Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: How It Works

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is becoming quite valuable in treating drug abuse and alcoholism during addiction treatment. Started in the 1960s, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), helps people address problematic thoughts and feelings. CBT is effective because it not only helps with addiction, it helps with co-occurring disorders as well. It’s common for someone suffering from addiction to also battle depression or anxiety. 

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that’s been a part of addiction treatment for more than 50 years. The goal of CBT is to help people take a look at the root causes that drove them to their addiction in the first place. Because it is hard to prevent relapses without getting people to address their issues directly, CBT is one of the cornerstones of addiction treatment. CBT is used to treat a variety of disorders as well. Anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders (such as anorexia and bulimia), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can all be treated with CBT. 

How Does it Help in Addiction Treatment?

For those who suffer from addiction, there are a few ways in which CBT can help. One of the main reasons CBT was introduced into addiction treatment is because it helps prevent relapse. During CBT, addicts learn to pick up on their problematic behaviors and address them. The theory is that if someone can change their thinking and emotions, they can change their behavior as well. Drug addicts and alcoholics spend so much time numbing their feelings and not thinking. CBT helps bring awareness to recovering addicts. With their newfound awareness, recovering addicts are able to notice if they feel uncomfortable and want to use drugs. This gives the person time to stop, actively say no to using drugs or alcohol, and use a healthy coping mechanism to feel comfortable again. 

CBT is also effective in treating anxiety and depression. These disorders are extremely common in drug addicts and alcoholics. Often someone will treat their addiction but not their occurring disorder. A recovering addict suffering from panic attacks or depression is more likely to relapse. CBT can be thought of as killing two birds with one stone. 

What Are the Benefits?

There are several important benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy. First, this therapy can be tailored to meet people’s individual needs and circumstances. The treatment of addiction is just as varied as the people who suffer from substance abuse disorders. Next, CBT does not require anyone to take prescription medications. This allows people to avoid some of the unpleasant side effects that come with these medications. It also gets people comfortable opening up and expressing themselves because CBT is talk therapy. Finally, CBT is something someone can continue after treatment. There are plenty of people who do CBT on a weekly basis who’ve never struggled with addiction in the first place. Licensed therapists qualified for CBT are widely available throughout the United States. Because there aren’t any side effects, people can continue cognitive behavioral therapy for years if they’d like. CBT is one of the most effective treatment and recovery options for addiction.

Let us Help

At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury drug & alcohol treatment program based out of the gorgeous area of Laguna Beach, CA. We utilize cognitive behavioral therapy during our treatment process. We are proud to provide detox and inpatient treatment options for addiction. Laguna View Detox shares a unique luxury program with its participants that combines traditional treatment and modern therapies to assist clients in overcoming substance abuse and maintaining sobriety in the future. To learn more about our services, please contact us today. 

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!

 

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. 

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!

Medical Detox is the First Step in Beating Addiction

Addiction is a serious problem that impacts countless individuals and families across the country. Addiction is a disease. It is a serious mental health issue and should be treated as such. Sadly, in the past, there was a stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Now, that stigma is starting to fade. This has given rise to numerous new treatment options that can help people who are suffering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol.

For many people who are starting the road to recovery, this period begins with something called detox. For those who might not know, detox is the process of removing drugs and alcohol from the body. This can be a challenging period of time because people are going to go through withdrawal. This is where medical detox can be a great first step.

What is Medical Detox?

A medical detox facility is a specified area in a treatment center that is staffed with doctors and nurses who can help individuals cope with the withdrawal symptoms that are going to develop. When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the body views these substances as a necessity for life. Therefore, when people go for a while without these substances, they are going to feel ill. In some cases, withdrawal can even be life-threatening.

The symptoms of withdrawal are going to vary depending on the substances to which the person is addicted; however, there are a few common signs of withdrawal. Some of the most common symptoms include fevers, shakes, chills, sweats, agitation, emotional lability, and trouble sleeping. Some of the serious symptoms can include hallucinations, which involve hearing or seeing things that aren’t actually there. Some people even end up thinking that bugs are crawling on their skin. In the most serious cases, people can even have seizures.

Clearly, withdrawal can be difficult for people to handle. This is why it is important for people to go through the process of “getting clean” in the presence of trained doctors and nurses.

Who Should Go to Medical Detox?

