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Learning to cope with stressors, triggers, and urges is a part of each step of the recovery process. Whether an individual is just beginning their detox program or is preparing to celebrate their first year sober, managing triggers is essential for maintaining sobriety. However, that doesn’t mean that triggers can’t also be a guiding force. After addressing a trigger or particularly stressful event, the scenario can be a great source of information on how an individual can further fine-tune their recovery strategies or better understand the kinds of triggers that are more difficult than others. This approach can empower each individual to overcome stressors or triggers in the moment and further understand their relationship with recovery and how they can mold their environment and lifestyle to avoid such triggers in the future. What Are Triggers in Recovery? Triggers are commonplace throughout recovery and can take any number of forms. Objects, topics of discussion, commercials, specific environments, or anything else that reminds a person of their previous engagements with an addictive substance and tempts them to use substances again are classified as triggers. Reminders of past guilt, anniversaries of traumatic experiences, and stressful experiences can all influence one’s recovery. The brain might be programmed to react to this extreme stress by demanding an addictive substance if it is how an individual used to cope with stress in the past. These are intense experiences where an individual comes into contact with a thing or situation that causes an overwhelming feeling of powerlessness, guilt, and desire to reengage with addictive substances. Learning to navigate these experiences and ground oneself in their sobriety is a complicated and essential task for those in recovery. While it may be common to slip or relapse during the recovery process because of the intense nature of triggers, it is not a necessary part of the recovery process. Preparing to cope with the inevitability of these triggers is essential from the beginning of one’s recovery journey. It is never too early to begin searching for and building upon effective grounding techniques to cope with them daily. How Triggers Can Guide You Despite the potential for a destructive outcome, triggers can also help guide an individual if looked at objectively. Experiencing a trigger can indicate that certain aspects of one’s life may need more direct attention than others. For some, experiencing triggers more often while tending to errands or otherwise engaging in social events can indicate that such interpersonal skills may need to be further tuned. Those in recovery and the professionals involved can begin to explore more interpersonal strategies. This can result in a heavier focus on group therapy, team-based activities and practices, and effective communication techniques to help express themselves to supports effectively during grounding. Others may find that triggers become more prevalent when moving through certain physical spaces. This can indicate a need to look at one’s various environments and turn a heavier focus on one’s living situation and the availability of supports. It can also prompt the repurpose of certain rooms or spaces to take on new connotations. Exploring more experiential therapies, such as art, writing, or music, can help create new hobbies in an area that previously caused a trigger and helps to ascribe a new connotation to that place. Finding Ways To Objectively View Triggers Using a trigger to inform one’s recovery path is a powerful tool, but it can only be adequately utilized if an individual can objectively understand the nature of that trigger. Experiencing triggers is an incredibly intense experience, and all of one’s focus needs to be set on trying to ground oneself. However, after a trigger has passed and an individual has successfully grounded themselves, it can be essential to look back on the different factors involved. Journaling about which people were present, what was going on, and the location can provide important information, even if they seem innocuous at first. By looking back on these things, especially if an individual experiences another trigger that seems to share certain traits, they can become more empowered to understand their unique situation and hone in on unique elements, strengths, and difficulties throughout their recovery journey. Texting supports in the moment can also be another way of recording certain pertinent pieces of information and can be used to get another opinion on the intricacies of one’s unique situation. Comparing one’s notes over time and sharing these things with professionals can uncover otherwise latent areas that may need more focus. Triggers are an unfortunate inevitability throughout the recovery process. Learning how to handle their intense effects and how they can guide you through refocusing your recovery efforts can be a crucial skill. We at Avalon Malibu understand the unique and challenging role that triggers and stressors play in addiction recovery and invite you to embrace your unique recovery story. We offer an array of therapeutic approaches, including art, writing, music therapy, neurofeedback, and individual and group approaches, all designed to help you better understand your triggers, work on relapse prevention, and thrive in your newfound recovery strategies. All of these services are available on our beautiful campus, which provides an atmosphere of fresh air, support, healing, and community. For more information on how we can individualize your time with us or speak to a caring, trained staff member about your unique situation and recovery, call us today at (844) 857-5992.

