Wish Recovery’s Blog Category

When you or a loved one finally come to the realization that a problem is more than a problem, and a habit has become a disorder it is time to take the next step and determine how, where, and by whom those issues can be treated.

Detox, also known as withdrawal therapy, is the initial step for many individuals battling substance use disorders to manage their physical dependence on alcohol or drugs. It helps them improve comfortably before beginning a rehabilitation program. Even though Northern California has a few alternatives for inpatient or residential treatment, you’ll find most California treatment facilities in the southern part of the state. San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles are all now popular rehab locations.

If there were any truth to the misconception, some people have, that all anyone must do if they genuinely want to stop drinking or using drugs is to say, “No,” “I’m done,” “That’s it. I quit,” then, there wouldn’t be nearly 35 million people in the U.S. today diagnosed with a substance use or alcohol use disorder.

Knowing the differences between the misuse and abuse of drugs or having a dependence on or an addiction to psychoactive substances like alcohol or pain relievers can help you communicate to others, particularly medical and mental health professionals, about your relationship with substances. These affiliated terms of substance use may seem to represent the same thing, and you'll find that some providers use a few of them interchangeably. But, if you want to understand the breadth of your relationship with psychotropic substances, the descriptions of these terms below may be informatively revealing.

There are many treatment options available to help individuals with substance use disorder, SUD, and other addictive behavior problems. Many modalities, particularly behavioral therapies, have successfully helped people find their way down the recovery path from SUD. CBT has been a longstanding, go-to therapeutic choice for people with addictive behaviors.

Dual diagnosis isn't itself a diagnosis, but it is a term that describes co-occurring conditions of a substance use disorder and mental illness.

The Six Stages of Change—popularized by the Transtheoretical Model developed in the late 70s—has become a measuring tool in behavioral health settings. It helps people embarking on intentional change. These self-changers use the stages to navigate through the process of addiction recovery.

When a person has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, substances alter their brain functions. With continued substance use, one of the body’s most essential molecules gets depleted. The molecule is NAD+. Addiction recovery is not impossible but, it can be difficult. With the aid of NAD+ treatment, a relatively new holistic IV infusion that boosts natural amounts of NAD+, recovery is not only more of a possibility. It promises to make recovery more successful and sustainable.

It may be challenging to identify when drinking has gotten out of control, despite how obvious it is when it affects the most important aspects of life—relationships, money, mental stability, health and happiness. When is it appropriate to look for help? For rehabilitation that's even imaginable, you must first identify your problem. Friends, coworkers, or family members may bring up your issues, but only you can assess yourself.

Because of the varying degrees of substance use disorders (SUDs), many individuals suffer from addiction and alcoholism, which are the most severe manifestations of SUDs. Even after treatment, ONLY 40 to 60% of people who try to stop drinking or using drugs succeed. For many people, it is practically inevitable. This reality can discourage some, but relapse prevention like what you'll receive at residential rehab can help you develop coping skills to avoid or deal with triggers to use more flexibly and productively. This adaptability makes the chances of preventing a relapse more significant, and you'll be less likely to return to previous behaviors and substance use once you leave inpatient treatment.

Here are four ways your stay at a residential rehab can help you cope with or avoid relapse along your recovery journey:

Many people believe that it’s OK to drink and drive because they are responsible people. But the truth is, getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol can have devastating consequences for those around you, as well as yourself. Drinking and driving can have severe impacts on not just your safety but also others—from minor injuries to severe injuries to fines to jail time to death. Too many people believe in the fallacy of immunity that it can’t happen to them. Even if you’ve never had an accident because of drunken driving, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t responsible for other people’s lives when you drink and drive.

Silicon Valley is frequently associated with technology, the internet and riches. It is the birthplace of Facebook, Apple and Google. Peeling back the veil of technical progress reveals a culture of drugs and excess that all too frequently leads to drug addiction and overdose.

Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a 3-4% prevalence in the general population. The condition often coexists with other clinical disorders. These other disturbances could include issues with anxiety, sleep, moods, personality, drugs or alcohol. Within the last decade, many researchers have examined the co-occurrence of ADHD and substance use problems. As with ADHD, substance use disorders (SUDs) have significant social, psychological and economic implications, making their proper treatment critical to a person’s ability to live a sustainable life. Adults with ADHD often have substance use disorders that involve nicotine, alcohol, cannabis and cocaine, to name a few.

An essential thing to remember about recovery is that it is a process. There are two ways to recover from alcohol use and substance use disorders: passively and actively. Passive recovery involves abstinence from drugs or alcohol without treatment. In contrast, active recovery requires both abstinence and professional care. Between the passive and active ends of the recovery spectrum, exists variations in degree and many combinations of both extremes—depending on the individual in recovery. The choice between these two methods usually depends on the severity of the condition and the support system in place.

Substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences. Because of the condition's complexity, each person diagnosed requires a unique and personalized treatment plan. Your therapeutic approach should consider your physical, social and psychological needs. Proper treatment is determined by the intensity of your addiction, as well as whether you have a mental problem or a chronic medical ailment. Understanding treatment principles will assist you in making the most of your program.

Various stages of addiction manifest through different periods of a person's substance use. For some people, they can develop a substance-related habit quickly, within months, for example. Others may need to use substances for an extended period before progressing along the spectrum of disordered drug use, which could mean several years.

Sobriety is just one aspect of recovery. A new life awaits you if you stop using drugs or alcohol. Self-care is at the heart of a significant transition.
We all require a tune-up when we become clean since drug abuse has ravaged our health. Drug and alcohol abuse is harmful to the body, mind, and soul. Those with substance use disorders who have been inactive in their recovery treatment for months or years must take the necessary steps to rehabilitate and preserve their health.

Many people will tell you that recovery from drugs and alcohol begins with recognizing and accepting that your drinking or substance abuse is a problem. While it is an essential first step, authentic healing begins more profoundly with self-acceptance.

To accept oneself—flaws and all is what it means to be truly human. Many people who begin using drugs or develop problematic drinking behaviors do so from silent psychological prompts of low self-esteem and self-worth, which are directly linked to a lack of self-acceptance and self-love.

Cannabis has long been used in traditional medicine as a sexual stimulant. The National Commission on Marijuana and Drugs found that 44% of marijuana users felt marijuana significantly increased their sexual drive. More than two-thirds of the marijuana users, men and women, said it increased sexual desire. Many of them smoked only about one joint per week.

When people are going through difficult times, they often turn to substances to help them get through the day. They turn to alcohol, marijuana, prescription pills and other substances to help them manage their emotions and feelings. Some people may use home remedies or drugs and alcohol to help them sleep, be social or manage pain. But how is what they’re doing any different than what people diagnosed with addiction are doing? This article will look at other aspects of self-medicating and discuss whether it is the same as substance use disorder.

NAD+ refers to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. Every cell in your body has it. It is a coenzyme of vitamin B-3 or niacin, making it a small molecule that helps activate enzymes by binding to protein molecules. Enzymes are necessary because they handle over 5,000 biochemical reactions within the body.

Addiction to drugs or alcohol can have a profound, negative effect on a person’s ability to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Its consequences impact every aspect of a person’s well-being, from their physical and mental health to their safety and ability to have healthy relationships.

Quitting drugs or alcohol can be a difficult life path, but with the proper preparation and the right knowledge, there is no reason why it cannot be done. There are many misconceptions about quitting drugs. Drug rehab can be overwhelming. It's important to know what happens when you stop drugs before committing to it. This article will take a close look at detoxification and break it down.

