Drug Addiction and Depression: How They Intertwine

woman struggling with depression and drug addiction

Drug Addiction and Depression

Did you know that approximately 20 million Americans have drug addictions that are not being treated? This often leads to their condition getting worse and sometimes lethal. Drug addiction and depression are popular patterns that go hand in hand; where the person will have psychological disorders, as they age the condition of their mental state sharply declines. In a lot of cases, they will develop substance abuse or alcohol abuse issues. Studies show that women were more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness than men. Substance abuse among women is growing at an alarming rate where a 2009 survey reported that women 6.6% of women aged 12 and older had confessed to using an illegal drug.

The Catastrophic Effects of Alcohol, Depression & Substance Abuse

Many people who are alcoholics and heavy drinkers are in danger of liver cirrhosis which is when the liver does not perform properly due to excessive and long term abuse. Cirrhosis can eventually lead to the liver failing completely which ultimately can lead to death.

Depression and substance abuse come with their myriad of negative effects as well. Depression not only weakens your immune system leaving you susceptible to colds and viruses but can cause insomnia, difficulty focusing which is especially problematic in academic environments, inability to preserve healthy personal relationships, and in some occasion’s chronic pain!

Substance abuse is even worse with the effect varying on the substance.

Inside the Psychology of Depression, Alcoholism, & Drug Addiction

couple trying to cope with depressionThe reason why many people with depression turn to opioid substances is because of the chemical Dopamine that is released when the drugs are taken. Dopamine affects our emotions, movement, and recollection and since the brain remembers the feeling of being “high” an increased level of pleasure is released which in turn becomes addictive due to the brain craving the activity.

When someone is depressed and cuts themselves, several people have reported that the motor response that is released is similar to shooting heroin. It is also reported that this behavior is self-reinforcing and gives the user a sense of power and a sense of control.

Now alcohol, on the other hand, is slightly different as alcohol for many is solving a problem. The underlying primary problem for alcohol abuse could have started in your adolescence, teen years or your adulthood. From those times onward there will be some bad feelings, bad relationships and bad situations that were experienced which leads to alcohol becoming the coping mechanism and, thus the cycle begins.

Other cases that have led to alcoholism are peer pressure and the want for social acceptance. In a lot of social situations, many may find it hard to turn down their friends who are offering them drink after drink. It is human nature to want to be accepted by our peers and loved ones, many would say that it is fundamental to humans. Getting rejected is actually not good for your health; some symptoms from rejection are not sleeping well, weakened immune system, depression, and a shortened life span. All of these side effects can lead to peer pressure drinking.

Warning Signs of Substance Abuse and Depression

Here are some warning signs and symptoms of depression and drug use that you want to pay attention to. If you see your loved one doing these consistently then they may need treatment.

  • Loss of appetite or constant binge eating
  • Shying away from their usual activities and behaviors
  • Sleeping a lot and lacking energy
  • Loss of hope, feeling numb and feeling like nothing matters
  • Drinking, smoking and abusing more drugs than they were before
  • Feeling unusually moody usually angry, sad, worried, on edge, or fearful
  • Hostility and fighting between their close family and friends
  • Hearing thoughts and believing things/events that are not true
  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • Lack of motivation to do daily necessary tasks (example: bathing)

Depression and Addiction Recovery

In addition to receiving addiction treatment, some methods that may help improve the mental state of those with depression and substance abuse disorders are:

  • Reaching out and connecting with others in the church, participating in community services, and engaging with positive influences in their lives
  • Utilizing healthy outlets such as painting, drawing, singing, exercising, cooking, writing
  • Helping to improve others’ lives
  • Receiving professional help through a rehab service

In order to solve the issue of the person’s attachment to the substance, you have to find out what led to the substance abuse and the underlying reason why the user is abusing alcohol or other substances. After the root cause is discovered the next step is to find a healthier replacement so that the user can gradually and safely let go of the substance/substances.

When the right issue is addressed we can begin to reach a solution so that many more people will have a better quality of life and healthy lifestyles not dependent on substances.

