How to Conduct an Intervention

People participate in an intervention.

The first step every recovering addict must take in recovery is acknowledging that they have a drug problem. It can be difficult watching your loved one struggle with addiction. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of Americans have a friend or family member who’s struggled with drug addiction. Oftentimes, people may want to help their loved one, but don’t know how. In this article, you’ll learn how to conduct an intervention effectively to help support your loved one’s recovery journey. 

At Outpatient LA, we offer a wide range of addiction treatment to ensure you receive the personalized care you need to maintain your sobriety. At our outpatient drug rehab, we understand that each patient’s recovery needs are different. This is why we provide patients with tailored care to ensure you receive the unique care you need to lead a healthier life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can best support your unique recovery journey. 

People participate in an intervention.

5 Things to Do During an Intervention

Interventions, done right, can be an essential turning point in getting your loved one the professional support they need to overcome their addiction. Below are several things to keep in mind on how to conduct an intervention.

Set a Plan

First, it’s critical to set a plan, or a specific time, place, and set of close individuals to be at the intervention. The last thing you want to do is confront your loved one out of nowhere in a public setting about their drug addiction.

Be Open and Judgment-Free

Next, be open, judgment-free, and actively listen to your loved one during the intervention. This will help you avoid being confrontational and allow the individual struggling with addiction to feel seen and heard. 

Set Boundaries

It’s also critical to set healthy boundaries during an intervention. Boundaries protect your well-being, while also ensuring you are not accidentally enabling an individual’s addiction. For example, if you periodically loan money to an individual because they do not have a job, it’s critical to cut off financially supporting that individual, as they likely are using a portion of the money to fuel their addiction. 

Have a Plan to Talk About Professional Help

One of the primary aims of an intervention is to work toward getting your loved one to seek professional treatment to help them overcome their addiction. Therefore, be sure to express your support in helping them seek professional care.

Express Your Love for the Individual

Finally, it’s essential to express your love and concern for the individual struggling with addiction. This not only shows your loved one that you care for them, but also can help make the intervention feel less confrontational. 

Common Things to Avoid During an Intervention 

Now that you know how to conduct an intervention effectively, it’s also critical to understand what not to do during an intervention. Below are several points on what not to do during an intervention.

  • Do not confront the individual about their drug problem.
  • Do not unexpectedly confront an individual out of nowhere, in public, or among a group of people.
  • Avoid using a judgmental tone.
  • Avoid being unprepared. Do your research about addiction and potential treatment resources before the intervention. 
  • If the individual denies seeking treatment after the intervention, avoid getting angry. It’s critical to offer support, whether the individual acknowledges they have a drug problem or not. 

Help Is Available 

Now you know more about how to conduct an intervention so you can effectively express your concerns to your loved one. Interventions, done right, can play a critical role in helping your loved one acknowledge that they have an addiction and need support to get sober. It’s essential to remember to be open and judgment-free during an intervention to express your concerns, rather than coming across as judgmental or confrontational. 

Outpatient LA is committed to helping patients achieve long-term sobriety. We understand that addiction recovery is a lifelong journey that can be filled with many ups and downs. Our experienced team of addiction specialists is here to provide you with the unique care you need to best support your recovery needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery needs. 

SMART Recovery: A Science-Based Approach to Addiction Treatment

People participate in a recovery meeting.

Addiction is a complex brain disease that impacts millions of people in the United States. While addiction can be a devastating disease, fortunately, there are a variety of addiction treatment options available to help you safely and effectively recover and progress along your sobriety journey. In this article, you’ll learn more about the SMART recovery program, and how SMART Recovery can help you progress along your recovery journey. 

At Outpatient LA, we are a leading outpatient drug rehab committed to helping patients maintain long-lasting sobriety. Our experienced team of addiction specialists is here to help you maintain your sobriety and reduce your risk of relapse so you can lead a healthier, happier quality of life. You should never feel afraid or ashamed to ask for help– help is available! Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your unique recovery journey.

What is SMART Recovery?

SMART (self-management and recovery training) recovery is a science-based approach that helps people overcome addiction. SMART recovery focuses on using proven techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients better support their recovery journey. This includes helping patients understand how they can positively cope with triggers and ultimately reduce their risk of relapsing.  

Another positive aspect of the SMART recovery program is that it is flexible, allowing the individual to target specific goals and concerns to support their recovery journey. Trained addiction specialists can help patients understand certain negative behaviors so they can control and reduce these behaviors to ultimately support their recovery. 

People participate in a recovery meeting.

Benefits of SMART Recovery

SMART recovery offers patients a science-based, flexible approach to effectively progress along their recovery journey. Keep reading to learn more about this evidence-based approach below.

