Tag Archive for: addiction recovery

The Danger of Isolation in Recovery

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Why Supported Recovery Is Important

Support groups, recovery staff, sponsors, and mentors help those in recovery to stay accountable, to feel a sense of community, and to know that they are not alone if times get tough. A support network and limited isolation, including the presence of family members at meetings and appointments, helps to create a strong foundation. Also, when family and loved ones attend meetings with someone in recovery, they can better understand addiction and how they can help.

At Fresh Start of California, we understand the importance of 24/7 support and care when you are building your foundation for sobriety. Our Orange County detox and rehabilitation professionals are here to work with you to create the ideal environment for recovery from addiction.

When you are ready to start fresh, and need a team to cheer you on, contact the recovery specialists at Fresh Start of California. Call us now.

The Dangers of Recovering Alone

The biggest danger of isolation in recovery is the increased risk of relapse. Isolation increases and amplifies feelings of:

  • Boredom
  • Depression
  • Guilt
  • Restlessness
  • Frustration

All of these emotional states may contribute to the desire to pick up where you left off. Adversely, if you have a support network that you trust, you have someone to call when these feelings creep in. Isolation breeds the negative emotions associated with social rejection and social disconnection. It is like the old saying, “Misery loves company.” Once you are in a cycle of feeling socially distanced and disconnected, that feeling of being alone and the thoughts that go with it will grow.

Humans are social creatures by nature therefore we need social interaction that offers coping mechanisms, encouragement, and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. Disconnection specifically can increase stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, insomnia, and depression. The importance of having a solid support group, even if it is just a small circle of people, is immense.

Interactions with others keep our energy and ideas in motion. Support from mentors, sponsors, and trusted recovery teams keeps thoughts fresh and prevents the mind from growing stagnant resulting in ideation of using. Interactions are a source of new perspective while isolation depletes perspective and decreases fresh thinking. Isolation allows the inner voice, often the voice of the addiction, to be heard and unchallenged.

Without connection and interaction, we are more apt to act on self-harming thoughts and possibly, return to the habits that we used to cope with before: namely using a substance to not feel our emotions. A support network of loved ones and professionals in addiction is crucial in finding strength, confidence, and happiness in a new life of sobriety.

Find Support at Fresh Start of California

The evidence is clear. Isolation during recovery and while you build your foundations of sobriety is a dangerous path to choose. Your success and happiness moving out of addiction count on your choices to create the best environment for change that is possible. This is one filled with supportive friends and family and a caring and knowledgeable team of detox and recovery specialists. At Fresh Start of California, you have access to professionals in a multitude of treatment modalities, and support from those who understand what you are going through.

Don’t walk the path of recovery alone. Contact the Orange County detox and rehab specialists at Fresh Start of California today.

Why Do People Go to Recovery Centers Far from Home?

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Distance and Recovery May Go Hand in Hand

At Fresh Start of California, we understand that detox and rehabilitation require clear intent, persistence, and an environment that supports recovery. The distance created in going to a recovery center far from home sometimes allows recovering addicts to have a better chance at success. When you are ready to start a new life, there are many things to consider in choosing a recovery center. A center far from home may be the best choice and the best chance in recovery.

The Orange County detox and rehabilitation specialists at Fresh Start of California are here to provide you with the support and professional help you need to recover from your addiction. If you need help in fighting your addiction, we are here for you.

Contact Fresh Start of California today.

How Distance Offers Strength in Recovery

The Benefits of going to a detox and rehabilitation center far from home include:

  1. Removal and distance from a harmful environment. The rituals of addiction often involve the process of obtaining the drug, the environment in which one uses it, and the using itself. Distance cuts the superficial ties to the visual and environmental cues that are part of addiction.
  2. Privacy during treatment. Regardless of living in a small town or a big city, word can travel fast when it is negativity-based. Unfortunately, because not all intentions are good, words can cut deeply when someone is fresh to recovery. Distance provides anonymity and privacy so that it creates an environment of healing rather than gossip or sabotage.
  3. Less access to escape and exit. Being miles from home makes it difficult to have an easy escape when you want to give up. Distance forms a “buffer zone” between sticking with recovery and running from sobriety.
  4. Get away from toxic friends or family. Distance can remove access to potential threats to your sobriety including family or friends. Toxic relationships can fuel addiction or can be the link that ties an addict to their substance of choice. A change in setting allows you to see the relationships you have with more clarity and gives you the chance to break free from toxic connections.
  5. Peace, quiet, and time alone. Recovery is hard work, so you will need to be able to focus, reflect, and heal. This work requires zero distractions and less chance of being thrown off course. Distance provides the environment for the hard work of recovery.
  6. New perspective. The travel to get to distant recovery centers offers new scenery in which to fight and a new perspective in which to thrive. Distance, in the form of going to an out-of-town recovery center, allows addicts to see beyond the negativity and hopelessness that exists in addiction.

