Recover with a Furry Friend: It’s National Adopt a Pet Day!

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April 30th, 2020 is National Adopt a Pet Day

Transitioning from a treatment facility to living on your own can be difficult and scary but having a pet with you can make you feel less alone. Adopting a dog, cat or other pet is beneficial in recovery and can teach skills that you will carry with you into your life of sobriety. National Adopt a Pet Day is a day to recognize the vast availability of pets that are in desperate need of a home. These pets are in shelters, adoption and foster homes, and they are waiting to give you the love and affection that can help you through your darkest days. Many pet stores and animal supply stores host events for the April 30th events and display animals that are ready to find a home.

Fresh Start of California’s recovery experts know how intimidating it can be to leave a group treatment facility and branch out on your own. Our Orange County addiction specialists can help you take steps toward sobriety while offering the resources you need when you are ready to face the world with a renewed spirit.

Contact our team to discuss how our Orange County rehabilitation center can be the place where you find hope and start a new life.

5 Ways that Adopting a Pet Can Help Your Recovery

If you are unsure about how a pet can help you in your recovery, now is the time to dig a little deeper. The joy of coming home to a happy pet who can’t wait to give you his or her undivided attention is a great motivator to keep moving forward. What do pets have to offer?

Here are 5 benefits to adopting a rescue pet while transitioning from recovery to sober life:

  1. Unconditional love. Pets are there for you no matter what. They do not judge you; they do not criticize; they do not hold grudges. Pets want your attention and love and are happy to receive it. They show unconditional love and are eager to please, which helps create a lasting bond. Because they are incapable of enabling, you don’t have to worry about their unconditional love becoming a crutch or a risk of relapse.
  2. Encourage healthy behavior. Pets encourage us to get out of bed and get moving. Whether it is just too feed them, change a litter box, or get outside for a walk, pets help us establish a routine and to get exercise. Dogs need walks and so do dog owners!
  3. Stress relief. Petting a furry friend, playing fetch, playing with a pet toy and other interactive activities with your pet can relieve stress. These activities help to lower stress levels while increasing feel-good chemicals in the brain.
  4. Teach us about ourselves. Pets make great mirrors of emotion. They can sense if we are stressed, fearful, excited, sad, happy or in love. They also will react without a filter, so if you scare your pet with your behavior, they will let you know it. Adversely, if you show your pet love and affection, they will return it tenfold.
  5. Teach responsibility. Pets teach us personal, committal, financial and relational responsibility. They teach us how to clean up after someone, how to remember to feed (eat) daily meals and how to stay healthy. Your pet’s well-being is a reflection of your commitment to mental and physical health.

Adopt and Discover the Love of a Pet

The importance of adopting over walking into a pet store or going to a breeder and buying a pet is the chance for a new life. Pets that are rescued or surrendered are a lot like the brave souls in recovery. They are lost and feel out of control. Some may feel that they were given up on. Adopting a pet, on National Adopt a Pet Day or any other day, gives these loving animals the chance to feel loved, feel wanted and thrive in their new home. You deserve love, you deserve hope, you deserve a second chance.

Call Fresh Start of California today. Our team of Orange County addiction and recovery specialists are ready to be there for you.

Increase Your Knowledge: Its Alcohol Awareness Month

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Knowledge is Power in the Fight Against Alcoholism

Alcohol is a factor in more than half of American homicides, suicides, and traffic accidents. It is a key factor in many domestic, relational, and financial problems including crimes against family members or spouses. It is often the reason for job loss, financial loss, property loss, and destroyed relationships.

Alcohol awareness month provides a platform for education, addiction treatment and recognition of recovery for all who recognize it. One way to combat alcoholism and to highlight the detrimental effects of drinking is to spread knowledge. Fresh Start of California is your source for Orange County addiction and recovery, and we are happy to help our community increase their knowledge of the truth about alcohol.

Reach out to the team at Fresh Start of California and take the first step in recovery.

Alcohol’s Effects: What Is Your Drink Doing to You?

Alcohol is often considered the social lubricant, “helping” drinkers get comfortable in social situations, open up to friends and loved ones, and be more apt to have fun. But, in reality, it inhibits the gut feelings and instincts that protect us from danger and keep us from saying things that may be left unsaid.