  • Evidence-Based Approach: As discussed above, SMART recovery uses evidence-based, scientific techniques, like cognitive behavioral therapy, to help patients identify negative thought patterns or behaviors that may be putting them at risk of relapsing. 
  • Personalized Approach: Next, SMART recovery provides a tailored, flexible approach by allowing patients to receive the care they need for their unique recovery needs. Some patients may struggle with negative thought patterns while other patients may struggle with certain negative behaviors that put them at risk of jeopardizing their recovery. Therefore, the aim of SMART recovery is for you to understand these challenges to better progress along your recovery journey. 
  • Supports Long-Term Recovery: While SMART recovery is not like a traditional 12 step program, it is similar in the sense of having the primary goal of helping patients achieve long-lasting sobriety. Addiction recovery is a life-long journey. And the aim of SMART is to help equip patients with practical techniques to cope when triggers, negative thoughts, or another potential obstacle in their recovery journey arises. 

Ultimately, SMART Recovery equips individuals with practical techniques and coping strategies they can use to control their negative self-talk, self-destructive behaviors, and triggers so they can maintain long-term sobriety. Not to mention, SMART recovery ensures patients can reduce their risk of falling into temptation to abuse drugs or alcohol. 

You should never feel too afraid or ashamed to ask for help when it comes to overcoming your addiction and leading a healthier, happier quality of life. SMART recovery is one of the many treatment approaches you can use to help support your recovery journey.

Help Is Available 

Now you know more about what SMART Recovery is, and how it can help support your recovery journey.  SMART Recovery is an evidence-based addiction recovery approach that uses techniques like CBT to help patients become aware of negative thought patterns and behaviors in their lives so they can work to build coping strategies to reduce their risk of relapse. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s critical to seek professional support to safely progress along your recovery so you can lead a healthier, happier life.  

At Outpatient LA, we are committed to helping patients safely and effectively achieve long-term sobriety. We offer a comprehensive range of outpatient addiction treatment to ensure you receive the best possible care to progress along your recovery journey. Gone are the days of suffering in silence with your addiction. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your unique recovery journey. 

How to Help Someone Who Relapsed

A person supports a loved one who relapsed.

Supporting a loved one through addiction recovery is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. One of the most daunting hurdles can be witnessing a relapse. It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions—concern, frustration, even helplessness. However, your response can significantly influence your loved one’s path back to recovery. Here’s how you can offer compassionate and effective support during this critical time.

Understanding Relapse

First, it’s essential to recognize that relapse is not a sign of failure but a common aspect of the recovery process. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately 40 to 60% of individuals in recovery experience relapse at some point. This statistic underscores the chronic nature of addiction and highlights the importance of viewing relapse as an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding. Just like managing other chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, relapse indicates a need for renewed strategies and support rather than a lack of willpower or commitment.

The Three Stages of Relapse

Relapse is rarely a spontaneous event. It typically unfolds in stages, each marked by distinct thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Understanding these stages can help you recognize warning signs early, allowing for timely intervention and support. By identifying the progression from emotional distress to physical relapse, you can better support your loved one in navigating these challenges and ultimately help them find their way back to recovery.

Relapse typically occurs in three stages:

  1. Emotional Relapse – In this initial stage, individuals may not actively think about using substances, but emotions like anxiety, anger, and isolation can make them vulnerable. Signs include mood swings, avoiding social interactions, or neglecting self-care routines.
  2. Mental Relapse – Here, a person begins to struggle internally. Part of them wants to stay sober, but another part is tempted to use again. This internal battle includes romanticizing past substance use, thinking about people or places associated with it, or even planning a relapse.
  3. Physical Relapse – This is the actual act of using the substance again. It’s often preceded by emotional and mental struggles that were left unaddressed.

Understanding these stages can help you intervene early, offering support before the situation escalates.

What to Say to Someone Who Relapsed

Your words can have a profound impact. Here are some supportive phrases to consider:

“This Doesn’t Mean You’ve Failed.”

Reassure your loved one that relapse is a common part of the journey toward long-term sobriety. Emphasize that many individuals face setbacks before achieving sustained recovery.

“I’m Here to Support You.”

Let them know they are not alone. Your presence and willingness to listen can provide immense comfort during this vulnerable time.

“What Can We Learn from This Experience?”

Encourage reflection to identify triggers or situations that led to the relapse. This understanding can inform future strategies to prevent similar occurrences.

“How Can I Help You Right Now?”

Offer immediate assistance, whether it’s accompanying them to a support meeting, helping to contact a counselor, or simply being there to talk.

What Not to Say to Someone Who Relapsed

Equally important is avoiding statements that may inadvertently cause harm:

“You Were Doing So Well; What Happened?”