Working to deconstruct the idea that addiction is some kind of moral failing is still an ongoing process. Therefore, it is important to discuss what factors do play a part in the development of addiction. Genetics can have a large role in the development of addiction. While any person can develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol, or behavioral addictions such as gambling or shopping, looking at one’s biological family can indicate one’s predisposition to developing a dangerous addiction. In fact, one’s genetics may play a much larger role in the development of addiction than one may realize. The American Psychological Association concluded that “at least half of a person’s susceptibility to drug addiction can be linked to genetic factors.” Internalizing the Genetic Component Addiction and substance use are dependent upon many factors. Two people drinking the same amount of alcohol can have wildly different reactions to its use. As a result, it is important not to gauge one’s own relationship with an addictive substance based on how others may be using it. While unfortunate, those with a parent who has suffered from addiction will be at an increased risk to develop a dependence of some kind themselves, making each use of an addictive substance much riskier. Addiction is something that is not only personally destructive but impacts entire families. This increased risk of developing an addiction can be extraordinarily dangerous to all involved. Internalizing the genetic component of addiction means understanding that an individual has an increased risk of developing an addiction and that they will have to prepare for the difficult and tense discussion about their own, or a family member’s use, with other family members and especially children. Find a Time to Talk Because of the major role that genetics play in the development of addiction, it is crucial that those who suffer from addiction are prepared to talk about their experience with family members. Not only is discussing one’s experience with addiction important to relationships, but it can also be critical information that is directly related to the safety of a family member. While this conversation may not be easy, it is necessary for the sake of the relationship and the well-being of others. Talking to a child about addiction is difficult, and it can be hard to determine exactly how much information a child may understand. However, children can be full of surprises. For parents who are struggling with an addictive substance, it is common that a child has already recognized that something is different about their living situation, even if an individual is trying to hide their use. Those who have gone through a recovery program and are successfully employing strategies to mitigate any persistent urges or guilt may also want to approach the conversation from the current standpoint, highlighting their progress before diving into the more difficult, painful memories of addiction. Regardless of how difficult some memories might be, this conversation is essential to prepare for and should be conducted with planning and allocated time for questions and discussion. Prevention by Education Anyone who has gone through the recovery process can attest to the intricate difficulties involved with navigating their transformation. However, the best way to combat addiction is to address it in a meaningful way before it develops. The genetics of addiction can make even infrequent use of a substance habit-forming. Therefore, it may be beneficial to acknowledge and address the complex difficulties and personal experiences of addiction at a younger age before a child is exposed to these substances on their own. Having a parent who has suffered from addiction may leave children at an increased risk of developing one themselves. These parents who have fought to overcome their addiction can also be a valuable resource of personal information that can be incredibly impactful. Part of the Whole Genetics play a large role in one’s susceptibility to addiction. However, it is not the only factor at play. One’s genetics, combined with their living environment, mental health concerns, social circles, relationships of any kind, all play a role in the development or prevention of addiction. Knowing one’s predisposition to addiction can be beneficial in creating a plan that consciously addresses the genetic risks while learning to identify problematic factors that may also influence one’s use of an addictive substance. Recovery is a personal journey, but it can affect the lives of entire families. Talking about the genetics of addiction is one way to open this dialogue and create an understanding of how families can not just address the topic of addiction together but move past it towards a healthy lifestyle. The genetic side of addiction is a complicated and important part of understanding the interconnected nature of addiction and addiction recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and are ready to take the first step towards healing, Avalon Malibu can help you today. We offer various therapeutic approaches and encourage each individual to customize and personalize their experiences with us. Our trained, caring, supportive staff will help you find the therapies that are right for you and help you take healthy steps forward through recovery. Art therapy, music therapy, and many other experiential approaches are all part of our supportive atmosphere and are staffed with professionals that can help you tackle addiction and mental health issues in an effective, holistic manner. For more information on how we can help you, or to speak to a caring, trained staff member about your unique situation, call us today at (844) 857-5992.