While not every patient is going to need to go to detox, this can be helpful for a large number of people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Some of the people who might benefit from detox include:

  • Anyone who has a physical addiction to certain drugs or alcohol
  • Individuals who would like to go through the process of withdrawal in the presence of other people
  • Those who would be going to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms without the presence of medical professionals

There are a few common drug addictions that might require the presence of detox personnel. Some of the examples include:

Heroin: The withdrawal from heroin can lead to extreme discomfort. This should be managed by trained medical professionals who know how to handle this situation.

Pain Pills: Some of the most common examples include OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin. These are opiates that can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms that merit the attention of medical professionals.

Alcohol: Withdrawal from alcohol can lead to the development of something called delirium tremens. This is a withdrawal syndrome that can be life-threatening in severe cases.

Benzodiazepines: If someone suddenly stops taking these drugs, such as Xanax and Valium, this can be a life-threatening situation. This is why detox is necessary.

How Long Does it Take to Go Through Detox?

The exact length of time it will take someone to go through detox is going to vary. Some of the factors that will play a role include the identity of the addictive substance, how long that substance has been used, the amount of substance that was taken, and when the last dose was. Some detox processes will take a couple of days. In other situations, the entire process might take up to two weeks. For this reason, it is important for everyone to have support when they go through the detox process. This is a critical part of stopping substance abuse and breaking addiction’s hold on the individual. A detox center can be a great place for someone to start the addiction treatment process. Detox is the first step on the road to recovery.

The Detoxification Process with the Help of Laguna View Detox

Medical detoxification is the first step in addiction treatment. Anyone who would like to have access to the latest addiction treatment resources should rely on Laguna View Detox. We are a luxury drug and alcohol rehab center located in the scenic area of Laguna Beach, CA. Our professionals have a tremendous amount of experience working with alcohol and drug addiction. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you with addiction treatment, please contact us today. We look forward to hearing your story.

Five Signs it Might be Time to Go to a Medical Detox

Addiction can take many forms and one of the most common addictions is alcoholism. When someone has developed an addiction to alcohol, they are going to turn their lives upside down in an effort to feed this addiction. One of the problems with trying to break an addiction to alcohol is that the substance itself is legal. This means that people will have no trouble continuing to feed their addiction as it begins to consume their family members and friends along with the individual. Fortunately, there are professionals who are willing to lend a helping hand. One effective treatment option is called medical detox.

Medical detox is designed to help someone get through the toughest stages of addiction treatment. In many cases, this involves the first few days. There are a few signs that it might be time for someone to consider going to a medical detox center.

Prior Efforts Have Been Tried and Failed

First, if prior treatment efforts have tried and failed, then it might be time to go to a medical detox center. One of the most common reasons why prior efforts to stop are unsuccessful is that it is simply too hard. There are withdrawal symptoms that will start to set in shortly after someone with alcoholism stops drinking. This is one of the nasty side effects of substance abuse. The withdrawal symptoms alone can drive someone to start drinking again. This is why professional help is a must.

An Intervention Has Taken Place

Often, substance abuse will get so bad that family members and friends will try to have an intervention. This is a meeting where loved ones confront the individual with the issues at hand. This can be an incredibly stressful process and, fortunately, leads to the individual trying to get help shortly thereafter. If an intervention is taking place, consider offering medical detox as one of the treatment options. That way, someone can recover from alcoholism under the guidance of trained professionals.

Withdrawal Symptoms are Setting In

If withdrawal symptoms are setting in, it is time to go to medical detox. Withdrawal symptoms can take many forms. For example, some people start to develop agitation, anxiety, sweating, and even fevers. Other symptoms might even include hallucinations and delusions, which involve seeing or believing in things that either aren’t there or aren’t true. Furthermore, some of the worst cases of alcohol withdrawal can even lead to seizures. Seizures can lead to brain damage if they aren’t managed appropriately. Therefore, it is essential for those who suffer from alcohol withdrawal to seek help from trained professionals. The symptoms of withdrawal can be incredibly severe.

Someone is Drinking in the Morning

When alcoholism starts to get out of control, the individual will start drinking in the morning. One of the reasons why this happens is that someone is starting to feel the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal when they wake up in the morning. Alcohol withdrawal can start to develop only a few hours after the most recent beverage. In this case, someone has gone all night without drinking. Therefore, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are starting to develop. For this reason, anyone who is drinking in the morning needs to consider going to medical detox. This is a critical step on the road to recovery.

