Who Benefits From Attending Marriage Therapy In Recovery?

Who Benefits From Attending Marriage Therapy While at Newport Beach Recovery Center?

Individuals recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) often have relationship issues that need addressing during treatment. According to the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, “Couples or family sessions can help families address their questions and concerns, change how they interact within the family system, and improve communication.” Newport Beach Recovery Center offers family and marriage therapy to clients in all of our treatment programs. We can help you heal from the damaging side effects of substance abuse and repair essential relationships.

What Is Marriage Counseling?

During marriage or couples therapy, you will attend joint therapy sessions with your significant other. Depending on the program, sessions might take place in person or online. Outpatient clients often benefit from in-person appointments. However, individuals new to rehabilitation or early in treatment might do better using telehealth services. For some people, physical distance can decrease stress and make it easier to focus on recovery.

Marriage counseling usually consists of the following:

  • Weekly joint and individual sessions
  • Homework that may include documenting events or practicing coping skills
  • Discussing problems and improving skills like conflict resolution

Often, the tension between couples improves when they increase communication and establish healthy boundaries. According to BMC Public Health, “Studies have found significant improvements in relationship satisfaction from pre- to post-treatment and throughout one to two years following [counseling].” Couples therapy can guide you through the process of resolving conflicts healthily. Once you identify your needs and any relationship problems, you can address them in therapy sessions.

How Can Marriage Issues Interfere With Rehabilitation?

Many people in recovery choose to focus on their mental health without prioritizing their relationships. However, social interactions and the support of loved ones play a vital role in relapse prevention and long-term recovery. Ultimately, the decision to include your partner in the process often depends on the circumstances of your relationship.

The most common ways that relationship issues can interfere with rehabilitation include the following:

  • Loss of emotional and social support
  • Increased stress, anxiety, or depression
  • Lower self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Financial strain
  • Family instability

Couples with children face the added challenge of navigating relationship issues while prioritizing their children’s development and well-being. You can successfully overcome these problems by making an effort to include marriage therapy in your treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits of Marriage Therapy?

Marriage or couples therapy can help you communicate your feelings and give you insight into what your significant other needs. Couples therapy does the following:

  • Allows couples to focus on their relationship and each other
  • Improves overall communication
  • Provides access to an unbiased and objective outside perspective
  • Improves self-awareness and personal growth
  • Decreases risk of divorce or separation
  • Encourages healthier family dynamics

In addition to providing support and conflict resolution, marriage therapy also lowers the risk of relapse triggered by relationship stress. Therapy can help couples forgive past mistakes, accept current circumstances, and move forward. According to the Journal of Family Psychology, “[R]esearchers have concluded that forgiveness is the cornerstone of a successful relationship.” You can reconcile with your loved one or strengthen an already strong bond by attending therapy and finding ways to support one another.

Should You Attend Marriage Therapy During Treatment or Aftercare?

Not everyone needs marriage therapy, and sometimes one or both individuals may not be ready to take that step. Treatment requires a couple to willingly work together and agree on a healthy path forward. However, sometimes it takes a while to reach that point. If you and your significant other struggle to see eye to eye or have unresolved issues, therapy may help.

Most people do not attend marriage therapy during detox or early recovery. Instead, they spend that time focusing on achieving physical and psychological stability. However, in the later stages of treatment or aftercare, relationship issues may become a significant stressor that requires attention. You can collaborate with your care team to determine if marriage therapy will improve your outcome and lower your risk of relapse. Usually, individual therapy is the best place to start. In some cases, people choose to include marriage therapy later after they feel more confident in their sobriety and emotional stability.

You Can Repair Your Relationships

Every couple faces ups and downs in their relationship. Substance abuse may cause significant tension. Addressing issues early, learning to communicate effectively, and compromising will help you repair any damage. It’ll also stop SUD from causing more problems within your relationship.

Marriage issues can interfere with recovery if left unaddressed. You may feel helpless or uncertain about how to repair your relationship from the damage caused by substance abuse. However, you can heal your relationship and forge deeper bonds with your family and significant other. Couples therapy will give you the tools you need to recover and build a healthier future for your family.

Many people in recovery have relationship problems caused by substance abuse. Healing those wounds takes time and hard work. Attending therapy with your significant other can give you the tools you need to repair that damage. Some couples attend therapy even if they have no noticeable issues with their relationship to establish a healthy line of communication. Newport Beach Recovery Center offers marriage and family therapy to all of our clients. We understand that family and social support are critical to long-term recovery. We encourage family to attend psychoeducation groups to understand their loved one’s disorder better. To learn more about our programs and services, call our office today at (888) 850-0363. 

What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Therapist?

What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Therapist?

Rehabilitation programs use a range of professionals to provide personalized care and essential services. Many treatment programs have an in-house or contracted psychiatrist to conduct assessments, prescribe medications, and track symptom progress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Addiction psychiatrists are [specifically] trained to give evidence-based treatment to their patients, which involves not only addressing addiction but also addressing any mental disorders that might have contributed to behaviors associated with addiction.” Newport Beach Recovery Center offers a wide range of treatment services to help our clients, including psychiatric assessments.

