Recovery by the Ocean: the Healing Powers of the Ocean
Recovery by the Ocean: the Healing Powers of the Ocean
Recovery by the Ocean: the Healing Powers of the Ocean

Recovery by the Ocean: the Healing Powers of the Ocean

Posted on: September 24th, 2018 by admin No Comments

Recovery by the Ocean: the Healing Powers of the Ocean

When people are facing the long road of recovery, often the location that they choose for their treatment can have a big impact on their success. Certain environments can prove to be better for mental health and recovery and particularly natural environments are usually the best. People often choose to be near the ocean for recovery because it has its own natural healing powers that can be beneficial for the mind, body and spirit.

Being in or near the sea tends to have a calming effect on people because of its beauty, natural minerals in the water and the relaxing sound of the waves. Studies have even shown that an anxious, overstimulated mind naturally falls into a more meditative state near the ocean. It is not surprising that most hotels, resorts and even the most populated cities are near the ocean as people naturally flock to the water for the benefits it provides.

Overall, the ocean tends to make people feel happier, healthier and more connected in a way that is hard to find anywhere else. People in recovery can see a lot of improvement in their mental health and have an easier time coping with triggers and stress when they receive treatment near the ocean. Recovery centers on the beach can be a great choice for people in need of a break from the stress of their daily life.

Therapy in the Water

The ocean offers therapeutic properties in a number of different ways. The water is packed full of nourishing minerals that are known to heal many skin conditions and wounds. Swimming in the ocean can also help clear up allergies and sinus problems by flushing out nasal cavities and reducing inflammation.

The most important healing properties that the ocean has for the purpose of recovery is the effect that it has on the mind. Being in or near the water has proven in scientific studies to lower stress and anxiety, increase an overall sense of wellbeing and happiness, as well as lower the heart and breathing rate. Many therapists use water as a way to treat symptoms of different mental illnesses including PTSD, addiction, anxiety disorders, autism and many more.

The ocean has even been proven to help boost creativity, enhance the quality of conversations and overall trigger positive responses. Being in the water can quickly improve happiness and feelings of calm without having any real downside. It provides people with a healthy and totally natural kind of therapy.

Addiction Recovery by the Beach

Most people choose the beachy spots for their vacation because it helps them unwind and release stress from work. The ocean is also a great place to take a break from the problems that you experience in everyday life. For addiction recovery, the beach is ideal because it helps people get away from the negative influences that were harming their mental health.

Many treatment centers are located near the ocean because addiction experts understand that its inherent healing powers can be helpful for patients. While recovering from an addiction, patients in treatment can take a walk on the beach, swim, surf or spend a day by the water when they need to clear their mind. During difficult times in treatment they will have access to the immediate soothing effect of the water whenever they need it the most.

Even simply having a view of the beach and being able to look out at the ocean can have a powerful effect on mental health. People are naturally drawn to images of the water and seeing its beauty can calm their mind. Recovery centers with ocean views from the rooms allow each patient the chance to feel less anxious and more relaxed throughout their treatment.

Focusing on Health

One of the most helpful aspects of being located near the beach during treatment is that it helps people get out of the negative mindset that they are in most of the time. Living in the middle of a big city can be stressful as you are always busy and don’t get the time to be around great natural beauty. Getting out of that negativity can have a very positive effect on a person’s ability to recover.

The positivity, relaxation and overall improved mood provided by the ocean is the perfect backdrop for people to heal from addiction or mental illness. The ocean will give them a welcome break from all of the pain and difficulty that they have been going through in their personal lives. The work that they do in psychotherapy can be enhanced and complemented by spending time in the water for healing and recovery.

If you are interested in recovery near the ocean there are numerous treatment centers in remote beaches that cater to many different issues.

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How Important is Offering Extended Care?

Posted on: September 12th, 2018 by admin No Comments

How Important is Offering Extended Care?

When someone with an addiction goes through recovery, they will need as many resources as possible to prepare themselves for a life of sobriety. There are numerous skills they need to learn as they adjust to their new lifestyle and there may be a lot of ups and downs along the way. Even after completing their inpatient treatment, they may need extra support in order to get accustomed to the day to day experience without the use of drugs or alcohol.

Even though staying a few months in a treatment center is a great way to address many of the issues that cause addiction, it is not the same as being at home. In a treatment facility everyone is a little isolated from real life and it can be easier to succeed without any bars, parties or drinks around. Once a patient returns home they will be confronted with a lot more problems that they weren’t faced with during treatment.

Extended care gives people a chance to continue getting help while they get used to the experience of being sober in their normal routine. They can go to work, hang out with friends and learn how to deal with specific issues that come up as they are happening. Aftercare programs can be a crucial factor in preventing relapse.

Learning to Cope with Triggers

One of the most valuable aspects of extended care is that it allows people to learn how to deal with triggers as they occur during the course of the day. While living in a treatment facility they may still experience triggers but it will not be the same as when they have the real chance to relapse. There also may be different kinds of triggers that they hadn’t anticipated while in treatment.

During aftercare, patients can still receive much needed counseling and can even talk to a support to discuss what they have been dealing with on their own. Having that support system can mean the difference between successful sober living and relapse. Talking to others about what you are going through is critical staying strong with sobriety.

