CA Rehabs and Accepting Your Alcoholism: The Beginning of Change

“Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self deception and experimentation they will try to prove themselves exception to the rule, therefore non-alcoholic.  If anyone who is showing inability to control his drinking can do the right about face and drink like a gentleman are hats are off to him.” pg 31 Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

How many times have we tried to prove to ourselves and others that we were the exception and therefore not an alcoholic?  Nobody wishes to admit defeat.  Nobody wishes to admit that we are bodily and mentally different from our fellows.  In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it talks about the lengths we go to try and prove everyone, mainly ourselves, wrong.  Perhaps we try to control our drinking by not drinking on weekdays, cutting back or by only drinking wine.  We might even swear off drugs and alcohol all together.  Is this not an attempt to prove we are normal?  Are we not trying to control and enjoy our drinking when the best we can hope for is to be able to manage it for a little while?  This is the insanity of this disease of alcoholism.  We try to make things work that don’t.  We try the same thing over and over again expecting different results.  We try different approaches hoping it will work.  If when you drink you can’t stop, you don’t know where it will take you or you know exactly how it will go but you still do it there is a good chance you are a alcoholic.  If you try controlled drinking for awhile and you find you can’t stop or have and enjoy just 1 that’s probably a good indicator as well.  Nobody can declare you an alcoholic besides yourself but if you find you are at the breaking point and you want help, here are good places to start…Find local AA meetings, look up drug rehab blogs, research drug rehabs in California, or rehab programs in California.  Whenever someone searches for help there is no bad choice to make for starting the recovery process besides no choice.

Outpatient vs. Residential Treatment Centers

Once you’ve decided to enter a drug or alcohol addiction program, you must determine which type of facility is right for you. Simplified, your available options come down to outpatient vs. residential treatment centers. Do you feel it necessary to reside at your chosen facility in order to achieve a successful outcome? Would a short-term treatment plan suffice in providing you with the results you’re after? These are questions that must be answered to ensure the best possible outcome. If you’re having difficulty deciding which option best suits your needs, the following entry will serve in outlining the differences between the two.

Residential/Inpatient

Studies show residential/inpatient rehab facilities to be the most effective means in addressing addiction. The first stage, alcohol drug detox, is extremely difficult to complete on an outpatient basis, with the vast majority of specialists recommending a medically monitored withdrawal. Those who are physically dependent to a substance will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms once intake is hindered. To alleviate and minimize these symptoms, patients can opt to enter a medically supervised detox program at an inpatient rehab center.

The second phase of treatment deals primarily with the psychological aspects of the addiction… a stage that is integrated seamlessly into the treatment plan at a residential facility. Patients are provided with 24/7 psychological, medical and peer support, thus increasing the chances of a successful recovery exponentially. In most cases, the longer an addict chooses to remain in rehab, the longer they will remain sober following the program’s completion.

Outpatient

Most outpatient programs will hold patients to a commitment minimum in regard to the amount of time each they must attend on a weekly basis. Typically short-term in nature, this recovery option incorporates treatment education classes, support groups and 12-step meetings into their recovery platform. Some facilities will require weekly therapy sessions as well. Patients are afforded the ability to return home in the evenings. Many people find these types of programs beneficial due to the freedom and scheduling aspects. With this option, patients can continue working and caring for loved ones at a cost far less than what they might pay at a residential/inpatient facility. However, studies find very few patients able to maintain sobriety, as the afforded freedom ultimately allows for easier access to the problem substances.

Which One Is For You?

While both options can prove effective long-term, the real variant is the patient themselves. Aspects including personal circumstance, abuse history and other exterior factors can all play a part in determining exactly how a patient will respond to treatment.

Those who have only been using heavily for a year or so, are actively participating in a career, still have their family and do not experience withdrawal symptoms when use is hindered may benefit greatly from an outpatient program. However, if you find yourself experiencing withdrawal symptoms, losing friends and family members and are having difficulty holding a job, an inpatient facility may very well be the best option for you.

When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to seek the advice of an addiction specialist with the knowledge and experience necessary to properly assess your condition. Call up a local treatment facility and schedule an appointment to speak with someone regarding your potential recovery options to best determine which course of action is right for you!