What Is a Psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Like any other doctor, they had to obtain a bachelor’s degree, complete four years of medical school, and go through a residency. In addition to providing admissions assessments and diagnosing clients, psychiatrists also determine if clients may benefit from prescription medication. Many programs use psychiatric assessments to determine the best approach to treatment.

Some people confuse therapists with psychiatrists. However, a therapist does not have the same medical training and cannot prescribe medications. In many cases, a psychiatrist can reduce stress on the client by playing multiple roles in the recovery process. Some people feel more comfortable having one person responsible for supervising their therapy, medication management, and treatment plan. However, in most cases, clients will have both a therapist and a consulting psychiatrist.

How Can Psychiatry Help You Heal?

Psychotherapy combined with medication and alternative holistic therapies provides essential support for people in recovery. Often, a psychiatrist collaborates with the client and care team to ensure the best possible outcome. Psychiatry can help reveal hidden issues and alert the care team to undiagnosed co-occurring mental health disorders. Rehabilitation is only effective if it addresses the whole person and any potential underlying problems.

A psychiatrist does the following to help individuals struggling with SUD and related conditions:

  • Provides psychoeducation on the causes of addictive behaviors
  • Assists clients in recognizing the underlying cause of specific thoughts and behaviors
  • Prescribes medication to reduce symptom severity
  • Assists the care team in addressing any co-occurring mental health disorders

You can benefit from seeing a psychiatrist if you struggle with moderate or severe mental health symptoms. Newport Beach Recovery Center ensures every client undergoes a comprehensive assessment during admissions to ensure we have a clear idea of how to approach treatment.

What Are the Differences Between Psychiatry and Therapy?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that focuses on the symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment of substance abuse and mental health disorders. In some cases, they may assist with interventions, consultations, or other aspects of treatment. On the other hand, a therapist may not have the training to conduct complex mental health assessments and interventions.

You can expect to interact with therapists during the following:

  • Group therapy
  • Individual therapy
  • Peer activities and community events
  • Trauma therapy

Most clients have regular contact with their therapist during their time in the program. However, they may have limited exposure to the psychiatrist responsible for conducting assessments or prescribing their medication.

Does Every Treatment Plan Require a Psychiatrist?

You might only meet briefly with a psychiatrist or work closely with one depending on the severity of your co-occurring disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “A psychiatrist provides services crucial to sustaining recovery and stable functioning for people with [co-occurring disorders]: assessment, diagnosis, periodic reassessment, medication, and rapid response to crises.” Every case is unique, and not everyone requires psychiatric support during rehabilitation. However, most programs have a psychiatrist take part in at least the admissions assessment.

Usually, a psychiatrist will only become closely involved in a client’s individualized treatment plan if they have severe symptoms that require specialized therapy or medication. Some of the conditions that a psychiatrist might diagnose and help treat include:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Mood disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Personality disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Schizoaffective disorder
  • Schizophrenia

Severe symptoms related to co-occurring disorders often require medication management supplied by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist helps juggle the intersections of disorders.

Who Benefits From Seeing a Psychiatrist During Aftercare?

Aftercare ensures a smooth transition between structured treatment and independent recovery. You will move from a controlled environment, a.k.a. the “treatment bubble,” to the real world, where you will need to maintain the coping skills you learned. The change can feel destabilizing for some people. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses aftercare planning and alumni services to support clients after they complete rehabilitation.

Individuals with the following will benefit most from psychiatric care during aftercare and ongoing recovery:

  • Debilitating mental health disorders that require additional treatment
  • Chronic mental health issues
  • Most people who rely on prescription medication to maintain mental stability

People who continue to see a psychiatrist after completing rehabilitation have severe underlying mental health issues or lingering symptoms of SUD. They shouldn’t be shamed for taking advantage of the resources available. Ultimately, sobriety and emotional well-being is the goal for everyone.

Many people confuse therapists and psychiatrists. While they both focus on mental health and psychology, they have very different training. They each bring their own expertise to a care team. A therapist counsels clients, helps them identify issues related to mental health, and teaches coping skills. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who focuses on mental illnesses. They often conduct assessments, diagnose clients, and prescribe medications as necessary. Many people recovering from substance misuse will have a psychiatrist who provides them with a diagnosis and manages any necessary medications. With the help of therapists and a psychiatrist, you can heal. To learn more about a path to recovery, call Newport Beach Recovery Center at (888) 850-0363.

5 Easy Ways Introverts Can Improve Communication During Therapy Sessions

5 Easy Ways Introverts Can Improve Communication During Therapy Sessions

Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment often utilizes individual and group therapy. Extroverts may have no difficulty speaking up and sharing their opinions or experiences. However, introverts can easily feel out of place, embarrassed, or judged by others. Communication is essential during recovery, and some introverts may struggle with that aspect of treatment. According to Patient Communication In Substance Abuse Disorders, “Proper communication allows patients to be more knowledgeable about their prognosis and to be more proactive in seeking assistance.” Newport Beach Recovery Center offers a range of treatments to ensure clients feel comfortable communicating openly with our care team.

