Browsing Tag

alcohol abuse

How to Repair the Damage of Alcohol Abuse

By Jennifer McDougall

Are you ready to make changes in your life to get on the right path to health and happiness? If so, you have come to the right place. Many people who have used and abused alcohol or other addictive drugs in the past know how damaging the effects can be on the body, mind, and spirit. At Passages, we take a holistic approach to treating and healing the underlying conditions causing a person to use and abuse drugs and alcohol.

Organs such as the brain, which contain a lot of water and need a lot of blood to function, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. Alcohol makes the liver, which is the major organ that processes alcohol, work very hard. Delaying treatment for alcohol abuse can be life-threatening. It is very important that someone who is struggling with addiction to get help as soon as possible.

Since there is a wide range of problems that come with years of substance abuse related issues, including damage to vital organs, interpersonal relationships, and the inability to live a happy and stable life, waiting to get help can and oftentimes only makes matters much worse.

At Passages, we understand what it takes to repair and move on; to live a life free from addiction.

Upon your arrival at Passages Malibu, our nurses will help you get checked in and assess your detox needs. Your medical doctor will then design a customized detox program made specifically for you. During your detox, you will be personally attended to by a team of nurses as your body rids itself of toxic, addictive substances.

We use only the most effective methods and medications to safely bring you off the addictive drugs that your body has formed a dependency on. Our doctor is board certified in addiction medicine, meaning you will receive the most cutting-edge approach to detox. Throughout your detox, our nurses will regularly evaluate your progress and work closely with your medical doctor to coordinate your care.

Alcohol abuse is associated with numerous health issues, emotional problems, social problems, and psychological issues. While it may be difficult to undo all the damage brought on by alcohol abuse, it is possible to heal the body, mind, and spirit through a variety of holistic therapy options such as those available at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers. One of the most important aspects of reversing the damage of alcohol abuse is to address the cause, first and foremost so that moving forward we can help prevent future substance abuse related issues. The other thing we need to do is take a health and fitness evaluation to test your body for any liver and cardiovascular issues that need to be addressed.

For many people, they want to make up for the time the lost living a life that didn’t fulfill their needs and wreaked havoc on their social, physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. They want to improve the quality of their relationships, feel healthy, happy, and repair their careers and overall quality of life.

At Passages, we offer a complete 360-degree approach to healing so that every aspect of your life is given the opportunity to improve. The tools we teach and provide you with at Passages are based upon a unique and empowering non-12 Step philosophy that has helped change and save the lives of over twenty thousand people who have gone through our innovative treatment program. Here is a look at our variety of therapy methods.

Addiction Therapy at Passages Malibu | Luxury Rehab

“How do you change what you believe when your experience has convinced you otherwise? By creating a new experience. The best way for you to get that new experience is to change your response to what happens. By the natural law of cause and effect, that new response will create new results, which you will then experience as a new reality. To reach the goal of happiness, act as though the following statement is already true: Everything that happens to me is the best thing that can happen to me.”
― Chris Prentiss

For nearly twenty years, Passages has been setting the standard with our revolutionary one-on-one holistic treatment programs. From the moment you check in to the moment you graduate you will experience the highest level of treatment innovations and healing techniques to eradicate addiction for good. Other treatment centers cannot match the level of service and expertise that Passages Malibu offers.

Passages Addiction Treatment Centers | Most Insurance is Accepted

How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:

Call Passages Addiction Treatment Centers today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Passages, Where Addiction Ends and Life Begins™

by Passages Malibu

Concerns Grow for Alcohol Abuse During Coronavirus Lockdown

By Jennifer McDougall

While many people are stuck at home, finding themselves bored, with more time on their hands than they know what to do with, the number of people abusing drugs and alcohol is on the rise. According to Nielsen data, alcohol sales have risen 55 percent in the week ending March 21.