Is Our Facility Your Orange County Rehabilitation Center?

If you are seeking detox and rehabilitation options in Orange County, Fresh Start of California may be the place for you. Our detox and rehabilitation doctors, nurses, counselors, and mentors can work with you to create your ideal rehabilitation support program so that you can heal, grow, and be successful in recovery. Wherever you go, creating distance from your past self will be an integral part of your rehabilitation and recovery.

Give yourself the gift of a new perspective. Call Fresh Start of California today.

The Power of Community in Recovery

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Community Begins with Rehabilitation at Fresh Start of California

Recovery requires strength and courage to walk away from the friends, community, and family that you have been around all of your life. It asks you to begin anew and create a new set of friends, a new life, and a new community. Walking away from the past leaves a void, one that creates an opportunity for a new, healthier, stable community.

The community found in a supportive family, sober friends, and rehabilitation mentors is powerful. It provides the platform for stability and confidence in sobriety. At Fresh Start of California, our team of Orange County recovery professionals works with you to create a tailor-made recovery program. We understand that each patient needs a different community in which to thrive.

If you are ready to live a new life, in sobriety, contact the team at Fresh Start of California. We are here for you 24/7.

The Opportunity in a Sober Community

Forming a community is a key component to a successful, long-term recovery from addiction. Although you have to detach from unhealthy, addiction-based relationships, recovery creates the opportunity for stronger relationships based on sobriety. This new community gives you the power to take on each new day knowing that you are supported by people who believe in you.

A recovery community provides an opportunity for:

  • Providing the “soul food” of giving back to those less fortunate. Helping those who are less fortunate has the power to warm the heart when you may be feeling weary.
  • Helping others who are new to recovery. As your time in sobriety passes, you can help others see the light that you once did not see. You may be the one person who can inspire change in a faltering addict.
  • Enjoying socializing again. You may feel very alone at the start of your recovery. Knowing that you have to leave old friends behind, or even family members may make socializing seem like a far-off dream. A sober community is a stable and safe place to spread your socializing wings again.
  • Developing a sense of purpose and belonging. You may find, once you uncover your true self from beneath addiction, that you have a purpose that makes you unique and amazing. Belonging to a community that has a spirit of gratitude is a very powerful thing.
  • Learning new skills. Rehabilitation and recovery change how time is spent, offering the opportunity to learn new skills, try new hobbies, and do new activities. In these times, you form bonds out of mutual excitement and curiosity.
  • Revealing commonalities. Community shows you that you are not alone, which can prove to be of great value if you are struggling or need an understanding ear to listen.
  • Offering examples of successful recovery. Mentors, sober counselors, and sponsors can give you hope when you have none of your own. Their success stories may be what you need to get through a rough patch.
  • Holding you accountable. Accountability to yourself and others may be something you did not worry about in active addiction. It also may be something some feel is a burden, but being accountable builds trust, character, and confidence as you walk through life.

Find Your Power in Sobriety

Fresh Start of California offers a different path to our patients than the one they know. Our Orange County detox and recovery teams provide individual and group therapies, counseling, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation that can build a strong foundation for a sober life. We are here to support you in becoming the best version of yourself. One that is clear-minded, confident in decisions, and able to do anything that you put your mind to.

Take the first step in recovery. Call the Orange County recovery specialists at Fresh Start of California now.

 

The Importance of Celebrating Small Victories in Sobriety

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Celebrate Milestones to Keep Sobriety at the Mind’s Forefront

In life and recovery, the small moments are what keep us going when things get rough. Despite the culture in America of “win big” and “go big or go home,” daily goals and milestones are what will add up to reach our bigger goals. Whether you are new to recovery, are struggling with a risk of relapse, or are hoping to reinforce your sobriety, celebrating the “small” victories can help. Milestones mark progress towards a bigger or longer reaching goal, so they are an integral part of recovering from addiction as well as recovery in general.

