How to Get Off Adderall Safely and Effectively

It’s unfortunate, but even drugs prescribed to treat a serious and legitimate medical issue can become addictive. It can be difficult to figure out which drugs are addictive until it’s too late and once someone is addicted, it is often even harder to get off the drug safely and effectively. 

 

Adderall is one of those prescribed drugs that can become addictive, and figuring out how to get off Adderall is just as challenging as any other addictive drug. We at Grace Recovery always want to help clients get the answers they need. That’s why today we’d  like to discuss the dangers of abusing Adderall and how to get off Adderall safely and effectively.

 

What Is Adderall? 

Adderall is the name brand of a heavily prescribed combination drug made of 4 types of amphetamine. The drug is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) typically in children and young adults. The drug may also be used to treat a specific sleep condition known as narcolepsy, a disorder where a person may fall asleep involuntarily at random points throughout the day. 

 

The drug works by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. By altering these chemicals, it allows a person to focus, be more attentive, stay organized, listen, and follow tasks through to completion. 

 

The drug is classified in the category of stimulants. There is a particular issue with those without ADHD or narcolepsy taking the drug to take advantage of the stimulant effects. This is typically how the cycle of abuse begins for this particular drug, rather than a person who has been prescribed the drug being the one abusing it. Simply put, the effects are different.

Why Is Adderall Addictive If It’s Prescribed by a Doctor? 

Many prescribed medications have the potential to become addictive. In the case of Adderall, most studies have shown that those that become addicted are not normally those that take the drug for ADHD, but instead, others who abuse it for its stimulant qualities. 

 

In users without ADHD, Adderall has the effect of improving concentration, brightening mood, and decreasing appetite. It is known as an academic performance-enhancing drug as well as a “feel good” drug. This is because the drug acts on the dopamine and norepinephrine receptors in the central nervous system. After prolonged use, people become chemically addicted to the drug because of the effect on the central nervous system. The person then becomes dependent on the drug being in their system to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. This can also lead to them needing to take larger and larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect. This can lead to illegal behavior or trying to find alternate sources for the drug. 

How to Get Off Adderall Safely

The first real step in how to get off Adderall safely is recognizing that the individual has a problem. Once that is done it’s time to find a recovery center like Grace Recovery. At Grace Recovery we believe in a holistic approach that treats the whole person, body, and mind, not just substance addiction. We believe in putting our clients on a path to wellness that will last a lifetime. 

 

Treatment typically begins with our medication-assisted detox program. This helps the client get off of the Adderall in a safe and secure manner with well-managed side effects. 

 

Once detox is complete, clients will then move on to our inpatient residential care program, where they will get the care they need to help cope with life after sobriety, the tools to stay clean, and assistance moving forward with a clean and sober life. We also offer aftercare services to help maintain sobriety long after treatment ends. 

 

If you or a loved one is suffering from Adderall addiction, contact Grace Recovery and let us put you on the path to wellness today. 

 

What Are the 4 Types of Drugs?

When dealing with substance abuse and drug addiction, it is important to understand the type of drug that a person is addicted to. While commonly used drugs come in a number of different classifications, there are 4 main types of drugs when we talk about the drugs people use and become addicted to. 

 

This leads us to the question “what are the 4 types of drugs?” We’ll break down each category for you so that you have a better understanding of what the drug is and what it does. 

 

Different types of drugs are addictive for different reasons and have different type of effects on the body. The reasons a person may begin using and eventually abusing certain types of drugs can differ greatly as well. 

What Are the 4 Types of Drugs? 

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of knowing the difference in drug types, we’ll take a closer look at each of the four types so that friends and loved ones of a person suffering from addiction know what to look out for. 

Stimulants 

First on our list of “what are the 4 types of drugs” is stimulants. These are usually easily recognizable because of the effect they have on the body. They are also the most common by far, even above opioids. 

 

Stimulants often give the appearance of someone having lots of energy when they may otherwise be calm. Stimulants can raise the blood pressure, heart rate, and cause severe symptoms over prolonged use. 

 

The most common stimulants are caffeine, found in coffee and many beverages, and nicotine, the primary addictive ingredient in tobacco products. More illicit stimulants like speed and ecstasy are less common and are considered illegal drugs. 

