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. 

Cocaine: The Signs, Symptoms, & How To Get Help

Cocaine is often portrayed to be glamorous in movies like Scarface and Blow. Some would even argue that it looks fun. Cocaine is a white powder that might seem harmless during experimentation, but this drug can quickly evolve into a devastating addiction that leads to tremendous personal, financial, professional, and even legal consequences. By knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse, you will be able to better identify if you’re personally struggling with a cocaine addiction or if one of your loved ones are. 

The Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse

If you’re using cocaine frequently and are unsure if you’re addicted, below are some symptoms to watch out for:

  • You feel like no amount of cocaine will ever be enough
  • You think about cocaine when you aren’t doing it
  • You don’t see a point to socializing with friends if cocaine isn’t involved
  • You find yourself lying to people if they approach you about your cocaine use
  • Whenever you aren’t doing cocaine you feel ‘off’ or sick

If you suspect someone you know is abusing cocaine, there are a few signs and symptoms to look out for: 

  • Frequent mydriasis – the medical term for dilated pupils
  • They seem to be up at all hours of the night
  • Weight loss
  • Consistent runny nose
  • Paranoia

Long-term cocaine abuse can lead to psychosis, causing the addict to hear or see things that aren’t actually present. Drug abuse as a whole can lead to irritability, depression, mood swings, financial problems, and legal issues. If you’re currently struggling with cocaine addiction, your substance abuse will impact the people around you. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms above, please don’t wait to reach out to Laguna View Detox for help. 

Long-Term Health Problems from Cocaine Abuse

The longer you use cocaine, the higher your tolerance will become. This means every time you use cocaine, you’ll have to increase your dose. You will be constantly chasing a high that you can no longer achieve. High blood pressure, which can damage the body’s blood vessels and organs over time, is one of the major side effects cocaine can have on your long-term health.

Because cocaine is most commonly ingested through the nose, you will eventually damage your nasal septum with frequent cocaine use. A tell-tale sign of a damaged nasal passage is frequent nose bleeds. Long-term cocaine abuse can also lead to dangerous heart arrhythmias, which could lead to heart attacks and strokes, which can have fatal consequences. 

Getting Help for Cocaine Abuse

If you or someone you know needs help with a cocaine addiction, Laguna View Detox is here for you. Our detoxification and residential inpatient program have helped many addicts start their journey to recovery, and we know we can help you too. When you reach out to us for help, we’ll collect information about your addiction and also take some time to get to know you. 

Then, during your intake, we’ll work with you to put together a truly individualized treatment plan. Our facility treats six clients at a time to ensure everyone receives the attention they deserve throughout their stay. Before you’re discharged from our facility, we put together a comprehensive aftercare plan to help you maintain your sobriety. The last thing we want is for all your hard work during treatment to go to waste. 

Let Us Help You

At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury detox & drug rehab program located in the gorgeous area of Laguna Beach, CA. We’re confident we can provide you with the tools you need to stop using cocaine or any other substance. Call us today to get more information regarding our addiction treatment program. You deserve to live a happy, drug and alcohol-free life!

How Addiction & Anxiety Affect Each Other

Addiction and anxiety: two topics that aren’t easy to talk about. But it’s important we do. These issues are more prevalent today than ever before. It’s common for people to experience both at the same time. Addiction and anxiety can impact relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers. They can also disrupt someone’s quality of life, making them feel like they’re hopeless and full of despair. No one deserves to feel this way. 

At Laguna View Detox, we’re dedicated to treating both issues with love and care and stopping the stigma associated with both issues. Our dual-diagnosis program tackles addiction and mental health head-on. We utilize therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), along with individual and group therapy, to teach our clients the coping skills needed to overcome mental health disorders and addiction. Today we’d like to talk about how addiction and anxiety affect each other. 

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a substance use disorder. People develop addiction because the pleasure centers of the brain end up getting rewired after repeated drug or alcohol use. When someone ingests drugs, alcohol, or goes through an exciting experience, this can trigger the pleasure centers of the brain. This feeling creates a high that the brain interprets as being necessary for survival. As a result, people feel that they need that addictive substance in order to remain alive. They develop cravings for that substance in the same manner that people get hungry or thirsty. 

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders. It happens when your body responds to stress. It’s a feeling everyone will experience occasionally in life, but when someone experiences persistent feelings of nervousness and worry, they have an anxiety disorder. In some cases, anxiety is generalized. In other cases, anxiety might be specific. Anxiety can occur randomly in generalized disorders and the constant feeling of being worried can last for about six months at a time. Some triggers that might lead to anxiety when it occurs in specific situations include concerns about relationships, money, family, work, or other life issues. 

