Common Myths of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Myths about addiction hurt those with a substance use disorder (SUD) the same way stigmas and stereotypes do. Additionally, judgment and a lack of understanding about addiction make it difficult to seek help for SUD, but addiction is like any other disease. Genetics and environmental factors can increase the risk of becoming addicted to alcohol and other substances. Unfortunately, the misinformation surrounding SUD may prevent you from talking about or getting treatment for your addiction to alcohol or drugs. 

Suppose you are diagnosed with an incurable disease. People will help you cook, go to appointments, or form support systems. Now, think about how some treat people with a SUD. They may scorn those with addiction and even isolate or marginalize them. No one wakes up one day and decides to have a terminal or chronic illness, which is what substance addiction is.

Is Addiction a Disease?

Addiction is a brain disease. Major health corporations like The American Medical Association, The American Psychiatric Association, and The American Society of Addiction Medicine all agree that alcohol and drug addiction is a chronic disease. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the number of people that fatally overdose has increased over the past few years. Additionally, substance use increased during COVID-19 self-isolation regulations, so the number of people who overdosed is much higher compared to previous years.

Will Detox Cure Addiction?

Detoxification (detox) from alcohol or drugs is the beginning of treatment for a SUD. What you need to remember is that addiction is a disease that affects the brain's neurochemistry. The brain has neurons that communicate with each other by sending signals. Substances interrupt the signals and shift the communication process away from the natural chemicals you produce to aid in the communication process. Over time, the chemicals found in alcohol and drugs increase your brain's dependence on them. 

During this process, your substance use increases because your brain is trying to recreate the feeling you had the first time you took a drink or used a drug. As a result, your tolerance to alcohol or drugs increased.

Detox is the first step in a substance addiction treatment program. You may think you can cure yourself by spending a few days in a medically supervised detox center, but that is not the case. The brain and body become dependent on alcohol and drugs over months or years of use. Since your addiction took time to develop, so will your substance addiction treatment. Do not cheat yourself or your body of the essential care and time for healing.

Can I Detox on My Own?

No, despite tv shows, movies, and forums that show or claim that you can detox by yourself, you cannot do so. The body goes through withdrawal as the chemicals from alcohol and drugs exit the system. Some withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, death, or delirium tremens (DT). Delirium tremens are the most dangerous type of alcohol withdrawal. 

Medical detoxification helps you slowly decrease your intake of alcohol or drugs. While in detox, medical staff will ensure you have the necessary help to tolerate the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal.

Before you abruptly quit drinking or using a substance, consider entering a detox program.

Does Substance Addiction Treatment Work?

Yes and no, but what does this mean? Substance addiction treatment and recovery are personal. You will not go into a program with the exact needs or issues of another. You may need time to heal and learn about what addiction is and how it affects your life. Others may need to process their mental and physical health before addressing their addiction. Everyone's journey is different, and so is their responses to treatment.

Another layer to piecing together a workable plan is recognizing where you are in your treatment. Maybe you entered treatment unsure if you needed it. For example, you know you have an issue with substances but do not embrace the abstinence-only model. When you are in individual therapy during your treatment, talk with your therapist about harm reduction. 

Some fully embrace the substance addiction abstinence-only treatment process, and others prefer the harm reduction model. Your treatment center can tailor a plan to meet your needs. 

You do not need to hit rock bottom before seeking help. Follow an abstinence-only or a harm reduction model to impact substance addiction treatment or recovery positively.  No one can predict individual long-term recovery outcomes by substance addiction treatment alone. The environment you live in, your genetics, or your ability to incorporate healthy habits into your life are essential to a lasting recovery.

Substance addiction myths are harmful to a person with a substance use disorder. Before anyone can understand which are and are not myths, they must learn more about substance addiction and the people who have a SUD. A SUD is a chronic disease that affects millions of people. While those diagnosed with a heart condition or cancer receive support from friends and family, a person with a SUD may not. Whether you or a loved one has a SUD, finding the best care and support is essential to addiction recovery. Monte Cristo Recovery will work with you and your family to understand addiction and the steps you should take to become sober. Our detox center in Santa Ana provides personalized care that ensures safety and comfort during the detox process.  We would love to answer any questions you have about the services we provide in our detox program. Call us at (714) 824-9896.

Do I Need Medical Detox for Substance Addiction?

Addiction doesn't single out a specific group or type of person. Anyone can become addicted to alcohol or drugs. While some become addicted through recreational or experimental use, others may become dependent on prescriptions. Whatever you find you are addicted to, you can stop using through a medical detoxification (detox) program.

How Do I Know if I Have an Addiction?

Addiction to a substance doesn't happen overnight. As you increase your frequency or amount of use, your body and brain gradually adapt to the substance. Alcohol and drugs affect crucial parts of your brain, including the section that responds to feelings of pleasure. Instead of relying on naturally produced hormones, the brain uses substances to create feelings of pleasure. Over time, the brain requires more to feel like the first time you used. Symptoms of addiction include:

• Intense craving or urge to use a substance.

• Keeping a steady supply of the substance.

• Failure to fulfill personal or work responsibilities.

• Stealing.

• Lying to friends or family about your use.

• Engaging in risky behaviors like unprotected sex or driving under the influence.

Any of these symptoms are signs you should consider entering a medical detox program.

Why Shouldn't I Quit on My Own?

Whatever your reason for quitting alcohol or drugs is, check into a medical detox center before you stop. The urge to go it alone is dangerous and unnecessary. Professionals trained to supervise the detox process while caring for your needs will make sure you're safe and comfortable. 

