Addiction

Living with anxiety disorder in a peaceful and manageable way is possible with treatment and a commitment to recovery. If you’re living with anxiety, you might identify with some of these common struggles.

What does a surgeon do when a patient presents their addiction history and there’s no effective alternative treatments available? Such is the conflict coming upon many surgeons today in the face of the opioid epidemic. Addicts in recovery learn how to live life on life’s terms. Sometimes that can include a traumatic injury, experiencing physical pain, or having to undergo serious surgery. Opioids are part of anesthesiology, they’re prescribed before and after surgery, and they’re taken home as a prescription to treat pain. When taken as prescribed, only as long as the pain exists, it isn’t considered a relapse for a recovering opioid addict. Unfortunately, chemical dependency is chemical dependency. Once a chemical is reintroduced there is a high risk for relapse, especially if someone is in the early stages of addiction and recovery. NPR wrote on the subject. Doctors feel that when they come into this situation, they should have an addiction specialist ready. “If a surgeon or anesthesiologist were treating a patient with serious diabetes, they’d consult an endocrinologist. Addiction...is no different.” Citing Dr. Stuart Gitlow, past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the article emphasizes an important point. Doctors can’t control what their patients are going to do with their opioid prescriptions, or what they will do after the prescription is done. What doctors can do is work with patients, and an addiction specialist, to create a plan of action for safety and recovery. “The biggest question is what to do to ensure this patient’s safety going forward during the period for which he’s experiencing pain…” Problematically, “...there aren’t enough addiction specialists to meet the need,” the article explains. 2.5 million Americans are estimated to be addicted to either heroin or prescription opioids. To work with those 2.5 million people, there are only 5,000 addiction specialists available. Most addiction specialists work in treatment and therapeutic settings, not hospitals. Hospitals are often criticized for not being the place to treat addiction, yet emergency rooms are criticized for not doing enough to treat addiction. For those in recovery anticipating living with an opioid addiction, there is a simple philosophy which resonates throughout sobriety: don’t pick up no matter what. However, when opioids are introduced to the blood stream it’s easier said than done. Work with your sponsor and your immediate treatment team or support network to develop a plan of action for staying accountable while taking opioid drugs. Attend meetings, even if they’re online or on the phone. Let someone help you manage your medications. Stay honest about any cravings you are experiencing. Continue communicating about everything. Avalon By The Sea is dedicated to helping clients learn how to live life in a healthy and sober way. Incorporating life skills into clinical recovery in addition to holistic healing. For a confidential assessment and more information on our programs, call us today at 1 888-958-7511.

There are ten distinct personality disorders which fall into three categories. Each personality disorder and category of personality disorders comes with a specific set of symptoms. Though the symptoms are specified, they can have general commonalities with each other, from one category to the next. Cluster A Personality Disorders Cluster A personality disorders are described as “odd”, “bizarre” or “eccentric” personality disorders. Included are:

