Treatment

So many people end up squashing their own chances of success in the personal and professional lives, and for no good reason. Most of the time, they don’t even know why - no matter where you’re at in life right now, think about the ways in which you’ve self-sabotaged your own love life, work endeavors, health goals, recovery and more. Self-sabotage happens when we take any action that holds ourselves back from reaching our goals. A clear example of this would be sabotaging your talk with an employer in order to get a promotion, or even procrastinating until the last minute to submit a report on a project just so that you get points off of it in a class that you’re currently taking. If you’ve been working really hard to eat healthier, self-sabotage may involve suddenly eating more fast food throughout the week which sets you back in your weight loss goals. No matter what it is, self-sabotage has a wonderful way of making sure we don’t get what we truly want. And it happens for a variety of reasons. For example, low self-worth can be an incredibly damaging factor at play. If a person doesn’t feel good enough, they may hold themselves back from success. In addition to this, a person may desire control – because if too many events have gone wrong in their life, they may want to feel as though they know what’s going to happen, and self-sabotage gives them a clear outcome. Another potential reason is if a person is scared of succeeding – they may self-sabotage their goals because it’s more comfortable to fail than it is to enter a new territory. Ultimately, self-sabotage can become a cycle of disappointment that a person gets used to over time, and this can be a hard habit to break.  Addiction recovery is about learning why we self-sabotage and working through it. If you’re ready for complete healing and restoration, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

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.

When selecting a treatment center, there are many different factors that you want to look into. Long-term success in recovery has been shown to meet individual’s needs not just by focusing on a person’s mental illness or addiction, but also by exploring other areas of a person’s life that may have been negatively effecting them. Recovery is a time to learn how to deal with challenging emotions better, gain a greater sense of clarity, and identify goals that we can work towards achieving for the future. There are several necessities that are needed for healing and restoration – and it’s important to incorporate these into treatment instead.   Previous studies have emphasized the importance of a client’s comfort in treatment, as well as cleanliness and hospitality to their family members and other staff as well. In addition to having a space that minimizes errors, falls, and infections, places like Avalon Malibu really emphasize comfort and security. The rooms at Avalon Malibu are very spacious and beautiful, which makes it even easier for patients to feel relaxed and to spend time focusing on their recovery.  Recovery involves a person’s willingness to become sober, change their lifestyle and behaviors, and work on developing tools that are better for their health and wellbeing. Nutrition helps to restore the balance of the mind and body, which is why Avalon Malibu will provide the nutritional assessment and guidance that a person needs. Through eating the right food and getting adequate exercise, you can work towards replenishing your overall health and well-being.  No matter your circumstance, you’ve likely experienced ups and downs that have affected you in one way or another. It’s important to work through those issues so that you can heal and move forward with your life – something that psychotherapy and a host of other holistic activities can help you achieve. If you’re ready to seek help, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Many people struggle with feeling anxious or depressed or angry, and they find it hard to talk about it. For many previous generations, it’s been a challenge to talk about feelings because we’re told to suppress it and hold it deep inside. We hold it in, expecting the pain to fade away – but when it doesn’t, we find ourselves searching outside for solutions, and in many cases, that’s when addiction becomes part of our daily routine. Recovery is a time when we can release some of what’s been holding us back – to talk through the challenging emotions and find healing. Expressive therapy uses music, art, dance, poetry and other creative instances within the context of psychotherapy or rehabilitation. Addiction recovery is about working through some of the hardest experiences and emotions that we’ve held onto for so many years, and expressive arts therapy can help us reach this place in a way that simply talking about it can’t. Previous studies have shown that expressive arts therapies can work wonders for those in recovery, especially alongside other treatment practices like meditation, yoga, nutrition management and more. Other studies have shown that expressive art therapies can help those in recovery understand their thoughts and feelings better, which helps a person become stronger in moving towards healing and restoration. For those who are seriously considering expressive arts therapy, it’s important to understand the many factors that go into it, such as:

