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Along with the holidays comes planning gatherings, cooking meals, buying gifts for friends and family, decorating the house, getting together with loved ones, talking about daily lives, driving to and from places, and much more. Many aspects of the holidays can be stressful; if you’ve recently lost ties with family members because of addiction, or if you’re in addiction recovery and find it hard to celebrate with friends and family for Christmas as you usually do, the stress and anxiety can really pack on. Mindfulness is a wonderful technique that can help you stay grounded, focused, and relaxed – try these mindful tricks to help you through the holiday season:

While the topic of addiction tends to revolve around loved ones who are battling with this dangerous disease, families have a foundation that can be significantly disrupted when a loved one is involved. Personally, family members tend to experience a rollercoaster of emotions that can affect the way the family functions as a system overall, and, if not resolved in a healthy manner, family members may break to the point of miscommunication and, ultimately, severed ties. If your family is currently in recovery from addiction, it will be long process – but with the right tools and resources from Avalon Malibu, you’ll be just fine. Self-care is needed in order for a person to feel mentally, physically and spiritually fit. It is defined in deliberate actions, and truly depends on what a person feels they need to heal and recover. Family members – both individually and as a whole – need to be implementing self care on a daily basis and as soon as possible in order for the healing process to jumpstart; of course, self-care and healing truly take place when a person is personally ready for it. Family members who have hope, who practice healthy coping skills and who are ready to change tend to experience the greatest effects of healing in recovery. During this vulnerable time, family members can practice a range of other self-care activities, such as:

So many things happen on Christmas. Parties, dancing, food, music, games – with so much going on, it’s easy for those in addiction recovery to feel overwhelmed. While Christmas time can be a wonderful time to spend with friends and family, there are many physical and psychological risks that can take place. By remaining aware of how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and what it is you need, you’ll be able to ensure that you have an excellent holiday. Keep the following reminders in mind:

For millions of Americans across the nation, the holidays bring about added stress. So many people feel pressure to make the “perfect” dish, to “impress” others with latest achievements, and to overall “look” the part that is portrayed in media – but naturally, these high expectations can’t always be met, and this can cause considerable anxiety for people as they try their best to go above and beyond. If you’re struggling with anxiety on top of recovering from addiction, it can definitely be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are several wonderful tips for handling anxiety during the holidays:

The holidays are often filled with friends and family talking, playing games, eating and more. While spending time with friends and family can be fun, it can easily get out of hand for someone who is working on their sobriety. Many people drink during the holidays to celebrate, relieve stress, socialize and unwind; unfortunately, this line of thinking also causes people to spend too much money, argue more frequently with their significant other, get in accidents because they weren’t paying attention, become more stressed or anxious, and otherwise avoid real connections with loved ones because of the materialistic nature that consumes our society today. It can be hard to remain sober when loved ones ask us to drink, but here is what we can say:

There are many types of approaches that can be taken to addiction recovery – and the effectiveness of these approaches truly relies on what works for each person individually. Personalized, holistic treatment is about assessing an individual’s needs and getting an understanding of who they are, including their medical history, their family and relationship history, major life stressors, mental health status reports and more. Put simply, recovery should consider a person’s mental, physical and spiritual wellness – and in some cases, didactic group therapy could greatly help a person find more stability in their recovery journey. Upon entering recovery, clients will learn more about what addiction is and how it’s affected their lives. Didactic group therapy is facilitated by a therapist or doctor who directs conversations on a number of topics, such as exploring the adverse effects that can become associated with addiction on a short or long-term basis, relapse prevention, common beliefs surrounding addiction and so much more. The idea behind this type of therapy is that by educating people in recovery, they will become more informed and more able to stay committed to their recovery goals – because they’ll understand the ins and outs of addiction and how it all works. In addition to this, those in recovery will gain valuable tools to apply directly to their lives. There are many definitions that can be found for addiction, but generally it’s a brain disease that involves the compulsive use of drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behaviors despite harmful consequences occurring in a person’s personal and/or professional life. By looking at it this way, it’s much easier to understand just how strong addiction can be – for many people around the world, addiction is not something that can easily be “stopped”, and “quitting” takes much longer than a day because recovery is an ongoing process. There tend to be a lot of misconceptions about addiction and recovery, and even those who are seeking help may misunderstand the truth about these processes; that’s where didactic group therapy can come in. Common misbeliefs about addiction and recovery may involve believing that a person is too weak to seek help, that recovery and treatment programs are a “quick fix”, that addiction is the only thing that matters without regard to a person’s mind, body and spirit, that addiction is the only thing that’s treated in recovery, and the broad idea that nobody can understand what a person is going through truly. This misconceptions may seem convincing, but they’re not true – and they’re all ways to alienate people from feeling that they can truly recover and seek help. Education is power, and those who learn more about the biological processes of addiction as well as the psychology behind that and relapse have better chances of succeeding in recovery. Social support is a major component of healing, and didactic group therapy can foster this support by providing an environment in which individuals can share their ideas and grow together. This type of therapy is focused on education, which may be structured similarly to a classroom setting where those in recovery work together to identify problems in life that could lead to addictive behaviors later on – as an example.

