Tips for Finding a Job After Rehab

finding a job after rehab

Looking for employment can be difficult, especially after completing addiction treatment. When it comes to treatment, it takes a lot of determination to be able to stick with the program and get past the alcohol, the drugs, and triggers into the new phase you’re in now. 

Now that you’ve made it through treatment, and you probably feel ready to take on the next big step. The prospect of finding a job after rehab and addiction treatment can be exciting: exciting because you feel revitalized like you’re starting life anew.

However, getting a job after treatment has its challenges as some employers would hesitate to consider a candidate who has a history of addiction. 

Another reason may be employment gaps in between, and then you have to explain all that to your prospective employer.  

So how do you start? How do you navigate through these challenges and find a job after rehab?

Take Another Look at Your Resume

First, you must know that getting a job is a positive development. You also have to know that you’ll experience setbacks and upsets along the way. So no matter what happens, stick with it and keep it moving.

So now, take another look at your resume. Do some updates. Add some new skills you’ve acquired. Do some formatting. Highlight all your skills and talk about your best qualities—spice up the narrative in your descriptions. 

Also, don’t forget to check with friends and other professionals to get up to speed with the latest trends in putting together an impressive resume. This would enable you to put your best foot forward. 

Check Job Openings

It goes without saying that you have to be patient. 

This is because you have to think about what would be the right job for you at the present moment: a job with working hours that would allow you to keep up with treatment and recovery.

Also, you want to consider the industry and working environment. For instance, work in any organization in the hospitality industry has some flexible working hours but also tends to be an environment that promotes alcohol consumption. If you’re unsure what you’re passionate about, a good first job post treatment could be at a rehab! 

You can also consider doing part-time jobs in the beginning, and as your recovery progresses, then consider full-time. 

finding a job afte

 

Use Your Network

This much is true for every job seeker out there. Now you may have had to cut ties with some people who may have impacted you negatively, but at the same time, it is essential to build new bridges. 

Build positive bridges that are a network of people who’d have a sustainable impact in your life. Talk to them. Talk to people. Talk to your counselor. Talk to family. Upon seeing your new path, they’d be willing to help. Be open-minded about opportunities, however small. You have to start somewhere.  

Complete That Education

If you were unable to complete an education (maybe a degree or a professional certification), now is the best time to complete it. A lot of employers believe in proven abilities. And when those abilities are backed up with certifications, you more or less have some armor around you. 

So get certified. Education and certification give you an edge.

We Want To Help

There are a lot of people out there, struggling to maintain sobriety and struggling with their addiction. It’s okay. Life is a tough place, and it is okay to feel the way you’re feeling. 

We can help, and we want to help. Laguna View Detox can help you achieve and maintain sobriety. We are based in the beautiful Laguna Beach, CA, where we offer homey and secure addiction treatments and programs in an environment that help set you on a positive path towards recovery.

Reach out to us today! 

 

Maintaining Sobriety During Tough Times

Family issues, financial problems, and personal battles are just some of the challenges we humans face every day. This doesn’t change regardless of whether or not you’re in early addiction recovery. Life can get tough, which can leave you wondering whether you made the right choice of getting sober. No matter how hard things get, being sober is better than using drugs or alcohol. Remember, you have worked so hard to start your journey of recovery, don’t let that go to waste! You have a whole new life ahead of you to explore. But how do you maintain sobriety during tough times?

Recovery Is Lifelong 

It is important to understand that addiction recovery is a lifelong process. At the beginning of recovery, you may have been able to remove yourself from society to focus 100% on getting sober. Unfortunately, inpatient addiction treatment does not last forever. The everyday stressors will eventually start to creep back up on you post-treatment but not to worry, with the right knowledge and awareness, you can easily manage these stressors without turning to drugs or alcohol.  

Below are a few ways to maintain sobriety during tough times: 

Check-in With Yourself

A crucial component to staying sober despite hard times is checking in with yourself. It’s important to be aware of how you feel at all times. It’s helpful to check in with yourself a few times a day to ask yourself “how am I feeling?” “am I stressed or overwhelmed?”. Taking a few minutes to reflect will help you identify any drug cravings or triggers and stop them from getting worse. 

Embrace a Hobby

Hobbies can be a great productive outlet and a healthy distraction from the everyday stressors of life. Although it may contradict what we discussed above, it’s totally healthy to do something that takes your mind off of things that are stressing you out, within reason of course. 