While it’s natural to feel disappointment, expressing it this way can induce guilt or shame. Instead, focus on moving forward positively.

“I Thought You Had This Under Control.”

Such remarks can undermine their confidence and may discourage them from seeking help.

“Why Can’t You Just Stop?”

This question oversimplifies the complexity of addiction and can make your loved one feel misunderstood.

Practical Steps to Support Someone After a Relapse

Beyond words, your actions play a crucial role in supporting your loved one:

  • Encourage Professional Help – Relapse may indicate the need for adjusted treatment strategies. Encourage your loved one to reconnect with their therapist, counselor, or support group. Professional guidance is vital in navigating the complexities of addiction.
  • Help Identify Triggers – Work together to pinpoint specific triggers—be it stress, certain social situations, or emotional distress—that contributed to the relapse. Understanding these can aid in developing effective coping mechanisms.
  • Set Healthy Boundaries – While your support is invaluable, it’s essential to maintain your well-being. Establish boundaries to prevent burnout and ensure you’re providing sustainable assistance.
  • Promote a Structured Routine – Encourage the establishment of a daily routine that includes healthy activities such as exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest. A structured lifestyle can provide stability and reduce the likelihood of future relapses.
  • Stay Informed – Educate yourself about addiction and recovery processes. Understanding the challenges your loved one faces can foster empathy and equip you with tools to offer better support.

A person supports a loved one who relapsed.

Supporting Yourself While Supporting Others

Supporting someone who has relapsed can be emotionally exhausting. It’s crucial to take care of yourself, too. Engage in activities that recharge you, seek your support system, or even consider joining support groups for families and friends of those struggling with addiction, such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon. Prioritizing your well-being ensures you can offer consistent and compassionate help.

A Journey of Hope and Healing

While witnessing a relapse can be disheartening, it’s crucial to approach the situation with compassion and understanding. By offering non-judgmental support, encouraging professional help, and fostering open communication, you can help your loved one navigate their way back to recovery. Remember, relapse is not the end of the journey but rather a detour that, with the right support, can lead to a stronger and more resilient path forward.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, professional help is available. Outpatient Los Angeles offers personalized treatment plans designed to meet each individual’s unique needs. Our compassionate and professional staff are dedicated to equipping clients with the tools necessary to overcome addiction and lead fulfilling lives. Don’t face this battle alone—reach out to Outpatient Los Angeles today to learn more about our comprehensive services.

How to Avoid Self Sabotage in Recovery

A woman struggles with self sabotage in recovery.

In recovery it’s not uncommon for individuals to encounter self-sabotaging behaviors that hinder their progress. Recognizing and addressing these behaviors is crucial to achieving lasting recovery.  Self-sabotage refers to behaviors or thought patterns that undermine one’s own success and well-being. In the context of recovery, this can mean engaging in actions that jeopardize sobriety or mental health. These behaviors often stem from deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, fear of change, or unresolved trauma.

Common Forms of Self-Sabotage in Recovery

Self-sabotage can show up in recovery in ways that aren’t always obvious. Often, these behaviors feel like coping mechanisms or habits that bring comfort, but they actually undermine progress and threaten long-term sobriety. By understanding the most common forms of self-sabotage, you can better recognize them and take proactive steps to overcome them.

  • Avoiding Therapy or Support Groups: Skipping therapy sessions or support group meetings can isolate individuals, depriving them of essential guidance and community support. Consistent participation is vital for sustained recovery.
  • Reconnecting with Toxic Individuals: Associating with people who encourage substance use or negative behaviors can trigger relapses. It’s essential to surround oneself with supportive and understanding individuals.
  • Negative Self-Talk: Constantly criticizing oneself or harboring feelings of inadequacy can erode self-esteem, making it challenging to maintain recovery efforts.
  • Setting Unrealistic Expectations: Aiming for perfection or setting unattainable goals can lead to frustration and disappointment, potentially triggering a return to old habits.

The Impact of Self-Sabotage

Engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors can have severe consequences, including:

  • Delayed Progress: Recovery is a gradual process. Self-sabotage can stall or even reverse progress, making the journey more arduous.
  • Damaged Relationships: Actions that undermine recovery can strain relationships with family, friends, and support networks.
  • Emotional Turmoil: Self-sabotage often leads to feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness, which can exacerbate mental health issues.

Strategies to Overcome Self-Sabotage

Overcoming self-sabotage is possible with the right mindset and tools. It starts with recognizing harmful patterns and actively working to replace them with healthier behaviors. By implementing effective strategies, you can break the cycle of self-sabotage and build a stronger foundation for lasting recovery.

