How to Deal With Depression and Anxiety?

dealing with depression & anxiety

Life is hard as it is and it’s even harder for people to deal with depression and anxiety. People with depression and anxiety need love and care but more importantly, they need proper help and therapy for them to heal and live their lives like they are supposed to. But this sounds much easier than it actually is. In reality, there’s a considerable amount of stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with depression and anxiety, like they didn’t have enough issues already and now they have to deal with this as well.

These things really make it harder for people to deal with depression and anxiety and instead people often choose to hide their anxiety and depression from people. If depression and anxiety are left untreated, they may develop into chronic ones which will make them very difficult to manage, so it is necessary that you or people you know who have depression get the help they need. Let’s take a deep dive into everything that you need to know to deal with depression and anxiety.

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What Are Depression and Anxiety?

Depression and Anxiety are both types of psychological conditions that influence the way a person behaves or acts. Depression in particular causes feelings of sadness and negatively affects their emotions about how they feel, how they think, or even how they act. This can lead to a loss of interest in work, day-to-day chores, and activities. Depression could also negatively affect their friendships and relationships, which could complicate things even further.

Anxiety, on the other hand, causes overwhelming feelings of what to do, what not to do, what’s to come, and what’s not to come, among countless other fears. This causes unnecessary anxiousness or worries about things that they shouldn’t be anxious about and in extreme cases may even trigger an anxiety attack. In some cases, people with extreme anxiety levels are not even able to enter an elevator or cross the street or even go out of their homes.

People who are addicted to drugs or are alcoholics often have signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety and often need therapy along with an addiction treatment program to completely get out of their current situations. If you need a recommendation for a great drug detox center, then we will be happy to introduce you to the All American Detox Center that not only helps people who are addicted, but also treats people with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and much more. Their residential inpatient treatment is excellent and has some of the highest ratings when it comes to patient recovery success.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety?

symptoms of depression & anxiety

Here are some major signs and symptoms that you will notice in a person if they are depressed or anxious. Let’s start with Depression first.

Depression:

While it usually starts with feelings of sadness and hopelessness, it could get more serious with time. Here are some major ones.

  1. Irritability, restlessness, unexplained aches and pains, and may even have irregular heartbeat or tachycardia.
  2. Their emotional state is very vulnerable when they are under depression. So, they may end up saying or doing something that jeopardizes their relationships and/or friendships.
  3. Loss of interest in day-to-day activities or social activities or hanging out of the home.
  4. Lack of energy, enthusiasm, motivation, and/or hope is common among people with depression.
  5. Changes in mood, appetite, and weight.
  6. Sleeping issues.
  7. Difficulty focusing on the important stuff and uncontrollable thoughts.

Anxiety:

Here are some of the common symptoms of anxiety.

  1. Fear, anxiety, and/or nervousness.
  2. Uncontrollable stress.
  3. Irritation, physical restlessness, and/or a sudden fight or flight state of mind.
  4. Trouble falling asleep.
  5. Headache, confusion, and brain fog.
  6. State of panic.
  7. Being always on the edge.
  8. Anxiety attack.

How To Deal With Depression and Anxiety?

Some people have either, while others may have both, but due to societal stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with depression and anxiety. So, dealing with depression and anxiety becomes much harder. Dealing with depression and anxiety is something not a lot of people can do. Even if they do choose to do something about it, they either choose not to get help due to said stigma. Even if they do manage to ask for help, they are often misdiagnosed, either due to systemic bias. Or due to the fact there’s no definitive test that says positive for depression or anxiety or both.

There’s a whole lot of research going on to figure out more about these psychological conditions. To effectively deal with depression and anxiety, it’s important that the one who has these psychological conditions gets admitted to an addiction recovery center. Don’t get fooled by the name. They treat all kinds of psychological disorders including addiction treatment programs, eating disorders, and depression and anxiety treatment.

