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For decades, psychologists, researchers, and community leaders alike have worked diligently to identify unique modalities for treating addiction, mental health disorders, pain management and more. The psychological issues we face walking into addiction recovery isn’t an isolated event – for many, trauma and mental illness co-occur alongside addiction, but without the right tools, there’s little room for improvement. Addiction recovery is about treating the whole self, and since we all have different ways of learning and responding, creative approaches fill that gap of subjectivity. If you’re looking for a creative way to express yourself, learn from others and develop healthy coping mechanisms, psychodrama could be an excellent addition to your treatment regime.

No matter what stage you’re at in recovery, it’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive at times. The beginning of recovery can be challenging because you don’t know what to expect, while even months or years into recovery can bring about uneasiness if you’re not quite sure where your journey will take you next. There becomes a problem, however, when we start letting those uncertainties dictate our views on recovery. We may start making excuses for why recovery is no longer a viable option for us, and that’s what can cause us to take drastic measures. If this is where you’re at right now, take a deep breath and remind yourself that ups and downs are part of the process – and recognize the 3 common lies we tell ourselves:

A co-occurring diagnosis is a condition in which an individual is struggling with addiction, while simultaneously coping with some form of mental illness. This type of situation is common enough that addiction treatment centers have incorporated mental health treatments into their programs. While co-occurring may sound like an easy condition to identify, it's actually a very complex psychological problem that has generated myths and rumors.

College brings new responsibility, experiences, and freedom to young adults. It is the first chance for many to really experience life away from home without restrictions. Some students use this opportunity to grow and learn who they are as an adult. Others abuse this freedom, and find college campuses are a place to party and experiment with illegal drugs. While college is an exciting time, it also carries added stress. Full-time students are twice as likely to suffer drug abuse as young adults who don't attend college. Stress, heavy course loads, and peer pressure are some of the reasons college students begin using drugs.

Narcissists can have a way of taking over a room with their charismatic personalities, and while their charm initially seems seductive, their overbearing nature may soon leave you feeling drained. Whether you are dealing with a coworker, spouse or parent, you can use these tips to set boundaries that minimize the effects that the narcissist in your life has on your self-esteem.

Every year, thousands of Americans visit their doctors for chronic pain. About 20% of people leave with a prescription for an opioid-based pain killer like Vicodin, Percocet, or OxyContin. When used for a short period of time and in moderation, these drugs are very effective at alleviating pain. But certain risk factors can also put you at a higher risk of developing a drug dependency or addiction.

Reports of people suffering from anxiety and general stress are on the rise. It’s no secret that we live in a fast-paced world, and it’s easy to find ourselves overwhelmed at work, while dealing everyday life or navigating family life. While there are medications on the market to help, there are also natural methods to consider. Meditation has been used by yogis and people in other cultures for thousands of years. It can decrease anxiety and promote general well being.

Ambien, which also goes by the brand name of “Zolpidem,” is a drug used to treat insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Although Ambien can help you get a better night's sleep, experts caution that the drug is associated with side effects, including digestive problems and hallucinations. Sleep-walking, preparing and eating meals, and even driving asleep while taking Ambien have been reported.

Our hearts are with all of those who have suffered displacement and loss from the active wildfires in California. We want to assure our Avalon Malibu family and friends during this heartbreaking time that we have safely evacuated all residential patients to our partner facility in Orange County where they are receiving continued treatment and support from our clinical team. We are incredibly grateful that our facilities made it through without any fire damage, and we will return to Malibu as soon as the authorities give us clearance. Further information will be provided as soon as it becomes available or contact us at 855-709-4032. If you or a loved one is in Southern California, here is a Google resource that shows information on the fire, available shelters and more.

Being a pharmacist is a stressful yet incredibly important profession. Pharmacists are responsible for the lives of thousands of people throughout their career, and one minor mistake can have immense consequences. Having that much responsibility and so little of a margin of error can also be a lot to handle.

Inpatient drug treatment is rehabilitation where a patient spends 24 hours a day in a facility away from their home. The process works to keep patients away from their regular lifestyle and the temptation to use drugs and/or alcohol. This type of treatment plan allows the patient to focus entirely on beating their addiction. Treatments may include detox, medical assistance, and a combination of therapy techniques. Inpatient treatment may take place in a hospital or a residential treatment program. The length of treatment often varies and is usually followed by a step-down program to ensure continued success. Inpatient rehab focuses on recognizing negative behavior and learning how to replace unhealthy habits with constructive healthy choices.

Not all depression is the same, and how it affects each person is unique based on several factors. This can sometimes make it difficult to differentiate between temporary episodes of sadness and prolonged periods of suffering. Symptoms can range from mild and fleeting to severe and debilitating. There are several recognized types of depression, but the one that is most frequently treated is clinical depression. Doctors and psychiatrists will use a specific set of criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5, to diagnose this type of mood disorder.