Believe it or not, the changes do come. One day at a time, you’re transforming in ways you might not even notice until months down the line. The time and effort is worth it. Here are some of the things you’re going to notice the longer you stay sober and do the work. Taking Care Of Yourself: Mind, body, and spirit, you have learned to tend to yourself in the ways that you need. You’ve learned every form of self-care you need, from getting enough sleep to cooking healthy and nutritious meals, or at least making sure you’re fed. Hygiene is a normal part of your life and you even do your own laundry, however begrudgingly. Doing Things For Yourself: You know how to make appointments and keep them, leave with enough time to arrive on time, and be fully present. You can grocery shop, you’ve learned how to budget to a degree, and you’re able to meet your basic needs on your own. You Take Responsibility: When you’re wrong, you promptly admit it. You don’t blame everyone else anymore. In fact, you understand that looking for your part in any situation is an important practice for your recovery. Routines Are Routine Now: You are able to create routines and stick to them. When a routine needs adjusting, you are able to do so without falling apart. You’ve learned how to structure your life in a healthy and balanced way to support you, your recovery, and having fun. You Appreciate The Work: Almost everyone in early recovery has moments of entitlement, lacking in gratitude, and waiting for everything to change. You learned that you had to put in the work in order to get results. Now, you’ve found the willingness to apply yourself to what you want in all areas of your life. You’re A Constant Work In Progress: One area at a time, you continue to tackle your recovery from all angles. Need to take a look at your anger? You’re in. Having some codependency issues in a new relationship? You’re willing to take a look. Need to confront some disordered eating behaviors? You’re going to try new things. After witnessing the miraculous changes which have come to you through recovery, you know that it’s all about progress, not perfection. You’re Okay With You: Your relationship with yourself may not be perfect, but it is certainly different than it used to be. You are comfortable in your own skin, you can stand looking at yourself in a mirror, and you no longer feel like the room walks around you after you walk into a room. You’re even beginning to like yourself. For many in early recovery, self-hatred or self-loathing is common. You’re learning to love yourself and be okay with the amazing, courageous you that you are. We know what incredible changes are waiting for you on the other side of addiction. If you or a loved one are ready to see changes come to fruition through residential treatment, Avalon Malibu is ready to welcome you to our trusted programs for mental health and substance abuse recovery. For a confidential assessment and more information on our programs, call 1 888-958-7511.

Psychosis and psychopathy, or being psychotic, often get confused. Mostly, this is because of a harmful image portrayed by the media regarding psychosis and psychopathy. Psychosis is a set of symptoms which can spread across various mental health disorders, which are labeled as psychotic disorders. Antipsychotic medications, for example, are often prescribed to people who have such conditions. Psychopathy is another distinct mental illness in which one is completely detached from moral reality. The two are different and understanding the difference is critical to ending misconception, advocating against false presentations in the media, and helping a loved one who might be struggling with a severe mental illness

Psychological professionals have regarded borderline personality disorder as one of the most difficult to diagnose. Depression, mania, anxiety, and many other disorders can be presented through borderline. Identifying some of these signs and symptoms can be an indicator that it is in fact borderline personality disorder. Inconsolable Fear Of Abandonment It is perhaps the fear of abandonment or rejection which is the worse and most obvious sign of borderline personality disorder. Most people who develop borderline experienced some kind of abandonment in their childhoods. Whether that instance was big or small, the abandonment was significant and terrifying enough that it inspired the development of a mental health disorder in order to cope with the fear. Every adverse and maladaptive behavior someone with borderline personality disorder develops is centered on their fear of abandonment. Unfortunately, they depend on others to validate and soothe their fears, yet, out of fear of being abandoned, they also push them away. Sadly, without treatment involving therapy or the proven technique for borderline recovery called dialectical behavioral therapy, there might not be a way to help them feel secure. An Empty Identity Without other people constantly validating who they are, someone with borderline personality disorder might not know. Volatile Relationships Due to the way that someone with borderline personality disorder acts out of their fear of abandonment, their relationships tend to be volatile, dramatic, and unstable. Part of the term ‘borderline’ applies to an inability to recognize and maintain healthy boundaries. Since the borderline feels so empty and insecure, they want to be filled by another person. However, it is not the role or responsibility of a partner to do so. Coincidentally, people with borderline are often described as intelligent, empathetic, compassionate, and highly charismatic. Once in a close intimate relationship, the fears of abandonment come out and cause problematic behaviors. Self-Sabotaging Behaviors Many people with borderline express that when they enter into a mode of self-sabotage they hardly feel as though they have any control over themselves. They witness in an almost dissociated state the things they say and do which hurt the people they love. Self-sabotage applies to borderline because of their fear of abandonment. When they act out in their fear, they push people away as if trying to accomplish a self-fulfilling prophecy of being abandoned. Behaviors can include:

Napping is really good. Ask anyone who takes one. A good nap can mean the difference between an okay day and a fantastic day. The body needs sleep. In fact, the body loves sleep. Taking a nap is a special way to work a little extra sleep into the day. Whether you are getting a full 6-9 hours of sleep a night or struggling to get close to 6, a nap can help you feel rejuvenated. Naps have been proven through research to provide an extra mental boost, help with sleep, and enhance focus. Unfortunately, napping can get out of hand. Too much extra sleep can cause insomnia and throw off your energy for the day. There is an art to napping. Learning to nap in an efficient and productive day can help you to lead with your best foot forward during treatment. Treatment and early recovery can include a lot of napping. During the therapeutic process, the body and the mind are exhausted. Napping can feel like it is essential for the soul. After years of exhausting the body’s natural resources, napping during the early months of recovery are a wonderful way to make up for that. However, many undergo the criticism that they nap too much. Sleeping is certainly better than drinking or using drugs. When taking naps and sleeping gets in the way of actual recovery, it becomes a problem. Napping can be part of the work to heal. Avoiding group therapy, sleeping through meetings, or not doing homework from a therapist is problematic.

During the treatment process, there isn’t a day to be wasted. Each day is full of precious learning and healing opportunities for growth, development, and change. For the recovering brain, there can come a limit. At one point, all of the processing, sharing, learning, practicing, and doing can become too much. Most treatment programs today include a balance of tough clinical work with healing, wellness, and fun activities. From art therapy to yoga, walks on the beach to off site activities, there are breaks in the mix. Still, everything is designed to teach you something about recovery. When your brain is healing, your body is tired, and your soul is just exhausted, there are days when enough is enough. Burnout is a stage when your entire being reaches capacity. Not a single drop of information is going to get in and be effective when you are approaching burnout. Noticing burnout before it happens can help you be proactive and communicate your needs before completely burning out. Getting exasperated by stress in treatment can lead to emotional extremes and severe frustration which could inspire someone to leave “against medical advice” or even relapse. You are allowed to take breaks during treatment. Leaving is an option, but it isn’t the most healthy one because you’d have to come back and start over. At lower levels of care when you are in a sober living environment and not in full residential programming, you have the opportunity to take a pass to visit friends and family and take a few days off. Until then, you have to learn to identify approaching burnout and ask for a change in your scheduling from your therapist. It might mean sleeping in later, taking a few classes off for the day, or getting to spend more time with your individual therapist. Signs Of Burnout You are having thoughts of leaving treatment and being done because you feel like it is stressing you out rather than helping you You’ve run out of all that courage, hope, and faith about recovery You’re so exhausted that you don’t even care anymore and will let the cards fall as they may Through every part of your day you think about how tired and burned out you’re getting Instead of listening and taking in information, you’re being combative, defensive, and argumentative You feel like a whole day of sleep would help put you back on track Providing healing care for mind, body, and spirit, is the best way to nourish the soul with balance. Avalon Malibu offers integrative programs for recovery which heal each part of our client’s lives with proven clinical methods and holistic modalities. For a confidential assessment and more information on our residential treatment programs for primary mental health and substance use disorders, call 1 888-958-7511.

Nobody likes drama. Drama is in fact such a touchy subject that people go out of their way to emphasize the fact that they don’t like drama, don’t “do” drama, or aren’t about drama at all. Typically, such people tend to create or invite a lot of drama into their lives. However, they bring drama around, they seem to do it with a gusto. Some people seem to need to be the center of attention. Whether they are being bright and positive or dark and full of rage, however they are expressing themselves, they do so fully. Histrionic personality disorder is a diagnosable issue in which someone is only able to process or cope with their feelings in a very dramatic way. Drama, and people who are dramatic, tend to have a decent idea of who they are. Their theatrical productions and reactions are rooted in their character as being dramatic; as opposed to being rooted in a lost sense of self. Flaring up into extremes of emotion and expression is often the sign that there is no center in who someone is. Without a baseline foundation to work from, all reactions will be excited. Excited emotions aren’t just on the outside for those with histrionic personality disorder. Experiencing frequent mood changes, emotional instability, and an inability to effectively communicate emotions without causing a scene, are all common. Some professionals feel that the label of histrionic personality disorder is a cover for post traumatic stress disorder. U.S. Health And News cites that the histrionic reaction is rooted in not being heard. Certain traumatic experiences rob someone of their ability to express themselves, be believed about their witnessing or enduring trauma, or take away their voice. As a result, they learn to make themselves extra loud, extra known, and extra acknowledged. Their drama truly is about not being able to stand a moment out of the spotlight. Without the attention, they likely revert to a fear caused by trauma. Treating any kind of mental health disorder usually involves a look at trauma. Involving trauma treatment in the therapeutic healing process is necessary for assessing and confronting underlying issues which lead to “disordered” behaviors. By identifying core sources of conflict and allowing them to heal, true change can occur in someone's life. If you or a loved one feel your emotions and reactions are out of control causing a negative influence in your life, help is available. Call Avalon Malibu today for information on our trusted residential treatment programs providing care for primary mental health conditions. 1 888-958-7511.