Just search for a residential inpatient drug rehab and check their treatment programs for depression, anxiety, or any other psychological conditions. They don’t just treat their symptoms but fix the root causes behind their anxiety and depression through therapy and proper treatment methods.

Wrapping Up:

Anxiety and depression can be quite overwhelming, especially with the stigma that surrounds them. If they don’t get the treatment in time, it could get quite serious which could lead to more problems. Managing the symptoms isn’t enough and one needs to deal with the root cause behind their anxiety and depression. So that this will make it difficult for these conditions to come back again. All American Detox Recovery Center can help you in recovery, which is a luxury residential treatment center in Los Angeles. Just make a call to us at our addiction recovery hotline +1 (844) 570-1301

How Can a Healthy Diet Help Addiction Recovery?

How Can a Healthy Diet Help Addiction Recovery

When you are new to the recovery process of substance abuse, choosing to eat a healthy balanced diet while also getting enough exercise can not only help you to stay in recovery and better your chances of relapse, but it also will make you feel better emotionally, mentally, and physically. Knowing the right healthy foods to eat is very important in addiction recovery. Below, we will discuss the importance of healthy eating in addiction recovery and how can a healthy diet help addiction recovery.

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Introduction

 When addicted to substances, eating healthy is not always a priority and this may make your health decline. Substance use also can create problems such as vomiting, mild to severe nausea, diarrhea, and even constipation. When these instances occur, it creates a negative imbalance when your body goes to process food.

Many substances that individuals become dependent on change the way their body processes food and can result in stomach problems or gastrointestinal problems. Eating certain foods high in fiber can help with the digestion process, as well as getting enough water and exercise.

Substance use may leave you feeling down, depressed, low energy, or even annoyed or agitated but when in recovery, the right nutrition can alleviate these symptoms.

Importance of Healthy Eating in Addiction Recovery

There are so many benefits of healthy nutrition when going through the recovery process. When you eat healthily, you feel better all around. Substance abuse and addiction drain the vital resources we need to maintain optimal health.

Benefits to Healthy Eating in Recovery

  • Fewer health problems
  • Increased energy
  • Clear mind
  • Balanced mood and emotions
  • Decreased chance of relapse

Oftentimes drugs and alcohol deplete your health in many ways. Sometimes, the damage of drugs or alcohol can become a permanent problem in your life. It’s important to know what drugs can affect your health and how they affect you. Below is a breakdown of how certain drugs affect the way your body works.

Opioids: Can cause constipation, nausea, upset stomach, and vomiting

Alcohol: Can cause weight gain, a deficiency in vitamin B6, thiamine, and folic acid (essential for your body)

Stimulants: Can cause dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance[iii]

Sometimes drugs and alcohol may make you develop an eating disorder. In fact, up to 50% of individuals with eating disorders also abuse drugs and alcohol.[iv]If you or someone you know may be developing an eating disorder or may be struggling with a co-occurring disorder get them to help today. There are many eating disorder programs available in and around the United States.

It’s important to develop healthy eating habits and understand the role of nutrition in addiction recovery. Some substance abuse programs can help with this, many of them provide healthy meals three times a day and can help you develop better skills in recovery.

How Nutrients Affect the Body

 Nutrition and recovery go hand in hand, and it’s crucial to get the right nutrients when you’re recovering from substance abuse. When eating healthy during recovery, you will need to know how nutrients affect your body. According to the Gateway Foundation, there are six essential nutrient groups derived from food that nurture our bodies.[v]

how nutrition affect the body

  • Vitamins: Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-7, B-9, and B-12 help to support our immune system, to develop strong bones, for calcium absorption, to keep skin and hair healthy and strong, aids in our brain and nervous system functioning, and support metabolism for carbohydrates and protein.
  • Minerals: Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur, chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc help to balance blood pressure, boosts the immune system, ensure proper blood clotting, and prevents tooth decay.
  • Protein: Food high in protein such as meat, broccoli, tofu, etc. supports our skin, hair, and bones as well as gives us energy.
  • Fat & Fatty Acids: Sunflower oil, avocado, and other fat and fatty acids help support hormone production, blood clotting, muscle function, blood sugar regulation, vitamin and mineral absorption, immune system function, and brain function.
  • Carbs: Foods high in carbs like wheat bread are essential for our central nervous system and brain functioning.
  • Water: Water benefits every single part of our body and supports all functions while helping to flush toxins, improve our mood and improve our brain function.

