Hitting Rough Spots in Sobriety

Sometimes throughout our sobriety we might hit a few rough patches along the way. It may seem like it shouldn’t be happening or that it’s unfair. After all why did we seek alcohol addiction help if we were going to experience hard times? Why did we do the work, go to a 30 day rehab, or a drug addiction detox if it wasn’t going to be smooth sailing from then on out? The fact is that things that are or will come up are just a part of life. There is not a whole lot that one can do to change circumstance. We may find ourselves thinking that this is not what our lives should look like at x amount of years sober. Its times like this we need to remember that we didn’t get sober originally for the stuff, or for what we could get out of it. We got sober because we were trapped by our disease in this unbearable hell and many of us just wanted to be able to stop drinking. We need to remember that the only thing we are promised is that we can stop drinking if we do the work. so  all the other stuff like friends, cars, houses, jobs, happiness, joy, and peace are extra blessings that we should be grateful for. If we stay in gratitude we can stay out of self-pity. If we only want what we need then we will always have what we want. We will be able to see that we are blessed beyond belief to not only recover from this seemingly hopeless state of mind and body but also to live this amazing life. We have been given a second chance!

The Importance of Fun in Sobriety

When we first receive alcohol addiction help and get sober we can become very serious. While this is important since we are dealing with such a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease, it is also important to remember to have fun along the way.

Often when we talk about fun, or doing things just for fun, we talk about it in a dismissive way as if fun isn’t important. We tend to value the steps, 30 day rehabs, work, drug addiction detox, and seriousness, and we forget to pay our respects to the equally important, light side of silliness and laughter. After all we didn’t get sober to be miserable and surprisingly enough there is tons of fun to be had in sobriety.  We all know the feeling of euphoria that follows a good burst of laughter, and how it leaves us less stressed, more openhearted, and more ready to reach out to people. We are far more likely to walk down the street smiling and open after we’ve had a good laugh, and this tends to catch on, inspiring smiles from the people we pass who then positively influence everyone they encounter. Witnessing this kind of chain reaction makes you think that having fun might be one of our most powerful tools for changing the world. In while it is important to recover and do the work it takes to stay sober it is also important that we enjoy ourselves. It is our duty to be examples of this program and if were walking around miserable what kind of example are we really being? There will be hard times. Times when you might want to give up, or are not able to see the light at the end of the tunnel but if you keep doing the work and keep trying there will be many moments of nothing but pure happiness.

Laughter is good medicine for us alcoholics, and we all have this medicine available to us whenever we recall a funny story or act in a silly way. We magnify the effects of this medicine when we share it with the people in our lives. If we are lucky, they will have something funny to share with us as well, and the life-loving sound of laughter will continue to spread.

Addiction, Getting Sober, and Adding to the Story of Our Lives

Everything in our lives adds on to our story; it’s what we do with that story that matters…

One of the hardest things in life is feeling stuck in a situation that we don’t like and want to change but are powerless over. We may have exhausted ourselves trying to figure out how to make change, how to go about seeking alcohol addiction help, trying to figure out which drug addiction detox or 30 day rehab to go to, and we may even have given up. The fact is that every detail of our life has shaped and molded us, it either brings us closer to who we are and want to be or it keeps us further away from our ideal as alcoholics we often times do the same thing over and over again expecting different results when it comes to drugs and alcohol. This type of behavior can often leave us feeling helpless. However if we look at the story of our life there always seems to be some point in it when we were not dependent on alcohol…for example our childhood. For many of us there was a time in life where all was well before we got engulfed in our disease, and if we have an ounce of faith or willingness we find that that place is still accessible if we do the work. We can choose to stay sick and enslaved to this disease because of the lies we tell ourselves as a result of our story or we can draw from those times where we caught a glimpse of what life could be like if we weren’t dependent and decide to get help. The choice is yours.

Having Fun in Sobriety

When we first receive alcohol addiction help and get sober we can become very serious. While this is important since we are dealing with such a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease, it is also important to remember to have fun along the way.