“U.S. sales of alcoholic beverages rose 55% in the week ending March 21, according to market research firm Nielsen. Spirits like tequila, gin and pre-mixed cocktails led the way, with sales jumping 75% compared to the same period last year. Wine sales were up 66% while beer sales rose 42%. And online sales far outpaced in-store sales.” – AP News

Evidently liquor stores are considered essential businesses in the United States, making buying alcohol convenient and available during this time of crisis. The trouble is that as more people flock to the liquor stores and back home to indulge in toxic self-soothing remedies to cope with the current pandemic, not only are these people exposing themselves to public places during a time where the majority of us should be staying home, the probability of them becoming dependant on substances increases dramatically. Fortunately, there are many resources for people who are struggling with drug and alcohol dependencies, such as here at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers.

Mental health is also a big concern for people in quarantine and struggling to stay calm with productive activities to help pass the time. More people than probably ever before are having a difficult time lowering feelings of stress and anxiety, causing them to crave substances to numb the pain and discomfort.

A lack of meaningful connections such as support from those who share common interests as you who are there for you to lean on and care about you causes a sense of disconnect during this time of quarantine. What we need to embrace most of all right now is staying connected with one another through text messaging, video chatting, and social media so that we can maintain and a healthy level of connectivity to each other. When people feel lonely or withdrawn from society, they tend to move towards drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with the pain of their feeling of not being part of the community or a strong support system.

At Passages Malibu, we offer a true alternative to 12-step addiction rehab. We have been providing holistic therapy for people seeking a non-disease model, non-AA, cutting-edge treatment since 2001.

Our alternative treatment program is designed to completely heal all aspects of your life damaged by addiction, including your physical health, your professional & personal relationships, your self-esteem, and more. No two programs are alike, and each alternative treatment plan is customized for you, by you, with your specific situation in mind.

At Passages Malibu, you can expect the very best from our alternative approach to addiction treatment:

We will truly represent the definition of holistic treatment, which means we heal the entire person, from the inside out, through a variety of different methods that address mental, physical, and spiritual health.
We will treat each client with respect and dignity, and we will never employ punitive treatment methods.
We believe that every person is dealing with unique circumstances, and therefore we make every treatment plan unique and do not adhere to the one-size-fits-all group approach.
We will focus on healing the underlying issues that are causing you to use drugs or alcohol, and we acknowledge that drug or alcohol abuse is a symptom of a larger underlying problem.
We will never make you declare yourself powerless with a disease.
We are accredited by the Joint Commission (JCAHO) and licensed by the State of California to offer drug and alcohol treatment, and we utilize diverse therapeutic disciplines from across the world in our program.

What sets Passages apart is that we thoroughly address and treat every aspect of dependency. Our alternative approach to drug and alcohol rehabilitation is ultimately very straightforward: We do not believe that you are powerless against addiction, and we emphasize healing instead of labeling.

Don’t live the rest of your life one day at a time – live fully, peacefully, and free from addiction with the help of our alternative addiction treatment program.

Concerns Grow Over Alcohol Abuse During Coronavirus Lockdown

How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:

Passages, Where Addiction Ends and Life Begins™

by Passages Malibu

How to Stay Sober While Social Distancing

By Jennifer McDougall

“Patience is not the ability to wait. Patience is to be calm no matter what happens, constantly take action to turn it to positive growth opportunities, and have faith to believe that it will all work out in the end while you are waiting.”
― Roy T. Bennett

For those of you who are now having to work from home, recently got laid off, trying to homeschool your children, or are still going to work every day and coping with the stress from the current economic and health pandemic, this one is for you.

We understand that this is a difficult time, and there may be days you feel a wave of temptation to reach for substances to cope with the discomfort and dreaded sense of boredom. Every one of you has the power within yourself to conquer even the most challenging obstacles, even staying sober while social distancing. We don’t want you to slip back into old habits, to relapse, or lose hope in your goals, future, and purpose for your life. If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse-related issue, please call Passages today at (888) 397-0112.

If you are currently away from friends and family, it’s important to stay connected through texting, emailing, FaceTiming, social media so that you don’t feel so lonely. Communicating daily with loved ones is a great way to share laugher in times of difficulty and talk about your day and what you’re up to. This is also helpful in keeping you accountable and on track in sobriety.

To properly self-quarantine, you must practice social distancing, take bigger measures to stay healthy, and change your normal lifestyle so that you can safely protect yourself from illnesses. This requires a new level of isolation you might not be used to. If you’re now working from home, you may find that you have a lot more time on your hands. The best way to make the most out of this time during self-quarantine is to spend more time on things that help you grow, learn, and become an even better version of yourself than you are right now.

