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alcohol detox

How to Repair the Damage of 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
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™

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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.

  1. Have you ever felt that you should cut down?

  2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

  3. Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?

  4. 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.

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What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Drinking Alcohol

What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Drinking Alcohol

By Jennifer McDougall

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you quit drinking alcohol or how you would feel overall? Many people who get sucked into the destructive habit of drinking alcohol tend to forget who they are without substances. They forget how to live without alcohol, and their dependency ends up drying up their purpose for life and their drive for maintaining responsibilities. When people reach for a drink, they do so for many reasons. When they become dependent, they continue to cope to feel an escape from the pain they’re experiencing.

First 48 hours: Depending on how much alcohol you have consumed, detox could be quite the hurdle. You will get through it, but your body is going to need some precious time to recover from the damage you’ve done. The next morning after drinking could be painful and discomforting as you process the toxins throughout your body. There are supplements you can take and many things you can do to help heal your body through the detox period, making it less painful. In some cases, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention depending on your withdraw symptoms.

1 Week: After 1 week of not consuming alcohol, you should start to notice yourself experiencing improved sleep patterns. Wake up feeling refreshed and motivated to take on the day. You should also begin to see your skin looking much healthier as your body has restored proper hydration and is now retaining more nutrients as you have let go of consuming harmful chemicals that are in alcohol.

1 Month: After one month of not drinking alcohol, you should begin to notice less belly fat and increased energy levels. By now your liver should be improving, and the ability for it to filter out all the harmful toxins will have accelerated to a stable and healthy rate.

1 Year: After one year of not consuming alcohol, you should notice dramatic changes in your overall physical appearance as far as your skin tone, complexion, body fat, and bright eyes. There are so many life changes you will notice after one year of no alcohol as well such as healthier coping mechanisms, stable relationships, better follow through on goals and responsibilities, increase in financial stability, a much lower risk of mouth, liver, breast, stomach, and heart disease. The list goes on, and we would love to hear from you how your life has changed since completely letting go of alcohol. Leave your comments below or feel free to connect with us through social media.

Things to Look Forward to When You Quit Drinking:

When you quit drinking, it is as if you have stepped into a brand new universe—free from destructive decision making, an improved appearance, stable relationships, and new opportunities in your personal and professional life present themselves as you have opened up this space for healthier living. Stepping away from the bottle can lead to so many wonderful new experiences, and you will be able to embrace them with absolute authority and confidence.

Wouldn’t you like to incorporate this transformation into your life? Here is a list of what to expect to improve when you break free from alcohol dependency.

  • Better job performance
  • Increased energy
  • Better sleep
  • Weight loss
  • A decrease in liver fat
  • Better chance of getting pregnant
  • Reverse negative effects on the brain such as learning abilities, memory, impulses, and problem solving
  • Healthier organs and immune system
  • A decrease in risk for disease
  • Self-awareness
  • Overall healthier appearance
  • Less reckless behavior and poor judgment
  • Improved relationships
  • No more hangovers
  • Less regret
  • Better decision making
  • Improved confidence
  • Others will be able to rely on you more
  • Ability to fully experience your life without feeling numb
  • Gain more respect from others
  • Attentiveness when interacting with people
  • Skin will be more supple and hydrated
  • Higher vibration of consciousness
  • Create a meaningful lifestyle you can be proud of
  • Major improvements in your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing

The Effects Alcohol Has on the Human Body

Why Do People Use and Abuse Alcohol:

Unlike other rehab centers, we don’t believe that addiction is a disease. Our research shows that people become dependent on drugs and alcohol because of one of these four causes:

  1. A chemical imbalance
  2. Events of the past you have not reconciled
  3. Current conditions you can’t cope with
  4. Things you believe that aren’t true

How Passages Can Help You Sober Up and Start to Live a Healthy Life:

At Passages, it is our mission to help you break free from addiction entirely. For the last 16 years, we have been helping thousands of people from all over the world end their battle with drug and alcohol dependency, and we want to help you too. When you check into one of our treatment centers, you will be assigned a team of therapists that will guide you through the recovery process. We will provide you with a comprehensive schedule that will keep you occupied and focused on healing the underlying conditions causing you to use and abuse drugs and alcohol. You are welcome to stay at one of our inpatient treatment centers anywhere from 30-90 days. One thing to note is that we do accept most private insurance, but not Medicare or Medicaid.

Passages is proud to offer you the best treatment available and watch as you transform into the incredible person you have always wanted to be. The world is so full of opportunity for you to grow and expand, not feel lost or hopeless. There is so much life out there waiting to be lived; we hope that you stay with us at Passages and begin your journey to becoming the best possible version of yourself.

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™

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Breaking Physical Dependency at Drug Rehab Centers

Drug addiction happens for complex reasons—some of them physical, while others are psychological, emotional and highly personal. Because of the intricate nature of drug addiction itself, breaking physical dependency to drugs can be best handled at a private inpatient drug rehab center, due to the varied and deep work that needs to be accomplished. Breaking physical dependency is the first priority, before the psychological or emotional reasons for your drug addiction can be treated. While it can be dangerous—and at best, foolhardy—to attempt to detox alone, private, inpatient drug rehab centers offer expertise, services and facilities to help you break the physical addiction to drugs, once and for all.

Breaking Physical Dependency at Private Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers

While each drug recovery program is unique, breaking physical dependency at private inpatient drug rehab centers should include the following aspects.

  • Supervised Drug Detoxification
    Drug dependency alters the production levels of neurotransmitters. After drug use ends, there is a lag before the body restores its normal level of these neurotransmitters, which causes of withdrawal. By treating the symptoms of withdrawal, supervised drug detox creates a period of abstinence so that the body to can resume its normal level of balanced neurotransmitter production.
  • Minimization of Withdrawal Symptoms
    Private inpatient drug rehab centers will never expect you to stick out withdrawal symptoms without assistance. In fact, many drug withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated with traditional medical care, nutritional aids, alternative medicine, and individualized counseling. During the withdrawal phase of recovery, professional detox facilities should be made available to you with round-the-clock medical supervision and a caring, compassionate staff to help ease you through the withdrawal process.
  • Treatment of Chemical Imbalances
    Once detox is completed, it is possible to diagnose and treat any chemical imbalances. Through the use of diagnostic tests, addiction professionals can assess metabolic rates and chemical or hormone levels that can indicate an underlying problem. By curing these physiological issues, the bonds of physical dependency are lessened.
  • Alternative Therapies for Long-Term Detoxification
    Drug addiction strips the body of nutrients, which can take a long to be replenished in the body. Targeted alternative therapies such as nutritional counseling, modified diet, supplements, and specialized exercise programs can restore vital nutrients to the body. Additionally, alternative medicine practitioners can aid detoxification and healing wroth massage therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, and other holistic and eastern medicine treatments.
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