these diagnoses are often overlapping which can pose a challenge when trying to properly diagnose and treat. It is estimated that approximately one in four of those with a substance use disorder also have a mental illness. Some signs and symptoms of those suffering from a dual diagnosis are:

Inability to control emotions/extreme mood swings
Financial issues
Unable to maintain healthy relationships
Unable to maintain employment

Here are a few valuable steps that may be included in comprehensive treatment plans available to assist with combating addiction and depression:

Assisting in identifying and changing addictive behaviors
Providing practical skills for coping with negative thought patterns
Motivation in creating crucial changes in a person’s life
Assistance in understanding depression
Coaching, teaching, motivating an individual that recovery from addiction and depression is well within their reach

If you, a friend, or loved one are experiencing signs and symptoms of depression, addiction, or both, it is important to know there is assistance available and a support system well within your reach. Treatment options can include detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, sober living, individual therapy, and group therapy, just to name a few.

It is necessary when dealing with a dual diagnosis to seriously consider a treatment option in which both disorders can be treated simultaneously. It is challenging enough to handle mental illness, but when you factor in the abuse of a substance, it becomes more important than ever to be surrounded by professionals who can treat both effectively. The most effective treatment is one in which you can customize the treatment plan specifically for each individual’s needs and provide the tools for them to understand better how to develop healthy coping skills and understand their mental illness.

Summary

The truth is it doesn’t just take a village to raise a child. It takes a village to navigate this thing called life. We may not have all been blessed with a perfect support system and the tools to use our minds and bodies to the best of our abilities, but we can create a great support system, and we can undoubtedly acquire those skills and tools. With the assistance of treatment centers, outpatient programs, group therapy, individual therapy, friends who become like family, and so much more, we can handcraft the support system that either we need or our friends and loved ones desperately need.

Never underestimate the fact that small steps daily are still steps in the right direction. It is imperative to know that you can overcome your challenges, fears, and obstacles with one small step each day. People are more resilient than they ever think of giving themselves credit for. With the nature of depression, it is easy to believe that hope is no longer available. It takes so much courage to take the steps necessary to make lasting changes and align with a proper support system to remind yourself daily that hope still exists.

As a loved one extending care and support, offering compassion, listening to an individual’s fears, challenges and concerns are important aspects of helping someone with drug addiction and depression. It is worth mentioning that there is a fine line between creating codependency and enabling addictive behaviors. It is essential to develop healthy boundaries and remember that the individual must be willing to take ownership of their actions. One of the most helpful things that can happen is fostering an environment where it feels safe, and recovery from addiction and depression is possible.

Sources:

Clinical depression: What does that mean? | Mayo Clinic

Depression: Facts, Statistics, and You | Healthline.com

Depression and Addiction | DualDiagnosis.org

How Long is Rehab for Alcohol?

Choosing recovery isn’t easy. But it is one of the bravest choices you can make. Many factors contribute to recovery, and there is no one-size-fits-all model that works for every individual. It is essential to understand your health, what the signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder look like, what treatment options are available and how you can maintain a healthy and happy sober life.

Alcohol use disorder is something that can often be a silent threat because of its social acceptance. It is often viewed as normal to most Americans to drink socially. It can be easy to overlook friends and family’s drinking habits because of the social acceptance of alcohol in daily life in the United States. The role that alcohol plays at events such as parties, family gatherings, dates, and so much more significantly reduces how dangerous alcohol consumption can be. Some people may even recognize that alcohol may negatively impact their life but do not to the degree they want to stop independently.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder?

First of all, people from all walks of life are affected by alcohol use disorder. It does not discriminate based on age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Alcohol use becomes harmful when you develop a behavior pattern in which you cannot control your drinking habits.

You likely have an alcohol use disorder if:

You continue to use alcohol while recognizing it is causing problems in your daily life and activities.
You have become preoccupied with the use of alcohol.
You notice signs and symptoms of withdrawal after you decrease your alcohol intake.

This disorder can range from mild to severe depending upon how many symptoms you exhibit and your daily use. It is also marked by negative emotions when you are not consuming alcohol, compulsive drinking, and loss of control over alcohol use and is considered a chronic brain disorder. Symptoms of withdrawal and intoxication from the use of alcohol are key signs of alcohol use disorder. According to a 2019 survey conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 86% of individuals age 18 and above reported drinking alcohol at some stage in their lives. In an age range from 12 years and older, it is estimated that 15 million people had an alcohol use disorder. It is extremely important to be aware of signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse to prevent the development of an alcohol use disorder.

Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

It can be extremely challenging to tell the difference between someone that has a drinking problem or someone who likes to have a few drinks. According to research, alcohol use is widely accepted and available. It has a close link to and is often found in many social engagements. Major consequences can be avoided if alcohol abuse is identified and treated early on. Looking for warning signs is important because addiction can get worse over time. Signs and symptoms of addiction to alcohol are:

Alcohol consumption frequency has increased
Alcohol use during times when and in places where it isn’t appropriate, such as upon waking, at place of work, etc.
Dependent upon alcohol to cope with daily life.
Change in behavior
Change in friends
Contact with loved ones or formerly close friendship avoided.
Fatigue, decrease in motivation, or other emotional issues.
Keeping your alcohol consumption from friends and family.
Loss of job or arrest.

It is important to remember that if you are concerned about a friend or loved one, approaching them in a supportive way is ideal. Provoking feelings of guilt or shame could cause them to retreat or be resistant to any assistance offered.

Risks and Complications of Prolonged Heavy Alcohol Use

An individual’s overall health, gender, body mass, genetic factors, and the amount of alcohol consumed are influential in the body’s response to chronic excessive drinking. Excess alcohol builds in the bloodstream and is circulated by the heart throughout the body when more alcohol is consumed than can be metabolized by the body. Excess alcohol in the body can lead to changes in normal bodily functions and a result in altering body chemistry.

Here are some of the risks and complications of prolonged heavy alcohol use:

Ulcers and gastrointestinal issues
Dysfunction of the immune system
Brain damage
Deficiency in vitamins and malnourishment
Heart disease
Increase in the risk of cancer
Complications with vision
Increase risk of Injuries and accidents
Congenital disabilities
Bone damage
Menstruation and sexual function issues
Adverse interaction with medication

Most of the risks and complications associated with alcohol use disorder can be prevented or treated when addiction is recognized and treated early on. Finding the right treatment center is crucial to the success of your recovery. Once you have chosen to seek assistance, selecting a specific treatment option to the needs of you or your loved one is an important part of rehabilitation and recovery.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder

The goal for rehabilitation is lifelong recovery. This goal can be achieved by finding a treatment program, a support system, and a person-driven commitment toward the goal of sobriety. There is no predetermined set length of time for rehabilitation. Every person and every set of circumstances are unique and should be treated as such.

Programs designed to treat alcohol use disorder will typically last for seven to 10 days and continue as long as necessary for each person. A great way to help determine which treatment option would be best for you or your loved one is to know your goals and seek the advice of a medical or treatment professional. Some of the main treatment options for alcohol use disorder include, but are not limited to:

Detoxification: Detoxification is typically the beginning, or first step, in the treatment process. During alcohol detox, alcohol consumption is eliminated along with the harmful toxins built up inside your body.
Inpatient treatment: During this type of treatment, it would occur on-site in a residential treatment program. One of the advantages of this type of treatment option is removing the patient from an environment that would cause a trigger or temptation to re-engage alcohol consumption. It allows a person to have 24-hour access to medical and treatment professionals to help guide a person’s detoxification process, therapy and offer support.
Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment is care in which you are not admitted into a facility. This can include a 12-step program, group and individual therapy, and attempts to balance personal accountability and independence coupled with support.
Sober living: Sober living homes can serve as a bridge between rehabilitation and entering back into your normal daily lifestyle. This treatment option allows for a certain level of structure while allowing for the opportunity for adjustment to gain a person’s independence back. In-person support is offered daily.

Summary

There are a wide variety of treatment options available for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. There are many pathways and no one-size-fits-all model toward treatment and recovery. Recovery and support can involve community, family, finding value in emotional and physical well being and so much more. Hope can be encouraged by support groups and peers, and family and goes a long way toward fueling the desire to continue a sober lifestyle.

There is hope, and there is a pathway for each individual. Seeking treatment and admitting you need assistance is a huge step in an individual’s ability to regain control over their lives. It is never easy to acknowledge that you may have a problem, but the sooner it is recognized and treated, the better chance you have to eliminate the serious risk of harm to self or others. Through the new relationships and life, you build you can be empowered to live the life you have always wanted.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol use disorder, here are some great reasons why it is beneficial to seek professional treatment.

Support can be offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You are not alone during the process of treatment and recovery.
The likelihood of recovery is much greater.
Your mental and physical well-being is important.
During moments where you feel you may not be able to continue recovery, you will have a support system.
You will have the ability to regain a healthy and productive lifestyle.
Your treatment can be highly customized to your unique set of needs.

