Perched on the stunning shores of Laguna Beach, Laguna View Detox offers a sanctuary for those embarking on the path to recovery from substance abuse. Our center combines the therapeutic tranquility of the ocean with a comprehensive, medically supervised detoxification process. At Laguna View Detox, we understand that recovery is a deeply personal journey. We are dedicated to providing each individual with the care, respect, and advanced treatments needed to transform their lives. Let’s explore the key advantages of undergoing medical detox at Laguna View Detox and how we facilitate a journey toward lasting sobriety.
Premier Medical Supervision in Laguna Beach: The journey of detoxification is fraught with challenges that necessitate professional oversight. Laguna View Detox prides itself on offering around-the-clock monitoring by a seasoned team of addiction treatment professionals. Our serene Laguna Beach location enhances our holistic approach, ensuring a detox process that is not only safe but also mentally and spiritually uplifting, minimizing withdrawal symptoms through the latest evidence-based medical interventions.
Individualized Detox Plans: Embracing the diversity of experiences and backgrounds within the Laguna Beach community and beyond, Laguna View Detox crafts personalized detox strategies for each client. Our tailored approach takes into account personal health history, addiction specifics, and emotional well-being, ensuring an optimized detoxification experience that addresses both the physical and psychological facets of addiction, laying a solid groundwork for the recovery journey.
Comprehensive Emotional Support and Counseling: Detoxification is a profound emotional and psychological undertaking. At Laguna View Detox, comprehensive support is a cornerstone of our program. We offer a wide range of counseling and therapeutic services, including individual therapy, group sessions, and family counseling, all designed to uncover and treat the root causes of addiction. Set against the backdrop of tranquil Laguna Beach, our center provides a peaceful environment conducive to deep healing and self-discovery.
Seamless Transition to Ongoing Recovery: Successfully navigating the detoxification phase significantly decreases the risk of immediate relapse, serving as a crucial step toward sustained recovery. Post-detox, individuals are in a prime position to engage with continued treatment modalities. Laguna View Detox facilitates access to a spectrum of post-detox rehabilitation options, including intensive inpatient programs, outpatient support, and aftercare services, all aimed at reinforcing sobriety and well-being.
Dedication to Holistic Well-being: Understanding the importance of addressing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—Laguna View Detox incorporates holistic therapies into our detox program. From yoga and meditation to nutritional counseling and fitness programs, our treatments are designed to promote overall health and support a lifestyle free from substance dependency.
Conclusion: Laguna View Detox in Laguna Beach is not just a detox center; it’s a starting point for a new chapter in life. Choosing medical detox with us means embarking on a transformative journey of healing, surrounded by a team that is deeply committed to your recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, reach out to Laguna View Detox. Take the first step towards reclaiming your life in the serene embrace of Laguna Beach.
In the journey towards healing and wellness, the first step is often the most challenging. Denial, a defense mechanism deeply ingrained in human nature, can act as a formidable barrier between individuals and their path to recovery. Whether grappling with addiction, mental health issues, or any other form of adversity, acknowledging the problem is the crucial catalyst for change. In this blog, brought to you by Laguna View Detox, we’ll explore the significance of overcoming denial and how it serves as the pivotal moment in initiating the recovery process.
Understanding Denial
Denial is a psychological process wherein individuals refuse to accept or acknowledge the reality of their situation. It serves as a protective mechanism, shielding individuals from uncomfortable truths and painful emotions. However, while denial may provide temporary relief, it ultimately perpetuates the cycle of suffering, hindering personal growth and well-being.
The Consequences of Denial
Continued denial can have profound consequences, exacerbating the underlying issues and preventing individuals from seeking the help they desperately need. Whether it’s addiction spiraling out of control, untreated mental health conditions leading to further distress, or relationship problems worsening over time, the repercussions of denial permeate every aspect of one’s life.
Breaking the Chains of Denial
Breaking through denial requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to confront the uncomfortable truths lurking beneath the surface. It involves a profound shift in mindset, where individuals relinquish the false sense of security provided by denial and embrace the journey towards healing.
Recognizing the Signs
The first step towards overcoming denial is recognizing its presence in our lives. This involves introspection, honest self-assessment, and a willingness to acknowledge the warning signs indicating that denial may be at play.
Seeking Support
No one should have to navigate the path to recovery alone. Seeking support from trusted friends, family members, or professional counselors can provide invaluable guidance and encouragement. Surrounding oneself with a supportive network can bolster resolve and provide the strength needed to confront denial head-on.
Embracing Vulnerability
Vulnerability is not a weakness but a profound strength. Embracing vulnerability allows individuals to dismantle the walls of denial and cultivate authentic connections with themselves and others. It involves facing fears, expressing emotions openly, and embracing the discomfort that accompanies growth.
