For many, cutting ties with an addiction is similar to breaking up a long-term relationship. Going through detox and addiction treatment is effective, but it’s common to enter sobriety feeling like there are unresolved issues. After all, you’ve spent a significant amount of time entertaining your addiction with drug abuse, and you’ve likely let other relationships fall to the wayside as a result.
Like all unhealthy relationships, it’s time for you to end things with your addiction once and for all. It starts with you confronting your addiction head on.
A Letter to Addiction
Ongoing counseling and participation in addiction recovery programs are recommended long after your initial treatment ends. However, you may also find it useful to express your feelings via a letter. Your own thoughts and feelings will be unique, but here is an example that you may find helpful:
Dear Addiction;
For a time, it felt like all I needed in the world was you. For much of our time together, I felt happy and free of other desires. My pain seemed to go away, and I didn’t worry about life. I even let my other relationships disintegrate because of how strongly I felt towards you.
I now know that none of these feelings were genuine and that I was being manipulated throughout our time together. Whenever I felt like you were the key to getting through life, it was nothing more than a lie. For this and many more reasons, it is now time to bid you “goodbye” forever.
You see, I am so much more than just another person risking their life through drug abuse, and I will not be a statistic. As good as I felt when I was with you at times, I felt terrible during others. I missed out on important events and gave up things that once meant a lot to me. I hit some of the lowest points in my life, and I now realize that I am worth more. It is time for me to regain control. I will pursue new opportunities, achieve new goals, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. And to do all of this, I need you out of my life.
That said, I know I cannot blame you entirely for the way things have gone. Just as I am working to regain control in my life, I am also taking responsibility. I chose to start our relationship, and now I am choosing to end it. I know that saying “goodbye” to you for good will take hard work, but I am doing exactly that.
I will also apologize to those whom I have hurt because of how you influenced me. The relationship between you and I may be at an end, but it is not too late for me to rebuild my relationships with my family members and friends.
As challenging as this ending may be, I know it is the right thing to do. I look forward to new beginnings, and you and I will never cross paths again. Goodbye.
Writing Your Own Letter
The letter above is just an example, and yours should be focused on your own experience and feelings. It’s okay to feel sad while writing your letter, but it’s also important to focus on the good things that are about to come. Writing your letter is already a major sign of progress.
What you do with your completed letter is up to you. Many people choose to keep the letter in a safe place where they can revisit it occasionally for inspiration or to see how far they’ve come since writing it. Others choose to destroy their letters as a sign of being done with their addiction once and for all.
If you write your letter as part of an addiction treatment group or in a counseling session, you may be able to share it with others. Doing so can help you relate to others suffering from drug abuse and help you realize you are not alone. Your letter can also serve as a source of inspiration for others.
It’s Not Too Late to Get Help
Grappling with an addiction is not easy, but it is not something you have to keep living with. With the right treatment and addiction recovery plan, you can successfully achieve a life of sobriety. If you are in the Texas or Arizona area and are looking for the right addiction treatment program, our team at Soba Recovery is here for you. We offer comprehensive detox and inpatient treatment for drug abuse, and if you’re reading this, it is not too late to get the help you need. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services!
Cognitive Behavior Therapy also referred to as CBT Therapy, has been used to treat substance abuse issues since the 1970s. Over the years it has become one of the most widely used and effective drug addiction treatment methods. These days, CBT is used in a variety of ways. For some patients, CBT alone is enough to treat drug dependence. For others, CBT is used alongside other types of addiction treatment such as the prescription of withdrawal medications and counseling.
With cognitive behavioral therapy, addicts can learn how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are all connected. CBT is a short-term therapy method that focuses on changing thought patterns, which in turn can help people combat drug addiction.
There are important reasons why CBT is a preferred treatment method for addiction and is used in many settings. Before jumping into the benefits of CBT, let’s first describe what this treatment method is and how it works.
How CBT Therapy Works?
CBT is talk therapy and a combination of both behavioral and cognitive theory. The main focus of this type of treatment regime is pinpointing the behaviors and thought patterns that cause someone to struggle with drug or alcohol addiction.
CBT treatment starts with an initial meeting. During this time, the therapist or counselor will get to know the client. They’ll have a chance to speak about their previous drug use and what their life is like.
Addiction is the result of cyclical maladaptive thought patterns. A person struggles with addiction because they regularly return to negative, painful, and harmful thoughts. An addict will use drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Many of the actions and emotions that fuel addiction are not rational. Instead, impulses can play a huge role. It can be difficult for a patient to learn about the potentially negative ramifications on their own. Even if you rationally know you should avoid drug use, you might succumb to your impulses. That’s what makes this form of therapy such a crucial one. The feelings and behaviors that fuel such experiences are often the results of past behaviors that have not been explored.
Once the addict has a greater level of understanding as to why they behave a certain way, it becomes much easier to successfully overcome addiction. CBT helps a patient to identify their personal “triggers”. These triggers are what cause negative automatic thoughts to take place. These thoughts are based on impulse and are based on internalized feelings.