In aftercare counseling, former patients can identify any new triggers they have noticed and receive advice about the best way to deal with them. They might not know what to do when an old friend they used to drink with invites them to a party or if their coworker suggests they go out for drinks after work. There is also much more stress involved in daily life than in treatment and learning to deal with that stress is essential to recovery.

Reintegration and Life Purpose

After completing their inpatient stay at a treatment center, former patients may feel better but still a little lost. They might need to make new friends, start a career or start their life over in general. Reintegrating back into their life without the escape offered by drugs and alcohol can be painful at first.

People in recovery need to find the activities, people and things in their life that make them happy. In the past their days might have been fueled by the desire to get drunk or high and obtain more substances to get by. Filling the hole left by cutting out these activities is something that they need to work on after treatment.

During aftercare, former patients can have the opportunity to work on finding the things that give them a sense of purpose. They might have the chance to volunteer, engage in new hobbies or spend time with other people who are adjusting to sobriety. As they work to discover what they need to feel satisfied with their daily existence they can have the support of counselors and group meetings to help them along.

Learning to live sober can be a long process and it is never fully resolved in only a few months of treatment. It will take a lot of work and focus in order for people to feel more comfortable in their sobriety. Managing the disease of addiction can take a lifetime and getting as much treatment and support as possible can make the experience easier in the long run.

Finding Aftercare

Many treatment centers offer their own extended care program to ensure that all of their patients are successful in recovery. Before entering treatment you might consider asking about the facility’s extended care options and see what they include. Aftercare can be an essential element of your journey to sobriety so researching and selecting a treatment center based on their aftercare can be a good decision.

Addiction can take a long time to treat and the longer that a patient can have access to treatment and support the better they will feel in recovery. If you or someone you love has an addiction, find a treatment facility that has the type of aftercare that you feel will work best.

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How Addiction Treatment Can Be Improved

Posted on: September 7th, 2018 by admin No Comments

How Addiction Treatment Can Be Improved

Addiction has been on the rise in the U.S. especially with issues such as the opioid epidemic affecting millions of Americans. People who suffer from addiction can rarely recover from the problem without some kind of professional help or treatment program. Addiction treatment and improving the way that we help people with addictions should be a main focus in addressing the epidemic.

Expanding access to addiction treatment is one of the most important ways the government can respond to an addiction crisis. By giving people more opportunities to get help they can improve the chances of survival and recovery even from deadly addictions like opioid dependency. Making it easier for people to get insurance coverage for addiction treatment can be an important stepping stone in changing the current trend in addiction.

Increased access is crucial but also improving the accountability of addiction providers is another way to combat the addiction crisis. People in recovery need quality care and treatment centers must be able to provide results so that patients don’t end up relapsing. Variations in the service provided by addiction treatment centers could lead to issues in the effort to curb high addiction rates in the U.S.

Evaluating Treatment Centers and Different Approaches

There are thousands of addiction treatment centers across the country but not all of them operate the same way or offer the same level of care. In fact addiction treatment facilities can vary greatly as far as the cost of services, the amenities that they offer and the experience of the staff members. Some treatment centers also disagree about the use of medications to treat opioid abuse.

Medication assisted treatment can be life-saving for people who are addicted to opioid painkillers because withdrawal can be especially difficult for them. Providing medications such as methadone or buprenorphine can prevent overdoses and get people stable right away. This can prevent tragedies from occurring and lower the death rate associated with opioids especially when people are waiting to get into treatment.

Treatment centers that choose not to offer medication assisted treatment may believe in abstinence as the only path to recovery. However, many patients get better results from treatment and are less likely to relapse if they have access to medications. Expanding medication assisted treatment could actually be very beneficial to improving addiction treatment particularly in regards to the opioid crisis.

Holding Addiction Treatment Accountable

One way to improve addiction treatment centers is to make the quality of care provided by different facilities more transparent to people before they enroll in rehab. This could be accomplished through the use of consumer report cards which could drive up the quality of health care providers. Consumer report cards have proven useful in rating hospital care and nursing homes in the past and could be beneficial for addiction treatment as well.

Public reporting of treatment can help potential patients get a better idea of what to expect in a treatment center. This can help them better choose an addiction facility that they believe will work for them. Making more information about treatment centers public is a good way to hold them accountable and give them incentive to improve their quality and results.

Consumers need to know what to expect from a treatment center and if they don’t have reliable information they may not be able to make an informed decision on where to stay for recovery. Having access to more information can allow them to experience a better outcome and prevent the possibility of relapse. They may have specific symptoms or issues that need to be addressed and knowing more about the treatment center can help them make sure their needs will be met.

Necessary Aspects of Treatment

One way to evaluate whether an addiction treatment center is providing quality care is to look for certain criteria. Things like the standard wait time for entering a treatment center and their screening procedure can be important to know. A treatment center that has a long wait time can be a major problem for people that need immediate help.

Treatment centers also need to offer personalized diagnosis and an individual treatment plan based on the patient’s unique issues. General rehabs that don’t focus enough attention on individualized care can be less effective for treatment. An addiction rehab should take other issues into account such as mental and physical health problems that need improvement throughout the program.

One of the most important aspects of treatment is the ability of patients to receive continuing care after they leave. An aftercare program can effectively prevent relapse for many people who are struggling with the transition out of treatment.

As addiction continues to be a major health crisis, increasing access to and improving the quality of treatment centers can be instrumental in saving lives across the country.

