Winning the Confidence of Another Alcoholic

“But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours.  Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 18

This Los Angeles rehab is primed to help those who are looking to move forward, out of the alcoholic addict lifestyle and into a healthier way of living.  The staff is not only trained in the clinical aspect of recovery-related therapy, many of them have had drug and/or alcohol-related issues and are now in the process of their very own recovery as well.  This is a boon for those who might feel uncomfortable with the idea of having to pursue their venture into sobriety thinking there will be no one with whom, staff-wise, they can genuinely lock into.  The staff at this alcohol rehab has the ability to be present and available in a way that, no matter how empathetic a non-addict can be; only another alcoholic can connect.  They are able to truly recognize and can share from a place of intrinsic understanding.

As our path to sobriety continues and we are now out and active in the world of recovery, we will be able to become the very same people who, as we once relied on the truth of others who were in our position, are now capable of being the ones with whom newer alcoholic addicts can identify.  This is the opportunity where we now start being able to give back and feel a sense of purpose in the world.  We become the bridge to sobriety for others by offering that which we had received; the ability to really “get” it like no one else can.

Choosing Inpatient or Outpatient Alcohol Drug Rehab

What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient alcohol drug rehab? One obvious difference is that during inpatient rehab, the patient stays at a rehab center; during outpatient rehab, the patient does not. When choosing on a drug rehab, counselors more often recommend inpatient treatment. Why? Well, one main reason is that it is difficult to control the addict and triggers and temptations to use while in an outpatient rehab protocol. Most addicts cannot control their urges to use while undergoing detox at the same time as living within the environment in which he or she became addicted in. This makes outpatient rehab too difficult for most people. In order to have the best chance at recovery, every aspect of the user’s environment must be changed. This is impossible through outpatient rehab.

When an addict checks in to our California drug rehab center, he or she has many advantages not available to those choosing an outpatient treatment program.

Around the clock support:

Detox is never easy, and can even be life-threatening. In a 24-hour facility there is staff on duty around the clock to make sure that you have the support you need and are safe during this process.

Structure:

One of the most difficult adjustments addicts have to make is learning to live a life without drugs or alcohol. Starting sobriety in a neutral environment, away from drug-buddies and drug providers enables one to build up the strength required to go back to their “real life” without succumbing to the temptations of drugs.

Time to Focus on You:

When undergoing this life change, it is important to focus on your own needs, rather the demands of job and family. Checking into an inpatient rehab ensures that all of your focus and energy are spent on yourself, not  others.

Consistency:

Often people who abuse drugs and alcohol do not live their lives on consistent schedules. Finding, using and recovering from using drugs and alcohol takes up all of an addict’s time and energy. Getting into a normal schedule is important. During your stay in rehab, you’ll wake up, eat and sleep at the same time every day – slowly easing into a normal daily schedule that sober people take for granted.

After detoxing, users may be free of the addictive substance, but it takes a lot of therapy and practice in order to free the mind. Every aspect of life must be changed in order to continue sobriety, and a stay in an inpatient drug addiction rehab treatment center is the best chance of a successful start to a happy, healthy life free of drugs and alcohol.

The Alcoholic Addict and Material Items

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 from people 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.

The Alcoholic Addict and Hitting Bottom

We may hear the phrase “hit bottom” more than once as we begin our journey into the world of sobriety.  What does “hit bottom” mean?  Maybe we have a preconceived notion about what hitting bottom looks like.  Is it someone clutching a bottle of the cheapest booze, half propped up on yellowed newspapers against a rusted out dumpster in a rat infested alleyway using a cardboard box for shelter?  There are bottoms that do, in fact, look like that however many more bottoms do not resemble that particular image.

The fact of the matter is that our “bottom” isn’t really about how awful our life may or may not look outside of us.  There are bottoms that people have hit where they did not lose their jobs, their places to live, their cars, had their children taken away, divorced or split from their partners, lost their businesses, etc.
What “hitting bottom” actually means is that we get to that place where we feel ever-so-lost, writhing in agonizing emotional pain, empty, and very, very alone.  What we may have done, be it drank, took drugs, numbed ourselves out in some way, no longer keeps that soul-suffering at bay.  We are wholly and totally broken, from the inside out.

In this California drug rehabilitation center, the staff is able to help us see how our outside differences are not the defining factor when it comes to measuring our respective bottoms.  Instead, they show us it’s that misery which we can tolerate no longer that is the binding factor between us.  We are now at a place where we can no longer ease our way by drinking alcohol and/or using drugs.  Our stories may differ about how we arrived but our sense of utter hopeless desperation is the same.  This is hitting bottom.

The Alcoholic Addict and Life’s Hardships

When we embark on our road to sobriety we may fall prey to the delusion that everything is all going to be a-okay from here on in.  Perhaps we have forgotten that, previous to our imbibing, be it alcohol or drugs or both, life existed on its own terms.