During a CBT session, a therapist works with the client to teach them new coping skills. This skill set focuses on the person’s view of the world and system of beliefs. Instead of focusing on addiction alone, this therapy focuses on the behaviors and way of thinking of the addict.
After the ice is broken between the therapist and client, the therapist will put together a list of target behaviors to focus on during the therapy sessions. These target behaviors are the problem behaviors that trigger drug use. The goal of CBT therapy is to help the addict avoid triggers in the future.
How the Past Can Affect the Future
One of the important concepts of CBT is understanding how the past can affect the present and the future. For example, someone who suffered a traumatic event and has PTSD or someone who is coping with depression may be tempted to “self-medicate” through drug and alcohol abuse.
Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol are a terrible form of “medication” and will lead to more problems. While drugs and alcohol may seem to provide temporary relief, neither will address the underlying causes. Often, drug and alcohol abuse will worsen your depression and other mental conditions.
Instead of continuing to revisit their most painful memories over and over again, cognitive behavioral therapy allows them to overcome. Positive behaviors replace the negative ones, making long term recovery much easier for a potential patient.
CBT helps you recognize how bad memories from the past, pre-existing mental conditions, and other factors can inform and drive your impulses.
The Benefits Of CBT in Addiction Recovery
Addiction treatment is not about shoehorning the client into a plan that works for others. It is about finding the plan that works best for the client. CBT is a key element in addiction recovery and there are a number of benefits to be enjoyed.
CBT treatment is beneficial because it addresses the fact that substance abuse is typically the result of repeated thought patterns and behaviors. CBT treatment helps addicts manage their compulsion to consume drugs by identifying and avoiding the scenarios that bring rise to this compulsion.
Setting Goals
It’s important to set goals in therapy. Unfortunately, overcoming drug abuse takes time. Setting intermediate goals and making a schedule for anticipated accomplishments is a good way to stay motivated throughout treatment. During CBT treatment, the therapist and client will set out specific goals that address behavioral problems that need to be corrected.
Analyzing Thought Patterns
One thing clients are often asked to do when undergoing CBT treatment is to keep a record of their thoughts. This record helps to pinpoint the negative thoughts that are the most damaging and most likely to result in drug use. Part of this step in CBT treatment is disproving negative thoughts.
Problematic thoughts are rationally analyzed to show that they are counter-productive. The therapist and the client make a list of evidence that shows how and why these thoughts should be corrected.
Automatic thoughts can drive drug and alcohol consumption. However, you can mentally learn to control these thoughts and may even be able to replace them with positive thoughts. Doing so can be difficult, especially in the beginning. With practice, however, you’ll be able to:
Dismiss False Beliefs (i.e. I am not worth anything): Substance abuse is typically caused by insecurities and false beliefs. When we allow these beliefs to fester, they can lead us down the wrong path. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to change course. That’s why the professionals at Soba Recovery are here to help. Our experienced therapists walk patients through the process and keep them from experiencing fear and self-doubt.
False beliefs and insecurity tend to go hand in hand. If the addict does not replace these negative thoughts with positive ones, the recovery process is not going to go as smoothly as it could. Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves and dismissing false ideas that cause insecurity is a major piece of that puzzle.
Use Self Help Tools to Better Your Mood (i.e. understanding that you are a valuable person): Patients do not always have the ability to make the right choices when it comes to their behaviors because they have not been given the necessary self-help tools. When patients are committed to their recovery and given access to the resources that Soba Recovery has to offer, they are given the self-help tools that are designed to help them better their moods.
Addicts will often use as a means of regulating their own moods and this is a behavior that must cease once the client is given the chance to re-integrate into their daily routine. The “triggers” that are experienced each day are what keep addicted people from being able to enjoy a full recovery. Thankfully, these triggers are easy to identify.
Working on Communication Skills: A lack of communication skills can cause any patient to feel as if they are not being heard by their friends and loved ones and this is highly understandable. Communication skills are also important when it comes to properly expressing thoughts and ideas in a manner that is constructive. Addicts often find themselves accustomed to speaking in a way that is not helpful to themselves or others.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is designed to identify the situations where the patient’s communication is lacking and keep them from making the same old mistakes. Instead of relying on communication methods that do not get the desired results, the patient is given a whole new lease on life. Triggers are much easier to avoid when communication is strong and CBT is helpful for identifying communication-related issues.
False beliefs, poor communication, and an inability to help yourself all contribute to impulsive thoughts. By addressing these issues, you can improve your own mental state, which will help you resist and break the addiction.
Preventing Triggers
One major focus of CBT treatment is identifying triggers that lead to drug use. After triggers have been identified, the therapist and client draw out a plan. This is a plan that will prevent exposure to triggers. This could include no longer frequenting certain locations or people that make relapse more likely. Preventing triggers could also involve obtaining control over thinking patterns that push the client to use drugs.
Many cognitive-behavioral therapists focus on three skills for managing your triggers, including:
Recognize – Identify the circumstances, environments, and conditions that lead to drinking or substance abuse.