When you need professional support in detox and recovery, call on the experts at Orange County’s Fresh Start of California. We are here to help you start a new life in sobriety. It is never too late.

Reach Daily Goals in Recovery with Fresh Start of California

Although detox and rehabilitation are major milestones and victories in the fight against addiction, at Fresh Start of California we understand that the push for constant progress can be exhausting. Small celebrations of victory may be just what you need to keep moving forward in your journey of sobriety.

How do small victories and celebrations help your recovery? 

  • Recognizing small milestones boosts confidence.
  • Celebrating small victories increases motivation to continue the fight against addiction.
  • Milestones reinforce the strength of your accomplished sobriety.
  • Small victories, when celebrated, help to take your focus off of the negative.

Ways to Celebrate Your Recovery Milestones and Victories

Once you are out on your own and no longer in a recovery facility, there are many ways to continue to reinforce the lessons you have learned. What are some ways to keep track of and celebrate your victories?

  • Write down anniversaries (weekly, monthly, yearly) to keep track of every day that you are victorious over addiction.
  • Recognize when you have reached a personal milestone and share it with others. Celebrate your victory, you are worthy of recognition.
  • Include supportive friends and family in your celebrations.
  • Choose rewards for yourself that match the size of your milestones. As the milestones get bigger, the rewards or celebrations can grow, as well.
  • Share your victories and milestones that you reach with others as a way to inspire and encourage them on their sober journey.

Fresh Start of California: Your Orange County Recovery Team

Sobriety seldom can be reached alone. If you are battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol, getting ahold of your life from the grips of a substance is a feat in itself. Victory begins the first day you decide to make a change and every day of resistance from there forward. When you choose to make a change, let the team of Orange County detox and rehabilitation specialists at Fresh Start of California be your guides. We understand that every person’s addiction story is different, and we can create an individual treatment plan that is fit to meet your individual needs.

Don’t let addiction win the battle for your life, take the power back and find allies at Fresh Start of California. We are here to work with you and start your journey to recovery.

Call Fresh Start of California today and claim your first win.

The Power of Silence: Taking Time to Listen and Support

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Silence as a Form of Recovery Support: Listen and Learn

Communication is a two-way street but it is not uncommon for an addict to get nothing from those around them but being talked down to, yelled at, or told what they are doing wrong. As a supportive loved one, family member, or friend, we must listen, we must pause and offer our loved one the respectful gift of silence. We must place on-hold our need to fill the void of sound and allow the addict to express their needs first. Taking time to listen gives our loved ones a chance to release what is within, setting aside the judgment and allowing for vulnerability.

If your loved one needs support, or you are personally struggling with active addiction, the Orange County detox and rehabilitation specialists at Fresh Start of California can help. Call our team today for the support you need.

How Silence Can Help in Recovery

There are many ways in which sound can impact our wellbeing. Constant talking, noise, or sound can negatively impact our mental and emotional health. Contrastingly, quiet environments improve health and wellbeing, reduce the use of mind-altering drugs, and can help an addict find the space to share.

Other ways that sound can be involved in recovery support include: 

  • Noises can be triggering, negatively or positively. Sounds stick with you, such as guitar melodies, loud voices, screeching vehicles, or arguments. Silence and supportive listening help to reset the mind and create an opportunity for your loved one to create positive memories, associated with the sounds of their choice.
  • Release auditory stressors that may feel like torture for a recovering addict. Keep in mind that you do not know all of what your loved one has experienced in his or her addiction. Listen to them for cues to what kinds of conversations are comfortable and less stressful.
  • Silent presence may be exactly what your recovering loved one needs. Whether when we are sick or are working through difficult emotional or mental times, a loved one offering quiet presence is comforting. It may all our loved one needs to feel safe and to relax.
  • Silence promotes sleep. Sleep that is interrupted by noises or that is not in silence may be restless, which is not as healing. Being available, but leaving space for silence, is a wonderful way to support your recovering loved one.

Silence in a Medical Setting: Your Support at Fresh Start of California

At Fresh Start of California, it is our job to offer support in all aspects of detox and recovery. We are here to act as your counselors, your nurses, and doctors, and equally importantly, to hold space in silence for you. Our detox and recovery professionals understand the importance of silence in the medical setting as it allows our patients to express what they are feeling, physically, mentally, or emotionally. We also can implement and demonstrate silence through silent meditation or holding space for others in silence during a group setting.

