Choosing The Best California Alcohol Rehab Center

When it comes to addiction treatment centers, California has a wide array of options to choose from. From holistic facilities to traditional clinics, addicts are afforded a number of choices to aid in their path to recovery. In this entry, we will provide you with information to help in determining the best option for your unique situation.

Step 1 – Educate yourself in regard to addiction and recovery. Addiction can refer to alcoholism, drug use, eating disorders, sex and more. Patients may be required to attend rehab via court order of a family physician, or encouraged to enter following a family intervention. Regardless of the reasoning behind a rehabilitation stay, the process is one that requires motivation, drive and perseverance in order to achieve a successful outcome.

Step 2 – Learn about inpatient programs. Residents within an inpatient program must reside at the facility under the supervision and care of addiction specialists, physicians and counselors until they have successfully completed treatment. Programs generally vary by rehab, but most include group and individual therapy, detox and after-care help.

Step 3 – Search online and find facilities that specialize in alcoholism treatment. Those interested in a more comprehensive, full-body treatment may benefit from a holistic alcohol treatment center.  Others may opt for a more traditional rehabilitation experience. Choosing the right rehab is crucial in ensuring a successful and long-lasting recovery. Once you’ve found a facility that peaks your interest, call them up to schedule a tour!

Step 4 – Contact a support group and ask for recommendations on area treatment facilities. Speak with individuals who have achieved a minimum 3 years of sobriety and inquire as to their rehab experience to obtain a better idea of what you might expect.

Step 5 – Get in touch with your insurance provider and ask for facilities that are covered under your current insurance plan. This will help alleviate the costs associated with treatment while narrowing the field in regard to potential recovery options.

Final Word

The most important aspect in locating an addiction treatment facility is comfort. If you find yourself anxious, for uncomfortable with a particular facility, chances are that your experience will suffer. Take the time to find a place that is not only able to address your individual needs and goals, but makes you feel relaxed and at home during the process. With the right support team and drive to succeed, there’s little you won’t be able to accomplish.

Success Tips For Alcohol Rehab

Though thousands of people attend alcohol drug detox and rehabilitation programs each year, only a small number are actually able to maintain their sobriety long-term. While rehab is certainly a momentous step forward in combating drug and alcohol addiction addicts must utilize the skills, knowledge and habits attained within rehab to realize the true benefits of sobriety.

Instructions

1     Participate in activities that heighten your self-esteem. While it can easy to simply kill time through movies and video games, these activities will do little to build a sense of self-worth. By making a commitment to a group, sport or volunteer work, recovering addicts are able to develop their self-esteem while promoting positive and healthy social interaction.

2     Let your creativity shine through art. Whether painting, photography or music, art can provide an outlet and even income to those willing to make the commitment. Art can also serve as a stress relief and boredom killer... boredom being one of the more common relapse triggers.

3     Find new friends. If you return to your old drinking buddies, chances are you’ll be back at the bar in no time. Avoid placing yourself in situations that may compromise your sobriety. A real friend will understand your commitment and support your decision. Remember… it often only takes one drink to trigger a full-blown relapse. Don’t kid yourself.

4     Read! Turn off the television and finish that book you’ve been eyeing. Reading regularly will keep your mind active and strengthen your thinking. It may take some time to make the transition, but with a little self-discipline, you’ll be an avid page-turner in no time. 

5     Think positive. Surround yourself with positive people, activities and goals. It can be easy to dwell on the negative side of recovery… especially during the initial stages. By making a point to focus your attention on the bright side, you’ll find yourself happier, fulfilled and better able to deal with the ups and downs of daily life.

6     Keep in touch with your California alcohol rehab addiction counselors following rehab. Having solid support is vital during the initial recovery process. When doubts and issues arise, you can always contact your counselors for a swift kick in the right direction. 