Whether you are in recovery or not, you should be doing everything you can to get the right nutrients from the right healthy foods as well as drinking enough water every day. Improving your diet includes having regular meals, lots of water, lean proteins, whole fruits and vegetables, whole grain snacks, healthy fats, at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, regular exercise, and relaxing when necessary.[vi]

What To Eat During Addiction Recovery?

 You may be feeling lost or overwhelmed when it comes to eating healthy and making sure you’re getting the most optimal nutrients for your body. You may be under a lot of stress or anxiety coming back into society, which is normal. Eating healthy can be easy, but it often takes work to maintain. Below is a list of foods that will nurture your body, as well as foods to avoid during recovery and after, this is how a healthy diet can help addiction recovery.[vii]

Foods that Nurture:

  • Curry with turmeric, shellfish, chicken, turkey, fish, dark chocolate, yogurt with kiwis, almond milk, green tea, leafy green salads, tofu, poultry, bananas, whole grains, variety of fruits and vegetables, blueberries for antioxidants, beans, legumes, oatmeal, nuts, seeds, avocado oil, brown rice, peanut butter, cherry tomatoes, etc.

Foods to Avoid:

  • Sugar, candy, salty foods, caffeine, red meat, too much oil, and processed foods

When avoiding foods, it is usually easier to cook and make meals from home. Eating out may seem like the easier option but is not always the healthiest. Coming up with meal plans and meal prepping will save you time and you will feel better emotionally, mentally, and physically. You can also talk to a nutritionist that can help guide you in the right direction to healthy eating.

Conclusion

 It can be difficult to find addiction treatment programs that offer healthy meals and knowledge on eating healthy. Fortunately, All American Detox is all about healthy eating during recovery. All American Detox is an inpatient drug rehab center located in sunny Los Angeles California. This detox center in particular prides itself on teaching you the healthiest ways of living, including diet, nutrition, and exercise.

Here at All American Detox, you can feel safe and comfortable while detoxing from drugs as well as staying at their facilities to start your recovery process. While doing so, you will be given healthy meals and learn new skills on how to stay healthy outside of rehab. If you are ready to enter detox or inpatient treatment, call All American Detox now at (844) 570-1301 or visit their website at the link here All American Detox Center

 

How Opioid Overdose Is Hazardous To Your Health?

How Opioid Overdose Is Hazardous To Your Health?

Opioids are a kind of drug that a doctor administers to relieve pain. When opioid medicines pass through your circulation, your cells send out signals that reduce pain while promoting calm and pleasure-seeking feelings.

However, taking too many pills might be dangerous to your health, and it is essential to take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. It is possible to get sleepy on common opioids, but this may lead to death with greater doses. Furthermore, the positive feelings associated with opiate usage may lead you to seek out more enjoyable experiences, perhaps leading to addiction. You may always seek treatment and go through opioid detox if you overdose. Let’s discuss How Opioid Overdose Is Hazardous To Your Health?

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction Contact All American Detox Center is one of the leading drug detox center in California to learn about drug detoxification.

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What are opioids?

Opioids are a group of medications derived from the opium poppy plant. Some opioids are extracted directly from plants, while others are synthesized in laboratories by scientists utilizing the same chemical composition. Opioids are often used as medications because they include compounds that relax the body and help alleviate pain, making them popular choices. Coughing and diarrhea may be treated using opioids, typically used to treat moderate to severe pain. 

How can a person become an opioid addict?

