calrc, Author at California Recovery Center

FMLA and Substance Abuse: What You Need to Know

confused man with fmla substance abuse letter

You’ve probably heard of FMLA and how employees use it to take time off in order to take care of medical conditions. In many cases, employees utilize FMLA for physical injuries and illnesses – but do you know FMLA also applies to mental health and addiction? Here’s what you need to know about FMLA, substance abuse, and mental health:

What is FMLA?

The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, is a federal law that allows employees to have up to 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave in the face of a serious health condition. An FMLA leave is valid if at least one of the 5 following scenarios is present:

Their child was recently born and they have to look after them
They recently adopted a child and must take care of them
Their spouse, child, or parent is suffering from a serious medical condition
The employee is undergoing a serious medical condition that hinders their ability to perform the primary responsibilities of their work
An applicable urgent matter concerning a spouse, child, or parent who is on, or is notified to join, covered active duty in the armed forces

The FMLA leave protects the employee by ensuring that they return to the same or almost identical position after the term of the leave. It also compels employers to continue the employee’s group health benefits as though the employee was not on leave.

An employee is eligible to FMLA leaves if they meet the following requirements:

Have worked with the employer for at least 12 months
Rendered at least 1,250 hours of service for the employer during those 12 months
Currently working at a location of the employer with at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius.

The FMLA applies to an employer if it falls under one of the following categories:

Any private or public employer that has at least 50 employees
All government agencies
All private and public elementary and high schools

Take note that this means the FMLA doesn’t apply to employers with less than 50 employees.

Is addiction and mental health covered by the FMLA?

The FMLA concerns employees or their immediate family experiencing a serious health condition. This begs the question: does addiction and mental health qualify as a “serious health condition”?

Fortunately, the answer is yes. The FMLA considers both physical and mental conditions as serious health conditions if these require one of the following two:

Inpatient care – Overnight stay at a healthcare facility such as a hospital or treatment center
Continuing treatment by a healthcare provider – More than three consecutive days of the condition incapacitating the individual which necessitates ongoing treatment; or, intermittent periods when the individual is incapacitated by a chronic disease

This applies not only to an affected employee, but also to any immediate family member undergoing mental health and addiction issues. Thus, it allows employees to take leave in order to have the time to either take care of themselves or their loved ones in the face of a mental health crisis.

Would your employer discriminate against you for using the FMLA for substance abuse and mental health?

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind with the FMLA is, “I think my employer would only be fine with me using an FMLA leave if it’s for a physical condition. They might discriminate against me if the leave is about something intangible like mental health or addiction.”

Stigma against mental conditions in the workplace is a sad reality. Legally speaking, however, as long as you meet the requirements of the FMLA, your employer can’t refuse your FMLA leave for mental health and addiction. Likewise, they’re obligated to ensure that you return to the same or identical position after your leave expires.

Besides, mental health and addiction issues are tangible. They can have a severe impact on your performance and lead to:

Absenteeism
More errors in the workplace
Self-isolation from coworkers
Lack of communication
An overall lower drive to perform and excel

Thus, it would be in the best interest of your employer to respect your FMLA leave due to a mental condition. Plus, despite your mental condition, your employer took you in because of your character, skills, and capabilities. If some time off is needed to allow you to perform at your best, your employer has to grant it.

Why should you take a leave for mental health or addiction?

“Resilience in the workplace” is a term that gets thrown around whenever topics like workplace stress and challenges are mentioned. While it is a great characteristic to have, it alone is not enough to treat addiction and mental health conditions.

Serious mental conditions require serious treatment. It involves a lot more than band aid solutions like short-lived motivation from inspirational videos. Mental health and addiction require a deep examination and resolution of the root of the problem affecting the individual.

Left unchecked, these can affect all facets of life. Stress at work can compound this problem even more, and eventually, your performance will deteriorate. If you’re passionate about your work, this can lead to frustration for you because you know you can do better.

That’s why you owe it to yourself to take the time you need to recover with the help of professional intervention and rehabilitation.

Make the most out of FMLA with professional treatment

If you do decide to take advantage of FMLA for substance abuse, great! You’re one step closer to improving your current condition and getting back to tiptop shape mentally. For best results, review the provisions of the FMLA to make sure that you’re eligible.

There are individuals and organizations that take addiction and mental health seriously as having a deep impact on everyday life. Recovering from your condition requires rigorous, high-quality care from proven professionals – that’s why you have to start with a recovery center that will look after you in every step of the way. And fortunately, treating substance abuse has become highly flexible as patients can now choose how and where they receive professional treatment.