Hardships will, more than likely, crop up as life goes on.  Perhaps there’s been something with which we’ve been dealing during our drinking and/or using and is now continuing into our sobriety.  When we are drunk and/or high, it may seem like those hardships are easier with which to contend.  When we are sober, and we come upon a challenging event; it may feel insurmountable.  The exact opposite has a tendency to be the truth.  When we are loaded and ignoring anything that happens in the “outside world”, those problems and issues don’t go away.   They not only remain in our lives but sometimes their difficultly is compounded by our ignoring them.  When we are sober, and are in need of dealing with problems, knowing full well that ignoring them will not make them disappear, we will now have the necessary tools to use.

The staff at this California alcohol rehab will assist us in the laying of our foundation in sobriety.  Teaching us the way to have a life built using those very skills which will then assist us in getting past those seemingly overwhelming moments.  They will take the time to explain that whether or not we understand why something is happening, that, if it is in motion it is happening and guide us toward a place of accepting what’s actually occurring, painful, difficult or otherwise and that there are other options to explore instead of getting high and/or drunk.  Life will continue and there is no guarantee that it will be smooth sailing in sobriety.  We, however, now get to negotiate our way through those moments with grace, dignity and without getting loaded.

Learning to Control our Emotional Natures

“… we couldn’t control our emotional natures…”  The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous pg. 52

What does controlling our emotional natures mean?  Have we run rampant over others, without any regard for them, due to our feelings?  How has this been magnified when we’ve been drinking and/or using?

Let’s consider how we’ve reacted to people when we’ve felt emotionally challenged while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  When we’ve been angry, have we responded by shouting or screaming, name calling, or even physically lashing out?  Maybe we’ve taken the other route; being sullen & silent, behaving in a passive aggressive manner with the attempt at manipulating situations to try to wound the other person without every stating we were upset.

Now, while getting sober, it may be even more of a challenge to learn how to contend with our feelings while not defaulting to and relying on how we’ve reacted previously.  It is in the best interest of all for us to be willing to be reeducated, so to speak, in how we respond; recognizing and becoming mindful of how our reactions affect others.  The staff at this Los Angeles drug rehab has intricate knowledge of how to not only recognize when an overwhelming reaction is building up but to also quickly diffuse the emotional component of the situation.  In the moment, they offer a new view to what may be happening and a possible way of how to respond while still being in touch with our feelings, instead of allowing those feelings to be our only reaction.  This is, more often than not, a learned skill and simply because it might not be easy or even understandable, it can be acquired and honed over time.

Talking to Your Family About Alcohol Drug Rehab

For some, the most difficult things about entering drug addiction detox is breaking the news to family members. Before you check in, there are a few things that you can do to help others understand your decision, and to make the entire process easier on yourself, while ensuring you get all the support you need.

If your struggle with addiction has been a long one, It’s often a good idea to make arrangements prior to telling your family  – this shows that you are committed to getting help and getting sober. If, on the other hand, your loved ones have been kept in the dark regarding your addiction, your big news may be met with silence, tears, shock or even anger. Write down a few notes on what you want to say, and ask the people present not ask questions until you are finished speaking. Be honest and stay calm. Don’t procrastinate or make excuses – this is a conversation that needs to happen, and once it’s over you’ll be glad it did.

Explain the nature of your addiction. Alcohol and drug addiction is a disease, and for many – especially children – emphasizing the fact that you’ll be undergoing medical treatment, not having a “vacation”, will make your absence more understandable.

Educate family members on what will happen to you while you’re in rehab. Removing the unknowns will help family members feel more comfortable with the entire process. Begin by getting as much information as you can from your drug addiction rehab treatment about the day to day happenings in your treatment center, Visitation schedules and the rules of the program. Knowing that you’re safe in capable hands will help them relax and support you during this difficult time. Before you leave for rehab, sit down with family members and talk to them about  the treatment center. Show them pictures, and share brochures.

Let your loved ones know how often they can expect to hear from you. There are often restrictions placed on when and even if people undergoing treatment can contact their family members. Let everyone know that you won’t be able to talk or have visits with them very often, especially in the beginning of your treatment. If you have small children, find out when the first family visiting day is and mark this date together on a calendar before you leave. Make sure that any adults who will be caring for your children while you are in treatment knows this information as well, so that they can remind them when they get confused or are missing you. Informing everyone in advance will prevent unnecessary worry or hurt feelings. If possible, invite your family members to visit you during your stay in California rehab. Many drug and alcohol rehab centers offer family therapy sessions during treatment.

Let everyone know how things will be different when you return home from treatment. Sharing your goals for the future will enable your family members to do everything they can to support you and ensure your continued sobriety.

Discarding Old Ideas for New

“Is not our age characterized by the ease with which we discard old ideas for new, by the complete readiness with which we throw away the theory or gadget which does not work for something new which does?”  – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 52

How many times have we changed our minds about a situation, a person, an idea?  Our beliefs may have fluctuated throughout our lives depending on what we’ve learned, seen, heard and/or come to understand regarding a situation where initially we may have thought differently.  So, in this, we can look back and realize that perhaps our initial ideas weren’t always correct or as informed as we may have thought.

