What To Do When An Addicted Loved One Refuses Help

Helping a loved one suffering from addiction is not an easy path. From substance abuse to gambling and lack of self-worth, one typically loses control of their actions and mindset as to what is healthy and what is destructive. This often leads to loved ones feeling frustrated and without hope. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs.” Because of this, those suffering may refuse help when offered. However, facilities like drug rehabs or an addiction treatment center can provide the necessary tools and assistance to get your loved one the help they need.

But what can you do if your loved one is refusing addiction treatment? For many, the future seems bleak and options are limited. This isn’t, however, the case. Hope still exists and there are concerned professionals who want to help. Not just your loved one, but you as well through the process of recovery.

Don’t Do It Alone

Denial is a powerful weapon for someone suffering from addiction. It fuels a fire within them which states nothing is wrong and they don’t need help. Gathering other family members and friends towards the goal of helping them, however, is a powerful tool.

In addition, according to the NIDA, “There are over 14,500 specialized substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States providing a variety of care options, including counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management, and other forms of care.” Seeking advice and help from professionals is also healthy, for you and your loved one. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it be from other family members or even co-workers. Many have faced similar struggles and are willing to stand by your side.

Research Addiction Treatment

Understanding an addiction leads to compassion and the ability to communicate while helping prevent things like enabling. It’s common for those who have never faced an addiction to perceive overcoming addiction as a mind over matter issue. Studies over the years, however, have shown how brain waves and pathways from substance abuse are changed over time. Sometimes recovery involves medicine, while other times it can be treated with experiential therapy. Learning about these various options available and the root causes of addiction will help guide you in the right direction towards getting your loved one in a drug rehab facility which is right for them.

Establish an Open-Line of Communication

Establishing a proper line of communication is imperative. A common reaction to dealing with an addict is to shut down or show tough love through silence. While someone suffering from addiction may not listen to what you have to say, knowing they can talk to someone is extremely important. This will also help with their recovery while in addiction treatment, and once out too.

Relapsing is a very real concept. According to NIDA, “The relapse rate for substance use disorders is estimated to be between 40% and 60%. This rate is similar to rates of relapse for other chronic diseases such as hypertension or asthma.” Being able to communicate, and be comfortable doing so, will help towards preventing a relapse from occurring.

Maintain Your Health

Much like the health of your loved one suffering from addiction is a top priority, so is your health as well. Living with or trying to help an addict can affect your own health through lack of sleep, poor eating habits, stress, and much more. Boundaries are essential.

Don’t be afraid to talk to a professional regarding where to draw the line regarding your own mental and physical health. As the line can often become blurry when dealing with someone who’s suffering from substance abuse.

Seek Help from Addiction Treatment and Drug Rehab Professionals

Modern medicine has come a long way in the last few decades. This is especially true regarding substance abuse recovery. Long gone are the days of forced labor and demeaning a person towards recovery. The 12-step program, along with treatment from a psychologist and psychiatrists has become proven methods.

But it’s also been shown that treatments like music therapy, Muay Thai training, salt water, and group therapies, in addition to these proven methods, create an environment conclusive towards a healthy recovery. Discover what addiction treatment options are available, and which ones will fit the needs of your loved one suffering from addiction. In working together, your loved one suffering from addiction can get the help they need and deserve. Contact us today!

Link Between Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse

Eating disorders and substance abuse are a common phenomenon that co-exists and fuel each other.  The occurrence of these two issues is significant among young women in particular.  Several risk factors may predispose certain people to develop these two disorders and some of those risk factors are genetic. However, several variables must be considered that may cover everything from social issues, self-esteem and family history.

Risk Factors

Both substance abuse and eating disorders have shared risk factors that should be looked at.  Wide and varied factors play a role in the prevalence of this disorder. Research has linked both of these disorders to brain chemistry and family history. Other shared characteristics or risk factors include low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and social pressures. These are all common experiences for young people and teens. These are also factors that may coincide with suicidal thoughts, compulsive behavior, and social isolation. The predisposition for these disorders is more prevalent among young women and girls.