Some opioids can also be used to cure coughing and diarrhea. Non-medical use of opioids is common since they may induce feelings of relaxation and happiness.

With opioids, your brain and body might be tricked into believing that medicine is vital to surviving. Addiction might develop if you can’t handle the appropriate dosage and discover that you need more and more drugs to get relief.

If you desire the medication or feel like you can’t control the temptation to use it, you may have an opioid addiction. Keep taking medicine without your doctor’s permission, even though you know it’s harmful to you, and you may get hooked. One particular characteristic of opioid overdose symptoms is a strong desire to engage in a specific behavior.

Is it possible to safely treat pain with opioids?

Doctors in anesthesiology are trained to assist patients in managing their pain while minimizing the adverse effects and the danger of addiction.

  1. Contact your doctor or anesthesiologist:- Consider all non-addictive pain relievers. If opioids are still the best choice, inquire about reducing the dangers and adverse effects. It is essential to notify your doctor about any medical concerns you have and any previous opioid use. Your doctor will want to know about any prior drug or alcohol misuse you have had, and if you are at risk for abusing opioids, you should inform them about it.
  2. Opioids should only be used under the guidance of a physician:- Pay attention to your doctor’s instructions and the label on the medication you are taking. Ask your doctor whether opioids are safe if you are on other drugs.
  3. Observe for adverse reactions:- In addition to tiredness and constipation being common opioid side effects, additional symptoms such as shallow breathing and a decreased heart rate may indicate an overdose. The best way to keep yourself safe is to ask your doctor for advice.
  4. Preparation is essential before undergoing surgery:- Discuss your opioid use and surgery with your surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and any other doctors who may be treating you if you are preparing for an operation. Opioid use might extend your hospital stay and raise your risk of problems after surgery. Before undergoing surgery, your medical staff may assist you in safely managing your pain. During an emergency, the patient can either go to a drug rehab center or get help from one of the many nearby ones.

Advantages of Opioid withdrawal

It is possible to successfully treat withdrawal symptoms with the help of a medical anesthesiologist, even if they are unpleasant to bear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after discontinuing opioid usage, most patients report increased function without increasing pain. The discomfort may initially worsen as people gradually wean themselves off the medication. Pain management may also benefit from alternative medicines with lower risks and adverse effects.

Removing the opioids might help the pain management professional get a better sense of what is causing you suffering. The doctor will be able to make a more informed decision about your treatment options if they have this information.

Stopping the use of prescription opioids may be difficult but possible

Because withdrawal symptoms like restless nerves or sleeplessness may occur in patients who abruptly stop taking opioids, working with your physician, anesthesiologist, or another doctor to wean yourself off of the medicine gradually is critical.

Knowing what to anticipate while reducing down on medication is essential. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • A need for drugs
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • The ground shakes (shaking)

The feelings of anxiety may be lessened by gradually reducing the dose, consulting with the relevant professionals, and receiving psychological assistance. 

Here are some of the things your anesthesiologist doctor can do:

To reduce the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms, create a custom tapering regimen for yourself.

  • Keep an eye on your signs of withdrawal.
  • Use your feedback to adjust the pace and length of the tapering.
  • Assist you in finding other resources.

Contacting a drug detox center is always an option available for the patients.

Conclusion

Sleeplessness, diarrhea, nausea, and decreased breathing are all common side effects of opiate usage. Opioids may have products that are very close to those of heroin, and misusing prescription pain medicines increases the danger of switching to heroin. Addiction recovery may be aided by various approaches, including medications and behavioral therapy.

Get in touch with one of our addiction counselors at All American Detox Center by dialing our hotline number (844)-570-1301. In order to assist as many people as possible, we aim to cure addiction and help them have a healthier and happier life. We have up-to-date safety measures as per COVID guidelines. 