“Forcing” A Loved One Into Alcohol Rehab

In truth, there is no way to legally force someone into rehab without the aid of a court order. However, there are means within the legal system that friends and family members can use to get the ball rolling. The methods are not always the easiest, but when used properly, can be effective in helping your loved one obtain the help and treatment they deserve. In this entry, we will offer up a few tips to help you help them.

Step 1 – Arrange a doctor appointment for the individual in question. This will allow the physician to determine whether your loved one is able to care for themselves and make healthy choices. If the alcoholic is unwilling or unable to travel to the doctor’s office, you may have to arrange for a house call.

Step 2 – Contact your local court and file a petition on behalf of your loved one. The judge will likely require a complete psychiatric evaluation, which may ultimately result in a court order to enter and stay in a rehabilitation facility for a designated period of time.

Step 3 – Determine whether there are any unsettled cases facing your loved one. Many alcoholics have unpaid fines and tickets due to parking and DUI infractions. Many addicts will attempt to hide the details of these infractions from loved ones, often allowing them to become delinquent. These bits of information can help you gain support from the judge in getting your loved one into a rehabilitation facility.

Step 4 – Get the best intervention help Los Angeles, California has you offer. Interventions must be organized in a discreet and professional manner, and as such, it’s important to locate a knowledgeable and experienced intervention specialist to help ensure the best possible results. Most rehabilitation facilities offer these types of services. When in doubt, you can always facility website FAQs about rehab and recovery CA.

Not only will an intervention serve in communicating your love and concern to the individual, but will afford them a grand opportunity to consider help on their own terms.

Step 5 – If the individual is unwilling to seek help for their issues, it’s time to cut off any help you provide them. This can include anything from groceries and financial support to housing. Once the individual is faced with these losses, they will likely have no choice but to seek out the help being offered.

Putting An End To Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol dependency and abuse is responsible for over 100,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Driving under the influence is attributed to roughly 30% of all traffic fatalities. With so much on the line, it’s important to know your options when seeking ways to combat alcoholism. In this entry, we will discuss a few available treatment options.

“At risk drinking” is defined by most physicians as:

Males – More than 4 drinks/occasion or 14 drinks per week

Females – More than 3 drinks/occasion or 7 drinks per week

In order for an alcoholic to obtain help for their addiction, they must first possess the desire to overcome it. Alcoholics with no reason or drive to combat their dependency will find little help within the confines of 90 or 30 day rehab programs. If you suspect a loved of a drinking problem, the first step is communicating your concern to the individual. This can be accomplished in a private or group setting; the latter of which is more commonly known as an intervention.

Once an alcoholic has made the decision to seek help, the next step lies in choosing the appropriate means to combat the addiction. Treatment option information can be found via recovery blogs and facility websites. Simplified, your treatment options can be broken down into two distinct categories:

Residential and Outpatient

Residential inpatient therapy is best suited for individual with severe withdrawal symptoms, lack of social support, or a psychiatric illness. These facilities provide alcoholics with the attention and support they require without the distractions of a day-to-day living environment. Treatments include medical detox, group therapy and addiction counseling.

Outpatient therapy is typically only deemed appropriate for individual with moderate/mild withdrawal symptoms. Patients are afforded the opportunity to attend outpatient programs whilst still maintaining a job and residence away from the treatment facility.

AA is yet another means for the recovering alcoholic to combat their cravings. The program works by keeping members accountable through regular meetings, sponsors and the infamous 12 steps. Members are afforded the opportunity to share their experiences in relation to recovery and drinking while gaining support in their fight to maintain sobriety. AA is often introduced during rehabilitation with continued attendance encouraged post rehab program completion.

The road towards recovery is never an easy one. Those choosing this path must be prepared to sacrifice and strive for the greater good. Though it may take some time to realize the benefits of a successful recovery, the rewards and lifestyle associated with it are well worth the effort. 

Alcoholism vs Alcohol Abuse

Do you know the difference between Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse? 

Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) and alcohol abuse are two different forms of problem drinking.

• Alcoholism is when you have signs of physical addiction to alcohol and continues to drink, despite problems with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities. Alcohol may control your life and relationships.
• Alcohol abuse is when your drinking leads to problems, but not physical addiction.

Alcohol Addiction Help Post Rehab

Once an alcoholic has completed a stint in rehab, it can be easy to brush aside the idea of seeking out continued alcohol addiction help. Many feel the need to celebrate, collect the scattered pieces, and pick back up where they left off. Unfortunately, this plan of action often results in relapse, ultimately placing the individual in line for repeat rehabilitation visits and a spot in line at the recovery start point. In order to avoid this vicious cycle, it’s important for alcoholics to acknowledge the need for post rehab help to aid in ensuring a fulfilling, happy and long-lasting sobriety.

12 Steps To Happiness

12 step recovery programs are often introduced to rehabilitation patients during their initial recovery period. These meetings help break up the recovery process into bite-sized, digestible portions, meant to keep the alcoholic focused, driven and on track with their sobriety goal. As most addicts learn during meetings, recovery is far from a black and white process. Rarely does an alcoholic wake up to find themselves completely rid of the desire to drink. Rather, the process for many involves years… even decades of commitment and perseverance. As such, it’s largely encouraged for recovering alcoholics to adhere to a strict schedule in regard to meeting attendance and participation. With support comes confidence. With confidence comes… well whatever you put your mind to.

Living Sober

Another option for recovering alcoholics post rehab is sober living. A sober living home refers to a property outside the rehabilitation community where by recovering addicts are able to make the transition back into society in a structured and sober environment. Residents of these facilities must obtain and retain employment and/or education through an accredited institution. Residents must also adhere to a strict set of rules in regard to appearance, hygiene, demeanor, sleep schedules and of course, sobriety (random drug testing is an inevitability). By keeping to the schedule and rules set before them, residents are able to earn responsibility and privileges. Failure to abide to house rules can results in various consequences up to and including eviction. Many addicts choosing to place themselves in a sober living establishment are able to grasp hold of the challenges before them; ultimately setting themselves up for the happy, long-lasting sobriety they’ve been searching for.

Considerations

Every case is different. What may work for some, may not necessarily work for others. Those considering the options outlined above should be encouraged to speak with their addiction counselors prior to rehab completion in order to ensure any necessary arrangements are in place. Trust your gut and shoot for the win. You’re only as good as you truly know you are. 

The Newcomers Guide To 12 Step Recovery Programs

Interested in learning the ins and outs of 12 step recovery programs? The entry below will provide you with a few tips to get you started.

-       The best place to begin your journey with the 12 steps is from the bottom up: Step #1 – Admit that we are powerless over our addiction, and that our lives have become unmanageable. This initial step serves as an introduction and base from which to grow from throughout our time in the program.

-       Locate an in-person meeting in the area in which you live. Most all meetings have people with varying levels of wisdom, sobriety and experience, whom will be able to acquaint you with the program. Don’t be scared… you will likely be surprised by the positive reception! Additional alcohol addiction help can be found via social network recovery sites and online meetings. These options may be a little less personal, but can be very convenient when time and travel are opposing factors.

-       Choose a sponsor to help you stay accountable. It may take a few meetings to locate a good fit, but by simply taking the time and initiative to ask around, you shouldn’t run into much trouble. Use your better judgment when selecting a sponsor to ensure you’re working with someone who has your and their best interests at heart.

-       Move through the steps in order. Support throughout this process can be obtained through your sponsor and other AA members. Additional resources can be found online through support sites and forums. Some may also consider utilizing texts, such as the Alcoholics Anonymous’ Big Book.

-       The quicker you’re able to think objectively and hold yourself accountable, the more positive your life will become. The sooner you begin utilizing your 12 step program addiction resources, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy the sober and happy lifestyle you deserve.