Use Your Gilsbar Health Insurance to Treat Your Addiction

how to use your Gilsbar health insurance to treat your addiction

One of the most significant decisions in your recovery journey is deciding how to get sober. There will be no shortage of opinions on how you should accomplish this goal, so it’s important to remember that this is your journey. Treatment can be an expensive option, but using your Gilsbar health insurance can lower the stress around this aspect of getting sober. Choosing the right treatment facility can feel like an overwhelming decision. Starting your information gathering by researching only those facilities that accept your health insurance can make the process substantially easier.  At Laguna View Detox, we know that the decisions around early recovery can be stressful and we are here to help you navigate these early steps. 

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction 

While the signs and symptoms of addiction vary by the drug being used, there are commonalities. Addiction is a disease of mind, body, and spirit. For this reason, the signs and symptoms show up in different ways. The human body is not meant to regularly ingest drugs and alcohol. Even when a drug is prescribed, the prescribed benefits can quickly be erased if the drug is abused. The physical symptoms of drug and alcohol use show up across the body in various ways. Those who use opioids may seem to regularly have the flu, complain of body aches, or seem euphoric depending on their supply. Others who use stimulants will seem to be moving more quickly. Nearly everyone who uses drugs and alcohol will exhibit mood swings and changes in appearance. Beyond the physical signs, you may experience hopelessness, depression, anxiety, and problems in your relationships. Finally, there are the consequences of drug and alcohol use. Most who find themselves addicted to drugs and alcohol experience significant problems at home and at work. It is hard to focus on maintaining relationships or even employment when your primary focus is to use drugs and alcohol. 

 

Why You Should Utilize Gilsbar Health Insurance to Go to Rehab

Beginning your journey in a rehab treatment facility will provide you with additional support during what may be the most difficult days of your sobriety journey. Choosing a facility that accepts your Gilsbar Health Insurance will allow you to focus more on the work to be done and less on the finances of it all. Over time, you have likely stopped paying attention to caring for yourself, your finances, and your relationships. In rehab, you’ll go through detox to rid your system of drugs and alcohol so that you’re free to do the work of learning how to live a sober life. You’ll learn how to care for your body and your mind by learning skills including nutrition, meditation, and movement. At Laguna View Detox, we’ll help you to learn tools that will help you to cope with life and relationships without using drugs and alcohol. Through group and individual therapy, you’ll explore the beliefs that have been holding you back from a sober life while you develop new coping mechanisms. You’ll also have the chance to receive treatment for any co-occurring disorders and learn more about your overall health. 

 

How Laguna View Detox Can Help With You or Your Loved Ones Addiction Today 

At Laguna View Detox, you will get round-the-clock care to help you break free from addiction.  As one of the leading private drug rehab centers in Orange County, we provide luxurious, inpatient rehab treatment. Our staff includes some of the best in the industry, and we’ll create a holistic treatment plan tailored to you. We will care for you while you safely detox and then guide you through inpatient treatment and aftercare.  Contact us today and start your recovery journey in one of the most beautiful areas of California.

Recover From Alcoholism at a Highmark Alcohol Rehab

Recover from alcoholism at a Highmark alcohol rehab

Deciding to get sober is one of the most impactful decisions that you can make in your life. While it may seem like the easiest decision for someone else, that’s not always true. Even when you know that it’s time for you to get sober, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed with understanding the options available for getting sober. It’s important to know that you can blend together the different paths to create the path that’s the right fit for you. As you begin to gather information, you’ll learn about different rehab facilities, different treatment levels, and varying options for aftercare. Selecting a Highmark alcohol rehab can simplify some of the decisions by ensuring that some or all of your car in alcohol treatment is covered by your health insurance. 

Many Highmark plans will cover some portion of your treatment.  At Laguna View Detox, we know that the information-gathering stage can feel overwhelming and we’re here to help prevent it from becoming a barrier to your sobriety. 

How Can a Highmark Alcohol Rehab Help With Alcoholism?  

