First responders are constantly on the frontlines working to keep our communities safe. In the process, they’re subjected to incredible amounts of stress, anger, and trauma. It’s common for first responders to develop substance use issues as they attempt to self-medicate under these circumstances. Drug and alcohol use combined with the continued toll of work can lead to a destructive cycle. Fortunately, programs are designed to help first responders recover from substance use disorders and develop the tools they need to protect themselves against relapse.

Substance Use Disorders and Relapse

Substance use disorders are chronic medical conditions. As with other chronic conditions like cancer and diabetes, relapse is fairly common. In fact, roughly half of all people recovering from substance use issues will relapse at least once during the recovery process. Don’t let that discourage you from seeking help! Since relapse is often part of the recovery journey, it’s not a personal failing if it happens. When drugs like prescription painkillers are used—even when used correctly—they rewire the way your brain experiences pleasure. When you stop using them, it takes time to get your mind and body back on track.

Stages of Relapse

It’s important to recognize early warning signs of relapse. The process happens in stages.

• Emotional – Recovery programs teach you how to take care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. You learn how to develop healthier eating, sleeping, and other lifestyle habits. You also learn healthier coping strategies for the stresses of work. If the job’s hazards become too much, if you’re not getting enough sleep or if any of those areas start to falter, your emotional state can weaken—priming you for the next stage of relapse.
• Mental – If an emotional relapse isn’t recognized and treated, you might start thinking about your past experiences with drugs or alcohol. It doesn’t always begin with fond memories of using. You might start reaching out to old friends or revisiting places that were connected to those times. You might feel the need to lie about your current struggle with friends and family. Eventually, it can progress to cravings for those old experiences.
• Physical – When emotional and mental relapse conditions go unchecked, you’re in danger of succumbing to physical relapse. That’s why it’s vital to recognize the early stages and take measures to protect your recovery.

How First Responders Can Avoid Relapse

Putting the knowledge and skills, you acquire in recovery to use can help you avoid relapse. Identifying potential relapse triggers and developing healthy ways to deal with them is part of any good treatment program. Maintaining a healthy diet, as well as getting plenty of exercise and rest, keeps your body operating at a high level. If you’re already at the mental stage of relapse, ask for help. Family, friends, a sponsor, or therapy are all potential lifelines that can keep your recovery efforts on track.

Relapse Prevention Training for First Responders

What starts as a drink or two with the crew after a hard day on the job can become a serious problem. Injuries sustained at work can lead unexpectedly to dependence on prescription painkillers. Sometimes it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when your focus is on protecting others.

Cycles of Change Recovery Services has a specialized program for first responders. Our staff understands the trauma, depression, anxiety, and more that come with the territory, and we provide compassionate, personalized care. No two people are alike, so your treatment program will be tailored to fit your needs using various therapy models. If you’re a first responder in need of help, or if your loved one is struggling with the weight of the job and substance use issues, contact us today.

No two cases of addiction are exactly alike. It’s a disease with multiple risk factors that include genetics, familial relationships, peer groups, mental health, trauma and more. Drugs like methamphetamine (also called meth, crystal, speed, Tina or crank), can vary in potency depending on how they’re produced and whether they’re used in conjunction with other drugs. With all that said, meth is typically regarded as an incredibly addictive substance with the potential to cause severe damage to your body and mind.

How Does Meth Affect Your Brain?

The first time someone tries meth, the brain bathes in waves of serotonin and dopamine—the chemicals that regulate mood, appetite, memory and give you feelings of pleasure respectively. The amount of chemicals released can be a dozen times higher than from other pleasurable activities. This euphoric rush is only part of what hooks users. Once it begins to wear off, you experience depression and anxiety as your brain’s chemistry is thrown off balance. This is part of the comedown, and it can feel bad enough that you might see using more meth as the only way to get through the discomfort. With each additional use, you build tolerance, and this cycle can lead to binging behavior.

Binging on Meth or “Tweaking”

These binges are what users call “tweaking.” During this time, the user becomes restless and may stay awake for several days in a row. They don’t know what to do with the excess energy and may engage in compulsive activities like cleaning obsessively or disassembling and reassembling things. Psychotic episodes are common as hallucinations and paranoia overpower the mind.