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Can You Be Comfortable in Rehab and Still Change?

Posted on: August 21st, 2018 by admin No Comments

Can You Be Comfortable in Rehab and Still Change?

Some people may believe that addiction recovery is meant to be an uncomfortable experience. They might feel that if you aren’t going through the pain of recovery then you aren’t really growing and learning how to be sober. The reality is that rehab does not have to be completely unpleasant in order for it to be effective; many programs pride themselves on the comfort that they provide their patients.

People who look for more comfortable treatment options are not cheating their way through recovery as some might think. Higher quality amenities don’t take away from what an addiction recovery program teaches its patients about how to become sober. At the core of every rehab treatment center is the foundation of psychotherapy and counseling which allows people to make lasting changes in their behavior and mental health.

A patient can feel comfortable in rehab and still make important changes as long as they are doing the work provided to them in individual and group therapy. Someone that follows the program closely will be confronting their personal issues which is never easy even if they are in a comfortable environment. Rehab will always prevent important challenges no matter what the setting may be and each patient that is committed to their treatment can still change.

Extra Amenities and Recovery

Those that are seeking additional comfort in recovery should not worry about whether they can achieve their goals in treatment. For anyone that feels they need certain amenities to get through their recovery they should not hesitate to find a facility that can accommodate their needs. Rehab treatments that are considered luxury facilities often have the highest level of quality and the most options for different amenities.

Luxury rehabs are treatment centers that focus not only on comfort but on patients getting the best possible care from very qualified staff members and addiction experts. Patients can choose from a wide range of alternative therapies, activities, and resources that all help them make an effective recovery. They also get to enjoy more comfortable rooms, better quality food, more personal space and beautiful locations.

The comfort that patients experience in a luxury rehab is not detrimental to their care but can actually be useful for their success. Anyone that feels that they are having too much of a difficult or unpleasant time in rehab may be less likely to stick to the program. Too much discomfort or not feeling at home in your rehab center can create serious danger for relapse.

Finding the Most Comfortable Rehab

Someone that takes their recovery serious will actually benefit from looking for the type of rehab facility where they will feel the most comfortable and at home while they are there. Everyone has their own specific preferences and there is no reason that a patient shouldn’t have everything they need for the best possible experience. There may be certain amenities or aspects of their treatment that they believe will work best for them and there is no reason not to ensure that these things are available.

Some people may need more privacy throughout their stay in rehab in order to feel at ease. Better quality, luxury rehabs often allow patients to have their own room and they will have more space to move around the grounds without feeling crowded by other patients. This type of personal space may be essential for certain personality types to get through recovery successfully.

Others may feel that they need more activities and options for a healthy diet that may not be available in every rehab centers. Luxury rehabs typically have higher quality, nutritious food and will have more choices for fitness, sports, group outings and other activities. It is crucial for patients not to feel bored or restless so having these other options may be necessary in some cases.

Anyone that enters rehab should think about what they personally need in order to have a positive outcome from their treatment. You shouldn’t sacrifice your comfort and own well-being in order to get through a rehab program because it will end up being less effective in the long run. Recovery and discomfort do not go hand in hand and in fact shouldn’t while you are quitting an addiction.

The important thing to keep in mind about addiction treatment is that it will be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. The place where you go through recovery can be vital to the process of changing your behavior and psychological health. Choosing the rehab that you feel will be best for you is the first step in changing your life.

Make sure to research treatment centers beforehand and don’t feel hesitant to find something that will be most comfortable for you. It will be beneficial and necessary for your recovery to feel at ease in your facility.

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What Makes Someone an Addiction Specialist?

Posted on: August 19th, 2018 by admin No Comments

What Makes Someone an Addiction Specialist?

A recovery treatment center will always have a staff full of specially qualified medical, psychiatric and therapeutic experts who provide patients with what they need to quit an addiction. These facilities take care to hire addiction specialists who have studied and worked in the field of addiction recovery for many years. People who have never worked in recovery or been through it themselves may not understand who an addiction specialist is and what they do.

An addiction specialist is essentially someone who has knowledge and expertise regarding addiction and the process of recovery from addiction. It could be someone who is a medical physician who specializes in addiction or a psychiatrists who mainly works with people in addiction recovery. These kinds of specialists have a deep understanding of how addiction works and how it affects the body and mind.

Those who become addiction specialists study all aspects of addiction including the causes, symptoms and the best techniques for recovery. They also spend years working one on one with people who struggle with addiction and witness first hand how individuals learn to become sober. An addiction specialist focuses their expertise on helping people change their behavior and improve their health so that they are able to remain permanently abstinent.

Addiction Specialist Study and Training

People who become addiction specialists usually hold a sub-specialty board certification in addiction medicine from the American Board of Preventive Medicine or a certification in addiction psychiatry from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. They may also have a Certificate of Added Qualification in Addiction Medicine if they have another area of expertise as well. Specialists obtain these certifications through extensive study and hands on experience that qualify them to work in addiction recovery.

An addiction specialist learns how to provide the kind of comprehensive care necessary to help someone who is struggling with an addiction. They will understand how to diagnose, treat and prevent substance abuse disorders depending on their area of expertise. Addiction psychiatry is an approved sub-specialty of psychiatry allowing practicing psychiatrists to provide care for people in rehab treatment facilities or those in recovery groups.