The Top Five Thoughts to Have Before Using Opioids

Addiction is a serious issue that impacts countless individuals and families across the country. Fortunately, the attitude towards addiction and mental health issues is starting to see a shift. This has allowed countless people who are impacted by addiction to seek the help that they deserve. Once someone is able to achieve sobriety, this is an occasion that deserves to be celebrated. When it comes to an addiction to opioids, this is an impressive achievement. Sadly, a large percentage of people who achieve sobriety are going to suffer a relapse. The relapse rate during recovery may be as high as 60 percent. Before someone makes the decision to use opioids, there are a few thoughts that need to enter the head.

1. Why Do I Feel to Urge to Revert to Substance Abuse?

First, people need to ask why they are feeling the urge to use opioids once again. While a relapse after a period of sobriety is not uncommon, it is also important for people to know why they are doing this. During the road to recovery, one of the goals is to address the root cause of the reasons why someone decided to use opioids in the first place. Have these causes changed? Are the roots the same?  Figuring out why someone is feeling the urge to use opioids again is an important part of avoiding a relapse. Even though relapse can impact more than half of all individuals in recovery, there are still steps people should take to stay sober.

2. What Was My Top Priority During Addiction Treatment?

Next, people need to ask themselves whether or not sobriety is really their top priority. Sure, there are lots of pulls on people’s time. This includes personal relationships, professional relationships, job obligations, and personal hobbies. On the other hand, unless someone gets clean for themselves, they are not going to be able to stay sober. Without a complete and total dedication to long-term sobriety, relapse is going to happen. This means that people need to be willing to put in the hard work. Is the hard work getting done? Are meetings being attended? Are sponsors being called? Or are counseling sessions being capped? This can help people stay sober and avoid relapse.

3. Where Is My Addiction Treatment Support System?

In addition, everyone needs to ask whether or not they have a strong support system. Addiction is a disease. It should be treated as such. At the same time, addiction can be beaten. In order for someone to overcome addiction and stay sober, a strong support system must be in place. Someone who has newly achieved sobriety needs to rely on the support network from day one. This can make a difference in helping someone stay sober or relapsing back into the claws and reaches of addiction. Anyone who is thinking about using opioids needs to reach out to the support system. This might include friends, family members, spiritual leaders, and support groups.

4. Why Did I Make the Decision to Quit Substance Abuse?

Next, people need to make sure that they are quitting for the right reasons. As mentioned above, everyone needs to make the decision to quit for themselves and their long-term well-being. Anyone who enters into treatment in order to make friends or family members happy is bound to fail. If they aren’t committed to themselves, they are not going to be able to commit to treatment. This is one of the biggest reasons why people think about using opioids again. Everyone needs to make sure they are quitting for the right reasons. This can have a long-term impact on someone’s overall health, well-being, and future desires. Remember, before making the decision to use again, the impact this is going to have on one’s own life.

5. Am I Ready?

Finally, before making the decision to use opioids, people need to think about all of the work they have done to get to this point. When someone achieves sobriety, they had put in a tremendous amount of work in order to get clean. All of this work has been done to rebuild a regular life and avoid a relapse. Is it really OK to destroy all of this work at the altar of opioids? Is it really OK to return to the world of social isolation and damaged personal relationships? Remember to think about this before making the decision to use opioids again.

Rely on the Professionals at Soba Recovery

At Soba Recovery, we are dedicated to helping everyone find the drug and alcohol addiction treatment they need. With locations in Mesa, AZ, and San Antonio, TX we provide detox and inpatient treatment for numerous types of addiction. If you would like to learn more about our services, please call us today to learn more!

Why Group Therapy is Essential in Addiction Treatment

Fighting drug addiction on your own can be a difficult, if not impossible task. Addiction is real and its impact on your health, relationships, career, and more cannot be underestimated. Kicking your drug habit isn’t merely a matter of will and strength. Plenty of mentally strong people succumb to drug addiction.