Coping With Therapy as an Introvert

Not everyone feels comfortable discussing their experiences, thoughts, and beliefs with strangers. Many introverts shy away from sharing embarrassing or incriminating details about past events, and for them, therapy might feel threatening or intrusive.

Some introverts do the following to cope with anxiety or stress related to therapy:

  • Take regular breaks from talking to refocus
  • Utilize grounding techniques like deep breathing
  • Work through difficult discussions over the course of several sessions
  • Write down details instead of sharing them verbally

Co-occurring disorders often worsen symptoms, and introverts with mental health issues might feel misunderstood, alienated, or isolated from peers. The care team at Newport Beach Recovery Center uses a resiliency-focused approach to ensure clients feel safe and accepted during therapy sessions.

5 Ways Introverts Can Communicate Effectively During Therapy

Below are five ways introverts can effectively communicate with their therapist during sessions. We encourage people to use whatever methods help them get the most out of each session.

#1 Take Things One Step at a Time

You may feel easily overwhelmed by new settings, people, or situations. At first, you might want to avoid being vulnerable with a therapist. Take things one step at a time. Focus on getting to your appointment and then introducing yourself. Express your hesitation to the therapist. Your therapist will walk you through the healing process at a pace that keeps you moving forward slowly and comfortably. You shouldn’t feel pressured to open up about certain topics before you’re ready.

#2 Use Grounding Techniques to Avoid Triggers

Triggers can affect your ability to communicate effectively. Moments of extreme stress in public spaces often overwhelm introverts. You might get triggered during sessions and feel unable to continue. Grounding techniques will help you cope and manage side effects.

Many people use the following grounding techniques during treatment sessions:

  • Physical grounding using textures (e.g., touching your clothes or bringing a stim toy or other item with a unique texture)
  • Focusing briefly on the five senses and mentally or verbally listening to what you hear, see, taste, feel, and smell
  • Completing several deep breathing techniques
  • Focusing on specific items within the room and mentally or verbally describing their appearance and function

These activities can help you stay present in the moment. You might feel more capable of emotionally regulating by grounding yourself.

#3 Establish Clear Boundaries

Forcing yourself to keep talking when you feel emotionally or physically exhausted can lead to negative therapy experiences. Effective communication sometimes means knowing when to take a short break. Your therapist can help you establish communication boundaries to improve your mental health. You can also establish safe words to relay to your therapist when you’re getting close to your boundaries and when you’ve hit a hard stopping point.

#4 Practice Body Language and Nonverbal Communication

Therapists observe body language and take cues from the client. You can express your feelings about various topics during sessions by using body language and other forms of nonverbal communication.

Your therapist may look for the following when monitoring your body language:

  • Tensed muscles
  • Shorter or quicker breathing
  • Closed expression
  • Folded arms
  • Speech pattern changes

Closed body language is an excellent way to alert your therapist that you do not feel comfortable discussing specific topics. Additionally, you and your therapist can implement certain ASL signs. “Stop,” “no,” “yes,” and emotion words can help when you feel too overwhelmed to speak out loud.

#5 Engage in More Social Interactions

Engaging in positive social interactions frequently can increase your confidence, thereby improving your communication. According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, “[I]ntroverts with high social engagement have higher self-esteem than introverts with low social engagement.” Group therapy and peer interactions during community activities can improve your social skills and ability to communicate during therapy.

Overcoming Shyness and Uncertainty as an Introvert

You can overcome shyness, embarrassment, fear, and uncertainty by finding ways to improve your confidence. Once you find techniques that work for you, therapy sessions will feel less intimidating. Being shy does not have to stop you from taking full advantage of individual and group therapy sessions. You can collaborate with the therapist and your care team to find healthy solutions and resolve issues.

People can work through shyness or hesitancy during therapy sessions in the following ways:

  • Treat the therapist as a friend
  • Try to avoid stimulating activities, drinks, or foods directly before therapy
  • Be kind to yourself
  • Set realistic expectations for therapy sessions

Therapy is an essential tool, and being able to take advantage of it will help you achieve and sustain long-term sobriety. In many cases, individuals with SUD benefit from therapy during aftercare and ongoing recovery. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses evidence-based methods to develop essential life skills like effective communication.

Introverts often feel overwhelmed, shy, or uncertain about having deeply personal conversations in public. During rehabilitation, individual and group therapy sessions are essential to treatment. Some introverts might not feel comfortable talking to someone they do not know about highly personal things like substance abuse, family dynamics, and beliefs about recovery. However, there are things you can do as an introvert to decrease stress during therapy. You can find alternative ways to communicate your needs and get to know your therapist better. Having a more personal connection can reduce anxiety for introverts. Newport Beach Recovery Center makes it easy for clients to build rapport with our therapists. To learn more about our programs and services, call (888) 850-0363.

What Sets Trauma Therapy Apart From Other Forms of Therapy?

What Sets Trauma Therapy Apart From Other Forms of Therapy?