The Transformative Power of Acceptance
As individuals confront denial and embrace the truth of their circumstances, they unlock the transformative power of acceptance. Acceptance does not imply resignation but rather a willingness to acknowledge reality and take proactive steps towards positive change. It serves as the cornerstone of recovery, laying the foundation for healing, growth, and lasting transformation.
By Your Side
Overcoming denial is the crucial first step towards recovery, paving the way for a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. With Laguna View Detox by your side, you can embark on this transformative journey with confidence, knowing that you have the support and guidance needed to break free from the shackles of denial and reclaim control of your life. Take that first step today, and embrace the transformative journey that lies ahead with Laguna View Detox.
When your loved one is in recovery, you will start to learn an entirely new language. It’ll begin with learning the language of treatment. You will start to understand things like partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and peer support recovery groups. As your loved one makes their way through treatment, you’ll find that it’s time to explore your role in their recovery. You’ll begin to learn terms like a codependent enabler, codependency, and breaking the chain of addiction. At Laguna View Detox, we understand the relationship intricacies that swirl around addiction, and we are here to help you make sense of it all.
What Does It Mean to Be Codependent?
Being codependent is about being so intertwined with another that you cannot function independently. While it can occur without addiction, codependent enablers are more common in relationships where addiction is present. In healthier relationships, there is more of a give and take between the two individuals. Healthier relationships involve interdependency; the two individuals in the relationship support each other in a way that allows both to grow and thrive. In a codependent relationship, the balance is off. Typically, one person is more dominant and takes charge within the relationship, and takes care of many of the household’s responsibilities. Conversely, the other will be more passive, have difficulty making decisions, and be more dependent.
What Does It Mean to Be an Enabler?
Being in a relationship with someone active in their addiction is hard. Watching a loved one destroy themselves is heartbreaking to watch, and you’ll inevitably want to prevent their demise. Over time you may find yourself making excuses for their behavior or failure to keep promises to others in your family. You may find yourself trying to fix things for them so that they don’t face up to the consequences of their drinking or using drugs. Sometimes it starts as simply as wanting to help them keep their job or not be seen differently by your children. Whatever the motivation, the result is that you end up enabling the very behavior you’re wishing would stop.
Can You Be a Codependent Enabler?
In relationships where addiction is present, it is a breeding ground to act as a codependent enabler. If you find yourself taking responsibility for most or all of the decision-making, parenting, and responsibilities within the house, you are likely in a codependent relationship. If, in addition to this, you are also acting to minimize the consequences your loved one faces from their active addiction, you are also enabling. Being a codependent enabler creates a vicious cycle and can leave you feeling that there’s no way out. You may think that you must keep everything under control or your whole world will collapse. And, while yes, parts of it may collapse as you make changes, changes are critical. It is doubtful that you can sustain the stress of maintaining responsibility for everything long-term without your own mental and physical health suffering.
How Laguna View Detox Can Help You With Addiction
At Laguna View Detox, we understand the complexities around relationships and addiction. 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 California has to offer. Our staff includes some of the most experienced and most compassionate in the industry, and we’ll create a holistic treatment plan tailored to you and your loved ones. 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 with your addiction!
Safe, Comfortable Detox Center to Begin A Healthy, New Life
Your choice of a detox center is one of the most important choices when considering treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. Television shows and movies haven’t done anything to help, as they often depict detoxification in overly dramatic ways.
At Laguna View Detox our caring staff works with patients to ensure the detoxification process is as comfortable and safe as possible. Rather than facing the fear of the unknown, our transparent treatment process keeps you informed every step of the way so there are no unpleasant surprises.
Goals of Detox
While you are in detox, there are a couple of main goals:
Physical Stabilization
Psychological stabilization
We ensure your comfort at each stage of your stabilization process, making sure you get enough rest, restoring your body to a healthy state, and adjust to any new medications for a co-occurring disorder. This is the time in your recovery when you get to know the treatment center, and you take it easy and allow yourself to heal.
Why Is Your Detox Center Important?
Detoxification is important because it’s the process that allows drugs and alcohol to leave your body. Some users consider detoxing at home, but this is dangerous and can have potentially fatal consequences. Our detox center ensures safety and as much comfort as possible during withdrawal symptoms. Although drug or alcohol detox can be uncomfortable, it’s a critical part of the recovery process and sets you up for success throughout the remaining treatment program. Our patients at Laguna View Detox never have to go through detox alone. Professional staff members with expertise in drug and alcohol detox provide round-the-clock support and care throughout the process. The emphasis placed on safe and effective detox methods at Laguna View Detox ensures that your safety, health, and comfort are a priority to us.
The Detox Process at Laguna View Detox
Because each person is different and has unique treatment needs, we take an individualized approach by assessing patient history, as well as physical and psychological health. These evaluations pave the way toward a detox program created with you in mind.