Fortunately, you don’t have to face your addiction alone. Group therapy can be an immensely powerful tool for combating addiction and getting your life back on track. Group therapy can provide support, will nurture you, and will also help you stay accountable.

At Soba Recovery, group therapy is one of the regular tools we use to help people fight and overcome addiction. Let’s look at some of the many benefits and why it’s so important to the recovery process.

The Benefits of Group Therapy in Addiction Recovery

Be with Others

A sense of community is a powerful feeling. When you take part in a drug rehab group therapy session, you’re joining a community of like-minded folks who want to kick their bad habits. Most if not all of the people in your group therapy session are interested in addiction treatment.

This comradery will help provide emotional support as you go through withdrawals and suffer cravings. Those who have successfully kicked the habit can be a positive inspiration and can help you set goals. Emotional encouragement can help you when times get tough as well.

Learn from Others

Group therapy is a learning experience. You can learn about other people and their shortcomings, including when and where they struggle with substance abuse. It’s hard to see your own flaws and shortcomings. We develop blind spots.

Group therapy makes it easier to recognize your own blind spots and to develop a more objective understanding of yourself, other drug users, and addiction in general. This will help you find a clearer path forward.

Eliminate Isolation

Many drug users become isolated from family, friends, coworkers, and more. Some drug users rarely come into contact with anyone who’s not an active drug addict. This can make it very difficult to kick your habits. When you’re surrounded by temptation, you’re more likely to give in.

Being isolated can leave you emotionally vulnerable as well. Group therapy will provide an environment in which you can enjoy the company of other people. Importantly, while these people will be drug users, they are also actively seeking addiction treatment.

Reduce Bad Peer Pressure

Group therapy will encourage good peer pressure and help you stay accountable. While other addicts will be in the room with you, they won’t be pressuring you into drug use. Far from it, they’ll be on the same path to recovery with you and can often hold you accountable.

Meanwhile, if you spend a lot of time around active drug users, there will be constant pressure to use drugs again and to join the crowd. This can make it impossible to stay clean.

Get Peer Advice

Your fellow drug addicts have walked many of the same roads as you. They know the many pitfalls and shortcomings. They know of many of the dangers. And they often know when to debunk poor excuses. Your peers can be a vital source of information. Learn to lean on it.

Get Professional Advice Too

At Soba Recovery, many of the group therapy sessions are mediated by trained drug counselors and psychologists. These professionals will be able to offer neutral, insightful advice and can leverage their years of experience in addiction treatment. Professional insights can go a long way when it comes to drug abuse.

Our professional drug treatment experts are not judgmental. Many know people personally who have suffered from drug abuse. Addiction is a health problem and requires medical and psychological treatment. Fortunately, we can provide that.

Get Your Life Back on Track with Group Therapy

Finally, and most importantly, group therapy will help you get your life back on track. Your career, personal relationships, family, and peer groups have almost certainly suffered as a result of addiction. There’s no point in beating yourself up over it, instead, you should work hard to break the cycle of addiction.

Group therapy in combination with individual therapy sessions and detoxing will help you restore your body to its normal physical and mental state. Beating addiction is hard, which is why it’s best to utilize multiple methods to fight addiction.

Soba Recovery has helped numerous people fight and beat addiction. No treatment approach is ever the same and we all face our own demons. Yet with perseverance and effort, you can combat and overcome your addiction.

Group therapy is available to both the patients in our live-in clinic and also outpatients. Soba Recovery’s trained professionals can help you uncover and address the root causes of addiction. You don’t have to fight substance abuse alone, let us help you and take your life back!

A Guide to Your First 30 Days Out of Rehab

Sobriety is something you are striving hard for. You are tired of the addiction and all the negative things it has caused in your life. Your addiction recovery has you thinking positively most of the time but you are discovering that the first thirty days of sobriety are difficult. They are probably the most difficult part of the journey. You may see your body getting better, but the thoughts that pop up unwanted in your mind may have you confused, doubtful, and even scared. Know that all of this is a normal part of addiction recovery. There are some things that you can do to help you get through this difficult period and come out on the other side with more strength and determination than you may currently see as possible.