Avoid – Learn how to avoid circumstances that will encourage you to drink or abuse drugs.
Cope – Finally, use CBT tactics to address bad thoughts and to address emotions that could lead to drug abuse.
Creating A Healthy Schedule
CBT treatment isn’t just about avoiding drug abuse triggers. It’s more holistic than that. Part of CBT treatment includes developing a schedule of healthy activities. Improving overall health can improve the client’s general mood and strengthen the client’s will power to avoid relapse.
One of the best things about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is that it can be used outside of the therapist’s office. Once you learn CBT strategies, you’ll be able to use the tactics on your own. CBT can become part of your daily efforts to reduce drinking and substance abuse.
CBT has proven to be one of the most effective methods for treating drug and alcohol addiction. While there’s no sure-fire cure for addiction, essentially everyone struggling with substance abuse should try CBT.
Further, CBT helps address underlying issues. Anxiety and depression can lead to addiction and make it harder to break the cycle. CBT can help you cope with mental conditions. In the long run, this will lead to better mental health.
Benefits of CBT Therapy On Mental Health
Mental health is one of the most important aspects of addiction recovery. With the assistance of CBT, patients have the chance to confront the aspects of their thought processes that are causing them to experience problematic thoughts. By overcoming the thoughts and feelings that fuel addiction, patients stand a far better chance of having a successful long term prognosis.
CBT is not just for addiction, though. There are other mental disorders that are treated through cognitive behavioral therapy as well. CBT can offer much-needed assistance for those struggling with psychological conditions that may be linked to drug addiction including:
Depression
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Eating disorders
Anxiety
Attention deficit disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
CBT Treatment for You
Interested in CBT treatment? Good for you! Learning how to use CBT tactics is a great step towards fighting and eliminating addiction. At Soba Recovery, we work with recovering addicts all the time and CBT is one of the many treatment methods we use.
If you or a loved one are looking for the right substance abuse treatment, consider our CBT services at Soba Recovery Center. We have locations in Arizona and Texas, and our treatment programs specialize in detoxification, residential inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare options.
When clients check-in at either our Soba Mesa or Soba Texas rehab centers, they are given access to the finest detox and drug rehabilitation that the region has to offer. When it comes to addiction treatment, there are few settings that can provide the same level of peace and tranquility. This ranch style setting delivers the peace of mind and comfort that few facilities can match.
There’s no one size fits all addiction treatment program. Often, a mix of treatment types, including group therapy, CBT, and more, is required to truly defeat addiction. Soba Recovery will work with you to develop a customized drug addiction treatment plan that will work for you.
Cocaine abuse is, unfortunately, an all too common problem in the United States. In fact, over 900,000 Americans met the criteria indicating cocaine addiction as of 2014. Being addicted to cocaine can have negative consequences for an individual’s health and personal and professional lives.
Fortunately, addiction treatment for people who have become dependent on cocaine consumption offers success. If you or a loved one is addicted to cocaine and looking to stop using, don’t wait to reach out to get help. At Soba Recovery, we’re waiting for your call.
Cocaine and Its Effects on the Body
Cocaine is a drug that stimulates the nervous system. It can be consumed in a variety of ways. The most common way to consume cocaine is through snorting this drug in powder form. However, cocaine can also be smoked or injected.
When cocaine is ingested, it produces a euphoric effect. It can also create sensations in users of being highly energetic. The effects that cocaine consumption offers can result in both physical and psychological addictions. Physically, the body can become dependent on the drug so that withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and irritability are noticed when affected individuals no longer consume cocaine. Psychologically, chronic cocaine users can become dependent on the drug and experience thoughts and feelings of needing it to get through the day.
Perhaps the biggest reason why it’s so easy to become addicted to cocaine is because cocaine use produces high dopamine levels in the brain. This means that cocaine use creates a strong and intense reward response in the brain. Regular cocaine users enjoy this response and their brains are reprogrammed by routine cocaine consumption. If they don’t continue to use cocaine, their dopamine levels can drop abnormally low so that they feel very depressed and desperate to use cocaine again.
Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
If you’re suffering from a cocaine addiction, you probably feel like you’re unable to keep up with personal, professional, and financial commitments. You may also notice your addiction is starting to affect your health. Lack of appetite, unintentional weight loss, feeling paranoid, and feeling depressed, are all negative side effects to cocaine use. If you notice these symptoms in someone else, they may need help with their addiction as well.
Seeking Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Addiction to cocaine can be treated in a variety of ways. At Soba Recovery, we know overcoming addiction is not always easy. We do everything we can to make you feel as safe and comfortable as possible. We offer numerous treatment options that can help you overcome your cocaine addiction.
The first step to the recovery process is detoxification. Detoxification is an essential part of overcoming cocaine addiction or any other type of drug addiction. Detoxification is the process of ridding your body of cocaine and any other harmful substances. It’s also the first step to recovery One of the most difficult parts of detoxification is dealing with withdrawal symptoms. While withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to handle, we at Soba Recovery make sure we’re doing everything we can to ease the withdrawals. We also monitor your vitals 24/7 to make sure no health complications arise during detox.
