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.

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.

Alcohol Drug Rehab Twelve Step Lingo

Drug addiction detox often includes Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The Twelve Steps make up the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous, which was founded in 1935 and now has over 2 million members. Utilizing the twelve steps of spiritual and character development  helps people in recovery stay sober. (Narcotics Anonymous groups also use these same twelve steps.) Aside from the Twelve Steps themselves, many AA and NA meetings might also make use of some or all  of the following terms or phrases listed below:

Birthday

When someone involved in AA says, “Today is my birthday,” they are referring to the anniversary of the day they became sober. At California rehab centers, this date is also called an “anniversary.”

Old-Timer

It’s length of sobriety time, not age that people are referring to when they call someone an “old-timer.” In some drug addiction rehab treatment groups, one qualifies as an old-timer 10 years; in others many more. Young people can be old-timers, and elderly people can be newcomers.

Time

At Los Angeles treatment centers, when someone talks about  their “time,” they’re not referring to time spent in rehab or jail, but are referring to the length of time they have been continuously sober.

Out

When a member of  AA says they “went out,” they’re talking about having a relapse into drinking or drug use after time spent sober. If you know someone who’s gone out, and is looking for help, contact us for drug rehab in California.

Think (Think, Think)

A common AA slogan, “Think, think think” is a reminder to take a pause before making a rash move such as using drugs or drinking.

Drug of Choice

“Drug of choice” is the primary way addicts chose to get high.

Last Drunk

This phrase refers to an alcoholic’s final binge, and most likely the one that caused them to hit rock bottom and seek drug addiction rehab treatment either in a rehab center or through attending 12 Step meetings.

Acceptance

In the 12 Step program, acceptance is realizing that alcoholism or addiction is a disease and a permanent part of one’s life. Finding an affordable drug treatment center is a way to accept the truth of an inability to stop drinking or using drugs without help.

The Addict Alcoholic and the First Part of Step One

“Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery:

  1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol… ”  The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 59

There are moments when we can look at our lives, and there’s no question to us that everything seems completely and utterly amiss.    It’s easy to think, “Of course my life is unmanageable; here I am in a California rehab for alcohol and drugs.  It doesn’t get much more unmanageable than that.”   What might be missing in this thought process is the understanding of the first half of the First Step.  If we take a moment to really read the Step, it’s broken up into two distinct parts, both requiring a complete understanding and subsequently an experience beyond words solidifying their respective definitions.

“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol…”  What does that really mean?  Alcohol and drugs became our master and insidiously insured that we would do whatever we could, whenever we could, however we could have those items to imbibe at any cost.  Perhaps there were times when we wanted to stop drinking and/or taking drugs but no matter how hard we tried to marshal our very will to not to smoke that pipe or pop that pill or stick the needle in our veins or drink that fifth, we could not stop.  What’s more powerless than being sucked back into taking actions we don’t want to take and yet continuing them as if there is no tomorrow?  Where, suddenly, as life is taking a turn for the better, or for the worse, or having very little change at all, we find ourselves drinking and/or drugging with complete abandon, all the while thinking, “I want to stop.  Please help me stop.” and we simply just cannot.

This is a sense of Powerlessness that surpasses anything tangible.  It is a deep set, intrinsic understanding that reinforces the concept and feeling that there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING, we can do to control this.  In effect, we are at its full mercy, beholden to its wicked, strangling grasp.  An essence of Powerlessness that surpasses anything we could have ever imagined.

Flat Tires and Sobriety

When we are initially embarking on our sobriety, there may be incidents that come up which could easily unsettle us; a flat tire might be an example of such.  Perhaps when we were drinking and/or using, the flat tire might anger us, causing us to vehemently react to the world and our surroundings.  Maybe we felt overwhelmed by something, something that is frustrating and time consuming however our reaction to it wasn’t parallel with the scope of whatever happened.  Our reaction was angrily overblown, coloring our day and the way we engaged with others henceforth, dampening spirits wherever we went.

Now, in sobriety, there will be the inevitable “flat tire”, an incident or occurrence which is frustrating and time consuming, however, as we learn what it’s like to live a sober life, our reaction to those incidents may very well be different.  We may no longer spin angrily out of control.  We may get annoyed, frustrated, even angry, however, with this new way of living, courtesy of the instruction from this Los Angeles drug rehabilitation center, we learn that our feelings don’t need to be taken out on others nor do we need to let it dictate the remainder of our day.

