addiction treatment

Addiction recovery is complex and unique to every individual. Each person going through recovery is on a unique path and journey. However, there are some things that professionals can recommend across the board. One of these things is setting reasonable recovery expectations.

If you’re currently researching different treatment options, then you’re probably aware of just how many there are available. It can be confusing and overwhelming to research every mental health treatment option available. Luckily, at Avalon Malibu, we offer many options and our staff can help you discover which are right for you. One of those options that we provide is holistic treatment. Let’s dive into what holistic treatment is and why it can be so successful for lasting recovery.

With so many different treatment options available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. In this blog, we'll go over the difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment to give you some more information about these options. Equipped with this knowledge, you can more easily decide which one is the right path for your treatment journey.

Shifting from residential treatment to “everyday” life after getting sober can be one of the most challenging aspects of recovery. While life transitions can often bring a newfound sense of freedom, it often also involves feeling off-balance, anxious, and hesitant to embrace change.

When it comes to getting clean, most are well-acquainted with the idea that there is a necessary detox phase that must happen to get the remaining drugs out of your system. Many do not realize that detox is a two-step process consisting of the acute withdrawal stage and post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS for short. What happens in the acute withdrawal stage are the physical sensations we most often associate with withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, headaches, muscle aches, or sweating. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome follows the acute stage and has more psychological effects than physical. How Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome Feels In PAWS, your brain tries to reorient itself to functioning without the influx of drugs it's been used to operating with. Therefore, this withdrawal phase includes mood swings, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, cravings, irritability, or lack of focus. These symptoms occur since the brain is struggling to stabilize and correct the resulting chemical imbalances from previous drug abuse. These are all temporary symptoms that come and go, but the PAWS phase lasts different lengths for everyone depending on their bodies and the types of drugs they were addicted to, lasting up to several months for some. Managing PAWS Symptoms Taking excellent care of yourself and making use of proactive interventions is necessary to help you avoid relapse during this time. Using essential self-care habits like eating well, getting enough sleep, surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people, and exercising will do you a favor during this phase and the rest of your recovery. Since you will experience many emotional swings during this time, it’s important to be sure you have appointments lined up with your care team of mental health professionals, so you can constructively talk about what you’re going through. Talking through your feelings will help you feel supported through this time. Attending meetings and being open about what you’re experiencing with loved ones will help alleviate some of the heaviness from you solely carrying your discomfort. Lastly, it is imperative to avoid triggering situations or people as you are more sensitive to stressful stimuli during this time and trying to recover. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is the second phase of withdrawals, as the brain balances itself after drug abuse. It is a time to focus on your healing and recovery and when you should focus on putting your mental and emotional needs first to feel secure in your sobriety in the future. If you or a loved one is struggling to get or remain sober, call Avalon Malibu.  We specialize in treating substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. We are passionate about providing our clients with the support they need and finding a treatment that will help them lead happier, more balanced lives. For more information on how we can help you achieve your goals, call (844) 857-5992.

Heroin, an opioid drug made from morphine, can wreak havoc on a person’s body. This drug can be consumed by snorting it, injecting it, or swallowing it. Whatever method is used, heroin binds itself to opioid receptors in the brain quickly – which means the euphoric effects associated with the drug can appear quickly as well. But effects that show up quickly also wear off quickly, leading heroin users to take the drug multiple times to continue receiving the influx of dopamine (the “feel-good” chemical in the brain) they now crave. If you or a loved one are battling heroin addiction or beginning the recovery process, it’s important to know the physical damages that heroin can cause and what they might mean for long-term recovery.

Stress is uncomfortable and it’s often hard to deal with if we’re not aware of healthy coping strategies. For many in addiction recovery, stress is something that sparked substance abuse, to begin with. Therefore, if proper stress management is lacking, it’s likely you will return to substance abuse to relieve the pressure.

A few years ago, a woman shared with Marie Claire, a website that publishes stories related to fashion, beauty, politics and more, her story of living with methamphetamine addiction. She explained that there was one point in time when she found herself waiting for an ambulance because she’d overdosed and couldn’t feel her legs or arms. Just a few short days later, she overdosed again; she stated: “When I tried meth for the first time, I knew the nature of my disease. I knew that the minute I put the drugs into my body my brain would respond with uncontrollable obsession. I knew that the meth would hijack my frontal lobe…getting more drugs would become my one and only concern.”  It’s been estimated that around 1.6 million people have used methamphetamine within the past year; the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that an estimated 964,000 people had a methamphetamine use disorder in 2017, and more and more lives are being put at risk with this in mind. Addiction is an obvious long-term risk for those who experience methamphetamine abuse, but there are many other repercussions as well. For example, functional and molecular changes in the brain can lead to anxiety, confusion, mood disturbances, violent behavior or psychosis.

Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, and it can be taken through injection, sniffing, snorting, or through smoking. It may be a white or brown powder, or a sticky substance known as “black tar heroin”. Heroin binds to opioid receptors in the brain rather quickly, which means that individuals feel the euphoric effects typically within minutes of taking the drug. The effects wear off quickly, however, so many people take the drug multiple times to continue receiving the influx of dopamine (the “feel-good” chemical in the brain). Whether you’re currently in recovery from heroin addiction or you have a loved one who is, it can be helpful to understand the short and long-term medical complications that can arise from heroin addiction.

Three requirements for success in recovery

As a woman stated on the NY Daily News, “You wake up tired and you just count the hours until the day is over. And you hope tomorrow’s going to be better.” Ambien is a widely used hypnotic medication that was designed for short-term use to combat insomnia. The prescription drugs work by activating the neurotransmitter GABA and binding it to the GABA receptors in the same location of benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium, according to the Huffington Post. Ambien works very efficiently at causing someone to feel sleepy – typically within 20 minutes of taking it. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that approximately half a million people in the United States are currently using Ambien and other sedatives – but many are probably not aware of the dangers of this prescription medication. For one, the effects can be very harmful when Ambien is paired with other drugs, particularly anti-anxiety medication and pain relievers. A report stated that between 2005 and 2010, emergency room visits from Ambien rose from 6,111 visits to 19,487 visits. Mixing medications is like a science experiment to the body because you don’t know how each medication is going to react to the body and to one another. Ambien also can take longer to leave the body, causing many people to feel impaired while driving or operating machinery. Women take much longer for the medication to leave their system, and the recommended dosage for medications like Ambien has been reduced because of this. Common complaints associated with Ambien and similar hypnotics have included daytime drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, agitation, sleep-walking and drowsiness while driving, according to The Atlantic. Does this mean you should not accept this medication if your doctor prescribes it to you? Not exactly. Ambien can be relatively safe if you take the doses recommended and you stay in close contact with your doctor to discuss your symptoms. If any symptoms of concern arise, always seek out medical attention immediately. Stay informed on what you are taking and how much you should be taking, and do not mix Ambien with other medications, especially other depressants.

Celebrities shape the public perception, endorse values and beliefs, and influence people. The stories of celebrities in the United States have the propensity to challenge others and inspire them, no matter the story. Fergie is no exception – the singer has shared her story of addiction with millions, and her 18 years of sobriety has impacted many. Billboard states that Fergie really struggled with crystal meth addiction, and she found herself “hallucinating on a daily basis”. Understanding what Fergie went through and what led to her 18-year sobriety may give you further hope in your own journey through recovery. Crystal meth can cause hallucinations, erratic behavior, panic, psychosis, and more. As Fergie told a British news publication, “At my lowest point, I was [suffering from] chemically induced psychosis and dementia.” The singer was addicted to the substance back when she was part of the group Wild Orchid, and was still addicted even after leaving the group. Fergie, 42, explained a time when she was so high on crystal meth that she thought the CIA, FBI, and SWAT teams were following her. She described the experience as this: “They tried to kick me out, because I was moving down the aisle in this crazy way, as I thought there was an infrared camera in the church trying to check for my body…I bolted past the altar into the hallway and two people were chasing me. I remember thinking if I walk outside, and the SWAT team is out there, I was right all along. But if they’re not out there, then it’s the drugs making me seeing things and I’m going to end up in an institution.” That moment truly awakened Fergie to her battle of addiction, as she described that moment in the parking lot as “freeing”. New York Daily News states that hypnotherapy has worked very well for Fergie, and it continues to help her relax. Fergie stated for People Magazine, “I thank the day it happened to me. Because that’s my strength, my faith, my hope for something better.” Although Fergie really struggled with crystal meth addiction, that one memorable night led her to recovery. It showed her that she deserves more than this, and that she can lead a happier, healthier life. Millions of stories are like Fergie’s, and their stories of recovery can be yours too. Make the decision to seek help today; it’s never too late.