After detox, there are a few different treatment options for you. We usually recommend clients complete residential inpatient treatment, then partial hospitalization, outpatient, and sober living. We know addiction and treatment is different for everyone so if the above mentioned isn’t your path, that’s ok. We know some people aren’t able to complete residential treatment because they have personal obligations at home. Below is a breakdown of each treatment option:
Residential Inpatient
Residential inpatient treatment is typically the next best step to take in recovery after detoxification. On average your stay with us will be about one month. During this time you’ll live at our treatment facility and have round the clock care. You’ll eat your meals here, attend group, and individual therapy. Residential inpatient care is an excellent way to detox and overcome withdrawal symptoms with the assistance of doctors and counselors who have a great deal of experience regarding the treatment of drug addiction. This is the time where you’ll also start to dig deep and find out the root cause of your cocaine addiction.
Partial Hospitalization
Partial hospitalization can be used as a step down from residential inpatient treatment or in lieu of. The program is similar to residential inpatient but you don’t sleep at our facility. You spend the day attending different therapy sessions and connecting with others around you, but get to go home to your own bed at night. You’ll also focus on finding out some triggers for your addiction.
Outpatient and Sober Living
Outpatient treatment continues the therapies offered during inpatient and partial hospitalization. Alot of our clients will attend outpatient while in a sober living home. These treatment options give you the flexibility in your schedule to get a job and start to get back to “normal” life while still working on your recovery. Outpatient and sober living are both great tools when preventing relapse.
Get Help for Cocaine Addiction Today
The sooner you or your loved one seeks help for cocaine addiction, the sooner this severe problem can be overcome. The first step to getting the treatment you or your loved one needs for cocaine addiction is to contact us at SOBA Recovery Center. We’ll provide you with more information and answer your questions regarding treatment options.
At Soba Recovery Center, we’re here to help. We offer treatment programs for cocaine addiction in Mesa, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas. Contact us to learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment centers and the drug addiction treatments we provide.
The United States is currently experiencing a devastating opioid epidemic. 128 people die every day from an opioid overdose. Opioids are one of the most common prescription medications used today and also happen to be the most dangerous. Opioids are meant to be used on a short-term basis to help people control pain. They are extremely addictive and it’s common that someone ends up using them for years.
What is an Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction is a long-lasting disease that causes health, social, and economic problems. It’s characterized by a compulsive urge to use opioid drugs, even when they are no longer needed for medical purposes. The addiction happens when the brain chemistry is changed by repeat drug use, and a tolerance is built. Physical and emotional withdrawals will then occur if the person addicted stops taking opioids. Millions of Americans are impacted by opioid addiction every day.
Commonly prescribed opioids are hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl. Heroin is also an opioid but isn’t prescribed by doctors. Heroin is sold and purchased on the streets. It’s not uncommon for someone to start using hydrocodone and eventually use heroin.
How to Break an Opioid Addiction
Breaking an opioid addiction may seem extremely difficult but it doesn’t have to be. While there are numerous people addicted to opioids, there are also numerous people who are successful in recovery from opioids. Below are a few tips on how to break an opioid addiction:
Admit You Need Help: The first step in beating an opioid addiction, just like any other addiction, is admitting you need help. Addiction isn’t a matter of ‘self-control’, it’s a disease that affects and rewires the brain. It’s completely ok to admit to yourself and others that you do in fact need help and want to get sober. Don’t be ashamed, asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak, it actually means you’re strong.
Know Your Options: After admitting you need help, the next step in the right direction is to research treatment options. There are what seems to be an endless amount of treatment options available. It’s helpful to do some research and get informed on the many kinds of treatment available to beat opioids. Beating addiction shouldn’t be done alone and is most effectively done with the help of a treatment center.
Reach Out: It’s important to contact treatment centers and facilities to get more information on their programs once you do some research. It may be helpful to write down the questions you have before calling. Speaking to someone over the phone and asking questions that are important should make you feel more comfortable about pursuing recovery.
Trust the Professionals: Finally, people who are looking for help with an opioid addiction need to trust trained medical professionals. These are specialists who have the expertise necessary to get to the root of someone’s opioid addiction. They do what they do because they want to help you and see you live a successful, drug-free life. They help you uncover the root of your drug addiction so you can become happy and sober.
We’re Here to Help
At Soba Recovery, we are honored to be one of the main drug & alcohol treatment programs serving individuals and families in the southwest region. We have programs both in Mesa, AZ and San Antonio, TX. Our detox & inpatient treatment programs help participants battle addiction and take steps to recovery. Our unique luxury addiction treatment program takes advantage of proven, traditional treatment methods and blends them with new, innovative therapies. Our priority is helping our clients overcome substance abuse and retain sobriety. If you would like to find out more about our addiction treatment program, please contact us!
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is out there. Addiction is a progressive disease, the longer you wait to treat it, the worse it gets. For many years, the healthcare industry did not take addiction and mental health issues seriously but when it comes to addiction, it is important for everyone to have the help and support that they deserve. If you yourself feel confused or unsure if addiction is a serious issue, you’re not alone.
