Recovery

Addiction recovery takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and one of the hardest aspects of recovery life can be getting back into the swing of things when it comes to daily living. After having spent months in treatment at Avalon Malibu, it’s time to get re-acquainted with life at home – to find and maintain employment, to support your family in ways that perhaps you haven’t been able to in awhile, and to begin working harder towards your lifelong goals. There is a lot of hesitancy for those in recovery when it comes to finding employment, however, and it’s warranted because there tends to be some stigma for those in recovery finding work.  Previous studies have found that national costs exceed $400 billion annually on lost productivity, absenteeism, disability and worker’s compensation related to addiction, and for many employers, these issues are very worrisome when they go to consider hiring someone who says they’re in recovery. Ultimately, their worst fear is that they’ll face the same issues with you - of course, you may know well in your heart that you’re going to reach your recovery goals, but sometimes it can be hard to reassure an employer who is already skeptical. Getting a job may take some sincere effort and finding the right opportunity may take some time, just as for anyone, but despite the stigma, the good news is that employers are starting to change their perspective on helping those in addiction recovery to find work because of the many people who are honestly making an effort in their lives.   Stories on the news have highlighted a man who’d not only struggled with addiction but who also had a misdemeanor on his record – and despite the pushback from positions who saw red flags, he finally found a company who considered themselves “recovery friendly”. News sources state that more and more workplaces are starting to overlook employment gaps and minor drug-related police concerns as long as the person they’re working with is open and honest – and ultimately, the goal behind this is to reduce stigma for those in recovery in the workplace. Overall, companies who are “recovery friendly” tend to treat addiction recovery as a medical issue – and with this comes a greater sense of collaboration between the employer and employee to work together on healing.  With more companies starting to embrace the histories of those in recovery, it opens up chances to get back into employment while also having the support of those in the workplace. For those who need or would like to show potential employers what they’re capable of, volunteering could provide an excellent opportunity to gain new skills, network, and even discover one’s true passions. For many people in addiction recovery, volunteering is a great starting place – and they can even begin while they’re in treatment so that they can find some added structure to their days. Not only can you benefit from adding some work experience to your resume through volunteering, previous studies have shown that you can acquire many other benefits, such as:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most commonly known self-help groups out there – with meetings that take place on a weekly basis, people from all walks of life can come in and talk about what they’re going through while also learning from others and creating a deeper spiritual connection with a Higher Power. Other self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and even non-12 step programs such as SMART Recovery and Women for Sobriety offer group support to those who need a community of people with similar problems or experiences. Self-help groups can provide much-needed support, but they tend to work best alongside the treatment programs at Avalon Malibu. In many cases, these support programs add an additional layer of community support than can only strengthen a person’s recovery.  If you’re deciding whether or not to join a self-help group, it’s important to look at each group and determine which one most closely aligns with your beliefs, values, and attitudes towards healing, life and recovery. Be sure not to disregard 12-Step groups if you think they may be an option, but do note that previous studies have shown that non-12 Step programs are just as successful as 12-step groups. Both have many benefits, each different in their approach. As long as you attend regularly, create meaningful connections and get something great out of the program you attend, that’s truly all that matters.   At this point, you may be wondering, what are the differences? In your research, you’ll notice that some groups emphasize religion while others don’t – you’ll also find that some programs are more structured in agreed-upon rules for recovery and lifestyle habits, while others are a bit more flexible. All in all, what truly matters is that you attend something that is conducive to your recovery – something that uplifts, motivates, inspires, and provides you with the support you need to get through challenging times.