Long-Term Effects of Meth Use

Once addiction takes hold, you may not notice the toll it’s taking on your body and mind. Typical effects experienced with long-term meth use include:

• Changes in brain chemistry—some of which might be permanent
• Psychotic episodes including aggression, hallucinations and paranoia
• Difficulty remembering or concentrating
• Degradation of your physical appearance including sagging skin, sores and tooth damage

Cycles of Change Can Help You Recover from Meth Addiction

While meth’s withdrawal symptoms aren’t typically life-threatening on their own, you might experience intense depression, mood swings, paranoia and other feelings that can contribute to relapse. Cycles of Change is licensed in California as a sub-acute detox center, and our rehabilitation program begins by helping you get through this difficult period which can last multiple weeks. Because no two people or addictions are alike, we believe in providing personalized treatment. Throughout your recovery journey, you will have access to a variety of therapies that are chosen specifically to meet your individual needs. Our caring, knowledgeable staff is ready to talk with you about taking the first steps towards healing and recovery. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.

Addiction is a complicated disease. A number of factors contribute to it, and in order to properly treat addiction, you will need to develop a variety of coping methods. 12-step programs, exercise, nutrition and many other types of therapy and education can help. One type of treatment that has shown promising results in recent research is mindfulness meditation.

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

There are several ways to practice mindfulness, but they are all a form of meditation. Your goal is to achieve a level of narrow focus on the present moment and nothing else. This allows you to observe your own thoughts and feelings from a neutral position. Doing so can give you clarity and allow you to cope with stress or pain in a healthy way.

Addiction Disconnects You from the World

The roots of addiction are often buried deep. It could be from a sense of loss, struggles with physical or mental illness or a combination of things. The most common thread is some form of unhappiness. A prolonged state of unhappiness can leave you feeling helpless or directionless. As you retreat from those feelings, you may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. A sort of autopilot mode kicks in as you move from high to high barely engaging with the world around you in the interim.

Meditation Offers a Natural, Healthier High

Drugs and alcohol help you escape unhappiness temporarily by releasing large amounts of dopamine into your system. However, when the rush wears off, you experience negative side effects that can make the painful thoughts and feelings you tried to avoid even stronger. Meditation has been found to boost dopamine levels, too. The spike isn’t as high, but once you stop meditating, it remains at healthier levels—avoiding the devastating crashes that inevitably come between drug uses.

Using Meditation for Addiction Recovery Rewires Your Brain

Research has shown that meditation can alter the physical makeup of your brain. Changes to the hippocampus, amygdala and other areas can improve your concentration and memory, and it can affect how you process stress, anxiety and fear. Some studies have even indicated that meditation may perform as effectively as antidepressants in treating some cases. Other observed benefits of meditation may include:

• Improved immune system function
• Lower sensitivity to pain
• Reduced blood pressure and risk of stroke
• Ability to detach from drug cravings and deal with them more effectively

Meditation and Addiction Recovery Near Palmdale, CA

Meditation puts distance between you and your impulses. From a more neutral position, you can observe the thoughts and feelings that are driving your urges to use drugs or alcohol. This newfound awareness can help you deal with the root causes and reduce your vulnerability to cravings and relapse. However, meditation isn’t a magical solution to all your problems. At Cycles of Change Recovery in Palmdale, California, we will work with you to develop a treatment program that may include meditation and other therapies that are designed to meet your unique needs. Our caring staff is invested in your success, and we are here for you. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, contact us today.

The term opioid refers to drugs that bind to one or more of the body’s opioid receptors. Some are derived from the opium plant while others are synthetic. Most commonly, opioids are used for pain relief, but they can also be used in treatment of diarrhea, cough and other conditions. Prescription painkillers have come under fire in recent years as they have proven to be incredibly addictive. Half the counties in California have banded together to take legal action against pharmaceutical companies as painkiller addiction issues have plagued the state, and other opioids like heroin and fentanyl continue to wreak havoc on our communities.

Prescription Painkillers’ Role in Opioid Addiction in California

The California counties allege that pharmaceutical companies downplayed the addictive nature of prescription painkillers and neglected to act responsibly in areas where unusually large quantities of the drug were routed. Painkiller addiction may impact people across a wide range of demographics from rural areas to larger cities, but the rural counties of California seem to be taking the hardest hits. Part of the issue may reside with healthcare professionals as they have pushed back against regulation and monitoring of prescriptions. However, it’s estimated that 2/3 of the people abusing prescription medicine are borrowing, stealing or buying the medications outside of legal channels.