The Mechanics and Co-occurrence of Both Disorders

As females enter puberty body image issues often emerge. These issues often cause young girls to do things to alter their body image in unhealthy ways. This often shows up in the form of either anorexia or bulimia. These are the two most common eating disorders that often coincide with substance abuse. The predisposition to developing these disorders is greatly increased based on family history and other issues like low-self-esteem. These disorders are often further compounded by a family history of struggle with these two disorders and social pressures that are part of growing up. In fact, most p[eople that struggle with eating disorders are fifty percent more likely to engage in substance abuse. Conversely, thirty-five percent of individuals that have substance abuse problems either struggle or have struggled with eating disorders.  Both of these statistics reveal that people who suffer from substance abuse issues and eating disorders have a much higher tendency towards these disorders than the general population.

The Symbiosis Between Anorexia and Bulimia and Substance Abuse

Anorexia and Bulimia are the two most common eating disorders linked to female substance abuse. An even more revealing look uncovers a link between these two disorders and the abuse of specific substances. it is not uncommon for an eating disorder to develop followed by a substance abuse problem. This is easily explained by noticing the prevalence of eating disorder followed by the abuse of substances like emetics, laxatives, and diuretics. The desire to control body image often leads a person to abuse these types of substances as a way of gaining greater control. However, there are circumstances where substance abuse and eating disorders may begin at the same time and the substance may have little to do with the eating disorder. Instead, the substance may be a coping mechanism used to drown out unpleasant feelings. In situations like these, people who struggle with both of these disorders often choose alcohol, amphetamines, heroin, and cocaine.

A Move Toward Treatment and Healing

As with any issue, early intervention is always preferred. Even though this doesn’t always happen, it’s still possible to overcome both of these disorders.  However, dealing with both of these issues does require treatment that will effectively address both at the same time. This is why Women Addiction treatment must include a plan that focuses on both disorders and the way these two disorders co-exist. This can be tricky because most treatment centers that deal with eating disorders have programs to help with OTC drug abuse but few adequately handle or address medical detoxification. Often this is a need for many patients as well. Fortunately, the link between these two disorders has gained a lot more awareness and many treatment centers are moving towards programs designed to adequately treat these two disorders.

Although many people of all ages struggle with both eating disorders and substance abuse issues, these two disorders are more prevalent among young women and girls. Addressing these issues in an effective way requires an in-depth understanding or all the risk factors and how they come together when both of these disorders are present. Effective treatment is dependent on a focus that doesn’t rest on one disorder but explores both independently and collectively. Contact us today for further help!

The Benefits of Exercise in Recovery

As your body is adjusting and realigning itself to a life without drugs and/or alcohol, it is undergoing a wide array of changes. These changes, while they are positive in the long run, may seem overwhelming and unbearable in the meantime. Following addiction treatment and entering into recovery, it is normal to experience increased feelings of stress, have difficulty sleeping, have reduced energy and experience an array of anxious moods and depression.

Addiction completely changes your body chemistry and once your body is free from these substances, you may be extra sensitive to life and its stressors. The good news is you can bring on the positivity with exercise. It has been shown that exercise in recovery has numerous benefits, including increased energy and improved mood. Whether you have recently completed addiction treatment or you have been in recovery for years, here are just a few of the benefits you can reap with exercise.

Stress Reduction

Unfortunately, stress, which is often one of the reasons for crossing the line into substance abuse, is also one of the effects of recovery. However, the relief from stress from using becomes more allusive and never really goes away, the good news is that during recovery it will fade and eventually go away. Stress is something many people deal with and fortunately, exercise in recovery is a great way to relieve stress. During exercise, there are chemicals that are released from the brain that work to combat stress, so developing a healthy routine of exercise in recovery will go a long way in helping recovering individuals return to a place of balance and calmness.

Sleep Better

Issues with getting a good night’s sleep are common, especially in early recovery. Regardless of the substance of choice, a stimulant or a depressant, stopping these substances can affect sleep. Difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep or wanting to nap in the middle of the day may result, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish. While non-habit forming products may help slightly; an even more natural and better remedy is exercise. Regular exercise is extremely beneficial in improving sleep, both the number of hours you sleep and the quality of sleep you get. Therefore, as your sleep improves, so will your wakefulness. Those who sleep more sound generally report feeling more alert and able to tackle the demands of everyday life.