With Thanksgiving and other holidays coming up, it can be a difficult time for anyone in recovery. Around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays, movies and commercials start to appear that are focused on family, friends, and being together – if a person in addiction recovery is currently not in close quarters with their loved ones, it can feel beyond depressing. These depictions of family around the holiday seasons can make us feel like we have to have this “picture-perfect” holiday if we’re living life the way it’s “meant” to be lived – otherwise, many people feel left out, hopeless and not worthy of love. If this is how you’ve been feeling lately, it’s time to recognize that the myths of family togetherness during the holidays are not always true. Holidays are just days – and just like any other day, they come and go. Not only that, but there are so many people out there who are struggling to get along with family members, or who too are working towards their recovery – so if you find yourself home alone this holiday season, do not be discouraged.

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.

The opioid epidemic has sparked a lot of discussion on how we can monitor prescription drug abuse, but there has become a rise in illegal opioid use as well, and it’s even taking thousands of Americans lives. For example, the transition from prescription to opioids to heroin off the street has grown, as it’s become harder for just anyone to obtain prescription opioids – and heroin seems to be a bit cheaper, too. Unfortunately, over 70,000 deaths occurred in 2017 because of opioids – but the majority of the deaths that occurred were related to a drug called fentanyl, which is incredibly dangerous. Put briefly, fentanyl is a painkiller that is similar to morphine but much more potent. There are different names that it goes by in prescription form, but it’s street name often goes by Apache, China Girl, Dance Fever, Friend and more. Fentanyl may be prescribed by the doctor to be taken through injection, lozenges or through a patch, especially if a person just recently had surgery and needs something to help ease the after-pain. It’s incredibly easy to misuse, however, and that’s when it becomes deadly. Fentanyl was created around 1960 and is inexpensively made in a lab. Because of this, various drug cartels have capitalized on it – and many have started making their own version of it, even laced with other drugs like cocaine. As one could imagine, this can be incredibly toxic as a person may not fully know what all it’s mixed with – and if a bad chemical reaction occurs, it could take a life. Additionally, despite common belief, there is no way to tell that fentanyl is solely what’s been given to a person. An actual lab test would need to be conducted in order to be completely sure.  Fentanyl doesn’t work any differently in the brain than other drugs would – it still triggers an influx of feel-good chemicals that are in the brain, resulting in the brain wanting more and more of it. The difference, however, is how quickly the drug’s chemicals bind to opioid receptors in the brain. When a person takes fentanyl, the high is immediate – and that’s another part of what makes it so deadly.  With such a strong potency, this means that fentanyl would need to be taken at an extremely low dose in order to achieve a similar “high” – but because the amount is so little, many people aren’t aware of how important it is to measure out each dose, and many unfortunate cases revolve around individuals taking whatever amount they believe would be appropriate – despite recommendations. Aside from binding to opioid receptors rapidly, fentanyl produces a number of side effects – such as nausea and vomiting, sedation, and respiratory depression (respiratory arrest is how most people die from this drug). The rising number of deaths have left many devastated. Studies over the years have shown that Florida and Ohio are amongst the top states which have experienced such steep increases in fentanyl use. Overdose deaths from fentanyl use have increased dramatically, placing so many lives at stake and leaving so many families to mourn the loss of their loved one. Physicians have explored the ways in which we could combat the fentanyl issue, one of which has involved educating the greater community more on what fentanyl is and the dangerous effects that it can produce. Another has involved the increased use of treatment for those battling with addiction, including the potential of using medications like Naltrexone to help a person feel less pain as they detox from drugs. Researchers, policymakers and community leaders alike are working together to find ways to combat this issue – because we can’t continue losing lives. Of course, everyone in our surrounding communities can truly work together to help protect others from the harms of fentanyl – because nothing will change until we take the time to help one another step away from this deadly drug.