Reading, writing, drawing, or even something as simple as coloring are all constructive hobbies. If you don’t want to lean into your creative side, cooking and gardening are also nice hobbies to pick up. Cooking is an extremely useful skill due to the fact that we have to eat to live, and if you pick up gardening, you can plant fruits & vegetables! 

Stick to a Routine 

If you have never had a daily routine, this may be the best time to develop one . Keep a structured weekly schedule, even if you don’t have a job. Doing things the old way will only invite triggers that can cause relapse. If you used to wake up at 10 in the morning and only drink a cup of coffee, you could change that to waking a bit early, taking a small morning jog, making something healthy for breakfast, and starting your day. A chaotic lifestyle may hinder proper recovery, especially when you have to deal with life issues and unforeseen circumstances.

Eat a Balanced Diet and Exercise 

Eating well and exercising will boost your overall mood, which ultimately leads to you coping with stress in a healthy way. Eating foods that restore energy will help you feel motivated to work out. Exercise such as karate and yoga can help achieve internal self-balance and control. Sticking to a regular exercise schedule and eating routine is an excellent way to stay sober and cope with stress. 

Sleep

Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can cause mood changes and the inability to think straight. If you anticipate a stressful week at work coming up, or are experiencing some personal issues like a break up, make sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Feeling well rested will help you feel relaxed and able to focus on your recovery. 

We Want to Help

Are you struggling to remain sober during tough times? Laguna View Detox can help you achieve and maintain sobriety. We are a luxury drug and alcohol treatment center based in the beautiful Laguna Beach, CA. We offer a safe home-like and secure addiction treatment environment to help you develop a positive attitude towards addiction treatment and recovery. 

We use cognitive behavioral therapy as a treatment process. We also focus on holistic treatment modalities during our inpatient and detox programs. We boast some of the best clinical team members around. Our caring support team will offer you excellent aftercare planning and an alumni program to follow up on how you are managing sobriety. Feel free to visit us today!

Are you Sober-Curious?

We’ve all seen it — Hollywood’s idea of what drug addiction looks like. Movie addicts are either dimensionless dregs of society, or they’re renowned artists who eventually transform into sobriety and never relapse. Even realistic attempts often show the addict spiraling down until they hit rock bottom and have a sudden awakening that they need help. In movie land, there is usually no ongoing struggle.

Alas, real life is not so simple.

The truth is that drug abuse and addiction affect people from virtually all demographics. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General reports that over 20 million Americans engage in substance abuse each year. And if you’re like many people who are struggling with drug abuse, you probably won’t have a definitive “awakening” moment. Instead, it’s very likely that you are already “sober-curious”, that is, curious about becoming sober and pondering how your present life could be different. Many people in this category have attempted staying sober for short periods of time.

The good news is that if you’re reading this, your interest in overcoming addiction is becoming more than just a curiosity. Here are some of the things you should consider:

Substance Abuse Takes a Toll on Your Health

It’s very possible that you already know how substance abuse can negatively impact your personal and professional life, even in small ways. Perhaps you’ve already missed some important events or appointments, or you no longer feel as on top of work as you once did. But if that’s not reason enough to start thinking about getting sober, then you should at least be thinking about how it is affecting your health.

Each substance (drugs and alcohol) come with their own detrimental health effects, some more so than others. But the truth is that you can overdose on most things. Furthermore, even lighter drug and alcohol use can cause disrupted sleep patterns and insomnia, along with increased risk of cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.

Substance abuse also correlates strongly with mental health disorders like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder (all of which can lead to serious physical health problems when left untreated). In fact, the National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that 1 in 4 individuals suffering from a mental illness also suffer from a substance use disorder. Making matters even worse, substance abuse often only worsens the symptoms of mental illness, leading to a vicious cycle of more abuse in an attempt to cope.

Benefits of Sobriety

The path to addiction recovery can be challenging, but it comes with great rewards. Not only will kicking the habit drastically improve your health, but getting sober will also leave more money in your pocket and enable you to spend more quality time with family and friends.

