As an Orange County Detox center, Experience Recovery focuses a lot of our research and services on the specific problems our communities are facing. One of the fastest growing epidemics in addiction is in prescription drugs, such as opiates and benzodiazepines. The availability and legality of these drugs, coupled with their immense potency, makes them both highly addictive and very prone to causing an overdose.

Addiction and Detox in Orange County

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, nearly 700 residents are killed by overdose or poisoning each year, and over 5,500 are hospitalized. In total, residents spend 70,000 days in hospital bed rest due to overdose. Of these overdoses, the research has shown that an overwhelming majority (78.6%) were accidental, and over half were from prescription medication.

Prescription Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin, are all popular prescriptions medications, often referred to as “benzos.” The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that in 2013, 13.5 million Americans filled a prescription for benzodiazepines. This is a 67% increase from 1996.

These drugs are used as sedatives to relax muscles and ease convulsions and seizures. They can also help with some anxiety disorders or a sleeping aid in cases of insomnia. In general, these drugs are depressants used to lower over-activity in the body. Because of this, the risks in taking these medications can include

Dangers of Benzodiazepines

Because benzos are depressants, they hold a similar risk of overdose to other depressants. The most dangerous side-effects are when the lungs experience lowered function, shortening breathing. In these cases, users may feel tired, sleepy, or faint. Without immediate medical intervention, suffocation can occur.

Benzodiazepines are most dangerous in combination with other depressants, such as opiates or alcohol. Because these drugs work in a similar way, their effects double up on each other, increasing the risk for overdose. According to the CDC, in 2015 nearly a quarter of all opioid overdoses also tested positive for a benzodiazepine. In a similar Canadian study, nearly 60% of overdoses for people taking opiates for “noncancer” pain also tested positive for benzodiazepines.

Community Spread of Benzodiazepines

There have been a number of frightening reports about the proliferation of prescription drug use, not just in urban areas, but even in rural communities. Urban cities can be prone to illicit drug trades, and “street” versions of drugs concocted in private labs, but rural communities can be just as vulnerable to prescription drugs. Because many rural doctors have to travel long distances per patient, and may not have reliable access to systems and technology, it becomes easy for patients to abuse the system, reaching out to multiple doctors to secure different prescriptions. In unprecedented scandals, some rural communities where shipping in millions of orders of prescription opiates in towns that had 4-digit populations.

As fatalities from both of these drugs are on the rise, it’s important that we understand the signs, symptoms, and risks of overdose, and how our own communities are vulnerable. While Orange County Detox centers like Experience Recovery specialize in dealing with community care, it’s ultimately up to the patients and their families to seek medical intervention when needed. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction or dependency, call us immediately at (619) 639-7325.

The stigma behind drug addiction and substance dependency has been one of the major drawbacks for researchers, care providers, and patients for detox programs in Orange County and abroad. Many patients who are in desperate need of addiction services feel scared or helpless when seeking treatment because of the way the disease is treated by the public. This is creating a barrier to entry that’s quickly becoming a National health problem.

Drug Addiction in the US

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse over 70,000 people died of overdose in 2017. While prescription opiates have the highest death rate, other drugs are still climbing steadily in fatality rates. It’s clear that addiction is a snowballing problem, one that is not only reaching more families throughout the US, but becoming progressively more lethal. We have to take action to overcome our dependence on drugs and alcohol. But before we can overcome addiction, we have to overcome societal stigmas regarding the disease.

The Social Stigma of Addiction

Addiction has been depicted as a personal failing for decades. All current research points to the opposite. Addiction is a complicated disorder influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Drugs are designed, often synthetically, to be acutely effective in influencing our behaviors.

The belief system that drugs and addiction are “sins” ignores the very nature of the disease. These substances are often developed to fill very human, essential needs. Pain tolerance. Relaxation. Treatment of other disorders. When we need a drug to manage chronic pain, it should come as no surprise that we can become dependent on it, which is why opiates like prescription painkillers have been one of the fastest growing addictions.

Slowly, but surely, public opinion is starting to reflect this plethora of new research. Parity laws were passed in the US that treated addiction and substance dependence the same as other chronic disorders, like mental health, diabetes, and heart health. The “Not in my Backyard” syndrome, where residents refuse to put in public service facilities, like addiction treatment centers or temporary housing, are also quickly becoming a thing of the past, with recent legislation encouraging progressive goals for communities to heal.