It is the cause of many negative reactions to its poison including:

  • Mood changes
  • Impaired vision
  • Impaired speech
  • Loss of balance
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of inhibition
  • Impaired reaction to danger

These are all signs of acute alcohol or being drunk. We are often affected by alcohol to a point of self-endangerment before we even feel the “positive” effects of social ease.

Alcohol Use Disorder: Signs and Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol use disorder is characterized by increased tolerance for alcohol, physical dependence, loss of control and loss of limitation of the consumption of alcohol. Many alcoholics or those who suffer from alcohol abuse disorder are thought to be genetically predisposed to the disease, while also being influenced by their physical and psychological environment as well as social cues and pressures. A person’s risk of alcoholism increases by 3-4 times if a parent is an alcoholic.

Alcoholism can involve binge drinking on occasion, drinking moderate amounts daily or a combination of the two.

Chronic alcohol abuse can cause numerous physical ailments that include: 

  • Liver damage
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart failure
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Impotence
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Cancer of the larynx, esophagus, liver, breast, or pancreas

Not only does chronic alcohol abuse cause disease and physical changes, but it also greatly affects the function of the brain and changes the brain’s chemistry.

Treatment is Available: The Time to Change Is Now

No matter how long a person has been addicted to alcohol or has abused alcohol in his or her life, there is always a reason to get help. Treatment and recovery can repair families, can mend and reestablish relationships and can provide a new life. There are many options when it comes to addiction recovery and healing from the conditions that caused alcohol abuse in the first place.

Treatment for alcoholism and other addictions may include:

  • Inpatient or medically assisted detox
  • Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation
  • Short term residential treatment
  • Outpatient counseling
  • Group and individual therapy
  • 12-step programs
  • Medication to help remain sober after recovery
  • Support groups
  • Sponsorship and one-on-one mentoring

You Are Not Alone

If you are ready to make a change, reach out to our Orange County rehabilitation and addiction specialists are Fresh Start of California. We are here to help you every step of the way. It is our goal to help our patients find a new way to live without the chains and shackles of addiction and alcoholism.

Contact Fresh Start of California today.

What Is the Difference Between Inpatient Rehab and Outpatient Rehab?

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Orange County Rehabilitation and Detox Solutions at Fresh Start of California

There are numerous options for detox and rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol, including both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Inpatient rehab describes a live-in rehab program that offers 24/7 supervision and guidance while outpatient rehab allows patients to go home or to another location while still providing guidance and therapy. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option. At Fresh Start of California, you can count on professional and knowledgeable counselors, physicians and staff to help you through your recovery. We believe in the many benefits of inpatient rehabilitation, where we can work with you to create an individual program that will best suit your needs.

Your sobriety is our priority and we have the tools you need to reach a better tomorrow. For the best in Orange County drug and alcohol addiction recovery, contact the team at Fresh Start of California today.

Call our addiction specialists today.

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab is a rehabilitation program that allows patients to come and go, therefore providing treatment while they can still maintain employment and outside life. It is often less expensive than inpatient rehab and requires less commitment. Outpatient rehab is an option for patients who have completed inpatient rehab but need further counseling, therapy, meetings, and psychological treatment.

Outpatient Rehab often offers the benefits of:

  • Maintaining a “normal” outside routine
  • Treatment lasting 90 days to 1 year
  • Live at home and maintain a connection with family and loved ones
  • Affordable and flexible
  • Access to additional outside meetings and therapy

What Is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction boasts a higher rate of success than outpatient programs due to the full-submersion nature and removal from outside distractions and environmental risks. It is critical to discuss with your family and understand the level of commitment with inpatient rehabilitation required of patients. Employment, family, housing management and other commitments will need to be considered before entering into an inpatient program.

Inpatient rehab offers the benefits of:

  • The patient is at the facility full time with access to therapy, medical care, and knowledgeable staff
  • 24-hour medical and psychological support and supervision
  • Fewer distractions, removal of access to drugs or alcohol (less risk of relapse while in treatment)
  • 28 day to a 3-month treatment plan
  • Higher success rate than with outpatient rehabilitation programs
  • Comfort and predictability of routine while going through treatment
  • A deeper connection with therapists and medical team

Now Is Your Time to Start Fresh. Call today.