Self-Awareness

The first step to overcoming self-sabotage is developing self-awareness. This means paying close attention to your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to identify patterns that may be hindering your recovery. Self-awareness allows you to understand the triggers that lead to self-sabotaging actions. Journaling is an effective tool for this purpose.

By writing down your thoughts and experiences, you can identify recurring themes and gain insights into the emotions driving your behaviors. This self-reflection can help you recognize negative thought patterns, such as self-doubt or fear of failure, that often lead to self-sabotage. Once you are aware of these patterns, you can start challenging and changing them.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals is essential to maintaining motivation and avoiding frustration. One common form of self-sabotage is setting unrealistic expectations, which leads to disappointment and discouragement when those goals aren’t met. Break down larger objectives into smaller, more manageable steps.

For example, instead of aiming to be completely free of cravings overnight, focus on managing one day at a time. Celebrating small victories along the way can help build confidence and create positive momentum. By setting achievable milestones, you reinforce the belief that progress is possible, reducing the temptation to give up when faced with challenges.

A woman engages in exercise, a coping mechanism to avoid self sabotage in recovery.

Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

One of the main reasons for self-sabotage in recovery is the lack of healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress, anxiety, or emotional pain. Developing positive outlets for these emotions is crucial for long-term success.

Activities such as exercise, mindfulness meditation, or creative hobbies can provide healthy distractions and help you process your emotions in a constructive way. For example, physical activities like jogging or yoga release endorphins, which naturally enhance your mood and reduce stress. Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing exercises or guided meditation, can help you stay present and grounded, reducing the urge to engage in self-sabotaging behaviors.

Seek Professional Help

Self-sabotage is often rooted in deep-seated emotional issues such as trauma, fear of change, or low self-esteem. Seeking professional help from therapists or counselors can be incredibly beneficial in addressing these underlying issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is particularly effective in identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to self-sabotage.

A mental health professional can help you develop personalized coping strategies, provide emotional support, and offer tools to build resilience. By working through these emotional challenges with a trained professional, you can break the cycle of self-sabotage and make meaningful progress in your recovery.

Build a Supportive Network

Surrounding yourself with positive influences is essential for overcoming self-sabotage. Engaging with supportive friends, family members, or peers in recovery provides encouragement and accountability. Being part of a community that understands your struggles and celebrates your successes helps reduce feelings of isolation.

Support groups, whether in-person or online, offer a safe space to share experiences and learn from others who have faced similar challenges. Building these connections not only reinforces your commitment to recovery but also helps you develop healthier social dynamics, reducing the risk of returning to toxic environments or relationships.

Practice Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is a powerful antidote to self-sabotage. Many people in recovery struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or unworthiness, which can fuel negative behaviors. Practicing self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend facing similar challenges. Recognize that setbacks are a natural part of the recovery process and that perfection is not the goal.

By forgiving yourself for mistakes and learning from them, you can move forward without the burden of self-judgment. Self-compassion fosters resilience, helping you stay committed to your recovery journey even when the road gets tough.

Embrace Growth and Let Go of Fear

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether through therapy, support groups, or personal development, there are resources available to guide you on your journey. Recovery is possible, and with patience, persistence, and self-compassion, you can overcome self-sabotage and create the future you deserve.

If you or someone you know is struggling with self-sabotage in recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. At Outpatient LA, we’re here to support your journey to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Tips on Finding Happiness in Recovery

The road to recovery can be filled with many ups and downs. From learning to overcome withdrawal symptoms to learning coping strategies to maintain your sobriety, sometimes recovery can be both exciting and overwhelming. However, recovery doesn’t have to be this daunting experience. In this article, you’ll learn several tips on finding happiness in recovery you can implement in your own journey. 

At Outpatient LA, we are a premier outpatient drug rehab that offers a comprehensive range of addiction treatment to help patients lead healthy lives. We understand how debilitating a disease addiction can be in virtually all areas of your life. We offer tailored support so you can receive the best possible care you need to safely progress along your recovery journey. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help support your recovery journey. 

7 Tips on Finding Happiness in Recovery

Your recovery journey can be both exciting, and daunting. While leading a healthier life is a major positive step, recovery can be difficult, especially if you don’t know how to find happiness in recovery and beyond. Below are several tips on finding happiness in recovery you can implement to effectively progress along your recovery journey. 

1. Celebrate the Small Wins

First, it’s essential to understand that your recovery is life-long. In other words, rather than focusing on big goals or “wins” in your recovery journey that oftentimes seem vague, it’s important to celebrate and keep focus on small wins. For example, a small win may look like achieving a day of sobriety or overcoming a mental hurdle in your life. 

2. Surround Yourself with a Trusted Support System

Your road to recovery will be difficult at some points. This is why it’s critical to build relationships with peers and friends that will encourage you and keep you accountable along your recovery journey. Not only will a solid support system help you progress along your recovery, but it will also keep you more engaged and happy. 