Overcoming Addiction

The 12-step program, used in AA and treatment centers worldwide, is designed with the stigmas and social repercussions of addiction melded into the healing process. As we mentioned earlier, before we can heal from addiction we have to admit to it. We have to overcome the stigma behind addiction, admit we are ill, and develop the tools, skills, and resources to overcome drug dependence.

Drugs and alcohol can cause us to burn bridges, isolate ourselves, and push others away. For true recovery, we have to overcome our fears, our stigma, and our past to reconnect with others. That can mean addressing a mighty elephant in the room. Learning more about the disease, preparing for those conversations, and helping others move beyond addiction is how we can finally turn the tide on addiction and overcome these stigmas once and for all.

Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can be a daunting task. Going without a hit or a drink for even a few hours can seem stressful, intimidating, and miserable. But the important thing to note is you can do it. Just like any successful endeavor in our lives, it takes a proper plan of action and some commitment, but you can do it. The purpose of the 12-step program is simply to outline the process for you in a proven way that’s helped millions of people. The 12 steps really do work if you’re committed to changing your life for the better.

What is the 12-step plan.

The 12 step plan is outlined in the Alcoholic’s Anonymous (AA) “Big Book,” essentially a primer for how to own your recovery. The 12-steps is a series of tenants on how to take accountability for your health and recover what you’ve lost through addiction, whether it’s health, friends, family, or trust.

One basic goal of the 12-step program is to make a “moral inventory” of yourself. What is your greatest features? Your success? What are your weaknesses or failings? Substance abuse is never a solitary incident. It often stems from deep social or personal struggles. It brings with it a tide of negative symptoms, life experience, and makes you prone to bad or dangerous decisions that further affect your health and social well-being.

The 12 steps on accountability

Once you understand your strengths and shortcomings, you have to take the first steps into how you’ll fix them. Many of us have tried and failed at recovery, and in large part because we either try to go at it alone, or surround ourselves with people who have different goals than ourselves. Whether you are inspired by God, by family, or friends, you have to find accountability within yourself and with others to succeed.

The public has recognized that addiction often means a lack of control, it’s a disease that influences your decision-making abilities. However, those in recovery have to accept that they are ultimately accountable for their health, and the decisions needed to overcome addiction.

That’s why the next tenant is to develop a circle of accountability. Create a union between you and accountability partners in AA or other treatment programs. Create a union with God, or with your ideal self. Commit to becoming who you want to be, accomplishing the life goals that were scattered by your addiction, and fixing so many of the problems that were born from the disease.

The 12-steps on justice, family, and recovery

Once you’ve committed, developed accountability, and created a plan of action for your recovery, it’s important to prepare for the transition back to a life without the security of a recovery home. You must make an inventory of the people besides yourself who have been affected by your addiction, and admit your shortcomings to yourself, and if possible, to them. From this new and open honesty, you can have the pride and acceptance to move forward into a healthy, successful recovery.

In the end, the 12-step program really can work for many people. It may take time and practice, but with a guiding hand you can make it through. To learn more about the 12-step program, and other recovery options, please call Experience Recovery directly at (800)970-3973.

At Experience Recovery we balance personally-crafted relapse prevention strategies with multi-faceted, scientifically-driven techniques to give our patients the resources they’ll need for a lifelong recovery. Our ultimate goal is to free you from addiction, and help you master the strategies to resist and prevent relapse on a lifelong journey to recovery. Research and techniques promoted by reputable specialists such as Michael J McCann, M.A., Dr. Jeanne L. Obert, MFT, and Patricia Marinelli-Casey, have been invaluable resources for understanding the newest research on addiction care. Current research has allowed us to be more conscious of comorbid disorders affecting relapse outcomes, develop more effective motivational interviewing strategies, and reinforce self-empowering techniques that helps our patients live a long and healthy life post-recovery.

How Addiction Can Impact Our Lives

Patricia Marinelli-Casey has conducted a multitude of research studies focusing on how addiction can impact the other aspects of our lives, from our eating habits to our anxiety. Comorbid disorders, or diseases occurring at the same time, such as addiction and bulimia, often feed off one another, increasing the risk and difficulty of treatment for both. Because of this, it’s important to understand how different diseases interact with addiction, and how to best provide a safe recovery environment for patients suffering with more than one health condition. According to Patricia’s research, the typical outcomes for patients with multiple disorders can be more severe than patients suffering with addiction alone. In these cases, relapse prevention strategies may be more effective when treating the comorbid disorder alongside a standard recovery program.