The type of substance abuse involved also plays a role in the detox process. When opiates, such as heroin, Vicodin and Oxycontin, or alcohol are involved, detoxification can take a little longer. This phase can last anywhere from three to seven days. The length of your detox is determined by your specific needs.
It’s normal to experience certain withdrawal symptoms during detox. These can include:
Strong cravings for the drug of choice
Shaking
Sweating
Insomnia
Agitation
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety and depression
Confusion
Diarrhea
No matter what the length of your detox, our caring staff members are present day and night to ensure that you’re safe and supported. Our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible and medications for withdrawal symptom relief may be administered. You will not go through this first treatment phase alone but rather surrounded by professionals who understand what you’re going through and want to help. You will have access to a trusted team of physicians, nursing team, and detox specialists at any point during the detoxification process and they are available to help with any medical needs that arise.
Detox: Your Second Step toward Health and Hope
At Laguna View Detox, we recognize that admitting you have a drug or alcohol problem is the first step toward recovery. But recovering from addiction cannot begin without getting toxic drug or alcohol chemicals out of your system. In addition to detoxing your body, this all-important second step sets you up to focus on why addiction occurred and how to prevent a relapse in the future.
A qualified team of Addiction Specialists leads the Laguna View Detox’s exclusive alcohol and drug detox program. We know that addiction develops in many layers and so our treatment for recovery is also conducted in several layers. Detoxification is the first layer that helps you break free from addiction.
Facing drug or alcohol addiction is something no one plans for. But addiction is an equal opportunity disease that affects individuals and families from all walks of life, all races, and all socioeconomic levels.
Laguna View Detox offers a progressive and sophisticated drug and alcohol detox program with many features:
The program is led by some of the most highly respected professionals in the treatment of addiction
Your comfort and safety are always at the forefront
Luxury amenities
Personalized care and attention
All of this is provided to help you heal while giving you the comfort and knowledge that we are with you every step of the way.
Reach out today to change your life and regain the health and happiness you deserve.
Which Drugs Can Cause Withdrawals?
You may be wondering if you or your family member is in need of a medical or medically supervised detox. In order to understand the necessity of this process, it will help to learn more about what certain drugs can do to your system and the consequences that come once those drugs are removed.
Here are the drugs most commonly associated with painful and/or difficult withdrawal:
Alcohol
Opiates
Benzodiazepines
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Alcohol:
Surprisingly to many, the most severe of all withdrawals comes from excessive alcohol use and abuse. Many alcoholics suffer from delirium tremens, paranoia, jitters and the shakes. Those with compromised liver function and long-term usage suffer the worst effects when trying to remove alcohol. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this withdrawal can actually be fatal and must be done professionally.
Opiates:
Prescription drugs like morphine, OxyContin, and Vicodin, as well as the street form, Heroin, all fall into this class. People who try to stop these drugs ‘cold-turkey’ can feel flu-like symptoms that can last for several days to a week. A professional detox seeks to make the person detoxing more comfortable, with the idea that getting through this symptomatic period without consequence will make sobriety more likely.
Benzodiazepines:
Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin are meant to sedate the individual, and to calm anxiety and other disorders. These drugs can lead to life-threatening complications during the withdrawal process, and hallucinations, seizures, and tremors may occur. Anyone looking to detox off of these drugs should seek professional help.
Cocaine:
While cocaine does not cause serious medical complications upon withdrawal, it can certainly be uncomfortable and cause anxiety, irritability and concentration issues. Typically inpatient treatment is recommended for cocaine users so that these month-long effects can be overcome in a safe location.
Amphetamines:
Illicit drugs like methamphetamines and prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall create boosts in nervous system activity. Users getting off of these drugs have been reported to have episodes of psychosis and other unusual brain activity. It is imperative that professional help is sought for those suffering from addiction to amphetamines.
Many of us drink so we could be the life of the party. We can operate without fear, dance like no one is watching, and talk to just about anyone. When you take away the drugs and alcohol, what is to be left of our social life? This is an especially important topic when the holidays roll around. Work events and Christmas parties can make us feel awkward and out of place. Here are our tips to have a fun time at social events without having to get wasted to do so.
Tip #1: Allow Yourself to Have a Good Time
You’ve heard all of the advice about driving your own car and getting water to drink, leaving at the first sign of being uncomfortable. However, ask yourself, are you allowing yourself to have a good time? Of course, you do not want to stay in a situation that is unsafe, but think about it this way – you have an opportunity to have a redo of a lot of things in life. Were you really the life of the party when you were falling down drunk in the corner? Or better yet, what about the times you didn’t even go because you didn’t want to deal with seeing anyone? Now, you get a chance to be a part of life again.