 

Stimulants are highly addictive because they interact with the body’s central nervous system. After prolonged use, the body may become chemically dependent on the substance to function normally. In these cases, medically assisted detoxification is highly recommended to overcome the substance use disorder safely. 

 

Opioids 

Our second category is incredibly common due to many of them being readily available through prescription. Opioids are commonly used as painkillers. Medications such as Vicodin and oxycontin are frequently prescribed. More illicit opioids like heroin are incredibly dangerous as well. 

 

There are two main reasons that opioids can become addictive. The misuse of prescription drugs often leads to addiction in an effort to treat prolonged pain from injury or other means. Secondly, opioids produce a kind of euphoric “high” that causes many users pleasure, which they then become addicted to. 

 

Opioids also interact with the cells in the body similarly to the way stimulants do, with the exception that opioids interact with the opioid (pain) receptors in the body, and over time the body becomes dependent on the substance. 

Depressants 

Third, on the list of drug types is depressants. These are also widely available, with alcohol being the most common. The primary danger with addiction to depressants like alcohol is that they interact with the body’s central nervous system and slow down the functions of the body and brain. 

 

This leads to a feeling of relaxation and over time, the use lowers one’s inhibitions making them act differently than they normally would. The primary danger of alcohol abuse in particular is the slowed bodily response combined with the damage to the liver and kidneys as a result of prolonged use. 

 

Other medications can have similar effects if misused, but alcohol is the primary culprit among this type of drug. A person suffering from alcohol abuse requires specific treatment that is different from other drug addiction therapy. 

 

Hallucinogens 

Hallucinogens are less common than the other three drug types, but the effects can be quite severe. LSD is the most well-known of the different hallucinogens, but all of them work by affecting the brain and altering a person’s perception and mood. 

 

Hallucinogens increase the production of neurotransmitters in the brain and can lead to severe impairment, violent mood swings, and other odd behavior. The use of hallucinogens can even cause or worsen underlying mental issues. 

 

In these cases, it is important that the addicted person seek dual diagnosis treatment to treat the addiction and the mental health issues that accompany it. 

 

When It’s Time to Get Help Come to Grace Recovery 

We know that finding the right treatment for addiction can be difficult and scary. That’s why the trained staff at Grace Recovery focus on treating the individual and not the disease. Our holistic approach to treatment combined with group therapy and other treatment options helps to get patients off of their addictive substances and on the path to a life of wellness. 

Finding Opioid Addiction Help In Los Angeles

If you or someone you know is dealing with opioid addiction and would like help, it’s important to know where to turn. Dealing with opioid addiction can be a frustrating, and at times, terrifying experience. That’s why it’s important to have the right support and information to help guide you or your loved ones to the treatment they need and deserve. 

 

First things first, part of the path to getting clean is to find the right opioid addiction help for you. No two people are alike and it’s important to understand the type of addiction you are dealing with and the opioid treatment options that are available to you. 

 

Please continue reading to understand what opioid addiction is, why and how it affects you, as well as some of the available treatment options. 

 

  • What Are Opioids? 

 

To find the opioid addiction help you need, it is important to understand just what it is you are addicted to. Opioids are a class of drug that ranges from completely illegal substances like heroin to readily available prescription drugs like Oxycontin. 

Even though it is widely believed that all opioids are just pain-relieving drugs that are misused, this is not entirely the case. While most opioids do have pain-relieving properties in addition to other effects, they are called opioids because of the way they interact with the cells in the body. 

All opioids are related chemically by the fact that they work with the opioid receptors in the body and brain’s nerve cells to produce a chemical reaction. In most cases, the point of this reaction is to dull the experience of pain in the body due to an injury or other medical issue. However, pain management is not the only use for these drugs and not all of them are legal to possess and use. 

 

  • Why Are Opioids Addictive? 

 

There are two primary reasons why opioids are addictive. 

The first reason has to do with how the opioid interacts with the cells in the brain and body. Because opioids target the cells in the nervous system, prolonged use chemically alters the cells to be less responsive to the medication, causing you to have to take more and more of it to receive the same effect. 