This is a great time to start reading a new book, practice some fun recipes, FaceTime with your friends and family, do a puzzle, or write that book you’ve been talking about writing. Investing your downtime into things that are productive but that also provides your mind, body, and spirit with the uplifting healing it needs can be a great way to benefit from this time of change.

Here are several things you can do during self-quarantine while stuck inside.

Start a journal or blog about a specific interest.
Pick up that guitar sitting in your living room that’s been decor for years; dust it off and start playing.
Complete a puzzle after your workday to help you relax and ease anxiety.
Make TikTok videos and jump on the dance bandwagon.
Have a daily workout routine such as yoga, free weights, or shadowboxing.
Evening meditation with calming background music to help you unwind from the day.
Spend more time on your skincare routine.
Declutter and organize your closet and living spaces.
Clean your house as you have never cleaned it before. Disinfect your surfaces, floors, door handles, etc.
Learn new skills with the help of Skillshare or MasterClass.
Create a vision board on Pinterest.
Get crafty and pick up knitting, painting, pottery, or gardening.
Interview your parents or Grandparents. Record the audio and save it or make a little documentary out of the storylines.
Go through your camera roll and create a photo book for the coffee table or as a gift to give when you get out of self-quarantine.
Make a list of everything you are grateful for.
Review your budget and finances and eliminate any subscriptions you don’t need so you can save money.
Make a list of all the places you want to visit and things you want to do when things reopen.
Rearrange your furniture to mix things up and change your indoor scenery. This could also shake up some static energy that has been stuck in place for a while.
Watch a documentary.
Deep condition your hair and put a face mask on.
Whiten your teeth.
Add content to Hootsuite or Buffer to automate your social media posts.
Try on makeup you don’t usually wear.
Dress up for yourself and have a mini photoshoot.
Wash your sheets, blankets, and pillowcases.
Fill up your to-do list for the next day.
Write a letter to your younger self.
Write a letter to your future self.
Listen to a podcast.
Create a new playlist.

Passages, Where Addiction Ends and Life Begins™

by Passages Malibu

What to Know About Loving an Alcoholic

By Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D.

Alcoholism is a problem for many couples. Research shows that over 30% of Americans exceed the FDA guidelines for alcohol use (one drink a day for women and two for men). If your loved one drinks to cope with everyday life, the problem has wormed its way into your relationship and everyone close to you will be poisoned.

Unfortunately, most people don’t realize the harmful effects of alcoholism on a relationship until it’s too late. If you’re with someone who is abusing alcohol, it’s time to wake up and drink some coffee.

To find out if you or your partner are drinking alcoholically ask yourselves the following questions.

Have you ever felt that you should cut down?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Answering yes to even one may be the sign of a problem.

Many people abuse alcohol because they cannot deal with the pain they are feeling or they just want to shut down and escape, doing this regularly is dependence. Alcohol may make you feel better for the moment, but it doesn’t last long and it creates a myriad of problems in your relationship and your life.

Some would say that a little excess now and again isn’t a crime. I beg to differ; if you’re driving while intoxicated it’s a crime. And if something unthinkable happens and someone is killed or injured, there is no getting over it or fixing it. Your life and the lives of those you love are damaged forever.

If you ignore your own values by thinking that you are needed or helping your alcoholic partner, a co-dependency is in progress. In truth, this is only enabling the destructive behavior.

In order to deal with this demon, you also need to get support and demand that your alcoholic partner get help. A good rehab facility will offer family and couple sessions and recommend you get additional support.

Additional assistance may be only a mouse click or a phone call away. There are some great people and places out there. Passages in Malibu, CA has lots of helpful information and a great environment to heal in (www.PassagesMalibu.com).

If your partner resists getting help through AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), going to a treatment center or doesn’t believe he or she has to do something about his or her problem you must create a “tough love” attitude and not allow the person to abuse themselves or you any longer. A qualified rehabilitation facility will offer intervention techniques to help motivate your loved one to take care of the problem.

The bottom line is that alcoholism directly affects those you love and no relationship can survive it. If you want to keep what you have, it’s worth giving up the habit.

