From Detox to Continuing Care – the Value of a Comprehensive Drug Treatment Program
There is a cause for rejoicing among the residents of Kern County, California. Some luxury inpatient residential drug treatment and rehabilitation centers are doing their part in making sure that individuals who seek drug treatment and rehabilitation will be able to successfully reintegrate into their respective communities and neighborhoods with lesser chances of drug relapses. This is made possible through a more comprehensive approach to the overall management of the illicit substance addiction and abuse problem that starts with the formal taking-in phase and continues well after completing his 30-, 60-, or 90- day drug treatment and rehabilitation program.
Inpatient Detox
While some drug treatment centers purposely leave detoxification to other medical and drug treatment facilities, a dedicated luxury inpatient residential drug treatment center makes detox a key component to the drug treatment program’s overall success.
Detoxification always starts with a comprehensive yet very detailed assessment of the individual’s overall health status instead of just focusing merely on the substance causing the addiction. This is necessary to determine any patterns of physiologic abnormalities or even an underlying medical problem that may compound the whole detox program. Additionally, the comprehensive health assessment will enable the drug treatment specialists and healthcare personnel to identify any possible mental health problems, behavioral issues, and emotional concerns that may have to be addressed during the drug treatment program’s rehabilitation phase.
Once everything has been duly noted and the plan of care is being prepared, individuals are then supported throughout the entire duration of the detoxification process. As this stage is crucial, success will often require the full cooperation and support of the individual’s family members, loved ones, friends, and other social support systems. This is necessary to provide the necessary motivation and encouragement to the individual as he goes through some of the most painful stages of the drug treatment and rehabilitation process.
The detox team is also on round-the-clock monitoring to provide the necessary measures to make the whole detoxification process a lot more bearable for the individual. Even before the detox treatment begins, the healthcare team will prepare the individual to expect during the treatment process. Reassurances will often be given that he will be supported throughout his detox.
Innovative Inpatient Extended Care Programs
Once the detox process has been completed, the individual is moved to one of the fully furnished residences. He will be spending the rest of his drug rehabilitation days until completion. Many Kern County residents, or residents in Bakersfield, CA, staying at these home-style milieus provide optimum comfort, function, and safety that they expect from a luxury residential inpatient drug treatment center.
All rehabilitation programs are highly-individualized to reflect the different assessment findings before the initiation of the detoxification process. These highly individualized, highly personalized care plans consider the individual’s overall physical and psychological health to come up with the best and most appropriate therapeutic regimens to ensure optimum success. Management of the individual’s medical, nutritional, and psychological needs is paramount to ensuring the drug treatment and rehabilitation program’s success. Counseling is a major component of the whole treatment process to equip the individual with the correct set of knowledge, skills, and attitude, which is deemed necessary for him to function in the outside world while maintaining sobriety.
Additionally, the family members of a Kern County rehab center client are also encouraged to join a family-focused group discussion to help foster healthier and more supportive family dynamics. The luxury residential inpatient drug treatment center also helps both the individual and his family develop their interpersonal and communication skills, often lacking in other drug treatment programs. They are also taught to use improved living skills to optimize their reintegration into the general society fully. Of particular importance is the education of the individual and his family regarding the use of medications. This is crucial because of the growing concerns for the increased misuse of prescription drugs instead of illicit substances. Furthermore, health teachings on the prevention of drug relapse and post-rehabilitation counseling are also included.
A Kern county rehab center client can also take full advantage of truly innovative drug treatment programs such as psychodrama, sound therapy, meditation, and yoga to optimize the full range of benefits of the drug treatment and rehabilitation program.
Continuing Care
Caring for a Kern County rehab center alumni does not end with completing the drug rehabilitation program. A real luxury drug treatment center facilitates regular fellowship meetings and directs the alumni to the various social support groups available in the Kern County area. Access to wellness resources and facilities is also encouraged to ensure the continued health-promoting habits developed in the rehab center. The individual’s family and friends continue to receive guidance and feedback on how to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to the alumni to stay sober.
This is very important in ensuring the success of the rehabilitation program. Otherwise, without the support of the whole Kern County community, it will be quite impossible to provide continuity of care. Additionally, some luxury drug treatment centers are now working closely with other community members to create a more accepting and non-judgmental environment for successful drug rehabilitation alumni. This is necessary if ever Kern County wants to see its drug-dependent residents staying away from illicit substances for good.