During the detox phase of your substance addiction treatment, you can experience physical or emotional symptoms. For example, some physical symptoms are insomnia or restlessness. Your emotions can include depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Physical or mental health issues occur because your body adapts to a substance over time. When you decide to detox, you take away the substance creating a gap. The removal of the substance can increase cravings to lessen the physical or mental feelings of withdrawal. When your body is adapting to the loss of alcohol or drugs, the potential for harmful side effects increases. 

What Are the Side Effects of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol acts as a depressant, slowing your brain. If you drink for a long time or heavily, your brain tries to eliminate the depressant effects by overproducing stimulating chemicals. Your brain created a new normal. When you decide to quit drinking, your brain continues to produce the chemicals that stimulate it. The withdrawal of alcohol combined with the overproduction of the chemicals can cause several side effects. Some of the psychological effects are:

• Anxiety

• Nightmares

• Depression

• Inability to think clearly

• Irritability

• Shakiness

A few of the physical symptoms are:

• High blood pressure

• Headache

• Decreased appetite

• Nausea or vomiting

• Increased heart rate

You may also experience a dangerous form of withdrawal called Delerium Tremens (DTs). DT increases your risk of death. A few symptoms of DT are:

• Agitation

• Hallucinations

• Fever

• Seizures

• Unstable changes in blood pressure

• Severe confusion

A medical detoxification program will provide the supervision necessary to either prevent or decrease your risk of DT. The risk of death increases without the proper treatment of DT. 

The Side Effects of Opioid Withdrawal

Opioids connect themselves to the opioid receptors found in your brain, gastrointestinal tract, and spinal cord. The brain does produce opioids that decrease pain, respiratory rate, and the risk of depression or anxiety. Prescription painkillers provide the extra help your body needs to reduce pain. For example, your body doesn't produce enough opioids to help decrease the pain from a broken limb or a disease like cancer.

Opioids, prescription painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl are potent. Prescription painkillers classified as opioids have a considerable risk of abuse, addiction, or unintentional overdose. When you decide you are ready to stop using opioids, be aware that your withdrawal symptoms depend on the length of time, the amount you used, and which type of opioid you are using. Opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

• Watery eyes, yawning, or a runny nose

• Anxiety

• Irritability

• Mood disturbances

• Pain

• Digestive tract issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps

• Unstable blood pressure

• Suicidal thoughts

What Can I Expect in Detox?

Detoxing is a scary thing to go through. To help you feel more comfortable before entering a program, you should know a few things about a medical detox program. When you enter a detox program, a doctor will assess your needs. That doctor will be available 24/7 in case you experience complications. Medical detox programs also have nurses on staff. Their job is to monitor your progress, give you medications prescribed by the doctor, and explain what to expect while you're withdrawing from alcohol or drugs. Your well-being is their goal.

Substance addiction overtakes and controls your life, regardless of your age, race, financial status, or gender. When you decide to stop drinking or using a drug, it's vital to seek help from those who trained to guide you safely through the withdrawal process. Maybe you think you don't need to go to a medical detox center because you can detox independently. However, given the many side effects of substance withdrawal, you should rethink your decision; everyone experiences withdrawal from alcohol or drugs differently. Maybe you won't have severe side effects, but the potential for dangerous or deadly results exists. A medical detox center, like Monte Cristo Recovery, has a medical staff that specializes in substance withdrawal. We understand that as substances leave your body, you require a safe, comfortable setting. Our center provides chef-prepared meals, full-size beds, and other amenities. You deserve the space to reflect, assess, and heal. To learn more, call (714) 824-9896.

The Cycle of Recovery: Treatment, Relapse, and Harm Reduction

Addiction affects millions of people around the world. Whether you struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) or you have a loved one battling it, the cost of addiction is all-consuming. Every day the high price of addiction fractures relationships, worsens behaviors, and hinders fundamental necessities like your income. 

At some point, you may consider entering a substance addiction treatment program to address your SUD. While the healthy habits you will learn can support your recovery, there may come a time when you relapse.

Why Would I Relapse?

Addiction is a chronic brain disease. Experts in the field consider vital aspects like environment, genetics, and personal behavior as key indicators of your chances of developing a SUD. After you begin using a substance, your brain undergoes chemical changes that increase the craving for alcohol or drugs. 

Once a dependence occurs, everything in your life changes. Even after substance addiction treatment, your mind and body will continue to heal from the effects of substances. You may be one of the many people who will struggle with addiction throughout your life.

Suppose you began using alcohol or drugs in your teenage years. As you started on your path to addiction, your brain chemistry changed. An adolescent's brain is still forming, so their neurochemical pattern changes while under the influence of substances. This shift in patterns carries over into adulthood. Addiction as a teenager or young adult does not necessarily mean you sealed your fate, but it does mean your brain began to depend on the chemicals provided by substances. That shift away from natural chemicals can lead to relapse.

Can I Talk to My Doctor About Addiction?

The topic of addiction is becoming less stigmatized; however, there is a lengthy history of doctors and nurses being uncomfortable or judgemental towards those with an addiction. Fortunately, medical providers have learned more about addiction in the past few years. This increase in knowledge is an opportunity for conversation about addiction.

The impact of destigmatization means you may feel more comfortable approaching your medical provider. For example, when you talk to someone about a specific type of music and they criticize it, your conversation will likely end because you may not want to defend your musical taste. Then over time, you may decrease discussions altogether with this person because of their negativity and stereotypes. 

Talking with a provider who continues to stigmatize addiction may make you feel marginalized and unwilling to seek help. Instead, find a medical professional willing to listen and talk to you about addiction, detox, or substance addiction treatment.

Do Attitudes Make a Difference?