An addiction medicine physician is specially trained for a wide range of different aspects of recovery including prevention, evaluation, and treatment modalities. They may have special expertise in other areas such as treating addiction problems that are associated with a co-occurring mental health issue. They may be trained to diagnose and treat both mental health problems and addiction problems simultaneously.

The Role of an Addiction Specialist

The reason addiction specialists are necessary is because addiction itself is a very complex problem that requires specific knowledge and experience. A psychiatrist who has no training or who has never studied addiction may not be qualified to treat someone who is in recovery. It is crucial for a psychiatrist, therapist or physician involved in someone’s recovery to have a detailed understanding of how addiction develops and how it is treated.

An addiction specialist is there to help identify certain patterns of an addict’s behavior and recognize the barriers that they are experiencing in being able to quit. The specialist will have worked with many other types of addicts and have an intimate knowledge of how different people become addicted and how they react to recovery. Their job is to recognize specific issues and help the patient develop strategies and techniques that will help them stay sober permanently.

Someone who has had years of training and experience in addiction will have more compassion and empathy for patients who are attempting to recover. They know the difficulties and struggle that this person is going through as they try to change their behavior. An addiction specialist’s role is to be sympathetic while also giving them what they need to overcome their problems.

People who specialize in addiction recovery are part of a community of people who care about others and their well-being. Their priority is the safety and advancement of people who are in a very difficult place in their life. Essentially their goal is not only to save lives but to help people live the best possible version of their life.

Addiction recovery can be a challenging field to work in but it is also very rewarding for those who care about the outcome of every patient. Specialists in addiction treatment are looking for a chance to help people who have hit rock bottom and in many cases have lost everything. Their care and concern for patients allows them to treat every person and their individual needs.

Addiction specialists have a lot of training and experience but they also have a greater goal of helping others and being caregivers. People who struggle with addiction need specialists who can help them understand and recover from their condition successfully.

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Why People Choose the Desert Climate to Heal

Posted on: August 13th, 2018 by admin No Comments

Why People Choose the Desert Climate to Heal

Your environment can have a significant impact on your physical and psychological health especially when you are in recovery. When people are in a vulnerable state it is important to be in place where they feel at peace and can experience healing. Many people choose the desert as a location for their recovery because it has natural healing powers and can positively influence a person’s well-being.

The desert is often a top choice for wellness centers and retreats and health conscious people tend to be drawn to the desert climate. Many beautiful desert cities such as Joshua Tree and Sedona are known as healing places where people can go to improve their health and well-being. The warm, dry climate of the desert and natural beauty tend to boost the mood and promote numerous lifestyle benefits.

Recovery centers located in the desert offer patients the chance to take time away from the busy and stressful environment of the city and reconnect with nature. Living in major cities is known to be strenuous on our physical and mental health while remote, natural places can be more conducive to recovery. The desert can be the perfect place to start a new and healthier lifestyle.

Temperature and Environment

The warmth of the desert can be healing to the body and mind, especially for people that experience cold and harsh winters in their hometown. Coldness and damp can put stress on the body, especially the joints and make it more difficult to stay active. The warm and dry temperature of the desert is more relaxing for the body and allows people to be more mobile.

The sunshine that is so constant in the desert can also have many healing properties. People who experience dark winters often are more vulnerable to developing depression symptoms. Being in a sunnier climate can have a positive effect on the mood and provides people with a healthy dose of vitamin D which can transform their health. The sun can give people joy and energy that is difficult to find in colder locations.

One of the major benefits of being in the desert is the opportunity to spend time with nature and feel more connected to the earth. As human beings, we need contact with nature from time to time because we are wired to love and explore the natural world. People are drawn to images of nature because it makes us feel calm as we experience its beauty.

The desert is full of natural beauty with rugged cliffs, natural rock formations, mountains, and healing vegetation. Looking at desert scenes can be peaceful and inspiring for people in recovery. In a beautiful place people are naturally more optimistic and motivated in their goals.

Activities and Exercise

Another healing aspect of spending time in the desert is the chance to be more active and get exercise outdoors. The desert climate typically offers multiple opportunities to hike, climb, swim, and many other activities. People are often more energetic in the desert because the days are warm and sunny and they can pursue more exciting types of exercise than simply going to the gym.

Hiking and exercising outdoors can be good for the mind and body as being active outside has many psychological benefits. Studies show that hiking and soothe and reduce mental fatigue while improving your memory and reasoning. It is also good for your heart, lungs, blood pressure and many other aspects of your physical health.

People in recovery can benefit from being more active because it can help them detoxify, fight cravings and ward off boredom or restlessness. Exercise is an important part of a sober lifestyle and being active in the desert can encourage people to stay committed to their new activity level. Maintaining a good activity level helps prevent depression and gives people a boost of confidence and energy.

Treatment in the Desert

There are many reasons the desert provides healing opportunities no matter what problem you are dealing with. The desert can be particularly beneficial for people in need of a lifestyle change because they have harmed their health through substance abuse. In the desert they can recuperate and start to change their habits in a way that will allow them to be healthier permanently.

Getting treatment in a natural location like the desert can help you get through some of the most difficult aspects of recovery. You are less likely to become bored, anxious or depressed when you have the chance to explore a beautiful environment. The healing power of the desert can make the challenge of recovery much easier.

If you are interested in experiencing treatment or any kind of lifestyle change in the desert there are numerous wellness and recovery centers throughout the southwest for people looking to improve their health.