While the rest of the nation is still pretty much struggling to come to terms with the harsh realities of the drug scourge, Kern County residents can feel confident in the fact that a right luxury residential inpatient drug treatment center exists specifically to help their drug-troubled residents lead a much sober life. This is what they have been waiting for – the hope that a more comprehensive drug treatment program will help ensure their loved ones stay drug-free and sober for the rest of their lives.
Looking for drug rehab in the Las Vegas, Nevada area? Contact Cycles of Change’s Las Vegas Office: Cycles of Change Recovery Services
Not the Cure for What Ails You: Alcohol and Anger
Your heart starts to race uncomfortably as you see the headlights of your husband’s car as he pulls into the driveway later than usual.
He stumbles into the house, gives you and the kids a quick hello, and makes his way into the living room, where he turns on the ball game.
His ruffled demeanor suggests he had gone to the bar after a hard day at work. He’s gone out for a drink from the office before, and everything was fine. But lately, it’s been more often and slightly more noticeable – the smell of alcohol on his breath and his fluctuating moods.
As you try to make small talk, you can tell he’s uncharacteristically short and inpatient in his responses to you. Even the kids’ happy chatter and playing seem to frustrate him as the evening goes on. Your husband says drinking helps him relax, but it just seems to make him a tense and angry person you don’t recognize.
Everyone has a different response to alcohol. While it relaxes some people, alcohol can make others feel angry. Let’s take a look at why this is.
Why Does Alcohol Make Some People Angry?
Alcohol affects different people in different ways, but lowered inhibitions are a commonly experienced outcome. For some, this may allow repressed anger to bleed through a person’s typical restraint.
Some people use alcohol as a coping mechanism to avoid painful feelings or thoughts. Blaming others for those troubles may follow, as this also helps your loved one avoid accepting responsibility. Anger is often easier to observe than other emotions so that it might be masking different emotional responses to mental or physical trauma or other issues.
Chemical changes in the brain occur with alcohol consumption that disrupts the normal regulation of feel-good chemicals and pain responses. As a person comes down from the alcohol high, he’s hit with a wave of discomfort that can lead to more alcohol use to deal with the feelings—developing a perpetuating cycle of anger and substance abuse.
When people feel judged for their drinking, they may lash out. It’s often difficult to see when you have a problem with alcohol yourself, so as friends and loved ones start pointing this out, it may come across as nagging or overreacting.
How Should You Approach Someone with Alcoholism and Anger Issues?
There’s no easy way to confront a person about alcoholism, but keeping these guidelines in mind can help you stick to your game plan.
- Talk about it when he is sober.
- Have the discussion shortly after negative consequences of drinking have been experienced.
- Approach the conversation from a non-judgmental place of love and concern. Avoid lecturing.
- If an argument breaks out, don’t take it personally. Denial and anger are common responses. Take a break and resume the conversation once everyone has cooled down.
- Offer to help your loved one find treatment for alcoholism and other issues like anxiety or depression that could be complicating matters.
Don’t Let Someone’s Anger and Alcohol Dependence Consume You.
It’s easy to get caught up in concern over your loved one’s issues. But you need to remember to take care of yourself, too! Make sure you’re appropriately managing your own responses. Anger and resentment can enable further issues with problem drinking.
Take advantage of support systems in your area. Al-Anon for family members can provide educational materials and counseling for those dealing with an alcoholic in their lives.
Treatment for Alcohol and Anger Issues in Palmdale, CA
If you’ve tried addressing the issue with your loved one without success, it might be time to stage an intervention. Cycles of Change Recovery Services in Palmdale, CA, has skilled interventionists that can help.
We expose clients to various therapeutic techniques—including 12-step programs, music therapy, and more—according to the individual’s specific needs. Family therapy is often an integral part of healing both the individual and those around him.
Talk to one of our compassionate, experienced professionals today about how we can help your loved one recover from alcohol addiction.
Dealing with strong emotions can be challenging. This is often a contributing factor for those struggling with substance abuse issues. What starts as a way to blow off steam after a tough day can become the only way you know how to handle anger, stress, or fear.
When you enter an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program, you’ll begin dealing with these complicated feelings in newly found sobriety, which can pose additional challenges and risks.