Negative attitudes hurt your emotional well-being. For this reason, a substance addiction treatment program should incorporate the family in learning about addiction, mental health disorders, and how to support you through treatment and recovery. When you receive compassion and understanding from others, you can begin to feel better about yourself. 

What if I'm Not Ready for Substance Addiction Treatment?

Not everyone is ready to enter a program. You may want to stop using a substance, but the idea of abstinence may seem impossible. While many programs insist abstinence is the only way to achieve sobriety, one form of substance addiction treatment focuses on accepting you and where you are in your life.

What Is Harm Reduction?

Harm reduction is an alternative to complete abstinence. Your choice to practice harm reduction shows you have the will to change your life with the understanding that you are not at a point where complete abstinence works for you. 

Think of harm reduction as similar to learning yoga. Setting a definitive goal to becoming perfect in all poses fails to acknowledge your body. When you begin to practice yoga, you have the opportunity to listen to and learn from what your body is telling you. For example, you work towards staying upright in a triangle pose. Some days you will fall, and other days you will stick the pose. 

Becoming comfortable with the process of following what your body tells you is like harm reduction. Harm reduction means you move towards finding what works for you while acknowledging you will have good days and bad days. 

The relationship you build with your therapist can guide you towards positive changes in your life. When a client-therapist relationship is based on mutual respect, you can feel comfortable and motivated to work towards abstinence. A program that takes a realistic view of your treatment can reduce the negative aspects of a SUD.

Addiction is a disease that spreads and damages your personal and work relationships. When you decide to stop using alcohol and other substances, you may not know who to turn to or know if a substance addiction program is the right next step. The prospect of complete abstinence may seem impossible. However, you can find substance addiction programs that understand where you are in your substance addiction treatment journey. A therapist who engages with you using harm reduction respects your need for specialized care. Monte Cristo Recovery recognizes that not everyone is ready to commit to abstinence when they enter substance addiction treatment. We support your decision to begin detox and will guide you through treatment. While we support your unique needs, we also encourage you to work towards abstinence. Monte Cristo Recovery knows addiction is a disease, and our focus is providing the care and compassion to heal. To learn more, call (714) 824-9896.

The Types of Addiction Treatment Programs

Alcohol and drugs affect your brain and behavior. Often, substance use begins with the recreational use of alcohol or drugs in social settings. Some people's substance use becomes more frequent and heavier with prolonged use. Once you lose control over your use, you have a substance use disorder (SUD).

Substance use disorders harm you and those around you. No matter how you try to hide your substance addiction, it will eventually damage your relationships. However, when you want to do something about your substance addiction, you can enter a detoxification program. Detox programs are the first step in reaching your goal of becoming substance-free. 

What Is Detox? 

Medical detoxification or detox is the process of ridding your body of harmful toxins like alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. The goal is to help you get off the substance quickly and safely. It would be best if you never attempted to detox from a substance on your own. Every substance has different side effects that require specific types of treatment. Medically supervised detox programs understand the dangers of withdrawing from the use of a substance and are trained to provide the necessary reduction or temporary substitution of another substance. While you are under a physician's care,you will receive the most comfortable healing process possible. 

Substance Addiction Programs

Many detox programs have relationships with substance addiction programs that include inpatient and outpatient programs. Many programs give you the following options: individual, group, or family. Most programs require you to participate in both individual and group sessions.  

Once you transfer to their care, you will continue the healing process through talk therapy and holistic therapies like yoga, breathwork, and physical or creative activities. In addition, you will learn more about addiction and how your environment affects your SUD. Finally, while you are in a program, you will learn why you seek substances to help you cope with certain situations, people, or feelings.

Why Do I Use a Substance?

The environment you live in and your mental health play a significant part in your why. You may not realize the impact people and places have on your behaviors or your mental health. The friends you hang out with, or the places you go can influence your actions. For example, if you go to parties where alcohol or drugs are considered part of the fun, you can use thinking it's no big deal. However, over time, your recreational use can become a problem.

When you discuss your substance addiction in therapy, you may look at how your genetics play a role. Genetics can also determine if you're at an increased risk of substance addiction because of a family history of SUDs. 

Your mental health is another factor in substance addiction. Mental health disorders, like depression and anxiety, disrupt people's lives. In some cases, people use alcohol or drugs to help them cope with their feelings or social situations.

Substance addiction programs teach you about healthy coping skills, the addiction cycle, and why addictions occur. They can also teach you to take responsibility for your actions and live a sober life.

What Happens After I Leave Treatment?

Leaving treatment is challenging. During the initial phase of maintaining sobriety, you may feel optimistic and throw yourself into outside meetings, new activities, or skills. If you have a solid support system, you benefit from the love and belief your loved ones have in your sobriety efforts. The skills and lessons you learned while in a substance addiction program guide you through the ups and downs of sober living. 

However, not everyone has a healthy support system or living environment waiting for them after leaving treatment. Despite everything learned in therapy, some may not feel ready to go home. For example, some have people who are actively using in their home environment. They know going back home will jeopardize their sobriety. Instead of going home, they can enter a sober living program.

What Is Sober Living?

Not everyone is ready to go back to their environment. You may not have a stable living environment or job, or you might feel like you can't get back into your life without continued care. Regardless of why you enter sober living, it is your responsibility to follow the rules outlined by the sober house. For example, if one of the requirements is you find a job, the sober living house may require you to send out resumes and go to job interviews.  Ultimately, you are responsible for maintaining your recovery.

What if I Relapse?

No one says it is easy to maintain their sobriety. You need to work and face the challenges as they come. There will come a time when you face the temptation to relapse. Go to a meeting or seek help from a person in your support system. If you do relapse, it's okay. You can go back to a detox center and start again. 