When you have reached the end of your relationship with drugs or alcohol and are ready to take your life back, it’s time to think about rehab. At our Orange County detox and rehab facility, you can count on trusted programs, expert recovery teams, and the inpatient treatment that you need. Fresh Start of California offers treatment styles and individual options that will allow you to find the perfect fit for your recovery needs. We understand that there is more to addiction than the substance. We can help you overcome your addiction while working to find positive alternative coping mechanisms for your future.

Don’t risk waiting until it is too late, contact the Orange County addiction recovery team at Fresh Start of California and take the first step to a thriving new life.

Call now to get the tools you need to fight your addiction.

 

The Advantage of Medical Detox

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Choose Medically Supervised Detox for Increased Chance of Success

The process of detoxing from alcohol or drugs is not easy. It is strenuous, painful and stressful on the body and mind. Depending on the severity of your addiction, it can even be life threatening. With a medically supervised and assisted detox, your chances for success and forward movement towards a life of sobriety are multiplied. 

 

The team of drug detox and rehab specialists at Orange County’s Fresh Start of California are able to help you through the toughest parts of your detox and stand by you through our rehabilitation program. Your sobriety is worth the fight it takes to make it through detox and get your. Life back. When you are ready to change your life, contact our Orange County team. 

 

Call Fresh Start of California today. 

Medically Assisted Detox for Reduced Withdrawal Symptoms

Detox can be painful and extremely taxing on the body, which makes doing it alone risky and possibly life threatening. You risk an unsuccessful detox and relapse when you try to go it alone. If you do not make it through the initial detox, the chances of you trying again lessen because of the strain and mental anguish of detoxing on your own. 

 

A medically supervised and assisted detox has several advantages over doing it on your own. Supervised detox can prevent life threatening medical emergencies that are the effects of the withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.  

 

Medical emergencies related to withdrawal may include:

●      Seizures

●      Tremors

●      Delirium

●      Brain damage

These medical emergencies or symptoms of withdrawal are often associated with detoxing from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates.

 

A medically assisted detox can help lessen the severity of withdrawal and detox symptoms. There are several medication-based options for treatment of detox symptoms. You can utilize these treatment options for detox from alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Medical supervision also offers the advantage of IV therapy during detox for prevention of dehydration and nutrient replacement. 

Detox and Mental Illness

Mental illness may also play a factor in your detox as withdrawal from the drugs or alcohol that you relied on to self-medicate may unveil mental illness. If you suffer from a mental illness that was hidden by your addiction, it is crucial to have medical or psychological supervision through the detox process so that you do not harm yourself or others as you eradicate the substances from your system. 

 

Mental or emotional distress in an unassisted detox can greatly increase the risk of relapse before you are able to get the help you need. If a relapse occurs, you may feel emotions surrounding the failure of detox, causing even higher risk of dangerous drug or alcohol abuse. 

Have a More Successful Detox with Medical Supervision

Medical supervision and assistance through your detox process can mean the difference between success and failure. Minimize the risk of failure, reduce the urge to use, and build relationships with the doctors who will be by your side during rehab by starting the detox process in a medical setting. 

 

Take away the power of the discomfort of withdrawal with medical detox and put the power to succeed in your hands. Contact Fresh Start of California today for Orange County detox and rehabilitation services and a facility you can depend on. 

 

The Difference Between Drug Detox and Rehabilitation in Residential Treatment

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The Physical and Psychological Aspects of Addiction Treatment

Treatment of addiction is so much more than ending drug use and breaking the physical dependence. Recovery from addiction entails ridding the body of a physical dependence through detoxification and studying, understanding and treating the psychological addiction and the psychological causes that the addiction stems from. When choosing what program will work best for you, it is important to know the available options and what the difference is between detox and rehabilitation.

Recovery from both physical and psychological addiction is key in successfully moving forward and learning why there is a desire for alcohol or drug use. Knowing the roots of your addiction will help you to better understand your actions and how to protect your sobriety. When seeking out an Orange County drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, it is important to learn about all of the options and what will work best for you.

At Fresh Start of California, detox and rehabilitation are part of the residential treatment available to those in need. Contact our team to learn about our program and what we have to offer.

What is Detox?

The most significant part of a detox is the process of purging the body of physical dependence upon the substance. Living in addiction involves the brain changing to adapt to the chemicals of the substance, in so much as the brain’s chemistry is altered to survive the “poisoning” by the substance. Detox in a residential treatment affords the addict 24-hour medical care and supervision throughout the withdrawal process and removal of toxic chemicals from the body. Medical care through the withdrawal process may include monitoring vitals and health while administering medications prescribed to help lessen the symptoms.