Tip #2: Don't Be a Wallflower
Guess what: you can still dance sober, you can still laugh sober, and you can still talk to people sober. The only thing stopping you is fear. I heard a great thing once – this woman was saying she was embarrassed to dance in front of people sober. She was afraid of what she must look like. Her friend replied back, “Oh honey, you must not realize what you looked like dancing drunk!” I thought that was great. The truth is – who cares? Talk to people. Mix and mingle. You can even dance or play pool or sing karaoke. You may feel self-conscious at first, but you will get over that. And the best part? You’ll remember it all.
Tip #3: Realize You Are Not the Only Sober One There
While it may seem crazy to an alcoholic or addict, believe it or not, there are lots of people who do not drink at social events. Maybe they are driving home, maybe they do not like the taste of alcohol or maybe they want to have control of their faculties and do not like the control they lose when they drink. No matter the reason, you are most certainly not the only sober one in the room, although it may feel that way at first. That’s because you are still used to finding your comrades – those who drink like you. Those are the people you used to gravitate toward. Now, they are hard to be around and remind you of what you can’t do. Start looking for and noticing the people without a drink in their hand. These people who you didn’t give the time of day before will probably become your close friends.
Have fun at holiday events this season, and try something new. Put yourself out there and get through the fear, and you’ll see you can have fun at holiday events, even sober.
Historically few rehab facilities offered an option for couple-based treatment. The emphasis has been on treatment of the individual while seeing the dynamics of a relationship as a detriment to proper care. But It is important to realize that the separation of intimate partners can result in a barrier to treatment. A person may truly want to go to rehab, but won’t, for fear of “abandoning” their partner. It’s very hard for one partner to get help while the other partner is still using which is why at LVD we do treat couples.
A study done in Hartford, CT demonstrates that the intimate partners of drug users play important roles in determining treatment options, particularly for women, and the complex interpersonal dynamics developed between partnered drug users suggests the need for a new approach to treating couples.
Some drug addicted couples have been together for a long time, they’ve developed a mutual system of care and support for each other— as do non-using partners—but these support skills can also promote continued drug use. A study that was published in The Journal of Addictive Diseases showed that, “Love, loyalty, guilt, or fear of losing the relationship often made it difficult to seriously consider treatment options. For the majority of both men and women in this study, their relationships were their primary source of emotional support.” Yet drug users can fall into very bad patterns of behavior: ineffective communication, domestic violence, avoidance. As substance abuse worsens it becomes increasingly difficult for couples to work out their problems and more maladaptive coping skills develop. When seeking treatment as a couple these toxic patterns can be addressed and new coping systems can be implemented.
How Effective Is Couples Rehab Compared to Individual Therapy?
It’s important to note that seeking treatment as a couple need not be at the expense of getting care for the individual. While in treatment at LVD there will be individual counseling— where personal concerns and needs are addressed away from the relationship—but we will also recognize importance of your relationship.
As stated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a person’s motivation to change and recover from substance abuse is key to successful treatment and provides the basis for the work needed to achieve long-term recovery. This is also true for couples. The results depend on a desire for change.
When both partners are equally motivated, they can support each other and help each other stay in line with their program of recovery. A new context for the partnership can be established that supports the emotional, physical, and spiritual health of both partners.
What Happens During Treatment As A Couple? How Does Therapy and Group Work?
An individualized treatment plan is created for each party in addition to a couples treatment plan where goals are identified for the couple. Issues faced by the couple and the individual will be treated in a safe and nurturing environment that is consistent with recovery and healing. Couples therapy will not begin until after detox is completed and the couple is medically stabilized. Couples will be housed separately but may have groups and activities together such as relapse prevention, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, and meditation.
When Is Couples Treatment Not Advised?
It is better to deal with substance abuse issues separately in the following cases:
When one person is less motivated and more likely to relapse of leave treatment early. In many cases the person left behind in treatment will also leave treatment and relapse.
When there is severe domestic violence on the part of one or both partners.
When one person has a physical or mental health condition requiring a higher level of care.
What Do Couples Need To Do After Treatment To Stay Sober?
As with any individual seeking treatment, each party would need to maintain a healthy individual aftercare program and a couple-based aftercare plan. This could include an intensive out-patient program, as well as, individual therapy; participation in a 12-step program such as AA/NA and RCA (Recovering Couples Anonymous). RCA is a 12 step group for couples recovering from all forms of substance abuse. Each person in the relationship must have 12 step meetings they attend without a significant other; getting a sponsor (couples should not have the same sponsor. There are also smart recovery meetings and buddhist recovery meetings in some cities; returning to work, and engaging in healthy outlets i.e., yoga, breathworks, meditation, sports, hobbies, etc. There are healthy couple activities as well, i.e., going to the movies, hiking, and bowling. in re-defining the relationship, couples can find new activities they were unable to do while in active addiction. Couples can motivate and support each other.
The Cons of Couples Therapy.