Struggling with Anger in Recovery
One of the most powerful emotions you might experience is anger. Anger has the potential to elicit incredibly self-destructive behavior. When anger is repressed, it can erupt suddenly or build up slowly, eating you up inside and leading to physical ailments like headaches, neck pain, and back pain.
Anger doesn’t just affect you personally. It manifests differently from person to person and affects those around you. While some lash out verbally, others may struggle with the urge to escalate things to physical confrontations.
Buried resentment, family issues, and unresolved trauma are often explored in addiction recovery, and you could find yourself struggling with anger you thought was put to rest long ago.
While uncomfortable at first, facing this anger and working through it during addiction treatment will help you heal and avoid powerful relapse triggers in the long run.
Dealing with Other Difficult Emotions in Recovery
Some other emotional challenges you might face in recovery can include:
Fear
When you return to the workplace or your home after treatment, it’s common to have some fear or anxiety about others’ reactions.
What will people say about you? Will they treat you differently? Fear can paralyze you—keeping you from making progress on your recovery journey.
Treatment aims to address your fears and help you learn ways to cope with them when returning to your routine.
Guilt
You will likely have strong feelings of remorse as you come to grips with your behaviors while addicted. Part of addiction recovery includes facing the guilt you feel about any physical, emotional, or financial damage you caused.
Forgiving yourself and trying to make amends with loved ones will allow you to start fresh with a clean slate after treatment.
Shame
Shame is a powerful feeling that can make you feel like something is wrong with you. You might isolate yourself from another human contact because you feel unworthy of love. Shame damages your self-esteem and can cause you to retreat from support when you need it most.
Addiction treatment helps you confront that shame and develop techniques to put an end to it once and for all.
How to Manage These Feelings in Addiction Recovery
When you notice these feelings, try to be mindful of what’s triggering them. Are they related to behaviors or situations you have the power to change? Are you reacting to loneliness, hunger, or a toxic relationship?
Emotions are part of living. They’re natural. But feelings like guilt and shame are also temporary. How you react can have far-reaching consequences, so try to keep everything in perspective. Drugs and alcohol don’t actually help you deal with these feelings; They only push them aside temporarily.
Activities like these can help focus your mind and strengthen your resolve to face complicated feelings head-on:
- Breathing exercises
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Music
- Physical exercise
- Playing with a pet
- Talking about your feelings with a friend, family member, or therapist
- Walking
- Yoga
Get Help Dealing with Emotions at Cycles of Change
When you need help with addiction recovery and coping with complicated feelings, Cycles of Change is here for you. In our treatment programs, we work with clients to understand the underlying causes of addiction, identify emotional triggers, and protect themselves against relapse.
Our compassionate team understands that no two people or situations are alike, so we customize our treatment plans to meet your unique needs. We also work with families to begin the healing process for those impacted by addiction.
Talk to one of our experienced addiction specialists today and take the first step towards a healthier life.
Side Effects of Painkillers on the Body
1,000 people per day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that’s how many patients are treated in hospitals for not using painkillers or prescription opioids as directed.
Why is this? One reason could be that people tend to consider painkillers an inherently “safe” drug because when used properly, they’re legal. But in actuality, prescription opioid abuse is rampant and often deadly. Even when used as prescribed, painkiller use can still negatively affect your body.
Side Effects of Painkiller Use
According to the Cleveland Clinic, here are some of the ways painkiller use can affect your physical health (even when used as a doctor recommends):
- Compromised Immune System. Immediately upon taking painkillers, your body’s ability to fight off infection weakens. With no proven way to boost immune function, the best way to manage this side effect is to stop taking painkillers immediately.
- The Stomach and Intestines. Painkillers are well-known for causing severe constipation. This can set in only a day or two after use begins and can cause abdominal distention and bloating and more serious side effects such as hemorrhoids and bowel obstruction.
- Increased Pain. As crazy as it may seem, painkillers can actually intensify pain in some people. People who experience this side effect are either transitioned to a different drug or weaned off painkillers altogether.
- Hormone Levels. The use of painkillers often causes low testosterone levels or estrogen (male and female sex hormones), resulting in erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, fatigue, hot flashes, and menstrual irregularities, weight gain, and depression. And hormone imbalance can lead to more serious complications, such as infertility and osteoporosis.
Some psychological side effects come along with addiction as well. Here are a few:
- Experiencing Paranoia. It’s not uncommon for people to report overwhelming feelings of paranoia while actively addicted to drugs. Only buying and using illegal substances is enough to instill a sense in users.