Individuals who live through traumatic experiences have a higher risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rehabilitation often requires dual diagnosis treatment using evidence-based methods like trauma therapy. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “Individuals with PTSD and SUD can safely engage in and benefit from trauma-focused, cognitive behavioral psychotherapies for PTSD.” Newport Beach Recovery Center uses a trauma-informed approach and trauma therapy to help clients recover from SUD and co-occurring disorders. Rather than taking a trauma-focused mindset, we like to consider ourselves resiliency-focused.

What Is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy focuses on identifying how traumatic events have impacted a person’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In most cases, the therapist will have specialized training that allows them to recognize and address trauma.

Trauma therapy provides clients with the following:

  • Emotional stabilization
  • Symptom relief
  • Skill development
  • A safe healing environment
  • Effective collaboration
  • Resiliency-factor awareness

Trauma therapy is an essential tool used to treat many co-occurring mental health issues. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Individuals who have experienced trauma often have complex medical, behavioral health, and social service needs and, therefore, receive care from an array of providers.” Newport Beach Recovery Center connects clients with local support services to ensure they have all the necessary resources. We can make sure you have access to complimentary treatments as well.

What Are the Benefits of Trauma-Focused Therapy?

Trauma can happen to anyone and includes a wide range of experiences. According to SAMHSA, “Examples of trauma include, but are not limited to:

  • Experiencing or observing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse;
  • Childhood neglect;
  • Having a family member with a mental health or substance use disorder;
  • Experiencing or witnessing violence in the community or while serving in the military; and
  • Poverty and systemic discrimination”

Trauma therapy can treat individuals struggling with any of these issues. The primary benefits of trauma-informed care include the following:

  • Sessions address multiple underlying traumas using a handful of techniques
  • Methods used integrate easily into individualized treatment plans
  • Therapists trained to address trauma can provide stress reduction

Often, clients feel more comfortable talking to a trauma therapist about underlying issues related to co-occurring mental health disorders. Many people feel more comfortable talking about difficult topics if they know the therapist has special training in that area.

How Does Therapy Affect Co-occurring Disorders?

Most people with SUD have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to function. Healing from substance abuse takes dedication and motivation. If left untreated, co-occurring conditions can make it difficult to focus on rehabilitation. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses evidence-based methods like trauma therapy to help clients overcome challenges related to mental health. Once you have the tools to manage your symptoms, you can refocus your energy on recovering from SUD.

A few ways co-occurring disorders can affect recovery include:

  • More severe and prolonged symptoms
  • Difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy social connections
  • Overlapping symptoms might make diagnosis more challenging

Early intervention and treatment can help people avoid complications caused by co-occurring disorders. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses comprehensive admissions assessments to determine if there are any active mental health issues. Treatments usually involve a combination of psychotherapies, holistic therapies, and prescription medication.

What Therapeutic Methods Work Best?

Everyone reacts differently to trauma. The treatment options your care team offers will depend on various factors, including the type and severity of your symptoms. However, trauma-focused talk therapy provides the most significant relief for many people. Other therapeutic techniques used to treat SUD and trauma include:

  • Exposure therapy (ET)
  • Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Biofeedback therapy

Many respond the best to traditional talk therapy like CBT. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “[T]he most effective trauma-related behavioral health treatments are trauma focused CBTs, which are broadly defined to include ET and EMDR.” The care team will often combine these techniques with holistic therapies or prescription medication.

What Are the Lasting Effects of Trauma Therapy?

Recovering from trauma and SUD sometimes requires ongoing therapy and medication. However, many people achieve emotional stability and learn to effectively manage their symptoms. Rehabilitation provides a structured environment that allows you to focus all your attention on healing  Ultimately, you’ll make positive life changes.

Some of the most significant lasting effects of trauma therapy include the following:

  • Increased quality of life
  • Greater self-confidence and self-efficacy
  • Improved communication and social skills

Newport Beach Recovery Center uses evidence-based methods like EMDR and CBT to help clients with trauma achieve sobriety and emotional stability. We offer a smooth transition between levels of care and ongoing recovery. Many clients also benefit from our alumni services that help them maintain sobriety during aftercare. You can successfully overcome the effects of trauma and SUD with the help of trauma therapy and other treatments.

Trauma can cause mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder. The symptoms range from mild to severe. They increase the risk of a person developing SUD. Many people who abuse substances have a history of adult or childhood trauma. Newport Beach Recovery Center offers trauma therapy to address those issues. Our care team encourages every client to attend trauma therapy. The focused treatment can help you process thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and beliefs affected by past events. It’ll also help you learn your resiliency. You can successfully heal from SUD and trauma. Our team will guide you through developing coping skills and other tools to help you heal. To find out more, call us at (888) 850-0363.

How Adventure Therapy Can Build Positive Self-Esteem

How Adventure Therapy Can Build Positive Self-Esteem

Prolonged substance abuse can significantly decrease self-esteem in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Newport Beach Recovery Center uses a variety of therapy methods, including adventure therapy, to help clients build self-esteem. Adventure therapy provides a controlled environment where you can build trust in yourself and your abilities. Improving self-esteem by overcoming obstacles and achieving realistic goals increases self-efficacy. In addition, challenging yourself to try new experiences will give you the confidence to establish and maintain healthy routines.