Sources:

Alcohol use disorder | Mayo Clinic

Social and Cultural Contexts of Alcohol Use | US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

The 23 Effects of Alcohol on Your Body | Healthline.com

Dana Point California Rehab Center Options

Deciding on the ideal place to receive professional treatment is an important decision. Recognizing the value of change taking place is an extremely positive step toward your recovery journey. When thinking of how to go about selecting a treatment center, there are many options to consider. The types of amenities offered, the variety of treatment options available, the location of treatment center, and your short and long-term goals should be factored into your decision.

Some factors that may not always be front of mind but are just as important to consider are:

The client-to-staff ratio
Certifications and credentials of the treatment center
Experience and education of the staff

Each individual prefers a specific type of recovery environment based on their unique needs and desires. Some people would prefer a more tranquil, simple, and serene location. Some people would have a preference for a more luxurious setting with a plethora of additional amenities. No matter which option you would prefer, some basic amenities should be standards of care. These include:

The opportunity to exercise
Healthy and well-balanced meals should be offered at in-patient centers in order to assist with recovery
24-hour support from licensed professionals
A clean and comforting space that provides the basic comforts of home

Does Location Matter When Selecting a Rehab Center

Many areas of the United States have extremely basic rehabilitation programs that may not have a lot of integrated treatment options available. Discovering a treatment center that will offer you an environment that feels as close to home as possible but a treatment program that offers a multifaceted approach can be crucial in the recovery journey’s success. When thinking about treatment options, you want as little barrier as possible toward achieving your goals.

When seeking a specialized approach, Southern California offers a robust selection of options for rehabilitation, specifically in the Dana Point area.

There are many benefits of choosing Dana Point for your recovery:

It can be beneficial to eliminate the familiar surroundings that aided in harmful behavior.
It can help you remain as anonymous as possible and place you outside of your core network of people you may be concerned about being judged.
The weather in the area is very pleasant the vast majority of the year.
The ocean is a tranquil setting for you to regain your inner peace and focus on your mental health.
The likelihood of checking out early is decreased by selecting a site that may not be in your hometown.

How to Make the Most of Your Progress

You’ve found the perfect setting to seek treatment. You have short-term and long-term goals you want to live by. You probably have many questions about how you’re going to make the most out of this experience. It’s very important to remember that this experience will be what you make it, and as intimidating as that may seem at first, there are ways you can set yourself up for the best possibility of success.

Here are some helpful tips to assist you in remaining focused on what’s important:

Pack things that will motivate you to remember why you started. This can be a journal, a favorite photo of your loved ones, or something from your home that you would normally find comfort in, such as favorite socks, a pair of slippers, or a favorite shirt.
Trust in the process. You didn’t get to where you are overnight, and your progress will take some time but will be well worth it. Each day is a fresh start to change negative habits and thought patterns into the positive ones you need to have a healthy life.
Remember that it is ok to feel frustrated at times. The longer you commit to your goals, the easier each day will become. Just take one day at a time.
Learn how to be protective of your space and energy. Your goals of sobriety and mental wellness are absolutely achievable. It’s important to accept the support offered and learn how to set healthy boundaries.
Be prepared to continue your journey after your treatment.

What Happens After Treatment?

Understanding what happens after treatment is crucial to maintaining sobriety and achieving your long-term goals. There are many positive aspects to care about treatment, and it can diminish the risk of relapse. Programs that take place after your care at the treatment center of your choice are typically referred to as aftercare. Treatment can look like, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

Group counseling regularly
Participation in a 12-step program
Individual counseling

Aftercare treatment length will vary from person to person and will be tailored to your individual needs. When a person learns a new set of skills, those skills often need honing and practice. Aftercare can help you practice the new skills you have learned and continue to gain the support you deserve.

There are many areas of support that can be accessed through aftercare. Some of them include:

Budgeting support and financial planning
Support academically
Legal advice and support
Career counseling and support
Goal setting and coaching
Case management
Substance monitoring

Starting Life in Recovery

Stepping back into normal life after treatment can require a transition process. Aftercare is just as important as the care you receive during your initial treatment. Creating a support network of sober and like minded individuals will aid in the encouragement you deserve to get back on track. A key to life outside of addiction is to create new and lasting habits to help you sustain your new lifestyle. If you were on a fitness journey, you would want to clear out your refrigerator and pantry of any tempting food and make sure you were on an exercise plan as well.