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D. has been named as the recipient of the Joseph A. Giannantoino II Award in recognition of his contributions as an Outstanding Educator in the field of Addiction Medicine, given by The California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Counselors, who also inducted him into The CAADAC Hall of Fame.

by Passages Malibu

5 Tips to Staying Sober at Music Festivals

By Jennifer McDougall

Are you preparing for a Spring or Summer music festival, but want to stay sober? At Passages, we have these 5 helpful tips to keep you from straying the course in your sobriety and staying sober while at these heavily drug and alcohol infused music festivals.

How to Stay Sober at Music Festivals

1. Have a Plan

Before attending the upcoming music festival, we recommend you create an effective and reliable plan you can go by during your time at the festival so you feel at ease and are prepared for any triggers or temptations to use drugs and alcohol. Have this plan written down and accessible (in your notes on your phone). A couple ideas to include in your plan are:

What to say when someone offers you drugs or alcohol at the festival and how to end the peer pressure of persistence when they won’t let up and continue to tell you, “It will be fun, just have a little.” – Decline with a smile and confidence. Ask them to please respect that fact that you are not interested and would appreciate it if they do not ask you again as you are trying to maintain absolute sobriety. You could also mention how hard you have worked to get to this place in your life and would like to just enjoy the festival fully aware and sober.
These festivals can be dangerous for those who are trying to sober so be prepared to have to deal with a lot of intoxicated people and temptations to partake. Create a schedule for yourself so when you start the day you have a plan to wake up, meditate, have breakfast, check in with your sober friends back home, and maybe fit in a small workout (yoga) and stick to your initial goals you showed up with so you can stay focused.

2. Go with a Sober Friend

It’s going to be a lot easier and more fun for you to attend this music festival with a sober friend who has a similar lifestyle and outlook as you do. Stick together and keep each other in check throughout the week/weekend.

3. Camp Where Drugs and Alcohol Are Not Permitted (Family Section)

Many festivals have family sections which don’t allow any drugs or alcohol. This would be a great section to camp in. When booking your tickets and reservations, check to make sure your section is one where drugs and alcohol are not permitted.

4. Bring Plenty of Food and Water

It’s important you come with plenty of food and water during your time at the festival. Pack plenty of nutritional goodies so you don’t get dehydrated from the heat and long days.

5. Stay in Touch With Your Sober Community

While at the festival, stay in touch with your sober community back home to hold you accountable during your time away. They will help you stay focused on your sobriety and remind you of how important it is to stay on track without getting out of line during your time at the festival. This is going to help you a great deal because you need to surround yourself with those who support your sobriety and want to see you stay sober.

How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:

Passages, Where Addiction Ends and Life Begins™

Image via We Heart It

by Passages Malibu

Choosing Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab

By Jennifer McDougall

After you have made the decision to go to rehab, the next choice you need to make is whether you with be going to inpatient or outpatient treatment. When you call our admissions office to review the options for treatment, they will be happy to go over all the details you need to know and what to expect from each program.

At Passages Addiction Treatment Centers, we offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment rehab services.

Passages Malibu Inpatient Treatment Center

What is Inpatient Rehab Treatment?

At residential inpatient treatment, clients are supervised 24/7 and have access to medical attention around the clock. Consistent care helps prevent relapse during the first few weeks of treatment. Depending on the length and depth of the substance abuse, treatment can vary as to how long you should stay in residential treatment. This is something you will need to discuss with an admissions coordinator to properly place you in the correct treatment program that will best suit your treatment needs. With inpatient treatment, you will need to notify your employer and find secure living arrangements for your children or pets while you are in rehab.

What is Outpatient Rehab Treatment?

While inpatient rehab is entirely residential, outpatient treatment allows you the freedom to go about your daily routine between schedule therapy sessions and return home at the end of the day. Outpatient treatment usually costs less than inpatient, but your decision should depend solely on the severity of your addiction. Passages offers non-12-step outpatient treatment in Venice, California and Ventura, California.