Receiving treatment at a Highmark alcohol rehab is the first step in your successful journey toward sobriety. You can expect to receive a wide range of services including individual and group therapy, skills groups, and more. We understand that you may have lost touch with how to care for yourself and carry out your responsibilities. Alcoholism and addiction are diseases that affect the mind, body, and spirit. A Highmark alcohol rehab will provide you with treatment to address all three. We’ll help you to reconnect with your body so that you understand the importance of nutrition and movement. Likewise, we’ll help you incorporate tools like meditation and mindfulness as coping mechanisms that will help you refrain from turning to alcohol in times of duress. Finally, in therapy, we will help you to identify the beliefs that have been preventing you from getting sober, develop new coping mechanisms, and treat any co-occurring disorders. 

Why You Shouldn’t Try to Quit Alcohol on Your Own

Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs to withdraw from. The safest way to withdraw is under medical supervision. This is especially true if you have been drinking daily for an extended period of time or have previously tried to quit drinking unsuccessfully. When you stop drinking alcohol abruptly, your body may respond with a cluster of symptoms referred to as Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS). 

 

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome can be very mild or can progress into more severe symptoms. At a Highmark alcohol rehab, you can expect to be monitored by licensed clinicians. This monitoring allows us to proactively treat any changes that we note and help you to avoid any complications during withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal begins with mild symptoms such as anxiety, noise and light sensitivity, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. However, it can progress to more serious symptoms, such as delirium tremens (DTs) or seizures, that can be fatal. Because severe alcohol withdrawal can be so dangerous, it is important that you are monitored during detox. 

 

How Laguna View Detox Can Help You With Addiction Today

At Laguna View Detox, you will get round-the-clock care for your alcohol problem.  We are one of the leading private drug rehab centers in Orange County. We provide luxurious, inpatient rehab treatment in one of the most beautiful areas in California. Our staff includes some of the best in the industry, and we’ll create a holistic treatment plan tailored to you. We will care for you while you safely detox and then guide you through inpatient treatment and aftercare.  Contact us today and let us help you break free from alcohol!  

 

Does Amerihealth Cover Drug Rehab?

Does Amerihealth cover drug rehab?

Once you decide to get help with your drug problem, you will have to gather a lot of information. You’ll start to explore how to get free of drugs and alcohol, including drug rehab treatment centers, peer support recovery group meetings, sober living, and more. As you explore these options, one of the most critical questions will revolve around your resources. While you may have reached a point where you can’t afford to keep using drugs and alcohol, you’ll still need to know what you can afford for treatment. Many plans will cover some portion of your attendance at a treatment center, which is part of Amerihealth’s rehab coverage. Understanding your insurance benefits can be confusing and can feel overwhelming when your list of decisions is long. At Laguna View Detox, we’re here to support you on your journey, which includes helping you understand the benefits available to you. 

Does Amerihealth Cover Drug Rehab?

While every policy’s specific benefits are different, Amerihealth rehab coverage is included with nearly all Amerihealth plans. While you can usually verify this directly with Amerihealth, we can also help you wade through this information. Even if Amerihealth does not cover your treatment’s entire cost, they will typically cover a portion of the cost. Once you know what is covered, we can help you create a treatment plan that serves you and help you strategize how to pay the remainder of the costs. You might have a Health Savings Account (HSA), a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), or other benefits available to you that will assist with the cost. 

Signs I Need to Go to Drug Rehab

If you take an honest look at your drug use and see that you have a problem, it’s likely time to go drug rehab. If you’ve tried stopping in the past and have been unable to do so, the extra support of rehab can be just what is needed. If you use different drugs and also drink alcohol, drug rehab can offer you a way to safely detox. Withdrawing from drugs, especially alcohol, without medical supervision can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. Our staff will monitor you closely and employ comfort measures to ensure that you detox safely. 

 

You are the only one who knows if you have a drug problem. Start by taking a look at your drug and alcohol use. Is your drug and alcohol use serving you?  What are you losing or missing out on in the name of getting high or drunk? It’s not always about hitting rock bottom. Take a good look at your drug and alcohol use and ask yourself the following: 

  • Have I been unable to quit using drugs on my own?
  • Have I tried to cut down on my drug use or drinking unsuccessfully?
  • Am I using more drugs than I intend to use?
  • Do I have to use more drugs to get the same effect?
  • Are my drug use and drinking causing me health problems?
  • Is my drug and alcohol use or being sick after interfering with my life?
  • Is it affecting my relationships or my career?
  • Has anyone in my life asked me to quit?

Answering yes to some or all of these questions is an indication that you have a problem and should consider drug rehab. In the end, the most crucial question is about how drugs and alcohol are affecting your ability to live your life. 