At California Recovery Center, we take into heart the significance of professional holistic treatment in every client we have. One of our core missions is to help workers undergo long-term recovery while balancing their lives both at the workplace and in their personal life. We give our clients the option to receive outpatient treatment, where patients are treated both inside and outside the facility, or inpatient treatment, where they are observed and treated actively by healthcare providers inside the facility for an extended period of time. If you want to make the most out of the FMLA to recover from your substance abuse and mental health issues, feel free to reach out – we’re eager to help you bounce back and stay up.

Tips for Enjoying Halloween During Recovery from Substance Abuse

Person getting alcohol from a punch bowl while celebrating Halloween during recovery

A 1993 research article on 1,250 college students is one of many studies that confirmed Halloween is a holiday where alcohol and drug consumption are rampant. This still rings true today and makes it challenging to celebrate and enjoy Halloween during recovery from substance abuse.

Of course, the true spirit of Halloween is found in the witty costumes and the spooky decorations. You don’t need to consume alcohol or drugs to make Halloween an enjoyable event. Nevertheless, there are real risks around substance consumption that you may fall victim to inadvertently.

Thus, vigilance is the key to celebrating the holiday. Here are some tips to help you through Halloween during recovery:

Steer clear of peer pressure

Peer pressure often runs high during holidays like Halloween. Your friends or loved ones may entice you by saying:

“One drink can’t hurt you.”
“Come on, it’s Halloween! You can let go every once in a while, right?”
“It’s just one day. You can get back to recovery right away!”

These comments may mean well, since they want you to enjoy Halloween, too. However, notice that these statements can apply to practically any other area in your life.

Giving in because of what they said can result in you using the same reasons yourself. This makes celebrating Halloween on recovery significantly more difficult to continue.

Take the first step and avoid peer pressure altogether. Here’s how you can do it:

Remind yourself to say, “No, thanks.” There’s no need to explain why you’re refusing the offer. A simple no will suffice.
Stay with loved ones or friends who are supportive of your recovery. They know that you have to avoid substances to recover successfully and will never think to pressure you.

Consider avoiding parties. Everyone is expected to drink in a party. It doesn’t have to involve a person actively pressuring you to drink. Just being surrounded by people drinking can have an influence on you. Thus, you may have to rethink joining that party you were invited to.

These suggestions may sound like they take a lot of fun out of Halloween, especially since it’s a social event. However, remember that Halloween is about dressing up as your favorite character through a witty costume.

Drinking and consuming other substances is optional at best. But to truly celebrate the essence of Halloween, socialize and mingle with people whose costumes you like.

Check the candy you receive

On September 2022, 8 students at the Litchfield Community Learning Center in Akron, Ohio, were hospitalized after consuming cannabis gummies. Gummy candies are an example of “edibles,” which are foods that contain cannabis.

Edibles can come in various forms, including:

Pastries
Brownies
Other baked foods

Usually, your peers will let you know that they’re giving you edibles. Sometimes, however, you’ll receive food that may actually be edible without your knowledge. It’s also possible that you’ll take a bite off of a brownie or some food on a baking tray during a party that secretly contains cannabis.

Thus, it’s important that you exercise caution whenever you receive candy. To do that, here are some things you should remember:

Wrapped candies, chocolates, and other sweets by reputable companies should be fine. On the other hand, you should take homemade foods with a grain of salt.
If it’s homemade, ask the person who gave it to you if it contains cannabis. Explain that you’re recovering from substance abuse and that you can’t risk consuming a drug by accident.
When in a rowdy party, try to avoid the food stand. You may end up hungry during the party, but you’ll also guarantee a sober Halloween.

Be cautious of drinks given to you

In the same light, you should also be careful of drinks that may be given to you. This is especially in parties where the punch bowl may contain some trace of alcohol. Some people can mix the drinks so well that you’ll barely taste the whiskey or gin that was mixed in.

To protect yourself, here are some key things you need to remember:

Drink only from pre-packaged juices or bottles. Avoid drinks that have signs of being previously opened, as it may have been spiked.
Avoid homemade beverages from a party. You can never be too sure if the punch bowl has alcohol in it.
Bring your own drinks. The best guarantee of protection is to drink only the beverages you brought yourself.

Some people, however, may have nefarious reasons and spike your drink without your knowing. Hence, always keep a watchful eye on your beverage.

Open up about your recovery

If you do decide to accept the candies or beverages given to you, it’s alright. Discerning which foods or drinks are safe to consume for you is vital if you choose to celebrate Halloween with some decreased restraint.