The second reason is that, in addition to pain relief, opioids produce a sense of euphoria that often acts as an intoxicant and can cause people to misuse their prescriptions or to seek out illegal opioid substances. 

For this reason, there are several drug replacement or detoxification therapies available as opioid treatment options to help patients who are suffering from the physical and mental symptoms of opioid withdrawal. 

  • What Are Common Opioid Treatment Options? 

Once you decide to seek help, there are many treatment options available. One of the most common options that clients begin with is detoxification, this is the process of removing the drug from the body. This can be done as either an inpatient or outpatient process. 

Dual diagnosis therapy is another treatment option that focuses on treating both opioid addiction and the accompanying mental illness that many clients suffer from. It is important to diagnose all aspects of the addiction to find proper treatment. 

Medication-assisted treatment is another option that clients who struggle with the detoxification process may consider. This helps them to adjust gradually to the lack of opioids in their system to limit the effects of cravings and withdrawal. 

Aftercare and recovery is also an important part of the treatment process and avoiding the recurrence of drug use. This is best accomplished by a combination of therapy, social, and emotional support from the community surrounding the patient. 

 

  • How Grace Recovery Can Help You Today 

When you decide it’s time to get opioid addiction help, let Grace Recovery be the ones to guide you down the path to becoming sober and addiction-free. Grace Recovery offers a well-rounded approach to treatment including both inpatient and outpatient care, detox and dual diagnosis treatment options, and aftercare and recovery support. Contact Grace Recovery today to get the treatment you need and deserve! 

How to Stay Sober During the Holidays

Holidays are usually merry periods with more time to celebrate, eat, and drink. At least, that way is portrayed on TV and in the media. However, as fun as it may be, for a recovering addict, this period may be a little hard to navigate. Trying to stay sober during holidays can come with heightened temptation. That’s why it is crucial to learn how to stay sober during the holidays to prevent relapse.

Is Drug Relapse Common Around the Holidays?

According to studies, alcohol and drug relapse increases by 150% during holidays. Relapse triggers can be anything; people, places, and incidents.

During the holidays, a recovering addict may feel alone in their journey of sobriety. It may get lonely for those who aren’t with close family and friends. 

Also, for people with families, holidays are a time to get-together, and sometimes, family interaction can be stressful. There are many activities to engage in, many celebrations and parties to attend, which can lead to alcohol or drug cravings.

How to Stay Sober During the Holidays

Trying to figure out how to stay sober during the holidays? Here are some tips to help you avoid relapse:

  • Make It Clear You Don’t Plan to Drink or Use Drugs

It’s important to let people around you, especially friends, families, and co-workers you are not planning to use drugs or alcohol.

  • Know Your Triggers

When you know your triggers, it would be easy to manage them and prevent relapse. Triggers could be parties, places you visit to get high, or an old friend you drink with.

It could also be some emotions like frustration, stress, or conditions like being hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. Know the triggers that threaten your sobriety and avoid them.

  • Start Each Day With a Plan

Make a plan on how to stay sober every day. Think ahead of the places you may be, situations you may find yourself in, and how to handle them. For example, if you have to be with a person who would offer you a drink, think of responses to reject the offer even if they are pushy.

  • Bring the Party With You

You may find it challenging to say no wine or start explaining why you aren’t drinking at parties or events. Therefore, take along side-food and non-alcoholic beverages with you so people won’t continually offer you a drink.

  • Excuse Yourself

Your recovery is your priority. Always try to leave events and people that make it hard to stay sober or don’t seem to have your best interest in mind.

  • Seek support

Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. You can bring a friend to parties so they can help check you in.

  • Find an Activity

When you keep your hands occupied, you have less time to think about alcohol or drugs. Also, engaging in activities prevents loneliness. Engage in your hobbies, go out with friends, and have fun.

  • Practice Self Care

Self care does wonders for your wellness. Your recovery isn’t just about avoiding substances but also taking care of yourself. The healthier you are physically and mentally, the better for your recovery journey. Ensure you eat healthily, sleep well, exercise, find time to meditate, and find ways to nourish your body and mind.