In sobriety, we learn new tools and ways to live within the world as decent human beings.  Human beings with valid feelings and the understanding that our lives don’t need to be dictated by those feelings; we can acknowledge them, feel them, accept them and then, as time has shown us with others, let us not be caged by them.  Being sober lets us live freely in the world, as opposed to living as prisoners chained to our respective emotional walls.

Tips for a Sober Halloween from a Los Angeles Rehab Center

California rehab centers know that one of the scariest things about Halloween is the number of drunk or drugged drivers hitting the roads this night. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for alcohol and drug-related traffic deaths. About 44 percent of all traffic deaths on Halloween occur are the direct result of intoxicated driver getting behind the wheel. Compared to other holiday periods, Halloween night has one of the highest proportions of substance-related traffic deaths, ahead of both Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Substance abuse takes lives the entire year through, but Halloween is an especially dangerous day. For some, this Halloween may be a wake-up call, a time to seek an affordable rehab center, while others who have already found peace and joy in sobriety may find temptation in this holiday. Here are some tips to help you stay sober during the Halloween festivities:

1. If you’re not sure there will be non-alcoholic beverages available to you during the celebrations,  bring your own.

2. Avoid areas in which alcoholic drinks are being served, or people are using.

3. Stay busy! Chat, dance, keep moving. Don’t think about the fact you’re not using or drinking.

4. Be sure to eat before leaving the house, so that you’re not hungry.

5. If you feel the temptation to use drugs or alcohol is becoming too much, just make a speedy exit.

6. Chances are, there’s at least one other person at the party who is also sober. Find them and stick together!

8. Why not spend Halloween at a 12-Step meeting? Many groups plan special events for this night.

9. Keep your sponsor’s number handy, and don’t hesitate to use it.

Many people who need alcohol drug rehab, have not yet found their way into drug addiction rehab treatment. Although we empathize with them, and hope they find the help they need, that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying this festive time of year. Think of Halloweens past, spent in a drug or alcohol-induced haze; the blackouts and depression and sadness. This year, follow our tips to celebrate sober and enjoy all that the holiday has to offer.

Yes, Virginia – There Really is Affordable Drug Treatment

“I can’t get clean and sober, because I can’t find affordable drug treatment.” In many cases, those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction do not receive the help they need, because they believe they can’t afford the cost of treatment. Actually, that doesn’t have to be the case. It’s true that many of the high-profile and high-dollar rehabs centers favored by Hollywood A-listers can cost well into five-figures for a one-month stay. According to TheFix, an addiction website, one well-known Malibu clinic charges about $80,000 for a month of treatment. While that’s a number well out of reach of most average Americans, with a bit of research it is possible to find effective and affordable drug treatment.

Most large urban areas offer not-for-profit and publicly-funded treatment centers which offer low-cost, or subsidized treatment programs. For those suffering addictions not requiring medically-monitored detox, outpatient clinics can also be an affordable option. Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are  both free of charge, and meetings are held at a variety of times and locations to fit just about any schedule. For those with deeply-rooted, life-threatening addictions that require doctor-supervised detox, local hospitals can also be a good resource – especially those with health insurance coverage or Medicaid/Medicare. Some private facilities will offer payment plans or sliding scale fees to cash-strapped clients. Often, the family of the person seeking treatment will gladly contribute resources in hopes of seeing their loved one freed from the slavery of addiction.

Those seeking an affordable, effective option might consider our Los Angeles rehab. Licensed by the State of California Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs, we treat a variety of addictions and related disorders using a variety of evidenced-based treatment modalities. Our experienced licensed and credentialed staff includes LCSW, MFT, CADC and RADS Counselors, nurses, psychiatrists and physicians. We offer medically-monitored detox along with around the clock availability and support via group and individual therapy utilizing 12-Step principles and practices. Other offerings include stress and anger management counseling, relapse-prevention education and even organized outside activities many local activities such as visits to the Antique Wooden Boat Show, the Annual Art Festival and The Summer Concert Series.

High cost is no guarantee of great care. Pricey treatment centers may boast high thread-count sheets, gourmet meals and sunrise yoga classes, but they don’t necessarily yield better results. For those seeking alcohol drug rehab, the incalculable costs of continued addiction to health and relationships far outweigh the costs of treatment, regardless of price.