Best Practices – 12 Step Recovery Programs

12 step recovery programs were initially created for those suffering with an addiction to alcohol. The first incarnation, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), used the same basic ideas used in many other 12 step programs. The founders of AA found the most effective means in achieving long lasting sobriety was through sharing stories, successes and pain with other individuals going through the addiction treatment process. If you are considering 12 step programs as a way to help combat an addiction, the entry below will provide you with a few tips to help you get the most of your involvement.

Step 1 – Gather any necessary information pertaining to the meetings you will attend well in advance to avoid any obstacles that could possibly keep you from attending. While making the initial decision to attend these meetings is a wonderful step forward, addicts are not necessarily well known for their follow through. A basic online search or community yellow pages should be able to provide you with the information you require.

Step 2 – Call up a trusted friend or relative and ask them to accompany you to the meeting. Determine which meeting best suits your schedule and location, while making any necessary transportation arrangements well in advance.

Step 3 – Attend your first meeting. Though you are not required to participate, first-time attendees are encouraged to stand before the group and introduce themselves. If you find yourself uncomfortable with the meeting you have chosen, it’s never too late to select a different time or location. Locating a meeting that you are comfortable attending is key to your success within the program.  If at first you do not succeed… try, try again.

Step 4 – Once you’ve found a 12 step program addiction meeting that suits your schedule an taste, the next step is getting yourself a sponsor. Sponsors are individuals within the 12-step program who have significant amounts of sobriety time and reflect the type of recovery you are looking for. Your sponsor will act as a sobriety support, and someone you can contact when you’re feeling tempted to use. They will discuss the situation with you, while holding you accountable for your actions. Locating a sponsor takes little more than asking.

Step 5 – Those looking to receive the full benefit of the program must utilize all of the available tools found therein. This includes, sponsors, meetings, phones, and of course, the 12 steps themselves. Those who attend meetings will be provided with contact information for others to call when the need arises. Use these contacts to help alleviate boredom and feelings of isolation that can commonly trigger the want to use.

Step 6 – Keep an open mind. Recovery is a life long struggle for many people. By opening yourself up to the recovery process in a positive manner, you stand the best chance for enjoying the happy, fulfilling and sober lifestyle you’re after.

A Big Change and a Fresh Start in California Rehab

They are restless, irritable and discontent, unless they can experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks, drinks they see others taking with impunity, after they succumb to the desire again, as so many people do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass through the well known stages of a spree emerging remorseful with a firm resolution not to drink again This is repeated over and over and unless this person can experience an entire psychic change, there is very little hope of his recovery — the doctor’s opinion — PAGE XXIX — Big Book of AA —

This is alcoholism in a nut-shell. Before seeking alcohol addiction help, the alcoholic is obsessed with the drink in one form or another. Whether it be being obsessed with figuring out the right formula so that they could maybe drink normally, or being obsessed with other people’s drinking habits, it becomes their life’s work anyway. They see other people drinking without consequence, but when we try it, it never works out. How could that be? Some might ask themselves: why isn’t it possible for us? Others might feel like we are plagued or that it isn’t fair — that other’s can drink normally, but we can’t. And we continue trying to experiment or figure it out for years. Every time we go out, drink, and end up in the same place we wonder: how this could have happened again? We are full of regret, usually leading us to swear often of booze, one more time. Like it says: this continues until we experience an entire psychic change. But what do alcoholics know about a psychic change? And more importantly, how does one have this psychic change? There are answers and there are people who understand and can help. When you reach out to one of the California rehab centers about a long term rehab or a 30 day rehab programs, you make the start to a meaningful and fulfilling life by stepping off the hamster-wheel and making a fresh start.

The Alcoholic and Watching Others Recover in Alcohol Rehab

Life will take on new meaning .To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you. To have a host of friends- this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with new comers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.- Working with others pg 89 big book of AA.

There is nothing quite like seeing the light come on for others, and knowing the amazing life they are about to live. Often times when it comes to alcoholism it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Many might wonder how it would be possible that something so amazing could come from such a devastating disease. When we get sober most of us are hoping for manageability and a solution to our drinking problem, at best. As it describes in the excerpt from working with others we get so much more than that. We begin to be able to cherish our relationships with others. We are whole where we were once empty. We know a new freedom and a new happiness. We are complete as well as content with our lives, ourselves, and others. We begin to have a purpose and we can find joy and paying it forward. How does this happen? In many ways. Perhaps we decide to get sober, find a 30 day rehab program, and get to work on cleaning our lives up. We may reach out to loves ones for alcohol addiction help, or we might end up in an addiction program in Los Angeles. Regardless of how we start our sobriety we can all end up with the life previously described. We can start cleaning up our side of the street and helping others do the same by showing them exactly how we recovered.