The Importance of Adaptability in Addiction Treatment Recovery

The-Importance-of-Adaptability-in-Addiction-Recovery

Making the choice to enter treatment for substance addiction requires an immense amount of change. Transitioning to sobriety includes changes to your way of life for example the way you think and the way you cope. Learning adaptability skills is a great tool for your recovery. The importance of adaptability in addiction recovery is necessary and can help boost your confidence as well. In many cases, we think of change in a negative manner, and we may try to avoid it in any way it comes to us because we are afraid of what that change may bring us whether it be a good or bad change.

We all have the strength within to create change and already have adapted to so many things over the course of generations. Think of all the things you have adapted to in your daily life and know that adaptability in addiction recovery is absolutely possible with strength, courage, and support.

If you are struggling with substance abuse and are ready to learn new adaptability skills, All American Detox Center is the solution for you.

All American Detox is a drug rehab center in Los Angeles that provides you with personalized treatment plans and luxury residential inpatient treatment.

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Importance of Adaptability in Addiction Treatment Recovery

What is Adaptability?

Adaptability is the capacity for an individual to cope, recover, and take advantage of the change that may disrupt the individual’s daily life. Substance addiction comes with many disruptions to an individual’s daily life including work, school, and family.

Adaptability is a very essential skill to develop when in recovery because it allows you to see the many possibilities and opportunities there are that come with first, getting sober, and second, accepting change.

The importance of creating change in addiction recovery can literally change your life for the better, and if you may be nervous just think about all the times you have accepted change or adapted to a new lifestyle. One example of adaptability that has affected societies globally is the covid 19 pandemic. Individuals have had to accept these unanticipated changes in their daily life such as working from home, having online school, losing loved ones, and postponing important events.

If we as a society can adapt to a global pandemic, you too can learn adaptability skills and learn to grow in recovery.

What is Addiction?

When we think of addiction, we may think of individuals who are weak and only care for themselves. We may see them as criminals, dangerous, or annoying to society. This kind of thinking upholds the stigmatization of drugs and may actually cause more harm than good.

Addiction is a chronic disease in the brain and many individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol are trying to escape the pain. For example, the emotional and psychological pain of losing a parent or the physical pain of a traumatic injury.

What are the signs of addiction? Below is a list of some of the signs and symptoms of drug addiction that may be preventing someone from changing their ways.

  • Problems at work, home, or school such as being late, not showing up, or being unable to perform normal work duties
  • Loss of energy of motivation
  • Neglecting one’s appearance
  • Spending a lot of money on the substance
  • Experiencing withdrawal from the substance
  • Lying about using the substance
  • Stealing to get money for the substance

Is addiction controlling your life? If so, it may be time to think about entering a drug alcohol rehab center. The importance of being willing to change in addiction treatment will provide you with so many positive benefits by the end of your stay.

8 Ways to Improve your Adaptability Skills in Addiction Treatment

How can we create adaptability within ourselves? How to improve your adaptability skills in addiction treatment recovery?

An important tip to remember when creating space for change is to take things slow as to not overwhelm yourself and know that adaptability and change will benefit you greatly in your long-term recovery.

Here are 8 ways you can improve your adaptability skills in addiction recovery:

  1. Accept the uncertainty of the future – things change all the time in the world, accept that things may not be the way you want them to be can allow you to keep an open mind
  2. Encourage others to be open-minded – you will need support, and encouraging others to keep an open mind can go a long way
  3. Force yourself to take risks – trying new things may lead you to new opportunities
  4. Learn to compromise – compromising benefits you when you are at work, home, with friends, etc.
  5. Add variety to your routine – maybe include a new diet on a certain day of the week, or incorporate new hobbies to keep things exciting
  6. Change your thought process – this is key to accepting change and moving forward in many situations
  7. Learn to be flexible – being flexible allows you to feel at peace with many tasks
  8. Embrace learning – be ready to learn new skills in recovery

The Importance of Adaptability in Addiction Recovery

A big factor in learning adaptability is changing your mindset and adopting new healthier ways of thinking which will largely benefit you in recovery. Keeping your old mindsets may lead to relapse.

