Exercise as a Key to Recovery

Posted on July 9, 2011 by admin

Exercise is a very crucial component for an individual recovering from any sort of alcohol or drug abuse.  Years of dependency on drugs and alcohol severely diminish your physical state and health, often leading to gaining of fat, loss of muscle tone, and deterioration of the bones and joints.

Physical fitness and exercise is definitely one of the keys to maintaining a healthy, balanced, and sober existence.  Regular exercise causes the release of endorphins, which are small, protein packed molecules that are produced by cells in your nervous system.  Endorphins have been shown to have a positive effect on the brain and body causing feelings of pleasure, controlling pain, reducing depression and anxiety, relieving stress, and decreasing cravings for addictive substances.  As you continue to exercise one you have detoxed and become sober, you will notice a difference in your physical appearance and will also begin to feel strong again and your self-esteem will increase.

To reverse the trends you have likely developed as part of an unhealthy lifestyle, at Passages we provide our clients with one-on-one sessions with our Certified Fitness Instructors in our own fully equipped fitness center.

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Plastic Surgery Addiction

Posted on July 8, 2011 by admin

Plastic surgery addiction is a term that is fairly new in the treatment world’s vocabulary.  Plastic surgery has only been around for a small number of decades, and in the short amount of time it has been available the number of people getting cosmetic procedures has rapidly spiked.  Many people, especially people with mental issues such as depression or personality disorders, as well as people with substance abuse issues, become obsessed with plastic surgery.

Surgeons are recently trying to weed out the increasing number of patients who may possibly have body dysmorphic disorder or other addiction issues, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell. The prevalent availability and increasing social acceptability of cosmetic surgery have fueled many individual’s desire to get more and more.  Many individuals who are addicted to plastic surgery actually describe that they get a “buzz” or a “high” feeling whenever they get a new procedure, primarily because they are fixated with perfecting the appearance of a particular part of their body. Other people develop a dependency on the support and reactions from others they appear to get after each cosmetic surgery procedure. Cosmetic surgery is very addictive and habit-forming for certain individuals, as they feel a sense of psychological wellbeing after one procedure, which therefore fuels the notion that they would feel even better after more procedures.

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Denial and Substance Abuse

Posted on July 7, 2011 by admin

Many people often hear the term “denial” or the phrase “being in denial” when discussing an individual with a substance abuse issue.  Many individuals who have been abusing drugs or alcohol for an extended period of time get very good at hiding and covering up their actions, and have a hard time admitting to themselves or their families the true extent of their usage.

In a recent study conducted by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, millions Americans admitted to habitually smoking pot, drinking alcohol, snorting cocaine or taking prescription drugs, yet many of them were not completely honest about their level of use and many of them who met the criteria for needing treatment did not recognize that they have a problem. The study estimates that those “in denial” of a problem is close to 5 million, which is a much higher number than the people that actually seek and get professional treatment.  It seems as though there is a large and growing denial gap when it comes to drug abuse and dependency in our society.  Drug and alcohol abuse is often glorified and readily accepted in the media, which may in part add to the nation’s large issue with denial.  At Passages, we help our client come to terms with and be honest about their behaviors and help them get back to healthy, drug free lives.

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Make the Most Out of Rehab

Posted on July 6, 2011 by admin

Attending a rehab program and getting the most out of your treatment really depends on your level of willingness to change and personal commitment. Successful outcomes of attending an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab center often depend upon the person’s openness to learn and the length of stay.  Unfortunately, the first few days of treatment can be very difficult for some people, especially those detoxing, and this is a time when many people decide to leave treatment prematurely.

In order for individuals to stay long enough to gain the full benefits of treatment, there are many critical strategies for staying in the program and not leaving early on. For an individual in treatment to experience both engagement and retention, they must have a definite motivation to change drug-using behavior.

Within the drug or alcohol treatment program, successful staff members and therapists should be able to establish a positive, therapeutic relationship with the client, and be able to get them through the rough initial first days where many people leave prematurely. The staff members should ensure that a solid treatment plan is established and followed so that the individual knows what to expect during treatment.

Our staff members are trained and experienced with helping our clients make the most out of their stay with us.  We help ease our clients through the initial first difficult phases of treatment, and we also ensure a transition to continuing care following the patient’s completion of formal in-house treatment.

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Ambien and Sleeping Pill Addiction

Posted on July 5, 2011 by admin

Addiction to Ambien and various other sleeping medications has drastically increased in recent years.  Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic drug, with effects similar to Valium or Xanax, that is frequently prescribed to people for a temporary solution for insomnia.

Although many physicians do frequently prescribe Ambien, they often frequently urge patients to seek other more permanent, long-term treatment for insomnia that lasts longer than the quick-fix of a sleeping pill.  Ambien does not actually heal insomnia, but rather it masks the problem, which is often caused by some other physical or mental problem and underlying condition that disrupts normal sleep patterns. Long-term use of Ambien can lead to physical or psychological dependency, eventually requiring drug detox and inpatient drug rehab.

Unfortunately, Ambien has several characteristics that make it potentially very addictive. Ambien has a quick onset, and individuals can use the drug to fall asleep, but typically do not have any after-effects the next morning.  Ambien can have dangerous side effects when taken in conjunction with other substances, especially with other central nervous system depressants and alcohol.  Individuals who continually take Ambien build up a physical tolerance, eventually increasing their doses and eventually leading to rebound insomnia if taken off the drug.  Unfortunately, Ambien is also frequently used in suicide attempts and attempts at heavy and unhealthy sedation.  If you or someone you know has a problem with Ambien or other sleep-inducing drugs, Passages can help.