The Relapsed Alcoholic and Starting Over in a California Rehab

“Now and then a serious drinker being dry at the moment says “I don’t miss it at all, feel better, and work better, having a better time”.  As ex problem drinkers we smile at such a folly.  We know our friend is like a boy whistling in the dark to keep up his spirits.  He fools himself.  Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. He presently will try the old game again for he isn’t happy about his sobriety” – pg 154 big book of Alcoholics Anonymous

When it comes to alcoholics many of us at one point and time are like the boy whistling in the dark. We fool ourselves and others into believing we are done drinking for good.  We might preach about it to our friends and family.  We might go around telling everyone how well we are doing or how happy we are yet we are still spiritually bankrupt on the inside and before long we end up drinking and wondering how this happened again.  We are baffled and cannot understand why our resolution was a failure like it says in the big book ‘I do not hold with those who believe that alcoholism is entirely a problem of mental control.  These men were not drinking to escape.  They were drinking to overcome a craving beyond their mental control. There are many situations which arise out of the phenomenon of craving which cause men to make the supreme sacrifice rather than continue to fight.

So even though we meant it with all of our heart that we would quit drinking and or using we returned not because we are weak but because we had a craving beyond our mental control.  A craving that we would surrender to time and time again until we used the tools.

If you relate to any of this and are looking for help, you are not alone. You can start today. You can research alcohol and drug rehab blogs like this one and find a California Alcohol rehab and you don’t need to worry too much about cost. Today, there are many affordable rehabs and rehabs that take insurance.

May you truly find a new freedom and a new happiness!

12 Step Recovery Programs, The Final Steps

Continuing our deeper look into the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, the basis of 12 step recovery programs, steps 6-12 provide a strong foundation for a recovering addict to move from humiliation and despair into a healthy new life free of drugs and alcohol. Read on for more FAQs on rehab and recovery los angeles, Picking up from the sixth step:

6. We are entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character

When we are working this step we remember that we are human and should not place unrealistic expectations on ourselves.

7. Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings

Step 7 is similar to step 3, but is more specific. We have completed our personal inventory and have a better idea of the roots the addictive behaviors we learned we had when we sought drug rehab help.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others

When we make amends to those we have harmed, we pay back debts. We apologize and do things to help heal the damage that we have done.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it

Step 10 lays the foundation for the rest of our lives.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher     Power.

Step 11 provides us with daily spiritual maintenance.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs

We move from the despair of addiction to a state where we act as instruments of our Higher Power and live by example.

Practicing these steps is a life-long commitment, but taking the first step is the most important. If you or someone you love is seeking affordable alcohol rehab or drug treatment, please contact us.

More Myths About Alcohol Drug Detox

Myths keep millions of people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction from seeking the alcohol and long term drug addiction treatment they need. Rehab can be a positive and life-changing experience that leads to a long, happy life free of drugs and alcohol. While there is no “cure” for addiction, drug rehab is often the first step to this new life. Don’t let the following myths stop you from getting the help you or a loved one needs.

“I have to hit rock bottom before I can go to rehab.”

While hitting rock bottom can lead to powerful change, it’s not the only way. With the help and encouragement of family and friends, many people have gone entered California drug treatment before hitting rock bottom and successfully maintain their sobriety. Why choose to hit rock bottom before you decide to take control of your life?

“Rehab doesn’t work if it’s forced.”

Making the choice to enter drug rehab voluntarily is more pleasant for all concerned, but sometimes drug rehab is court mandated or forced. Those cases have as good of a chance of recovery as any, regardless of the situation that led to taking that step. Sometimes only a stay in drug rehab can make it possible for an individual struggling with addiction to fully grasp the severity of his or her problem.

“Rehab cures addiction.”

There is NO cure for addiction. Unfortunately, relapse happens. The fear of relapse, is not a valid reason to avoid 12 step recovery programs. The key to successful recovery is to stay dedicated to working the steps of your treatment program, surround yourself with support and focus your efforts on healthy behaviors. Recovery is always possible, but not without dedication and self-awareness.