3. Practice Forgiveness

Sometimes, feelings of guilt or shame for your past can keep you from experiencing and finding happiness in recovery and in the present. Therefore, it’s important to consistently practice forgiveness to yourself and others so you can acknowledge and then let go of the past so you can move forward. 

4. Be Grateful Each Day

Practicing daily gratitude is another way to help you find happiness in recovery. While the road to recovery can be difficult, there are so many things to be grateful for from your progress toward achieving lasting sobriety to your loved ones and support system, and more. 

5. Explore Interesting Hobbies

While recovery is an important time to focus on overcoming your addiction and maintaining lasting sobriety, you can still explore and practice healthy hobbies or passions that interest you from art to playing music, exercising, and more. 

6. Rebuild Relationships 

Oftentimes, addiction can fracture relationships with loved ones. Recovery is a great time to start working toward rebuilding those relationships with people you may have hurt while you struggled with addiction. 

7. Set and Keep Clear Boundaries 

Finally, it’s important to set and keep clear boundaries. Boundaries are essential to not only help you progress along your recovery journey but ealso nsure your needs are communicated and expectations are set. Otherwise, a failure to set healthy boundaries can put you at risk of feeling not happy, and your boundaries being crossed that could put your recovery and mental health at risk. 

Help Is Available 

As you can see, there are several tips on finding happiness in recovery you can implement. From celebrating and focusing on the small wins in your recovery, to connecting and building a strong support system that can encourage you along your recovery journey, there are several ways in which you can find happiness in recovery and beyond. 

At Outpatient LA, our team of compassionate addiction specialists and mental health professionals are here to support your unique recovery needs. You should never feel ashamed or afraid to ask for help in leading a healthier life. Our team is here to help guide you along your recovery journey so you can receive the right care to effectively achieve long-term sobriety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery journey. 

What to Do After a Relapse

A person talks to a therapist about relapse.

Overcoming addiction and going through the recovery process does not guarantee life-long sobriety. Unfortunately, many people relapse after they get clean. In fact, around 40-60% of people treated for substance use disorders relapse. This staggering statistic shows just how prevalent relapse is. However, if you relapse, it doesn’t mean your road to recovery is for nothing. Keep reading to learn more about what to do after a relapse so you can maintain long-term sobriety. 

At Outpatient LA, we are a leading outpatient drug rehab that’s here to help you overcome addiction and heal your physical, mental, and emotional health for the better. No more suffering in silence with your addiction. We are here to help you receive the right addiction treatment that’s tailored to your unique recovery needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery journey. 

5 Steps to Take After a Relapse

The reality is that relapse is one of the biggest threats recovering addicts face in their road to sobriety. Keep reading to learn more about what to do after a relapse below. 

1. Acknowledge You Relapse, Without Judgement or Shame

First, it’s important to acknowledge your relapse without judgment or shame. The last thing you want to do is ignore or deny you relapsed. Or, wrongfully assume that just because you relapsed once you’ll never be able to achieve long-term sobriety. These are lies that will keep you from effectively progressing along your recovery journey, even despite a relapse. 

A person talks to a loved one after a relapse.

2. Ask for Support and Be Honest About Your Relapse

Next, you should always be honest about your relapse to trusted loved ones and any therapists or addiction specialists you may be seeing. You should never lie about your relapse as this can minimize your support from others and increase your risk of relapsing in the future. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask for help from others after a relapse. 

3. Identify and Understand Why You Relapsed

It’s also important to identify any triggers you may have been exposed to so you can better understand why you relapsed. Oftentimes, relapsing doesn’t come out of nowhere. Whether you were surrounded by people who abuse drugs or alcohol or you were going through a stressful life event, it’s important to get the source of why you relapsed so you can lower your risk of relapsing in the future. 

4. Consider Seeking Professional Support

Similar to the point of being open and honest about your relapse, you should not be afraid to seek professional support. Seeking professional support will help ensure you learn and establish healthy coping strategies to ultimately reduce your risk of relapsing in the future. 

5. Establish Healthy Coping Strategies to Maintain Long-term Sobriety

Last but not least, it’s important to establish healthy coping strategies and stick to them to help you maintain long-term sobriety. Whether that’s journaling, meditating, or exercising, there are a range of healthy coping strategies you can turn to help reduce your risk of relapsing in the future. 

If you do relapse during your recovery journey, it’s critical to understand that relapsing doesn’t mean all the progress you made in recovery is meaningless. You should not let relapsing keep you from asking for help from trusted loved ones and seeking professional help to reduce your risk of relapsing in the future. Otherwise, ignoring your relapse will only increase your risk of relapsing again in the future, and harm your overall progress toward achieving long-lasting sobriety.