How do the Two Work Together?

Addiction and anxiety can go hand in hand. People who suffer from anxiety are two to three more times likely to develop a substance abuse disorder. Those who suffer from anxiety have issues controlling their worries and may even experience panic attacks. Panic attacks are treated using benzodiazepines, such as Xanax. These medications are incredibly addictive. Those who become dependent on benzos are prone to becoming addicted to them. Those who suffer from anxiety might have trouble controlling their feelings using traditional medical therapy. This could cause people to turn to alcohol instead, leading to alcoholism. 

In other cases, addiction might precede anxiety. Those who suffer from addictive disorders have plenty of issues they worry about. Addiction stresses relationships with family members, threatening marriages. Those who spend money feeding their addiction are prone to developing financial difficulties. People might end up losing their job due to addiction, making everything worse. It is easy to see how addiction can lead to anxiety, which complicates the addiction treatment process.

If you are suffering from addiction and anxiety, it’s important to address both issues. Once you overcome addiction, your anxiety will still be there. 

We Can Help You with Both

At Laguna View Detox, we offer a luxury drug & alcohol treatment program along with dual diagnosis. We’re dedicated to helping our clients with their addiction and coexisting conditions. We are based in the beautiful region of Laguna Beach, CA. Our unique luxury program provides the ultimate individualized care. Contact us today to get help! 

Opioid Addiction: How To Beat It

Addiction is a serious disorder and impacts people of all backgrounds, ages, and socioeconomic statuses. There are many substances to which someone might become addicted to. Some people develop an issue with alcohol, while others abuse drugs. 

One of the most serious forms of drug abuse is opioids. These are painkillers that are meant to be used for short-term pain relief; however, they are extremely addictive, and people often end up using them for a prolonged period of time. Opioids are widely prescribed by doctors to manage pain. Generally speaking, people think if a drug is prescribed by a doctor it’s not bad for them, but this isn’t always the case. 

What Is an Opioid Addiction?

An opioid addiction is when someone becomes physically and emotionally dependent on opioids. Commonly abused opioids are OxyContin, Vicodin, and Fentanyl. An addict’s brain will fundamentally change in structure after abusing drugs for a period of time. This is why addiction isn’t just a ‘lack of self-control’. The brain has been rewired to believe that it requires opioids in order to survive. 

Addicts end up craving opioids in the same manner in which they look for food, water, and air. This can cause people to sacrifice everything at the altar of opioid addiction. Opioid addiction impacts family members, friends, and even professional relationships. For this reason, people need to seek help for opioids that can help them quit for good.

What To Expect When Quitting

Quitting opioids can be challenging but is attainable with the help of the right treatment program. One of the main challenges are withdrawals. This is a set of symptoms that develop when an addict stops taking opioids. Common symptoms are fever, mood swings, uncontrollable shaking, headaches, and body aches. Fortunately, there are a few tips that people can follow that will make this process easier.

Tips for Quitting

Some of the most important tips for quitting opioids include:

Tip 1: Admit you have a problem. It’s hard to seek help or get better if you don’t admit you’re sick. Try looking at yourself in the mirror and say “I’m addicted to drugs”. Or call a friend and let them know. This may seem like common sense but it’s usually one of the biggest hurdles to overcome when seeking recovery.

Tip 2: Nothing changes if nothing changes. Change your environment. There are certain circumstances that get you to where you are. Without getting rid of these circumstances, you’re bound to relapse. Think about what got you using opioids in the first place and then cut that thing or person out of your life.

Tip 3: Stay busy during the recovery process. Unproductivity can easily lead to never stop using drugs or relapsing. If you don’t feel like you have a purpose, you’re bound to continue to use drugs. Pick up a hobby or do community service. Helping others is a great way to feel like you matter in this world. 

Tip 4: Get professional help. You don’t have to do this alone. There’s also information you probably don’t know about your drug use. There are trained professionals all over the country with a lot of knowledge they’re waiting to share. These people will teach you the coping skills you need to live a life of recovery. They’ll help you retrain your brain to live without drugs. By getting professional help you’ll also build your sober network. One of the crucial components to getting sober and staying sober is having a support system.

Let Us Help!

At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury drug & alcohol treatment program located in the beautiful area of Laguna View, CA. We are happy to offer detox and inpatient treatment for addiction disorders. Our facility is run by recovering addicts with years of sobriety under their belts.  We provide a unique luxury program that combines traditional treatment with modern therapies to assist participants in overcoming substance abuse for good. If you are looking for a solution that can provide you with long-term sobriety, please contact us today!