How Laguna View Detox Can Help You With Addiction

At Laguna View Detox, you will get round-the-clock care for your alcohol problem.  We are one of the leading private drug rehab centers in Orange County. We provide luxurious, inpatient rehab treatment in one of the most beautiful areas in California. Our staff includes some of the best in the industry, and we’ll create a holistic treatment plan tailored to you. We will care for you while you safely detox and then guide you through inpatient treatment and aftercare.  Contact us today and let us help you break free from alcohol!  

 

Facts and Stats About the LGBTQ Community and Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is an issue that faces all of society. Unfortunately, certain groups have been marginalized when it comes to talking openly about the facts and statistics surrounding substance abuse. One such group is the LGBTQ community. 

 

We here at Laguna View Detox feel that it is important to help shed some light on substance abuse and how it can impact different communities. It’s also important for those suffering to know how and when to get help for addiction.

 

Today we’ll discuss who the LGBTQ community are, how substance abuse affects the LGBTQ community specifically, and how to get help with addiction. 

Who Are the LGBTQ Community? 

To understand LGBTQ and substance abuse, you first need to understand the community and the people that are part of it. 

 

The LGBTQ community is broadly defined as those who classify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. This definition can also be more broadly extend to many other groups including pansexuals and non-binary persons. Typically, the community consists of anyone who does not identify as solely heterosexual. 

 

While the community as a whole is considerable, it is still considered a minority amongst the populace and the individual groups are each much smaller. Because of this and many other factors, members of the community often encounter a lack of acceptance and can face outright bigotry from non-members of the community. 

 

Members of the LGBTQ community are far more prone to have acts of violence and hatred committed against them than non-LGBTQ persons. The level of discrimination for an LGBTQ person is heightened based on other factors as well including, race, religion, regional location, family status, and other factors. 

 

Does Addiction Affect the LGBTQ Community? 

Unfortunately, being a part of the LGBTQ community and substance abuse are tied closely together. As we said earlier, members of the community often face higher rates of discrimination and violence as a result of their sexual orientation and as such, the rates of substance abuse are considerably higher than in other communities. 

 

Part of the issue with identifying all of the factors related to substance abuse within the LGBTQ community is due to the fact that it has only become a topic of research very recently. Until now, questions of gender identity and sexual orientation as factors for substance abuse and substance use disorders were not asked nor calculated. 

 

We can see a direct link between environmental factors such as discrimination and violence, and a higher likelihood of substance abuse. Furthermore, it is widely known that day-to-day stressors and lack of proper medical care and oversight can lead to higher rates of abuse. 

 

In a way, this compounds the problem for those in the LGBTQ community, violence and discrimination coupled with a fear of seeking the proper help can make substance abuse and addiction a never-ending cycle. 

 

There are also no signs of decline in substance use compared to other groups where treatment is becoming more prevalent. This is further compounded by the fact that LGBTQ persons with substance abuse problems are more likely to have co-occurring disorders as well such as mental health issues and emotional issues. 

 

How to Get Help With Substance Abuse 

It can be difficult to know when to seek help with substance abuse, especially as a member of the LGBTQ community. Please know there are resources available to help those looking to achieve sobriety. You are not alone when it comes to needing help with addiction. 

 

Laguna View Detox is a detox and residential treatment center located in Orange County, California. For more information regarding addiction treatment, please reach out to us today! 

 

Knowing When It’s Time To Go To an Alcohol Treatment Facility

In theory, getting sober is simple. All you have to do is stop drinking. However, simple doesn’t always equal easy. You may have started to rely on drinking as your primary coping mechanism. Drinking may be so interwoven with your life that you may not remember or know how to live without drinking. You may have attempted to get sober on your own and found yourself unable to do so. Whether you’re having a hard time giving up alcohol or needing extra support during those early days of sobriety, an alcohol treatment facility can give you the help you need. 

Laguna View Detox provides a beautiful, intimate setting for you to end your relationship with alcohol. We understand how hard it is to break free from alcohol, and we’re here to support you on your journey.