Help Is Available 

Now you know more about the various steps on what to do after a relapse. Unfortunately, relapsing is a major threat that many people struggle with. From acknowledging your relapse without judgment, to asking for support, there are several steps you can take to effectively progress along your recovery journey, even despite relapsing. You should never feel afraid or ashamed asking for help with your addiction– regardless of where you are at in your recovery journey!

At Outpatient LA, our team of experienced addiction specialists is here to help you receive the individualized treatment you need to lead a healthier life. We are here to help guide you along your recovery journey so you can safely heal and improve your quality of life for the better. Contact us today to learn more about how we can best support your road to recovery. 

How Many Veterans With PTSD Seek Treatment?

A veteran seeks treatment for PTSD.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 7 out of every 100 veterans will have PTSD. Unfortunately, many people who struggle with PTSD may fail to recognize their condition, and that they are in need of professional treatment to better manage their PTSD symptoms. In fact, nearly half of veterans with PTSD don’t seek treatment. In this article, you’ll learn more about how many veterans with PTSD seek treatment, and why some veterans may not seek treatment for PTSD.

 

At Outpatient LA, we are a top-rated outpatient drug rehab that provides a comprehensive range of addiction treatment for patients to achieve long-term sobriety. We provide tailored care so patients can not only overcome their addiction, but heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Contact us today to learn more about how we can best support your unique recovery needs. 

Veterans Face An Increase Risk of PTSD, Yet Many Do Not Seek Professional Treatment

Interested in learning more about the question “how many veterans with PTSD seek treatment”. Research estimates around half of veterans struggling with PTSD seek treatment. This staggering showcases that while half of veterans with PTSD seek treatment, the other half struggle with their PTSD symptoms alone. Not only can this be harmful to their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being, but PTSD can also cause a strain in relationships with friends and family. 

Barriers Veterans Face When Seeking Treatment for PTSD

There are a number of reasons why a veteran struggling with PTSD may not seek professional treatment. Keep reading to learn more about the various factors that explain why half of the veterans who have PTSD don’t seek professional treatment.

Inability to Recognize They are Struggling with PTSD

First, simply many veterans may not recognize that they are suffering from PTSD. While they may be aware of certain PTSD symptoms they may be experiencing, like flashbacks, nightmares, or being hypervigilant of people and their surroundings, they may not recognize that experiencing these symptoms indicates they may be struggling with PTSD. Therefore, many veterans who suffer from PTSD may delay seeking professional treatment because they might not understand the symptoms they are experiencing are linked to PTSD.

Stigma Associated with Mental Illness

Another common reason why many veterans with PTSD may not seek treatment is the stigma associated with mental illness. While talking about mental health and seeking treatment for mental illness is becoming more open and less stigmatized, some people, especially those within the military industry, may feel that asking for help for their PTSD is a weakness. Even though asking for help takes strength, many people may wrongfully assume seeking treatment is a weakness. 

Abusing Drugs to Cope with PTSD Symptoms

Finally, unfortunately, many veterans with PTSD may abuse drugs or alcohol to try and cope with their PTSD symptoms. This can cause them inevitably to keep turning to drugs rather than seeking professional help to address their PTSD. 

While abusing drugs or alcohol may seem to address your symptoms of stress and anxiety over the short term, constantly turning to drugs to cope with your PTSD can greatly interfere with your overall health and quality of life. This is why it’s important to ask for help, whether you are struggling with a mental disorder like PTSD, drug addiction, or any other form of mental health disorder. 

Help Is Available 

Now you know more about the question “how many veterans with PTSD seek treatment”. While not all veterans struggle with PTSD, unfortunately nearly half of the veterans who do struggle with PTSD don’t seek professional treatment. Not only can not seeking treatment lead to worsening physical and mental health symptoms, but it can also cause some to turn to drugs or alcohol to try and cope with their untreated PTSD symptoms. You should never feel like you have to face your PTSD condition all on your own– help is available!

At Outpatient LA, we are a top-rated outpatient drug rehab that helps patients safely and effectively achieve long-lasting sobriety. You should never feel too afraid or ashamed to ask for help when it comes to leading a healthier, happier quality of life. We provide a comprehensive range of outpatient treatment options so you can receive the right care that best aligns with your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you progress along your recovery journey. 

What Are the Most Widely Abused Drugs in the United States?

Alcohol, one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States.

Unfortunately, millions of people struggle with drug addiction in the United States. Drug addiction can hurt not just your physical health, but also your mental health and relationships with others. There are a wide variety of addictive substances, from heroin to cocaine, alcohol, opioids, and more, that people abuse. In this article, you’ll learn more about the most widely abused drugs in the United States. 