When both people don’t have the same level of motivation to get healthy or there is a discrepancy in the power dynamic of the couple (where one person does not want more vulnerable member of the couple to get well.) In some destructive, complex relationships, taking drugs out of the equation leaves a void in the relationship that might cause one person to leave treatment often taking their partner with them.
What Happens If a Couple Breaks Up While in Treatment?
Should a “break-up” occur while in treatment we would proceed with still treating the individual without the couple component and continue with an aftercare plan that supports the individual.
The chances of staying sober after returning to an environment where a partner is still using are small. Seeking help for an addiction together can strengthen the relationship, as well as, provide the necessary tools for going forward as a couple in recovery.
The important thing is that you get the help you need. Talk to your treatment team about what the best plan is for you.
Call Now To Speak Confidentially With An Admission Counselor (866) 819-7187
At Laguna View Detox, you can overcome drug and alcohol addiction by staying together with your partner. We have a friendly team of staff that help couples to give up on their addiction. We help them get rid of addiction by focusing on the root cause of their addiction and helping them fight it. Also, we support couples to mutually help their partners to overcome the drug addiction. Learn More
I spent most of my life struggling with addictions to various substances until finally getting sober in 2009. I abused opiates and before that, alcohol and cocaine, and while I’d have periods abstaining from those drugs—I always took Xanax to manage my anxiety. Xanax was my one constant. I never felt I was abusing it, and I never considered it a problem; where all other drugs made me crave more of that drug, I never went beyond the prescribed amount with Xanax and I often took less than prescribed. Also, I was taking Xanax for a legitimate reason: to manage my anxiety—something I’d struggled with since childhood. What I didn’t realize was that I had become what’s called “therapeutic dose dependent” and it would ultimately become the hardest and last drug I gave up. Before I go any further into my addiction let’s talk about what the drug is.
WHAT ARE XANAX BARS?
Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam which belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. They are used to treat generalized anxiety disorders, muscle spasms, panic disorders, and anxiety due to depression. They work really well, and that’s part of the problem. It’s very easy to become dependent on these pills. Xanax bars refer to the 2 milligram pills which are two to four times the average dose used to treat anxiety. They are long rectangular pills that are scored so they can be broken into halves or quarters, thus making them more cost effective than pills prescribed at a specific dose. As the street name implies, “Xanax Bars” look like bars and are sometimes called zanibars or planks on the street. But Xanax doesn’t only come in bar-shaped 2 milligram tablets, it also comes in 1 milligram, 0.5 milligram, or 0.25 milligram pills. There is also a time-released 3 milligram triangular pill and a liquid form as well. Xanax and the generic alprazolam also come as football shaped pills and round pills.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT COLORS OF XANAX PILLS?
The following descriptions are for the brand name Xanax only:
White rectangular: 2 mg.
Blue elliptical/football shaped: 1.0 mg.
Orange elliptical/football shaped: 0.5 mg.
White elliptical/football shaped: 0,25 mg.
The generic versions come in round, oval, and rectangular pills as well and vary in color. The generic 2 mg “bars” come in white, yellow, blue, and green.
My Xanax Addiction
Xanax is prescribed twice as much as any other benzodiazepine, such as Valium or Klonapin. All benzo’s has a profound effect on your brain chemistry—which is why it should only be used under medical supervision. When I was first prescribed benzodiazepines I was very young. I didn’t know why they worked and, honestly, I didn’t care. I just knew that these pills calmed my anxiety. But later on I found it helpful to understand a bit about how benzodiazepines work on the brain.
Benzodiazepines work by influencing and strengthening an important brain chemical called GABA (gamma-amino-butyric-acid). GABA is a neurotransmitter—it sends messages from one brain cell to another—but the message it sends works like the brakes in your car. It tells the neurons in your brain to slow down and remain calm. Because of this calming effect, the neurotransmitters that are more excitable: epinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are quieted and there is an overall sense of relaxation and euphoria. Benzodiazepines enhance GABA’s natural properties. But the excitatory neurons it calms are necessary to normal functions such as alertness, memory, heart rate and many other necessary functions.
Because I’d taken Xanax for so many years, I became completely dependent on it—even at my small prescribed dose for anxiety and sleep. I couldn’t leave home without what I called a “911 Xanax” in my pocket. I was experiencing a rebound effect: without a dose in my system, I felt even greater anxiety and panic than I normally would have. The thought of running out of Xanax would send me into a tailspin and I didn’t see myself as ever being able to live without this drug. I also functioned at a high level while taking it. I was a successful television executive and my career rose and rose though all the while taking Xanax. I never saw it as a problem, until my world blew up.
I eventually became addicted to opiates along with the Xanax and I was sinking under the weight of the cravings and withdrawal that accompany opiates. I’d considered my Xanax use a footnote to my addiction and had no intention of ever stopping Xanax, until my doctor told me that he’d treated thousands of patients and none could stay off opiates if they didn’t also get off the benzodiazepines. I was determined to at least try to get off the benzos (along with everything else). I admitted myself to a drug treatment facility and braced myself for the benzo withdrawal.