 

Signs I Have a Problem With Alcohol

There are many discussions lately around alcohol use and the terminology we use to talk about alcohol problems. Traditionally, one would be classified as either an alcoholic or a “normal drinker.” These days there are many more shades of grey with new terminology and new attitudes. Instead of alcoholism, many now say alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD). Rather than asking if you’ve hit your rock bottom or if you’re an alcoholic, you might instead take a good hard look at how your alcohol use is impacting your life. Alcohol commercials show happy, shiny, healthy people enjoying a few drinks and living their best life. But is that the reality for you? Take a good look at your alcohol use and ask yourself a few questions such as: 

  • Have you been unable to quit drinking or cut down on your drinking?
  • Have you found yourself drinking more than you intended?
  • Is your drinking causing you health problems?
  • Is your drinking or being sick after drinking interfering with your life?
  • Is your drinking affecting your relationships or your career?
  • Has anyone in your life asked you to quit drinking?

 

Answering yes to some or all of these questions is an indication that you may have a problem with alcohol. In the end, the most crucial question is about how alcohol is affecting your ability to live your life. 

 

When Should I Go To an Alcohol Treatment Facility?

If you take an honest look at your alcohol use and determine that you have a problem, it may be time to go to an alcohol treatment facility. This is especially true if you have been drinking regularly and have found yourself unable to stop. Depending on how often and how much you drink, you are at risk of experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can be mild symptoms such as irritability, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty focusing.  Alcohol detox can lead to seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and even death. For this reason, you must be honest about how much and how often you drink when you seek help. The staff at an alcohol treatment facility will monitor you closely and administer comfort medications to ensure you detox safety. 

 

Why You Should Go To Laguna View Detox, an Alcohol Treatment Facility 

At Laguna View Detox, you will get round-the-clock care for your alcohol problem.  We are one of the leading private drug rehab centers in Orange County. We provide luxurious, inpatient rehab treatment in one of the most beautiful areas in California. Our staff includes some of the best in the industry, and we’ll create a holistic treatment plan tailored to you. We will care for you while you safely detox and then guide you through inpatient treatment and aftercare.  Contact us today and let us help you break free from alcohol!  

 

How to Get Sober and More Importantly Stay Sober

getting sober

Once you decide to get sober, you may be wondering how to get sober and stay sober. The answer can seem simple; all you need to do is stop drinking and using drugs.  However, simple does not always mean easy.  Fortunately, there are many different paths and a lot of resources available to you in your journey. Exploring these paths is actually a part of the trip, but it can seem overwhelming. You might find that you have more questions than answers. Should you go to treatment?  Do you have to go live at treatment? What does intensive outpatient treatment mean? At Laguna View Detox, we are here to help guide you as you learn about the different methods and strategies to get and stay sober.

How to Get Sober

Once you decide to get sober, the first step is getting the drugs and alcohol out of your body.  Depending on how long you have been using, what you have been using, and if you have previously detoxed, you may need to detox under medical supervision. Detoxing can be very hard on the body, and doing it under supervision is the safest way.  Once you have detoxed, you’ll want to start working on staying clean.  Many people in early sobriety either attend treatment, attend recovery meetings, or attend both.  Treatment is often available on either a residential or outpatient basis at differing levels of intensity.  The length of treatment will vary depending on your particular situation.  You may find that you begin with detox, move on to residential treatment, and continue in an outpatient program so that you have additional support in early recovery. Not everyone’s journey into addiction is the same, which means that everyone’s journey into recovery is just a little bit different. The vital step is admitting that you have a problem and seeking help.  Once you’ve done that, the details of how will sort themselves out. 

How Do You Stay Sober?

Staying sober is an entirely different prospect than getting sober. It’s about maintaining your sobriety and your recovery, and that can feel less exciting somehow. It’s a bit like weight loss or getting in shape.  If you’ve been out of shape or overweight, many people will comment when you lose weight and get into shape.  They’ll notice the transformation and compliment you for it, but they likely won’t continue to applaud you as you maintain the changes.  Staying sober can feel a bit like that.  Everyone might be so happy when you get sober, and they may congratulate you for your efforts.  However, they won’t come to congratulate you every day or week for staying sober, and this is why it’s crucial for you to have a strong recovery program, including a relapse prevention plan. Many who suffer from addiction find that regularly attending recovery meetings is a critical part of their continued sobriety.  In addition to attending meetings, it is essential to have a support network. Some individuals in recovery also find it helpful to live in a sober living house.  