Alcoholism Has Landed Someone in the Hospital

Finally, if alcoholism ever puts someone in the hospital, that individual needs to head to a medical detox center. There are countless reasons why alcoholism might land someone in the hospital. Sometimes, people suffer serious injuries because he or she was involved in an auto accident secondary to drunk driving. In other cases, alcoholism places someone in the hospital due to the development of delirium tremens, also known as the DTs. Either way, these are signs that alcoholism has a firm grip on someone. This grip cannot be broken without the help of trained medical professionals. That is exactly what someone will get when he or she goes to a medical detox center.

Rely on the Professionals at Laguna View Detox

It is important for everyone to know that medical detox can be a helpful way to get through some of the toughest stages of addiction treatment. At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury drug and alcohol treatment program. We are located in beautiful Laguna View, CA. We provide medical detox services and inpatient treatment for those who suffer from various types of substance abuse. We seek to use innovative treatment methods along with proven, traditional, successful treatment options for the benefit of our patients. We would be happy to help you as well. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you and your family, please contact us today!

The Benefits of Going to a Luxury Rehab Center

When someone is looking for addiction treatment, the scenery and backdrop are going to be important. One of the many options that people might consider is a luxury rehab center. Sadly, there is a thought that these centers are only reserved for people with large sums of money, such as athletes, executives, and celebrities. Fortunately, this is not the case.

A luxury rehab center is actually far more affordable than people realize. The benefits of a luxury rehab center are nearly endless. While the bed is more comfortable and the facilities are superb, there are also additional treatment options that a typical rehab center simply cannot offer. It is important for everyone to know about the numerous benefits that come with a luxury rehab center for addiction treatment and substance abuse.

An Improved Patient to Staff Ratio

One of the most important factors to consider in any addiction treatment is the ratio of patients to staff. The more staff available, the patients, the more attention each individual is going to get. Unfortunately, the standard treatment center is simply going to try to cram in as many patients as possible to try and improve their revenue. When so many patients are present, it overwhelms the staff members and patients do not get the attention they deserve. 

At a luxury rehab center, this is not going to be a problem. With luxury facilities, there are going to be additional staff members present. The end result is that the staff will get to know the patients better. This gives each and every patient the opportunity to work with a knowledgeable professional who can get them on the road to recovery.

More Treatment Options

When someone goes to a luxury rehab facility, they are going to have access to all of the resources available in the world of addiction treatment. For example, the counselors and therapists at luxury treatment centers are going to be some of the best in the industry. Often, these are professionals with decades of experience in the world of addiction treatment. This means that the latest therapies are going to be leveraged for the benefit of each patient present at that facility. Furthermore, patients are going to have access to hours of one on one therapy every week. This has been proven to be an essential part of the addiction treatment process. The benefits of added treatment options at a luxury rehab facility cannot be overstated.

The Food is Better

While this might sound like a simple point, it is actually very important. The cuisine at luxury rehab facilities is going to be better. It is important for people to be happy when they are spending time at a luxury rehab center. It is hard for someone to be happy if they end up eating food that doesn’t taste good. At luxury rehab centers, the meals are going to be prepared by chefs. They will also be prepared throughout the day. There is an extreme emphasis on proper nutrition during the recovery process. This is important for making sure the physical health of every patient is tended to. Food is important for everyone’s future sobriety. For this reason, it is a priority at luxury drug rehab centers. 

Added Amenities at a Luxury Rehab Center

Finally, a luxury rehab center is going to provide someone with access to additional amenities that are not going to be present in other locations. For example, there are going to be private rooms so that patients can get time to themselves when they need it. There will also be a large bathroom so people do not feel cramped. The linens are going to be of top quality, allowing someone to relax as they focus on themselves. Some people might think that the extra comfort is not important; however, the goal is to get patients to relax. When patients are able to relax, they can focus on themselves and what they need to do to get on the road to recovery. This will help people remain at peace with themselves, allowing them to open up to the important addiction treatment sessions that are going to unfold. Comfort is an important part of luxury drug rehab centers.

Experience Luxury Addiction Treatment and Drug Rehab at Laguna View

At Laguna View, we are a luxury drug and alcohol addiction treatment center. We are situated in the beautiful area of Laguna Beach, CA. We provide cutting edge medical detox and inpatient treatment opportunities for those who struggle with addiction. We have the latest amenities and many of the top professionals in the industry. We strive to provide the best possible care to every patient. To learn more about how we can help you during the recovery process, contact us today.