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What Came First Alcoholism or Mental Health?

Posted on: July 23rd, 2018 by admin No Comments

What Came First Alcoholism or Mental Health?

Issues of addiction and mental health are often closely connected and individuals in recovery often find that the two problems influence one another. When a person abuses drugs it can negatively affect their mental health and people with mental health issues are more likely to seek substances to self-medicate. As the two issues frequently coexist it can be difficult to tell which one caused the other.

People can be unaware that they have a mental illness and end up abusing alcohol because they don’t know how to deal with what they are experiencing. As their symptoms begin to interfere with their life they may start drinking as a way to escape their problems or temporarily alleviate painful feelings. Unfortunately, addiction can worsen symptoms of mental illness and cause even more issues that make it difficult for the person to function normally.

Others who heavily abuse drugs and even people who have a serious alcohol dependency can begin to develop symptoms of mental illness due to their behavior. Alcohol and other drugs can change a person’s brain chemistry and make it harder for them to experience natural feelings of joy. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and other problems can develop over time as their addiction progresses.

The Complex Relationship Between Addiction and Mental Health

When someone suffers from both an addiction and mental illness it can be much more challenging for them to address both problems and recover completely. Their mental illness can cause them to continue abusing alcohol or drugs and their substance abuse tends to worsen their mental illness. The two problems become a vicious cycle that can wreak havoc on someone’s personal and professional life.

Mental illness and alcoholism essentially interact with each other in a complex dance that can take time to dismantle. Some people may have one disorder that is worse than the other such as mild mental illness with heavy drinking or a severe mental illness with a more minor addiction. Others can have both issues be very severe which can lead to serious health problems if they don’t get help from treatment.

Some of the mental illnesses that are most commonly associated with drinking include problems like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and schizophrenia. Depression is a mental illness that can frequently cause people to begin abusing alcohol because it can temporarily mask their feelings of sadness. Depression can be very common among female substance abusers although it also occurs among men who drink as well.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by intense mood swings from feeling deeply depressed to manic euphoria. People with this disorder may begin abusing substances like alcohol to help smooth out their mood swings. Anxiety disorder is also commonly associated with drinking because individuals will drink to calm themselves down or feel more comfortable in social situations.

Schizophrenia is a very severe disorder that can involve hallucinations and feelings of paranoia which the individual may try to ease with alcohol use. People who abuse alcohol can also begin to develop symptoms of psychosis even when they hadn’t experienced the problem before. Depending on a person’s relationship to alcohol, any of these mental illnesses can appear with chronic substance abuse.

Recovering from a Dual Diagnosis

Regardless of which disorder appeared first, a person with both an addiction and a mental illness is said to have a dual diagnosis. When this is the case they will need to attend a specialized treatment center that is designed to address both problems simultaneously. Only treating one problem and not the other will be ineffective and could have some negative consequences for their health.

Treatment centers that focus on both addiction and mental illness will have programs in place that can help treat each problem through tools like detox, therapy, medication, and relapse prevention. Everything about their treatment program should be focused on resolving both issues so that the patient can minimize and greatly reduce the symptoms of their mental illness while also learning how to maintain sobriety. The goal for their treatment is to be able to manage their symptoms without turning to substance abuse as a solution.

The steps involved in treatment for two disorders start first with an accurate diagnosis. It is very important for the patient to understand what type of mental illness they have in order to learn how to manage it. Expert psychiatrists and staff members can help assess the individual and give them an idea of the severity of both their mental illness and their addiction.

With focused and individualized treatment it is possible for anyone to recover from a dual diagnosis in spite of the complicated issues associated with having two disorders. If you think you might have a mental illness and an addiction contact a dual diagnosis treatment center that can provide you with the help you need to recover.

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Opioid Addiction Rehab

Posted on: July 19th, 2018 by admin No Comments

Opioid Addiction Rehab

The most serious epidemic that the U.S. is currently facing is the amount of people that are abusing and overdosing on opioids throughout the country. Opioids are one of the biggest threats to public health in years and more people than ever need help in overcoming their addiction to prescription painkillers. Fortunately many rehab treatment centers cater to opioid addiction and provide the kind of care that is necessary to overcome this devastating problem.

People often don’t realize how addictive opioids are both mentally and physically to the user. It is common for people to be prescribed opioids for a particular issue such as pain after surgery and end up addicted. Opioids have many of the properties that addictive drugs tend to have such as feelings of euphoria, developing a tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

When people are not aware of the addictive nature of opioids or they are not careful about the doses that they take then it can end in tragedy. Overdoses are all too common in the U.S. with more than 115 people dying every day from taking opioids. Rehab can help prevent a tragic overdose and can help someone recover from their addiction to opioids.

Detoxing from Opioids

The first step in recovery from an opioid addiction will be to abstain from any opioid use. For people with milder addictions, they may be able to go “cold turkey” from their opioid abuse and avoid using any drugs during detox. Others with more severe addictions may need to transition to substitute medications such as methadone or suboxone which can help them ease out of their opioid abuse.

Opioids can lead to very intense withdrawal symptoms and some people may have addictions so severe that they will not be able to get through withdrawal safely. In these cases, medications can be life-saving alternatives that prevent overdose and help them get on the right track to recovery as soon as possible. Over time the patient will be able to wean themselves off of the medication until they are ready to completely abstain from any kind of substance.