At Outpatient LA, we are a leading outpatient drug rehab that offers individualized addiction treatment for patients to lead healthier, happier lives. From our intensive outpatient program to partial hospitalization, we provide a range of outpatient treatment programs so you can safely break free from addiction. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you on your road to recovery. 

5 Most Widely Abused Drugs in the US

From legal drugs in the United States like alcohol and nicotine to illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine, there are a wide variety of drugs that are abused in the US. Regardless of whether a drug is legal does not mean abusing the substance is healthy. Below are several of the most widely abused drugs in the United States. 

Alcohol

You may be surprised to hear that alcohol is a drug. But, alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States. Just because alcohol is a legal drug does not undermine its dangerous effects on your body. Not only can abusing alcohol harm your physical and mental health, but abusing alcohol long-term can lead to dependency and addiction. This is why it’s critical to first be aware of the addictive nature of alcohol but also to drink in moderation. If you find you are unable to quit drinking, even when you make an effort to stop, this is a common sign you are struggling with an addiction. 

Marijuana

Marijuana is another widely abused drug in the United States. Although marijuana use has become legalized in a number of states, this does not undermine the dangerous effects of the drug on your brain and body. Similar to alcohol, just because marijuana is legal in many states does not mean that it is not an addictive drug. Many people across the United States fall victim to marijuana addiction. 

Opioids

Opioids are another widely abused drug in the United States. Many people abuse opioids, whether they are abusing a certain opioid medication they were prescribed, or abusing an opioid not prescribed to them. Unfortunately, abusing opioids can not only lead to drug dependency and addiction, but many people overdose and die as a result of abusing opioids.  

Heroin

Heroin is one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States, and unfortunately, many people overdose and die from abusing heroin each year in the United States. Not only can heroin abuse lead to life-threatening consequences, but it can also lead to various physical and psychological issues from raising your risk of heart problems to your risk of experiencing mood swings or irritability when you try to stop abusing heroin.

Nicotine 

Nicotine is another legalized drug that is abused by many across the United States. Although more and more people are understanding the dangers of abusing nicotine from both an addiction perspective and a health complication perspective (ie. increased risk of lung cancer), still many people smoke cigarettes and abuse vaping products, thus raising their risk of dependency and addiction. 

Help Is Available 

Now you know more about the most widely abused drugs in the United States. Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs, and yet, many people don’t understand how addictive alcohol can be. Although alcohol and nicotine are legal, this does not mean they are not addictive substances. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, it’s critical you seek professional help to break free from addiction. 

At Outpatient Los Angeles, our experienced team offers a broad range of addiction treatment to ensure you have the best possible care for your unique recovery needs. We provide a range of outpatient addiction treatment programs to ensure you receive the tailored care you need to effectively achieve long-term sobriety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can best support your recovery journey. 

The Science Behind Addiction

Addiction is a complex brain disease that harms an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being for the worse. Unfortunately, there are many that hold inaccurate assumptions about addiction and addiction recovery. Drug addiction involves your body developing a physical dependency on a certain substance. In this article, you’ll learn more about the science behind addiction so you can better understand what occurs in the brain and body when an individual is struggling with addiction. 

At Outpatient LA, we are a leading outpatient drug rehab that helps patients break free from addiction and achieve long-lasting sobriety. We help patients not only overcome addiction but improve their mental health and well-being so they can lead a healthier, happier quality of life. Gone are the days of suffering in silence with your addiction- help is available. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your road to recovery. 

Addiction Is A Brain Disease

As mentioned above, addiction is a brain disease that involves an individual’s inability to control their abuse of a particular addictive substance, despite knowing the harmful impacts the drug abuse has on their health and quality of life.

When your body begins to consume an addictive substance, it experiences a surge in dopamine. Dopamine is essentially a pleasure or “feel good” hormone that your body naturally releases when it experiences pleasurable experiences, such as eating food. However, when you experience spikes of dopamine externally, such as when you get a dopamine spike from abusing a drug, over time this lowers your body’s natural release of dopamine because your body begins to expect the spike of dopamine it receives when it abuses drugs or alcohol. 

The Brain and Body Develop a Dependency on Drugs

As the brain and body adapt to the consumption of addictive substances, it will inevitably lower its natural production of dopamine due to the expectation of you abusing drugs. This causes your body to not only develop a dependency or addiction to the addictive substance, but you also will experience difficulty controlling your consumption of the drug. For example, what may have started out as you experimenting or using a drug recreationally can over time turn into an addiction and inability to quit abusing the drug. 