Coming off benzodiazepines should never be done without medical supervision as the withdrawal can lead you to have a seizure. You must be given anti-seizure meds and monitored. There are different ways to come of benzos as well. I preferred the quick, let’s be down with this, path. I stopped taking them at once, but was given other medications to calm me. While I like the fast approach—I’d rather slice the knot in half than unravel it slowly—some people may need a longer taper. There’s well-known system for getting off benzodiazapines called The Ashton Manual created by renowned British scientist, Heather Ashton. This method subscribes to a long, slow taper. You must find what’s best for you.
The withdrawal wasn’t easy. I had a host of symptoms from jitters to muscle pain to blurred vision. I had to retrain my brain to react to stress and anxiety naturally without a sedative, and I made a few really bad decisions in the early days of Xanax withdrawal. What’s important to know: the withdrawal probably won’t be nearly as bad as you think and you will get through it. The worst symptoms I had during withdrawal were actually those brought on by my fear of withdrawal. If you want to get off benzos the most important thing you’ll need is determination and support and there are treatment programs that can help you. I haven’t taken a benzo in ten years and my mind, body, and soul, is profoundly better.
If you’re struggling with this addiction Laguna View Detox treatment center can give you the crucial support you need while medically overseeing the process so that you are kept as safe and comfortable as possible. Getting off benzodiazepines was the best decision I made. Help is out there.
It can be extremely difficult to admit that addiction has come to rule your life or the life of someone you care about. Even if you aren’t the one who is directly suffering from addiction, the problem itself will still affect you. It can even start to ruin your life, no matter how you’re related to the individual.
Addiction makes people selfish; it changes the way they would normally react to others. It can make them forget about their responsibilities to themselves and to you, and it can cause rifts to form between people who care about each other deeply. Sometimes, it can tear families apart.
Being able to recognize that an addiction is affecting your relationships with your loved ones is the first step toward making a change, but it is also just one effort in a long line of difficult actions. Whether addiction has affected your child, your parent, your spouse, your friend, or even you, you will have different ways of looking at the situation as well as different requirements and opportunities for creating real change.
We want to help every person who needs professional treatment for drug or alcohol addiction to find the care they require and to be able to begin their road to recovery as safely and effectively as they can. But what should you do to help someone you love based on your relationship to the addicted individual? And if you are the one who is seeking assistance with a long-term addiction, how can professional treatment in a rehab center truly help you?
What to Do When You Are Addicted
If you are reading this section, we can assume that you are in need of help when it comes to your own addictive behavior. It’s important to understand, then, why addiction occurs. First off, addiction is not an issue of weak will or an inability to take drugs or drink alcohol without giving into their effects.
Addiction is a mental illness as well as a biochemical reaction that occurs in the brain of many people who abuse drugs and alcohol. Some people become addicted when they do this while others may not, but it is not a question of strong versus weak.
Instead, there are many factors that increase one’s likelihood of becoming addicted to one or more substances. Having addiction in your family tree is one such factor. Environment, development, and other factors also play a part. So, remember, experiencing an addiction has nothing to do with your lack of will or strength. And if you have realized that you need help, that is a healthy reaction to your struggle with addiction.
Are You Addicted?
Ask yourself the questions below in order to determine if your substance abuse has already morphed into a full-blown addiction.
Do you find yourself using or drinking more than you intended?
Do you require more and more of your drug of choice to experience the same effects?
Do you ever experience withdrawal effects when you are unable to use?
Have you started to isolate yourself from people who used to matter to you?
Are the activities that were once important to you no longer holding your interest?
Have you experienced any severe side effects from your drug or alcohol abuse, be they physical, psychological, legal, professional, etc.?
Do you feel that you won’t be able to stop using on your own?
The final question is the most telling about the experience of addiction because the nature of addiction involves an inability of control. Of course, it’s important to discuss this issue with a doctor for a true diagnosis, but if you answered yes to more than one of these questions, you are very likely already addicted.
What Should I Do?
If you think you are struggling with an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or both, follow the steps below to get help.
First, reach out to someone. It is much easier to go through recovery with the help of those who love you, and you will be especially in need of support at this time.
If you feel comfortable, it is often helpful to seek a professional opinion from your doctor. That way, you can be certain that you are dealing with a full-blown addiction.
Seeking professional rehab treatment is the safest, most effective way to overcome addiction. At Laguna View Detox, we offer detox, inpatient, outpatient, and sober living for individuals just like you who want to get clean and start their lives over. Call 1-866-819-7187 or visit us at lagunaviewdetox.com today.