Increased Energy

A common saying in many recover circles is “You have to give it away to keep it”-expending energy in the form of exercise isn’t any different. In other words, to get energy, you must give it. During exercise, the blood is pushed more aggressively to and through the heart, and your oxygen levels increase within your body. With regular exercise, the boost in your oxygen levels will significantly improve your overall energy. As your body becomes fitter, both physically and cardiovascular, the activities of daily living will become much easier to perform. You will notice that tasks are more efficiently completely and will require less energy. Incorporating an early routine of exercise in recovery can go a long way in helping those new to being clean and sober. It helps manage the demands of daily life.

 Improved Mood

Mood changes may frequently occur during the addiction treatment process. Even following detoxification, mood changes may fluctuate, especially during early recovery. It isn’t uncommon to feel on top of the world one minute and disheartened and lost the next minute. Your body is adjusting to life with the substance of choice and these changes in feels are absolutely normal. So, how can exercise help to improve the mood of those in recovery? Your mood is improved with the release of endorphins, which are a chemical that is released by your body during exercise. One commonality between substance abuse and exercise is that your body is seeking a way to produce certain feelings, such as euphoria. The good news is exercise produces endorphins that produce positive feelings, such as happiness and euphoria, but they are being released in a safe, beneficial way.

Reduces Cravings

Cravings are a mental and physical urge and compulsion to use drugs or alcohol. Cravings are a known hallmark of addiction, and they are typically the strongest during the first few months of being abstinent. Fortunately, cravings do decrease in intensity over time and the longer you are in recovery, the less you will experience cravings. Research has shown that exercise is a great way to reduce cravings as well as the substance abuse associated with the cravings. One of the theories as to why exercise is beneficial at reducing cravings is that routine exercise decreases the protein levels in the brain that are associated with drug cravings. Another theory is that the “feel good” endorphins that are released during exercise produce a similar effect to drinking or using drugs. Regardless of the reasons, exercise has been proven to be extremely beneficial in reducing cravings and the drug-induced behaviors they generally precede.

One of the best benefits of exercise during recovery is that it helps to boost your confidence. While exercising, you are doing something good for you…it doesn’t matter how fast you run, how many miles you walked or how many pounds you are able to bench. Instead, exercise provides you with a sense of self-confidence through the mere fact that you have overcome addiction treatment and now in recovery and that you have the desire to exercise regularly. So, basically, it’s not the quality of your performance, it’s what you are doing to improve your self-image.

When paving the pathway to your success for recovery, there are many beneficial activities that you can do. Exercise happens to be one. At Newport Beach Recovery Center, we can help you discover activities to help you succeed in recovery. Contact us today to speak to a professional about getting help.

The Pros + Cons of Couples Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a progressive and fatal disease that can be difficult to overcome. The road to recovery can be difficult for some, while others recover without issue. When it comes to couples that are addicted, it can be an especially difficult process, however, that doesn’t mean couples cannot recover together. There are those professionals who do not support couples addiction treatment, while others are finding success thanks to individualized and evidence-based programming.

The underlying psychological patterns that so often cause addiction are usually laid down during childhood traumas. The roots can include disorders such as depression, anxiety, unchecked rage, and personality maladaptations. It goes almost without saying that relationship difficulties and strife can also be caused by these same dynamics. Therefore, on a certain level, it does make sense to address both addiction and couples problems in the same safe therapeutic setting. If there is a group of the right therapists and patients, then great progress can be made towards mental health and recovery.

The Upside and Downside to Couples Addiction Treatment

Couples counseling, when it takes place in a setting of abstinence from all controlled substances and with the guidance of professional counselors, can conquer these issues and help put them permanently in the past.  This could potentially save the marriage or relationship that has been jeopardized by substance abuse. The assistance of counselors is key.  When a couple finds themselves navigating through recovery without a program of support, it will often happen that one addict will fall back into patterns of substance use while the other one is finding success going clean.  This greatly increases the chances of a double relapse and adds a great weight of recrimination and responsibility to the already difficult situation.  The couple’s individual issues and the way they work together as a team will probably have grown at least somewhat toxic during the process of addictive behavior, so it may not be an easy thing to untangle. Individual conventional behavioral therapy will be necessary as well, as it is essential to conquering the underlying reasons behind each person’s reason for using substances obsessively in the first place. Then a team of therapists must make clear how each addict’s behavior influences the other, creating the addictive team they have become.  This gives the addictive couple the hope to live normal, happy, and productive lives, to be good parents and good family members.  In order for this to become a reality, both people must be willing to humble themselves and go through the full program of couples recovery.