Fortunately, with a renewed investment in addiction treatment and drug abuse recovery, there are plenty of options available to those who are looking for help with addiction. It is important for everyone to explore the different treatment options available so they can make the choice that is right for them. Inpatient rehab is one of the most effective methods of treatment for addiction and substance abuse. There are several important benefits of inpatient rehab that everyone should keep in mind.
What is Inpatient Treatment?
One of the first places you can go for help with addiction recovery is inpatient rehab. The goal of inpatient treatment is two-fold.
The first goal is ridding your body of harmful substances, also known as detox. As drugs and alcohol leave someone’s system, cravings set in. These cravings are going to lead to withdrawal symptoms. This is how the cycle of addiction gets started. Turning to professional help is the best way to break the cycle. Some of the symptoms of withdrawal include fevers, chills, shakes, sweating, emotional lability, and more. Some withdrawal symptoms might even include seizures. For this reason, people need to go through the detox process with the assistance of medical professionals.
Once someone has finished the detox process, they stay at an inpatient facility so they can learn different techniques to maintain sobriety. This is going to include treatment sessions with therapists and group sessions where clients can learn from the experiences of others. Eventually, clients will make the transition to the outside world and return to normal society.
5 Key Benefits of Inpatient Drug Rehab
There are several benefits that come with inpatient treatment. Some of the biggest benefits include:
The Structure of Inpatient Treatment
One of the most important benefits of inpatient treatment is the structure that it takes. The structure of an inpatient program cannot be found in any other treatment option for drugs and alcohol. When someone signs up to attend inpatient treatment, they are going to be placed on a very structured and regimented schedule. This schedule is going to keep someone busy, preventing the mind from wandering to thoughts of drugs or alcohol. This is going to go a long way toward helping someone get on the road to recovery. If someone is left free to think about drugs or alcohol, they are much more likely to suffer a relapse. Rely on the structure of an inpatient program to keep this from happening.
There is Plenty of Support
It is important for everyone to know that they have the strength to overcome an addiction to drugs or alcohol; however, they cannot do this alone. Fortunately, in an inpatient program, there is plenty of support available. This support is important because it is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in an inpatient program. Access to support, particularly during the first few days of treatment, when someone might be going through the symptoms of withdrawal and detox, can make all the difference in the world during the recovery process. Trust the constant support of an inpatient treatment program.
No Access to Alcohol or Drugs
One of the most important benefits of an inpatient treatment program is that there will not be any access to alcohol or drugs. When someone goes to an inpatient facility, they need to stay there for treatment. This means that there isn’t any access to alcohol or drugs. If someone were left with access to the outside world, as is the case with an outpatient treatment program, they are more likely to crack under pressure and give in to their vices. Someone who enrolls in an inpatient treatment program is not going to have access to drugs or alcohol. This ensures that they will complete the detox program and make it through the symptoms of withdrawal without placing drugs or alcohol in their system.
Supervision During The Detox Process
There are lots of people who suffer from addiction and all of them are going to go through some type of withdrawal during their initial phases. This is often the most difficult time because the symptoms of withdrawal can be quite severe. The symptoms that someone goes through during withdrawal, depending on the substance at hand, can even be life-threatening. Therefore, the supervision that comes with an inpatient program is invaluable. This supervision can help make sure that someone makes it through these first few days without breaking under pressure. This supervision can also get someone the medical care and assistance they need if the symptoms start to get too bad. Finally, the supervision also serves as an additional source of support that can help someone make it through these tough times.
Focus on the Recovery Process
Finally, when someone decides to start treatment at an inpatient program, they free themselves from any other distractions. With the numerous other obligations that someone has in the outside world, it is easy to see why breaking an addiction without the support of an inpatient program can be so challenging. When someone is being pulled in multiple directions, such as with obligations in the personal and professional realm, there isn’t a lot of strength left to focus on breaking an addiction. This is where an inpatient program becomes invaluable. The ability for someone to shut out all other distractions and focus on themselves can help them successfully navigate the road to recovery.
After completing inpatient treatment, it’s strongly recommended to continue with aftercare. Most inpatient facilities will discharge clients with a comprehensive aftercare plan but it’s up to the addict to hold themselves accountable to do it.
Soba Recovery Inpatient Program Can Help
These are only a few of the many benefits of trusting an inpatient rehab program for addiction treatment. At Soba Recovery Center, we are proud to be one of the main drug and alcohol treatment programs based out of the southwest. We have locations both in Mesa, AZ and San Antonio, TX. Our detox and inpatient treatment services help clients beat addiction and get on the road to recovery. Our unique luxury addiction treatment program uses proven, traditional treatment methods, with innovative therapies.
Our goal is to help our clients overcome substance abuse for good. If you would like to learn more about our addiction treatment program and services, please contact us today!