Counselor who Believed in Them

Dr. Jeanne L. Obert, MFT, was curious about the behavioral health aspects of addiction—why we can experience great suffering through a disease like an addiction, but continue to go through relapse. Why would we keep coming back to a substance that makes us feel miserable and dependent? This effect isn’t unique to addiction alone. When faced with the threat of amputation or heart damage, many diabetics continue to eat sweets and can’t maintain a healthy lifestyle. As Dr. Jeanne puts it, the “stick” approach of scaring patients with the worst outcomes may not be as effective as the “carrot.” In this case, the doctor found that patients who had a helpful counselor who believed in them had a far greater chance of prolonged sobriety and relapse prevention than patients who were scolded, reprimanded, or scared. Rather, focusing on the patient’s goals and outcome expectations through motivational interviewing was found to be one effective strategy of helping patients find a locus of control, and intrinsic motivation to keep them moving towards a clearer goal. Through this “carrot” approach, patients are energized and excited for change, rather than dreading failure.

Contingency management

Following on this message of positivity, further research by Michael McCann and his team found that an uplifting treatment care program and positive rewards for healthy behaviors were some of the most effective strategies for relapse prevention. Contingency management is the reinforcement of healthy, positive behaviors through positive rewards. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous have long since seen the benefits of contingency management through their tokens or “chips” of sobriety. But new research shows that Contingency management was more effective than traditional methadone treatment programs on their own, or with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This exciting research further emphasizes that inspiring a patient to believe in themselves and their healthcare is one of the most effective ways to help them prepare post-recovery.

Understanding The Patient And Their Needs

Overall, understanding the patient and their needs, such as potentially comorbid disorders, and being able to motivate and inspire them towards healthy behaviors is gaining favor as the more dependable and effective strategy in addiction care. New research from brilliant specialists in addiction prevention is always around the corner, and will only improve on our current understanding of the disease. For those suffering, it’s important to find a modern and personalized care provider to ensure a safe transition into sobriety, and a personalized, dedicated treatment program that will prepare you for sustained relapse prevention during a lifelong recovery.

We’ve all been there—quitting cold turkey. Whether this is our last donut or our last time smoking, we’ve all put down our drug of choice and walked away for good. And then we walked away again. And again. While we’ve all heard success stories of people quitting cold-turkey and managing to pull it off long-term, statistically that just isn’t the best route, and you shouldn’t feel bad if you can’t quit cold turkey. Even drugs that are defined as non-addictive can carry some withdrawal symptoms. Cannabis users, for example, often report When it comes to a more potent vice, especially opioids like heroin, the withdrawal symptoms can bring severe risks to quitting cold turkey.

Effects of Heroin

Heroin is commonly abused for its immediate “high,” which the Center for Disease Control (CDC) describes as a warm flush of the skin and a sense of euphoria. The immediate side-effects can include nausea, vomiting, and itching. Once the immediate effects dissipate, the user experiences a “down” period, of lowered heart rate, slowed breathing (sometimes dangerously slowed), drowsiness and mental cloudiness.

During the high period of opioid intake, the sense of pain is numbed. This the medical effect that makes opioids valuable in intensive care scenarios like cancer treatment and post-surgery, but it can also lead to reckless behavior with little sensory feedback. It can also directly impact the emotions in the brain, among other symptoms. While the high of heroin can be dangerous on its own, the depressed, down period can also be fatal, especially when combined with other opioids or depressants.

Dangers of Heroin in the US

Drug overdoses rose 10% in 2017, topping over 70,000 according to a report by NBC news. Meanwhile, the CDC reported that in that timeframe, an estimated 494,000 people in the US used heroin in the past year. The rapid growth of drug overdose deaths in the US is so extreme, that it actually drown down US age expectancy in 2017. The vast majority (about ¾) of users also reported they had an unhealthy relationship to prescription drugs before switching to heroin as well.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Heroin withdrawal can occur when you stop taking heroin cold turkey, and it can trigger a number of harrowing symptoms and potential risks. The most obvious is cravings, or severe psychological and physiological urges. While each individual may have a different response to heroin withdrawal, the common symptoms and side-effects can include sweating, anxiety, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and more. These symptoms can occur within 12 hours of last use.