Often when we talk about fun, or doing things just for fun, we talk about it in a dismissive way as if fun isn’t important. We tend to value the steps, 30 day rehabs, work, drug addiction detox, and seriousness, and we forget to pay our respects to the equally important, light side of silliness and laughter. After all we didn’t get sober to be miserable and surprisingly enough there is tons of fun to be had in sobriety.  We all know the feeling of euphoria that follows a good burst of laughter, and how it leaves us less stressed, more openhearted, and more ready to reach out to people. We are far more likely to walk down the street smiling and open after we’ve had a good laugh, and this tends to catch on, inspiring smiles from the people we pass who then positively influence everyone they encounter. Witnessing this kind of chain reaction makes you think that having fun might be one of our most powerful tools for changing the world. In while it is important to recover and do the work it takes to stay sober it is also important that we enjoy ourselves. It is our duty to be examples of this program and if were walking around miserable what kind of example are we really being? There will be hard times. Times when you might want to give up, or are not able to see the light at the end of the tunnel but if you keep doing the work and keep trying there will be many moments of nothing but pure happiness.

Laughter is good medicine for us alcoholics, and we all have this medicine available to us whenever we recall a funny story or act in a silly way. We magnify the effects of this medicine when we share it with the people in our lives. If we are lucky, they will have something funny to share with us as well, and the life-loving sound of laughter will continue to spread.

Changing Your Life, Changing Your Story

Everything in our lives adds on to our story. It’s what we do with that story that matters…

One of the hardest things in life is feeling stuck in a situation that we don’t like and want to change but are powerless over. We may have exhausted ourselves trying to figure out how to make change, how to go about seeking alcohol addiction help, trying to figure out which drug addiction detox or 30 day rehab to go to, and we may even have given up. The fact is that every detail of our life has shaped and molded us, it either brings us closer to who we are and want to be or it keeps us further away from our ideal as alcoholics we often times do the same thing over and over again expecting different results when it comes to drugs and alcohol. This type of behavior can often leave us feeling helpless. However if we look at the story of our life there always seems to be some point in it when we were not dependent on alcohol…for example our childhood. For many of us there was a time in life where all was well before we got engulfed in our disease, and if we have an ounce of faith or willingness we find that that place is still accessible if we do the work. We can choose to stay sick and enslaved to this disease because of the lies we tell ourselves as a result of our story or we can draw from those times where we caught a glimpse of what life could be like if we weren’t dependent and decide to get help. The choice is yours.

Your Rehab Survival Guide

Alcohol, drugs, and countless other addictions can pose extreme strain on the professional and personal life of an individual. Once the choice has been made to seek out recovery options, surviving the rehabilitation process becomes a priority worthy of the individual’s unabashed attention. For many rehab patients, this journey is one not one easily traveled. In the following entry, we will offer up a few tips to help you through the initial rehab process to ensure a successful and long-lasting recovery.

1 – Accountability is key. The first step to take in your recovery journey is the acknowledgement that you, and only you, are responsible for your success. If you are not completely invested in your own recovery, the help of others will do little to aid in your quest. Communicate your goals with close friends and relatives to gain support, and request help whenever needed. Though your recovery is dependant on you, a solid support system is vital on the road to success.

2 – Take a deep breath and throw yourself head-first into your Above It All treatment program. Participate in group activities and discussions, educate yourself on your addiction type, and take medications as advised by your addiction counselors. Create a structure and routine for your time to keep yourself accountable.

3 – Come to the understanding that you are addicted, out of control, and in need of help. Locate other people, be them staff or other patients within the rehabilitation program, to relate to. The more you are able to communicate and involve yourself with others, faster your recovery will take place.

4 – Learn how to attend to your feelings in a productive manner. With a focused and quiet mind, you can and will survive this process. Write our your future goals, and make lists that will help you determine how to reach them. By incorporating your recovery into your goal list, you will be able to prioritize your actions, while keeping your eye on the prize.

5 – Find an activity that makes you happy. From exercise and sports to music and arts, throwing yourself into something outside your own head will serve to keep you motivated, determined, and pushing forward. Who knows… you might even find a new career path! Explore your options, and pursue new avenues whenever able.

6 – Your rehabilitation staff is there for a reason. Use them when you are having doubts, concerns, or need to address a difficult question. These professionals, are highly trained in the areas of addiction and addiction recovery, and will be able to help point you in the right direction.