The United States is a highly medicated country, and doctors are willing to prescribe medications to help with any ailment or pain. But these medications come with the risk of addiction and dependence. While these medications might be effective in the short term, they can be devastating to your health in a long time. Those patients prescribed narcotics should think twice before using them because there are many other options.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who have bipolar disorder are twice as likely to struggle with substance use disorder (SUD). Bipolar disorder and substance use disorder intersect at many levels for various people. Since having bipolar can lead to or worsen SUD symptoms, many people view the two as related.

When a person has a diagnosis of substance use disorder with bipolar, they have co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. Even though the term "dual diagnosis" is singular, people with co-occurring conditions must get integrated treatment for each illness for improved life quality.

There are rising concerns about the emergence of new synthetic opioids that may be just as deadly as fentanyl. Recently, reports have shown that isotonitazene has replaced heroin as the drug most often associated with fatal overdoses.

ISO, or isotonitazene, is now the deadliest illegal drug in the United States, surpassing fentanyl. Due to its relative novelty, the drug was not included on official prohibited drug lists, making it available for sale and purchase on underground markets.

If you have substance use disorder or suffer from alcoholism but want to stop drinking or using drugs, you may have thought about stopping cold turkey. That’s when you abruptly stop using the substance you're addicted to. While it is commendable to want to quit drinking or using drugs, the problem with the cold turkey approach is that your body has grown accustomed to having the substance in your system, which means that your body may have started to develop a physical dependency.

About two-thirds of the over 108,000 drug overdose fatalities in 2021 featured fentanyl or another synthetic opioid. In 2020, almost 43,000 overdose deaths were from fentanyl. This synthetic opioid is commonly used for managing pain in cancer patients and those who have undergone surgery or cannot tolerate other types of pain medication. Unfortunately, the dangers of fentanyl are numerous and well-documented at this point. The drug has been linked to countless deaths over recent years. Public health organizations have issued warnings about its use as an anesthetic, painkiller, and even a street drug. As an illicit substance, these organizations are seeing this as an issue of national security and appealing Washington to bring immediate attention before any more people die. But what exactly is fentanyl? How do you recognize it, and what are some things you need to know if you think someone around you might be using it? Keep reading to find out more!

To prevent relapse into addictive behavior, "burning bridges" is a skill that involves radical acceptance, determination, and action. To "burn one's bridges" is to cut off all links with anybody or anything that might trigger a relapse to the addicted drug or behavior. You effectively block that route out of your life by severing the tie that binds you to addictive behavior.

Most people think of substance use as things like alcohol and drugs when it comes to addictions. When it comes to compulsions and obsessive behaviors, the first things that come to mind are gambling, hoarding and eating disorders.

If you or a loved one is suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) or addiction, it's understandable that you're looking for help on the internet. However, finding reliable and helpful information can be difficult due to significant misinformation, misunderstanding, and myths surrounding addiction and recovery due to rehab industry advertising, stigma, or the opinions of others who have not worked at recovering from addictive substances. This article will cover some common misconceptions about addiction and offer advice on coping.

The abuse of drugs and alcohol can cause some very dramatic changes to brain chemistry, affecting how emotions and feelings are processed.

According to the Sleep Foundation, over 65 million people in the U.S. use alcohol as a sedative—due to its depressant drug classification. While alcohol can make a person drowsy, it does nothing beneficial for the quality of sleep a person has when sleeping after having a drink or two.

There’s a segment of people within our population who misuse drugs and alcohol but skillfully keep their usage covertly tucked away in the shadows. They have a seemingly successful public life with an excellent job, lovely home, sweet family, and pleasant social affairs. They are high-functioning substance users.

An adage in recovery circles regarding family therapy says, “The patient is the family, and the family is the patient.” This phrase is often used to describe the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client. Though it's not an exact parallel to family therapy, it also points out the need for an understanding of the family in addiction recovery.