The Danger of Quitting Cold Turkey

In professional recovery, you have a number of resources to not only reduce the immediate cravings and other withdrawal symptoms, but also behavioral health tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you deal with cravings when they manifest, no matter how long after your initial recovery. That means a smoother, less painful initial detox, and an improved ability to stay sober post-recovery.

When you are dependent on a substance, you build tolerance to it over repeated uses. As you detox, you shed some of that tolerance, so it becomes easier to overdose, even on smaller doses. Because of this, it’s essential to through a professional recovery program like Experience Recovery to build the skills and techniques to maintain abstinence, rather than trying to quitting heroin cold turkey.

Implicitly, we understand there’s a difference between someone who recreationally uses a drug and someone who is addicted, but what qualifies as recreational drug use? For each substance, and for individual persons, the distinction may vary. In essence, the differences between an addiction on a drug and recreational use can be distinguished by certain factors such as frequency, dependence, cravings, withdrawal, impact on health, impact on daily life, among others.

Addiction by Dependence and Frequency

Alcohol, for example, can be recreationally enjoyed with special dinners, or it could be consumed sparingly for enjoyment. For people addicted to alcohol, however, the substance becomes a necessity. For these drinkers, the typical benefits of alcohol, like relaxation and the release of pleasure endorphins, are no longer the desired outcomes. Rather, alcoholics may experience negative symptoms, like cravings, exhaustion, or sickness when absent of alcohol. One submission to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology detailed 29 different stages of dependence based on severity of symptoms. When the lack of a chemical can determine your mood, energy, or health, that’s the basis of a dependence.

Likewise, as alcohol drinking progresses, a frequent drinker may go from a beer or two on drinking days to several beers or stronger liquors. As the dependence and addiction builds, it takes more frequent or stronger doses to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. When you start increasing dosage to compensate for a growing tolerance to the substance, it can be another sign of a growing addiction.

Addiction Through Cravings and Withdrawal

Heroin addiction is a dangerous form of dependency, where cravings sometimes become intolerable without professional help, and withdrawal symptoms can be severe. In the case of heroin, there is no clear recreational use of the drug. The potency, addictive nature of the drug, and danger to health make the risks greatly outweigh the short term benefits of a quick high. Addiction forms quickly and easily in strong opioids like heroin and cravings can be intolerable. Many users express a desire to quit heroin, but continuously return to the drug, sometimes going to great lengths to get a fix. When the cravings for a drug overpower will and reason, and you can no longer resist the urge to seek it out, that’s the most pressing sign of a serious addiction.

Many times, overcoming heroin addiction is more than just willpower and resilience. With serious addictions, the withdrawal symptoms can be extremely dangerous. Many users coming down from opioid addictions will require attentive care and synthetic opioids like methadone to help negate the severe withdrawal symptoms. Children born addicted to opioids like heroin often have to be treated in the ICU because of the high risk of death.

Addiction Impacting Health and Daily Life

If a substance begins to control the flow of your daily life or risk your health, you should seek immediate addiction detox and recovery. Cocaine-addiction, for example, is frequently related to high levels of stress, high risk of coronary disease, and unhealthy work-life balances. Simply put, if a substance is managing you, your emotions, or your health, it’s the sign of a serious addiction that should be addressed immediately.

Distinguishing Between Recreational Drug Use and Addiction

Ultimately, the difference between recreational use and addiction can be complicated and often subjective. If you suspect a growing dependency or addiction in yourself or a loved one, we deeply suggest calling a professional rehab provider like ourselves to help you understand the signs, risks, and ways we can approach recovery together.

While society is becoming more progressive in considering the medicinal aspects of some drugs, it’s still important to understand that any drug can be abused, and there’s often a fine line between drug use and abuse. In some cases, like nicotine, cocaine, and methamphetamines, any use would imply an abuse because they offer little or no benefits at the risk of potentially dire health consequences. For other drugs, such as THC, alcohol, opiates, among others, there is a threshold where some people may actively need or benefit from limited, measured use. What determines substance abuse in these cases is the way it affects your daily life.