Calling someone a narcissist sometimes gets casually thrown around, but what makes a person a true narcissist with a narcissistic personality disorder? Anyone with a personality disorder will think, feel, and behave differently from the norms of generally accepted behavior, and this behavior causes problems with normal functioning and relating to others. Narcissistic personality disorder is one of the ten types of personality disorders and is characterized by having a sense of self-importance, entitlement, and lack of empathy for others. They May Not See a Problem, But You Do Someone with narcissistic personality disorder usually doesn’t realize anything is wrong due to their self-perceived superiority. However, those in a relationship with a narcissist are likely to sense that something feels problematic about them. By identifying if you are in a relationship with someone with narcissistic personality disorder, you can decide whether you want to make it work or protect yourself from emotional exhaustion and release yourself from the relationship. 5 Signs Your Partner Has Narcissistic Personality Disorder:

The pain of watching a loved one cycle in and out of drug abuse, lying, and treatment is highly draining for a loved one to endure. Watching their trust in you and your word diminish over time damages the relationship. Now that you are serious in your commitment to sobriety, you want to restore your relationships as part of living a more connected, happier life. However, you may notice that their trust in you doesn’t just return overnight, and you will have to earn it back. 4 Ways to Restore Trust In Relationships:

Reaching a sobriety milestone is a huge deal since recovery is a lifelong process with high rates of relapse to combat. Whether it’s your milestone or a loved one’s, taking the time to recognize the inherent accomplishment of a sober birthday is a wonderful way to bring more motivation and encouragement to staying the course. Sobriety can feel like a very serious subject at times, but using your sobriety birthday to bring in levity and joy to honor your progress and self-growth you’ve experienced in your journey is a welcomed change of pace to break up the seriousness of going to therapy and meetings. Sobriety birthdays are meant to be fun, marked with celebration with friends or family, but also they invite you to reflect on your learnings from your journey. What Is a Sobriety Birthday and How Do I Properly Celebrate? A sobriety birthday can go by many names like sober anniversary, sober date, or recovery anniversary, just to name a few. Since your sobriety birthday is personal to you, you get the choice of picking which day was the most significant in you getting sober. Most commonly, it is the day you stopped using, the day after you last used, or the day you entered rehab. Most Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings give plastic chips or coins to mark the monthly and yearly milestones for how long someone has been sober. When it is someone’s sobriety anniversary, it is a cause for celebration. There are plenty of ways to mark this special day for yourself, like going out to dinner with friends, family, or your sponsor, treating yourself to something special, enjoying a cake or dessert of choice for the occasion, or doing something meaningful like volunteering or sending over something thoughtful to the staff at your treatment center. If it is a loved one’s sobriety birthday, you can send them a letter or card saying how proud you are, give a small gift, treat them to a special lunch or dinner, or do something that your loved one enjoys. Additionally, it is important to verbally affirm how proud you are of their achievement by saying sentiments like “You are an inspiration to me” or “I’m so happy you are taking such great care of yourself, and you deserve this beautiful life you are creating for yourself” as positive reinforcement. A sobriety birthday is an important day to reflect on your journey and celebrate the progress you’ve made in recovery. There are plenty of ways to mark the occasion in a healthy and positive light that, most importantly, doesn’t include using drugs or alcohol. If you or a loved one is struggling to get or remain sober, call Avalon Malibu. At Avalon, we specialize in offering clients a comprehensive approach to recovery, addressing the whole person’s needs along the way. Living a life of joy, connection, and vitality is possible, but choosing to get the right treatment is the first step to making a new life possible. Call us today at (844) 857-5992 and begin working towards having brighter days ahead.

In recovering from codependency, detaching with love is the central pillar to finding healing for yourself. The principle of detaching with love is not just limited to use by people who struggle with codependency; its message can be translated and used by anyone in recovery from unhealthy behaviors, addictions, or someone struggling to watch a loved one continually abuse drugs or relapse. At the core of detaching with love is allowing someone else to make their own mistakes but not at your expense any longer. Permitting yourself to detach opens up space for you to put your needs first and welcome self-preservation into your life.