The detox process, symptoms of withdrawal, and length of time of detox will differ based upon what drug, or drugs, you used. Through the detox phase, the body is brought back into homeostasis and the brain’s chemicals are able to restore to their composition without the substance. Essentially, detox is the physical and chemical removal of drugs or alcohol. This process is critical is being able to work through the psychological, emotional and social dependencies which are the focus of rehabilitation.

The Process of Rehab in Residential Treatment

Residential Rehab treatments have several advantages over programs that are out-patient, for the simple fact that those in recovery are living at the facility which allows for constant help. Residential rehabilitation patients have access to multiple forms of therapy, group and individual treatment sessions, and professional counsel 24/7, which increases the rate of success. Without the distractions of the outside world, rehabilitation can dig into the roots of addiction, uncover the triggers to use and release the pain that is held in the grip of the addiction.

The process of rehabilitation differs from detox in that it addresses the issues that cause the addiction psychologically, while detox is purely physical. Rehabilitation gives addicts in recovery the tools they need to overcome the past, work through their present situation, and be able to successfully move into the future. Many rehabilitation processes conquer fears through different therapies and work with patients to create confidence and stability so that it is easier to cope with the outside world.

Moving Forward with Renewed Body and Mind

The combination of detox and rehabilitation in residential treatment is one that will always make for a brighter future. Drug and alcohol addictions are not to be underestimated and you deserve the best options for complete treatment available. Evaluate your circumstances and trust that you are worth moving beyond the detox and getting to the bottom of your addiction. As your Orange County drug and alcohol detox and rehab facility, Fresh Start of California has a program that can work for your individual needs.

Your future is worth the commitment of detox and rehabilitation. Contact Fresh Start of California today.

5 Ways to Prevent Relapse

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Avoiding Temptation After Rehabilitation

It is a huge accomplishment to complete a treatment program and it’s a chance at a new life. After successfully graduating from rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse and addiction, it is a time of celebration and a time to put to use all of the tools you were provided for recovery. Now is the time to prepare for any situations that can threaten your sobriety and to create a plan of action moving forward. 

The team of drug and alcohol rehabilitation specialists at Orange County’s Fresh Start of California provides tips and words of advice for preventing relapse and staying in recovery. Knowing what to look out for, what to avoid, and how to protect your sobriety will help you keep from giving in to temptation and relapse. 

If you are living with drug or alcohol abuse or addiction and you want to get help, contact the team at Fresh Start of California today. 

5 Ways to Prevent Drug or Alcohol Relapse

Consider this the fight for your future; completing detox and rehabilitation is the beginning of your new life and preventing relapse is the key to continue moving forward. Protect your sobriety and recovery with the arsenal of tools you were provided in rehabilitation along with the tips listed below.

5 ways to prevent relapse and protect your sobriety are: 

  1. Change your environment. You cannot stay well in the same environment that you were sick. If this means moving, changing friend groups, leaving behind toxic familial ties or family living in addiction, it is a sacrifice worth taking. Consider your sobriety as something that is worth any changes necessary- because it is. You must leave behind the environment that fed your addiction and embrace an environment that feeds a healthy, sober life. 
  2. Create a schedule. Employ the comfort and stability that a routine provides and create a manageable schedule. Schedule time to eat, to exercise (even gentle exercises and walks), attend meetings, work, and sleep. Keep your schedule simple and add things as your confidence and energy grows. Include things that will help you clear your mind such as meditation, journaling, art, music, or other mindful practices.  
  3. Eat a healthy diet. Feeling good, physically and mentally, can help you stay strong and prevent feeling lethargic, prevent avoidable mood and energy swings, and avoid nutrient imbalances that may lead to depression. Also, taking the time to mindfully choose your meals and cook them will connect you with what you are putting into your body in a whole new way. 
  4. Avoid becoming complacent. Drug and alcohol addiction recovery is a grand task that deserves recognition and attention. Treat this accomplishment as it deserves by remembering the struggle and the strength it took to make it through to the other side. Continue to attend meetings and work the program that you subscribe to because choosing not to actively work your recovery is a risk that may lead to relapse. 
  5. Build a network of support. The value of people you can depend on when you are in need is immense. A support group or several, and a few friends or mentors who you can call day or night can get you through the toughest of times. Addiction is often a disease of isolation, therefore, in contrast, recovery is about connection. Enlist the trusted help and support of a sponsor, mentor, friends, and family so that you always have someone to call. 