Detox can be one of the most difficult steps in rehab because it is the process by which someone rids themselves of a chemical dependency. They will have to confront many uncomfortable physical symptoms and feelings that arise when they no longer are relying on drugs to feel normal. Opioid detox can be painful but once a patient gets through this process they will then be ready to start the hard work of recovery.

Therapy and Relapse Prevention

Much of the focus in opioid addiction rehab is on individual therapy, group therapy and methods for relapse prevention. People that have drug addictions need to address the kind of psychological and emotional issues that can cause them to begin or continue abusing substances. Therapy is a crucial component in recovery and one of the most traditional parts of every rehab program.

In therapy patients with opioid addictions can start to open up about how and why they became addicted in a safe environment where they can be vulnerable. They may have a family history of addiction or their own personal issues with mental illness that acted as factors in their developing addiction. Although opioids are inherently addictive, there are often internal problems that can cause people to abuse drugs as well.

Group therapy is a method that can help addicts learn to connect with others and share their stories so that they feel a part of a community. In group therapy, those with opioid addictions can talk about their experiences which may be similar to many other people in the group. They can provide each other with valuable support and advice which can help them become more confident in their sobriety.

Another important component of addiction recovery is helping patients focus on skills for relapse prevention which will help them stay sober long-term. Understanding what causes relapse and the type of triggers that can lead to someone using drugs again can help patients be more prepared for the possibility. They can learn how to handle specific situations which could lead to relapse and how to reach out for help when they are struggling.

With opioid abuse, relapse can be particularly dangerous because people who have been sober for a period of time might end up abusing the same amount of drugs that they had in the past. The lower tolerance that they have after a period of sobriety could lead them to overdose from a relapse incident. Aftercare programs and relapse prevention methods are critical in keeping patients safe after they return home.

If you have been struggling with an opioid addiction, reach out to a local treatment center so that you can take steps to become sober again.

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Age Specific Rehabs

Posted on: July 11th, 2018 by admin No Comments

Age Specific Rehabs

People from all walks of life can struggle with issues of alcoholism and addiction no matter what age or where they are from. Young people can have addictions even before they reach the age of 21 and older adults can still have addiction problems even later in life after their children have grown up. Certain age groups can have varying needs and so age specific rehabs are useful programs to cater to individual demographics.

There are many different kinds of rehabs designed to provide patients with what they need to recover so that they aren’t left behind. More traditional “one size fits all” programs can be less effective for people that feel they need something more personal that will adjust to their specific issues. Age specific rehabs are just one of many different types of programs that are created in order to be a more personalized type of recovery.

People in different age groups are at specific stages in their life when addiction may affect them in unique ways. A young person may have a very different relationship to drugs or alcohol than an older person that is addicted. Age specific rehabs allow people to focus on what will help them at the stage they are in life.

Long Term Success with Tailored Rehabs

An age specific rehab can provide people with a way to achieve long term success because it is tailored to their personal needs. Young and old people may have dramatically different ideas about addiction and will understand their problem in various ways. A person’s generation and the way that they grew up can shape their concept of drug use and influence their behavior.

Older generations for example may feel more ashamed about their alcohol or drug use and might have a harder time opening up in front of others. They also may feel more ashamed because they have a career and a family that they might have harmed through their addiction. They have more responsibilities that they have jeopardized through their drug use and need to get their life back on track.

Younger people may prefer to be in a room full of other young people because they might feel more intimidated around people that they consider to be an authority. Going to a rehab with older people may make it more difficult for them to relate to other people’s stories. They may worry that they won’t be taken seriously or will be judged for their young age.

There are a wide range of issues that can come up regarding a person’s age in rehab. Being around people of a similar age group and getting tailored treatment based on the group’s age can make it easier to succeed. Whatever feelings the individual has about their age,they will not have to worry about it in an age specific rehab.

Rehabilitation and a Sense of Community

One of the most important aspects of rehab is building up a sense of community among the patients in the program. This can be much easier with a group of people that are in similar stages in life and can find things in common. A group with widely varying ages might feel a sense of disconnect from one another because they are experiencing very different things with their addiction.

People like to be around peers and feel more comfortable around those that they have more in common with. If they grew up in a particular era then they will have more common ground on which to build a relationship. An older generation may find it difficult to relate to the things that younger people experience in their modern upbringing.

A critical aspect of rehab is being able to connect, feel a part of a community and develop a social support network of people for help in the future. Patients will need someone that they can talk to when experience triggers or are worried about their ability to stay sober in any given moment. Connecting with people their same age will make it easier to create a support network and have someone to call or lean on in times of stress.

People need to recover in an environment where they feel comfortable, can open up and be themselves around people that may become lifelong friends. Age specific rehabs can help foster that sense of community and comfort that would be more difficult to experience in a rehab with some people that are very young, middle aged or in their senior years. People tend to spend more time with others in their own age group and rehab is a place the requires a kind of connection and bond with each other.

If you are looking for a rehab that caters to your individual needs, an age specific rehab may be a good choice for your recovery.

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What is a Non-12 Step Rehab?

Posted on: June 29th, 2018 by admin No Comments

What is a Non-12 Step Rehab?