7 – Keep a journal. Writing in a daily journal will provide you with an outlet for your thoughts, while giving you a reference to keep throughout your journey. Jot down your feelings, poems, pictures, whatever you like! In time, you will wonder what you ever did without it.

When it comes to inpatient treatment programs in Southern CA, Above It All is a cut above the rest. Offering a comprehensive, innovative, and effective addiction treatment platform, Above It All has you covered for the personalized, high-quality care and attention you need to enjoy the quality of life you deserve. Call us today!

Living Sober, Happily

After spending years attempting to escape reality through drug and alcohol abuse, it’s important that you begin your road to sobriety with a healthy dose of optimism and pride. Many hold on to the idea that drugs and alcohol are the root of all their problems… Thus implying that without it, life will be grand! However, many who achieve sobriety will often tell you that the road to happiness far more complex. In this entry, we will offer up some tips on maintaining a positive, healthy and sober mindset throughout your recovery and the lifetime to follow.

1 – Delve into the stresses, anger and hurt that pushed you towards your escape in the first place. Divorce, low self esteem, business failures and family illness are all very common triggers. Once you’ve made the decision to stop using, you may very well find these issues ready and waiting for you to deal with them properly. Recognizing these triggers and taking the initiative to deal with them head-on will help alleviate some of the risks associated with relapse, while providing you with a greater sense of purpose and understanding.

2 – Take time to appreciate your sobriety and the effort it took to get where you are today. Many people struggle for years to achieve even a small amount of freedom from drug and alcohol dependency. If you’ve already made it this far, it’s an achievement worth taking pride in. Do Not Let Go.

3 – Accept the fact that while you likely have regrets; they do not require that you not be entitled to the beauty, wonder and happiness life has to provide. You deserve to feel all the happiness, pain, love, and splendor on a grand scale… not through an alcoholic fog.

4 – Weed through the people in your life who keep your thoughts negative, while choosing to spend time with individuals who encourage your success. Find someone to inspire you… fictional or real… and fill your heart with a full dose of hope.

5 – Find your purpose in life! Pick up an instrument, take a class, exercise, dance, go for walks, laugh, love, and TRY NEW THINGS! Devoting yourself to something outside of your own being will place you in a mindset far from self-indulgence and excess.

If you’re interested in a new lease on life, love and happiness, our Above It All treatment center alcohol counselors are there to help. Give them a call today and find out what we can do to help you achieve the fulfilling, centered and sober life you deserve.

Saying Yes to the Universe Opens the Gate to Receiving What is Really Best for Us

The hardest thing about asking for alcohol addiction help is that it potentially means accepting everything life puts in front of us. Most of us have a habit of going through our days saying no to the things we don’t like and yes to the things we do, and yet, everything we encounter is our life. We may be afraid that if we say yes to the things we don’t like or try new things like a drug addiction detox, getting sober, or an affordable rehab or some sorts we might be afraid we will be stuck with our decisions forever, but really, it is only through acknowledging the existence of what’s not working for us such as drugs and alcohol that we can begin the process of change. So saying yes doesn’t mean indiscriminately accepting things that don’t work for us. It means conversing with the universe, and starting the conversation with a very powerful word—yes.

When we say yes to the universe and to our truth, we enter into a state of trust that whatever our situation is, we can work with it. We express confidence in ourselves, and the steps and we also express a willingness to learn from whatever comes our way, rather than running and hiding when we don’t like what we see. The question we might ask ourselves is what it will take for us to get to the point of saying yes. For some of us, it takes coming up against something we can’t ignore, escape, or deny, and so we are left no choice but to say yes. For others, it just seems a natural progression of events that leads us to making the decision to say yes to life.

The first step to saying yes is realizing that in the end it is so much easier than the alternative. Once we understand this, we can begin examining the moments when we resist what is happening, and experiment with occasionally saying yes instead. It might be scary at first and even painful at times, but if we continue to say yes to every moment through the process, we will discover the joy of being in a positive conversation with a power greater than ourselves.

Getting The Most Of Your 12 Step Recovery Program

AA – The most widely known of the 12 step recovery programs – is based on the idea that an individual can succeed in their recovery from addiction through the process of letting go of problems they are unable to control. Members are taught to “be in the moment”, while placing their faith in a higher power to help guide their recovery. In this entry, we will offer up a few tips and tricks to help you get the most of your AA experience.