Plan, Plan, Plan

When every minute of the day is planned for, you don’t have time to dwell on the time you spent getting drunk or high. Schedule time for exercise, eating, attending meetings, and even relaxation. Start thinking about your future and make plans for what you want to do with your new-found energy, time, and money.

Attend All Meetings

Now more than any other time you need to be near people who understand what you are going through. Don’t make any excuses for missing meetings. Even if you are having a good day, go with the idea you might be able to support someone else.

Stay Physically Healthy

This includes eating well, exercising, and maintaining a good sleep schedule. It also means keeping up with any doctor visits. As your body is healing, you want to do all you can to help it along.

Take Up a New Hobby

Think about the things you have always wanted to learn. Sign up for a class, join a group, or design your own private learning system. If nothing new appeals to you right away, consider something you used to love before drugs or alcohol and re-ignite that passion. Do you feel the photography bug tugging at you? Maybe you can write that book you used to think about or start painting.

Write

Journaling is a way of getting all the negative thoughts out of your mind. Putting them on paper allows you to examine them and then push them aside, making room for different, more positive thoughts. It is often better to actually write with pen and paper but if that isn’t your thing, a computer keyboard will still serve the purpose.

Practice Forgiveness

As time goes on, you will think about all the pain you may have caused. This includes pain and damage to yourself. You can’t go back and change these things. What you can do is acknowledge these things and then forgive yourself. Know that you are beyond that place now and you can make the future better. Learn to see that you are human and humans mess up. What is important is to move forward with a plan on doing better.

Make Connections

You are not alone. It is possible that you lost all the people you normally associated with when you entered addiction recovery. Sobriety tends to make you see who really has your best interest in mind. There are plenty of people out there, however, who will support you. Go to places, meet people. Maybe start going to church if that is something that interests you. Join a club, visit places like museums and art galleries, and talk with people.

Discover New Places

Think about all the places you have wanted to visit but pushed aside because they didn’t fit with your addiction. Now is the time to explore these places. You don’t even have to travel far from home to find some of these places. However, if travel is something you have always wanted to do, maybe you can start planning a vacation or road trip now to give you something to work toward.

You Will Make It

It won’t be easy and anybody that tells you it will be hasn’t been through the process. There will be doubts and you may even stumble but you will make it if you keep your resolve. Realize that it didn’t take you a day to get to this point and it won’t take you a day to recover. The main thing is, you can make it. Look toward some of the above things, and use them to discover others. The journey ahead is worth it. You are worth it.

The Benefits of Going to Drug Detox

Unfortunately, tens of thousands of Americans die due to drug abuse each year. Illicit drugs are now a leading killer in the United States and families have been torn apart by addiction. However, help is available. The right drug rehab problem can help addicts break the cycle of addiction and allow people to get back on their feet. Attending a drug detox program carries many benefits with it.

Most importantly, a drug detox program will help you or a loved one address their addiction. Drug addiction can be very difficult to overcome. A detox program will provide support, encouragement, resources, and more. This will make it easier to kick addiction permanently. Let’s take a closer look at the many benefits of seeking addiction treatment.

Be Physically Strong

The initial stages of drug detox can be physically difficult. Withdrawal symptoms can be extremely hard to cope with and you may find yourself desperately craving drugs. It can be hard to quit drugs if you still have easy access to them as the addiction itself can be overpowering.

Fortunately, a detox program will help put distance between yourself and drugs. At the same time, the staff and medical professionals on hand will be able to help you cope with withdrawal. Over time, your brain will recover and will start to function like a normal, healthy brain.

As this happens, the hold the drug has on you will lessen. Eventually, you’ll regain your appetite for food and other simple pleasures. You’ll be healthier and will be able to enjoy a normal life once again.

Be Emotionally Prepared

While the physical ailments associated with drug abuse may be the most immediate, the emotional trauma can be every bit as debilitating. Many drug addicts feel immense amounts of guilt and/or struggle to process their emotions in a normal, healthy way. Many addicts are also dealing with burdensome personal relationship issues.