Ways Laguna View Detox Can Help You Stay Sober

At Laguna View Detox, we have a wide variety of programs to support you in your journey to and in sobriety. With our experienced, professional staff on your treatment team, you’ll learn the different ways to get sober and stay sober.  We provide luxurious, inpatient rehab treatment in one of the most beautiful areas in sunny Southern California. We are dedicated to seeing you succeed, and our programs will take you from detox to aftercare. Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!

How to Avoid Relapsing From Drugs and Alcohol

How to Avoid Relapsing From Drugs and Alcohol

You’ve gone to treatment, done the work, and gotten sober. You may be feeling a tremendous sense of accomplishment, an overwhelming sense of fear, or a combination of both.  Having likely heard the stories of others relapsing, you’re also probably wondering how to avoid relapsing. At Laguna View Detox, we know better than most that addiction treatment doesn’t end when you leave treatment, and we’re here to support you as you navigate life sober. 

What Is A Relapse?

A relapse, quite simply, is a return to using drugs. It may be a one-time slip, or it may be a full return to life before sobriety. Researchers see relapse as a process rather than a single event. 

 There is often a return to the behaviors we had during active addiction long before we ever pick up a drug during a relapse. 

Does Everyone Relapse?

While not everyone relapses, it is common.  Some studies show relapse rates to be higher than 75% within the first year of sobriety.  Still, this does not mean that relapse is necessary.  Relapse is a slippery slope and can sometimes even be controversial within the recovery community. Some may think that relapse requires completely starting over, while others believe it to be a bump in the road.  However you see relapse, it is essential to note that relapse can be dangerous or even fatal. Because of this, it is critical to have a drug relapse prevention plan.

Relapse Prevention Strategies and Techniques

In nearly all recovery programs and treatment facilities, you will hear that the key to drug relapse prevention is changing people, places, and things. The reason for all of this change is to create a life that doesn’t tempt or require you to use drugs to live. When you decide to stop using drugs, your friends who use drugs might not make that decision with you. Once you’re clean and sober, you may find that you don’t have much common ground.  You also may not want to visit the same places you visited when using.  Instead, you will want to explore new places and new activities to enjoy sober.  Just imagine if you were trying to give up doughnuts; you would likely stop going to the doughnut shop to reduce the chances of having a doughnut. 

A drug relapse prevention plan isn’t just about changing things up, it is also about recognizing that things will happen that may cause you to want to use them.  Whether we get sober or not, life still keeps happening and the feelings will come. When we’re using, we numb those feelings and may have forgotten how to respond when they arrive. If we do the work when things are good, we’ll be that much more prepared when life throws us the inevitable curveball. 

Relapse prevention may include things like having someone to call when the urge to use crops up, attending recovery meetings, and seeing a therapist regularly. Getting sober is like building the foundation of a home.  All of the work we do while sober, especially having a relapse prevention plan is like building the walls and putting on a roof so we have a home we can live in. 

Get Help Today at Laguna View Detox

At Laguna View Detox, you will get round the clock holistic care for your addiction.  We are one of the leading drug rehab centers in Orange County, California. We provide luxurious, individualized inpatient rehab treatment in one of the most beautiful areas in Southern California. We remain dedicated to helping you get and stay sober.  We help you to succeed by providing you with the care you need while you’re with us and setting you up for continued success with our aftercare. Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!  

Let Go of Anger in Addiction Recovery

let go of anger in recovery

Early recovery has often been compared to living on an emotional roller coaster.  After numbing your emotions for so long, you may not remember what it feels like to feel your feelings.  All the feelings come flooding back, and it can be challenging to manage the ups and downs. As you work to get and stay sober, you may find yourself going from happy to sad to angry to scared to depressed in just one day. All these emotions can be overwhelming until you learn how to navigate the ups and downs.  At Laguna View Detox, we arm you with the tools to work through these feelings constructively.  

How Anger Affects Your Negatively

Anger negatively impacts the body in the short-term, and this creates risks for more long-term health issues.  Certain emotions, including anger, fear, excitement, and anxiety, set off your body’s “fight or flight” response. This response floods the body with stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.  Your heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate increase as your body temperature rises, and you begin to sweat.  Your brain, readying your body, shifts blood to your muscles by moving it away from other areas like your gut and bladder.  Over the long-term, repeated anger can increase your risk for heart disease, disordered eating, diabetes, and other chronic diseases caused by inflammation. 