Becoming sober starts with a detox program and ends with you taking responsibility for your sobriety.  Substance addiction programs exist to help you quit using alcohol or drugs. Inpatient or outpatient programs teach you about how addiction, mental health, and your environment influence your behavior. The goal of substance addiction treatment is to guide you towards a sober life. You will face challenges to your sobriety, even relapse. Throughout each step towards attaining and maintaining your sobriety, you need to take responsibility for your actions. Regardless of whether your substance use disorder stems from genetics or environment, you have the power to admit you made a mistake by using substances and seek help. Monte Cristo believes you create your destiny by how you react to mental and physical challenges. Our low-cost detox treatment program rids your body of the toxins freeing you to work towards sobriety. To learn more about detox and how it can help you, call (714) 824-9896.

How to Decide if Dry January Is for You

After the chaos, parties, and obligations of the holiday season, you may view January as a month to start healthy habits and ditch unhealthy ones. The promise of a new start, including giving up alcohol, is enticing, but is quitting alcohol during January a good idea? While there are some health benefits to going dry, there are also hazards.

What Is Dry January?

Dry January is a public health awareness campaign. The intent is to convince you to stop drinking for the month. Public health officials and those with ties to addiction hope that, by giving up alcohol for the month, you will continue to abstain for the rest of the year. People in both the United States and Europe engage in this relatively new campaign. 

You may be trying to give up alcohol for the month to determine if you have a drinking problem. However, you may see engaging in this tradition as a way to free your body from the toxins alcohol leaves behind. Whatever reason persuades you to stop drinking for the month, you should consider the pros and cons of quitting.

Unhealthy Fad or Healthy Decision?

Generally speaking, experts do not recommend fads that involve your health. Whether something goes viral on the internet or is overall gimmicky, you should consider how any new habits can affect your health and well-being, as they are a priority. 

One problem with anything that promises a new behavior is that it might one day become a staple in your routine or lifestyle. Quick solutions with short timeframes do not always build healthy habits. For example, a fad diet may only temporarily fix a weight or diet problem, but fads fail to address underlying issues like what caused the weight gain to begin with. Before you jump into the trend, think about why you want to take a month-long break from alcohol. 

What's Your Relationship With Alcohol?

When you commit to thirty days of not drinking, you have the opportunity to see a clear, alcohol-free future. The time you spend participating in a month of alcohol abstinence is ideal for assessing your life and relationship with alcohol.

Everyone has a different baseline when it comes to drinking alcohol. If you are indifferent to having a drink or not, Dry January will have little or no effect on your life. However, if you are a heavy or moderate drinker, you may have more difficulty giving up alcohol for a month. Below are facts to help identify if you are a light, moderate, or heavy drinker.

• Light drinkers consume less than one drink a day or none at all.

• Moderate drinking equates to a couple of drinks a day for women and a few drinks a day for men.

• Women who binge drink have four or more drinks, and men have five or more drinks within two hours.

• Heavy male drinkers consume more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week, while females drink more than seven per week.

Also, evaluate your emotional patterns when you consume alcohol. Do you need a drink to feel comfortable, brave, less anxious, or depressed in social or personal situations? If so, your relationship with alcohol may be toxic.

Will Your Health Improve in January?

If you have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), your physical and mental health may not be at its strongest. Alcohol affects your heart, blood pressure, cholesterol level, and liver and can increase your risk of specific cancers. Maybe you use alcohol to alleviate feelings of anxiety or depression. Regardless, there are benefits to removing alcohol from your life. 

Consider how you will feel once your body begins to heal from the harmful effects of alcohol. One study found that those who gave up alcohol for a month did experience some improved health benefits. 

Should I Quit Now?

Dry January is a way to press pause and recuperate from the chaos of the holiday season. Unfortunately, it can be common to use Dry January as part of a binge/abstain pattern of drinking. Any binge/abstain behavior comes with its own risk. When you create and follow behaviors that encourage both excess and abstinence, you will still experience harmful health effects. One dry month does not erase the accumulative effects of heavy or binge drinking. However, if you have an AUD, you will require a medically supervised detox.

Can I Afford a Detox Program?

One common reason you may avoid seeking medically supervised detox services is cost; however, not all detox centers come with a high price tag. You can afford to detox in a comfortable and caring environment while minimizing complications. If you decide to quit drinking, you may experience acute withdrawal symptoms, including erratic heartbeat, seizures, nausea, vomiting, or death. Your well-being depends on entering a medical detox program.

The urge to make healthier choices can consume you after putting the last holiday ornament away and beginning the new year. You may think participating in Dry January is an opportunity to cleanse the body from toxins or counteract the holiday stress. Your reason for participating in a month free of alcohol is personal. However, don't use Dry January as an excuse to drink heavily every other month. When you take the step to join others in an alcohol-free period, be aware of the risks. If you're a heavy drinker, you shouldn't quit without medical supervision. Monte Cristo Recovery, in Santa Ana, supports your decision to stop drinking. We believe you deserve a safe, comfortable place where you can focus on healing your body and mind. Our medically supervised detox program is staffed by people who know what you're going through because addiction has personally impacted our lives, too. Call us today at (714) 824-9896. 

Al-Anon's Role in Alcohol Addiction

Coping with a child's alcohol abuse is difficult. When a child has a problem, you want to help and protect them, no matter how old they are. Unfortunately, the ability to step back and assess the situation takes a backseat to the urge to fall into crisis mode. You may pay rent, utilities, medical fees, treatment costs, or attorney's fees, regardless of your financial status. However, before you try to protect or fix their alcohol abuse or addiction, consider reaching out to others.

Feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment are normal. So is the fear that you may be the reason your child has an alcohol addiction. Before you take the entire blame for your child's harmful behaviors, try talking with others who know and understand what you are going through. Find your local Al-Anon chapter.

What Is an Alcohol Addiction?

Over 95,000 people die every year because of alcohol addiction. In the United States, alcohol is used more than any other drug by those over the age of 12. As a result, alcohol use disorder is the prevalent substance use disorder in the country.  

Alcohol addiction doesn't occur overnight. Most people with an alcohol addiction begin as moderate drinkers. They may have a drink or two during the times they consume alcohol. Those with an alcohol addiction progressively increase the amount and frequency of alcohol they drink over time. Once your child has reached the point of alcohol consumption where they don't have control over their use and are at risk of short-term and long-term harmful consequences, their use meets the criteria of alcohol addiction. Some of the detrimental effects are:

• Certain types of cancer, such as liver cancer or breast cancer

• Injuries like car accidents, falls, or drowning

• An increased risk of violence from sources like sexual assault, suicide, or domestic violence

• Increased risky behaviors, like unprotected sex or sex with multiple people

• Mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety

• Memory issues

• Heart, liver, or digestive issues

Before you assume responsibility for your child's alcohol use disorder, remember that you can't stop your child from drinking. The person with alcohol addiction is responsible for their behavior, and they are the only ones who can stop drinking.

What Are the Signs of an Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol use affects all those who are around a person with alcohol addiction. When a person is diagnosed with alcohol addiction, they meet two or more of the following criteria:

• Consuming alcohol in more significant amounts or for a longer time than intended

• Struggling with the inability to reduce their drinking even when they try

• Spending excessive time getting, drinking, and recuperating from alcohol

• Experiencing cravings

• Showing a lack of interest in maintaining social, work, or family obligations

The signs listed above are a few of the symptoms, but there are more. You can reach out to an addiction therapist or attend an Al-Anon meeting to determine if your child has an alcohol use disorder.

What Is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a support program for anyone whose life is affected by a loved one's drinking. The program encourages those who attend meetings to share their experiences while using the principles of Al-Anon to help them cope. If your child has an alcohol use disorder, you can attend Al-Anon meetings to bring about positive change to your situation, even if your child doesn't admit to or face their addiction.  

Al-Anon's history dates to at least 1939. Some people whose loved ones attended Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings began to go with them. As the families and friends participated in the discussions, they began to talk about how their loved one's addiction affected their lives. Over time, the friends and family members who attended AA meetings started to schedule meetings focused on their needs.

Al-Anon doesn't have a religious affiliation. Instead, members are welcome to explore what brings them comfort. For example, some may find inner peace when they are outdoors, practicing yoga, or cooking. The goal of Al-Anon is not to promote one way in which a person can cope with their loved one's alcohol addiction. Your inner peace or power is yours to define.

Understanding Al-Anon 

When you decide to go to an Al-Anon meeting, you may do so because you feel hopeless, depressed, or want to find a positive way to change your life. However, you may have questions or are hesitant to attend a meeting. 

Maybe you don't know if you're ready to go to a meeting. Sometimes, parents are consumed by trying to cope with their child's alcohol addiction, and they overlook how finding positive support is beneficial to their mental and physical health. Alternatively, maybe you aren't sure you want to interact with others physically. You may not feel comfortable going to an in-person meeting, but you can attend a meeting via Zoom.

When you attend a meeting, you aren't obligated to become a member of that group because there are a variety of meetings and ways to observe them you can pick or choose according to your schedule. You have the power to decide what's right for you.

Finding support to help you cope with the effects of a loved one's drinking on your life is essential to maintaining your physical and mental well-being. You may think you are helping your loved one when you protect, cover up, or clean up the results of their addiction, but you're not. Instead, you're creating a cycle of crisis and response that damages your life and theirs. When you are ready to change your behaviors, you can seek help by going to an Al-Anon meeting. The people who attend Al-Anon meetings share experiences similar to your experiences. If you don't know if you're ready to go to a meeting or join a group, don't worry. At Monte Cristo Recovery, we believe Al-Anon is a positive way to help you understand your child's alcohol addiction. We hope you find the support you need to face the challenges of a child's alcohol use. To learn more about Al-Anon, call (714) 824-9896.

Building a Bridge in Recovery

Active addiction does not have to last forever. Instead, think of substance addiction treatment and recovery as a bridge. Similar to bridges that need maintenance throughout the years, you require upkeep and the ability to repair yourself. In order to achieve lasting recovery, you must learn that bridges break down, relapse occurs, and life begins again.

The idea of sobriety being a transient object, vulnerable to the environment, is based on the theory that life takes work, and at some point, you may fail. Despite attending 12-Step meetings, engaging in therapy, or participating in a sober community, you will likely face temptations that challenge your sobriety. Life has a way of presenting obstacles and shaking up your routine. Maintaining your recovery is a journey complete with twists and unforeseen circumstances.

The Bridge

Think of your sobriety as a journey. The moment you decide to quit drinking alcohol or using substances, you step onto a bridge. Dangerous obstacles in your path require the support of the bridge in order to get to the other side. Medically supervised detoxification (detox) treatment programs are the bridges. Detox programs provide comfort and time for your body to withdraw from toxins in alcohol and drugs. 

Detox as a Foundation

The care team at a detox treatment center guides you to build the foundation of your recovery. While you are detoxing, you are laying the initial elements of the bridge that make the foundation solid. The purpose is to take the weight and stress off of the bridge and spread it evenly, creating a stable foundation. The detox process is the material necessary to protect the bridge from falling.

Additional support is provided to you while in detox. For example, many centers serve healthy, nutrition-packed food and transition you to an appropriate level of care in a substance addiction treatment program.