What Is Adventure Therapy? 

Adventure therapy, sometimes called nature or ecotherapy, usually involves group activities in an outdoor setting. In adventure therapy, clients can become more attuned to the way their choices and problems impact themselves and others. The collaborative activities may help you realize that you need change. Group activities provide an opportunity for you to practice conflict resolution and problem-solving. Most outdoor therapy sessions involve guided activities that require clients to practice essential life skills like establishing social boundaries, active listening, and nonverbal communication.

Adventure therapy introduces aspects of group therapy into real-world scenarios. In addition, the controlled environment and activities allow you to make deeper connections with your peers. Some everyday activities used in adventure therapy include: 

  • Horseback riding 
  • Biking 
  • Hiking 
  • Boating 
  • Rock climbing 
  • Camping 

A trained therapist can incorporate almost any outdoor group activity into adventure therapy. However, goal-oriented activities often have the best outcome because they force peers to rely on each other for support. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses outdoor group therapy to provide a change of scenery while supporting healthy social engagement. We understand the importance of practicing the skills you learn in therapy. The adventure scenarios allow you to overcome challenges similar to the ones you will face during your ongoing recovery. 

Adventure Therapy and Increasing Self-Esteem

Many people with SUD struggle with low self-esteem. They might feel uncertain about their ability to overcome obstacles they may encounter during treatment and recovery. Adventure therapy is an excellent way to develop motivation, self-efficacy, and positive self-esteem.

You can build social skills and confidence by trusting your peers and the care team. Adventure therapy encourages healing in these ways: 

  • Giving you an opportunity to help others succeed 
  • Allowing you to become a valued member of a community 
  • Showing you the importance of motivation
  • Empowering you to continue making progress in your healing

Adventure therapy uses fun group activities to help you grow as a person and increase your sense of self-worth. Outdoor activities provide a low-stress and structured environment to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable while challenging themselves to try new things. Newport Beach offers a range of outdoor and group activities you can enjoy while practicing essential coping skills.

What to Expect From Adventure Therapy

Different groups have different needs. At Newport Beach Recovery Center, we tailor each adventure activity to meet the needs of specific groups. The care team will prepare you for what to expect from each activity before you leave the facility. We’ll explain what to expect and the long-term goals of each outing.

No one is required to participate in adventure therapy. However, we believe that it benefits everyone who chooses to take part. If you feel uncomfortable or need special accommodations, we have the resources to ensure you feel safe and secure during each session. Adventure therapy allows you to do the following during activities:

  • Work together with others to achieve group goals
  • Practice establishing and communicating personal boundaries
  • Engage with your peers and the care team
  • Listen actively and respond to the thoughts of others

Most activities involve a series of realistic goals that encourage a sense of community. Building strong social bonds with your peers will help you feel more comfortable trusting them with different aspects of your recovery when you return to the facility. Connecting with others can significantly improve your self-esteem, and it’ll offer you a sober support system.

Peer Engagement and Group Support 

The primary goal of adventure therapy is to ensure individuals in recovery develop basic interpersonal skills. During adventure therapy, peers work together to reach a specific goal. We encourage peers to engage with others during the activity instead of trying to solve problems independently. Everyone has unique strengths they can bring to the table and share with others in the group.

Health Benefits of Increased Self-Esteem 

Positive self-esteem can make you feel more comfortable trying new things and making necessary life changes. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “[H]ealthy self-esteem is important” to mental and physical health. The physical and mental benefits of positive self-esteem include: 

  • Healthier relationships 
  • Increased self-confidence and self-efficacy
  • Reduced antisocial behaviors 
  • Less workplace or academic stress 
  • Decreased anxiety 
  • Reduced risk of emotional or physical relapse 

If you feel confident about overcoming challenges, you will have an easier time coping with stressors during recovery. Adventure therapy at Newport Beach Recovery Center can provide the tools you need to succeed in long-term sobriety. 

Treatment for substance abuse involves learning essential coping skills to increase your self-esteem and help you establish healthy behaviors. Adventure therapy is one of the tools used at Newport Beach Recovery Center to encourage healthy social interactions between peers. Adventure therapy uses everyday outdoor activities to promote better communication, positive relationships, and conflict resolution. You can have fun with peers while increasing your self-esteem and learning how to cope with unexpected real-world stressors. Adventure therapy is highly structured and offers you a safe space to heal and grow. To learn more about the traditional and holistic therapies offered at Newport Beach Recovery Center, call our office today at (888) 850-0363. 

How Is Active Participation in Therapy Essential to Recovery?

How Is Active Participation in Therapy Essential to Recovery?

Active engagement during rehabilitation can significantly impact the effectiveness of treatment and how quickly you make breakthroughs in individual or group therapy. Self-awareness improves exponentially when you put in the time and effort to analyze your motivations and find solutions to daily issues. Active participation involves being willing to show vulnerability and accept accountability for personal choices.