  • Know When It’s Time to Get Help

Recovery isn’t easy. If things get complicated and you experience stress, triggers, or relapse, seek extra support. It could be from friends and families you trust, healthcare providers, or recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Reach Out to Grace Recovery for Help With Addiction Recovery

For more assistance on how to stay sober during the holidays, do not hesitate to contact us at Grace Recovery! 

Our facility offers treatment and support for people living with substance abuse. We prioritize our clients’ recovery, and we provide individualized treatment and different levels of care because we understand that addiction treatment isn’t a one-size fit approach.

Whether you’re seeking help for the first time, in your recovery phase, or have experienced a relapse, we are here for you anytime at Grace Recovery. Reach out to us to get started with your healing! 

Effects of Drug Addiction on Family Members

When most people think of addiction, it is with respect to the addicted individual, how they feel, and how to help them get better. It is easy to forget the family members, including spouses, parents, siblings, and children. 

The effects of drug addiction on family members exceeds the pain of watching a relative lose themselves to addiction. It also affects the family unit financially, medically, and legally. 

From spouse and children to siblings and parents, the effects of addiction on family members vary. Each member of the family feels the impact differently in ways that require treatment as well. 

But before explaining the effects of addiction on the family unit, what is addiction? How do you know if your relative is struggling with a substance use disorder? 

Addiction Defined

There are many perceptions and definitions of addiction, which range from addition being a compulsive behavior to a co-dependency on a particular substance. These definitions are correct to an extent, but addiction covers such large broadband of situations that defining it inclusively is difficult, but not impossible. 

The best definition that fully explains addiction is this definition by the American Society of Addiction Medicine(ASAM). 

According to them, addiction is defined as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences that cause individuals to compulsively use substances or engage in some behaviors despite harmful effects. 

Some common addictions include alcohol addiction, gambling addiction, drug addiction, sex addiction, and more.

All addictions, especially drug addiction, affect the addicted individual first, but the effects of drug addiction on family members would become apparent sooner or later. 

What Are the Effects of Addiction on the Family?

Like we stated earlier, drug addiction affects the members of the family.

Collectively, substance abuse affects families differently depending on the structure of the family. For example, in a traditional nuclear family, the impact on the children would be lessened than it would be in a single-parent home. Why? In a nuclear family, the other spouse might try hard to compensate for the addicted spouse’s failure. The children would not feel the financial and emotional implications of addiction because the other spouse would act as a support. 

Although things might look rosier in the traditional nuclear family, children are often exposed to their parents’ trauma, fighting, and possible domestic violence episodes. Some families even break up as a result of addiction. 

In a single-parent home, the effects are far more impacting on the children. In many instances, the caregiver’s role is reversed as children start taking care of the parent. 

Other effects like emotional and financial neglect are felt more keenly in single-parent homes because there’s no other parent figure to pick up the slack. 

The effects of drug addiction on family members can have common themes despite the differences in family structure. 

A common theme in both homes is the loss of trust, emotional neglect, and heartbreak on the part of the spouse and children. In families where an adolescent has a substance use disorder, these common themes are felt by parents and siblings. 

How to Get Help When Dealing With Someone Else’s Addiction

When an addicted relative seeks treatment, things don’t change automatically. Trust isn’t automatically restored, and feelings of anger and hurt don’t go away. This is why the family unit, as well as the individual, need to get help. 

How do family members get help? By getting help from treatment centers that offer family counseling sessions for the patient and family members.

At Grace Recovery treatment center, we offer a wide range of treatment options, including dual diagnosis, medicated assisted treatment, and different drug addiction therapies. Reach out to us today for help. We are ready to help you and your family find a new beginning! 

Addiction and Isolation: The interaction of the two

Suffering from addiction is one of the loneliest feelings you can imagine. There used to be a stigma surrounding substance abuse, addiction, and other mental health disorders, which is why someone can feel alone. There was a false perception that people brought addiction on themselves and no one was brave enough to talk about it. 

Fortunately, the veil has been lifted and the general public is educated enough to know addiction is just as serious as any other illness and affects millions of people. Loneliness and isolation seem to remain common amongst addicts and can make the addiction and any other underlying mental health issues much worse. Therefore, there are a few important points that people who suffer from addiction need to know.

Why Do Addicts Isolate in Addiction?