The Coffee Dilemma—Substance Dependency

For some people, coffee is a harmless treat or energy boost enjoyed on occasion. However, the presence of caffeine can cause us to crave coffee not only on a daily basis, but practically require us to be around it at all times. In this case, coffee goes from being a benefit to being a dead weight, slowing productivity whenever we’re faced with its absence. When we can’t function without a drug, we are dependent on it just to feel “ourselves.”

The same can be said about marijuana, which is gaining legal status in many places around the world. Medical marijuana and medicines derived from marijuana can be vital for certain conditions, as far as being approved by the FDA for certain epilepsies. But the THC in marijuana can also act as a catalyst for psychotic symptoms in people with certain disorders. It can also become a dependency, or addiction, with people using marijuana as an alternative sleep medicine, or to cope with daily stress. In these cases, there is a fine line between normal practice or substance abuse and dependency.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is rising rapidly in the US. In 1999, there were 3,442 reported deaths from prescription drug overdose. Just 18 years later, there were over 17,000 annual deaths from prescription opioid overdose. The ease of access to these drugs in rural and suburban communities makes them particularly dangerous in these areas, while recovery options may be less available. These drugs are important pain relief medications for patients post-surgery, or with serious injuries or illnesses, but addiction to these drugs can be deadly. It is extremely difficult to get out of an addiction to a prescription pain medication, to the point where even pregnant women are might not be able to resist their addiction, as in the case of Amanda Hensley.

Because of the intense withdrawal symptoms after becoming addicted, quitting a prescription painkiller can be extremely dangerous without professional supervision. Medication like methadone may be necessary to ease a patient down from a potentially life threatening withdrawal. You should always search for a professional substance addiction recovery program when trying to quit an addiction involving strong opiates.

Drug Abuse Impacting Daily Life

When cravings for a substance such as cocaine or heroin become a part of your daily life, it can take a toll on your physical health, job security, and family safety. If you ever find yourself in dangerous situations, such as driving under the influence, experiencing blackouts or memory loss, or any other symptoms of addiction, it’s important that you seek a professional substance abuse recovery provider immediately.

The Main Objective of Recovery: Relapse Prevention

Continuous, ongoing recovery happens one day at a time – sometimes one hour or one minute at a time. There is no doubt that navigating the early days of sobriety can be challenging. Managing cravings, overcoming triggers, establishing a new routine, and making new sober friends can feel overwhelming. But, in the long run, it’s all worth it.

The number one goal of sobriety is to stay drug and alcohol-free no matter what. This means executing a successful relapse prevention plan in your daily life. Sometimes, this can be a brutal undertaking. The desire to return to drinking or taking drugs is often very strong. Coping with cravings is vital to recovery.

At Experience Recovery, we teach clients relapse prevention tools so they can learn how to live and enjoy a sober lifestyle. Nevertheless; we believe that incorporating your own relapse prevention strategies is equally important.

What is Relapse Prevention?

As explained by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is defined as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness.”

Like other illnesses, addiction sometimes involves periods of recovery and periods of relapse. The goal is to avoid relapse, enjoy recovery, and experience wellness. The only way to sustain ongoing sobriety is to maintain complete abstinence from alcohol and drugs. If a recovering person takes a drink or uses a drug, they experience a relapse.

Relapse prevention requires an ongoing effort to stay in recovery. At first, this is extremely difficult. With time, however; staying sober gets easier, becomes more comfortable, and gets downright fun.

Triggers Always Precede a Relapse

Relapse prevention involves a plan of action and changed behavior. The best way to avoid a relapse is to identify your triggers and stay away from them wherever possible. You should also have coping strategies in place to manage triggers when they arise. Triggers can lead to relapse. They should not be underestimated.

A trigger is anything you experience that sparks a desire to drink alcohol or take drugs or brings back memories of getting drunk or high. Everybody who is recovering from the disease of addiction experiences triggers. They are completely normal – although they can be quite uncomfortable.

Do you know what triggers you? Is it a certain kind of music? Seeing people you used to drink or take drugs with? What about going to the ATM machine or driving past a bar you used to frequent? Maybe you might feel a desire to drink alcohol or take drugs when you feel lonely or stressed out.

Everybody is different. Learn the importance of identifying your personal triggers.

Relapse Prevention Strategies in 12-Step Recovery

Relapse prevention happens through working a 12-Step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. This means going to meetings regularly, working with a sponsor, and completing stepwork. This is considered daily maintenance in recovery. It is designed to support you on your sobriety journey.