Not everyone in treatment is ready to engage right away. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “in early recovery, clients tend to be ambivalent about ending substance use.” Facilities like Newport Beach Recovery Center use various therapies, including motivational interviewing (MI) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), to help clients overcome feelings of ambivalence.

How Can You Actively Engage in Therapy?

Some people in early recovery pretend to engage because they want to get through the program as quickly as possible and return home where they can go back to misusing substances. Outwardly seeming to participate in treatment will not help you heal. Successful therapy requires active participation that includes:

  • Taking steps to increase self-awareness
  • Accepting the realities of addiction
  • Taking responsibility for your actions
  • Holding yourself accountable for your continued sobriety
  • Listening to your group or therapist and internalizing healthier coping strategies

The easiest way to engage is by following the instructions of the care team responsible for your rehabilitation program. The experts at facilities like Newport Beach Recovery Center have decades of experience helping clients recover using personalized care and evidence-based treatments. You can benefit from their knowledge by communicating honestly and being willing to change how you think about substance misuse, sobriety, and recovery.

What Are the Benefits of Active Participation in Therapy?

Psychotherapy, experiential therapy, and alternative holistic therapies are a cornerstone of treatment for SUD and co-occurring mental health issues. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “More than one in four adults living with serious mental health problems also has a substance use problem.” Therefore, active participation in therapy is essential for individuals with dual diagnoses. The benefits include:

  • Increased communication and social skills
  • Lower risk of relapse during and after treatment
  • Increased self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-efficacy
  • Decreased feelings of ambivalence or hesitation about treatment
  • Improved overall health
  • Reduced mental health symptoms

We believe therapy can help clients unlock their potential and cope with recovery-related challenges.

How Can Active Participation in Therapy Decrease the Risk of Relapse?

Active participation in therapy can reduce the risk of relapse by doing the following:

  • Preparing you to face specific triggers
  • Offering general stress reduction techniques
  • Teaching you essential skills to improve your quality of life
  • Allowing you to learn healthy self-expression
  • Strengthening the mind-body connection
  • Improving and expanding your support system

Relapse is not inevitable, and therapy significantly reduces the risk. However, it is essential to note that relapse is nothing more than a symptom of the disease. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Treatment of chronic diseases involves changing deeply rooted behaviors, and relapse doesn’t mean treatment has failed.” Therapy will give you the tools you need to achieve and maintain sobriety despite possible setbacks.

What Information Can You Share in Therapy?

Not everyone feels comfortable being vulnerable, and you may wonder what topics are “off limits” during group and individual therapy. Due to the nature of substance misuse, underlying causes of addictive behaviors often involve highly personal events and beliefs. As a result, you may feel uncertain about whether or not you are allowed to share certain things during group and individual sessions, primarily when they paint you or someone you love in a bad light.

Client-therapist confidentiality protects your privacy during one-on-one sessions. However, there is no way to control who will disclose the information you share during group therapy. You should feel comfortable discussing relevant topics during every type of therapy session. You might feel better and avoid triggering others in group sessions if you consult with your therapist before disclosing details about crimes you have committed or explicit abuses you witnessed or experienced.

Therapy provides an excellent place to process the following:

  • Traumatic events
  • Past mistakes, including crimes committed while under the influence
  • Risk-taking or self-harming behaviors
  • Family issues

How Can You Help Peers Through Active Participation in Therapy?

Active participation in therapy and group activities will help you better understand yourself, encourage healing, and inspire peers to do the same. In addition, you can be a role model to peers within the recovery community by making progress based on a willingness to do the hard work of changing yourself.

You can help peers while actively participating in therapy by doing the following:

  • Being honest about your thoughts and feelings
  • Interacting with peers in a positive way outside of therapy
  • Discussing the benefits of active participation

You can be a role model by being honest about the effect treatment has on your mental and physical health. You can help yourself and others by actively participating in the rehabilitation process.

Therapy has been a cornerstone of the recovery process for decades, and research shows that effective treatment requires clients to engage in therapy during and after rehabilitation. The type of therapy depends on the needs and preferences of each client. Some people experience excellent benefits from alternative holistic therapies, including meditation, animal-assisted therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. Others do best using structured, evidence-based therapy methods like motivational interviewing and dialectical behavioral therapy. The dedicated care team at Newport Beach Recovery Center uses tailored individual and group therapy to ensure clients get the best results possible. We can give you the therapeutic tools you need to reduce the risk of relapse and increase your mental health during and after rehabilitation. Therapy is one of the best tools for achieving long-term health and wellness. To learn more about our facility and the programs we offer, call us today at (888) 850-0363.

5 Common Avoidance Coping Tactics to Be Aware of During Therapy

5 Common Avoidance Tactics to Be Aware of During Therapy

Treatment for substance misuse involves addressing underlying traumas and painful realities about the effects and consequences of addiction. Many people use conscious and unconscious avoidance tactics, including maladaptive ones, to minimize feelings of emotional distress. Unfortunately, maladaptive thought patterns, behaviors, and coping techniques can interfere with rehabilitation and continuing recovery.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In early treatment, clients can be emotionally fragile, ambivalent about relinquishing chemicals, and resistant to treatment.” At Newport Beach Recovery Center, we encourage clients to face their fears, overcome ambivalence, and work together with our care team to heal from the effects of substance use disorder (SUD).