In fact, here are some of the key benefits that give many people that final push to get the help they need:

  • Get a second chance – Many people leave addiction treatment feeling refreshed and better than they have in years, not to mention with a whole new perspective on life and what they want out of it.
  • Adopt a healthy lifestyle – After you go through detox, your body will automatically begin repairing itself from the ravages of drug and/or alcohol abuse. Life in recovery is the perfect time to start focusing on your overall health, from eating a well-balanced diet to getting regular exercise.
  • Stop wasting money – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that people struggling with addiction often spend between $100 and $1000 a month on their substance of choice, with many spending even more.
  • Rebuild relationships – Chances are, some of your relationships with friends and family have suffered at least a little as a result of drug abuse. Addiction recovery is the perfect time to rebuild what you once had and even make entirely new connections.
  • Discover new activities – Not only will you have more time to be active, but sobriety also opens up multiple new doors. Learn the joys of making art with a clear mind, take classes to learn new skills, volunteer, go explore local parks and nature, travel, pick up a sport, etc.

Misconceptions About Life in Recovery

There’s a common misconception that people who are sober are “boring” or don’t go out much. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, an increasing amount of restaurants are offering more non-alcoholic cocktail options while numerous social groups are launching outings that don’t revolve around drinking or drug abuse.

This is thanks to the increasing amount of people all over the country entering life in recovery or even dipping their sober-curious toes into short periods of sobriety. When you reach addiction recovery, you’ll have more options than ever!

Another big misconception is that people have to hit rock bottom or meet other kinds of severe requirements in order to be a candidate for addiction recovery. This isn’t true at all. Many people enter treatment and work towards long-term sobriety because they realize they are missing out on little things in life thanks to frequent drug abuse. Others go because they want to be healthier and more productive.

We’re Here to Help

Feeling sober-curious? We invite you to reach out to our team at Laguna View Detox. Our luxury program merges traditional time-tested methods with advanced modern therapies in order to help you reach sobriety and enter the life in recovery you deserve.

Supporting Your Loved One While They Are Getting Sober

get your loved one sober

If you know someone struggling with addiction, you’re probably experiencing a range of different emotions. You may feel sad, angry, or confused, and don’t know what to do. Laguna View Detox is here to tell you one of the best things you can do is help this person find addiction treatment, and then find help for yourself. The best way to support someone is to understand what they’re going through. 

Addiction: The Disease

Addiction is a disease, not a choice.

Addiction is now classified as a chronic disease, rather than a moral failing. During addiction, the chemistry of the brain is changed, causing a type of short-circuit, where the addict has a compulsive, uncontrollable urge to continue using drugs or alcohol. Their brains literally tell them that the substance is more important than anything in their lives and ultimately becomes their singular focus. 

Although it sounds scary, these mental and physical changes can be treated effectively with professional intervention. It’s important to be supportive before, during, and after the treatment process. 

How to Offer Support 

Once you have decided that your loved one or friend would benefit from getting sober, it’s important to do your research and understand not only immediate treatment options, but resources to use once this person is out of treatment, and rebuilding their life.

Things to do while your loved one is in treatment: 

  • Provide encouragement while in rehab
  • Seek education about substance abuse
  • Open your heart and mind
  • Prepare your home to be a sober environment
  • Change lifestyles or the home to encourage long-term sobriety
  • Continue to work with the treatment center after the initial program
  • Attend Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings

loved ones getting sober

Al-Anon Intervention

There are community resources that can help you, your family, and your loved one understand addiction and create long-term solutions and support networks.

Al-Anon is the counterpart to Alcoholics Anonymous. This group consists of the friends and families of alcoholics, both past and present. 

Al-Anon considers close friends of self-constructed families to be part of the family unit – so even if your loved one is just a friend, Al-Anon considers them part of the family, which helps in the healing process.

Al-Anon recognizes that alcoholism is often more than a singular person’s issue, and looks at the family dynamic as a whole to understand how the addict fell into addiction. Al-Anon helps the family to change the attitudes and dynamics in order to foster a solid foundation for the alcoholic to recover in.

Nar-Anon

Nar-Anon is the counterpart to Narcotics Anonymous. This group is made up of family and friends of someone who is suffering from substance abuse, no matter what that drug or substance may be. This group often covers a wider range of addictions.

Official Nar-Anon groups follow a 12-step program. These programs help the friends and family members who have been impacted by a loved one’s addiction by creating a community of support.