Protect Sobriety as if Your Life Depended On It: It Does!

If you are worried about facing the rest of the recovery path alone, you are in luck. The specialists at Fresh Start of California have the resources and tools to help you and our team can point you in the direction of support. Knowledge is power. Keep the ways to prevent relapse listed above in mind and place them in your virtual toolbox for when you feel tempted. Call your sponsor, do something meaningful and rewarding, be sure to eat healthy meals and get outside for some fresh air. The things that can prevent relapse are the things that will make you feel most alive while sober. 

If you have completed rehab but are feeling anxious about maintaining sobriety, contact our team. We can help you make it through to a new day. Call our Orange County drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation facility today. 

How to Talk to Your Teen About Drug Use and Addiction

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Guidance for Timing, Tone & Comfort for Important Conversations

Talking with your teenagers about substance use and addiction is an important part of parenting, but it is not always a subject that is easy to broach. It is beneficial to create a conducive environment and to approach the subject with an open mind. Remember that your child wants to be respected and understood and that you can set the tone of the conversation with how you approach it from the start. 

At Fresh Start of California, Orange County’s drug and alcohol detox and rehab facility, we understand the importance of knowledge and awareness when it comes to drug use in your teen. We know how devastating an early-life drug addiction can be for a family and we want you to be as prepared as possible. 

For questions about residential rehabilitation or detox in Orange County, contact Fresh Start of California and get your teen on the road to recovery today. 

5 Steps for Discussing Drug Use

  1. Choose a proper place and time. Make sure that you have enough uninterrupted time, privacy and to keep the environment relaxed. One example of a comfortable space is during a car ride. This will allow an easy flow of conversation without the direct face-to-face eye contact that might make your teen feel attacked. 
  2. Keep an open mind and refrain from making general or wide-sweeping accusations during the initial discussion. Let your teen talk and do not interrupt. Express your genuine feelings and concerns using “I” and don’t be afraid to show emotion. 
  3. Ask questions about your teen’s knowledge of different substances and allow them to explain what their concerns are, what they have been exposed to or what they know about. Teens have access to and exposure to different substances than were available decades prior. 
  4. Provide accurate, realistic scenarios and use teachable moments. Present real statistics or experiences and offer information that is useful. Talk about what drugs there are, discuss their dangers, discuss risky situations and ask what you can do to help them avoid the risks. 
  5. Discuss peer pressure and how to avoid it. Be realistic and avoid condescending tones or angry “fear” based talk. Give them options that are relatable and useful, rather than the “just say no” tactics used in years past. 

Assessing Drug Use and Addiction

When drug abuse or addiction is suspected, assess your child for signs before approaching the subject. 

Watch for:

  • Changes in appetite, weight or energy
  • Neglect of normal activities, chores, schoolwork, or homework
  • Changes in hygiene or personal care
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Signs of intoxication including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, body shivers or tremors, constant sniffling or runny nose or flushed face
  • Changes in friend group
  • Mood swings
  • Money issues

If you notice any of these changes, approach your teen with compassion, concern, and love. If you are ready to introduce detox and rehabilitation, have the resources available and in place for immediate action.  Rather than directing your child or demanding that they comply, it is helpful to persuade them to make the decision themselves. If you offer reasonable and beneficial information, they will be able to make the decision with you. 

You Are Not Alone: Addiction Treatment is a Phone Call Away

Whether you have questions about addiction, drug use, and abuse or warning signs, it helps to have advice and information from a professional. The team of drug use and addiction specialists at Orange County’s Fresh Start of California can help you with answers to your important questions. We are here to provide hope and guidance when addiction takes hold of your family or your loved one. 

Call Fresh Start of California today and get the answers and help you need. 

5 Signs of Alcohol Addiction

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What Does Alcohol Addiction Look Like?