Addiction is a serious disease that doesn’t differentiate based on race, gender, or background. It comes in many forms and can impact anyone at any time. There are a few drugs that are particularly addictive, such as benzodiazepines, which are also known as benzos. If you or someone you know is suffering from a benzo addiction, please seek professional help. Benzos can change one’s life drastically and are extremely addictive. Benzo abuse can also be detrimental to one’s health and is very dangerous
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are a common class of prescription medication that is used to treat a variety of medical conditions. Some of the most common forms of benzos are diazepam, lorazepam, Klonopin, and Xanax. Benzos have two major medical applications. First, benzos are used to stop someone who is having seizures. A seizure takes place when the neurons in the brain start to fire out of control. There are different kinds of seizures such as tonic-clonic, grand mal, and absence seizure.
The other major application of benzos comes in the form of anxiety management. If someone is having a panic attack, benzos such as the commonly prescribed Xanax, stop the panic attack from continues. This medicine is short-acting and can stop a panic attack in its tracks; however, this medication is also incredibly addictive. Benzos are supposed to be prescribed as an emergency use only pill, but people prescribed can end up taking them every day. The longer someone abuses benzos, the more likely they’ll become addicted. It’s really not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. There are certain signs and symptoms one can look out for when it comes to an addiction to benzos.
What are the Signs & Symptoms?
If someone develops an addiction to benzos, there are a few signs and symptoms that people might note. First, someone who suffers from an addiction to benzos will end up going to the doctor more often than usual. This takes place because someone is going to need a prescription to pick up benzos. Then, that individual might end up going through prescriptions of benzos faster than they should.
As the addiction worsens, individuals are going to develop mood swings, become increasingly lethargic, and experience slurred speech. They will do anything they can to feed that addiction. When the doctor stops writing prescriptions, someone who suffers from an addiction is going to turn to buying them off the streets. This can directly impact someone’s financial situation as they’re paying out of pocket for the drugs versus using insurance.
How to Quit
The safest and most effective way to quit using benzos is to seek help from a trained medical professional. Stopping cold turkey is extremely dangerous and can cause health complications, such as seizures. If someone is addicted to their prescription, they can go to the doctor prescribing the medicine and asked to be tapered off. Being “tapered off” means the doctor will determine a smaller dose to give the person, then a smaller dose after that, to gradually get this person off the drug.
If someone is addicted to benzos that they’re buying off the street, they can also go to a doctor and seek help or they can go to a drug rehab for detox. During detox, the person will also be tapered off the drug, under medical supervision 24 hours a day. Detox at a rehab isn’t only for people who are purchasing benzos illegally, it is for anyone who is addicted regardless of if they have a prescription or not.
Completing detox at a rehab then attending an inpatient rehab is one of the best ways to ensure someone will get sober and stay sober. During treatment, the addict learns the coping skills needed to stay sober and also gains a support group. Having the support of friends and family is important when getting sober, but having a sober community is even more important for beating a benzo addiction.
Let Us Help!
At Soba Recovery, we offer detox and inpatient treatment programs at both of our Soba Texas and Soba Mesa rehab centers that help people overcome addiction. We provide a unique luxury program that combines traditional addiction treatment with modern therapies to assist clients in overcoming substance abuse for good. If you are interested in learning more about how our program can help you overcome the chains of addiction, contact us today!
For a long time, there were misconceptions surrounding substance abuse, drug abuse, and addiction. Now the general public and medical communities have a stronger understanding of addiction, what it is, and how to treat it.
The drive to treat addiction never ends. Sobriety is a lifelong journey. For this reason, there are specialized locations that have been created to help people not just attain but also maintain sobriety. This starts with something called sober living.
What is Sober Living?
Sober living homes are areas where homes have been created specifically for individuals who are working to recover from an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In many respects, these homes operate as a co-op. People often do chores to keep the home maintained as a way to cut down on costs.
There are multiple types of sober living homes. Some homes might be owned by religious groups who are looking to help people who struggle with addiction. Businesses might also operate sober living homes as a form of charity. The vast majority of sober living homes are run by private organizations.
Sober living homes can vary from place to place. Each one operates in a different manner. For example, many homes have a resident manager who works to oversee the rules of the house. Other homes have a more democratic arrangement where everyone works together. The good news is that there is a sober living home out there for everyone.
How Does Sober Living Help?
There are a number of ways in which a sober living home can help someone who is recovering from an addiction to alcohol or drugs. This type of addiction treatment is important for everyone, even those in recovery. These homes help by providing someone a stable environment in which they can take the next steps on the road to sobriety. Plenty of studies have been published showing that it’s hard to maintain sobriety in a home that’s dysfunctional. This is going to cause people to relapse, returning to a life of alcohol and drugs. Sober living homes act as a safe arrangement that has been created by the residents for the residents. Everyone who lives in sober living has completed a form of treatment for drugs or alcohol.
Residents of sober livings are encouraged to continue to seek outpatient treatment while living in the home. Residents are also going to be encouraged to seek a 12-step program. Sober living homes are a fantastic resource but only work if the individuals in the home are fully committed to the recovery process. Sober livings are a community where everyone supports each other.