No matter what kind of support group or community resources you join, you will gain knowledge into your loved ones addiction and also start the healing process for yourself.

Maintain Compassion & Support Throughout the Process

Recovery is a lifelong journey that is most enjoyable with the support from others. A loved one getting sober is a lifestyle change and huge accomplishment, so make sure you acknowledge that for your loved one. It’s not uncommon for recovering addicts to feel anger towards their current situation, grief over what they have lost, and guilt about actions they have taken while they were using drugs or alcohol. The best thing to do is provide a shoulder to lean on and listen.

Do You Know a Struggling Addict? 

If someone you love is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, please reach out to us today. Laguna View Detox is a luxury addiction treatment facility located in Laguna Beach, CA. We offer a truly individualized approach to addiction treatment and have six beds in our facility, which ensures we can give each and every client our undivided attention. 

A Guide to AA

When you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, you may be wondering if Alcoholics Anonymous is right for you. It’s important to know that Alcoholics Anonymous is by itself not a professionally-run treatment program. However, it can offer you a strong, supportive community both before and after you go through detox, and initial addiction treatment through a professional facility. Here’s what you need to know about Alcoholics Anonymous and how to tell if it’s the right choice on your path to life in recovery:

What Exactly Is Alcoholics Anonymous?

There’s a good chance you’re at least a little familiar with the sobriety-focused organization, or as it is commonly known, “AA”. Launched back in 1935 in Ohio, the now-international group has become practically synonymous with those who are trying to recover from alcohol addiction. Groups typically meet at least once a week or more, sharing their stories of both substance abuse and sobriety, and offering one another support.

AA is also well-known for its “12 steps” of recovery, which are traditionally spiritual in nature. That said, advocates in recent years have explained that these steps are not necessarily religious and can be adopted by people of all beliefs. Essentially, these steps provide a basic guide towards sobriety. It begins with admitting your problem and that you have become powerless under your addiction. The steps then gradually progress through ways you can make steady changes, make amends with those who have been affected by your addiction, and regain control over your life.

Why People Choose AA

In addition to the “steps”, people are drawn to AA for other reasons. The community support is a big one, and many participants feel inspired by others’ stories and  comforted in knowing that they are not alone in their experiences. The group also provides a means of accountability towards others, and many find themselves increasingly likely to make healthy decisions when they are checking in with other people in addiction recovery each week.

In fact, most professional addiction treatment programs highly recommend that recovering addicts find a strong support system during their recovery (and life in sobriety). Especially for those whose relationships may have suffered during alcohol abuse, AA can serve as a supportive frontline. It is this sense of community and place of belonging that draws many people to AA groups in the first place, and it is also what helps members stay.

There’s also the anonymity factor. While those who attend meetings will obviously recognize you if they see you in public, they are expected to not share your name or story with others. While attending a meeting, you yourself are under no obligation to share your real name (though you are welcome to do so). Likewise, when discussing AA publicly or with anyone outside the program, members are also expected to not share their own personal names or the names of others in the program.

Can I Attend AA If I Have a Different Addiction?

There are different kinds of AA meetings. Open meetings are public and may be attended by both alcoholics and non-alcoholics alike, and because of this the local supportive community is often quite extensive. Furthermore, a lot of people attending AA meetings have been in addiction recovery for quite some time. Many people struggling with other substance abuse problems do so because the belief system can easily be generalized to drugs and other addictions. Aside from AA, there are a variety of other 12-step programs geared towards different substances.

Do I Still Need to Go Through Addiction Treatment?

Life in recovery is within your grasp — now you just need to find the best way to get there. While some people do manage to reach sobriety through AA groups alone, the truth is that many others need the focused care that comes with professional addiction treatment programs. After all, AA typically only provides guidance. To get actual medical supervision through detox and onto the first steps of sobriety, you will need the more hands-on approach that comes with a professional treatment program. If you are like most people and are unsure about what approach would be best, it’s wise to reach out to a treatment counselor for more information about your options.

Laguna View Detox Is Here For You

To learn more about professional addiction treatment for alcohol and other substances, reach out to our team at Laguna View Detox. We offer a variety of comprehensive treatment programs that can help you detox and achieve sobriety in a relaxing, luxurious setting. While we encourage you to find outside sources of support (like Alcoholics Anonymous) that can help you stay on track, we will help you go through the important steps of actually freeing your body from dependence on substances. Reach out to us today to learn more.