What to Expect in Therapy

Untangling the reasons behind addiction and investigating the problems with a relationship or marriage are no easy tasks by themselves.  Taken together, they represent a great feat that requires deep willingness to get to the root of problems and test each person’s ability to feel great discomfort. Healing is no easy task. It requires each person to look inward and take responsibility for their own emotions, actions, and personal histories. The couples in couples rehab can expect uncomfortable questions, feelings of  vulnerability, and emotional exposure. A deep level of trust has to exist in the relationship for therapy to even have a chance to work. If the relationship is without that trust in both individuals, then therapy will be useless.  Without trust, no true emotional opening can occur. However, the rewards are also great.  The addicted individuals can expect to feel great emotional relief after a successful session or series of sessions. If both people commit to giving the program 100% of their effort and thought, then they can confidently expect immediate improvements in the dynamics of addiction and their relationship. The only barriers that lie in the way of success are in the inability of one or both parties to confront their tumultuous inner landscapes.

Hard Decisions

The individual addicts and their relationship as a whole must be assessed to see if it can remain viable. Both parties should decide if the relationship is worth saving. An addict being married to another addict can be a truly dangerous thing, especially when there are children involved. The couple should consider their children, their family, and the quality of love that they both feel in that relationship. If the relationship is lacking in any way that cannot be repaired, then the couple should do the responsible thing and separate. After all, it is much easier to get sober without another addict’s battle against substance abuse to influence and affect the situation. If there is no possibility of ending the relationship, then it is paramount that both people in the relationship give 100% of their effort to recovery. If they do not, then they face disaster, financial ruin, and possibly death.  A solid commitment from both people to behavioral talk therapy and some sort of structured recovery program will mean that success is absolutely possible.  There is a life after addiction, and therapy can get them there.
Although couples addiction therapy is seemingly overwhelming and may seem impossible, it is possible. With the right professional help and guidance, we can help you get through addiction together. Contact us today to find out more information.

What is Dual-Diagnosis Treatment for Addiction?

Treatment for mental health and addiction can often be confusing for people because they aren’t familiar with the meaning of some terminology. For this reason, many people find searching for addiction therapy and mental health therapy to be confusing and overwhelming. Because many people associate these two terms with separate situations, searching for the appropriate treatment may become so overwhelming that many people give up on the search.

Until the late 1990s, the treatment plan for someone with a mental health problem as well as an addiction was addressed separately. In fact, many people were denied treatment for a mental illness until they were clean and sober. Fortunately, it is now known that addiction and mental disorders often go hand-in-hand; referred to as a CO-OCCURRING DISORDER. Dual diagnosis treatment means those experiencing both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue can receive combined treatment for both issues.

What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

A co-occurring disorder or a dual diagnosis means that someone is dealing with both a mental health disorder and an addiction or substance use disorder. For instance, you may be diagnosed with alcohol abuse disorder as well as bipolar disorder. In some situations, a substance use disorder begins first, followed by the development of a mental health illness. For instance, someone with an addiction to meth may begin experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder. On the other hand, some people who are dealing with a mental illness may develop a substance use disorder. The theory behind a dual diagnosis is that the symptoms of mental illness aren’t being effectively treated, making the individual physically and emotionally uncomfortable, so they turn to substance use to manage their symptoms. For instance, someone with anxiety may turn to the use of alcohol and/or drugs as a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, when mind-altering substances are being abused, both conditions may worsen.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is a type of treatment that addresses both disorders simultaneously. Dual diagnosis treatment is critical for identifying and treating both a mental health illness and a substance use disorder; both of which are or may be the underlying source for substance abuse and increasing symptoms of mental illness. Traditionally, substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment were treated separately; dual diagnosis treatment utilizes an integrated program to treat both issues simultaneously, which reduces the risk of symptoms worsening for one problem while treating the other.

There are several ways in which dual diagnosis treatment may be used and since each person has individual needs, the treatment plan will not be the same for everyone. Treatment must be individualized and tailored to the individual in order to accommodate and address the needs and concerns of each person. It is often difficult to pinpoint the primary disorder because each individual case is unique. For instance, emotional instability may result in self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol in order to calm the psychological pain, whereas some may experience elevated symptoms of mental illness as a result of their substance abuse.