There are many different types of rehab facilities and choosing which one is a good fit can take some patience. Some rehabs specialize in addiction and alcoholism, while others can focus on behavioral addictions such as gambling addiction or sex addiction. Unfortunately only some treatment centers offer dual diagnosis treatment in which they treat substance abuse as well as the underlying psychiatric treatment that is often needed.

Of these different types of rehabs centers, each will follow a certain treatment method. The treatment methods utilized will either be 12-Step or Non-12 Step, and what that essentially means is that the method will have a religious/spiritual focus or a scientific/ holistic focus.

Before we discuss non-12 Step rehab programs, lets identify the 12-Step program and its core philosophy. A 12-Step program is a set of guidelines (steps) that one will strictly follow in recovery. These 12 steps were first published in the Alcoholics Anonymous book and have been used as the foundation of the majority of treatment programs until more recently.

The basis of the philosophy is that those suffering from addiction are powerless against the disease and need to surrender to a higher power, not always “God” to achieve recovery. Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and other groups incorporate these steps into their daily lives. When those “work the steps” they will be successful in their recovery journey. Because the 12-Step method is the most common, it is generally covered by insurance plans.

The 12-Step method has been popularized and used in mainstream media that often time’s people think this method is the only recovery treatment method.

The 12-Steps:

Step 1 We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

Step 2 Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Step 3 Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Step 4 Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Step 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Step 6 Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Step 7 Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Step 8 Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Step 9 Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step 10 Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Step 11 Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Step 12 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Other treatment methods wont necessarily utilize these steps verbatim but substitute alternative words or incorporate them by summarizing or pulling out key themes, such as are honesty, discipline and action, forgiveness, acceptance etc. So instead of finding a “sponsor” they may just refer someone as a sober companion but will still employ fellowship.

Although this method has helped many people in their recovery, those who were not as religious or spiritual were not connecting. Opponents of the 12-Steps believe declaring yourself a lifelong addict with a deep character defect is counterproductive and fundamentally disagree with the idea that addiction is a disease that’s beyond your control. Some may also deem many aspects of the 12-Step culture outdated and unnecessary.

Non-12 Steps

Alternative treatment philosophies started to pop up with the basis of treatment being more science based, and self-healing based. Non-12 Step programs are viewed as “non traditional” or secular and are considered modern-day because they follow evidence-based research which is constantly evolving. Newer treatments like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), emotional freedom techniques (EFT) are used.

These programs focus on the individual rather than the addiction and argue that one treatment program does not fit all. An example of Non-12-Step treatment method that has becoming more and more utilized is SMART Recovery. SMART Recovery (Self Management for Addiction Recovery) can be seen as the opposite of 12-Step philosophy that instead of being powerless, those with addiction are powerful enough to overcome with a few key tools like a commitment to sobriety, a change in lifestyle and coping mechanisms and general self-management.

Non-12 Step methods place focus more on personalized psychotherapy methods rather than group-focused therapy and integrate cognitive behavioral therapy to try to get to the root of addiction. The patient looks within and can work through past trauma, family issues or other environmental factors that may have contributed. In these programs addicts will learn actual coping skills and be able to identify trigger warnings, manage cravings and negative though patterns.

Holistic treatment methods are also Non-12 Step in that they call to focus inward and seek to find health in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of ones self. They include scientific methods along with holistic treatment therapies or such as energy healing, mindfulness meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, equine therapy, sound therapy, art therapy etc.

Some treatment centers incorporate both the 12-Step structure as well as Non-12 Step methods and really make their recovery treatment specialized. Some will use the SMART Recovery Model, Rational Recovery Model or Freedom Model but still encourage their patients to attend AA meetings.

It is important that people take some time to research and ask questions so they choose the right treatment center that offers a recovery method they feel the most comfortable with that they can be the most successful at.

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What Determines The Success Rate of a Rehab Facility?

Posted on: June 27th, 2018 by admin No Comments

What Determines The Success Rate of a Rehab Facility?

Some addiction centers claim to have very high success rates for their patients as a selling point to convince more people to enroll. But what does rehab success mean and how is it determined? It can be difficult to measure success after rehab and every treatment center is likely to have their own definition of a high success rate.

There is currently no standard definition of rehab and no standardized way to measure the success of what an addiction center does for their patients. Not every treatment center will follow up with their patients after treatment and some may only do so immediately after they have completed the program. They may not be aware of or take into account possible relapses that occur weeks or months after they have left the treatment center.

Some treatment centers may base patient success simply on them completing the program or by using client interviews or internal studies to determine patient satisfaction. The real success of a program might be better measured by the specific quality of care that a treatment center provides during the patient’s stay and after through continuing programs. The longer a patient is able to stay sober after leaving treatment with the rehab’s support, the more successful it can be considered to be.

Defining Rehab and Success

Even in terms of what constitutes rehab there is no standard concept or set of guidelines for addiction treatment. Success rates are even more loosely defined by different treatment centers that want to project the best possible image. Some facilities will advertise that they have success rates in the 90th percentile but because of the flexible criteria for success these numbers can often be misleading.

In reality many treatment centers will have former patients that relapse or return for more than one round of treatment. It is difficult to say how these statistics are incorporated into their success rate or how they evaluate these issues in studying their program’s effectiveness. Some treatment centers might blame the patient if they fail the program or relapse because they didn’t commit to or follow the program.