One of the first questions people often ask when it comes to addiction is why people with this disease isolate in the first place. People who end up addicted to alcohol or drugs are using these substances to cope with other issues that might be unfolding in their lives. People use alcohol and drugs to cope with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more. They’re using these drugs and other substances to hide from their feelings and escape from reality. Some of the feelings they often experience include fear, guilt, and denial. These emotions can quickly build and lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed.

It’s this feeling of helplessness that’s associated with the actions above that drives people to isolate. If an individual has suffered from verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, the feelings can be much more intense. Isolation can lead to broken relationships and make the addict feel even more alone. This cycle can have a terrible impact on someone who needs to recover.

Why is This So Bad?

Isolation can lead to serious problems. During isolation, people can feel like they can’t connect with others on an emotion or physical level. They feel disconnected from the outside world. Side effects of this are depression and can worsen the impacts that come with substance abuse. Some people might even feel like there is nobody who cares about them and feel total despair. 

As a result, people won’t feel motivated to reach out and ask for help. People do have the capacity to beat addiction; however, they cannot do this on their own. They need to admit they have a problem and ask for help. 

How Can Someone Get Help?

Trying to get out of the cycle of loneliness and isolation requires work on the addict’s behalf. First, they’ll need to grieve their separation from drugs and alcohol. When someone is struggling with addiction, the only friends they seem to have are drugs and alcohol. Therefore, it’s normal for someone to experience somewhat of a grieving process as long as they know this friendship was toxic and destructive.

Then, they need to reach out and talk to family members and friends. Make amends with them. Generate peace with them. The people who have always been there are going to continue to be there no matter what. These relationships might be damaged and broken but they can be repaired.

Let Us Help You!

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please let us know. We’re proud to serve the greater Los Angeles area and want you to know you are not alone. Contact us today to get on the road to recovery. 

 

How Depression And Addiction Work Together

Depression and substance abuse seem to go hand in hand. Does substance abuse lead to depression or does depression lead to substance addiction? In most cases, depression is considered a gateway to drug and alcohol use. Depression and substance abuse are in a cycle that feeds each other and one makes the other worse. They have what is called a bi-directional relationship. If a person abuses a substance, they are more likely to suffer from depression. If a person suffers from depression, there is likely to be a strong connection to substance abuse. The Journal of Clinical Psychology reports that 1 in 3 people that have an addiction suffer from depression and 1 in 4 people with a mental illness also abuse substances.

The National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that people diagnosed with mental illness account for 69% of the nation’s alcohol use and 84% of the nation’s cocaine use. Sometimes this is called self-medication and clinically depressed patients report that this helps them escape negative emotions. Drinking or drugs will often lift a mood temporarily and relieve guilt and melancholy, but many times they ultimately increase depression. When the drug abuse builds up a tolerance or comes to an end, the onset of depression becomes even worse.

Indicators of Depression

Typically, depression is seen as a lack of interest or fatigue, but those aren’t the only signs. Here is a checklist to think about:

  • Do you feel angry or irritable often?
  • Do hobbies or activities that you enjoy seem like a chore?
  • Are your sleep patterns changing?
  • Have you lost or gained weight? Any differences in appetite?
  • Does your mind race? Can you concentrate?
  • Do you feel uncontrollable guilt or despair?
  • Have you thought that you’d be better off dead or had any suicidal ideation?

If you drink alcohol or feel like you may have a drug addiction, here are some questions to answer that may indicate that you should seek help from a professional:

  • Do you find yourself trying to lessen your use of substances without success?
  • Do you spend a lot of time finding, using, and recovering from your drug of choice?
  • Do you have a hard time stopping and use for much longer than you intended?
  • Do you find yourself calling into work or missing school? Are you behind on taking care of things at home?
  • Do you abuse substances when it would put you or someone else in physical harm?
  • Have you developed so much of a tolerance that you need to use more than before?

When to Seek Treatment for Depression and Substance Abuse

If you suspect that you suffer from codependent substance abuse and depression, it is time for an evaluation. Counseling and medication are frequently necessary for what is termed a Dual Diagnosis. It is estimated that over 8.9 people suffer from a Dual Diagnosis but only 7.4% receive proper treatment. In addition, few programs exist that treat a Dual Diagnosis with co-occurring integrate treatment.