For detox and rehabilitation options in Orange County, contact the team at Fresh Start of California. We are here to answer your call 24/7.

The Empowerment of Bringing in the New Year Sober

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We often celebrate the New Year as a chance to start fresh, a chance for resolutions, and a way to remember the positive things throughout the year. When you are in recovery, there is so much to celebrate. You are given a new chance at life and a new outlook through sober, healthy eyes. At Fresh Start of California, the patients in our Orange County detox and rehabilitation center are provided the tools and life skills to succeed in sober living. We understand that it may take some time to find happiness being sober, but we are hopeful and encouraging to all that there is so much to be joyful about.

Celebrate sobriety while enjoying the start of a new year by remembering the empowerment that sobriety offers. If you need help with your recovery journey, contact the Orange County detox and rehabilitation professionals at Fresh Start of California. We are here 24/7.

Call Fresh Start of California now.

7 Reasons to Feel Empowered for New Years

If you are feeling down or your confidence in sobriety is lacking, take a moment to take stock of all of the reasons to be proud. Let our list below be your starting point and remember that you have plenty of reasons to celebrate and share your journey this New Years’.

  1. You are in control. Sobriety gives you the gift of control over your life. You are no longer under the control of a substance so you can now be the one who determines your responsibilities, goals, and consequences.
  2. You have choices. You can choose where, how, when, and with whom you celebrate New Year’s Eve and the rest of your life. You are in charge of your life now, no one and nothing else.
  3. Your body has changed. Sobriety will help improve your health, your looks, and your emotional and mental state. Sobriety brings you back to life, emotionally, mentally, and physically, all the way to a cellular level inside of your body. It eliminates substance-related bloating, improves the shine of your hair, decreases body fat from empty calories in alcoholic drinks, and improves your body weight ratio of fat to muscle.
  4. You have opportunities. Sobriety opens up doors that would otherwise be closed while in addiction. Whether you want to go back to school, start a passion project, start new relationships, or get a new job, sobriety is key to the success of your endeavors.
  5. You can experience emotions. Much of what we learn in recovery is the spirit of humility and gratitude. Humility and gratitude are empowering because they give you a completely different perspective than one of being guarded and defensive. Find power in vulnerability.
  6. You are the main character. You are rewriting your life story starting with recovery and you are the new main character. In your old life, your substance was the main character, but this is no longer the case.
  7. You have new energy. You can walk into a room with confidence, exuding the energy that you know is positive, sober, and valuable. Be secure and confident that you can experience life with curiosity and excitement, giving your energy to what you choose.

The Empowerment of Freedom

The biggest thing to celebrate this New Years’ is the empowerment of freedom from the prison of addiction. Addiction robs you of opportunity, freedom of choice, and the health that comes with sobriety. You have so much to live for, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate your sober life on New Year’s Eve? Give yourself the credit you deserve. Whether you just started your sober journey or have years under your belt, find a reason to feel powerful today knowing you took back control from drugs and alcohol.

Call on the recovery professionals at Fresh Start of California for detox and rehabilitation options in Orange County if you need support in sobriety. You are not alone. Contact our team today and get started.

8 Tips for Mental Preparation to Stay Sober for the Holidays

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Be Ready for Sober Holidays with Tips from Fresh Start of California

Whether you are fresh out of detox and rehabilitation or have several years under your belt, the holidays can be a difficult time for a recovering addict. It’s crucial to be prepared, both mentally and emotionally so that the feelings and activities that come with the holidays do not catch you off guard. Your sobriety should be your biggest priority as you attend family gatherings and holiday events, and it helps to be reminded of how to mentally prepare.

If you are ready to leap sobriety this holiday season, the team at Fresh Start of California can help. Our Orange County detox and rehabilitation professionals will work with you to provide tools and teach the skills that will help you reenter society in sobriety.

Contact Fresh Start of California to ask for help. We are here 24/7 to take your call.

8 Tips to Tackle the Holidays

Feel confident in your sobriety and be prepared for anything that crosses your path during the holidays using the tips below.