“There is no affordable rehab available to me.”

Yes, there are costs associated with inpatient accommodations, supervised medical detox and therapy sessions, but some treatment centers will work with your individual financial situation. Some insurance policies cover most (if not all) drug and alcohol rehab and many rehab centers offer payment plans or other payment options.

Drug rehab educates the addicted individual and their loved ones, creates a strong support system, and imparts the life-skills necessary to lead a productive life without the use of alcohol or drugs. Don’t let a myth stand in the way of a bright tomorrow.

Recovery Stories on Drug Rehab Blogs

As our sobriety continues and we begin to feel better, we may see our lives rebuild in a material fashion.  They may even be re-upped or improved upon with the things we lost while we were getting loaded; be it car, house, job, partner, etc.  There is also the distinct possibility these things may not come our way.  We are guaranteed nothing in the material.

We may hear stories on drug rehab blogs or from people in 12 step program addiction groups who have received everything they lost and then some.  There are times when, while listening to someone sharing and/or a speaker in a meeting, we may hear that person say they live a life beyond their wildest imagination, all the while delivering a message that is only connected to the physical items they now have.  Perhaps after the statement regarding “A life beyond… imagination.” they relay their tales of material acquisition without covering what brought them there.  They may have left out the important details of how they got to that place in their life and focus solely on all of the seemingly fine and fabulous things they now own.

It can be frustrating and maybe even feel near-deceiving when we don’t have those same results.  Perhaps we’re thinking we are supposed to have those very same things, on a similar timeline, to whomever we’re listening.  Maybe then we begin to think the program isn’t working.  We cannot understand why we feel like whatever program to which we are affiliated isn’t doing what we think it should.

The fact of the matter is participating in a program is not an insurance policy regarding acquiring “things” we may want to have.   If worked as instructed by the suggestions in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, we are given the ability to connect with our Higher Power, who subsequently allows us to match calamity with serenity.  That ability is a gift that far outweighs any material item.

California Drug Treatment and Learning to Steer Away from Deliberate Drinking

“In some circumstances we have gone out deliberately to get drunk, feeling ourselves justified by nervousness, anger, worry, depression, jealousy or the like.  But even in this type of beginning we are obliged to admit that our justification for a sprees was insanely insufficient in the light of what always happened.  We now see that when we began to drink deliberately, instead of casually, there was little serious or effective thought during the period of premeditation of what the terrific consequences might be.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 37

As we travel along this new path of sobriety, we will be squarely confronted with issues in our lives that we may have, in our life previous to this new route of no longer imbibing, used to justify our drinking and/or using.  Issues where we allow a vast power, the power of our reactive feelings, to swoop down over us; in effect supplanting our connection with our Higher Power and replacing it with said feelings regarding our current trials and tribulations.  These might be situations that we would have, previously, used to assert ourselves alongside our drink or drug of choice.

During these difficult times, we may feel righteously deserving of going out and filling ourselves with whatever drink or drug we please.  We may use the excuse of our situation, whatever that may be, like a shield between us and our Higher Power.  We may, possibly, even believe we are due a time out from our entire acquired sobriety thus far since, perhaps, we had been “good” for so long.  Perhaps we may fall prey to the idea of taking that particular moment and using it to jump at what may seem like a golden opportunity to drink and/or use.

These moments can be deadly.  Who knows if we will be able to return to the path of sobriety.  Maybe, just maybe, this self-indulgent, righteous tear we go out on doesn’t lead us, eventually, back to being sober but into an institution or, worse yet, a grave.

In this California drug treatment, the staff help us learn about the pending potential for our lives to take a turn in a difficult direction or when to recognize we are embroiled in an issue so deeply that it may seem insurmountable without the use of drugs and/or drink in order for us to get through it.  Whether we are there for one of their 30 day rehab programs or a longer stay, they show us that this is one of the insidious ways our alcoholism and/or drug addiction has aggressively taken hold of us, keeping us pinned to the proverbial ground and separated from what we have learned and experienced thus far.  We learn what to do when these feelings encompass us and these tools, in effect, save our lives; much like CPR saves the lives of so many, our embracing and enacting these new ways of living through difficult times will do the same.