A detox program will give you space from these relationships, allowing you to come to terms with your addiction on your own. Detox and recovery will help you realize who your true friends and loved ones are.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the staff at the drug detox program will be able to provide support and comfort. Kicking a drug habit is every bit an emotional challenge as it is a physical one. Trained professionals can prove invaluable.

Getting to a better place emotionally will make it easier for you to break your addiction. Just as importantly, emotional strength and health will provide a bulwark against future cravings.

You don’t have to combat your addiction alone. In a detox program, you’ll be surrounded by people who care and who will provide emotional support.

Get Your Career Back on Track

Drug addiction can disrupt your career, schooling, and more. Unfortunately, many people who become addicted to substances struggle to focus on work, studying and otherwise advancing. By seeking addiction treatment, you’ll be able to break the hold addiction has over you. In time, this will allow you to focus on and advance in your career.

Drugs ruin countless lives each year. Drug addiction can spark a cycle of defeat. Eventually, your cravings will strain your work and personal relationships. You may find yourself struggling to maintain a normal quality of life.

Detoxing will help restore your quality of life. You’ll be able to focus on your career again, study, and otherwise excel.

Get Your Finances in Order

Drug addiction can have a huge impact on your personal finances. Not only can addiction derail your career and earnings, but what money you do have is often wasted on your substance of choice. By seeking addiction treatment, you’ll break the cycle and won’t spend money on drugs. This way, you can save for a home, car, or whatever else is important for you.

Detox and Defeat Addiction

Breaking the cycle of addiction isn’t easy, but the benefits are exceptional. By seeking addiction treatment, you can get your life in order. You’ll be more successful in professional and personal affairs. Yet beating addiction is easier said than done.

Often, it’s all but impossible to break addiction on your own. However, by enrolling in a drug detox program, you can remove yourself from harmful situations and rely on professional, trained staffers who can help you fight and eventually overcome your addictions.

Soba Recovery is Here to Help

Drug addiction is a serious health problem and is often associated with various mental and physical ailments. Fortunately, by working with drug treatment experts, such as those at Soba Recovery, you can craft a customized addiction treatment plan that suits your needs. No two cases are alike and what works for one recovering addict won’t necessarily work for you.

What’s important is identifying the root causes of your addiction and treating your specific issues.

Why Heading to Texas for Addiction Treatment Is a Wonderful Idea

Overcoming an addiction can be the toughest challenge you will ever face in your life.

When you’ve grown to rely on an addictive substance, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, it can be nearly impossible to break free from their hold and take ownership of your life again. The good news for people is that they don’t have to struggle against their addictions alone.

In recent years, more and more treatment facilities have emerged and they are offering their services to individuals who need help overcoming their demons.

But where should you go if you want to be rehabilitated? The state of Texas is one place that is well worth considering.

The Lone Star State may not be the first place that popped into your head when you were trying to think of the best location for addiction treatment, but as you’ll soon learn, it has qualities that make it an ideal spot for recovery.

The Unique Locales in Texas Can Be Beneficial to Recovery

All kinds of factors can play a role in the development of an addiction. This 2018 article posted on Psychology Today highlights some of the factors that have the strongest influence. Among the factors is the learning environment, better known as the physical environment that an addict dwells in.

Per the article, when people start to develop a pattern of behavior, they also tend to associate a place with what they are doing. That is the learned behavior in question and it can become incredibly difficult to stop or even just control.

What’s also worth pointing out is that addicted individuals may be able to use or consume more of their preferred substances when they stay inside that familiar setting. Studies indicate that the body is better equipped to handle those substances when they’re taken in a recognizable setting, and thus, the addict may also end up drinking or using more than usual.

You can weaken the effect that a familiar location has on you by changing elements of it, but it would be even better if you could get settled somewhere even more unfamiliar as you try to recover.

That’s why Texas stands out as a great location for addiction treatment. Some of the locations there are so unique that you won’t be able to associate them with any of your old habits.

Once you enter a rehab facility there, it’s almost like a clean slate. You can’t connect anything to it so you can just start making memories as you go through the recovery process.