Stress Management During Treatment

We use multiple therapeutic tools and stress management techniques to help clients manage their symptoms during treatment and aftercare. We help our clients successfully manage stress by doing the following:

  • We use a trauma-informed approach to care that reduces the risk of re-traumatization and decreases the severity of anxiety symptoms.
  • Our team uses gender-specific care to ensure clients feel safe and understood during treatment and therapy.
  • Clients can have weekly contact with their family over the phone or use video conferencing to encourage healthy relationships.

Many people miss their familiar routines and experience significant mood swings due to changes the body undergoes during detox and withdrawal. We help clients cope with symptoms and establish healthy habits. In addition, our team has decades of combined experience treating SUD, and we can assist clients in recognizing avoiding tactics and combatting ambivalence.

Common Forms of Avoidance

Substance use disorder can develop as an unhealthy coping mechanism to reduce emotional distress. Treatment will address underlying causes of avoidance related to substance misuse, including:

  • Ambivalence or uncertainty about treatment
  • Social stigmas and self-stigmatization
  • An unwillingness to change
  • Fear of facing the consequences of past actions
  • Anxiety or fear of the unknown
  • Lack of motivation

Understanding the cause of maladaptive behavior can make it easier to change. The most common forms of avoidance include:

  • Choosing not to reflect on personal thoughts, behaviors, or past actions.
  • Blaming others for personal failings and behaving passive-aggressively toward people who want to help.
  • Making constant excuses to procrastinate and put off treatment, therapy, and change.
  • Spending too much time thinking deeply about issues and possible solutions without taking action.
  • Not giving new routines a chance to become established before dismissing them as unhelpful and returning to old habits.

Fear of change or anxiety about the unknown might stop some people from ever seeking help for their substance misuse. Unfortunately, sometimes people do not realize their actions have delayed necessary treatments and lowered their quality of life.

Achieving and Maintaining Emotional Stability

Avoidance tactics are often a way to maintain emotional equilibrium by not engaging with people or activities that might trigger emotional distress. In many cases, individuals with SUD have historically used substances during moments of high stress. Encountering stressful subjects or situations in treatment might trigger cravings, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts – typical symptoms of SUD. Learning how to cope with them in a controlled environment will decrease the risk of relapse and help you learn how to manage everyday stressors healthily.

5 Ways to Overcome Avoidance

Overcoming ambivalence toward treatment or fears related to triggers takes hard work and determination. First, you must actively choose to find new ways to cope with stressful situations instead of avoiding them. Below are five ways you can counter consciousness or unconscious avoidance tactics.

#1. Learn to Recognize Avoidance Behaviors

Learning to recognize avoidance behaviors is the most crucial step in retraining yourself to cope with challenges instead of avoiding them. Some common tactics include:

  • Rationalizing unhealthy behaviors instead of addressing them and actively working to fix them,
  • Putting off changes to another time when you “feel better,”
  • Not disclosing issues to your therapist or support team, and ignoring them

#2. Challenge Irrational Beliefs and Thoughts

Everyone has irrational beliefs and thoughts that affect their life to some degree. When those thoughts interfere with your ability to cope with specific issues in your life, then it might be time to analyze those beliefs and find ways to replace them with ones that will improve your mental health. When you come to a moment where you can avoid addressing an issue or face it head-on and deal with it, irrational beliefs might start popping up with inherent reasons to continue avoiding progress. You need to challenge those thoughts and find the motivation to continue making progress.

#3. Decrease Stress Using Mindfulness

Mindfulness-based techniques like deep breathing, grounding exercises, and meditation can decrease overall stress and help you think more rationally and clearly about situations in your life. In addition, you will be more mentally focused if you regularly practice mindfulness, making it easier to implement healthy strategies and recognize avoidance behaviors.

#4. Talk About Your Avoidance Behaviors in Therapy

Your therapist is there to help you work through problems and find healthy solutions that will improve your mental health and quality of life. If you identify an area of avoidance, bring it up to your therapist, and use their objective perspective to find new ways of thinking about the issue.

#5. Practice Self-Care and Maintain Self-Accountability

Self-care involves making choices that prioritize your health and well-being. By practicing regular self-care and maintaining self-accountability, you can avoid falling back into old thought patterns or behaviors. Some popular forms of self-care include:

  • Meditation or low-stress exercises like yoga
  • Doing something you love
  • Visiting with loved ones and friends
  • Taking time for yourself

Many people in early recovery struggle with ambivalence, fear of change, and an unwillingness to face challenging aspects of recovery. Therapy can help you recognize the value of addressing problem areas and positively changing your thoughts and behaviors. Accepting the need for change and learning to identify maladaptive behaviors can make it easier to start living a healthier lifestyle. For example, sustained avoidance causes severe issues with your personal life, relationships, and long-term recovery. You can stop consciously or unconsciously using avoidance tactics by using mindfulness techniques, increasing self-awareness, and practicing regular self-care. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses evidence-based methods to teach essential coping skills that will allow you to face and overcome challenges related to recovery from SUD. To learn more about our facility and the programs we offer, call us today at (888) 850-0363. Our team can help you find the motivation to stop avoiding progress.