The repercussions of trauma can impede recovery from substance use disorder. If you are dealing with trauma and substance use issues, it can be challenging to resolve them effectively. It's important to know that trauma and substance use can work in tandem to exacerbate the effects of both conditions. Still, overcoming them and moving on towards authentic recovery by addressing both issues simultaneously is possible.

When you or a loved one finally come to the realization that a problem is more than a problem, and a habit has become a disorder it is time to take the next step and determine how, where, and by whom those issues can be treated.

The detox stage in a treatment program is often the most significant challenge on a patient's journey toward recovery. Patients at a rehab facility are presented with inpatient or outpatient treatment options.

Part of the decision for or against inpatient vs. outpatient is mainly determined by a preliminary physical examination, toxicology report, and other factors concerning a patient's medical history. Still, there are key treatment outcomes and other considerations.
 

Pain is difficult to handle because it is both something we want to avoid and something that can be useful. The experience of pain lets us know that we are injured or sick, which is valuable. However, even the mildest pain forms are unpleasant, so people often buy over-the-counter pain medications. These can help with everyday or occasional pain, but there are times when they are not enough. For example, store-bought medications might not effectively handle the pain after surgery or when dealing with cancer.

A comprehensive recovery program will give patients access to various treatments and forms of psychotherapy. Group therapy and individual therapy are integral components of any high-quality treatment center. This article will explore the differences between individual and group treatment, the advantages, and how both are critical to long-term recovery. 

The holidays are a time of celebration, nostalgia and family traditions. However, these same festivities can trigger feelings of loss or sadness for some people, and it can be a time of increased risk for substance use, even if you’ve been sobered for some time. Substance use disorders impact about 20 million people in the United States. And more than half of these individuals live with one or more mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It can be hard to know how to cope with your recovery from substance abuse during all the festivities and stress that come with this time of year. The good news is that there are ways you can do this without feeling overwhelmed. These five tips to stay on track with your recovery plan can help you maintain your sobriety throughout this time of year.

The start of Thanksgiving heralds the approach of the holiday season and the holiday or winter blues for many. While the beginning of the holiday season can be exciting for some, luminous lights, cheerful music, and an infectious sense of goodwill can cause dread, anxiety, and even depression in others. For these people, the holidays can be a real challenge for the holiday blues or, in more severe manifestations, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is seasonal depression that starts manifesting during the fall and winter months. SAD affects up to 20% of the U.S. population. As with other forms of depression, many people with SAD also have co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis of drug addiction, making the holiday blues even more disturbing and increasing the chances of relapse during this time of year.

It is not simple to recover from a substance use problem. It typically entails exercising self-control and avoiding individuals who might lure you back to substance use. However, one of the most challenging aspects of recovery is changing your way of thinking. Your ideas are an integral component of your substance use disorder (SUD). Negative thoughts can interfere with your treatment and healing.

Alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most common form of substance abuse, afflicting an estimated 14.4 million American adults. Heavy or long-term alcohol use can lead to life-threatening diseases, affecting productivity and relationships.

When considering addiction treatment options, it's critical to look at how the treatment center approaches detoxification. Detoxing involves many risks, sometimes life-threatening when attempting cold turkey at home or without medical supervision. The safest and most effective approach is to have a medically supervised detox at a treatment facility.

Acupuncture is one of the most popular alternative therapies for treating substance and alcohol use disorders. This ancient practice has been gaining popularity in the West in recent years. Acupuncture has many benefits, including reducing pain, improving sleep, boosting the immune system, and calming anxiety. 

Luxury rehab centers often use this therapy to help patients with withdrawal symptoms and cravings during detox and relaxation during rehabilitation. Despite its reputation as physical treatment, acupuncture can help heal on spiritual, psychological, and emotional levels.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that 8% of the United States adult population has a mental health disorder. If you look at half of those people, they also live with a co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol addiction.
 

Entering an inpatient rehab facility for alcohol detox, prescription drug rehabilitation, or some other detox for substance use disorder is an excellent first step in taking you down the right path headed to your recovery. The road to abstinence isn't easy, but it isn't that hard with the proper support.