Making a list can help organize your thoughts on how to approach your new start. Here are some ways you can tackle the next chapter:

Slow and steady wins the race. All good things come in time. Step by step, day by day, you will take on the new challenges ahead of you. Try to focus on one single day at a time.
If possible, find a way to apologize for any damage caused to friends and family. This can help clear your mind and conscience and pave the way for healthier relationships with those you care about.
Focus on keeping your word to both yourself and others. This creates trust in yourself, and it can go a long way in re-establishing trust with loved ones.
Seek out camaraderie with sober friends and support groups. Risking having relationships with those that are not sober and do not align with your current lifestyle can be detrimental. Seek out those that are heading in the direction you want to be going.
Find activities that spark a passion in you to occupy the time. Reigniting your love for what brings you joy can replace negative habits.
Exercise can help you take the confidence you are building to the next level.
Make sure you are eating well balanced meals and getting enough rest. Great, nutritious, food and enough rest can make you feel like a new person.
Have the courage to pursue the life you always dreamed of. The life you have is what you create, so go out and pursue greatness.

Summary

Your life can feel like a complete blur when taking the first few steps toward recovery. The thought of making so many different choices, often simultaneously, can feel incredibly overwhelming. We have covered that it is in your best interest to take a really good look at what your options for treatment are and where they are located. You wouldn’t just purchase a new home without checking out the builder, the land, the neighbors, the school district, etc.

Southern California can be an ideal setting to achieve all that you want to accomplish on your recovery journey—having the peace of mind of knowing that you will receive the best care possible can be well worth the trip. It is important to remember that no two treatment centers are alike, just like no two people are alike. What may be suited for one person may not be to the liking of another. What matters the most is that you have the clinical expertise backing your journey and the environment you know you can thrive in.

Sources:

Exercise as a Potential Treatment for Drug Abuse: Evidence from Preclinical Studies | US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

Substance use recovery and diet | MedlinePlus

How to Navigate the Addiction Treatment System | Partnership to End Addiction (DrugFree.org)

Anxiety and Addiction: What’s the Connection?

Understanding addiction can be complex. There are typically many factors that contribute to addictive behavior. It is crucial to understand risk factors to assess and identify how to reduce the risk of becoming addicted and treat the root cause.

This article will explore what addiction is, what common risk factors are, what anxiety is, and the relationship between anxiety and addiction. Many factors can rule substance abuse. Understanding the relationship between those factors can assist in the prevention of substance abuse. It can also help develop a more comprehensive, individualized treatment plan for a person, tailored to the individual’s history and needs.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is recognized as a chronic, treatable medical disease. This disease is shaped by a person’s life experience, environment, genetics, the total sum of those factors, and their connection to the brain. Individuals with addiction can engage in behavior or use of substances that become harmful, and despite the consequences, frequently continue.

When thinking of addiction, the first thought that may come to mind is substance abuse. Addiction is now typically recognized in two different categories: behavioral and chemical addiction.

With behavioral addiction, a person craves or becomes dependent on a set of behaviors. Common behavioral addictions would be gambling, food, sex, and shopping. Therapy and support are recognized as valuable treatment options for behavioral addiction.
Chemical addiction involves substance use and is often marked by the continued compulsion to use the substance regardless of the harmful or negative consequences. Continued substance abuse can cause lasting changes in how the brain functions. Treatment options for substance abuse can include, but are not limited to, inpatient treatment, outpatient rehabilitation, and therapy, just to name a few.

Engaging in behavior such as exercise, eating your favorite foods, or visiting friends can release a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is a messenger in your brain that can create a feeling of happiness or reward when engaging in certain activities. When the brain releases dopamine, it creates a reward loop initiating the desire to re-engage in the behavior that caused the enjoyable or pleasurable experience. The brain reinforces behavior that will increase the chance to engage in activities that pleasure is derived from.

Substance abuse can create an intense, euphoric, experience also causing a surge of dopamine to be released larger than normal. This response causes changes in how the brain functions. The desire to reinforce that large surge of dopamine can encourage the brain to look toward a substance instead of more positive activities that may be more healthy to produce the desired effect. By identifying risk factors that lead to addiction, we can work towards preventing substance abuse before it may start.

What are Common Risk Factors for Addictive Behavior?