Conclusion

These lifestyle adjustments are necessary to lead a healthy life and allow us to learn, grow and overcome. Entering treatment may feel scary because of the changes that will occur, but you must trust the process and accept that uncertainty and you will come out of treatment feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the world.

Are You Ready For Addiction Treatment?

This drug detox center in Los Angeles is currently accepting new patients and when you enter, you will be talked through the detoxification process and what comes after. When entering treatment, just remember how many positive benefits come with this big change.

Visit All American Detox at their website Alcohol Rehab Center, or call them now at (844) 570-1301.

The Benefits of Family Therapy for Drug Addiction

Family Therapy for Substance Abuse

If you or a loved one is considering addiction treatment, you may already be familiar with group and individual counseling. But what about other forms of therapy? In this article, we will discuss what family therapy is and who benefits from it in an addiction context.

What is family therapy?

Family therapy emerged from psychotherapy in the early 1960s. But unlike psychotherapy, which focuses on resolving issues with the individual, a family therapist looks at how one or more individuals function, resolve conflicts and communicate within the context of their family unit.

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Who Benefits from Family Therapy

Family therapy shows remarkable flexibility in treating disfunction. Family units such as couples, parents with adolescent children, and even less conventional types of family units can benefit from this type of therapy.

In recent decades, many families deviate from the nuclear family norm. A practitioner may work with a family where some or all its members are unrelated. In another situation, cousins, grandparents, or siblings may play more dominant and important roles than is typical. And regardless of who comprises a family system, its members live and develop interdependently.

The Family as a Whole

Addiction is considered by many to be a family disease, and this is for many reasons. One reason is that addiction susceptibility can be inherited genetically. Also, when families succumb to addiction, it is more likely for an environment that perpetuates substance abuse across generations to be created.

The Family of The Addicted Person

If you have somebody in your family who has a substance use disorder (SUD) you are probably experiencing a range of emotions. In the throes of addiction, it is not uncommon for your loved one to engage in life-threatening behaviors, endanger others, become hostile and withdraw from family responsibilities. These behavioral issues can cause additional stress and even rifts in the relationship and may need to be resolved with family counseling.

The Person with an Addiction

A person with an addiction may resort to drug use in part to cope with the dysfunction in their family. They may feel, misunderstood, unloved, or stigmatized by family members. When treatment is underway, this loss of critical support can lead to negative outcomes and prolonged family dysfunction can worsen mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

Family therapy offers a way to address concerns on behalf of the patient, which can give them a more positive outlook towards the recovery process. This positively seems to be an important predictor of successful treatment. As one study noted, alcoholics who received family therapy were more likely to enroll in drug detox center and experience positive outcomes than those who did not.

If you are currently in addiction treatment, you may feel isolated or disconnected from your regular life. Family therapy provides a way for loved ones to be more visible and involved in addiction treatment which in many cases benefits the patient.

What are the Goals of Family Therapy?

During a family therapy session, the practitioner will interview and moderate family discussions in order to get a better understanding of how the family unit functions and determine what it does well and what problem areas need to be addressed. Specific goals include:

  • Solving disputes within a family
  • Improving honest engagement
  • Establish boundaries
  • Help families engage in healthy communication
  • Foster compassion and understanding between family members
  • Help individuals develop a greater awareness of family dynamics.

 

effect of addiction on family

How Family Therapy Works with Addiction Treatment

In the interest of getting everybody on the same page, it is important to educate family members on the realities of addiction.

Family members will need to adjust to understanding addiction is a disease so that they may develop realistic expectations for treatment. Addiction is the result of numerous factors, such as genetics, trauma, mental health, and others but its outcome strips away an individual’s ability to stop using.

Taking steps like these is important for developing empathy and helpful dialogue around the subject of addiction. As family members are often subjected to stress and negative experiences it’s important to channel that into healthy, productive discussion and refrain from blaming and shaming.