Oftentimes, when addiction has become a problem, immediate medical attention is needed in the form of in-patient or out-patient care. This is needed to replace the addiction with healthy behaviors, habits and coping strategies for depression while at the same time dealing with the even harsher depression that is often present from withdrawals of substances.

If you don’t have a treatment plan while you are stopping a drug habit, relapse is highly probable. Many medications exist along with therapy for the withdrawal symptoms associated with drugs and alcohol including medication for opioid withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal.

Sometimes a period of abstinence is necessary to get a proper medical diagnosis and treat the underlying causes of depression and substance abuse.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment of Depression and Addiction

Dual Diagnosis is complex. A traditional rehab program will not be able to handle the psychiatric problems of a patient with a typically treated detox program. Counseling, psychiatric evaluation and medication, individual counseling, peer and group counseling, and family support all play important roles.

Grace Recovery is located in Los Angeles, CA and targets Hollywood and the surrounding areas for state-of-the-art addiction treatment. They have a residential treatment center with luxurious amenities and the latest treatment for Dual Diagnosis. Visit gracerecovery.com for more information.

 

How to Quit Using Meth

Methamphetamine, or colloquially called meth, is a powerful stimulant that is prescribed by medical professionals in very low doses to help control conditions stemming from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, it has become a devastatingly illicit drug used recreationally. To understand the devastating and long-reaching effects of meth, it’s important to have a more comprehensive understanding of the drug’s origin, usage, and dissemination.

Meth is a potent central nervous system stimulant that first came into the public imagination in the 1890s. First synthesized in 1887, methamphetamine was used during World War II in a tablet form due to its performance-enhancing stimulant properties, including extended wakefulness. In war, soldiers have found it to be beneficial in ensuring that they stay awake for long periods, making them more effective foot soldiers.

For the following century, methamphetamine has found itself in treatments to treat obesity, with its addictive qualities largely being ignored. Eventually, the government began to strictly regulate the distribution of methamphetamine products. Finally, during the 1970s, amphetamine became a schedule two controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

In the 1980s, crystal meth took hold. Street dealers eventually found that if they cut ephedrine — an active ingredient in popular over-the-counter cold medicines – then they’ll be able to produce crystal meth. Crystal meth has been known to be twice as potent as the pharmaceutical-grade methamphetamine.

Smoking crystal meth is one of the more popular methods of abusing it. The hydro-chloride salt from methamphetamine can be smoked by itself. The powdered form of methamphetamine can be injected, snorted, or ingested.

Crystal meth side effects include:

  • A false sense of well-being. Immediately after exposure, users will feel euphoric. They may feel that their body might go longer or faster — after the drug effects wear off, users experience a severe mental and physical crash.
  • Addiction to this euphoria. Users will become addicted to this euphoric feeling, requiring more methamphetamine to reach the same high. Continued use will affect sleep patterns, cause hyperactivity, nausea, and increased irritability.
  • Irreversible harm. Long-range damage includes increased heart rate and blood pressure, and permanently damage blood vessels that can eventually lead to cardiovascular collapse or death.

The Benefits of Luxury Rehabilitation

While there are psychological and physiological effects that users pursue when using meth, oftentimes there are underlying factors that compel them to use. Rehabilitation uses a combination of therapy, in-group and solo therapy sessions, and medications.

While all viable rehabilitation centers and clinics have the proper tools to assist those who are suffering from addiction, a luxury rehabilitation center has unique benefits.

  • Patient to staff ratio. A luxury rehab center will allow the patient to be under the care of a knowledgeable staff member at all times, through all phases of their journey.
  • Access to alternative care. There are tried-and-true methods of rehabilitating a chronic user — but luxury centers can offer alternative care. These programs may include a combination of fitness, yoga, meditation, massages, and other healthy activities that will help a patient stay mentally stimulated while being physically weaned from their drug vices.
  • Enhanced comfort. At a luxury rehab center, you will have access to additional amenities that will help you feel more comfortable. These include private rooms with features like quality bedding, linens, and large private bathrooms. While at the surface level these luxuries may not be important, they are included to help patients feel more relaxed and at peace with themselves.