As we approach sobriety, we may need to reevaluate our belief systems, recognizing that the ones we have relied upon have not always led us to make the best choices and/or place ourselves in the optimum situations.  Perhaps it is time to rely on a different source for direction.  In this, we begin to realize our own concepts haven’t been as reliable.  Maybe, in our initial belief systems we were sure there was nothing greater than ourselves, that there wasn’t a greater Intelligent Power to guide us.

If we are as inclined to discard old ideas for new based on what we’ve learned through our lives, doesn’t it stand to reason that, perhaps, we may want to reevaluate our idea of relying on a Power greater than ourselves?  Even if we are still unable to fully grasp that idea, an idea which is constructed as we move forward by our own respective understanding, it could be conceivable that we function under the premise that there is a Power greater than us, whether we are ready to accept that in full or not.  When we live through the idea of something bigger than merely ourselves, we begin to live in a way that allows us to extend past our own designs and schemes and we bring the better part of ourselves into the world.

Packing for California Drug Rehabilitation

Well, you did it! You’ve made the decision to enter drug addiction rehab treatment. Now you’re going away for at least four weeks. What should you pack? Knowing what to bring (or not bring) will help you make the most of your stay, and focus on what’s important – sobriety!

Pack clothing suited to the weather in the area of your treatment center. If you’re headed across country, or to an area you haven’t visited before, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecasts and pack accordingly. Although rehab is serious business, many California drug rehab center programs offer outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming or yoga. Make sure you pack shoes and clothes which will allow you to participate in these activities.

Allowed personal items vary by program, so you’ll want to check with your facility before bringing items other than clothing. Some things you might want to inquire about include any prescribed medication, a favorite pillow or cozy blanket, hair care appliances, an alarm clock, photos of of family and friends and books.

Some prohibited items have to do with privacy concerns  – such as cameras and cell phones. Any products containing alcohol such as mouthwash, perfume or hairspray will not be allowed. Many rehabs have strict no jewelry, cash or electronics policies. Some centers do not allow candy, food or energy drinks and you should also plan to leave all sexually-explicit materials behind as well.

When you arrive at drug addiction detox, your self and your belongings will be searched to make sure that you haven’t accidentally (or purposely) brought any contraband items along. If banned items are found, those that are illegal will be taken away, and those that are not will be returned to you upon your departure.

Getting along with  the bare necessities and simplifying one’s life during your stay at alcohol drug rehab, helps you  to focus on the task at hand. After successful treatment, you  can go back to your life – and all of your stuff!

H.A.L.T.: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

haltH.A.L.T (Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired)

When getting sober, you may hear the staff at this California alcohol and drug rehabilitation center talk about recognizing what it means to H.A.L.T.  This concept is best served by putting this acronym into action.

What happens when we are hungry?  Perhaps we become easy to irritate, edgy, unable to concentrate, and with our single-purpose focus on that gnawing feeling in our stomach, we may yet be somewhat befogged by the lack of fuel for our bodies.  With all of that, the propensities toward additional misunderstandings leave others, and we may include ourselves in this, prone to unnecessary tension.

How many of us lash out when we are angry?  The bile of fury rises in our throats and we spit fire, with the potential to incite riotous feelings within whomever we come in contact.  Perhaps it inflates our sense of entitlement, fanning the flames of our arrogance which in turn causes us to treat others as less than.  Maybe we become short, curt, and terse coupled with a sharp tone when communicating; we burn people with whom we’ve come in contact with the hot iron of our ire.

Lonely; the word itself may immediately create an idea of a cry for attention.  When we are lonely we may be inclined to seek company that is less than beneficial to our well being.  We may indulge in self-pity, believing we are worthless, never to feel connected in the world.  This encompassing feeling of aloneness shadows our relationships.  Perhaps we fail to be even willing to connect, leaving us reveling in our own pit of despair blindfolded to the truth while thinking only of ourselves.

Tired can cause an inability to think clearly and while markedly impairing our immediate judgment; it may also sharpen our tongue propelling us to quickly lash out at others.  We could, potentially, be unable to focus, our concentration eclipsed leaving us inclined to be unable to complete a task that is required by work or needed by family or an ear for friends.  Maybe we decide we’ll get behind the wheel and in doing that we put others and ourselves at great risk, similar to driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  Falling asleep at the wheel can kill.

We are guided by the alcohol and drug rehab staff to check in with ourselves, noting where we are at, being mindful of our responses to others, and, when we find we are feeling one or more of these, we immediately stop and address the issue(s) at hand.  The resolution of any one of them can open us back up to being available to others.  Our self-care directly contributes to our ability to be present and, when we are present, without the anvil of H.A.L.T. weighing us down, we are serving our most important purpose; being of service to others.