Many people with mental illness are limited in their ability to experience a meaningful life because the symptoms of their illness hold them back from pursuing new opportunities, making connections with others and more. When it comes to recovery, it’s important for people to open up their world to finding greater meaning in daily life. If you’re looking for a program that will help you strengthen your mind, body and spirit while exploring your passions and purpose in life, seek out Avalon Malibu. Previous studies have explored just how beneficial it can be to relax and do nothing. The main question is, what exactly is “doing nothing”? Of course, this can mean something different depending on the person, but most people describe relaxing as getting involved in recreational activities, running, quilting, volunteering, storytelling, and more. Studies have found that doing “nothing” and relaxing, along with pursuing hobbies here and there can actually help make life more enjoyable. A person who engages themselves in these things tends to find that they’re more easily able to socialize, enjoy traveling, and being around positive people who contribute to their daily lives. In addition to this, those who relax and partake in fun activities tend to be more calm and focused on their addiction recovery because they’ve identified healthy outlets that allow them to be themselves as they naturally are. For people who experience troubling emotions, hobbies can be a great form of relaxation because it still gives them something to do while also enhancing their mood. Lastly, relaxation builds friendships and fosters positive emotions because it helps a person focus more on the present moment, which is hard to do otherwise. If you’re ready to seek help for mental illness and/or addiction recovery, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. It’s never too late to seek help.

Diazepam, otherwise known as Valium, is a benzodiazepine – a drug that sedates and depresses the central nervous system. It’s available by prescription and can help with a variety of health issues such as with spasms of the muscle, seizures, severe panic attacks and more. As with any prescription medication, however, Valium can be easily abused if a person comes to abuse the drug and begins craving the effects of the medication. Whether you’re currently in recovery from addiction or you have a loved one who has struggled with Valium addiction, sometimes it can help to learn a little more about Valium and what is to be expected with it. Unfortunately, Valium is often abused by people who are trying to stay awake to complete tasks – such as college students who want to have more energy for schoolwork. People find that when they take Valium, they may experience less headaches, less anxiety and less aches and pains altogether. For many people, Valium can make it feel as though all problems have literally melted away – but the problem truly becomes an issue once the medication settles in and the body becomes dependent on the drug in order to get through the day properly. Valium tends to weaken certain neurons in the brain – the area of the brain which is typically responsible for preventing excessive dopamine production, which leads a person to feel euphoric at times. This means that when Valium is taken, the more dopamine is produced in the brain – and the neurons that typically regulate it are not able to operate as well as they were before. The flooding of dopamine in the brain is what eventually causes the brain to experience cravings, and this can become incredibly hard to overcome. If you’re struggling with Valium addiction, seek the help you need today. Recovery is possible – you’re not alone.

Massage therapy is used to help manage health conditions, as well as to help enhance individuals’ wellness. With massage therapy, muscles are manipulated in a way that eases pain and reinforces healing; for many people, massage therapy is an excellent addition to treatment at Avalon Malibu as the mind, body and spirit work to heal and rejuvenate from the negative aftermath of substance abuse. One type of massage therapy in particular - Thai massage - can greatly help a person relaxes and provides many benefits. It’s a bit different from traditional massage therapy approaches in that it involves the client lying on a padded mat on the floor, in which a masseuse guides and manipulates a person’s body into yoga positions and stretches.  Some clear benefits are Thai massage are lowered stress, boosted energy levels, experiencing greater relief from headaches, enhanced circulation, improved range of motion and so much more.Thai massage can assist with all types of back pain as well, including upper and lower back pain, neck and shoulder issues, osteoarthritis of the knee, headaches and other conditions. For those in addiction recovery, the pain experienced from withdrawal and general healing can really wear a person down physically and mentally. Massage therapy, such as Thai massage, can gently help a person improve their mental, physical and spiritual health while promoting sobriety in their recovery journey. Alongside receiving Thai massage, it can be helpful for those in recovery to practice daily breathing and stretching exercises. For those who are more comfortable staying fully clothed, Thai massage can also be a great opportunity for staying relaxed without having to take off clothes. If you’re ready to explore Thai massage, along with a variety of other holistic practices aimed at benefiting your addiction recovery journey, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.