 

Anger affects more than your body.  Without an effective way to work through anger, you might find yourself losing friends, ruining relationships, losing jobs, and experiencing less happiness.  You might even find yourself committing acts of violence, which could have serious consequences. 

 

What Is Anger Management?

Anger management is more than the title of a movie.  Anger management is using or developing a process for working your way through the feelings behind your anger.  Different programs of recovery rely on different methods for dealing with anger.  Many 12-step based programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous use the steps to enable you to work through your past and develop a framework for difficulties you encounter in sobriety.  

 

Smart Recovery employs “Disputing Irrational Beliefs” (DIB,) which utilizes a series of questions to help you work through your anger at something or someone.  The goal is to determine what irrational belief is behind your anger that might be changed. You may find that one of these programs works for you and/or you might also find that working with a therapist enhances your ability to manage your anger.  At Laguna View Detox, we can help you find the program that is the right fit for you while you work with our team of licensed healthcare professionals. 

Tips to Let Go of Anger in Addiction Recovery

As you find your footing in sobriety, you will be exposed to how different recovery programs suggest you work through anger.  You will also learn about various activities that you might choose to do when angry.  Many people find it helpful to talk with another person in recovery, journal, engage in physical activity, or engage in a creative activity such as painting. The goal is to work through the anger and emotions behind it rather than engage in numbing behaviors. 

 

Get Help Today at Laguna View Detox

At Laguna View Detox, you will get round the clock holistic care for your addiction.  We are one of the leading drug rehab centers in Southern California. We provide luxurious, individualized inpatient rehab treatment in one of the most beautiful areas. We remain dedicated to helping you detox safely and seeing you succeed by providing you with the care you need while you’re with us and setting you up for success with our aftercare. Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction! 

 

Sober Date Ideas

sober date ideas

Yes, a sober date might look so simple, but if you’re used to taking cocktails on each date, it can be quite intimidating. A lot of people think a date is incomplete without a glass of wine. Not so true.

Whether you’ve been sober for years, in recovery, or on hiatus, dating without alcohol can be exciting. Plus, without alcohol hindering your motor skills, you don’t have to worry about making a fool of yourself or saying something you would regret. A sober date can allow you to connect with your date on a deeper level. 

Getting Started

Should I tell my partner I’m sober?

Yes, you should. You can tell your partner about your journey to recovery. Do not be embarrassed to say it; if your partner isn’t ready to help you get better, he or she might not be the best choice for you. Always remember that!

Sober Date Ideas

Do not fret, because you are sober doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun dating. Below are sober date ideas! You can pull off these ideas at a moment’s notice and enjoy your date without alcohol in sight.

  • Go to a comedy show

Going on dates to have fun is normal, but you might feel like a date without drinks takes away that tingling excitement or humor alcohol brings. Not to worry, you can go to a comedy show instead!

Almost every town has a comedy club, big or small. Comedy shows can either be funny because the comedians are great, or funny because the comedians .. aren’t so great. Either way, you and your date are bound to share a few laughs together. Just make sure to sit in the back because comedians love to pick on couples! 

  • Take a dance class

Dancing is a great way to have fun without alcohol. It requires being engaged with your date and letting your guard down. If you’re worried about not being a good dancer, there’s a change your date isn’t either. Also, the point isn’t to be good at it – it’s to try something new! You can take a class at a local studio or at home to develop your unique dance party.

sober date idea-dancing

  • Go to a carnival

No doubt, there are many things to do and see at a carnival. You could go on rides to get your adrenaline pumping, visit the haunted house, and so much more. Plus, carnivals always have delicious food. 

  • Go to the movies

This is a perfect date spot that will keep you away from alcohol and give you and your partner something to talk about afterward. Popcorn and candy can replace drinks, and you won’t feel pressured to make continuous conversation all night.

  • Visit a museum 

This might seem like something you do alone regularly, doing it with your partner gives a different and romantic feel. Seeing what kind of art your partner is into (or not into) will give you some insight into the person that they are.  

museum sober date

  • Going to a baseball game

Or basketball, or football! The energy at live sporting events will almost always set the tone for a fun date. Baseball and football both are played outside, so make sure to pick a game where the weather is supposed to be good.

Irrespective of the sober date you end up picking, always remember that you can still have a great time without alcohol. So disregard your misconceptions and get set to enjoy an alcohol-free date!