Signs you need addiction treatment for substance abuse include:

Hiding your drug or alcohol use from friends and family
Questioning yourself if your substance abuse is an issue
Your personal and professional life is suffering
If you’re isolating yourself from loved ones and certain hobbies you once enjoyed
Drastic changes in sleep patterns – insomnia or not getting out of bed at all
A decline in your overall physical, mental, and emotional health due to substance use
You find yourself feeling guilty and apologizing more and more
Reckless behavior has become second nature and you’ve begun to scare yourself and not trust your own actions or self-control

Passages Venice Outpatient Rehab

How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:

Call Passages Addiction Treatment Centers today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Passages, Where Addiction Ends and Life Begins™

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Photo by: Passages Addiction Treatment Centers

by Passages Malibu

Non-12-Step Resources for Treating Alcohol and Drug Addiction

By Jennifer McDougall

When searching for resources for drug and alcohol addiction, look no further. You have arrived at the right place. Passages is here to help you get through the next phase of re-discovering your passion for life. After drug and alcohol abuse, it’s easy to see how your life can become unmanageable. We are happy to provide you will the following resources to help you get your life back on track.

If you call Passages today you will have access to the following:

Alcohol rehab questions
Drug rehab questions
Frequently asked questions about what causes addiction
Which questions to ask when you are searching for an addiction treatment center?
Different addiction types and methods for treatment
Background and theories behind non-12-step and non-disease model philosophy
Healing addiction holistically
Drug and/or alcohol abuse warning signs and prevention
Information on intervention resources
A free quote from a professional admissions counselor

Don’t live the rest of your life one day at a time – live fully, peacefully, and free from addiction.

How to Contact Passages Malibu

Passages, Where Addiction Ends and Life Begins™

Follow Passages Malibu on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

by Passages Malibu

Amy Winehouse and Substance Abuse

It was no secret that talented and gifted Amy Winehouse had a dependency on drugs and alcohol. Sometimes the most talented people are also the most sensitive, which is why we see them turn to drugs and alcohol. Amy was one of these people, talented yes, could be a bit crazy at times, but sensitive to the world around her.

– read more from Pax Prentiss on Amy Winehouse

Images via We Heart It

by Passages Malibu

What are the Early Signs of Alcohol Addiction

There are several early warning signs to look out for if you believe yourself or someone you know is starting on the path towards alcohol abuse. According to the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 17.6 million Americans abuse alcohol or are full-blown alcoholics. The death toll is upwards of 100,000 people per year.

Luckily, there are early signs of alcohol abuse that if caught early on, could deter a full-blown addiction. Some key signs to look out for are:

Increased tolerance to alcohol (you have to drink more and more to feel the same effects)
Withdrawal symptoms and cravings when drinking is stopped
Blacking out while drinking
Drastic change in demeanor
Personality or mood while drinking (such as becoming angry or violent)
Drinking and driving, missing work or other responsibilities in favor of drinking
Lying to others about drinking or other deceptive behaviors
Sneaking drinks
Displaying a general attitude that drinking is a priority

The key thing to remember with all of these symptoms is that if the individual notices and acknowledges these problems yet continues to drink despite the consequences, there is a definite dependency issue. If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs of early alcohol abuse, Passages Malibu can help.

How to Contact Passages

Call Passages Addiction Treatment Centers today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

by Passages Malibu

Stress Reducing Techniques in Holistic Inpatient Drug Rehab

Long-term stress is detrimental to your body, mental health, and sobriety. Achieving balance in life is an important aspect of recovering from drug abuse, as well. Fortunately, you can achieve sobriety and simultaneously lowering techniques for stress reduction while in holistic inpatient drug rehab.

Stress Reducing Techniques Taught in Holistic Inpatient Drug Recovery

The pressure of life can be managed by learning and practicing stress reduction techniques, to help ensure lasting recovery from drug abuse and an overall improvement in quality of life.

Breathing
Breathing exercises are one of the easiest stress reduction techniques to learn in holistic inpatient drug rehab. By mindfully breathing in and exhaling, you can help improve the oxygen levels in your blood stream for a relaxing effect. In moments of stress, focusing on your breathing can provide focus like the kind achieved in meditation.

Exercise
Any physical exercise helps increase circulation. As you begin to increase the intensity of your activity, you will experience greater release of endorphins and other naturally occurring calming hormones in your body.