  1. Know your triggers. Consider making a list of your known triggers and ways to handle them. Think of the triggers that may be involved with the holidays, family interactions, and gatherings and how you can avoid or walk away from them. Triggers are people, events, objects, or thoughts that can cause a memory of using or coping through use. These are quite often part of the holidays as trauma in our youth may revisit us during family time.
  2. Be informed. Knowing what is coming concerning activities, get-togethers, and holiday obligations can help you mentally prepare. Ask questions about who is going to attend, what will be served, and what expectations will be placed upon you can inform your decisions about your involvement. Do not say yes if you believe that something is going to threaten your sobriety.
  3. Plan your good-byes. Plan for your escape if things get out-of-hand or too rowdy. Let the host know that if you leave early, it is to protect your sobriety, and have a “sober buddy” to back you up if needed. Supportive family and friends can help field questions as to why you had to leave.
  4. Know the science. If you face temptation or triggers and do not want to leave (avoid) due to their existence, know that you can make it through using this research-based concept: Cravings will typically subside or lose their power after 10 minutes. Use these challenges to evaluate your triggers and the emotions attached to them. The more you investigate the emotions, the less power you give the trigger.
  5. Stress less. Use stress relief techniques so that you can enjoy your holiday with a clear, calm mind. Try meditation, journaling, walks, yoga, mind games (memory games, crosswords, math games), or use your smartphone to listen to calming meditations or podcasts.
  6. Set sober dates. Plan to attend meetings either alone or with a sober partner. Know where the local meetings are if you are away from home and hold yourself accountable by planning to go with someone. You can even make phone dates or Zoom dates if in-person meetings are unavailable.
  7. Seek professional help. It is never wrong to seek help from those who know more than you or from those who are educated and experienced in helping people. Seek professional help if the holidays are an especially difficult time for you. Contact the local addiction and recovery facilities, place a phone call to your doctor to find a therapist, or try online or phone therapy services.
  8. Be honest. Tell your supportive family members and friends about how you are feeling. Be vocal about your concerns and triggers so that they can be there to help you. Expressing yourself to those who care is highly beneficial in creating a safe and healthy environment, for the holidays and your future.

Mental Preparation is Your Power Move this Holiday Season

Your power lies in the tools that are in your metaphorical tool belt. The things that you learn and the changes you make during recovery give you strength and power that can move mountains. Sobriety is something that you can be proud of, and even when the holidays pose a threat, mentally preparing will keep the ball in your court. Use the tips above, and don’t be ashamed to ask for back up or help, and you’ll have an enjoyable and memorable holiday season.

Let the Orange County team of recovery experts at Fresh Start of California give you the support you need to be successful in sobriety. We are here to walk with you through detox and rehabilitation. Contact us today.

How to Have a Sober, Happy Thanksgiving

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Gratitude for Sobriety this Thanksgiving

The biggest trick to having a happy, sober Thanksgiving is to remember the gratitude that is cultivated in your sobriety. As children, we often learn that Thanksgiving is all about remembering and expressing what we are grateful for. What more to be grateful for than a second chance at life? The process of detox and recovery shows you the strength, perseverance, and growth that you are capable of. Sobriety offers you a new view of life, a new chance to live the way that you want to, and a gift of a fresh start. Let Thanksgiving be a celebration of how far you have come and know that you can enjoy the holidays with confidence using the tools you gained in recovery.

At Fresh Start of California, we work with our patients through individualized detox, rehabilitation, and life skill classes so that you are equipped to start a new life with confidence. Our team of Orange County recovery specialists at Fresh Start of California is here to be the professional support you need to create a solid foundation for life in sobriety. We know the difficulties and the challenges that can come with rebuilding your life, but they are far less than living in addiction.

Contact Fresh Start of California for detox and rehabilitation options in Orange County. We are here to answer your call 24/7.

10 Tips for a Happy and Sober Thanksgiving

If you lack the inspiration to enjoy yourself during Thanksgiving festivities, there are tricks to making it through. A sober Thanksgiving maybe a whole new experience, but you can make it a great one if you are prepared and have an open mind. Use the tips below to set the stage for good times and wonderful memories.