5 Habits You Should Develop in Sobriety

Recovery is a way of life. Treatment programs and rehabs aren’t the ends of sobriety, they’re a jumping-off point. During these programs, you get to the root of your addiction and learn the coping skills needed to be sober. After you leave treatment, the work doesn’t stop. Maintaining sobriety requires your attention daily. 

At Laguna View Detox, we know the above mentioned can sound daunting. We want to let you know that although working at your sobriety daily may sound like a chore, it’s not at all. There are simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine that help make staying sober feel effortless. During treatment, we’re here to set you up for success. Our facility puts a huge emphasis on aftercare which helps you achieve healthy habits to bring home with you.

Being Structured in Sobriety

Eliminating the toxic environment that helped fuel your addiction is super important when building structure in your life. Generally speaking, addicts live a life of complete chaos. The anxiety behind potentially running out of money, not knowing if you’ll be able to score drugs or alcohol, and hiding your behavior from loved ones, makes it nearly impossible to live a balanced, structured life. 

Once you achieve sobriety, you’ll want to remove the chaos from your life. By adding structure to your day, perhaps implementing a morning and evening routine, you’ll feel in control of your life. 

Healthy Habits to Adopt

Although the word habit can have a negative connotation, it’s actually a positive thing in the context of this discussion. Below are some of our recommendations of healthy habits you can pick up in sobriety:

  1. Exercise: Your mental and physical health are directly related. Not only does exercising benefit you physically, it has a positive effect on your mental health as well. Exercise can prevent serious health conditions such as obesity and diabetes while relieving stress. Working out can also be fun. You can do it alone or with a friend, you can exercise in a gym or outside, and it’s something you can do every day.  
  2. Meditation: Meditation is a great tool to use to clear your head and remain calm. Addicts often struggle with anxiety and feel the need to get out of their own heads. Using meditation, instead of drugs, will rid your mind of any worry or negative thoughts. You can meditate on your own or download an app on your phone, such as Headspace.
  3. Honesty: This may sound like a weird one but lying can be habitual, as well as being honest. Being honest with yourself and anyone around you is very freeing. For example, if a friend does something that bothers you, you should let them know. If you aren’t honest you can start to resent them and feel angry. Having resentments is like being on the fast track to relapse. 
  4. Fun: Learning how to have fun in sobriety will help you feel confident in your choice to get sober. Everyone deserves to have fun and drugs and alcohol are definitely not needed to do so. Whether you realize it or not, having fun is a choice. Putting an emphasis on doing at least one fun thing a week can make a huge difference in your happiness, which ultimately helps keep you sober. 
  5. Generosity: Give back in sobriety! This doesn’t have to be done in a monetary way, you can give someone your time, which is very generous. There is probably at least one person who was generous to you during your sobriety, so why not pay it forward? Some ways to be generous are volunteering at a local organization, coaching a little league team, and tutoring someone for free. 

Laguna View Detox is Here for You

At Laguna View Detox, we provide a luxury drug & alcohol treatment program that is set in the gorgeous area of Laguna Beach, CA. Our trained professionals offer detox & inpatient treatment program for both addiction and drug abuse. We strive to help all of our participants find ways to not just get sober but stay clean as well. We do this using a unique luxury program that marries traditional treatment with innovative therapies. We have discovered that this is helpful in assisting our participants in beating substance abuse permanently. To find out more about our addiction recovery services, please contact us today!

How to Have Fun in Sobriety

Generally speaking, people don’t associate sobriety with being fun, but we’re here to tell you otherwise. Being sober is fun! Waking up refreshed every morning, with a clear head, while being able to show up for the ones we love, is fun. Just because you now don’t have the aid of drugs or alcohol, doesn’t mean your life is going to suck. Newfound sobriety will be one of the most exciting times in your life. If you’ve been sober for a while and feel stuck in a rut, we have some tips on how to have fun again. 

Why Is Having Fun in Sobriety Important?

When you first get sober, you probably aren’t sure what makes you happy and how to have fun. You became used to associating socialization with drugs or alcohol. It’s ok, it’s totally normal, and you’re not the only person who did this. A big part of getting sober and staying sober is being happy. Happy people are less likely to fall off the wagon. Having fun and connecting with others is a great way to feel happy. It’s also a great stress reliever when you’re having fun you probably aren’t thinking about work or that fight you had with your partner. While it’s important to face your problems head-on, you don’t need to be thinking about them all of the time. Everyone deserves a break in life and let loose a little. 

