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If you're beginning to explore mental health and addiction treatment options, consider writing therapy. Writing therapy is a comprehensive, holistic option that encourages introspection. At Avalon Malibu, we utilize writing therapy because we've seen the benefits it can produce. Let's talk more about what writing therapy is and if it could be the right treatment choice for you.

Acupuncture is an ancient healing method. Many people use it for pain relief and improved overall wellness. Others have found it beneficial for their sobriety and mental health. Let's talk more about acupuncture and the many different benefits it can have.

The opioid crisis is a widespread epidemic that has impacted millions of lives. Since 1999, the CDC reports that over 932,000 individuals have lost their lives due to drug overdose. In 2020 alone, nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths involved an opioid drug. Understanding the dangers and risks of opioids, such as fentanyl, is more important than ever. This way, people can make informed decisions and limit their use when possible. Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous opioids when it's not used appropriately. This drug alone is responsible for a fair share of the ongoing opioid crisis.

When struggling with an eating disorder, the choice to recover is courageous. It may even seem like your brain is begging you to stay dedicated to this dangerously unhealthy mindset. When undergoing treatment for an eating disorder, especially anorexia, you and your counselor may discover a link to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Learn how untreated OCD can be directly linked to eating disorders and how treating one illness may help you recover from the other.

Understanding how various mental health struggles can impact one another is important. Often, multiple diagnoses can intersect and sometimes even lead to the development of one another. When two conditions exist simultaneously, they are known as co-occurring disorders. One set of commonly co-occurring diagnoses includes bipolar disorder and substance use disorder (SUD).

If you are struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you likely experience intrusive thoughts. You are not alone in feeling like you are at war with your mind or like your mind is not yours. Through normalization, externalization, and neutrality you can begin to cultivate peace to manage obsessions and compulsions.

Anxiety is a mental health condition that manifests as a combination of physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. From experiencing headaches and racing thoughts to rapid heartbeat and difficulty sleeping, anxiety causes individuals to miss out on experiencing their life as well as they could. Healing from anxiety is possible. Holistic therapy can be a huge benefit as you learn how to cope with and respond to anxiety. A holistic lens integrates all facets of your life for full-body wellness and healing from the inside out.

Mental health affects not just your mind but your entire body. Various mental health issues can cause adverse reactions throughout the body, be it jaw aches or widespread muscle pain. Discover what your physical pain may be trying to tell you and how Avalon Malibu treats pain holistically and effectively.

Pain management plays an important part in living life more comfortably if you are experiencing chronic pain. Living with chronic pain can make living a healthy, balanced, and active lifestyle feel impossible. Often, opioids are prescribed for those living with chronic pain. However, this is not a viable option for those who are in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental illnesses. There are ways outside of medication use to experience relief from chronic pain. Learning ways to manage, treat, and cope with chronic pain without compromising your sobriety allows you to live your life with greater ease and freedom.

Healing is not possible alone. It can be scary to let others in on your healing process. This is especially true when opening up to others, expressing yourself, and allowing yourself to be seen hasn't felt safe in previous relationships. Learning to cultivate healthy relationships again is often part of recovery. Being part of a peer support group, such as a 12-Step program, can provide space for you to connect with others walking a similar path, work through the 12 Steps, and begin to cultivate your sober lifestyle.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy often integrated into treatment plans for addiction and mental illness. When it comes to healing, talk therapy helps individuals shift old thought patterns, break out of addiction, and begin living life in alignment with their values.

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) may be the approach needed to help kickstart sobriety. This counseling method will help increase a person's motivation to choose recovery and begin rehabilitation. Discover the main principles of MET, how it differs from other therapy methods, and if it's right for you or your loved one.