Substance Addiction Treatment 

Detox is the foundation of recovery, and substance addiction treatment is the substructure. Individual and group therapy function as walls for your recovery. Therapy sessions help build and retain the information required to reinforce and withstand stress, depression, or your environment.

As with any substructure, substance addiction therapy also provides multiple forms of sustenance. Holistic treatments like art, yoga, breathwork, and exercise therapy provide additional support and alternative coping methods. For example, think about how breathwork pulls you back to focusing on your feelings while encouraging you to diffuse your destructive emotions. 

Substance addiction therapy is essential because it is another layer that supports your recovery. Whether you employ the lessons you learned in treatment or make holistic therapy a part of a daily routine, you are diffusing and decreasing harmful situations. 

Therapy Is Maintenance

Bridges rely on their foundation to maintain their structural integrity. Since you also depend on your foundation to maintain your sobriety, you will need upkeep. Return to therapy when you need to fill in a hole or crack in your life. Patching up emotional deficits builds resilience. 

Therapy extends over your foundation, protecting you from harsh elements in life. Your life is the direct traffic on the bridge. Whether you participate in group or individual therapy, you incorporate everything you learned while in treatment together. Everything you learn supports your ability to go over the bridge. At times, holistic or traditional therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are the barriers that protect you from going over the sides.

Repairing Your Recovery

Bridges will have potholes, cracks, and sometimes structural failures. Your life will have potholes, cracks, and there is potential for relapse. You hold the information and coping techniques learned in substance addiction treatment to help lead you over the ravine, but you cannot always protect yourself from the environment. At the same time, you can use yoga, meditation, art, or exercise as healthy techniques that give you flexibility and strength. 

Situations beyond your control can crack even the most robust foundation. The death of a loved one, loss of a job, or a blow to your self-esteem can create a pothole or complete failure of your bridge. Even the Golden Gate Bridge fell once, but people still go year-round for photography. The Golden Gate Bridge was rebuilt, and you can rebuild yours too; but first, you need to admit you relapsed and construct a plan to rebuild. 

Rebuilding Your Sobriety

Starting over again does not equate to failure. In some cases, rebuilding your sobriety means you can create a foundation that can withstand destructive forces. Go back to detox and follow through with a substance addiction treatment program.

Think of sobriety and recovery as a bridge. You can't have a strong bridge if you don't take the time to build the foundation (detox), the substructure, and the structure (substance addiction treatment). All these components guide you to understand your emotional needs. By addressing this, you find out how to replace and refill the dangers in your environment. The support you find in individual, group, or holistic therapies will carry you over to difficult situations. Monte Cristo Recovery is dedicated to guiding you through the detox process, creating a strong foundation for your journey to recovery. We recognize the care you receive is critical to your well-being. Our staff furthers your recovery process with a smooth road to sobriety. Monte Cristo Recovery works with substance addiction treatment centers in Orange County, California, to ensure you don't fall into the cracks. If your foundation falters, we're here to help you rebuild. For more information, call (714) 824-9896.

Can Natural Remedies Cure a Substance Use Disorder?

Natural healing remedies are continuing to gain popularity in society. People are beginning to turn their backs on pharmaceuticals, preferring alternative ways to help heal physical and mental health issues. Addiction treatment centers that guide clients with a substance use disorder (SUD) to sobriety incorporate holistic therapies into their treatment programs. As treatment centers blend Western techniques like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) with Eastern practices like mindfulness, they acknowledge findings of the effectiveness of Eastern traditions. However, a quick search on the internet will discuss how natural remedies like milk thistle can cure an SUD. How can you know what doesn't work for an SUD? 

Natural Remedies

Healing centers that focus on healing your physical or mental wounds without traditional Western therapies do so without Western medication. Instead, they replace the medical model with one based on holistic treatments. Holistic therapies focus on bringing the mind, body, and spirit together. Natural healing centers concentrate on lifestyle change, healing remedies, or nutritional guidance. 

People beginning to work on their sobriety can integrate traditional therapies with holistic therapies. Still, the temptation to use natural remedies as a cure instead of evidence-based treatments persists. One natural remedy that helps is exercise. Exercise is a healthy form of therapy for those with SUDs. Movement, whether it's an individual sport or group sport, releases dopamine, which elevates positive feelings. Some recommended natural remedies are detailed below.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is not a cure-all. Some internet articles suggest apple cider vinegar has health benefits, including the ability to reduce cravings. They claim the vinegar contains micro bacteria called “mother," which reduces inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Supporters of apple cider vinegar as a tool to prevent relapse conclude that regular use will stop the urge to use, improve metabolism, and bolster the immune system. Edwin McDonald IV, MD, discusses this theory. Dr. McDonald explains that the “mother” acts as a probiotic to help control blood sugar, reduce bacteria on salad, and potentially aid in weight loss. However, he cautions there isn't scientific proof of the importance of the "mother."

Milk Thistle

A debate surrounds the effectiveness of milk thistle on certain liver diseases. Proponents of milk thistle as a remedy for substance addiction claim milk thistle extract restores liver function and can prevent liver disease. Researchers studied the clinical efficacy of milk thistle in healing cirrhosis of the liver. However, evidence from multiple studies is not enough to say whether milk thistle is effective or not.

Mindfulness

Natural remedy enthusiasts and supporters believe mindfulness, yoga, or meditation can redirect harmful thought patterns towards healthy thought patterns. Meditation or yoga guides people to look inside themselves, slow down their thoughts, and listen to what their body tells them. Mindfulness is the practice of assessing, processing, and finding a healthy solution. Researchers have studied the effects of mindfulness on a person's mental health. Approximately ten to fifteen years of research began to see if mindfulness helps people with an SUD. Recent research showed mindfulness does affectcravings and substance misuse. Thus, the studies suggest mindfulness techniques are effective in substance addiction treatment.