How Laguna View Detox Can Help With Addiction

Laguna View Detox’s drug rehab in Laguna offers the best addiction treatment in Southern California. We also offer a wide range of programs and treatment options for all types of addictions. If you or your loved one is suffering from any form of addiction, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We can help you fight the addiction.

How SMART Recovery Helps With Substance Abuse

smart recovery cost benefit analysis

Do you feel your life unraveling?  Do you have trouble focusing? How about those sweaty and trembling hands? Perhaps you are starting to have issues with relationships as a result of substance use? Or maybe you can’t stop thinking about using drugs and alcohol, it’s almost as if you’re obsessed. And you don’t like it. 

These are signs of substance abuse, and while these signs are visible, knowing how to overcome them can be quite difficult. So how do you beat addiction and live a drug & alcohol free life? Seek addiction treatment. 

 

What Is Smart Recovery?

The road to recovery is a lifelong journey.  Having a sound support system during and after rehab is important. This is where SMART recovery comes in.

The self-management and recovery training (SMART) program is a support group for recovering substance abusers and addicts. It is designed to help addicts and people with behavioral disorders lead a life free of addiction. 

SMART recovery group is one of the top addiction and substance abuse support groups with hundreds of chapters all over the world. It is scientifically based and has trends of showing positive results in people who use it. Awesome, right?

The SMART program is popular worldwide for the techniques it uses to help people live a happy life. Almost every correctional facility and treatment center has a SMART program. At Laguna View Detox, we incorporate the use of SMART recovery group in the Laguna Beach area. 

 

How Is SMART Used in Treating Addictions?

SMART teaches techniques that encourage self-empowerment. The idea is to teach you, the recovering addict, to be in control of your life, by empowering your mind – no wonder it is different from other addiction support groups?

SMART addiction recovery follows 4 crucial steps, unlike other 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

 

Motivation

Motivation can drive a person to change their behaviors or beliefs. And that’s why it is the first step in the SMART program. Many recovering addicts go back to substance abuse after they leave in-patient care because they lack motivation or can’t stay motivated. 

Staying motivated when you’re sober is the first step to remaining in recovery. When there isn’t a reason to stay clean, getting off track is easy. 

But there is a solution, surrounding yourself with people who experience the same struggles you have is the best place to be during addiction treatment and after. 

 

Mastering urges 

In our SMART recovery group at Laguna View Detox, we teach our clients how to recognize and beat cravings. It’s all about teaching you to be in control of your lives. If you can beat cravings, you can avoid giving in to them. Some of the techniques we teach involve setting boundaries and knowing your limits. 

 

Controlling harmful thoughts 

The mind is a powerful tool that can either aid or derail your journey to recovery. In SMART recovery groups, members are taught to let go of negative thoughts. Thoughts fueled by fear often make addicts believe that they can’t go through the treatment program. 

Rather than worry about not controlling your urges and spiraling downward so fast, think differently. Think instead of how far you’ve come in mastering your urges and how much better you’ll be at it after a long time.

 

Living a balanced life 

SMART’s goal is to help former addicts live a balanced life. This happens when your lifestyle is designed to match your recovery process. 

If you’re motivated, beating urges and thinking positively become a lifestyle, making it easier to live a substance abuse free life. That’s the goal, making the recovery process a lifestyle. 

 

SMART Recovery Benefit Analysis

There are several benefits of SMART recovery groups. Let’s discuss a few of them, shall we?

Prevents relapse 

SMART prevents relapse when done right. The techniques taught are science-based as well as realistically attainable for people. By empowering you and teaching you to control their addictions, you can stay sober. 

 

Helps develop self -awareness 

SMART leads members on a life-long journey of self-discovery. That said, the techniques taught in SMART will help you understand yourself better for efficient implementation. 

Self-awareness is essential for dealing with addiction. It forms the background for developing new value systems and a game plan for life. 

 

Rounded treatment

SMART is a well-rounded treatment. It teaches members how to cope with life’s curveballs without needing an unhealthy crutch – it can teach you too. 

 

We Can Help With Smart Recovery

At Laguna View Detox, we incorporate SMART recovery groups into our substance abuse programs. We believe in giving our clients truly individualized care, and this includes having options. Contact us today if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction. We want to help!