Positive Thinking
Believe it or not, positive thinking is a natural, stress reducing technique embraced in holistic inpatient drug rehab. Positive thinking helps free us from being bogged down and distracted by anxiety, anger and self-defeating behaviors that reinforce stress.

Scheduling
Often, we see life a as series of events and tasks that must be crammed into timeslots and checked off “To Do” lists. Taking a more holistic mindset allows you to prioritize those things that are truly important to you. In holistic inpatient drug rehab, you can learn how to manage your time, maintaining sobriety, relationships, achievements and maximum mental and physical health by being in touch with your body, mind, and needs.

Create Self-Focused Breaks
Create times to focus on yourself fully and limit outside communication—by as turning off your phones, staying off the computer for a few hours, and instead reading a book, cooking or enjoying any one of your favorite activities. By practicing enjoyment, you can find your inner voice, reduce stress and make mindful decisions—both in holistic inpatient drug rehab and beyond

Call Passages Addiction Treatment Center today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by dialing our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Photo credit: Jennifer McDougall

by Passages Malibu

The Importance of Counseling at Private Drug Rehab Facilities

One of the backbones of successful recovery is the therapeutic counseling that takes place in private drug rehab facilities. While drug addiction certainly has a strong physical component, many drug dependent individuals successfully detox, only to relapse later when emotional or psychological issues resurface. The importance of counseling at private drug rehab facilities lies in its ability to address the root causes of addiction that led dependent individuals to use drugs in the first place.

The Importance of Counseling at Private Drug Rehab Facilities

Drug addiction is a complex issue—and like most complex problems, its solution depends on comprehensive treatment. Throughout the course of counseling at private drug rehab facilities, drug addicted individuals can delve into the psychological component of their dependency. With the assistance of a qualified therapist, drug dependency counseling cuts to the core reasons for addiction—often with roots in negative self beliefs, heartache, or emotional, physical or sexual abuse that has gone unresolved for years.

Benefits of Personalized Counseling at Private Drug Rehab Facilities

Here are just a few of the benefits that personalized counseling at private drug rehab facilities can provide.

Emotional Healing
Individualized counseling at private drug rehab facilities affords a safe atmosphere where counseling can be tailored to an individual’s past, relationships, personality and life experience, engendering recovery that is lasting and personal.

Accountability
Personalized counseling at private drug rehab facilities offers a source of accountability for patients. Therapists can evaluate and guide patients’ progress during the drug recovery process, offering positive reinforcement, providing encouragement and gauging recovery progress.

Awareness and Perspective
At private drug rehab facilities, customized counseling programs provide greater awareness of our thoughts, self beliefs, and history. This allows patients to develop higher levels of self-awareness and perspective, giving them the tools they need to recover from drug abuse without relapse.

Solutions
While qualified therapists can provide coping mechanisms that can aid recovery from drug addiction, they will also partner with the patient to create self-driven solutions. As patients heal, they can learn to forge their own solutions, which enables them to cope not only with addiction, but with any life challenges they may face in the future.

Call Passages Addiction Treatment Center today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Photo by: Jennifer McDougall

by Passages Malibu

Safe Alcohol Detox at Addiction Treatment Centers

Alcoholism truly has become an epidemic in the United States, with over 15 million Americans suffering from alcohol dependency. In most cases, alcoholism stems from a combination of emotional root causes and physical dependence, leading to strong cravings in those who wish to halt their drinking. Detoxification is the first step to recovery from alcoholism, but its safety and success depend on close monitoring and careful treatment. For this reason, those seeking to recover from alcoholism should seek out safe detox at qualified addiction treatment centers.

Why Safe Alcohol Detox Matters

Alcohol dependency occurs due to the effects of ethanol—alcohol’s active ingredient. Ethanol interacts with the brain’s pleasure receptors, reduces heart rate, and hazes cognition—all interpreted by the body as stress reduction. Physically, this leads the body to reduce its own natural levels of calming and pleasurable brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. When an alcohol dependent individual stops drinking, they experience a host of physical and emotional responses known as “withdrawal,” as the body attempts to cope with these chemical imbalances.