1 – Hop online and search for a local 12 step addiction recovery program in CA that is close to home and work. Though you will likely find a favorite meeting around town, it’s nice to have an idea of where you can turn in case a craving or mood should arise unexpectedly.

2 – Attend a few different meetings to gain a better understanding of your options. In some cases, it may take a few tries to locate a solid fit. Avoid becoming discouraged if you don’t find your match immediately.

3 – Once you’ve located a favorite, do your best to attend meetings regularly. If you’re fairly new to the program, you’ll want to make a concerted effort to attend 90 meetings during your first 90 days.

4 – Look and nail down a sponsor. A sponsor should be a longtime member who is able to guide you through the program, while offering support and encouragement throughout your recovery. If you ever find yourself in a tight spot… this will be the person you call.

5 – Get involved, and ask how you can contribute to the organization! Positions can include anything from conducting a meeting from time to time to traveling as a representative. The more involved in the program you are, the more devoted you will be to maintaining your sobriety.

6 – Make a point to read the “Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous” and other types of organization literature on a daily basis… especially in cases where you are unable to attending meetings in person.

7 – When you find yourself feeling to urge to use, or have gone through a rough day, take the time to recite the Serenity Prayer. It may seem like a trivial action initially, but the focus it brings is indisputable.

8 – Your recovery is not going to happen overnight. Know this, and take comfort in how far you’ve already come on a daily basis.

9 – Ask for help when needed. Recovery is never an easy process. If you feel the urge to use again, it’s important to put your pride away and contact someone who can help you through your situation and feelings. Whether a sponsor, addiction counselor, or friend, the simple act of reaching out is paramount in maintaining your sobriety if and when difficult situations present themselves.

10) Smile. Laugh. Love. Listen. Think happy thoughts.

If you’re searching for additional tips on maintaining your sobriety, or are interested in your available addiction treatment options, our Above It All addiction specialists are on hand now to answer your questions. Give us a call today!

Family Roles In The Recovery Process

Drug addiction is a disease that affects not only the afflicted individual, but the family and loved ones surrounding them. If you have a loved one dealing with the pain of a drug or alcohol addiction, the truth is… you’re suffering alongside them. It’s only natural to feel confused, hurt, angry and unloved by the actions and behaviors exhibited by the addict. But with a healthy dose of love, determination and help, rest assured… you will all make it through.  In this entry, we will discuss the roles and actions of friends and family members throughout the recovery process.

1 – Do you due research and educate yourself in regard to the type of addiction you’re dealing with. It’s important to learn as much about the addiction as possible, in order to properly prepare yourself for the road ahead.

2 – Call an Above It All treatment center representative to discuss possible treatment options. Have a list of questions ready, and fire away! Our team of addiction counselors are on hand 24/7 to assess and address any and all of your questions and concerns… and no subject is too taboo. You may even decide to schedule a tour of the facility to gain a first-hand look at what we have to offer

3 – If you are reading this, it is likely your loved one has an issue, which you must accept. Now is the time to stop covering and making excuses on their behalf. Allowing yourself to live in denial will only accentuate the problem, offering little more than continued disappointment and wasted time/resources/energy. Taking a stand will let both you and them know that change is here, and that you’re committed moving forward.

4 – Determine whether or not the addict is open to accepting treatment. Bring up the topic lightly to gain an understanding of their thoughts and feelings on the topics. Sometimes, it only takes a kind request to put the recovery process in motion… In other instances more aggressive strategies must be employed.

5 – If your loved one is unwilling to seek help on their own. It’s time to discuss your intervention options. A quick call to our drug rehab in California will place you in touch with an array of addiction specialists who can help direct you through the intervention process.

6 – Whichever route you end up taking, it’s important to assure your loved one of how much you care for them. Recovery is directly dependent on a strong and sturdy support system. By sticking by your loved one throughout the recovery process, they will have a much better chance of achieving the healthy, happy and long-lasting sobriety they deserve.

7 – Once your loved one has completed rehabilitation, it’s vital you continue to support their sobriety efforts. Considering attending group therapy sessions and 12 step recovery programs with the addict to keep you both motivated and focused.

Keep yer chin up! In time, this period of time will be little more than a past adventure, life lesson, and success story for all involved.