Here are some other daily 12-Step activities you can adopt as relapse prevention strategies:

• Prayer
• Meditation
• Fellowshipping with other recovering people
• Being of service to others
• Reading recovery-based literature

Active 12-Step involvement is awesome, but many newly sober people find that they want to pursue other outlets to enhance their sobriety. We encourage you to incorporate your own relapse prevention strategies beyond your 12-Step participation. This will help you maintain spiritual fitness and address triggers as they arise.

Identify Your Own Relapse Prevention Strategies

We want to offer you a few suggestions as you identify your own relapse prevention strategies. Not only can these activities can help you stay sober in the face of triggers, they can also improve your overall quality of life. The more you enjoy your sobriety, the less likely you are to relapse.

Here are some recommendations for incorporating your own relapse prevention strategies:

• Yoga
• Participating in a meditation group
• Exercise (jogging, walking, aerobics, or weight-lifting)
• Talking with a supportive friend or family member
• Pet therapy
• Taking a hot bath or shower
• Reading
• Engaging in a hobby you enjoy
• Binge-watching your favorite show
• Cooking
• Gardening
• Art therapy
• Breathwork
• Listening to (or performing) music
• Laughing (stand-up comedy might help!)
• Volunteer work at a worthy organization

This list is not meant to be all-inclusive. These are just a few of the many unconventional relapse prevention strategies you can incorporate into your own recovery program.

To Thine Own Self Be True

Recovery is an ongoing process of self-discovery. As you continue to stay sober, you will learn more about yourself with each passing day. One of the greatest things about recovery is that you get to explore different activities to find out what you enjoy doing, what helps you relieve stress, and what allows you to overcome triggers.

Remember, this is your journey. It is meant to be enjoyed. What may work for some may not work for you. That is why incorporating your own relapse prevention strategies should be an integral part of your sobriety. Get out there are try new things. Your recovery depends on it.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

Finding the Best Men’s Treatment Program In Westminster, California

With all of the alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs in California and across the United States, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. There are so many things to consider and so many questions to ask. Plus, there is always the fear that a rehabilitation center won’t live up to the many promises it makes when you complete a consultation.

Choosing a drug and alcohol treatment program is one of the most important decisions you or your loved one will ever make. You want it to be the right decision. Addiction is a life-threatening disease that destroys lives. Getting effective alcohol and drug addiction treatment services from a reputable facility is paramount for those who are seeking recovery.

Located in Westminster, CA; Experience Recovery  is committed to ethical and professional healthcare services for individuals and their families. Our vision is to empower those we serve. In the wake of the fatal drug overdose epidemic happening across the United States, we know there has never been a greater need for quality addiction treatment for men. Our experienced, skilled, and licensed staff at Experience Recovery has risen to the challenge.

What Sets Us Apart As a California Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Program

If you are looking for the best men’s alcohol and drug addiction treatment program in California, we are the best choice. We have helped hundreds of men find freedom from the disease of addiction. We can help you or your loved one too.

Most rehabilitation centers serve men and women under the same roof. We believe gender-specific treatment creates a safe recovery environment. This allows men the freedom they need to work through personal issues with minimal distraction. We provide a tranquil homelike atmosphere that promotes comfort and a sense of community for our clients.

Experience Recovery offers an evidence-based, data-driven, scientific approach to addiction treatment. We believe this is the best way to help addicted people and their families find hope and healing. We want to empower the men who come to us for help with the tools they need to enjoy ongoing sobriety.

We are an affordable Westminster addiction treatment program. We believe those who want to get sober should be offered the opportunity to recover without breaking the bank. We take most major insurance carriers and we are proudly in-network with Beacon. Out-of-pocket expenses (if any) are minimal.

Understanding the Disease of Addiction

Addiction is best understood as a brain disease. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain.”

NIDA reports that addiction is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness. Addiction exists on a complete spectrum of substance use disorders. It is considered a recognized a medical illness that is caused by the repeated misuse or abuse of a certain substance or substances. It is chronic, progressive, and fatal if left untreated.

It is very difficult for addicted people and their families to accept that an addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disease. This is largely because there is still a stigma associated with addiction. Most people view it as a moral failing or lack of character. This is simply not true. We know that addicted people are sick people; not “bad” people. Addiction is a disease that can be arrested through daily abstinence and effective addiction treatment. That is what we offer here at Experience Recovery.