Many treatment centers won’t even take into account former patients that have relapsed later on in their proclaimed “100 percent” success rate because they only consider people who have completed the program as being successful. If a treatment facility doesn’t provide adequate aftercare and support to help each patient maintain their sobriety on their own after the program then can it really be considered successful?

Evaluating a Treatment Center Based on Care

When looking into a treatment center for yourself or for a loved one, the advertised success rate should not be the only determining factor in choosing a program. It is often unclear what their numbers are based on and they may not represent the true quality of the treatment that the facility provides. Focusing instead on the type of treatment options and support available in the facility itself can be a better way to evaluate its success.

Treatment centers that offer a variety of different kinds of therapy approaches, education opportunities and activities usually provide better success for their patients. A rehab that has a more traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach can usually make it difficult for patients with unique and personal issues to fully recover. A treatment center that has the ability to individualize a program to suit a patient’s specific needs is more likely to provide high quality care.

Most importantly for the success of a patient is that a treatment facility offers good quality aftercare for each person that completes the program. Addiction is a lifelong disease and only a few months in treatment does not always fully prepare a person to live on their own and stay sober. People usually need extra support and care for a period of time as they transition to their new lifestyle.

A more successful rehab will also offer relapse prevention training either as part of their main program or in their aftercare support. Patients need to be aware that relapse is a reality and be able to feel prepared for the possibility of relapse. When they have the skills and knowledge about how to prevent a relapse from occurring they will be more empowered to manage their sobriety and avoid going back to their old habits.

Remember that the advertised success rate of a treatment center may not necessarily mean that they offer a better program than other rehabs. The more options that a rehab has for allowing patients to return for help the better choice it will be for their own success. If you are looking into a possible rehab treatment program make sure to find out about their specific programs and what they can offer to former patients to prevent relapse.

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World Class Psychotherapy Treatment

Posted on: June 24th, 2018 by admin No Comments

 Recovery by the Ocean: the Healing Powers of the Ocean

Therapy can be a great place to share personal thoughts and feelings but not all psychotherapy has the same level of effectiveness. Less experienced psychotherapists may provide people with an outlet for expressing their emotions but not as many concrete solutions for resolving their problems. World class psychotherapy treatment can make a significant difference in how a patient is able to heal and change for the better.

A more general psychotherapy treatment program may have less options for alternative therapies and less tools available to help patients. Although an average psychotherapy program may be suitable for some, certain patients with more complicated issues may need extra care. Having more choices for therapy approaches can have an impact on how quickly and successfully a patient recovers.

World class psychotherapy tends to focus more on holistic treatment that can target various aspects of a person’s mental illness, substance abuse problem or any other issue they are dealing with. Taking multiple approaches that address physical, mental and spiritual health can ensure that the program is treating the person as a whole and not just focusing on a narrow view of recovery. Therapists who take a holistic approach have a better understanding of how to truly improve a patient’s well being.

Meeting a Patient’s Needs in Psychotherapy

A one size fits all approach to recovery is rarely effective and psychotherapy needs to be especially tailored to each patient’s unique problems. People can respond differently to therapy and a more effective psychotherapy program can employ different approaches, allow a patient to explore a variety of alternative options, and cater to what they need individually. A customized therapy program is not always available in every treatment center so a better quality psychotherapy treatment is often necessary.

People may develop mental health or substance abuse issues for a number of different reasons. Each person’s genetic, background, upbringing, culture and social environment can all impact their health in unique ways. A highly trained and qualified psychotherapist can take all of these factors into account and have a deeper understanding of why the patient is experiencing their issues and what they can do to work on them. Therapists who have years of training, education and practical experience can quickly assess a patient’s needs and adjust their strategies to help them improve.

It is important for psychotherapy to focus not only a person’s present well being but also their underlying issues from the past that may have led to their current situation. An effective psychotherapist can look into a patient’s childhood relationships with their family members and how those may have impacted their mental health as they became adults. Issues of trauma, abuse, death and abandonment can often be connected with mental illness and substance abuse.

Different Types of Psychotherapy

A more modern, higher end psychotherapy treatment program is likely to have more options than just talk therapy. While talk therapy might be incorporated into sessions, a great psychotherapy program will have other tools available. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one approach that tends to be highly effective for people with issues of depression, anxiety and other problems.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of treatment that allows patients to learn how to problem-solve. It helps people understand the relationship between their beliefs and thoughts and how that impacts their behavior. With this type of therapy patients can learn to perceive things differently so that they can experience more positive thoughts and feelings.

Another therapy approach is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that can be effective for treatment called dialectical behavior therapy. This is a type of therapy that gives patients practical skills to help them deal with their painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships. It focuses on helpful skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance and emotional regulation which can all help to manage difficult feelings and improve communication with others.

A new and lesser known type of therapy called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing may also be used at some high end treatment centers. This is a type of therapy that helps address a patient’s past trauma and allows them to work through unresolved issues. It asks patients to recall distressing images of trauma or painful memories while retraining them in how they react through specific eye movements that will help to calm their anxiety.

Every psychotherapy program will have its own combination of various types of therapies and not all treatment centers will have the same options. World class psychotherapy treatment tends to have a wider variety so that patients can benefit from approaches that work most effectively for them. If you need to address any mental health, behavioral or substance abuse issues then make sure to research the psychotherapy that a treatment center offers and determine whether it will be right for you.

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Recovery by the Ocean: the Healing Powers of the Ocean

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