While it can be tempting to attempt to detox at home, the reality is that detoxifying without professional help can be physically dangerous—or even fatal in extreme cases. Withdrawal pangs can cause even highly determined individuals to return to drinking when buried feelings that may have been suppressed by alcohol come crashing in. Physically, the body experiences a sudden jolt to its systems when long-term or heavy alcohol use ceases. Depending on the level of alcohol addiction, detoxification can lead to seizures, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and severe exhaustion. This can lead to psychological struggles such as depression, shame, confusion, panic attacks or suicidal thoughts.

Ensuring Safe Alcohol Detox at Addiction Treatment Centers

Professional detoxification offers safe alcohol detox at addiction treatment centers, in a medically supervised environment. Nursing care is provided around the clock to ensure that patients do not experience physical or psychological trauma as a result of the detox process. Vitals are monitored regularly, to both ease the withdrawal process and to ensure that no complications occur as withdrawal naturally subsides. Dedicated detox units at alcohol addiction treatment centers can ensure a smooth transition back to sobriety and homeostasis—with the utmost comfort, support, and safety.

Call Passages Addiction Treatment Center today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Photo by: Jennifer McDougall

by Passages Malibu

What to Do When Your Teen is Addicted to Drugs and Alcohol

Teenagers know—and those past their teens all too vividly remember—that the teen years can be filled with incredible excitement, pressures, and stress. During the teen years, teenagers encounter a host of challenges and life initiations, from an introduction to love (and heartbreak) to the tall order of discovering an identity and path in life. Sometimes, these stressors build into a pressure cooker, causing teenagers to seek escape in alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately, as teen drug or alcohol use increases, tolerance and brain chemistry changes can solidify experimentation into full-blown drug and alcohol addiction.

Teenagers and Alcohol Addiction

Teen drug and alcohol addiction have quickly become an epidemic—although not a new one. Currently, alcohol experimentation occurs during the “tween” years, with most tweens tasting their first alcoholic beverage at an average of 11-13 years old. Stunningly, by the time they are 14, 41 percent of teenagers have finished their first drink—making them 500 percent more likely to become develop an alcohol addiction. In total, three million teenagers each year are more than experimenting, meeting the clinical criteria for alcoholism. Additionally, thousands of teenagers each year die of alcohol-related vehicle accidents before they reach the age of 21.

Teenagers and Drug Addiction

The statistics on teenagers and drug addiction don’t create a much more encouraging picture. Drug experimentation among teens begins before they are even licensed to drive—on average, between the ages of 13 and 14. One out of every five teenagers—nearly four million each year—engages in prescription drug abuse, laying the foundation for opiate addiction.

Treatment for Teenagers With Drug or Alcohol Addictions

Behind the numbers are compelling reasons why teenagers are turning to drug and alcohol addiction. Only one out of three teenagers ever are approached by a parent to talk about drug or alcohol addiction and prevention. What parents might come to understand in the wake of such discussions is that teenagers are seeking emotional and psychological release through alcohol and drug use.

In fact, studies in the 21st century have already revealed reasons for teenage drug and alcohol addiction in their own words, with boredom, depression, peer pressure, social rejection, and academic pressures cited as the main reasons for use.

Because these reasons are largely emotional and psychological at heart, they require more than standard onsite detox to treat. Individualized therapy by counselors who relate to—instead of alienate—teenagers is an integral part of any teenage drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Many teens can benefit from holistic inpatient addiction rehab that focuses on their entire person—mind, soul, and body—rather than simply pushing them through a generic agenda.

Additionally, individualized counseling sessions can provide teens with a private and safe forum in which to open up and explore the root causes of their addiction—rather than doing so in a less-than-confidential group setting. With natural detox and around approach, alcohol and drug rehab for teenagers will not only reintroduce them to sobriety but give them the tools for future success, peace, and self-esteem to tackle life’s adventures.

by Passages Malibu

alcohol abuse

How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:

Have you ever felt that you should cut down?

Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?

Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

1. Have a Plan

2. Go with a Sober Friend

3. Camp Where Drugs and Alcohol Are Not Permitted (Family Section)

4. Bring Plenty of Food and Water

5. Stay in Touch With Your Sober Community

How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:

Don’t live the rest of your life one day at a time – live fully, peacefully, and free from addiction.

How to Contact Passages

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