Our Approach to Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

To best serve our clients, we offer a full continuum of care. This means we offer professional medical detoxification services, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs to meet the individual needs of each client. After completing a detailed assessment and free insurance verification, we determine which level of care is most appropriate.

We create a customized wellness plan for every client, which addresses all aspects of the recovering person. This includes the following components:

Emotional – We help clients develop skills and strategies to cope with stress and other emotional challenges.

Social – We promote the importance of healthy interpersonal connections and the value of establishing a solid support system.

Spiritual – We assist clients in their own search for meaning and purpose, which deepens an individual’s commitment to recovery.

Physical – We provide education about the need for regular physical exercise, proper nutrition, and healthy sleep.

Intellectual – We show clients how to recognize their own unique creative abilities and help them find ways to expand their knowledge and skills.

Environmental – We create a healthy, supportive atmosphere of recovery for men only.

Financial – We help clients learn to enjoy satisfaction with their current financial situation and future goals regarding money matters.

Occupational – We instill a sense of professional satisfaction and enrichment derived from one’s work.

Men who come to us for addiction treatment participate in regular individual and group counseling sessions and other recovery-focused activities. This helps them to achieve wellness in these specific areas.

Want to Learn More About the Best Men’s Addiction Treatment Program in Westminster?

If you or your loved one is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, we know that you are feeling hopeless. Addiction has a special way of bringing destruction to everyone it comes into contact with. It can leave you feeling powerless. At Experience Recovery, we want to empower you or your loved one to enjoy a life of sobriety.

If you are ready to get on the road to recovery, we are here to help. Contact us for a free, confidential assessment to determine what your treatment options are.

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Helping a Loved One Commit to Rehab

 

Few things are harder than watching a loved one struggle with drug or alcohol dependence. Addiction can ravage the body and corrode mental health; it can lead to financial, legal, and relational problems—and as an onlooker, you can feel completely powerless to help.

 

But that’s not quite the case. Actually, there is one huge way you can help, and that’s by guiding your loved one toward addiction rehab.

 

You can’t actually make someone commit to recovery, but you can certainly nudge them in that direction. Here are a few ways to do so.

 

How to Help a Loved One Commit to Addiction Recovery

 

Avoid the wrong attitude. First, let’s talk about the ways you shouldn’t encourage a loved one to seek recovery. Having an angry or negative attitude about it won’t help; remember that your loved one has an illness that’s impacting their judgment, and that the addiction’s driving many of their actions. Likewise, being judgmental or accusatory will only cause your loved one to become defensive. It’s certainly not going to motivate them to choose recovery.

 

Remember: You’ll need to overcome denial. Most of the time, those who struggle with addiction will vigorously deny that they have a problem or need help. It can be tough to reason with them in these cases, but stick with it, gently letting them know that you love them, care for them, and want to see them recover. Note that you may have the best luck when they hit a personal “bottom,” and when the circumstances of their life finally help them see some of the consequences of their addiction.

 

Focus on your feelings. Again, you want to avoid sounding accusatory—so avoid you statements. For example, you have a problem or you’re doing hurtful things, while true, will only put your loved one on the defensive. It’s smarter to stick with I statements—e.g., I’m worried about you; I want to see you happy and healthy; I feel like you need help.

 

Pledge support along the way. Addiction recovery is a journey—and for those who’ve not yet embarked on it, it can be frightening. Be mindful of how daunting it is, and pledge to support your loved one however you can. Make it clear to them that you will be there with them, helping them through the initial inpatient treatment and supporting them once they get out.

 

Help them find a good rehab. Once your loved one realizes they need treatment, be ready to point them in the right direction. Find a good addiction rehab facility in your area and reach out to them in advance, asking them what steps you need to take to get your loved one admitted. You can even ask about any help the addiction treatment center can offer in encouraging your loved one to seek care.

 

Make sure they feel loved. Really the best thing you can do for a loved one is let them know how much you care for them. Make it clear that the reason you want them to seek rehab is that you’re worried about them and want to see them be as healthy and as happy as possible. Tell them you love them no matter what.

 

Take the First Step Toward Rehab

 

As you consider the best possible ways to encourage a loved one to commit to addiction rehab, make sure you stay connected with a local inpatient treatment center. Experience Recovery is proud to offer a full spectrum of services in Orange County. To speak with us about the available rehab options, contact Experience Recovery today.