Research has been poured into understanding the abuse of drugs, how it begins, and how it can be prevented. At certain stages in development, some risk factors may be stronger than others in influencing the likelihood of drug usage. Risk factors can include:

Environmental: Family history, stress at home or in the environment, the influence of peers, drug availability. If there is little adult supervision, chronic stress in the home, coupled with the availability of drugs and peer pressure, all of those things can have an impact on especially children and adolescents and put them at increased risk of substance abuse and addiction.
Mental illness: Anxiety, depression, mental disorders, etc. There are several possibilities for an increase in risk factors for this category. One of the possibilities is that substances can often be used as a coping mechanism or to influence their mood.
Stage of development: It has been determined that the earlier the introduction and use of drugs begins, the more likely the risk for addiction. This can also stem from the changes that take place within the brain after repeated exposure to drugs. This may influence the use of substances and subsequent addiction later in life.
Biology: Genetics can account for approximately half of an individual’s risk of developing an addiction.

What is Anxiety?

A natural response to stress, anxiety can be described as apprehension or a feeling of fear of what’s to come. Anxiety can be a response to common activities such as public speaking, a job interview, or the first day of school jitters. If the feelings of apprehension and fear become extreme, interfere with daily activities, and last longer than six months, it is important to seek a medical professional’s guidance to determine if you have an anxiety disorder.

An anxiety disorder can feel debilitating and can sometimes prevent you from engaging in activities you enjoy. Anxiety does not discriminate and at any age can affect anyone. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, highly treatable, the most common mental illness in the U.S. is anxiety disorders. Each person’s experience with anxiety may feel different. General symptoms of anxiety can include:

Difficulty concentrating
Challenge in falling asleep or staying asleep
Rapid breathing
Increase in heart rate
Feeling of restlessness

The exact cause of anxiety is unknown. Numerous factors can play a role in what causes anxiety. They can include brain chemistry, environment, genetic makeup, stress, and diet. It is important to pay attention to signs and symptoms of anxiety. Managing your anxiety can prevent the cycle of it being increased over time and the desire to cope in an unhealthy way. Some positive ways to manage anxiety include:

Exercise
Healthy diet
Limiting triggers that can increase anxiety, such as alcohol or caffeine
Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep
Therapy

Is There a Relationship Between Anxiety and Addiction?

When experiencing anxiety, people can often turn to substance abuse to cope with their feelings. Substance abuse can be seen as a remedy for assisting with falling asleep, feeling calmer, or eliminating the feelings of apprehension and fear. This is risky behavior due to the addictive nature of drugs and is only temporary relief from the underlying issue. Individuals who have mental health disorders and substance use disorders have what is called a dual diagnosis.

It is important to treat a dual diagnosis together instead of separately treating the addiction problem and mental health disorder. These challenges may have been treated separately in the past, but we now understand that these disorders have a relationship and impact on one another. A combination of therapies can be used in treating a dual diagnosis. It is important to find a medical professional or treatment center equipped to treat your unique needs.

Signs of anxiety can include:

Worrying excessively
Fatigue
Panic Attacks
Irrational fears
Feelings of agitation
Trouble sleeping

Signs and symptoms of substance abuse can include:

Personality changes
Behavior thaSuspicious behaviort is suspicious
Grooming habit changes
Missing medication/drug presence
Loss of interest in normal daily activities
Loss or change of friends
Lack of motivation
Poor decision making

Dual Diagnosis Approach to Anxiety and Addiction

Support and learning positive coping mechanisms can assist with both managing anxiety and addiction. There are comprehensive treatment programs available that can help you start your journey to the management, recovery, and treatment care plan for after your recovery. Your treatment plan should cater to your individualized diagnosis and needs. It is important to remain comfortable and safe throughout your care.

Some key principles when seeking effective treatment options are:

Treatment is unique to each individual.
It is important to review treatment as necessary to adjust to changing needs.
Addiction is a treatable disease but can often be complex. It affects brain function and behavior and requires addressing both the potential of mental disorders and addiction.
It is imperative to remain in treatment for an adequate amount of time.
In order to be effective, treatment does not need to be voluntary.
Group, individual, and family counseling are among the most commonly used form of treatment for the abuse of drugs.

Summary

In summary, tackling anxiety and addiction alone can feel isolating and overwhelming. It is important to know that help is available and you are not alone. There is an enormous amount of courage in admitting you need help. If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of addiction, anxiety, or both, you need to seek a medical professional or treatment center’s guidance.

With treatment, therapy, and support groups, there is a path to recovery. You are worthy of a happy and healthy life.

Sources:

Types of Addiction and How They’re Treated | Healthline.com

Dopamine | PsychologyToday.com

Treatment of Co-occurring Anxiety Disorders and Substance Use Disorders | US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health