Nutrition

Natural healing centers use proper nutrition as a part of healing the mind and body. Scientists agree with the importance of nutrition in substance addiction treatment. A healthy diet is vital for mental and physical health. The article The Importance of Nutrition in Aiding Recovery From Substance Use Disorders: A Review states there isn't a specific assessment for guiding the nutrition needs of those with an SUD. The researchers involved in the paper did note that people with an SUD often suffer from malnutrition or deficiencies that can cause:

• Alcoholic myopathy, also known as skeletal muscle dysfunction.

• Loss of bone density.

• Mood disorders like depression or anxiety.

Western and Eastern Methods Help Heal

Giving up alcohol or drugs is challenging and poses risks to a person's physical and mental health. Anyone who decides to give up a substance benefits from a detoxification program staffed with medical professionals. An addiction to alcohol or other substances creates a physical dependence on a chemical. Once the withdrawal process begins, the brain doesn't immediately recognize the absence of the substance and continues to overproduce natural chemicals that counteract the effect of a substance. The result is a person's body experiences a variety of symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue

• Moodiness

• Nausea

• Potential for death or suicidal thoughts

A study titled An Holistic Approach to Substance Abuse Treatment found integrating traditional and holistic forms of therapy provided numerous benefits for those with a SUD. For example, when treatment centers used CBT or another form of conventional treatment with holistic therapies like art, dance, yoga, or meditation, people could better understand their SUD and replace harmful behaviors with healthy behaviors. 

As more people turn to natural remedies to help them cope with mental health, substance use, or physical disorders, knowing how they affect their health and heating is imperative. Internet searches for home remedies or easy solutions to a mental health or substance use disorder will produce results. Still, without further research, a person can put their well-being in danger. Not every claim of how a natural remedy can cure, prevent, or heal is scientifically proven. Natural remedies, like mindfulness or exercise, are proven to help those with an SUD during substance addiction treatment and recovery. However, natural alternatives to traditional care may have little to no effect on recovering from an SUD. Instead, treatment centers like Monte Cristo Recovery that support evidence-based forms of therapy provide the treatment needed for recovery. Our center in Orange County, California, includes nutritionally balanced meals, comfortable beds, and a space to heal.  To learn more call, (714) 824-9896.

Steps Needed to Go From Detox to Recovery

Substance addiction is like stepping into a cyclone; never knowing what to expect by the minute or what will happen to you after it passes. Every time you take a drink of alcohol or use a drug, you step back into the chaos and confusion of substance addiction. 

There may come a time when you decide to take the necessary steps to protect yourself from the storm. If you have a substance use disorder (SUD), protection means beginning substance addiction therapy. The first step of recovery is daunting because, like a storm, there is so much unknown. To help you understand and prepare for substance addiction treatment, you can use this as a guide through detoxification (detox) treatment.

Find a Detox Treatment Center

Detoxing on your own can be detrimental to your body, so a DIY approach is never recommended. Before you abruptly stop using a substance, find out what type of detox is right for you. There are a few types of detox that will meet your specific needs.

• Complete abstinence: When you quit abruptly or “cold turkey,” your body immediately withdraws from alcohol and drugs. In detox, your body rids the chemicals that hijacked your brain's neurons, or the “feel good” brain cells. Without these chemicals, your brain and body begin to react, sometimes with deadly effects. This is why this detox method should always be supervised by a medical professional.

• Cold tapering: The cold tapering process involves slowly decreasing the amount of a substance over time to help reduce withdrawal symptoms. The slow withdrawal process guides your brain cells to adjust to being sober.

• Substitution tapering: When you undergo substitution tapering, your medical provider replaces your substance of choice with a comparable, lower addiction capacity substance. Medically supervised detox centers that use this detox process do so because it reduces any pain or discomfort from the withdrawal process.

From Detox to Substance Addiction Treatment

Most medically supervised detox centers will help you enter a substance addiction treatment program. As you end the detox process, counselors, social workers, or case managers will form a transition plan. A seamless transition from detox to substance addiction treatment will decrease your stress.

After you settle into treatment, you will participate in individual, group, or holistic therapy sessions. Each form of therapy aims to aid your healing process.

• Individual therapy is when you talk privately with a therapist about your behavior patterns or underlying mental health disorders, treatment plans, and your transition to aftercare. During these sessions, you can explore why you use alcohol or drugs and what triggers your use. By discovering these issues, you can form a comprehensive treatment plan to replace harmful habits with healthy alternatives. In some cases, you will have the choice to begin medication to help you cope with a mental health disorder.

• Group therapy is a chance to listen and learn from others and better understand how others face their own addiction. Throughout these sessions, you can choose to join in the conversation or process what you hear.

• Holistic therapies are a part of comprehensive care. Therapies like meditation or yoga can help you reconnect with your mind and body as they gently guide you to listen to and accept what your body is telling you. Of course, there are other forms of holistic therapies like equine, art, exercise, or nature therapy.

Many substance addiction treatment programs also offer nutrition and life skills classes. Some also provide family therapy or innovative, evidence-based treatments like neurofeedback therapy.

Aftercare Treatment

As you come to the end of your substance addiction treatment program, you may wonder what is the next step in recovery. During one of your therapy sessions, talk with your therapist about aftercare. Aftercare treatment plans can include going to a 12-Step program, finding a support group, building a solid support system, or entering sober living.

Many people find comfort in a 12-Step program. An advantage to this kind of program is finding a sponsor you can talk to in times of need. Sometimes, knowing you have someone to reach out to—no matter what—gives you peace of mind.