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Depression Treatment

Posted on July 4, 2011 by admin

Depression is one of the most frequent co-occurring issues seen with individuals suffering from drug or alcohol dependency.  It is very common for people who are struggling with depression to turn to drugs and alcohol for relief.  Depressed individuals are often suffering from so much pain, hopelessness, and low self-esteem that drugs and alcohol serve as a temporary escape and a way to self-medicate.  However, this repeated self-medicating causes a chemical dependency in the mind and body, eventually leading to a full blown addiction.  Although the use of drugs and alcohol starts as a way to numb the pain, it actually ends up magnifying and aggravating the effects of depression, having the opposite intended outcome.

Typically, depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the body or brain that can be corrected with proper treatment. Many times depression is caused by low dopamine or serotonin levels, which are the “feel good” chemicals in the body.  Unfortunately, many of the most commonly prescribed medications for depression/anxiety have addictive potential.  At Passages Malibu, we believe in treating patients with depression using natural supplements rather than addictive prescription medications.  Natural supplements for depression can actually rebuild the chemicals in your body that are lacking, as well as result in improved moods, energy levels and sleep patterns.  At Passages Malibu, our program not only works for people who have depression, but anxiety, insomnia, and ADD as well.

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The Effect of Parents’ Drinking on Their Children

Posted on July 3, 2011 by admin

We all know that setting a good example is very crucial as a parent.  Parents who do not drink or use drugs have a higher chance that their children will follow in their footsteps, even if they just educate their children about the negative effects of liquor and drugs. However, parents that are heavy drinkers increase their children’s chances of following in their footsteps and drinking heavily.  Several research studies have indicated that parents’ examples and teachings are the absolute most influential voice in a child’s life-even more effective than forms of drug education and anti-drug programs in schools. There are numerous things that parents can do to help influence their children away from drugs and alcohol, and there are many things parents can be aware of to see if their child is at risk.

Several risk factors for young adults and teens to abuse substances are undiagnosed learning disabilities, bi-polar disorder, any sort of trauma, anxiety, depression, and feelings of social awkwardness or that they do not fit in with their peer group.  The earlier a teen or child starts using drugs or alcohol, the more likely they will develop a dependency and become addicted.  In a recent study, children of heavy drinkers were more likely to drink more frequently, heavily, and more often alone than the children of parents without alcohol problems.  If you are concerned about your child abusing substances, Passages can help.

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Internet and Video Game Addiction

Posted on July 2, 2011 by admin

It is undeniable that in recent years, technology has become a major and overwhelming force in our society.  It is nearly unheard of for someone to go without a cell phone or access to the internet.  However, the explosion of technology has resulted in some disturbing effects; people of all different age groups and backgrounds have shown a startling increase in addiction to online activities or video and computer games.

Technology addiction can vary in its severity, with anything ranging from video games and social media sites (Facebook, MySpace, etc.) all the way to cyber-pornography or cyber-gambling.  Often times, individuals addicted to various types of technology choose to spend time in a virtual world rather than interacting in healthy behaviors with real people and dealing with real-life problems, which therapists describe as an avoidance mechanism.  These people commonly suffer from substance abuse and other co-occurring conditions, as well as various underlying issues.  There are several signs to look for if you suspect yourself or someone you know is addicted to the internet or video games.

If you spend more time online or playing games rather than with people, if you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone bothers you while you are online, if being online helps you escape your life and results in a release or soothing thoughts, if you neglect your job, household chores or lose sleep because you can’t leave the computer, if you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are not online, or if you are secretive or try to hide how long you’ve been online or playing games, you may have a problem.

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The Impact of Alcohol Advertising and Alcohol in the Media

Posted on July 1, 2011 by admin

Nowadays, it is nearly impossible to avoid seeing alcohol consumption in advertisements, on television, in movies, or in magazines.  Alcohol is one of the primary things advertisers pay for in the United States.  Many people wonder, how does the constant presence of alcohol in pop culture affect children and young people?  According to a study conducted by the University of Connecticut, young adults who viewed more alcohol advertisements than average also reported drinking more alcohol than average. In essence, young people who view more alcohol advertisements and are exposed to alcohol more in television and movies tend to drink more alcohol.  The alcohol industry is a multi-billion dollar business, and information from various alcohol companies showed that with the amount of advertising dollars spent in each state and total alcohol sold in each state, they could analyze youth drinking in relation to dollars spent.  Alcohol advertising is inarguably a contributing factor to youth drinking quantities over time.  Through early childhood education regarding alcohol and its negative effects, the influence of advertising and alcohol in pop culture may make less of an effect on our nation’s youth.

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Finding a New Career After Rehab

Posted on June 30, 2011 by admin

If you are recently out of rehab or newly sober, re-entering the workforce can be refreshing and a steady, grounding return to normalcy.  However, it can present certain stressors or challenges.  Maintaining a steady job can be a very positive thing, and it can influence the long-term success of your recovery by giving your life structure and a higher purpose, and by occupying your time with truly productive and rewarding activities.

If you have been out of the work force for awhile due to addiction or being in recovery, it can be difficult to find a job or transition back into work. If it takes awhile to get hired at a new place, do not take it personally or interpret it as a consequence of your addiction.  Understandably, you may be worried that potential employers may discriminate against you due to your history of substance abuse.  This is very rarely the case.  You are now sober, whole, and should be very proud of that; your past does not have to limit you or make you self-conscious.  If you are feeling stressed about getting back into the workforce after attaining sobriety, talk to your therapist, use your skills to cope with stress, such as yoga or meditation, and most importantly, be positive.  At Passages Malibu, our continuing care coordinators devote their time to helping your transition back into the real world and the work force post-treatment.

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