Learning to share at recovery meetings is a practical application of many tolls being learned inside of treatment center walls: communication, emotional regulation and articulation, as well as storytelling. “Old timers”, the people who have been attending AA for some time, regard shares from newcomers who are struggling through their first few months a necessity. When you share at a meeting you help others in recovery, new people having a hard time, and you help yourself. Experience Shares at meetings aren’t meant to be what are often called “drunk-a-logues” or “war stories”. Each share should have a mention of the experience with which you have struggled before or are struggling with now. Though, a few funny stories can always get the crowd going. Your experience includes the time when drugs and alcohol were your answer to life. During your active using days, you were acting in a way you thought was normal until you realized it wasn’t normal anymore. It took courage to decide to change, but you did. Strength You might not think it now, but being in treatment for a drug and alcohol addiction is a feat of strength. It takes bravery to confront one’s past, look one’s demons in the eye, and take charge in life to effect real transformative change. One day at a time, you’re making progress in your life that will alter it forever. Getting through treatment, the seemingly impossible early days of recovery, and onto the other side where peace and serenity have been waiting, is a strength people need to hear about. More importantly, it is a strength you need to hear about. Sharing at a meeting is a good way to remind yourself how important the work you are doing to heal is and how remarkably strong you are for doing it. It is almost guaranteed that at least one person in the room will need to hear exactly what you had to share. Hope The word hope is defined as “a feeling of trust”. When addicts and alcoholics reach the ending point in their recovery, they cannot trust themselves to stay away from a drink or a drug. That kind of fear seeps into all parts of their lives. How can they trust AA? How can they trust the steps? How can they trust their treatment center? How can they trust that anything is going to work? Even the smallest accomplishments are achievements of distinct proportions in recovery. If you make it through anything without a drink or a drug, you are “trusting the process” as it is said. After sharing your experience with active addiction and the strength of coming to recovery, your hope is the most important part. Not too long ago, and maybe even still, you were full of doubt that anything would work. Today, it’s working, because you’re working it. Hope is what tells other people in the room that they, too, can recover.Recovery should be an all inclusive experience which allows each individual to discover what works for them to support their recovery and what does not. AA is not for everyone, but works for millions of people. Avalon Malibu supports individualized treatment programs to meet the needs of each client. Including proven clinical techniques with healing holistic modalities for wellness, our trusted programs result in true transformative change. For a confidential assessment of more information, call 1 888-958-7511.