When to Seek Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you suspect that you or someone you care about may have a mental disorder along with substance use issues, it is important to seek treatment for both issues. When someone is experiencing the symptoms of a dual diagnosis, it is important to not seek substance abuse treatment and then mental health therapy or vice versa. Both issues should be addressed together. Some signs of a dual diagnosis disorder may include:

  • Needing significantly larger doses of drugs or trying different, more intense drugs to get the same high and/or calm symptoms of anxiety, depression or other symptoms of a mental illness
  • Frequent withdrawal symptoms
  • Hiding activities from family and friends
  • Increase in symptoms of mental health disorder when using drugs and/or alcohol
  • Frequent addiction relapses after trying to quit

When searching for a center for addiction therapy, it is important to keep in mind that many with a substance abuse disorder will also need treatment for their mental illness disorder. When both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue are present, you should seek help from a qualified dual diagnosis treatment center. When a dual diagnosis is present, without seeking treatment for both disorders (substance use and mental health), the treatment may be successful for the disorder being treated; however, the person may quickly resort back to their substance use and/or experience an increase in symptoms of their mental illness. Both must be addressed simultaneously for a successful treatment plan.

Newport Beach Recovery Center Will Help

We know how difficult it may be to yourself or a loved one into a dual-diagnosis program. This is why we are here. Contact us by calling or emailing us for more information. The right help you need is just moments away.

Choosing the Right Drug Rehab for You

Alcoholism is a baffling disease that affects people from all walks of life. Even when someone is aware that they have a drinking problem, it can be virtually impossible for them to give up alcohol, unless they are committed to changing their lifestyle and have a strong support system. An addiction treatment center offers a residential setting, counseling sessions, and group meetings that will assist with the recovery phase.

Receive A Recommendation

A doctor or psychiatrist can assist a patient in locating a treatment center that offers a variety of services and individualized treatment plans. Some treatment centers are expensive to attend, but this does not necessarily mean that a client will receive the level of care that they need. An expensive center may offer luxury accommodations, but be understaffed or not require each resident to attend alcoholics anonymous meetings on a daily basis.

There are, however, some expensive treatment programs that have received rave reviews, but a less expensive center may also be highly recommended and could be a better fit for a person. An individual needs to decide the length of time that they are willing to commit to their recovery, the distance that they are able to travel, and the amount of money that can be invested in a treatment plan.

A caregiver will provide a list of the top drug rehabs that are located within the area that a patient has specified and may provide a brief overview of each establishment. The decision is ultimately left up to an individual, but it may be helpful to hear what a doctor thinks about each facility.

Contact A Few Rehabs & Do Your Research

It can be intimidating to contemplate how different things will be once in a treatment facility and a person who is struggling with an addiction may be worried that their personal needs won’t be met. The best drug treatment centers welcome newcomers to contact the director of a facility to ask questions or request some detailed information about the services that are offered.

For example, if an individual has been diagnosed with two or more conditions, they need to know if there are counselors available who can aid them with each part of the diagnosis. Sometimes, alcoholism becomes apparent after someone has dealt with depression or grief. Learning what triggers the urge to drink alcohol can assist with coping when cravings occur.

It can also be beneficial for someone to voice their fears during personal counseling sessions with a psychiatrist or counselor and this can help a client feel as if their problems aren’t as complex as they initially were. Intensive treatment often involves receiving help with withdrawal symptoms, attending individual and group counseling sessions, and attending daily meetings with other addicts.

Learn About What Each Program Offers Daily

A prospective client can acquire information about the daily schedule that they will be given when they enter a treatment facility. The top addiction treatment programs may offer family meetings and support sessions that will assist in resolving conflicts between relatives or strengthening relationships that were previously damaged because of alcohol abuse.

Residents may be required to clean their personal living space and assist with daily chores in common areas that are shared by the residents. Free time will also be available and these sessions can be used to read, write in a journal, or reflect upon the day’s activities.

When family members are included in a treatment plan, a patient may have a better chance of overcoming their addiction because they will have the support that they need and deserve. People who are part of an addict’s recovery plan will learn about addiction and what to expect as their loved one makes changes in their personal life.

Let Newport Beach Recovery Center Help You Find the Best Rehab for You

Newport Beach Recovery Center prides itself on helping anyone who contacts them, regardless of if you end up in our program or not. Our goal is to make sure all those seeking treatment and recovery find a path to the treatment that fits their individual needs. Call us today or contact us to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one overcome substance abuse for good.