If you are the one in addiction treatment, education could mean learning about how attachment styles, mental wellbeing is deeply dependent on how your family functions. This newfound awareness can then be translated to solutions, like the development of boundaries, assertiveness, the development of independence and empowerment.

Where is it Offered?

As previously mentioned, family therapy has proven to be flexible in its ability to treat issues within family systems, but it is also favored for its ability to be purposed in a variety of treatment settings such as:

What Approach is Right for Me?

Family Systems Therapy

Treats individuals based on their role in a larger family system. Because families share a collective history, the behavior and sense of identity that makes one feel unique are interconnected and dependent on the other members.

In addiction treatment, a family systems counselor might help you to recognize how a person’s drug usage is tied to dysfunctional patterns of communication and help them develop tools to increase mindfulness, create healthy boundaries, and promote healthy communication with loved ones.

Family Behavior Therapy (FBT)

An approach suitable for both and adults and adolescents. In this approach, patients work with their family and a therapist to develop behavioral goals. Upon meeting these goals, they are rewarded with a reinforcer or something that encourages them to continue the behavior. For example, parents might reward adolescents for remaining sober or for increasing their school attendance.

Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT)

Typically lasting only 3 months split into 12-15 sessions, BSFT is an effective intervention treatment for parents with adolescents who are struggling with substance abuse and other behavioral issues. In this short but effective treatment, the therapist builds a relationship with each member of the family and learns their motives and concerns. Once this phase is completed, and mediation is underway, an action plan is developed to treat the issues and maximize the family’s overall health.

If you or a loved one is interested in learning more about addiction treatment options in the Southern California area– look no further. All American Detox offers premier detox and residential inpatient treatment. For more information, please contact us at the de-addiction helpline number

 

Medication Assisted Therapy in Rehab

Medication Assisted Therapy in Rehab

The simplified trajectory for going from addict to sober is, in broad strokes, as follows:

Detoxification > inpatient care > outpatient care > aftercare 

Pretty neat and clean process, no?

As we all know, life is messier than that. So, make sure to call our addiction recovery hotline number.

The general idea is to get into the counseling portion of therapy once your body is fully detoxed from the substances you were taking. In reality, that can sometimes prove dangerous. In addition to each person being their own separate case that requires a unique approach, detox from certain drugs sometimes necessitates that some medications be involved.

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What Is Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT)?

Medication-assisted therapy combines the commonly accepted forms of inpatient care and rehab with medications that are meant to relieve withdrawal and subsequent cravings.

Most often medication is used in the treatment for opioid and heroin addiction with the FDA approving 3 drugs specifically for that purpose: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. These powerfully addictive drugs are just extremely difficult for a person to kick on their own because of the stronghold they have on a person’s body and mind.

The way it works for opioids is that the approved medication essentially blocks the euphoric feelings associated with opioids and what makes them so addictive. Additionally, they relieve mental cravings and help normalize body functions. In other words, this type of therapy keeps the brain and body stable so the work of therapy can move forward.

In a 2009 study it was noted that “after buprenorphine became available in Baltimore, heroin overdose deaths decreased by 37 percent during the study period, which ended in 2009.” On top of that, medication-assisted therapy increases social functioning.

Medication, in the form of acamprosate, disulfiram and again, naltrexone, is also used in treating alcohol addiction.

An extremely important thing to note though is that this type of treatment does not just substitute addiction to one substance with addiction to another.

What Are the Benefits of Medication Assisted Therapy in Addiction Treatment? 

The benefits go beyond the few mentioned above. The relief from cravings and the normalization of your body functions are somewhat immediate effects, MAT treatment reaches further forward in time with its benefits. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), describes the effectiveness as such:

  • Improve patient survival
  • Increase retention in treatment
  • Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
  • Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
  • Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

Arguably the biggest positive is that the medication allows a person to actually focus on the work of recovery. By removing the euphoric effects of a drug, in the case of opioids and heroin, you’re really removing the mental compulsion that drives you to take more. The “reward” is taken out of the equation so you’re able to control cravings that would otherwise seem like huge mountains to climb.