Why Should You Attend Sober Living After Rehab?
Sober Living is a great transition from rehab to the real world. The homes rely on the residents to work together to hold each other accountable for their actions and sobriety. Rehab and treatment programs teach addicts the tools to stay sober but it’s up to them whether or not they want to use those tools outside treatment. With the encouragement of other people living in sober living, people have a much better chance of maintaining their sobriety.
These homes are also great for people who are worried they might not have a safe place to return to. Inpatient programs are great but if someone walks out of the program and returns to the environment that led to their substance abuse use, this is going to result in relapse and another stay at inpatient.
Sober living homes provide a great alternative to returning home. Because these homes are free from drugs and alcohol, this is a safer place for people to continue the road to recovery. These homes have other resources that can help people mend broken relationships as well as find employment.
Help is Here For You
At Soba Recovery, we are a compassionate drug and alcohol treatment program with locations in Mesa, Arizona, and San Antonio, Texas. We are proud to offer detox and inpatient treatment options designed to treat addiction. After inpatient, we encourage all of our clients to complete outpatient and sober living as aftercare. Using the tools we teach you during inpatient, sober living will be one of the most important parts of your recovery journey. Give us a call today.
Addiction is a family disease. Even though one person may be suffering from substance abuse, their addiction affects everyone around them. When our loved ones are using it’s common for them to lie to us, steal, and behave in a way that hurts us. We know they aren’t doing it intentionally but it still hurts.
While there isn’t necessarily a rule book on how to treat a loved one suffering from addiction, there are certain things we can do to gain insight into how our loved one is feeling, how we can help them, and stop enabling their behavior. Family Behavior Therapy is a great way for everyone to heal.
What is Family Behavior Therapy?
Family behavior therapy is a therapy that involves the drug or alcohol user and at least one significant other such as a cohabiting partner, parent, sibling, etc. The goal is to address issues that are related to substance abuse; conduct disorders, child mistreatment, depression, family conflict, and unemployment.
Family behavior treatment looks at a range of therapeutic-based approaches to help set goals on how to improve the home environment. The chaotic nature of someone suffering from substance abuse can be felt throughout the entire family. If your loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol and unable to maintain employment, they may end up living with you and their addiction will directly affect you. Family therapists believe that problems exist between people, not within people.
Is it Right for Us?
If you’re reading this and a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, you’re probably asking yourself if family behavior therapy is right for us. The answer is yes, it is. Single parents, foster parents, grandparents, extended family, stepfamily, etc can all benefit from this type of therapy. At Soba Recovery, we believe family therapy falls within phase two of the three-phase plan for our clients.
A family can best be compared to a system. In any system, each part is related to all the other parts. A change in any part of the system will affect the other parts. Families of any kind are interconnected and rely on each other for support.
Benefits of Family Behavior Therapy
When a drug or alcohol addict goes to treatment, they gain knowledge on how to recover from addiction. Since addiction is a family disease, the family needs to gain knowledge as well. For example, if our loved one is suffering from addiction and asks us for money, we may think we’re helping them by giving them a loan. In reality, our loved one will just use the money to buy more drugs or alcohol; therefore we’re perpetuating their addiction.
Family behavior therapy will teach families to set boundaries with one another and how to cope with changes. It’s common for family members to become accustomed to being their loved one’s caretaker and not knowing how to break the habit. This therapy teaches families to change their own behavior to help their loved one change their behavior. Addiction recovery is often misunderstood and it’s important for families to have a full understanding of their loved ones’ recovery. Family therapy also provides a safe space to communicate which is the foundation of any relationship.
Soba Recovery Can Help
At Soba Recovery Center we examine addiction from all angles. We’re dedicated to helping struggling drug or alcohol users and know their actions affect their families and loved ones. We’ve put together a three-phase plan and family therapy is offered during phase two, also known as early recovery. Repairing relationships is a crucial component of early recovery. If your family member or loved one is suffering, let us know so we can help them and you.
There are a number of significant challenges someone has to face when trying to overcome substance abuse. One of the most intimidating topics to discuss is withdrawals. The symptoms can vary from being mild to severe and are different for everyone. Withdrawal symptoms also depend on the substance someone is abusing.
Withdrawal typically takes place during detox (the first few days of the recovery period). The good news is medical detox helps make withdrawal as comfortable as possible for drug and alcohol users. At Soba Recovery we provide a comprehensive detox program to help our clients overcome substance abuse, making recovery within your reach.
What are Withdrawals?
When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the body has been conditioned to believe it needs those substances to survive. As those substances and toxins start to leave the body, people will start to experience cravings. This is the driving force that has powered their addictions from day one. When the body doesn’t get these substances quickly it will enter withdrawal.
Some withdrawals can cause health complications or lead to relapse. For this reason, it’s important to lean on trained professionals who provide around-the-clock care. You don’t have to go through this alone. Withdrawal can be one of the most challenging phases of recovery but once you overcome withdrawal you can overcome anything.
What do Opioid Withdrawals Look Like?
