Why Behavioral Therapy is Essential in Treating Substance Abuse-Related Issues
By Jennifer McDougall Substance abuse-related issues can have a profound impact on the lives of those who are affected by them. Individuals struggling with substance abuse-related issues may feel isolated from friends, family members, and other loved ones. This can make it difficult for them to get help for theirContinue Reading
New Book Release: That Was Zen, This Is Tao: Living Your Way to Enlightenment by Chris Prentiss
By Jennifer McDougall Chris Prentiss is a pioneer in the field of addiction treatment. He co-founded Passages Malibu with his son, Pax Prentiss, an exclusive residential rehab facility that’s known for its revolutionary, non-12-step approach to recovery. He is also the international bestselling author of books such as The AlcoholismContinue Reading
How Equine Therapy Can Help Build Trust in Addiction Recovery
By Jennifer McDougall: Equine therapy is a therapeutic approach to treating addiction and trauma. Equine therapy aims to help people learn how to trust themselves and others through interaction with horses. A person’s interactions with the horse may involve grooming or riding the animal. Still, usually, it’s much more thanContinue Reading
The Long-Term Effects of Cocaine: What You Need to Know
By Jennifer McDougall Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug. It’s highly addictive because it increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in brain circuits regulating reward and pleasure, producing feelings of euphoria. As a result, cocaine use can lead to compulsive drug taking—repeatedly using the drug despite negative consequences. CocaineContinue Reading
What to Do When You’re Stuck in Your Head: Eliminating Brain Chatter
By Jennifer McDougall I’ve been there. You’re stuck in your head with thoughts and feelings and worries, and nothing seems to quiet that inner brain chatter. You can’t help but worry about the future or ruminate over the past. You feel overwhelmed by how many things you need to doContinue Reading
Self-Care Essentials to Thrive in Sobriety
By Jennifer McDougall Self-care is the foundation for a successful sober lifestyle. It allows us to make better choices, achieve our goals, and bring more meaning into our lives. But how do you know if your version of self-care is working? In this post, we’ll explore some of the bestContinue Reading
Nutrients That Become Depleted During Drug and Alcohol Addiction
By Jennifer McDougall Addiction can happen to anyone, and it can consume your life and well-being before you know what is happening. Alcohol and drug abuse have significant effects on the body, especially as it relates to nutrient depletion. Individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol are often malnourished and sufferContinue Reading
Am I an Alcoholic? How to Know if You Need Help
By Jennifer McDougall If you’ve been reaching for a drink more often than usual, or if the thought of going without alcohol is making you anxious, it might be time to get help. If you suspect that your drinking is becoming a problem, here are some questions to ask yourself:Continue Reading
Do You Want to Stop Drinking? 7 Effective Ways to End Alcohol Addiction Without the 12-Steps
by Jennifer McDougall If you’re tired of living with alcohol addiction, know that there’s no shame in wanting to get help. In fact, if you’re ready to stop drinking for good, you should be proud of yourself! The most effective way to end alcohol addiction is through detoxification and non-12-stepContinue Reading
Is Addiction a Disease? Passages Malibu Explains
There is a lot of talk about whether or not addiction is a disease. The AA/12-Step community labels individuals who have used and abused drugs and alcohol as “addicts.” At Passages, we do not believe addiction is a disease. We believe that a person who is addicted to alcohol orContinue Reading
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System
by Jennifer McDougall Alcohol is mainly broken down by the liver, which can metabolize around one standard drink per hour for males. Age, weight, gender, and the quantity of food consumed can impact how quickly the body processes alcohol. Sleeping or drinking water will not enhance the rate of alcoholContinue Reading
What to Talk About With Your Therapist in Addiction Treatment
By Jennifer McDougall You may not know how to start a conversation with your therapist at the beginning of therapy. Starting the conversation is difficult, but developing a relationship with your therapist is necessary. For example, you might create a conversation by discussing your everyday activities or a specific day.Continue Reading
What to Know About the Pink Cloud in Addiction Recovery
By Jennifer McDougall Addiction causes so much misery, suffering, and sadness that it is commonly expected that everything will be different in recovery. On the contrary, life in recovery is significantly more fulfilling, although it is not always full of roses and sunlight. Individuals in early recovery frequently endure aContinue Reading
Crafting a Peaceful Morning Routine: Tips for a Serene Start to Your Day
By Jennifer McDougall The way we start our morning often sets the tone for the rest of the day. A peaceful and well-organized morning routine can be transformative, especially in the context of recovery and personal well-being. Here are some effective strategies to help you create a morning routine thatContinue Reading
New Study Shows No Amount of Alcohol is Good For You
By Jennifer McDougall More than 2.4 million people died from alcohol-related causes in 2019, accounting for 4.3 percent of all fatalities worldwide and 12.6 percent of deaths among males aged 15 to 49. Alcohol is a psychoactive and dangerous drug that can injure the human body significantly. Its consumption isContinue Reading
The Remarkable Benefits of a Life Free from Alcohol
By Jennifer McDougall Embarking on a journey free from alcohol can profoundly enhance your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At Passages Ventura and Passages Malibu, we are committed to supporting you in this life-changing decision with our comprehensive, holistic non-12-step approach to addiction treatment. Immediate Health Benefits of Alcohol AbstinenceContinue Reading
Is Addiction Treatment Effective at Passages Malibu?
The question everyone is asking is, “Can addiction be treated effectively?” The answer is yes, but we will explain to you how it can effectively be done in a way that will enable lasting sobriety, improved quality of health, and an array of other benefits the treatment at Passages MalibuContinue Reading
How to Stop Being an Addict
By Jennifer McDougall Do you want to get sober? Do you want to get rid of your addiction? Do you need help putting your life back together? Then, you came to the right place. No one sets out to become an addict. I’m sure you didn’t get up this morningContinue Reading
How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Addiction Recovery
We all have personal boundaries, sometimes called our “comfort zone” or our “personal bubble.” These are the boundaries we make to safeguard our mental and physical well-being. Setting better boundaries is essential for addiction recovery but isn’t always the easiest to do. It has to be done, though, because boundariesContinue Reading
Are You Looking for An Alternative to AA or 12-Step Addiction Rehab?
Are you ready to find an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-Step recovery method? Passages Malibu could be the answer you’ve been searching for. At Passages’ non-12-step treatment center, you’ll find the atmosphere friendly and the employees easy to relate with, but most importantly, you can find a fullContinue Reading



