Remember, when you tell people about your addiction and your desire to get help, you are doing the best thing for your own recovery. Although it is difficult to admit that you are in need of help, it is better to ask this of the people who care about you than to assume they won’t understand. In fact, they will likely want to see you make a change for the better, which means they will do all they can to support you.
What to Do When Your Child Is Addicted
Whether young or old, we all want what’s best for our children, and seeing your child struggle with addiction can be heartbreaking. Many parents feel they are at the end of their rope before they start seeking help for their children, but the truth is that change can occur and things can get better, especially if you and your child take steps toward recovery with professional addiction treatment.
What Should I Do?
Have a conversation with your child. Wait until they are sober, as it won’t be effective if they are not. Talk to them about your concerns, but speak with love and support, rather than with blame.
If a simple conversation is not effective, it might be time to try an intervention, which is a more formal way of telling someone you want them to get professional help for addiction. It can be beneficial to gather some of your child’s closest friends, relatives, etc. so that you will have other people to back up your claims. Make sure everyone writes down what they want to say ahead of time. It can also help to hire a professional interventionist.
The only way an intervention works, though, is if you set boundaries. Think about what you will say. Something like, “If you do not agree to get help today, I won’t be able to give you money anymore,” is a good step. Remember, though, this cannot be a hollow threat. It needs to be a solid consequence that you will be able to enforce if your child does not agree to seek help.
Once your child is in treatment, it is often extremely effective for their overall recovery if you stay involved. Family therapy is an important part of rehab, and you and your child will be able to work through some of your problems while in a safe space together.
Always remember that your child’s addiction is not your fault any more than it is theirs. Instead, it is important to seek effective treatment in a safe environment where they can learn to cope with and eventually manage the effects of their addiction. It can also be helpful to your own recovery and ability to reconcile with your child if you seek therapy or another kind of treatment for yourself.
The process of getting a family member into addiction treatment—especially an older one and most especially a parent—can be extremely difficult. On one hand, adult children are often afraid to confront their addicted parents, opting instead to try and smooth things over. But often, this kind of solution only works for so long.
It can be helpful to follow the same type of trajectory for helping a parent recover from addiction as for helping an adult child. Having a conversation, setting boundaries, and requiring that the parent seek professional addiction treatment are all helpful and important. However, since your relationship is one of a parent and child, it will make setting boundaries hard, even after the effects of addiction may have switched your roles. Seeking help from a professional interventionalist or a therapist can allow you to learn the skills you will need to do these things in an effective way.
Addiction can strike any time in a person’s life, although it is usually an issue that occurs with younger people. Always remember, just because someone is older doesn’t mean they have to live with addiction. Professional treatment can benefit everyone, allowing them to have a safer, happier life.
What to Do When Your Significant Other Is Addicted
Many people struggle with the issue of an addicted boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. This is especially troubling because addiction often hits those closest to the addicted individual the worst. Realizing someone you are in love with is dealing with a disease this severe can be devastating, especially if your spouse refuses to seek help.
At Laguna View Detox, you can overcome drug and alcohol addiction by staying together with your partner. We have a friendly team of staff that help couples to give up on their addiction. We help them get rid of addiction by focusing on the root cause of their addiction and helping them fight it. Also, we support couples to mutually help their partners to overcome the drug addiction.
What to Do When Your Sibling or Friend Is Addicted
Similar tactics can be utilized here to get your spouse into treatment. Boundaries such as refusing to allow your spouse to see your children or to live in your shared home if they do not seek help are sometimes necessary in order to clarify the severity of the situation. In some cases, talking with your spouse and telling them you want them to get help can work, but if that has not been successful, it is necessary to set these types of boundaries.
Spouses of addicted individuals often need therapy of their own to work through their feelings of anger and betrayal. In addition, couples therapy can be a helpful tool during and after your spouse’s rehab to mend the strained areas of your relationship.
This can be a tricky situation. If someone you care about deeply but are not in a position of authority or a place of intimacy with is dealing with addiction, it can be hard to set boundaries.
Still, think about what your sibling, friend, or the significant individual important in your life has done since they started using. Do they borrow money from you? Have you been covering for them with their job? With your parents?
These kinds of actions can sometimes be signs of enabling or trying to protect the addicted individual in a way that actually makes it easier for them to use. Going to a therapist and discussing the effects of enabling can help you put an end to this problem and allow you to find the boundaries you need to help your loved one into treatment.
What to Do When Trying to Get Your Loved One to Seek Help for Addiction
Use “I” statements, such as “I feel…” or “I am worried…” This seems less accusatory to your loved one and will be less likely to escalate their feelings of being antagonized.
Tell your loved one that you support them and will continue to do so if they seek treatment. However, you will not be able to support their habit, which is where setting boundaries comes in.
Remind your loved one that they will not need to go through recovery alone. Tell them you will go to family or couples counseling with them and that you will help them work through their recovery every step of the way.