Let’s face it: as human beings with feelings and vulnerabilities, none of us is impervious to pain and suffering. Research shows that people who have experienced traumatic events are more prone to addiction. However, what makes the difference between those who give up and those who continue fighting in their recovery is self-care. Let’s look at why self-care is critical to staying sober and being one step ahead of a possible relapse.

The spooks, ghosts, and goblins of Halloween are gone. As the collected assortment of candies starts to dwindle, the air of the season shifts to cooler, longer nights, and the turkey and tinsel of the holidays begin to appear everywhere. This can bring about stress and mental health conditions like seasonal affective disorder. Many people respond to emotional distress in many ways, from food to sex to drugs or alcohol. 

When someone has experienced trauma or is in a negative situation, how they react to this will be different for everyone. Some people respond in ways that make matters worse for themselves and the parties involved, and some respond unhealthily, like drinking or misusing drugs.

Many people's decisions to experiment with drug or alcohol usage are heavily influenced by their feelings. Thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all interconnected. As one changes, the other is impacted, and so on. A person's ideas and actions may become self-destructive when experiencing negative emotions like fear, anger, sadness, or isolation.

In the last post in this series, we spoke about two types of emotions: primary and secondary. As we discussed, secondary emotions are easier to regulate or alter if required. An alternative response might be to be reluctant and agree in some aspects, "yes," then invalidate and defend with "but."

If you're among the brave souls who take on the daily challenges of being a first responder, you understand that your profession can wear on your mental and physical well-being. You bear witness to some of the most heartbreaking aspects of humanity, and you often put your safety at risk to help others. It's no wonder first responders have some of the highest rates of PTSD, alcohol use disorder, substance misuse, and other mental health disorders.

Many health professionals view addiction as being "the disease of isolation." Because of the enforcement of social distancing across the country, COVID-19 could be a contender for that title. 

Data shows that preventative measures—like wearing masks and maintaining a distance of six feet  (social distancing) can minimize the spread of the virus. However, those conservative measures for protection have also proven to be a means of encouraging more social isolation than what is already experienced by those with alcohol and substance use disorder (SUD). 

Drinking alcohol is popular among many people. From daily use to only special occasions, from social to binging, they differ from moderate to unhealthy use. Binge drinking and drinking too much alcohol can raise the risks of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Conditions encompassed within an AUD diagnosis include those associated with alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence.

Mobile-based health (mHealth) technologies such as smartphone recovery apps can help people with substance use disorder manage their recovery in more ways than once thought possible. For example, a person can monitor their reaction to triggers, create new habits, track moods along their recovery journey and join virtual supportive communities. Mobile-based health (mHealth) technologies such as smartphone recovery apps can help people with substance use disorder manage their recovery in more ways than once thought possible. For example, a person can monitor their reaction to triggers, create new habits, track moods along their recovery journey and join virtual supportive communities.

The term "addiction" has historically had Latin roots, with translated meanings ranging from deity devotion to attachments to enslavement.

Many people start the year with a new mindset and a commitment to quitting drugs, alcohol, or other bad habits. Unfortunately, many of them relapse before the end of the first month.

The first month is crucial to the recovery process when you quit drugs. The odds of you staying sober for a month are the same as staying sober for a year. So, what can you do to increase your chances of success during your drug recovery?

Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs) may be burdensome. If you have this problem, you know how tough it is to live a regular life. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reports that 165 million Americans, or 60.2% of the population over 12, currently abuse drugs, including alcohol and cigarettes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 8 million people, or 17.5% of those with mental health difficulties, abuse drugs. This article will discuss dual diagnosis, signs, and how to manage both conditions.

We all play the role of a judge at some point. Opinions are another word for judgments, which may be excellent or negative. "That was the worst pizza I've ever eaten." "That cake seems to be laden with calories." Today has been a wonderful day to be outside.