Not only will your brain and body adapt to the drug, but you will experience short-term withdrawal symptoms when you don’t satisfy your body’s developed dependency on the addictive substance. Plus, you’ll experience significant cravings and urges to abuse the drug and tolerance as your body will adapt to needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same desired effect. Inevitably, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings to abuse the drug can make it difficult for an addict to quit and achieve long-lasting sobriety. 

Not to mention, even if an addict does get clean and achieve sobriety, this does not mean sobriety is guaranteed for life. In fact, 40-60% of people treated for substance use disorders will relapse. This is why it’s critical if you are struggling with drug addiction to seek professional support so you can safely and effectively overcome your addiction and achieve lasting sobriety.  At an addiction treatment center, you’ll be able to detox safely and progress along your recovery journey so you can learn effective coping strategies to get and remain clean. 

Help Is Available 

As you can see, the science behind addiction reveals that addiction is so much more than just having “enough willpower” to quit. Addiction involves altering your brain chemistry where your brain and body learn to expect and become dependent upon that addictive substance to achieve a desired effect. Not only can addiction interfere with your health and quality of life for the worse, but drug addiction in some instances can lead to life-threatening consequences. 

At Outpatient LA, we offer leading addiction treatment so you can effectively overcome addiction once and for all. We understand each patient’s recovery journey is different. That’s why we offer a variety of treatment programs and options to ensure you receive the personalized care you need to lead a healthier, happier life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery journey. 

How to Deal with Living with an Alcoholic

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, around 29 million people struggled with an alcohol use disorder in the US in 2023. This staggering statistic showcases just how prominent alcohol addiction is. Unfortunately, alcohol addiction doesn’t just hurt the alcoholic, but it also harms relationships with family members and friends. In this article, you’ll learn more about how to deal with living with an alcoholic so you can support your loved one, without harming your own health and quality of life. 

At Outpatient LA, we are a leading outpatient drug rehab that helps patients safely overcome addiction and heal their physical, mental, and spiritual wellness for the better. No two recovery journeys are ever the same. That’s why we provide a comprehensive range of outpatient addiction treatment options so you can receive the individualized care that best meets your recovery needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery journey. 

6 Ways to Deal with Living With An Alcoholic

When living with an alcoholic, it can be difficult to set healthy boundaries, while also being a supportive family member or friend. Keep reading to learn how to deal with living with an alcoholic so you can support your loved one, without compromising your own well-being. 

1. Set Clear Boundaries

First, as mentioned above, it’s critical to set clear, healthy boundaries when you are living with an alcoholic. This can look like both “smaller” boundaries like sharing responsibilities with cleaning the home/apartment, to “larger” boundaries such as if they are not contributing to pay rent because they spend all their money fueling their addiction, you set the boundary that they cannot live with you if they do not contribute to the home. 

2. Educate Yourself About Alcoholism

Next, it’s also important for you to educate yourself about alcoholism so you can learn what addiction is, and what addiction is not. Addiction is a complex brain disorder; therefore, you should not feel responsible for making someone get sober. Rather, you can help support that friend or family member who is an alcoholic to seek professional treatment to get sober. 

3. Support But Don’t Enable Behavior

Similar to setting boundaries, it’s important to recognize the difference between supporting someone vs enabling their behavior. If you are living with an alcoholic, it can be sometimes be easy to enable their behavior, especially if you don’t set boundaries regarding them contributing to paying their fair share of the rent and contributing to responsibilities/chores around the house. 

4. Encourage Open and Honest Communication

Rather than growing resentment for the individual struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to try and encourage open and honest communication. It’s important to communicate, regardless of if you are living with an alcoholic or not, so they understand your boundaries and if they cross them you can work toward resolving them rather than letting them take advantage of you and your living space. 

5. Prioritize Self-Care & Healthy Lifestyle Habits

It can be difficult living with an alcoholic; therefore, don’t forget to prioritize self-care and healthy lifestyle habits to maintain your own physical and mental health and well-being. This may look like ensuring you get plenty of quality sleep each night to journaling, consistently exercising, and more.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help 

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. While this is easier said than done and may vary depending on your living situation, if you have a family member living with you that is an alcoholic, consider asking for help from other trusted family members or reaching out to a local rehab facility who can offer support. 

Help Is Available 

Now you know more about the question “how to deal with living with an alcoholic”. From setting clear and healthy boundaries to not enabling behavior, there are several ways you can deal with living with an alcoholic to be a supportive friend or family member, without enabling their behavior. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, it’s critical to seek professional help to safely and effectively break free from addiction.

Our experienced team of addiction specialists are here to help you progress along your recovery journey. At Outpatient LA, we provide a wide range of outpatient treatment options to ensure you receive the best possible care to support your unique recovery needs. You should never feel too ashamed or afraid to ask for help in leading a healthier, happier life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your road to recovery.