Let’s Have Some Fun

There are plenty of ways to have fun that don’t include drugs or alcohol:

  1. Travel: Now that you aren’t spending money to sustain your drug addiction, you probably have some spare cash to use to travel. Traveling is fun for a few reasons. Traveling usually includes creating a plan. Researching places you want to travel to is a great thing to do in your spare time. Based on where you choose to travel to, you’ll probably learn some new stuff about yourself. If you choose to travel to the woods, you may realize that you enjoy connecting with nature. If you want to travel somewhere with a beach, maybe you realize you want to learn how to surf. If you don’t like to plan and want to ‘wing it’, you totally can thanks to technology. If you pick a new city to travel to, you can easily google things to do there after you arrive. The best part about traveling is there are so many ways to do it, you can fly, take a bus, drive, or even ride your bike a short distance. No one ever said you have to fly across the world in order to travel. 
  2. Go to an amusement park: If you’re a thrill-seeker, amusement parks are the best. It’s a drug-free way to get an adrenaline rush. Most cities have a local amusement park, but you can also look for places that have bungee jumping, or even skydiving. Water parks can also provide a thrill and are fun to do with friends and family. 
  3. Learn to cook: Cooking is one of the few hobbies that will be useful for your entire life. You’ll always need to eat to live. Cooking is nearly impossible to perfect and become bored of because there are endless possibilities of what to cook. There are also numerous advanced techniques, such as making your own emulsions or properly deglazing a pan, to learn. You can cook for yourself or others. If you’re confident enough, you can host dinner parties for your friends and families. 
  4. Play a sport: A Lot of companies will sponsor afterwork sports teams for their employees to participate in. Playing a sport is fun because it’s exercise for the body, mind, and a great way to bond with others. Sports require strategizing and team work. If you don’t have a job that will sponsor a team, you can start your own with friends or neighbors! Most towns have rec centers that let groups of people reserve a field or court on a certain night of the week. You can also gather a group of people in a public park weekly. All you need are a few people, and a ball, and you’re good to go!  

Let Us Help You!

At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury drug & alcohol treatment program located in the gorgeous area of Laguna Beach, CA. We are proud to offer detox and inpatient treatment for addiction and drug abuse. We will help all of our patients find ways to enjoy life without the bonds of addiction. Furthermore, we also provide a unique luxury program that combines traditional treatment with modern therapies. We have found that this is effective in assisting our clients in overcoming substance abuse permanently. To learn more about our addiction recovery program, please contact us today!

Why You Should Exercise in Addiction Recovery

Each year more than 21 million Americans will be affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Substance abuse is nearly impossible to overcome on your own but with the help of treatment programs, sobriety is possible. 

Like other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression, diet and exercise can be beneficial in overcoming addiction.  At Laguna View Detox, we stress the importance of giving our clients plenty of opportunities to exercise. Addiction affects the mind and body, and we encourage our clients to adopt a healthy lifestyle in sobriety. Healthy clients are happy clients.

Why is Exercise Beneficial for Those in Addiction Recovery?

One of the primary hallmarks of addictions is drug or alcohol cravings.  These urges are strongest within the first few months of sobriety. A combination of time and treatment can help them go away. To help combat these cravings, we introduce exercise into a client’s everyday regimen. Exercise is a great distraction and productive hobby our clients can engage in for the rest of their lives. The exercise routine they adopt during treatment can easily be taken home with them. Aside from the physical benefits of exercise that our clients enjoy, there are mental and emotional benefits as well. 

Better Sleep

Exercise improves your sleep in several ways. It promotes a better, deeper sleep, which is extremely restorative.  Deeper, more restful sleep boosts your immune system, supports cardiac health, and controls stress & anxiety. In addition to improving the quality of your sleep, exercise increases the duration of your sleep.  When you exercise, you expend energy, which makes you feel more tired and ready to rest at the end of the day. A good night’s sleep is an amazing way to start a new day. 