Benefits of Inpatient Care

Inpatient rehab programs offer a comprehensive solution. It includes patient staying within the facility during the tenure of the program, with these sort of programs having a higher success rate than outpatient rehabilitation. While it is more disruptive to daily life, it offers constant medical and emotional support, with most treatments lasting from 30 days to several months. It is designed to treat addiction to meth, barring the distractions of everyday life from interfering with treatment.

With our inpatient program, the patient still has access to the family since they play a role in a successful recovery. Family members can contact loved ones and work in tandem with the facility to provide further encouragement.

About Grace Recovery

Grace Recovery is a new state-of-the-art addiction treatment that is located in the heart of Hollywood, California. Grace Recovery has a litany of luxury amenities and the latest in substance abuse programming. Our rehabilitation offers different levels of detoxification as well as inpatient care.

Los Angeles, like many other areas in the United States, has been hit with a meth epidemic. To begin your journey to a healthier you, contact Grace Recovery today.

Is My Addiction Serious Enough To Go To Rehab?

“The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.” This statement is at the core of 12-step programs, but for some struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, it isn’t enough. Whether you are analytically minded or still attempting to identify how you feel about the word “addict,” you are probably looking for a set of behaviors to relate to or medical symptoms to spot before heading to rehab. However, there is no hard and fast criteria for rehab entry. Addiction treatment programs, such as those at Grace Recovery, are able to help you before you hit rock bottom.

When do I need to go to rehab?

When you start thinking about rehab, it’s probably time to go. Your mind is telling you it is no longer in control of your behavior and your consumption of alcohol or drugs. This doesn’t have to mean you are stumbling home at 3 a.m. and passing out until the next evening. It could mean you are growing weary of social drinking but can’t quit asking for refills when you slide up to the bar. It may also look like a bottle of wine gradually disappearing over the course of a day full of errands and childcare responsibilities.

Do you feel guilty?

If you feel guilt over your drug use or drinking and want to quit, rehab may be a necessary retreat for you to break free of the triggers and habits that make it easy for you to head back to the bottle or bar. Other warning signs include a loss of interest in your day-to-day activities, intensified cravings or an overall lack of responsibility to other areas of your daily life.

Is your life suffering?

Have you started being late? Missing appointments? Checking out of play time or letting your mind wander as you put in eight hours per day at work? Do you ever engage in dangerous behavior, such as driving intoxicated or under the influence? On days you avoid the bar after work or don’t take pain medicine, do you start to feel withdrawal symptoms like headaches and nausea? Have you started to lose or gain weight or experience health problems as a result of your use?

Positive answers to any of these questions or experience with similar situations is an indicator you need to speak to a professional about your addiction. Start considering your rehab options.

Is rehab only for serious cases?

Modern rehabilitation and addiction treatment programs are not the austere drying out periods of yesteryear. State-of-the-art facilities like Grace Recovery couple luxury amenities with the latest in substance abuse programming. Each treatment plan is individualized, so we will treat your drinking problem or drug addiction by focusing on you specifically, whether this is your first attempt at recovery or a stay following relapse.

Our team will evaluate your situation and craft a detox plan compatible with any medical challenges or emotional hurdles. The detox phase also includes the introduction of long-term treatment goals, such as self-care and goal setting. Instead of focusing on rehab as something for people who have reached bottom, view it as an opportunity to reset and develop the physical and mental distance needed to fight a serious problem.

How do your friends and family feel?

To obtain clarity about your situation, speaking to friends and family about your concerns can provide an additional perspective. They can also help you fight your addiction whether you ultimately enter rehab or not.

Other times, the people in your life may tell you everything is fine. In these instances, you need to assess your crew and their behavior. You may have unconsciously surrounded yourself with others who reinforced your addictions because of their own, making it difficult to obtain an honest perspective.

What about the future?

Grace Recovery is located in the heart of Hollywood, California, and provides treatment for residents of the Los Angeles area and beyond. After a detox period in rehab, patients complete a 30-day to 90-day residential program to help break the cycle of addiction. They also move forward with an aftercare plan while returning to work and family life.