Even if you are a resident of Texas, their treatment centers will still be foreign to you. In this case, that’s more than welcome.

Sometimes, getting the chance to start over in a place you don’t know is exactly what you need to get your recovery on track.

Texas Offers Peaceful Environments to Recovering Addicts

An often-overlooked factor that can cause people to fall deeper into their addictions is stress. As pointed out by VeryWell Mind, stress by itself is not going to be the reason why you become addicted to drugs and alcohol. However, it can be a compounding factor.

The site further notes that addicts may use drugs and alcohol to cope with the stressful situations they are experiencing. Because the addictive substances only provide a temporary reprieve from the stress, many people tend to use them over and over again in order to continually keep the unpleasant feelings associated with stress at bay.

It’s easy to see how addicts can fall into a vicious cycle. Their desire to break free from the problems they encounter in daily life can wind up just making them dependent on substances truly harmful to them.

Again, it’s worth reiterating that stress alone will not be the reason why you end up addicted, but it certainly can be pointed to as a contributing factor.

If you’re in a rehab facility in Texas, you don’t have to deal with stress. They are typically located on isolated stretches of land, which is a good thing. Being in an isolated facility means that the people recovering there can experience some badly needed peace and quiet.

You can simply focus on your recovery and follow all the steps included in your treatment program.

Some addiction treatment centers may even allow their residents to take part in recreational activities that can help them further relax and unwind. Recovering individuals will not need to rely on substances to escape stress because that is nowhere to be found in the place they are currently staying in.

Conclusion

Recovering from addiction is like climbing up a mountain. It can be intimidating, frightening, and just seem downright impossible to pull off at times.

What you can do to improve your chances of succeeding is to set up base camp on the right spot, which in this case means going to an addiction treatment center in Texas. Contact Soba Texas today to get more information about our program. If you or a loved one are in need of help with addiction, don’t hesitate.

4 Benefits of Quitting Opioids: An Addiction Needing Caring Treatment

These powerful painkillers are extremely rampant in today’s society and need to be addressed more than the simple facts thrown around for addicts to digest. There has to be an intervention between primary care physician and addiction treatment centers that offer guidance and care for each person suffering from the throes of opioid addiction.

SOBA Recovery Center has a wealth of hope to offer each person who enters their doors in search of addiction treatment for opioids. An initial message of positivity alongside the beautiful facility and surroundings give the addiction specialists a chance to share their healing secrets and tools of recovery.

What happens when the body undergoes detox?

Because succumbing to addiction is a real fact in our world and with the aid of the pharmaceutical industries and vulnerabilities of personas, it’s no wonder that the body has to go through stages of detoxification after the willingness to quit altogether is acknowledged.

When a person ceases taking the drugs the body requires time to recover. However, there are withdrawal symptoms that can occur at any time when long-term opioid usage is stopped altogether or cut back. The following symptoms of detox include:

  • Anxiety
  • Agitation during daily activities
  • Muscle tension, aches, and pains
  • An increase in crying and emotional outbursts
  • Insomnia and difficulty falling asleep
  • Yawning and basic fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Runny nose, similar to cold and flu symptoms

While the above noticeable signs of detox are prevalent, there are also symptoms during late-phase withdrawal worth noting, which include persistent goosebumps, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dilated pupils, nausea, and in extreme cases, violent vomiting. These are not life-threatening signs, yet can cause severe discomfort if not addressed properly by an addiction expert or a physician.

Receiving a comprehensive medical history and background information of each person is vital at SOBA Recovery Center. It is of their utmost concern to listen, offer support, heal with proper tools and alternative therapies that bring about resounding results and successes for patients undergoing the decision to quit opioids.

The 4 benefits of total abandonment of opioid addiction

There are phases to treatment and subsequent recovery during addiction treatment. Group counseling sessions, cognitive and mental treatments, and support, specific detoxification modalities that create a peaceful transition are all highlighted at SOBA in San Antonio, Texas.