Heroin is Still a Factor in the Opioid Crisis in California

As the cost of prescription painkillers has risen sharply over the past few years and measures have been taken to make it somewhat harder to divert them to the black market, some people are transitioning to heroin use. Most demographic groups, even those previously not associated with heroin, have shown an uptick in heroin use in recent years. California’s proximity to Mexico makes it a hotspot for smuggling drugs across the border leading to a constant, readily available supply. Heroin is highly addictive, and those trying to quit on their own experience a relapse rate over 90%.

Fentanyl: Another Issue Driving Opioid Addiction in California

As powerful as heroin is, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be as much as 50 times more potent. Given its strength and the fact that some users may not even realize they’re taking fentanyl instead of heroin, there has been an alarming increase in overdose cases in California and across the nation. Fentanyl is easy to produce, and it’s cheap which may make it an appealing alternative to those struggling to keep up with a painkiller addiction. A rapid influx in counterfeit medications made from fentanyl can make it extremely difficult to know exactly what you’re taking if you’re sourcing drugs outside of the proper channels.

Find Help for Opioid Addiction at Cycles of Change

Even if they’re only used for a short time, opioids like prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl carry a significant risk of addiction. California’s premier opioid rehab treatment center at Cycles of Change can help you gain the courage, knowledge and determination to maintain a drug-free lifestyle. We know treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process, and our team will work with you personally to develop a plan customized to meet your needs. When you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact our compassionate professionals today.

According to a recent survey, more than a quarter of first responders had been diagnosed with depression. That same survey noted that nearly half of them experienced anxiety. People struggling with these conditions may turn to alcohol, painkillers and other substances to self-medicate instead of seeking help. Unfortunately, the relationship between substance use and conditions like anxiety or depression can cause the situation to deteriorate even faster.

Signs of Depression

Many of the first responders surveyed claimed that workplace experiences contributed to their feelings of depression. That’s not much of a surprise considering how often police, EMTs and firefighters are called to deal with people experiencing serious trauma. The long-term psychological toll can gradually wear you down. You might be suffering from depression if you have the following symptoms:

• Hopelessness
• Low energy
• Trouble concentrating or remembering
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Suicidal thoughts
• Guilt

Common Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety can manifest in different ways for different people. Some may retreat inwards—isolating themselves from their loved ones. Others may become more outgoing or social to compensate for their feelings. Others may even become combative. These reactions stem from your natural fight, flight or freeze responses to perceived danger. Whether it’s nature, nurture or a combination of both, anxious children often come from anxious parents. Anxiety becomes a way to predict danger and keep yourself safe at an early age so you carry that defense mechanism into other areas of your life. When first responders develop anxiety from unresolved trauma, they may exhibit these symptoms:

• Feelings of depression
• Digestive trouble or nausea
• Headaches
• Respiratory problems
• Panic attacks

The Relationship Between Substance Use and Conditions Like Anxiety and Depression

When anxiety and depression go untreated, some people look for ways to self-medicate. That can take the form of alcoholism or substance use. First responders may face fewer barriers to acquiring a variety of substances given their duties and responsibilities. Grabbing a drink with the crew after a hard day can devolve into a need whether your team members are there or not. Painkillers prescribed for an injury in the line of duty can become a debilitating substance use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms from these substances may exacerbate the negative feelings from anxiety and depression, which makes you feel like using more is the only way to cope. This combination of conditions is called co-occurring disorders, and it’s important to seek help for both from a recovery program. Dual diagnosis treatment can lead to much more favorable outcomes.

Reaching Out for Help

Reaching out for help because of depression, anxiety or a substance use disorder is difficult, especially for first responders. Some fear how the conditions will harm their self-image, while others worry about how their families will respond when they find out. Many fear losing their jobs or credentials when their condition is brought to light or worry they’ll be judged by their colleagues.
However, these conditions are not something to be ashamed of. When struggling with depression, anxiety or substance use, you can’t provide the quality of care you need to. By choosing to seek help from the right treatment program, you’re putting your health first so that you can recover and return to saving lives and helping those in need.

Recovery for First Responders in Palmdale

At Cycles of Change Recovery, we have a program that’s tailored for first responders. Our First Responder Wellness Program can provide you with a personalized treatment plan developed for your unique needs. No two addictions are alike, so no two treatment plans should be. Our team of caring professionals has extensive experience working with first responders, and we are committed to providing you with the support and training you need to cope with issues like anxiety, depression and substance use. If you or a loved one is struggling, contact one of our specialists today.