- Feeling Anxious. People suffering from addiction rely on drugs to handle good (and avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms) and typically feel anxious as they wait for their next dose. This anxiety makes it incredibly difficult to stay focused and can cause problems in every aspect of life.
- Suffering from Depression. Depression (among other mental health issues) is widely known to be a risk factor for drug addiction. When combined with feelings of guilt or shame, it’s easy for a clinically diagnosable case of depression to emerge.
Painkillers Are Highly Addictive
So why is painkiller abuse so common? Painkillers are a form of opioids. And opioids are highly addictive, meaning the risk of abuse is high. That’s why painkillers are typically only prescribed when other treatments and pain medications don’t work. Even though painkillers’ dangers are well known, the number of deaths from painkillers has quadrupled to nearly 15,000 per year in the U.S. in the past decade.
Don’t Become a Statistic.
If you think you might have a problem with prescription painkillers, contact Cycles of Change Recovery Services today. Our addiction recovery center in California is designed to help you gain the knowledge, courage, and determination you need to maintain a drug-free lifestyle so you can live a healthier, happier life. From day one, each step, each treatment program will be created around you and your individual needs to ensure you reach your recovery goal. Facing your addiction alone can be overwhelming. We’re here to help. Fill out this form or call today at (661) 630-4176.
Many of us are familiar with the English children’s fairy tale, The Three Little Pigs. There were three little siblings pigs that each built houses made of straw, wood, and bricks. Along came a big bad wolf that knocked successively on each home, telling the pigs to open up the door or he will blow their houses down. Naturally, the pigs don’t open the doors to their places. However, the wolf blows down the house made of straw, and then the house is made of wood. Luckily, the residing pigs managed to find refuge in the third house, which was made of brick and belonged to their brother. The wolf made his way over to the house made of brick, knowing that there were three little pigs inside, and he demanded that they open the door. The third little pig refused (while his brothers cowered in terror), and the wolf said, “Then I will huff and puff and blow your house down!” Well, it’s hard to blow down a house made of bricks, and in the end, the wolf decides to get into the house by crawling down the chimney, unaware that the third little pig has outsmarted him. The horrible wolf falls into a pot of boiling water, and the pigs eat him for dinner instead of the other way around.
Due to laziness, the first two little pigs did not build substantial houses. The third little pig worked very hard and made sure that he built a place that had a solid foundation. If we compare the story of The Three Little Pigs to Gresham’s Law and Alcoholics Anonymous, we can see an analogy between the different materials and methods that the pigs used to build their houses and various ways of working a 12-step program. And we can deduce that the wolf is a metaphor for drug addiction and alcoholism.
The three ways of working the 12-step program include a feeble way, which really amounts to not working the program at all. This could involve a person who goes to meetings but doesn’t work their steps or a person who hits a few sessions a month and manages to stay clean and sober, but according to the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, suffers from being “restless, irritable and discontented.” This is a dry drunk syndrome, and it’s a miserable way of life. A recovering alcoholic/addict who weakly works the program is like the little pig that built a house of straw! In the end, the wolf or addiction was able to blow the house down. People who ineffectively work the program are prone to relapse.
Then there are the people who work the program in a medium manner. Perhaps they go to regular meetings and have performed their steps. But other disorders might have popped up, including sexual addiction, gambling, or kleptomania. They are oblivious to these defects and still manage to stay clean and sober and consider themselves honorable members of the 12-step fellowship. Often these are the people who try to pick up newcomers at meetings or who try to use the program for their own devious motives. These people are comparable to the little pig that built a house of wood. And yes, the wolf managed to blow that house down, too!
And finally, the people who work a strong program are very similar to the little pig that toiled away and built a house made of bricks. This little pig provided refuge for his brothers and maintained serenity even when the wolf was at his door. In the end, the third little pig overcame the wolf. If we compare a person who works a strong 12-step program to that third little pig, we can ascertain that person will probably maintain their recovery while being happy and clear-headed, even when there is danger lurking around the corner.
At Cycles of Change, we offer a comprehensive 12-step approach, along with an evidence-based protocol that will help you build a strong foundation in recovery. We will teach you how to work a 12-step program the healthy way and help you learn tools that will help you find serenity, clarity, as well as lifelong sobriety.
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