However, you may find that a 12-Step program does not work for you. Instead, you can join a sober group that meets your needs. A few ideas are to look for groups that share an interest, participate in community volunteering, or engage in spiritual practices.

If you are not ready to go back to your daily life when you complete your substance addiction treatment, you can always talk with your therapist about a sober living program. Sober living programs are a less immersive form of living that provides care while you build a healthy support system.

The decision to stop using substances is daunting because you don't know what to expect once you enter a medically supervised detox treatment center. Before you talk yourself out of finding help for your substance use disorder, step back, assess your life, and do your research. Find a detoxification center that fits your needs and call them to learn about their treatment options and philosophy. Monte Cristo Recovery welcomes inquiries about our detoxification treatment options. We believe safe and healthy recovery starts with medically supervised detox. Monte Cristo Recovery's withdrawal process includes the necessary treatment to address the initial stages of withdrawal and use a tapering-off approach. As the detox process comes to an end, our staff will ensure a smooth transition from detox to substance addiction treatment. Our convenient location in Orange County, California, and affordable services make us the perfect place to start your healing journey. For more information, call us at (714) 824-9896.

Are 12-Step Programs Effective for Everyone?

A critical factor in substance addiction is the ability to take responsibility for your actions. When you don't admit you are wrong for your behaviors and actions, you fail to begin the process necessary to break the cycle of addiction. In addition, without self-responsibility, you fail to release yourself from your past and move towards the future. 

Many in the medical or recovery fields tout the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or the Minnesota Model. The Minnesota Model is also known as the abstinence model created in the 1950s. But how effective are models like AA?

Sobriety by the Numbers

Researchers find it difficult to obtain a definitive rate of success for those in AA. The point of the “anonymous” in the program's name is for those who attend meetings to remain unknown. Because of this, the high success rate AA puts out is suspect. 

Throughout the years, researchers have talked with those in AA or those who dropped out of AA to find out the success rate. Scientific American found approximately 40 percent of those who attend AA meetings in their first-year drop out. A retired psychiatry professor from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Lance Dodes, examined AA's success and retention rates. He compared AA's rates with other studies on sobriety and current involvement rates and discovered AA's success rate is approximately 5 and 8 percent. Roughly 95 percent of those who entered the program in their first year of sobriety left the program.

Before anyone who is a devout believer of AA scoffs at this and other studies, let's look at the core belief of AA: powerlessness.

Admitting You Are Powerless

When you enter a 12-Step program like AA, the program asks you to hand over your self-responsibility and admit you're powerless. Handing your power to a program, a meeting, a sponsor, or God removes you from blame. Think about it. You don't own your behaviors. You don't need to face what you did when you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol—relegating self-responsibility as a non-priority blocks you from using free will. When you don't admit to your mistakes, you remove yourself from decisions to change your life.

Free Will

You exercise your free will every day. For example, when you speed, text, or talk while driving, you make a choice. Now, think about the basis of a 12-Step program. The expectation is you will never drink or use drugs again. However, ask yourself, is never doing anything even possible? You will speed, text, or talk at least once throughout your lifetime. It's a part of life. Now, why would a 12-Step program that has hard and fast rules be any different? When you look at your life, everything you did was about exercising your free will.

Your decisions are made either by rash reactions or thoughtful processes. Decisions are internal, as is your personal growth. To grow and transform, you must release your reliance on outside influences. Holding on to outside influences keeps you chained to expectations, self-perception, and your current environment.  It will help if you embrace your power to change instead of believing you are powerless. Saying you are powerless can make you powerless, but when you embrace free will or choice, you reclaim yourself from lies and harmful behaviors.

Rethink Your Sobriety

Programs that box you into one type of success or failure fail to recognize people are different. Everyone is unique, so a one size fits all approach to sobriety limits your ability to do what is best for your sobriety. There are many concerns that people have with 12-Step programs, including the following:

• Their faith-based nature can make some people uncomfortable, especially if the group they attend places emphasis on God.

• Many programs say your substance addiction is a continuing disease, and one sip or use will lead to a bender.

• The AA's Big Book says, “there are those who are incapable of being honest with themselves…they were born that way.” You aren't profoundly flawed or beyond help if you slip up.

• Groups like AA also insist their program is the only way to keep your sobriety.

Options to Maintain Sobriety

When AA formed in the 1930s, people knew little about how substances affected the brain. Over the years, medical professionals and society have cemented AA's place as the most effective way to become or maintain sobriety. However, The Handbook of Alcoholism Treatment Approaches places AA 38th out of 48 ways to stay sober. The book found these treatments are more effective:

• Interventions by a medical professional

• Motivational enhancement

• Medication prescribed by a doctor targets the physical and mental needs of a substance abuser

• Mental health therapy helps address any underlying disorders like depression or anxiety

Substance addiction isn't strictly one thing or not. However, the idea you are in control or not is as confining as being told a 12-Step program is the only way to maintain your sobriety.

Seeking treatment for substance use doesn't mean you are powerless. When a person gives power to a belief or entity, they give away their power over their free will. Choices made and decisions acted on are what constitutes using free will. For example, the choice to stop using substances and not feel or act in specific ways again means exerting free will. When a person takes responsibility for their actions or behaviors by telling themselves what they don't want anymore and how to change, they take control of their power. Addiction treatment teaches a person to have choices, and they can decide what healthy skills work and how self-responsibility will guide them after treatment. Monte Cristo Recovery, located in Orange County, California, supports their client's use of free will. We support therapeutic substance addiction models and use harm-reducing methods to help our clients go through detoxification. We welcome and are here to answer any questions. Call (714) 824-9896.