We used drugs and alcohol as a way of coping with the discomfort of the outside world. Rarely could we enter into any social situation without being under the influence of substances. We felt safe and protected in a cloud of intoxication. Eventually, however, we found ourselves isolating and entirely unable to face the outside…
Recovery is a time of healing. In our addictions, we cared little for the natural world and rarely had time to sit outside and soak up the benefits of sunshine. Early sobriety is the perfect time to embrace the gifts of the natural world, and it turns out, simply being outdoors in sunlight can provide…
Critical thinking is not necessarily what you think it is. It is not even a radical concept or idea that is new but the truth is recovery tends to involve a lot of emotion and less thinking. If you are in an addiction recovery program, you are dealing with lots of changes, new routines, friends,…
When we were in active addiction or suffering other mental health issues, we rarely cared about exercise or getting out into nature. When we enter into sobriety and are in the process of healing, however, hiking can be a great way to improve our physical and mental health. Hiking provides the aerobic exercise we need…
Mental health awareness is key for addiction treatment. No matter what stage you are at in your recovery, it is important to prioritize your mental health. Developing and maintaining healthy mental health can help prevent relapse, build strong relationships, and increase overall well-being. Mental health services are available to provide individuals with the treatment and…
Group therapy benefits folks in many ways. Many of us were unfamiliar with therapy and wary about discussing our personal problems with someone else. Group therapy, specifically, seems like an intimidating prospect—not only are we disclosing personal information about our problems with one person, but we are discussing them with a room full of strangers.…
Hives appear as red lumps on the surface of the skin. They vary in size. Sometimes they can be very small, but at other times they can be as big as the size of a saucer. Hives can be itchy, or they can give a burning sensation. In most cases, hives result from allergic reactions…
Addiction is a growing health concern in California and across the United States. Since 2020, LA County has recorded 2,992,298 or more opioid prescriptions annually. Many more people suffer from unrecorded addictions to a wide range of substances. Overall, only 10% of people formally diagnosed with a substance use disorder in Los Angeles county access…
Since 2020, the number of prescriptions for opioids in LA County has remained at or above 2,992,298. Fentanyl overdose has resulted in a ten-fold increase in deaths since 2015, while heroin-related ER visits have more than doubled, and amphetamine-related ER visits since 2018 in Los Angeles, California, increased by fifty percent. Despite these statistics, only…
Making a significant change in your life is always scary, and getting sober is no different. There can be all kinds of roadblocks between you and your recovery, and they may come from directions you don’t expect. Sometimes, your own attitude about your substance use is the main obstacle in your recovery and lasting sobriety.…