Improved Focus

Exercise helps your body to trigger endorphins which are chemicals in your brain that reduce your perception of pain and increase the positive feelings in your brain.  After you exercise, you’ll find it easier to block distractions from your mind which improves concentration. Maintaining sobriety is a lot of work and the more concentrated you are on your recovery, the better off you are. 

It Can Turn Into a Hobby

Exercise is a fantastic hobby. It can be done anytime, anywhere, and it’s something you can always improve on. At Laguna View Detox we want to set our clients up for success. After they stop using substances, it’s important for our clients to find joy in life again. Exercise is something we can encourage during treatment and they can take it home with them. It’s an activity they can do alone or with friends. They can set goals and challenge themselves in a healthy way. 

We Want to Help

If you or a loved one have a problem with drugs and alcohol, contact us at Laguna View Detox.  Exercise is just one of the many methods we use to help our clients discover a new and healthier way of life. We give our clients all the tools to be happy and get their life back. Give us a call – your new life awaits you! 

An Oncoming Relapse? Here’s What You Should Watch For

The National Institute on Drug Abuse relates drug addiction relapse to the relapse of patients with chronic illnesses like hypertension or asthma. Statistics from 2000 show that 40-60% of people treated for substance abuse have relapsed. Patients treated for hypertension or asthma relapse 50-70% of the time. These rates are alarmingly similar to substance abuse.

If you or a loved one are ready to seek treatment for addiction or are fighting to maintain sobriety, there are a few things to  know upfront about relapse:

  • It’s normal and healthy to worry that you might relapse. It takes time to develop self-confidence and sense of security in your new sober lifestyle.
  • Relapse doesn’t mean you failed. It simply means you’ve taken a step back on the road to recovery and need to act quickly to correct your path.
  • While relapse isn’t uncommon, it isn’t an experience you have to endure. Understanding the signs of an oncoming relapse and acting quickly could keep you from taking that step backward on your journey to sobriety.

At Laguna View Detox we want to help you understand exactly what relapse is and why it occurs for so many people fighting for sobriety. When you’re aware of the risk and the red flags you have a stronger chance of overcoming your obstacles before you sink into relapse. If you or someone you love does relapse, it’s important to contact the professionals at Laguna View Detox to seek help as quickly as possible.

What Is Relapse?

Relapse occurs when someone in any stage of recovery from substance abuse uses a substance that they have abused in the past. It only takes one use to qualify as a relapse and it doesn’t matter how much you consume or how it’s administered. If you’re in recovery from alcohol and consume just a few sips of an alcoholic beverage, you have relapsed.

What about thinking about using a substance? While that may lead to guilty feelings and other emotions, this isn’t considered relapse unless you follow through with the act of using a substance. Many recovering addicts do think about the substances they previously abused. They can even dream about it. Pulling yourself back from those thoughts and reminding yourself why you want to continue with sobriety is often a powerful moment that can help you maintain your clean healthy lifestyle.

The Stages of Relapse

A relapse may seem to occur out of the blue but it’s usually the final stage of a process that starts days or even weeks prior to the use of a substance. Use this list to understand each stage of relapse so you can keep an eye on yourself or your loved ones to catch the cycle before it spins out of control:

  • Emotional Relapse – You experience emotional responses to daily life or inner turmoil which set the stage for an eventual relapse. Using the abused substance is often a reaction to these emotions because you haven’t developed the coping skills needed to overcome obstacles and handle strong emotions without an escape. Continuing to seek help through 12-step meetings and recovery programs in addition to working a sobriety plan daily can give you the strength and skills needed to handle these emotions and stop the relapse cycle right here.
  • Mental Relapse – You’re starting to fight your urges to use. You’re not serious about seeking out the substance, but the thought is starting to cross your mind more and more often. You’re fighting these thoughts but you can’t deny that you think about relapsing.
  • Physical Relapse – This is when you start taking action to relapse. You may find yourself driving to a liquor store in the middle of the afternoon or driving through a neighborhood where you used to buy drugs in the past. You’ve graduated from thoughts of using to actively placing yourself in situations where using is likely or guaranteed. 

Early Signs of an Oncoming Relapse

Some signs of relapse that you may notice in yourself or a loved one include:

  • Poor eating habits
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Mood swings
  • Withdrawal from loved ones or activities
  • Lying
  • Gravitating back to friends and acquaintances from the old lifestyle
  • Glamorizing or bragging about old addictive behaviors
  • Not following a recovery treatment plan

Many of the early signs of a potential relapse are internal so friends and loved ones may not catch them until the mental, physical stages, or relapse begins. 