Does someone you know appear to have a problem with alcohol? Are you wondering if you are addicted to alcohol? Alcohol addiction has many signs and symptoms, some may be stronger than others and some may depend on the severity of the addiction. Whether it is your loved one, yourself or someone you know, there are some universal signs of alcohol abuse that will help you make a determination. These signs will help you to know when you or a loved one needs help. 5 Signs of Alcohol Addiction

If you know you need help, or your loved one is ready to seek recovery, the time is now. Our addiction specialists at Fresh Start of California in Orange County can help you or your loved one through the detox and rehabilitation process. 

We are available 24/7 to take your call. Call Fresh Start of California now. 

5 Signs of Alcohol Addiction or Abuse

It is never too early to pay attention to the signs of alcohol abuse. Alcohol addiction can spiral out of control and seeing the warning signs just may save your loved one’s life. Although alcohol abuse may not yet reach the point of addiction or dependency, it is still important to watch for the signs and to get treatment when possible. One factor that determines the difference between abuse and addiction is the person’s ability to control when, where and how much he or she drinks. In addition, addiction is the point at which the body is physically dependent upon the substance to function due to prolonged exposure and bodily adaptation to the substance in the system. 

What are the 5 signs of alcohol addiction?

  1. Experiencing legal problems due to drinking such as disorderly conduct, driving under the influence (DUI), drunk in public or other legal problems associated with alcohol use.
  2. Drinking despite its danger to life such as drinking and driving, drinking while taking medication, drinking despite doctor’s orders or drinking and operating heavy machinery. 
  3. Drinking despite its damages on your relationships with family, your marriage, your friendships, and your business relationships. 
  4. Drinking tolerance, meaning drinking more than most other people without feeling the effects of the alcohol, and drinking more than previously needed to feel the same effects. 
  5. Feelings of withdrawal associated with lack of alcohol in the system such as shakes, vomiting, insomnia, irritability, depression, anger, sweating or loss of appetite. 

When You Need Help, We Are Here.

If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone else, it is time to get help. There is no better time than right now to reach out and save your life or the life of a loved one. Fresh Start of California in Orange County has the facility, medical and psychological professionals and support that can guide a person through recovery and into a new life. We are here to help you or your loved one with the alcohol detox process and through rehabilitation. Addiction does not have to be the end. 

If you see behavior that indicates addiction, don’t wait until it is too late. Call the team at Fresh Start of California today. 

Holiday Self Care: Avoid the Holiday Blues

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Protect Your Sobriety During the Winter Holidays holiday depression

Although the holidays are often a time of parties, family gatherings, gift giving and winter activities, this time of year can be difficult for those who suffer from depression, anxiety, or are in recovery. It is an important time to take stock of your feelings and the things that may be stressful so you can protect your recovery process and maintain positive mental health practices. The unique stressors that come with the holidays may trigger depression or trauma-based behaviors. Exposure to family toxicity, memories of childhood trauma, addiction temptation and disruption to routine will require a solid plan for self-care and frequent check-ins with yourself.

With dedication and a clear vision of your goals and desire to persevere despite outside stressors, you can navigate the holidays and better maintain your recovery. Whether you are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, recovering from an eating disorder, or are fighting depression, you can use the tips provided by our team at Fresh Start of California to get through the holidays and continue moving forward.

Take Care of Yourself During the Holidays

Avoid the stressors and risks of holiday blues by being aware of them and counter-acting them with mindful choices. Being self-aware and prepared is your best defense when facing disruptions to your routine.

Routine: Stick to your routine and current self-care regimen as much as you can during the holidays. Eat healthy, balanced meals when not at gatherings or parties and continue with your exercise regimen or modify it to accommodate changes in routine, such as moving it or making shorter visits but going harder. If journaling is part of your recovery process, bring it with you wherever you go and take 10-15 minutes out of the day to write. If you practice meditation or yoga, carve out 30-60 minutes a few times each week to be sure you are finding your center and relaxing amongst the chaos. If your routine involves going to meetings, seek out meeting options in the place you are visiting or ask your sponsor to help you link up with someone in the town you are traveling to. It is better to be prepared than to scramble once out of town and facing temptation.