  1. Surround yourself with sober, like-minded people. If you have the choice, bring a sober buddy to family gatherings or go to a sober Thanksgiving event. If you can, make plans with a sober family member to be each other’s wingman for events.
  2. Avoid high-risk situations like reconnecting with old friends just because they are in town. Avoid family members who are active users or who are toxic to your sobriety. You deserve to have a calm, happy holiday, and have the right to stay away from those who are not supportive.
  3. Take breaks as needed. Go out for a walk after your meal, step into another room for a quiet moment, or get outside for a breath of fresh air. This is especially important to the stability of your peace of mind when you’re spending long hours inside in a busy environment.
  4. Seat yourself at the kid’s table! Spending time with your younger relatives is a great way to avoid alcohol at the “adult” table, as well as have much more fun during dinner.
  5. Bring stress relievers such as essential oils, gum, fidget toys, gadgets, or whatever you use to relax. Quench old habits with safer, healthier options.
  6. Stick to your boundaries. Remember there is no such thing as “just one” and don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise. Protect your sobriety with strength and confidence.
  7. Bring the fun with you. Whether it is a board game, an interactive video game, crafts, or outdoor games, bring something with you that you know you will enjoy.
  8. Prepare an exit strategy. If a conflict arises or if a gathering gets too unruly, be prepared to make your exit. One bonus to being sober is that you can safely leave whenever you choose!
  9. Help the host and keep yourself busy. Offer to help prepare a dish, clear the kitchen, set the table, or clean up when everyone is done eating. Occupy your mind and hands, with tasks so that you are not bored.
  10. Keep a drink in your hand. People are less likely to offer you a drink or ask why you aren’t drinking if you have something to drink already. Dodge invasive questions and stay hydrated by bringing your own healthy, nonalcoholic beverages.

Take the Power Back this Thanksgiving

Rather than view sobriety as a hindrance to a good time or an obstacle to deal with during family gatherings, change your view and take the power back from the substance. Consider yourself lucky that you will remember the memories you make and that you will feel alert and healthy the next morning, and lucky to have the power in your hands. Sobriety is powerful. You can share your gratitude with others and show them that there is a better life after addiction.

If you are ready to battle your addiction and win, contact the team of Orange County rehabilitation professionals at Fresh Start of California. We provide the knowledge, support, and individualized treatment options to give you a fighting chance.

Take the power back from your addiction and call us today.

Gratitude and Sobriety Go Hand in Hand

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Highs and Lows: Learning Gratitude

It is said that those who have survived addiction know about the lowest of the lows so much more than those who have not battled addiction. With that propensity of feeling such strong emotion, which often is one of the reasons for addiction, comes the ability to feel strong gratitude. The strength that it takes to survive addiction, to find the conviction to stick to recovery, and to live in sobriety, gives us the strength to see life for what it is. This process, and the process of taking inventory, help us to remember the gratitude in sobriety.

At Fresh Start of California, we give you the tools to start fresh in a life of sobriety. One of these tools is learning how to practice gratitude. Our Orange County detox and recovery specialists are here to offer you support, tools, and a holistic approach to recovery.

Contact our team today if you need drug or alcohol rehabilitation in Orange County. We are here to answer your call 24/7.

Humility and Gratitude in Recovery

A huge part of recovery and sobriety is humility- the act of humility and the understanding of humility. Humility, or being humble, goes along with the knowledge that we are not the center of the universe. Truly understanding that we are not entitled and that we are capable of having a negative (or positive) effect on others, is understanding that we are human.

Through this understanding we find gratefulness. All things positive in our lives are worth being grateful for. This is true especially in sobriety because we often are coming from a place of complete destitution, or complete surrender, and as sobriety fills the holes in life, it brings with it reasons for thankfulness. Sobriety gives us everything we have, from stability and “normalcy” to the things we own, new relationships, and employment.

Gratitude can help us get through hard times in sobriety. It can change our attitude and behavior, improving our outlook on the present and the future. We can even practice gratitude for surviving our time in addiction and for the chance to live in sobriety. Practicing gratitude for what we have allows more positivity to come our way. Gratitude for what you have releases the unhappiness the comes from focusing on what we don’t have and releases resentment for what you have but don’t want.

Creating an Attitude of Gratitude

Living in sobriety and gratitude can take practice. There are several ways to cultivate gratitude in your heart and life. Use our tips below to get started.

  • Start your day by thinking of 3 things to be grateful for before you get out of bed.
  • Keep a gratitude journal and try to fill one page at the end of each day with positive thoughts and things you are grateful for.
  • Send thank-you letters via snail-mail or email to friends, family, or associates.
  • Look around when you are in nature and say a mental “thank you” for the beautiful things you see.
  • Practice speaking about things, experiences, or events that you are excited and grateful for rather than sharing negativity.
  • Give compliments freely and happily, tell someone you love their shirt, tell someone they did a good job.
  • If you enjoy spending time practicing self-care, remember to do so with mindfulness and gratitude, even if it is just giving thanks for the hot water in your shower, or the taste of toothpaste.