 

Emotions You’ll Experience While Getting Sober

Technology and online resources are becoming game changers in educating people about addiction. Millions suffer from substance abuse but they don’t have too. Treatment is widely available for those who want to get better. If you’re struggling with addiction and want to get your life back, congratulations. We’re here to tell you that although it may seem scary reaching out for help, it’s actually quite easy. We’re also here to let you know some common emotions you’ll experience on the journey to sobriety.

Courage

If you’re looking for help with addiction treatment, please know that you’re extremely courageous. It’s not easy for people to ask for help especially if you aren’t 100% sure you need help. It’s common to question whether or not you have a substance abuse problem but it’s important to start the inner dialogue. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It takes a strong, mature person, to be able to look in the mirror and admit they aren’t perfect.  

Addiction is a disease that can completely take over your life. Without the correct treatment, this disease can even be fatal. Therefore, you need to ask for help when it comes to the treatment of this disease. You’re showing courage by asking for this help. Then, with the help of medical professionals, you’ll no longer be subject to the possibly fatal effects of this disease.

Humility

If you are looking for help with addiction treatment, you’re also swallowing your pride. It’s all too common for people to try to find answers on their own. They don’t want to be dependent on others for help. They are too proud to ask for help; however, pride can also be someone’s greatest weakness. Sure, people are afraid of feeling like a burden. They’re afraid of how others will look at them. They might even think they would be annoying by asking for help. On the other hand, that is exactly why this country has addiction treatment resources.

Addiction treatment centers are here to help you overcome the bonds that are tied to addiction. These facilities are staffed by trained professionals who can show the support, guidance, and counseling that you need to get better. These treatment centers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are outpatient centers that will help you in a one on one setting. There are also detox centers and inpatient facilities that will help you clear the toxins out of their systems and get on the road to recovery.

You can tailor your addiction treatment to meet your own needs. That’s the beauty of asking for help. The goal isn’t to just get you sober, it’s also to have you stay sober. In treatment, you’ll leave coping skills and techniques to help prevent relapse. 

… And Other Emotions

Finally, if you are trying to get help for your addiction, you’ll probably experience a wave of other emotions you haven’t felt before. This is expected. Now that you’re not numb from drug and alcohol abuse, emotions can feel strange. You may feel anxious. You may feel depressed. Remember that there is nothing wrong with these emotions and you’re only human. Trust the professionals to help you overcome the bonds of addiction and resume your life.

Let’s Do This Together

At Laguna View Detox, we’re a luxury drug & alcohol treatment program located in beautiful Laguna View, CA. We’re here to help answer all of your questions from the first time you call us. We offer detoxification and residential inpatient services. Our amazing staff will support you through every step of the way. If you want to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today.

Drugs 101: The Most Commonly Abused

Drug addiction is a complex disease and can be fatal. In 2017 there were over 70,000 drug overdoses in the US and over 18 million people struggling with substance abuse disorder. It’s a common misconception that drug addicts can just stop using whenever they want. Addiction is like any other health complication, it needs to be treated and if it’s left untreated, there are serious complications. 

While there are numerous drugs circulating the market, there are five common ones we see people abusing in the treatment industry. 

Heroin

Heroin is the most potent and powerful of all of the opioid drugs. Although it’s illegal to sell or purchase, it’s readily available throughout the United States. When mixed with the drug Fentanyl, it’s not only more addictive than it was before, but the chance of overdosing is increased and has led to countless deaths across the country.

As of 2017, about 494,000 Americans over the age of 12 became regular heroin users and nearly 900,000 Americans had tried the drug at least one time.

Opioids 

According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, about 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose and nearly 400,000 people lost their battle with opioids between 1999 and 2017.

Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain management. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine are all opioids. It’s common to open up a household medicine cabinet and see at least one of these drugs. Opioids are becoming a crisis in America because they’re easily accessible and it’s easy to build a tolerance when taking them. 

The sale of opioid-based painkillers skyrocketed from 1999 to the present time a total of 300 percent. Several drug companies have recently been sued and held accountable for pushing opioids onto patients with the knowledge that they are highly addictive and can easily lead to overdose deaths.

Cocaine

Cocaine comes from the coca plant that is grown mostly in South America. It’s addiction rate generally includes young users, anywhere from the age of 15-34. It’s estimated that about 7.4 million people in that age group have used cocaine at least one time in their lives. Cocaine can be snorted, ingested, or smoked (normally referred to as crack cocaine) and is highly addictive. It’s the most trafficked drug in the world since the demand for the supply is always present.