 

Alcoholism and Addiction as an Illness

“An illness of this sort – and we have come to believe it an illness – involves those about us in a way no other human sickness can.  If a person has cancer all are sorry for him and no on is angry or hurt.  But not so with the alcoholic illness, for with it there goes annihilation of all the things worth while in life.  It engulfs all whose lives touch the sufferer’s.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 18

Many times, when we are drinking and/or using, our behavior does not inspire empathy and compassion though we are, without question, sick.  Our illness does not resemble the diseases we are aware of, the ones that allow us to feel sympathy for the one who is ill.  Our illness, the illness of alcoholism and addiction, has a tendency to inspire frustration, anger, hurt feelings and, more often that not, disappointment by anyone with whom we come in contact.  Our close friends and family, our loved ones, our partners, our children, may not feel sorry for us; they may, in fact, be angry and have had experience after experience that leaves them feeling let down once again.

So, what has to be done to treat this illness?  Essentially, it is a sickness of spirit.  What must we do to medicate our condition and invigorate our spiritual health?

This drug rehabilitation center just outside of Los Angeles, is surrounded by an abundance of beauty.  What might this have to do with our spirits you ask?  When we are immersed in sunshine, fresh air, mountains, beautiful views, sunsets and starry nights, the beauty of the world, we are given the opportunity to reconnect with nature.  In and through nature is one way to reconnect with the spirit of the world, which in turn helps us connect to the essence of our own spirits and then we are able to connect to the spirits of others.  And, it is in this last connection, the one between us and others, which is where we really begin to move away from sickness and disease and move toward living a healthy life, recovering from the illness of alcoholism and addiction.

The Alcoholic Addict and Emotion

“We want to find exactly how, when and where our natural desires have warped us.  We wish to look squarely at the unhappiness this has caused others and ourselves.  By discovering what our emotional deformities are, we can move toward their correction.  Without a willing and persistent effort to do this, there can be little sobriety or contentment for us.” – Alcoholics Anonymous’ The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 43

Warped natural desires and emotional deformities are difficult concepts to not only grasp, but to own.  We don’t want to believe there’s anything wrong with us.  Who wants to think any of us are, as the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous states on pg. 30, “bodily and mentally different from his fellows.”

However, truth be told, we are different.  We absorb information differently.  We assess our environments differently and many times, we are very sensitive to anything we perceive might be about ourselves, which, more often than not, is nearly every sentence and situation with which we come into contact.

This is not a viable plan for living.  If we constantly think we are the subject of every conversation and the target of every casual glance, how would that thinking not be warped and deformed?  We, as alcoholics and addicts, are, by definition, selfish creatures.  In our selfishness, our emotional capacity is stunted and our ability to grasp and process information is stilted.  We cannot adequately function in the world, much less strive within our own lives and the lives of those around us.  This is not a sturdy platform on which we stand, it is a balancing act on a house of cards on a windy day.

It is suggested we find out how, when and where we have gone astray.  It is with this knowledge that we may ask to be relieved of these burdens, this bondage of self, by whatever Power greater than ourselves to which we’ve connected.  If we do not face this information, how can we ever receive the grace that awaits us and live life in a dignified, upright, helpful fashion?   Finding these facts may seem arduous however they could very well be the key that fits the lock of a life worthwhile.

The Alcoholic Addict and Acceptance

“And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.  When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it supposed to be at this moment.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 417

How many times have we been disturbed by everything and/or everyone around us?  What has run through our minds as we’ve been bothered by situations that are not to our liking?  Have we spent an inordinate amount of being unsettled by that which we didn’t find favorable?

Acceptance; it is the key to living a life of serenity.  The situations we find ourselves in, even long after we are sober, can be less-than-favorable.  We may object to the actions and/or ideas of those around us.  The more we struggle against our self-imposed chains keeping us locked and bound to the discomfort of that which we are not in favor, the harder it is to have peace within our hearts, our homes, and in our interactions with others.

We must learn to find a way to accept that which happens around us, when those are situations over which we have no control.  However, we need to find a way not to use the idea and action of acceptance to be our excuse in avoiding the taking of action.  We can accept a situation and work, within a productive way, to facilitate healthy change.  Whether the change happens or not, we are indebted to the idea of letting the results go.  Letting the results be what they are, as long as we do the necessary work, is a very large part of what acceptance is all about.  It’s not about shirking duties and shuffling feet through wet sand; it’s about putting effort into the next right action and being able to stay emotionally separate from the what-happens-next.