Find a New Life with Fresh Start of California

Fresh Start of California offers residential and outpatient detox and rehabilitation for our patients. We understand that everyone has unique needs and individual treatments that will best provide the framework for recovery. Let us walk with you into your new life, into a mindset of gratitude in sobriety. We are here for you.

Contact Fresh Start of California for detox and rehabilitation treatment in Orange County.

How to Throw an Awesome Sober Halloween Party

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The Holiday Season and Living in Sobriety

Halloween often signifies the start of the holiday season. In Orange County and all of Southern California, it is also the start of cooler weather, the beginning of many gatherings with family and friends. As the kick-off for the “party season” Halloween might be your first sober event. Sobriety does not mean that you can no longer have fun. With tips from our team at Fresh Start of California, you can plan a fun, memorable, and sober Halloween party.

If you are battling addiction and are ready to start a new chapter, Fresh Start of California offers detox, inpatient, and outpatient recovery solutions in Orange County. We can work with you to move through the phases of detox and rehabilitation so that you can have confidence in sobriety. Let our team be your support system and jump into this holiday season with a renewed excitement for life.

Contact Fresh Start of California today.

8 Ideas for Sober Halloween Fun

If you are ready to throw an awesome party but are wondering how to make it great without alcohol, have no fear. We compiled tips and ideas to help your party be a hit, without the need for intoxication. Remember the joy of Halloween as a child, the excitement, and the playfulness.

With that spirit in mind, read the tips and ideas below to make your party a blast.

  1. Dress up. Be sure to let your guests know that costumes are key! You can choose a theme for the party or encourage your guests to get creative. Spend the money you would have spent on stocking the bar to create an epic costume. Need some ideas for themes? Try apocalyptic or end of the world, space life, animals, or Vegas themes so that the costumes can be cohesive.
  2. Create designated and different areas of interest. Have food and beverages in one space, with room to sit or stop and chat, designate an area for dancing with access to music choices, maybe supply games or activities in one room, or even a movie room with comfortable cushions and low lighting.
  3. Play a scary movie or humorous Halloween classic. Consider projecting a movie onto the side of your house, a wall inside, or buy a screen to play the movie outside. Horror loving friends will have something to discuss. It can serve as a conversation starter about favorite movies or a way to take a break from dancing.
  4. Have plenty to eat and drink. Build a menu of “mocktails” that are Halloween themed, buy pre-made non-alcoholic drinks, or supply the regular variety of water, juice, and sodas.
  5. Play games and even plan some “tricks.” Halloween allows us to bring out our playful side, so why not plant some tricks for your guests, jump scares with “ghosts” behind doors, or games that get people to mingle and start loosening up.
  6. Make memories and capture them. Place Polaroid cameras around the room and let guests take photos to pin to a photo board or bring home. Set up a photo booth. Start traditions with your sober friends that you can carry on for future events and parties. If you don’t have access to Polaroids, consider having your home photo printer available for you to take a few minutes at the end of the night to print group photos for everyone to take home.
  7. Turn down the lights and turn up the music. Lower lights help people release the fear of everyone watching them, so they can get loose and get down on the dancefloor. Lower lighting, colored lights, or blacklights, will help people feel comfortable dancing, and can help counteract the thought that often accompanies nights of the past that, “I dance better when I’ve had a few drinks.”
  8. Carve pumpkins. Pick up pumpkins for your guests or ask them to bring their own for carving. Provide stencils, tools, and space to carve pumpkins. Focusing on a task and expressing individual ideas while carving will allow guests to talk with people they may not have before. Taking the focus off of the conversation and shifting it onto a task allows guards to lower and nerves to physically release through the physical task.

Halloween Fun That You Remember

One of the biggest advantages of sobriety is that you will remember the memories that you make. No more waking up with foggy ideas of the night before, no more missed connections because you were too intoxicated to pay attention. Whether you are newly sober or have years of sobriety under your belt, fostering friendships and relationships with other sober people is advantageous. You have a common goal, a common thread, that makes it okay to enjoy yourselves without the pressure to include substances. A sober Halloween party is just the start of the holiday season’s activities that you can cherish rather than vaguely remember.

Are you ready to have a fresh view on life? Contact the Orange County detox and rehab team at Fresh Start of California to learn how we can help you fight addiction and get your life back.