Addiction treatment is a difficult journey, but it will enhance your life. The energy you previously devoted to drugs or alcohol can now be used in more productive ways, and your relationships will benefit from increased attention.

If you are ready to start that journey or still unsure if you need help, visit www.gracerecovery.com or contact us today at 866.431.3602 to speak a member of our qualified staff.

How to Quit Using Cocaine

Although cocaine use has decreased in recent years, many people still abuse this substance. Addiction to this drug can cause many difficulties and even trigger overdose and deaths. As a result, you may need to get addiction treatment to help quit coke and stay away from this drug for good.

Why People Struggle to Quit Cocaine

Cocaine addiction is a severe problem that affects around six percent of the addiction community. Many people struggle to quit using this drug for several reasons. First of all, many get used to the effects of this substance and need them to achieve success in life. For example, some may think that they need the excess energy provided by coke to stay focused at work or in their day-to-day tasks. As a result, they keep on abusing this substance.

Even worse, many people simply don’t believe that they have a problem. Perhaps they make good money and don’t notice how much they lose every time they abuse cocaine. Or maybe they just can’t accept that they have an addiction. This situation often results in a person angrily defending their use. Some might even increase their use as a way of coping with the stress related to this drug abuse. Unfortunately, this may lead to severe complications.

Even those who understand that they have a problem may struggle to quit because they are embarrassed or think that they can’t afford their treatment. Others may want to avoid the painful symptoms of withdrawal that may make addiction treatment difficult. These symptoms include:

  • Decreased pleasure in life
  • Irritability and anxiety
  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Malaise and depression
  • Suspicious and paranoid feelings
  • Lower energy and physical capabilities
  • Intense cravings for cocaine

Thankfully, people who abuse this drug rarely suffer the kind of withdrawal familiar with drugs like heroin or alcohol. This substance simply metabolizes too quickly from the body to cause these symptoms. However, withdrawal can include a crash that may last several days and extreme cravings that can last for up to 12 weeks. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome can cause many complications that may last for years. Thankfully, addiction treatment can help.

How Addiction Treatment Can Help

While quitting coke is possible without any help, it can be a challenge. Trying to stop abusing coke or other drugs without specialized help is known as “going cold turkey.” It basically means that you quit abusing cocaine without withdrawal treatment. Unfortunately, this can trigger many concerns that challenge your recovery. For example, you’ll have to:

  • Stop taking coke in a way that minimizes your withdrawal
  • Go through withdrawal symptoms that may occur anyway
  • Manage post-acute withdrawal syndrome as it develops
  • Disengage from people who trigger abuse in your life

These steps can be very painful and difficult to manage. For example, you may struggle to focus on your recovery without a plan. Though getting through physical withdrawal may only take a week or two, you may still crave coke. Even worse, you may fall back into addiction patterns of abuse because you focus only on the physical aspects of your recovery.

So while it is possible to quit coke without addiction treatment – many people do it every year – you should probably still get help. These programs include inpatient and residential rehab programs that help you better understand the behaviors that influence your substance abuse.

You can also get outpatient rehab if you have to go to work or take care of children. Either of these options are compatible with group counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dual-diagnosis care. In this way, you can beat addiction for good and live a happy and healthy life.

How Aftercare Can Help

Addiction treatment for coke doesn’t stop the moment you quit your rehab care. Many people walk out of rehab ready to stay focused on their new sobriety. However, others need to stay focused using methods like aftercare. This care option utilizes a multitude of unique treatments to ensure that you stay sober. For example, you can learn how to manage your abuse triggers properly.

As a result, you may want to seriously consider aftercare if you are trying to quit cocaine. Addiction to this substance may haunt you for life if you don’t take the time to manage the after-effects of your treatment. You also need to pay special attention to your aftercare options. These include counseling options and even sober living environments. Sign up for this care to ensure you don’t abuse coke again.

Let Us Help You Recover

At Grace Recovery, we can provide many care options for those in the Hollywood and Los Angeles, CA area. We utilize the most up-to-date addiction treatment program to give you access to the kind of care that you need to quit cocaine for good. Our care specialists use detoxification and a residential inpatient program to ensure that you re in no pain while you recover.