You may notice that you’re no longer interested in exercising, going to meetings, or taking healthy steps toward daily recovery. You start to realize that you’re thinking about your old lifestyle and friends more often. Those thoughts are signals that you need help to stop the cycle of relapse.

Laguna View Detox Can Help Before or After Relapse

Our Southern California detox and rehab center offers comprehensive addiction therapies that are customized to the individual. If you or someone you love is struggling with a potential relapse contact us to discuss your options. We want to help you develop the skills and the strength that is needed to successfully walk the path of sobriety for life. 

Why You Should Think About Getting Sober in Laguna Beach, CA

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Addiction is a serious disease and needs to be treated as such. Addiction can take many forms including drugs and alcohol. When someone is dealing with addiction, it is important to ask for help. Friends and family members are going to be important sources of support during this difficult time. When someone is looking for a place to get help for addiction, it is critical to think about the location. The location is going to serve as the backdrop for the recovery process. Therefore, it is important to look at all the options available. One of the top places to seek help for an addiction to drugs or alcohol is Laguna Beach, CA. There are a few benefits to seeking help in Laguna Beach that everyone should keep in mind.

A Feeling of Community

One of the top reasons why people who need addiction treatment come to Laguna Beach is the feeling of community that develops upon arrival. Laguna Beach is known for a friendly atmosphere that simply isn’t matched in other locations. When someone needs to help with addiction, a friendly atmosphere is important for keeping spirits high. Laguna Beach is a beautiful, fun place to live, which clearly imbues itself among the residents. There are plenty of leisure activities for people to enjoy which leads to the laid back feel that permeates throughout the area. A lack of urgency allows those seeking addiction treatment to sit back, relax, and focus on themselves.

The Weather in Laguna Beach is Beautiful

Just as important as the community is the weather. Laguna Beach, CA is known for its blue skies, warm temperatures, and sunny days. All of Southern California is known for its weather and there is no exception when it comes to Laguna Beach. When someone needs help with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, the weather is going to play a critical role. When the weather is nice outside and the temperatures are warm, people’s emotions are going to stay high. This positivity increases the chances of addiction treatment being successful. For most of the year, the temperatures are going to fluctuate between 55 and 75 degrees. It is difficult to beat the weather of Laguna Beach, CA.

The Beach is a Plus

Of course, one of the biggest benefits of seeking addiction help in Laguna Beach is the beach itself. The ocean is never far away and becomes a major part of nearly everyone’s lifestyle. There are plenty of activities to do at the beach. Some people simply like to kick back, relax, and lay in the sand. Other people might like to take a dip in the ocean. This is a great opportunity for people to paint their afternoons with blue water and sandy beaches. There are plenty of places to go surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more. Adventure is never more than a few minutes away in Laguna Beach. There is even Dana Point Harbor which is only a few minutes down the road. The opportunities are endless in Laguna Beach and this can help everyone get their mind off of addiction and focus on the recovery process.

The Food is a Must

Another major reason why so many people decide to seek addiction treatment in Laguna Beach is the food. There are plenty of delicious restaurants in Laguna Beach. This includes seafood, Italian restaurants, BBQ, and more. With so many options for food, people can get their taste buds spinning and go on a food adventure. Food will make people happy, allowing them to stay positive on the road to recovery. Be sure to check out all of the various food options that Laguna Beach has to offer.

The Air is Clean in Laguna Beach

Finally, the importance of clean air in Laguna Beach cannot be overstated. A simple internet search will prove that Laguna Beach has some of the cleanest air around. People will be able to breathe free and easy as they relax and seek help in Laguna Beach. Furthermore, the scenery that serves as the backdrop to this location is just as gorgeous. Just as the air is fresh, people can become one with nature and refresh their minds, bodies, and spirits as they embrace the idea of recovering in Laguna Beach, CA.

Seek Help from Laguna View Detox

These are only a few of the many reasons why people come to Laguna Beach to find sobriety. At Laguna View Detox, we strive to help everyone find sobriety with cutting-edge addiction treatment methods. Our professionals work hard to stay up to date on the latest treatment options in the field. We want to leverage these resources to help all of our patients. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.