Withdrawal is going to take many shapes and forms and depends on the substance someone is addicted to. For example, someone who is going through withdrawal from benzodiazepines may develop seizures. Withdrawal from alcohol may take a course known as delirium tremens, often shortened to DTs. There are a few common symptoms opioid users experience during withdrawal.
One of the first symptoms is opioid cravings. Someone may feel a powerful drive to use drugs once again. This can evoke an emotional reaction. Muscle aches are soon to follow as well as body pain. Lack of sleep is also common as cravings can keep someone up at night. Eventually, individuals develop agitation and anxiety. One of the most common comparisons for opioid withdrawals is they are like having the flu.
How Long Does Opioid Withdrawal Last?
Withdrawal symptoms can start as soon as six hours after the last dose of drugs. Some people even notice symptoms as quickly as two hours after the last dose. If the addiction is a longer-acting opioid medication, the symptoms may be delayed for up to a day.
Within 72 hours, the symptoms should peak. This peak might be delayed if someone is using a longer-acting opioid. Then, over the next few days, the symptoms are going to subside gradually. Again, if the opioid is longer-acting, this process may be a little longer. Withdrawal periods vary from person to person but on average last around five days.
Get Help
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) published between 26.4 million and 36 million people around the globe abuse opiate drugs, which includes prescription pain relievers and the illegal drug heroin. Know that you’re not alone battling this addiction. Soba Mesa offers medically assisted detox and our clients are monitored 24 hours per day. Our medical practitioners prescribe the correct medicine to alleviate the discomfort associated with the withdrawal symptoms mentioned above. Contact us to get help. We would be honored to assist you with addiction treatment.
Drug abuse and addiction are among the most pressing issues facing our public health system today. For a long time, there was a shortage of adequate resources available to help those who were looking for effective addiction treatment options. Fortunately, this is starting to change. Now, there are trained professionals who are willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it. One of the options comes in the form of addiction treatment. There are lots of options available to those who want to seek addiction treatment. It is critical for people to keep a few important points in mind.
What is Addiction Treatment?
For those who might not know, addiction treatment is any medical treatment or therapy that is focused on helping people break free from the bonds of addiction and get a fresh start. Addiction is a disease that takes root in someone’s mind and makes them believe that they need a certain substance just to survive. This might be drugs, alcohol, or anything else. The brain becomes miswired and believes it needs these substances just to stay alive, similar to oxygen, food, or water.
Addiction treatment focuses on helping people get the wires in their brains back to where they need to be. This treatment can take many forms. Some people seek outpatient treatment to help with their addiction while other people might start with an inpatient stay before they transition to the outside world. The good news is that addiction can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual. One option that people need to consider is the possibility of seeking treatment for addiction outside of their hometown. There are a few benefits of this that everyone should know.
Why is it Beneficial to Travel out of State for Treatment?
Some people might be hesitant to leave the comfort of their hometown and travel for addiction treatment. There are a few reasons why everyone should think about putting in this effort. These include:
1. Escape Old Friends: Getting away from old friends is one of the key benefits of traveling for addiction treatment. Not everyone is going to want to leave their friends behind; however, many people end up addicted to drugs and alcohol because of the friends they have made. Some people might get worried that they are going to end up in the same spot as they were before if they don’t sever these ties. One of the easiest ways to do this is to move geographically and get away from those relationships.
2. Enjoy a Fresh Start: During any addiction treatment process, it is important to get a fresh start. That is where going someplace else for addiction treatment is going to be key. Everyone needs to have a fresh start. This means looking at life with a new perspective. In order to gather a new perspective, it is important to change the location. Seeking addiction treatment somewhere else can make this happen.
3. Enjoy a New Scene: In addition to gaining a new perspective, it can also be helpful to simply enjoy a new location. It can be helpful for people to focus on themselves and think clearly if they seek out help for drug abuse and addiction in someplace beautiful. While some people underestimate the importance of the location, the weather can actually play a major role in the recovery process.
4. Avoid Distractions: When someone seeks out addiction treatment close to their hometown, they are going to be distracted. They are going to be focused on friends, their families, and other obligations. During the process of addiction treatment, it is important for everyone to stay focused on themselves. This is a time for people to be selfish. They cannot help others if they do not first help themselves.
5. Try Something New: Finally, it is a good idea to move out of one’s hometown to try something new. Often, people have tried addiction treatment at home and it hasn’t worked. This is a time to try something new. Furthermore, if someone is willing to go somewhere else for addiction treatment, they are more likely to be committed to the recovery process because they have invested more in it. Consider going someplace else for addiction treatment. Branch out.
Let Us Help You Today!
At Soba Recovery, we are a luxury detox and drug rehab program with professionals who work hard to stay up to date on the latest treatment information in the field so that we can help everyone who comes through our door. We would be happy to do the same for you as well. If you would like to learn more about our services and how we can help you, please contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you.
CBT is talk therapy and a combination of both behavioral and cognitive theory. The main focus of this type of treatment regime is pinpointing the behaviors and thought patterns that cause someone to struggle with drug or alcohol addiction.