Even after we’ve gone through the detoxification process and our body is flushed from toxins acquired from addiction, we have to continue the healing and rejuvenation process of our mind, body and spirit. From the beginning of the period when we developed an addiction, we’ve covered up many aspects of our lives that serve great purpose in living a meaningful life; many people find that painful, deep emotions lie further down within and they become harder and harder to grasp, and it becomes even more challenging to express our emotions as time – and the addiction – go on. Throughout recovery, we have to pay close attention to our thoughts and emotions, because these are what shape our perceptions – and perception is what guides us in life.   Emotional sobriety could be defined differently depending on the person, but it’s generally about acceptance, managing emotions in healthy ways, and practicing self-awareness so that we can continue to thrive in recovery. For anyone who has struggled with addiction, emotional sobriety is not an easy task – especially when we don’t have a firm grasp on healthy coping mechanisms for strong emotions like anger, depression, anxiety, sadness and more. The reality is that when a person is emotionally sober, they’re able to sit with whatever discomfort they’re experiencing. They’re no longer escaping those emotions in search of a “high” – and it takes some time to get ot this period.  For many in recovery, substances once served as a crutch – a way to avoid life’s seemingly endless problems that have weighed so heavily on one’s shoulders. When uncomfortable emotions would arise, alcohol or drugs would cover up that feeling – and while it seemed like it solved all problems, it was only temporary. Addiction really forces people to shut away all of the thoughts and feelings that come with having real human thoughts and emotions. Recovery is sobering not just on a physical level, but on an emotional one, too – and that’s where we can find growth and ultimate transformation. Those who’ve been in recovery for some time can attest to the fact that emotional sobriety requires slowly and steadily reminding oneself all of the people, places and things that could throw them off in recovery – and instead of immediately reacting, taking in the discomfort with and allowing oneself to sit with the emotion while they process it.  There are many steps you can take on a daily basis to maintain emotional sobriety, but you have to recognize that you’re not always going to want to take these steps. When you’re feeling great, you’ll clearly notice that you’re taking strides towards your recovery goals – but on the bad days, the days when you want to give up or when you’re feeling angry, you have to keep using the strategies of emotional sobriety and not give in to relapse. While unhealthy distraction – such as reverting to drinking or using other substances – is definitely dangerous when it comes to sobriety and maintaining your recovery journey, there are other ways that you can distract yourself that are much healthier options. When painful thoughts or emotions arise, you can choose to subtly distract yourself in order to distance yourself from pain or discomfort that could send you into relapse.  Much of the mental and emotional processing involved with this includes changing your thought patterns to be more constructive and helpful for recovery. It’s easy to immediately react to situations, people or our emotions, but emotional reactions aren’t always beneficial – and putting some more logic into the equation could prevent a relapse episode altogether. Whether you believe it or not – oftentimes, when we set the thought or intention, our emotions will follow afterwards. By following up the uncomfortable thought or feeling with something positive, you’re initiating something different in your mind to break up that space of negativity.   CBT is a therapy approach that helps people break up old, negative thought patterns with newer, more productive ones. You can work closely with your therapist ta Avalon Malibu to work on CBT skills that are manageable for you – and you’ll find that you’re well on your way in maintaining emotional sobriety. If you’re ready to seek help for an addiction, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. It’s never too late to begin living the life you’ve always wanted – and that always begins with your health and wellbeing.

With the holidays coming up, it can be easy to feel nervous about the urge to abuse alcohol or drugs. Whether potential usage is with family or friends, or whether we may feel lonely during the holidays, the desire to want to use may still be there – and it can be hard to overcome at times. If you’ve been in recovery for quite some time or if you’re just wanting to ensure your health and safety this holiday season, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that you stay on track with sobriety. Know what your boundaries are. If your friends or family are abusing substances, plan out exactly what you want to say or do if you become uncomfortable. If you already have a set plan for what you’ll say and do, it will become much easier to say “no” if you need to. You may also want to establish a trusty ride home if you need to head out.  Understand what you are getting into before you go. If you know that the people you’re about to spend time with will not respect your recovery and will try to get you to drink or use drugs, reconsider the decision to go. Never compromise your values or your health to feel comfortable around others. Feel free to say “no” if you don’t feel that it would be a good idea for your recovery, health and safety – you’ll thank yourself later.  If you’re at a holiday event, go ahead and make yourself a non-alcoholic drink. Most of the time, it will look like you have a drink already in hand – and you’ll be less likely to be asked if you’d like something to drink. If people begin asking you why you’re not drinking, tell them “I’m not drinking tonight” or “I have plans early tomorrow” or “I took medication and alcohol doesn’t mix well with it”. It’s perfectly find to tell other people that drinking doesn’t fit within your plans for the night. Never be afraid to stand up for yourself.

Celebrities are often looked at by people all around the world, in magazines, the TV screen, in books and more. They have a considerable influence on how people think about themselves and life. Celebrity stories do have the power to change people’s lives, whether for good or bad. Fergie is a singer with a very powerful addiction story that needs to be told. Fergie previously struggled with crystal meth addiction, and she has told numerous sources that she dealt with daily hallucinations. Understanding what Fergie went through and what led to her 18-year sobriety may help others in recovery to remain diligent in their healing journey. Crystal meth can cause hallucinations, strange behavior, panic attacks, psychosis, and more. Fergie has even told sources that she dealt with substance-induced dementia at some points in her life. 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, once told the story of a time when she was so high on crystal meth that she thought the CIA, FBI, and SWAT teams were following her. She explained that these agencies were trying to kick her out, and she was so paranoid that an infrared camera was in a church trying to look for her. She had to explain that at that moment, she thought everyone was chasing after her – even people in the church that she was in were trying to run down the aisle and catch her. In reality, it was all the substances she’d been taking – but it was so hard to differentiate those feelings because she was so intoxicated. That moment really stood out for Fergie, and that’s what showed her that she needed to seek treatment and begin healing.