The biggest challenge of opioid treatment lies in the overall paradox of how to help those who are suffering from the addiction. Researchers are still flummoxed by what actually goes on in treatment centers and what connections there are with respect to the highest quality of treatment an addict needs to receive. SOBA is aware of the gold standard and abides by every protocol necessary to remedy and heal, no matter the length of stay at their idyllic center.

If the person willing to quit opioids understands the complications from addiction treatment and possible withdrawal symptoms, the wellness benefits are astounding once they pass over the hump of significant brain changes that occur during opioid usage.

Following are the 4 most beneficial rewards of abandoning opioid addiction:

  1. Health – A significant improvement over time begins to appear, as the addict manages their symptoms by making informed choices that support their overall physical and emotional well-being.
  2. Home – Securing stability in their lives by having a roof over their heads is progress and alleviates stress.
  3. Purpose – Participating in society by involving oneself in community activities and daily communications and connections through financial independence and proper income elevate a reason to live.
  4. Community – Maintaining active awareness, friendships, love, and social networks brings about the hope within the person undergoing recovery.

Recovery is a lifelong process of change through which the opioid user improves their health and well-being, living self-directed lives, and striving to reach their full potential. It doesn’t happen overnight, yet the possibilities are endless, something SOBA Recovery Center wholeheartedly believes in. They empower their patients and it shows.

Each dimension and phase of supported recovery is evident during addiction treatment, and the uniqueness of each individualized plan is that it shows just what normalcy looks like for the opioid user.

The key to success lies in feeling hopeful and having support

Having drug-free days is within reach for every person involved in the support and recovery efforts. Whether it be family members or best friends, a network of healing therapies is key to success and wellness. Active listening, jotting down moments of weakness in a diary, remaining busy during vulnerable moments, and steering clear of people who encourage drug usage are meaningful measures to remaining clean and drug-free.

Ask for support! Having consistent strategies outlined by a qualified counselor and physician are primary in receiving the proper support to a full recovery.

Why You Should Travel To Arizona For Addiction Treatment

There are benefits and drawbacks to staying close to home for treatment. If you stay close to home, you are also staying close to the toxic situation you were in during your active addiction. The people who may have enabled you may have good intentions, but they probably won’t understand how to help you at first. Getting away from home is also great just for getting a new perspective; you can see things in a totally different way when you are in a new environment. For many people, there are more benefits than drawbacks to going away for treatment.

Why Arizona?

Arizona offers some unique advantages that other locations don’t. For many people, it’s far enough away that they can feel as though they are getting a fresh start. But Arizona is also different from other locations in some distinctive ways.

No Place Like Home

Literally, there may be nothing familiar about such a different kind of place. That can be good for someone who is used to being able to score drugs on the street or with friends right down the street. Such an alien location may make even the idea of finding the drug of choice seem difficult if not impossible. When new to recovery, it makes sense to avoid any obvious temptations.

A Desert Environment

Most people are accustomed to different kinds of climate. The desert environment is more comfortable than most people realize, but it is different enough from home that it helps people who need a total change so they can find a different point of view. Deserts are obviously dry, but they are also places of extremes. The landscape may seem harsh and lifeless, until you get used to it, at which point you can start noticing all the different ways the desert supports life.

Lots of Sunshine

One of the big things that trigger depression for many is the lack of sun in the winter. Arizona promises lots of bright, sunshiney days. The sensation of the sun on your face might trigger feelings of acceptance and joy, even when you’re not looking for it. The change in seasons may also really help someone from a place currently experiencing winter, because it may be able to help that person avoid the normal sensations normally associated with using.

More Workout/Therapy Options

Because of the weather, you can go outside to meditate year-round in Arizona. You can also enjoy the sunshine while taking part in yoga, art therapy, equine therapy, and many other options no matter what time of year it is.

Comfort

Should comfort be your main consideration? Obviously not. But the beginning of recovery is hard enough without adding additional discomfort and suffering. When you choose a treatment facility in Arizona, you can find one where you can be physically comfortable and where you can get the most out of the weather.