Many cocaine users or drug dealers at some point begin to mix the drug with heroin and fentanyl, leading to an increase in overdose deaths.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most abused substance of all and affects about 300 million people throughout the world. Many people try alcohol at a very young age since it is legal and easily obtained.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an average of 30 Americans die each day due to a car crash involving a drunk driver, and about six people die each day from alcohol poisoning. Approximately 88,000 people die as a result of alcohol addiction every single year in the United States. About six percent of all adults in the United States, which is about 15 million people, have an addiction to alcohol and only a small percentage seek treatment for their addiction.

Crystal Meth (Methamphetamine)

Crystal Meth can be smoked, injected, or snorted. It can cause users to be awake for days at a time and make them feel invincible. It’s highly addictive with an addiction rate of approximately 774,000 Americans each year who are regular users, and approximately 16,000 of that figure are teenagers between the ages of 12-17. In 2017, 10,000 Americans suffered fatal overdoses. 

Seek Treatment Now

If you or someone you know is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or battle drug abuse, you can get help at Laguna View Detox. The unique program offered by the professionals at Laguna View encompasses detoxification and inpatient treatment for all types of addiction. Call us today! 

Four Signs You’re Suffering from Addiction

You didn’t plan to be here. You didn’t expect to one day need something so badly that your heart rate elevates at the thought of never having it again. But now you’re here and you’re asking the right questions since you found yourself on the Laguna View Detox blog looking for answers.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is generally thought of as the physical dependence on a mood-altering substance, like drugs or alcohol. If a person does not consume the substance they have a physical dependence on, their bodies start to experience withdrawal symptoms. After the physical dependence is gone, residential treatment and other addiction treatment services are offered to help tackle the emotional stuff to get down to the root of the problem. 

Signs of Addiction

You feel sick when you haven’t done drugs or alcohol in a while.

Withdrawal is one of the first signs you may notice if you suffer from addiction. This can include tremors, slurred speech, nausea, insomnia … the list goes on. On the emotional front, you can also feel empty and completely drained.

Why am I experiencing this?

The National Institute for Drug Abuse explains that your brain is made of billions of neurotransmitters. Imagine these neurotransmitters are a highway navigating through your brain. These paths allow you to do everything from forming thoughts to maintaining a regular heartbeat. When you introduce drugs into your system the foreign chemical(s) disrupts the normal flow of traffic. It’s as if a dog is trying to cross a six-lane highway, chaos would ensue and normal traffic patterns would certainly be disrupted. 

After a certain amount of time, your brain can stop healthily producing signals and becomes accustomed to the disruptions. Withdrawal is your brain’s way of signaling you to take the substance you’re addicted to so it can operate the way it thinks it’s now supposed to. 

You absolutely can’t stop even if you want to.

When your brain becomes altered by drugs or alcohol and dependent on them to function, you’ll feel compelled to do anything and everything to get a hold of the substance. Once you get a hold of it, it may never feel like enough. Like an itch you can’t scratch. 

Medical detox plays a crucial role in overcoming addiction. Laguna View Detox allows you to rid your body of drugs and alcohol in a safe environment. Our professional staff will guide you through the process every step of the way and our residential program is a great – and almost always a necessary step to take – after detox. Our staff will teach you healthy coping skills and retrain your brain to enjoy life without the aid of alcohol or drugs.

You’ve changed as a person and you don’t like it.

It’s come to the point where drugs or alcohol are all that matter. Between your lack of hygiene, unstable mood, and inability to maintain relationships, you’re feeling absolutely hopeless. You look in the mirror and hate what you see. The substances rewired your brain so severely you aren’t even taking them to get high anymore. You just don’t feel normal without them.

No amount of drugs or alcohol is enough.

Your brain is powerful and wants to protect itself. The fight between your brain trying to find balance and you trying to get high creates a tolerance. The more tolerance you have to drugs or alcohol, the more of the substance you need to feel the effects. This also makes you feel like nothing will ever be enough. 

Seek Addiction Treatment At Laguna View Detox

Drug and alcohol abuse is extremely hard to beat on your own. If you feel like you have no one to turn to and have alienated all of the people in your life, Laguna View Detox is here to help. The biggest battle will be getting yourself here but once we get the drugs and alcohol out of your system, we can help you get your life back. Contact us at Laguna View Detox today to talk to an addiction treatment professional. We want to help you!