Once you’ve begun treating your addiction, you may realize how many of your closest friends were just drinking buddies. It might feel like the people and places that once made up the fabric of your life are now unhealthy for you since you’ve entered your sobriety journey. In actuality, you now have the chance to begin building a supportive network of friendships and relationships that have your best interests in mind. Mindfully entering into your new relationships as a recently sober person will allow you to intentionally build authentic relationships.

When it comes to getting clean, most are well-acquainted with the idea that there is a necessary detox phase that must happen to get the remaining drugs out of your system. Many do not realize that detox is a two-step process consisting of the acute withdrawal stage and post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS for short. What happens in the acute withdrawal stage are the physical sensations we most often associate with withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, headaches, muscle aches, or sweating. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome follows the acute stage and has more psychological effects than physical. How Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome Feels In PAWS, your brain tries to reorient itself to functioning without the influx of drugs it's been used to operating with. Therefore, this withdrawal phase includes mood swings, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, cravings, irritability, or lack of focus. These symptoms occur since the brain is struggling to stabilize and correct the resulting chemical imbalances from previous drug abuse. These are all temporary symptoms that come and go, but the PAWS phase lasts different lengths for everyone depending on their bodies and the types of drugs they were addicted to, lasting up to several months for some. Managing PAWS Symptoms Taking excellent care of yourself and making use of proactive interventions is necessary to help you avoid relapse during this time. Using essential self-care habits like eating well, getting enough sleep, surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people, and exercising will do you a favor during this phase and the rest of your recovery. Since you will experience many emotional swings during this time, it’s important to be sure you have appointments lined up with your care team of mental health professionals, so you can constructively talk about what you’re going through. Talking through your feelings will help you feel supported through this time. Attending meetings and being open about what you’re experiencing with loved ones will help alleviate some of the heaviness from you solely carrying your discomfort. Lastly, it is imperative to avoid triggering situations or people as you are more sensitive to stressful stimuli during this time and trying to recover. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is the second phase of withdrawals, as the brain balances itself after drug abuse. It is a time to focus on your healing and recovery and when you should focus on putting your mental and emotional needs first to feel secure in your sobriety in the future. If you or a loved one is struggling to get or remain sober, call Avalon Malibu.  We specialize in treating substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. We are passionate about providing our clients with the support they need and finding a treatment that will help them lead happier, more balanced lives. For more information on how we can help you achieve your goals, call (844) 857-5992.

June marks the celebration of Pride Month, and it is a time meant to celebrate and recognize the equal rights and opportunities of LGBTQ individuals. It serves to negate any stigma or discrimination against the LGBTQ community and instead brings forth feelings of pride and acceptance. Though a time for celebration, Pride Month also brings attention to the disparities that exist among the LGBTQ community, including the increased rate of mental health conditions and substance abuse among the community’s members.

Inside all of us resides a secret weapon for healing and fostering a positive mindset, known as gratitude. When you practice gratitude, you allow yourself to notice and feel appreciation for all you have in life, not limited to material possessions but encompassing your relationships, opportunities, experiences, and feelings. Gratitude is a powerful tool to utilize in recovery because it offers a simple solution to combating any negative thinking or emotions that may fuel the urge to relapse.

Decluttering, organizing, making your bed, and keeping a clean living space seem unrelated to your mental health, but all of these things positively affect your mental state. Using these simple cleaning practices to give yourself an easy win every day will boost your mood and motivate you to succeed in other areas of your life. Sometimes engaging differently in the little things of daily life can profoundly impact your self-esteem and worldview. If you aren’t convinced of the power these simple measures can have, see below how these habits can provide a shift in your mental health.

In the world of recovery, hitting “rock bottom” has become somewhat of a right of passage to get someone struggling with addiction to seriously consider getting help. However, is hitting bottom, or reaching your lowest personal point in addiction, truly a necessary step to precede getting help? The fact is that addiction is easier to treat when treated earlier, so getting help before hurting yourself or others is a much better option before waiting to hit rock bottom.