Everyone who goes through the addiction recovery process knows that it’s challenging. There is a lot involved – not just the physical detoxification component of it, but also in identifying people, places, and situations that could push someone to want to revert to old addictive patterns of behavior. The beginning of our recovery journey can be particularly difficult, especially with the fear of relapsing. Relapsing is defined as the recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement. There’s a common misbelief that relapse means a person has failed – and that’s not true. It’s simply part of recovery.

When selecting a treatment center, there are many factors you want to consider. Long-term success in recovery has been shown by many studies to help people achieve their recovery goals, but there are still some important components to consider when selecting where to go. Recovery is a time to develop new coping skills, understand ourselves better, and identifying goals that we can work towards leading happier healthier lives. While you’re researching which treatment center to go to, consider the following factors:

Many people consider diary writing to be “stupid” when indeed it can be very helpful. In fact, diary writing has been used for so many years – and by so many people - to uncover deeply hidden feelings, make sense of behavioral patterns, and find new ways of understanding events that have happened in the past. Have you ever tried diary or journal writing before? While it may seem “silly” or “childish”, there are so many benefits in doing this. Who knows, you may learn something new about yourself that could aid in greater strength and healing while in recovery.

There are so many instances when we have a particular goal in mind, but that goal becomes distorted as – for whatever reason – we begin to pull ourselves away from it, maybe without even realizing it.  No matter where you’re at in life right now, think about the ways in which you’ve self-sabotaged your own relationships, professional career, parenting endeavors and more. Self-sabotage is defined as any action that we take that gets in the way of us achieving a particular goal. Working towards getting a promotion at work? Self-sabotaging behavior may involve you waiting until the last minute to complete a project, rushing to get the job done and then it looks bad on you. On a diet? Self-sabotage may involve going back on the plan that you set for yourself consistently so that you can’t reach your nutrition goals. No matter what it is, self-sabotage has a sneaky way of making sure that we fail. Why is this? There are so many reasons for self-sabotage, including 1) feeling like we’re not good enough, 2) wanting control over the situation – if we force ourselves to fail, at least we controlled the failure 3) fear of being “called out” by someone as a fraud, 4) feeling too comfortable with being in a particular place in life (such as addiction), 5) making it easier on ourselves and 6) being bored and wanting something interested to transpire from it. Self-sabotage can certainly happen in addiction and mental illness recovery; and if we’re not careful, it can ruin our entire healing and restoration process.  You know deep down that you’re engaging in these self-sabotaging behaviors, so make the decision to stop them. Talk to your therapist about what to do. Ask for help. Use your tools. As long as you keep trying in recovery, you’re winning. There’s no doubt about it. If you’re ready to embark on the journey towards healing, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. It’s never too late to seek the help you need.

Whether it occurred before addiction began or once it’d already developed, toxic relationships can negatively affect the way a person views themselves – and even their life. It’s natural for every relationship to have ups and downs over time, especially as personalities, beliefs, attitudes, and values clash over certain situations. In some unfortunate cases, however, certain relationships can perpetuate a sense of toxicity; in many other cases, relationships can be broken because of the changes that are displayed in a person when active addiction is involved.  If you’ve lost important relationships throughout your life – which, if that’s the case, you’re not the only one – it can feel nerve-wracking to start over in building new relationships. We can’t always get by on surface-level conversations – to build a truly meaningful life, we have to develop a strong support system that we can lean on in times of need and during times of triumph.

Recovery is filled with ups and downs, and sometimes we may experience different mindsets for it. The beginning of recovery can be challenging because you don’t know what to expect, but even months – or years – later, recovery can be filled with moments of confidence and doubt, just as life is filled with these things. Issues may arise, however, when we start doubting our recovery and allowing those doubts to get the best of us. We may start telling ourselves lies – even if we don’t realize it – and this can affect our approach to healing if we don’t “check-in” with ourselves soon.  If this is where you’re at right now, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s normal to go through these moments of change – and by recognizing these 3 types of common lies we tell ourselves, we’ll better be able to combat them if they occur:

During early recovery, we’re often inundated with so many rapid changes. Suddenly we’re not relying on our substances of choice. We’re meeting new people, learning new coping skills, and abstaining from our addictive patterns. We’re getting to the root causes of our suffering and we begin a lifelong recovery journey. We start to realize that recovery goes far beyond our sobriety. While sobriety is part of the picture, there is so much more to the story. A big part of recovery, especially early recovery, involves getting to know ourselves again. Who are we without our substances of choice? How do we navigate the world? What are our hopes and dreams? What do we like? This is an exciting and overwhelming time. While it’s tempting to disregard these soul-searching and difficult questions, it’s necessary for our full and healthy recoveries.