Various Groups at Newport Beach Recovery

Various Groups at Newport Beach Recovery

Group therapy at Newport Beach Recovery Center is highly personalized and involves a variety of therapeutic approaches to ensure each client receives the support they need to grow and heal. Our treatment programs offer weekly group therapy sessions that address trauma, substance use disorder (SUD), and other mental health issues. We believe that group therapy enhances the effectiveness of individual therapy and ensures that clients have an opportunity to develop social skills that will help them cope with daily stressors.

Peer and community support can provide significant benefits for individuals in recovery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In the hands of a skilled, well-trained group leader…a group can be harnessed and directed to foster healthy attachments, provide positive peer reinforcement, act as a forum for self-expression, and teach new social skills.” Everyone deserves access to peer support. We encourage clients to build healthy social bonds during rehabilitation.

Group Therapy Is a Valuable Recovery Tool

Group therapy is a valuable recovery tool. According to SAMHSA, “Across the continuum of care, group therapy can be an effective and efficient modality for improving treatment engagement, developing and practicing coping skills, and supporting recovery.” At Newport Beach Recovery Center, we use multiple forms of group therapy to encourage positive social interactions and skill development. Some of the therapy modalities we use include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Psychoeducational groups
  • Experiential therapy
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

We have the resources to fully personalize group therapy and incorporate various aspects of complementary modalities.

Group Activities at Newport Beach Recovery Center

The group therapy and activities offered at Newport Beach Recovery Center include:

  • The development of healthy coping skills
  • Spontaneous therapy and activity groups
  • Relapse prevention
  • Recreational therapy
  • Adventure therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Outdoor talk therapy
  • Group activities, including whale watching and day outings
  • Sober team-building activities

We conduct regular progress reports for each client to ensure they are on track to meet their recovery goals. Frequent check-ins allow us to adapt treatment plans and group therapy as necessary to ensure all clients receive the type of support they need to experience effective treatment and long-term recovery.

Groups Are Highly Personalized

The groups at our facility are highly personalized. Spontaneous groups may develop to address specific challenges that may appear during rehabilitation. We believe everyone should have access to a therapy group that makes them feel safe and comfortable. Clients collaborate with our team to ensure we consider their needs and preferences when assigning groups. In addition to traditional therapies, we also bring in outside experts to provide alternative holistic therapies if we determine it will improve the treatment outcome for an individual or group.

We Celebrate Diversity and Personal Choice

LGBTQIA+ individuals can join whatever group makes them feel most comfortable. We celebrate diversity and personal choice at Newport Beach Recovery Center while maintaining individualized care. Everyone deserves access to high-quality treatment that helps them to grow, heal, and make noticeable progress in their recovery. We are here to make sure anyone who wants to get sober can connect with the treatment and therapy they need to regain control of their life.

What Happens During Group Therapy?

You can expect to hear others talk about things they have experienced and how they feel about treatment. Group members can be in different stages of recovery. However, most of the time, people with similar life experiences get grouped together to make sure the guided topics remain relevant for everyone.

Group therapy usually involves the following:

  • Guided discussions
  • Therapy exercises
  • Skill development
  • Peer interactions
  • Shared literature on recovery topics
  • Homework between sessions

Every group is different. Most use multiple therapeutic approaches to address issues relevant to each individual in the group. The specific therapy methods will depend on several factors, and our comprehensive client assessments ensure we match everyone with the right group. Not all clients react well to traditional group therapies, and we can always make exceptions. We will never force a client to divulge anything in a group that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Your Safety and Comfort Are Our Priority

Our top priority at Newport Beach Recovery Center is to ensure every client feels safe, comfortable, and respected during treatment. We believe each client has value and should receive the best care. Positive lifestyle changes are easier to maintain if the client feels secure and supported. Group therapy is an excellent tool for healing and can give clients a new way of looking at themselves, their peers, and the world around them. Our care team goes the extra mile to make sure clients feel heard during group when they share their perspectives and experiences.

Group therapy and social activities can help you recover from substance use disorder, learn to set social boundaries, increase communication, and provide vital coping skills for everyday stressors. Our therapy groups are inclusive, diverse, and support individual growth. We understand that everyone responds differently to various methods of treatment. Our options can be tailored to ensure every group participant feels heard and understood. Actively participating in therapy is essential to long-term recovery, and healthy social bonds can help clients remain accountable and feel more confident about their sobriety. We encourage peers to support one another through the rehabilitation process and make strong positive social connections with others going through the program. Peer interactions can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of therapy. To learn more about the programs at Newport Beach Recovery Center, call us today at (888) 850-0363.