We said it once, and it bears repeating and hammering home, the point isn’t to swap out drugs and create a new addiction. What an opioid or heroin does and what a drug for treatment does are different in vitally important ways. One can kill you, the other can help cure you.

All American Detox Is Here for You

The main goal of medication-assisted treatment is ultimate to help people break the cycle of addiction once and for all and find not just sobriety, but sobriety that lasts. The process of getting clean isn’t always clean or straightforward and if medication-assisted treatment is right for you or your loved one, a carefully crafted plan for intake and monitoring will be created. Reach out to us at All American Detox to find out more information.

What Things To Do in Los Angeles When You’re Sober

What To Do in Los Angeles When You’re Sober

The journey toward addiction recovery is a long road filled with numerous twists and turns and happens to be different for everyone. The ultimate goal of sobriety is less of a destination and more of an experience. At All American Detox, we’re here to tell you Los Angeles is a great city to seek addiction treatment in, and even a better city to live in afterward. The LA community has a lot to offer for a post-treatment life. Let’s read below about What to do in Los Angeles when you are sober?

At All American Detox, we are a caring drug & alcohol treatment service located in the beautiful setting of Woodland Hills, CA. We offer drug alcohol detoxification, residential inpatient treatment for drug abuse and addiction.

Sobriety in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the country. Second in population only to New York City, you can find your niche on the West Coast. With a massive community composed of all different kinds of people, you’ll have the opportunity to start fresh here sobriety in Los Angeles. You can make new friends in sobriety and find support groups that will help you maintain your sobriety and enjoy your life ahead.

Why You Should Get Sober in Los Angeles

what to do in los angeles when you are sober

There are a number of benefits that come with getting sober in Los Angeles. Some of the biggest benefits include:

  • Distance:
    Distance is an important part of the recovery process. When people seek addiction treatment, they naturally look close to home at first. This is because people are afraid of change and like familiar settings; however, when it comes to addiction recovery, distance is exactly what people need. They need to separate themselves from the environment that led to addiction. By traveling to LA, people can do exactly that.
  • Weather:
    While it is often overlooked, the weather is one of the most important factors in the recovery process. When someone is trying to focus on themselves, the other stressors need to fall by the wayside. Without extreme cold or heat, people are likely going to feel comfortable in LA. This makes it easier to focus on the recovery process.
  • Professionals:
    Finally, Los Angeles is home to some of the country’s leading professionals in the world of addiction and mental health. Addiction can impact anyone, including celebrities. This has led to a burgeoning community that can use both modern therapies and innovative treatment methods to help people recover.

Sober Things To Do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the perfect place to enjoy your new sober life. Some fun activities that don’t involve drugs or alcohol are:

  • Hiking:
    Los Angeles is home to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. There is an endless expanse of hiking trails for those who love the outdoors. Because the weather is so beautiful and ranged from about 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, these trails are accessible during the entire year.
  • Tourism:
    Tourism is one of the biggest industries in Los Angeles and there is plenty for people to see. Between Hollywood, Dodger Stadium, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory, and all of the beaches, you’ll have plenty of things to do in Los Angeles when you are sober.
  • Focus on wellness:
    LA definitely focuses on wellness. There is plenty of organic grocery stores, yoga and meditation studios, gyms, and vegan restaurants. A big part of sobriety is taking care of your health so you can feel your best. LA makes it very easy to be healthy. So these are the things to do in Los Angeles when you are sober and also want to stay sober in your life ahead.

Let All American Detox Center Help You!

All American Detox is a detox center in California. our comprehensive program is created to work with people who are recovering from addiction from start to finish. Our program blends traditional treatment techniques with modern therapies and we tailor our treatments to meet the individual needs of our clients. Call us today to learn more about our addiction and substance abuse treatment programs!