Avoid getting angry and raising your voice. Whatever you do, stay calm. This will keep the discussion from being able to escalate too far.
Reach out to professional interventionists and therapists. You shouldn’t have to go through this process alone.
Before talking to your loved one, it can be extremely helpful to reach out to a professional rehab center first, so you have someplace already set up for your friend, family member, or spouse to go. Call 1-866-819-7187 to speak with a treatment advisor for Laguna View Detox now and learn more about our facility.
Things you should know about insurance covering rehab and why you shouldn’t wait until the first of the year to get help.
As we approach the holidays and the end of the year, many people struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol may want to wait until the new year to get help for their addiction. That’s understandable—who wants to miss holiday time with family and friends? The problem is, the holidays can be stressful and there’s always a risk in waiting to get help. The emotional and physical price you’ll pay for delaying treatment can be enormous. But there’s another simple and practical reason for not waiting to get help until after the first of the year: if you are using insurance, It will probably cost less to get treatment before the new year.
Why it costs less to go to treatment before January 1st:
Most insurance policies run on a calendar year—January through December—which means that your deductible and your out of pocket maximum will reset on January 1st.
The first thing to understand is what insurance companies mean by the deductible and out of pocket max. The deductible is the portion of the medical bill you are responsible for before your insurance starts paying, and the out of pocket maximum is the limit on how much money you will have to pay before you are covered at 100%. The standard rule of thumb is the higher your premium (the monthly fee you pay to have insurance) the lower your deductible, and conversely, by increasing your premium you can lower your deductible. It’s becoming increasingly more common for drug rehabs and hospitals to ask patients to pay their deductible in advance so that the facility or hospital be stuck with any unpaid bills.
Let’s say that you have a $2,000 deductible. In January you had an MRI which cost you $1200—you would have to pay that bill in full. Then in August, you had another procedure for which you were billed $800—once that’s paid you’ve have met your deductible.
Ok you’ve met your deductible, but that doesn’t mean that 100% of your charges are covered—your insurance will, most likely, cover a percentage of the costs. That is your co-insurance. A standard co-insurance would be that 20%. This means that 20% of billed charges are your responsibility. Now that may sound like a lot. A catastrophic illness could result in a million dollars worth of medical bills, but don’t worry, you won’t be responsible for 20% of a million dollars. Most policies have something called an out-of-pocket maximum which is a limit on how much of the bill you will be responsible for before your insurance begins to pay at 100%. The Affordable Care Act (ACA ) limits how high in-network out-of-pocket costs can be, but the limit itself is fairly high. In 2019, health plans can have out-of-pocket maximum as high as $7,900 for an individual and $15,800 for family. If your out-of-pocket max is $4000, you will owe a percentage of billed charges until you reach $4000, then your insurance pays 100%.
The most important thing to remember is that by the end of the year there is a good chance you’ve accrued a big part toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum and it may cost you little or nothing to come into treatment—of course, this depends on which type of insurance you have and which benefits are covered. But if you’re on a calendar year plan—and you most likely are—come January 1st your deductible and out of pocket maximum reset and you’ll again be responsible for your deductible and a percentage of billed costs.
DOES MY INSURANCE COVER REHAB?
In most cases, the answer is yes. In 2010 President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law which listed mental health and addiction treatment as an essential health benefit or EBH, meaning it must be included in policies sold on the exchange. Also, addiction and relapse are no longer considered pre-existing conditions—you can use your insurance for treatment without fear of losing substance abuse benefits should you change your insurance provider. The government recognizes that treatment for mental health and substance use disorders is far less expensive than treating addiction-related issues down the road.
If you have a commercial policy through your employer, you will probably have coverage for substance abuse. With the exception of Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, all states currently require commercial group health insurers to cover addiction treatment services.
HOW MUCH DOES DRUG TREATMENT COST WITH INSURANCE?
How Much Is Rehab?
There is no one answer to that question. There are many different types of policies and not all of them cover the same services. Policies have stipulations, provisos, and small print, for example; you may have to go within a specific “network” for care; detox may be allowed only in an acute hospital setting; there may be a limit on the number of days allowed for treatment; only out-patient services are covered.
Ultimately, any money spent on recovery will be a bargain compared to the costs you’ll incur by continuing to use. When you consider what you spend daily on drugs and alcohol, add up lost wages, and consider how much a decline in your overall health will cost you, you’ll see that you come out ahead by paying for treatment. But to avoid being hit with big bills in the first of the year, why not seek treatment now, over the holidays, and give yourself the gift of your life.
Laguna View Detox has insurance experts standing by who will call your insurance provider for you and let you know exactly what your coverage is for substance abuse treatment. With a simple call to (866) 819-7187 an insurance specialist will work on your behalf to determine how much, if any, your medical insurance provider will pay for substance abuse treatment or mental health treatment.