The answer is yes. The answer is no. Many report feeling an instantaneous sense of relief when they pick up the phone and make the call for help. Getting on the plane, arriving at the treatment center, walking in the doors, and getting settled all feel like divine interventions, guaranteeing a better life ahead. Surrender is a powerful tool in recovery and doesn’t just happen in the beginning. Throughout your entire life you are going to have opportunities to surrender. By definition, surrender means to cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority. When people don’t surrender to recovery they do not feel the relief that recovery provides. Continuing to fight in recovery is fighting the wrong opponent or enemy. Submitting to the authority of recovery means giving into the simple fact that drinking and using is no longer the answer. Abstinence is the new authority and in order to recover, it has to be obeyed. This is a fight many do not give up. Yet, most don’t realize, when they fight recovery, they truly fight themselves. Addiction and alcoholism are often developed as coping mechanisms to deal with shame and guilt. Where that shame and guilt comes from is different for each person. Some may have experienced it through trauma and abuse in their pasts. Others develop it through their chemical dependency upon drugs and alcohol. Shame can come from untreated mental health disorders, eating disorders, and other sources. When they turn to drugs and alcohol, they turn away from themselves. Without any healthy tools for reconciling with who they are and using practical applications of techniques to change problematic behaviors, they become lost. For most people, it doesn’t get better until they decide to start clearing away the debris and start finding themselves again. In order to start the search, they have to give up the fight. Every single day in recovery, when you are committed to surrendering to a new way of life, it gets a little bit better. Doing the work of making significant changes to your life is hard, there’s not doubt it about. No doubt about this, either: it’s worth it. More importantly, you’re worth it. If you’re ready to do the work, the work is ready to be done by you. Healing is waiting. Change is possible. It’s going to get better.   Call Avalon Malibu today for information on our residential treatment programs providing excellence in care for mind, body, and spirit. Our trusted treatment programs provide total healing and transformation for clients with primary mental health disorders as well as primary substance use disorders. For more information, call 1 (888) 958-7511 today.

Integrating 12 step meetings and philosophies into treatment is controversial due to the spiritual nature of the program. Many people find benefit to learning the practical applications of the 12 step theory and attending meetings during their time in residential treatment. Socializing With People In Recovery A challenge in early recovery is creating a new social group based on people who are sober and pursuing transformative change in their lives. There is a common philosophy in recovery: not drinking and using isn’t enough. On a daily basis, staying sober might be all you have. Yet, to stay sober long term, you need to look at deeper changes. 12 step meetings are full of people who are committed to that and people who are not. Going to meetings to meet new people is an important practice in learning to find and develop relationships with people who hold the same values that you do. Hearing Inspiring Stories A phenomena that most people can agree with about meetings is the day they don’t want to go to a meeting, they hear something they truly needed to hear. During 12 step meetings, people share about their “experience, strength, and hope”. They use portions of The Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous or other AA approved texts to support their personal inspiration. Early recovery during the treatment phase can include many days with bland outlook. Having a “why” and something to believe in for recovery is absolutely essential for continuing to make it through. People have overcome tremendous trauma, challenges, and unthinkable depths in their addictions, only to come to sobriety and live a full, happy life in recovery. Hearing these stories during the earliest days is invaluable. “The Defense Against The First Drink” Working the 12 steps along what is called “a suggested program of recovery” is meant to give someone in recovery the tools they need to act as a “defense” against the “first drink”. According to AA philosophy, the addict or alcoholic has an “allergy” to their substances of choice. Once someone has just one they cannot help themselves but to have more. It isn’t the fifth or sixth and twelfth drink which poses the problem, but the first drink which starts the entire chain of events. AA was one of the first programs to include relapse prevention skills about reaching out, examining one’s feelings, doing a quick personal check, and getting spiritually in line. Opportunities To Be Of Service Due to the anonymous nature of AA, there are no paid positions for all of the meetings. Meetings are run on donations and volunteer positions called “commitments” which can include being a secretary, a greeting person, sweeping the floor, making coffee, giving tokens, bringing literature, or acting as a treasurer, among others. Being of service is a great way to keep yourself busy once you’re in sober living transitioning through lower levels of care. You’ll be committed to going to meetings, having responsibility, and being accountable for it. At Avalon Malibu, we believe the 12 step philosophy and function of 12 step meetings can greatly add to the transformative process of recovery. Our beautiful estate houses our two residential treatment facilities for primary mental health and primary substance use disorders. For a confidential assessment and more information on our trusted programs, call 1 888-958-7511.