Despite the fact that addiction and substance abuse can take years to develop and to become severe, many people expect that recovery will be a quick fix. Nobody wants to really go through all of the pain and discomfort that are often associated with detoxification and becoming used to a life of sobriety – and if you were to ask most people in addiction recovery, they’d probably snap their fingers to make it happen if they could. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work that way – and, technically speaking, the greater the effort you put towards your recovery, the more rewarding your journey will be in the long run. Long-term residential treatment programs are incredibly beneficial because they give us the time, space, resources, and support that we need to develop a life in recovery – and if you’re looking for an in-depth program that is tailored to your needs, a residential program at Avalon Malibu could be a great option for you.  Long-term, residential treatment programs tend to take more time than people realize because it takes time to undo the damage that addiction has caused; residential programs take approximately 6-12 months total and require that clients live in a comfortable, home-like environment during this time. Clients who choose this option won’t even need to drive to treatment because their treatment will take place near their living facility. Meals are provided and around-the-clock care is also provided to ensure that clients feel stable throughout the duration of their stay. Those in long-term treatment programs have sincere mental, physical and spiritual needs and because the treatment program at Avalon Malibu is incredibly comprehensive, clients who choose this option will be supported throughout their time in the program and beyond. Long-term residential treatment programs provide stable housing, which involves staying in a comfortable room designed for optimum healing and restoration. Nutrition management also becomes a major part of the program, with vitamins and minerals needed to replenish the mind and body; in cases of medical supervision and other addiction-related concerns, there is 24/7 support for individuals in recovery. Both individual and group sessions are held to help foster thinking and personal development, and a person can become involved in a variety of holistic recovery-related activities, such as equine therapy, music therapy, art therapy, massage therapy and much more. Every client has their own unique needs, and that is why residential treatment should be personalized to the individual. Previous sources have interviewed people in addiction recovery to learn more about the problems they face, the obstacles they’ve had to overcome, as well as advice they have for others in seeking out treatment. A common consensus amongst those in addiction recovery is that if you think you have a problem – be it an addiction with alcohol, drugs or other substances – you probably do. Many people let their fear and denial of their issues get in the way of breaking through and seeking help, and this is what holds people back from living a sober, healthy life.   Residential treatment often provides a pathway for clients to find themselves, their purpose and their path in sobriety. In this type of treatment program, it’s typical for a person to follow a strict “routine” that’s set – and there may be rules (such as no technology) to follow too, depending on where you go. These routines often try to help a person go to sleep by a certain time, wake up at a specific time, and attend various recovery-related ventures throughout the day so they can become used to getting involved in different components of treatment.  Residential treatment programs are extremely beneficial for people who don’t have solid support systems at home or who don’t have a stable home environment where they can practice sobriety and be positively reinforced in doing it. Individuals who struggle with severe addiction often find that residential treatment programs are better for them because they’re able to be monitored more closely, and they can receive more guidance in daily living habits for sobriety. Those who are able to make arrangements for other responsibilities such as work projects, children, household duties and more find that residential treatment is most conducive to their healing. Residential treatment programs often have different phases, and each phase holds different levels of activity and expectations; in addition to this, a person may find that aspects of residential treatment aid in getting them back into daily life such as job-seeking assistance, volunteer opportunities to make new friends and develop skills, after-care support, alumni services and more. If you’re ready to take charge of your life and overcome addiction, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. There’s an entire team of people here ready to support you – and the residential treatment programs provided allow enough support and resources for a person to become stronger in living a life of sobriety.

Note: If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters and you are not alone. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects people all across the world, with many of them being women. BPD is typically characterized by an intense fear of abandonment, unstable self-image, self-harm, anger and irritability, and more. Unfortunately, death by suicide takes many people in this community. It’s common with this type of disorder to feel misunderstood and feel an inner sense of turmoil that can’t easily be addressed. For those diagnosed with BPD, self-harm is another devastating occurrence – and the more support that is provided to these individuals, the higher the recovery rate can be. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a program typically used to help treat BPD and is a structured program that features cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. For many with BPD, the world is seen in “black and white” – that is, people or events may be seen as “one thing” or “another” and it’s rather challenging for those with this disorder to see the in-betweens. There are 4 major areas of DBT that can really help people with BPD in 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:

Thousands of children across the U.S. have been shown to be affected by the opioid crisis, and in more ways than one. In addition to the many lives lost and damaged directly from opioid addiction, children are often faced with challenges that other children aren’t – and it can harm children mentally, physically and spiritually, even into their adult years. What tends to happen in situations such as the opioid crisis is that the United States will focus on one particular problem – such as the overdoses – but then other serious concerns may fall by the wayside, even if unintentionally. It’s unfortunate that many children have been left without the proper care and support because their parents or other primary caretakers are battling substance abuse, such as with opioids – but with more support and resources available, we’ll be able to combat this problem. Parental misuse is a common occurrence in households when substance abuse is present, and in many cases, children are forced to travel from one foster home to another – which certainly takes a toll not only on the system as a whole but on the children and their families as well. Previous studies are showing that states like Indiana have seen a surge in foster care support for children, particularly alongside the opioid epidemic. This type of explosion destroys families and makes it even harder for children to feel support in life. Once children are in foster care, they’re faced with so many issues that it becomes more than simply “caretaking” – foster families must then work to help children heal from the trauma that’s affected their family, along with the mental and social support needed for children to thrive after such devastating events. With so many children in the foster care system, and some states, such as Indiana, being overwhelmed with endless cases and not enough time, children’s’ wellbeing is being placed at stake.  If you are currently struggling with opioid addiction, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. You’re not alone – and recovery is possible.

Previous studies have shown that when mental illness is involved in a romantic relationship, typically both partners must work together to get a better understanding of the mental illness and what a partner needs to thrive – but many couples aren’t aware of the tools to help their significant other, let alone the knowledge of how to talk about mental illness. There are about 450 million all around the world who battle with mental illness – so it’s extremely common for couples to deal with issues related to managing mental illness. Open communication has been shown to really help couples feel stronger together as they move forward – if you feel comfortable telling your partner about your mental illness, it’s suggested you do so. Of course, always wait until you’re ready.

Mental health is something that should be worked on every day, but this can be difficult to do when it feels like all of life’s responsibilities – like school, parenting, career, bills and more – come tumbling on after us. Recent studies have shown that Americans today are incredibly stressed over a variety of important issues – and when addiction recovery is involved, it’s vital for stress to be managed in healthy ways so that negative symptoms like muscle tension, migraines, asthma attacks, hyperventilation, heart disease, diabetes, and much more can be avoided.  With all this stress, it’s important that you make your mental health a top priority. Mindfulness has been shown to be an incredibly effective form of treatment for stress, and it can also help people who battle mental illness to work through some of the negative thoughts they may be experiencing. All too often, stress takes us away from the present moment and sends us into this state of negativity and doubt – but mindfulness reminds us that where we’re at, right here and right now, is safe. We’re okay. And there’s still room to grow.

We all feel depressed sometimes. In fact, it’s completely normal to feel downtrodden, sad, or just plain blue, at one point or another. Life has its ups and downs and as humans, we have a myriad of different moods and feelings. However, when feelings of sadness and depression persist, and in fact start to become the norm, it’s time to seek help for depression. Here, we’ll examine some common signs of depression and how to spot them. The most important thing to know is that you’re not alone. Depression is treatable and common.  Depression can be defined as unhappiness or sadness. Feelings of hopelessness are a telltale sign of depression. If you’re feeling dejected and as if there’s no hope in sight, it’s time to reach out to a trusted friend or therapist and talk about your feelings. Additionally, depression can make us withdrawal from activities that we used to find really enjoyable. If you used to love Tennis and now you have no desire to hit the courts, it could be a sign of serious depression. Likewise, depression can present itself as a general lack of interest in your life, things you used to enjoy, your friends, or family. There seems to be a dark cloud floating over everything and the world looks less technicolor and more grey. Decreased sex drive, irritability, anxiety, loss of appetite, persistent feelings of fatigue, or low energy are all signs of depression.  While it’s normal to feel depressed from time to time, if you or someone you love is experiencing persistent and unmanageable depression symptoms, there is help available. You deserve to be happy, vibrant, and healthy. If you have reason to believe that someone you or someone you know is considering suicide, please get immediate help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

During active addiction, we often forego our creative impulses and self-expressive tendencies, as our substances of choice took over our lives. The truth is, we are all creative and self-expression is a necessary and enriching part of daily life. In fact, during active addiction, we can forget our sense of self and who we truly are, let alone how to express that inner self. Well, there are myriad ways to express yourself and once you start to use your own unique voice, you’ll never want to stop. Self-expression can be defined simply as an expression of one’s feelings, thoughts, or ideas. The way in which you express yourself is up to you. The options are endless. Some positive ways to express yourself include journaling and writing, drawing, painting, dancing or other physical movements, and many other hobbies.