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Self-care has been quite the buzzword lately, but it’s nonetheless important because all too often, we forget to take care of ourselves on the most basic of levels. We stress, worry, ruminate, and meanwhile forget to feed our mind and bodies nutritious food, practice sleep hygiene, exercise and so much more. Valentine’s Day can be a particularly difficult holiday to get through while in addiction recovery because of the societal expectations to drink, celebrate, and indulge in romance with a significant other. If you’re in recovery this holiday season, remember that your self-care is of utmost importance. In reality, Valentine’s Day is just like any other day – and you can use this day to engage in self-care activities that are most beneficial for your mind, body and spirit.

Couples tend to face a lot of challenges the longer they’re together, as life throws different situations their way. If you’re with a significant other who has been struggling with addiction, it’s sure to cause some major challenges for you both. By recognizing some of the main obstacles you’re both facing, you will be able to work through them more effectively in couples therapy; addiction recovery can take a major toll on the relationship but by being proactive and learning about what you’re each going through during this vulnerable time, you’ll be one step ahead in healing and restoration. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) notes that when addiction is involved, couples are often unhappy. Substance abuse tends to take more time away from the relationship, and once it becomes the reason for arguing, couples tend to see a vicious cycle appear:

Diazepam, otherwise known as Valium, is a benzodiazepine (often called a benzo) – a sedative, tranquilizer, and a depressant. It’s available by prescription and can help with a variety of health issues such as: muscle spasms, seizures, panic attacks and more. As with any prescription medication, however, Valium can be easily abused if a person comes to crave the euphoric effects of taking higher doses. Whether you’re currently in recovery from addiction or you have a loved one who has struggled with Valium addiction, it can be helpful to gain some insight on how the drug itself can be so habit-forming. A few years ago, a young woman shared her story with Vice about becoming addicted to Valium. She explained that it all started when she started feeling tired often as she was navigating school life. When she took the drug, it would ease her panic attacks, her anxiety, her headaches and more. She felt as though Valium was the answer to all of her problems – but she realized that once she was addicted, normalcy was hard to achieve. She stated, “…With increased tolerance to benzos comes decreased normality when you’re not taking them. I reached a point where, if I didn’t take Valium, I’d feel more panicky than when I started using them as a crutch.” The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that Valium weakens a group of neurons in the brain – the brain’s ventral tegmental area (VTA) - which is typically responsible for preventing excessive dopamine production (“feel-good” chemicals in the brain). This means that when Valium is taken, the more dopamine is produced in the brain – and the neurons that typically regulate it are now rendered feeble. The flooding of dopamine in the brain is what eventually causes the brain to experience cravings. Cells in the brain respond to the increased about of dopamine produced and eventually need more and more as they become used to the initial doses of the drug that were taken. If you’re struggling with Valium addiction, seek the help you need today. Recovery is possible – you’re not alone.

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.