Expectations: Be mindful of setting unrealistic expectations. Whether it is tackling a holiday party where there will be alcohol or visiting family who do not know of your eating necessities, you must set realistic expectations and be prepared. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you must protect your recovery by declining or by planning ahead. If you are recovering from an eating disorder and are worried about food choices at a family event, bring your own alternatives that you feel comfortable eating, or eat before you go. This can help to not fall into a precarious spot where you may be triggered to fall back into old habits. If you are in recovery from substance abuse, consider bringing your own cooler with non-alcoholic beverages, or attend sober holiday events rather than put yourself in a dangerous place. Protect your sobriety as if it is your life, because it is. When facing family obligations, or financial obligations, remind yourself that the holidays will pass, and those who care about you will understand that you have limitations. Pressure to spend lots of money or to spend all of your time with family is unrealistic and will be detrimental in the long run. It is not worth it.

Comparison: The holidays will undoubtedly result in tons of photos on social media. Most of these will be staged and well edited. Be aware of the reality versus social media life, these photos can skew perception. Your reality, and their reality, is not what they share online or on social media. Keep this in mind when you may be suffering and everyone around you is showing their good side. Mindfully choose gifts, if you are buying them, and pay attention to the thought rather than the price tag. Being aware of the things that you tend to do when thoughts of comparison arise can help you be prepared and to fight those thoughts before they take hold.

Scheduling: Do not make the mistake of packing your schedule full of activities and obligations. Be conscious of the fact that you may need to cut back on family gatherings, parties, and running-around while you are in recovery. You will risk burnout and potential relapse or addiction behaviors if you are pushed to the max with obligations. If you do need to schedule events, schedule down-time as well, and stick to it.

Gratitude: Counteract the stressors by practicing gratitude. Give back to your community, volunteer, help others in recovery, or do something for your local animal shelter. Giving back is a surefire way to feel good during the holidays while brightening another’s day. The attitude of gratitude goes a long way. Write out a list of things you are thankful for, from your first breath of the day, to your warm bed, to the chance to make new memories. Make plans with friends to go to a retirement home and spend time with people who no longer have family visitors, or volunteer to feed the homeless.  You can’t lose when helping others.

Find Recovery at Fresh Start of California

Our California addiction treatment team understand that everyone’s recovery needs are different. And we know that when you decide to make a change, it helps to have a dedicated and enthusiastic team beside you to walk the path of recovery. At Fresh Start of California, we are here for you, and we want you to succeed. Protect your recovery this holiday season or take this time to take steps to a new life.

Find our team of addiction specialists, therapists and staff ready when you are this holiday season. 

The 12 Principles of Healthy Addiction Treatment

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Addiction is a treatable yet chronic disease that affects both behavior and brain function. For this reason, treatment centers must acknowledge and include in their programs various concepts to ensure patients move through healthy treatment that is likely to yield successful results.

Below, our California detox team has included a list of important principles of healthy addiction treatment that must be cared for in effective treatment facilities:

  1. There is not one treatment that will be effective for every person
  2. A person suffering from addiction always needs immediate access to treatment
  3. An effective treatment program will address all a person’s needs, not just his/her addiction
  4. Remaining in treatment for the appropriate amount of time is key to success
  5. Effective treatment programs use counseling and behavioral therapies in conjunction with physical therapies
  6. A person’s treatment program must be supervised and modified based on the person’s needs
  7. Medical detox (the use of medication during detox and recovery) is an important and effective part of a treatment program
  8. Treatments should also address any mental disorders a person may be diagnosed with
  9. Medical detox is only the first section of a successful treatment program and should be followed by behavioral therapy via residential treatment, which is commonly referred to as rehab
  10. A treatment facility must closely supervise and monitor a patient’s medication use during treatment
  11. Treatment programs should test each person for AIDS /HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and other diseases
  12. Successful treatment facilities should teach patients about ways they can reduce the risk of the illnesses listed above

Effective Treatment Programs Yield Beyond Successful Results

Treatment programs that hold true to the aforementioned principles will likely produce beyond successful results for patients who move through their programs. In many cases, successful programs will allow the patient to:

  • Stop drug and alcohol use and consumption
  • Remain completely free of drugs and alcohol
  • Thrive productively at work, in society, and with his/her family

Ready for a Fresh Start? Call our California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility

At Fresh Start of California, our California addiction treatment team is dedicated to effective treatment programs that address both physical dependence and behavioral issues. To ensure our clients are successful beyond treatment at our facility, we guarantee individualized treatment for every patient. We understand the journey to sobriety can be intimidating, and that is why our team works diligently to create a home-like setting with a supportive, caring team.

Don’t wait another day for a fresh start! Call our California addiction treatment team for your free, individualized assessment.