Judgments about your self-destructive conduct are common among those with drug misuse or addiction issues. Addictions and substance abuse can hurt people's daily lives and interactions with others, so it's normal and natural that people be concerned. You'll simply make yourself feel worse if you judge yourself for being unable to quit or continue using despite the repercussions and the opinions of others.

A clear mind is synthesized as the convergence point of a clean mind and an addiction mind. With a clear mind, you're sober, but you also recognize warnings and take precautions to avoid relapse.

To have a clean mind is to be sober and free from problematic addictive behavior for an extended time, yet to be utterly ignorant of the risks and desires associated with returning to it. Having a clean mind might make you feel like you can conquer your addiction and never give in to the urge to use substances or drink again. This is the fallacy of sobriety, in that there is the conviction that one is no longer affected by addiction.

This session will discuss "Opposite Action," a dialectical behavior therapy technique. When feelings become too intense or harmful or when they cause dysfunctional emotion-driven behavior, DBT encourages the use of this technique. The point is not to deny the validity of your feelings but to reframe them in a way that will help you reach a more positive outcome.

NAD+ therapy is an IV treatment that is often used to combat the degenerative effects of aging, however, it is quickly gaining popularity as a treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. This trendy treatment is able to reduce withdrawal symptoms, alleviate drug cravings, boost energy levels, and improve mental clarity by healing your body at the cellular level.

Researchers, doctors, pharmaceutical chemists, and others worldwide work hard to discover and manufacture a cure for every illness experienced within the global society. Even though addiction is a disease, unfortunately, it has no cure—with approximately 44,000 people dying of drug overdose each year in the United States.

To solve issues, it's not enough to identify their causes; instead, one must make concerted efforts to craft a strategy for effecting change. Specific topics that arise in regular life may be addressed using these methods. The ultimate purpose of problem-solving is to facilitate behavioral modification. As whole, dysfunctional behaviors are issues that must be addressed.

You've completed your treatment at a luxury drug rehab facility, and now you're ready to look for work. Gainful employment can be a very satisfying experience. It's nice to earn a livelihood and take part in the workforce again. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Addiction recovery is a difficult journey with many ups and downs. However, many people don’t realize that, in addition to the apparent benefits of sobriety, there is a host of lesser-known but equally important benefits that come with recovery from a substance or alcohol use disorder (SUD/AUD). These rewards often come in surprising packages and are often overlooked or underestimated by those in recovery.

This blog post will take a closer look at some of these lesser-known benefits. We will review the mental, physical, and emotional rewards that come with the hard work of recovery and show that the process can be advantageous.

From improved relationships with family and friends to improved physical and mental health, many excellent benefits of recovery can help make the journey worthwhile. We will also discuss the importance of taking advantage of these benefits and why ensuring they are noticed is vital.

Police officers are often the face of public safety in our society, but they face unique challenges that can affect their well-being and mental health. The police subculture can significantly contribute to the stigma against help-seeking behaviors for addiction and mental health issues, with officers viewing such behaviors as a sign of weakness. Unfortunately, this can lead to addiction due to stress, self-medicating, and poor mental health when emotional needs are unmet. Therefore, it is vital to understand the unique needs of police officers and create and implement strategies that address the critical issues they face. 

Are you struggling with addiction and looking for an effective way to recover? The key to successful recovery may lie in understanding the powerful connection between the mind and body. The mind-body connection in addiction recovery is an often overlooked yet essential component of regaining health and sobriety. It is important to understand the role of the mind in addiction and how the body can be impacted by addiction to create a comprehensive approach to recovery. With a greater understanding of the relationship between the mind and body, those in recovery can create an effective recovery plan that will help them achieve tremendous success and improve physical and mental well-being. This article will explore the connection between the mind and body in addiction recovery and provide strategies for utilizing this connection to facilitate a successful recovery.