Disadvantages of Traveling for Rehab

It goes without saying that there are also disadvantages to traveling far from home for rehab.

Missing Support Systems

Even though it may be a good idea to get away from many of the people you were around during the dark times, some of the people you leave behind might be your biggest supporters. It will also be difficult to involve them in family therapy, which is part of a strong recovery program, and it may be difficult to find someone else to step up and take care of your childcare and household responsibilities while you are gone.

Aftercare

Once you are finished with the intensive first stages of treatment, you will have to go back home. That means leaving behind your supports from treatment, including people who started the journey at the same time as you. It also means finding new meetings, a new therapist, and a new everything else, when you are just getting used to your new life.

A Personal Decision

Nobody can really tell you what’s right for you, so you have to weigh your options. If your insurance covers it, you may get more benefit from traveling to Arizona for treatment. The first part of your sobriety is the hardest and it’s critical during that time to keep the focus on recovery. Getting away can accomplish that for you.

At Soba Mesa, we understand how hard it is to struggle with addiction. Drugs and alcohol were just symptoms of a disease you need to learn how to deal with, and we have the tools to help you address the real issues and start your journey. If you are considering making one of the most important changes in your life, please call today. You don’t want to keep missing out on your own life.

What Are The Benefits Of Going To IOP After Rehab

SOBA Recovery is a drug and alcohol treatment program with expert 24-hour staff. Not only do we provide inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment, but we also utilize a social model recovery community. What this means is that individuals come together and help each other because of their common experiences of suffering and recovery.

Phases of Recovery

In recovery, there are three phases.

  • Phase 1 focuses on transition. The client will become acquainted with the other residents and adjust to life at the facility. Clients will also become paired with a therapist and participate in daily group therapy.
  • Phase 2 focuses on early recovery. In this phase, clients will work on healing their relationships with themselves, family, and the community.
  • Phase 3 focuses on ongoing recovery. This is a form of intensive outpatient programs, or IOP, where clients will return to their job, if they have one, and return to SOBA the evening to continue recovery. At this stage of recovery, patients should be demonstrating personal growth and have the ability to take responsibility for their actions.

What is IOP?

IOP’s are designed to maintain the intensity of inpatient addiction treatment while allowing the patient to continue their daily life activities. At SOBA, patients who are involved in IOP will continue their participation in the 12-step program with the assistance of their sponsor and begin putting the principles into daily practice. For those clients who do not have a job, the staff at SOBA will assist them in finding one and help to develop a plan for their financial independence.

Benefits of IOP

IOP allows clients to continue their addiction treatment while maintaining a life outside the facility. They can maintain relationships with their families and continue working at their job while continuing their treatment in the evening. This helps patients to more easily transition from life at the treatment facility to continue their recovery while at home. Some other benefits of IOP include:

  • There are better recovery outcomes when treatment is increased
  • Patients have daily real-world opportunities where they can apply their learned skills
  • Community-based support
  • Development of long-term support from other patients
  • More intensive than a standard outpatient with results in heightened care and access to many therapy modalities

Services and Amenities

At SOBA Recovery, patients will receive many services and amenities provided to them during their treatment and IOP. They will continue their care and well-being in individual and group settings and through different behavior therapies. There is also 24-hour nursing care and crisis management where drug and alcohol levels can be monitored. Other amenities include a gourmet chef, fitness center, and breathtaking views.

Why IOP at SOBA Recovery is Right For You

If you have an addiction and are seeking addiction treatment, our expert staff at Soba Recovery Center can assist in helping you with your sobriety and recovery. Our staff is fully trained and experienced to help you and facilitate your individually designed treatment that meets your needs. With a treatment geared directly towards your recovery, it will be easier to strengthen yourself and rebuild relationships with your family and friends. At SOBA, we build a community of people with common experiences that are able to help each other as they go through addiction treatment. Recovery is measured and conveyed through community participation. We also have a very active alumni community that helps when patients return to their homes. Recovery is a life-long commitment and with the help of the community built at SOBA, your journey can start today. Contact us!