In any case, it’s always highly advisable to open about your recovery when you receive such gifts while celebrating Halloween. This lets your peers know about your situation and act accordingly around you. For instance, they may cross out offering you edibles or cocktails and, instead, give you juice or sweets that don’t contain cannabis.

However, it’s also possible that they simply don’t care, or may think that you just want to miss out on the fun. This may be discouraging to you, but it can eliminate some risks of being offered substances.

Stay with loved ones

Who else better to celebrate the spookiness of Halloween than with your family and friends?

Indeed, there are a lot of people out there from all walks of life who come in interesting costumes, have compelling personalities, and be overall fun to be with. Unfortunately, not all of them will be supportive of your path to recovery and may even tempt you to consume substances during the celebration.

On the other hand, your loved ones are significantly more likely to support you in your recovery – and in, fun ways, too! You can bake delectable brownies, cook up some delicious food, and whip up drinks, all without substances.

Staying with your loved ones during Halloween makes you realize not only that you can have fun without substances. It also shows you the value of your loved ones in helping you through your recovery.

Keep professional help on speed dial during Halloween

When celebrating Halloween recovering, substance abuse is one of the biggest risks you can face. If you’ve consumed a substance by accident while celebrating, it’s best to act fast to make sure you stay on your path to recovery. At California Recovery Center, we attend to each client based on their needs. If you happen to consume alcohol or a drug while celebrating Halloween during recovery, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our outpatient and inpatient treatment options will help you get back to recovering right away.

How to Support Your Employees Through Their Substance Use and Mental Health Issues

What is the number one resource of your company? The employees. They are the foundation of your company’s success. Without them, you can’t achieve your goals. Yet, they seem to be often neglected when they have their own issues, usually told to leave at the door and do their jobs. This is even worse if the issues are about mental health or substance abuse in the workplace: some managers see it as a red flag and just boot the employee out the door.

As a leader, it is your responsibility to look after your employees and make sure that they receive the support they need. This is more than just taking care of valuable assets — it’s about helping fellow professionals go through struggles in order to succeed together.

Why should you support your employees with their issues with mental health and substance abuse in the workplace?

You may be thinking, “Their addiction/mental health is their problem, not mine. It’s their responsibility to solve it, and if they can’t, they’re in trouble with me!” There are three problems with this:

Mental health and addiction issues can negatively impact employee engagement. This can result in a 37% higher absence rate, 49% higher accident rate, and 60% more performance errors.

If neglected for a long time, the employee will quit. After all, why would they stay at a job that doesn’t care about them?

Company morale will deteriorate. Other employees may be discouraged to work at your company if they think that you don’t care about them.

Above all, you are the leader of the team. The goals of the group are second to the integrity and well-being of your employees, because it is exactly these two factors that are crucial to having a strong team and achieving your goals together.

Here are other reasons why you should help your employees through their mental health and addiction.

It increases overall performance. Clarity of mind free of addiction or mental issues results in improved focus and creativity.

It encourages them to stay at your company. Caring bosses are rare nowadays, and being one can be a strong reason why an employee would stay loyal.

It opens them up to be more communicative. Employees tend to be more responsive and open to receiving feedback and sharing insights that can be groundbreaking for your team.

It improves team integrity. If your entire staff knows that you have their back even through their personal struggles, it can significantly increase employee performance and retention.

Ways you can support your employees

Mental health and substance abuse in the workplace are very sensitive issues. As an employer, there’s only so much that you can do to help them through it. You can’t really solve their problems for them — fortunately, you can make it easier for your employees to resolve their issues.

Here are some ways how you can do that:

Have a 1-on-1 with them

It’s not enough to stop at just, “Oh, they have a mental health or addiction issue.” If you want to give meaningful support to your employees, you have to go beyond categorizing issues and fine-tune your help.

The best way to start is to talk to them personally about their issues. This gives you a clear perspective into what’s affecting them and how you can help them go through their problems.

Try to make sure that the employee is doing more of the talking. Listen intently to them, ask questions based on what they said, and give suggestions on how you can help them in certain areas.

Encourage a culture of transparency

Many employees are afraid to share what they feel or think about feedback from their managers and supervisors out of fear that they’ll be alienated or punished. Naturally, this leads to them being afraid of sharing what they think or feel at all. Unfortunately, this also makes addiction and mental health issues worse, since those suffering from them can feel like the workplace is suffocating.

Instead of keeping your staff in that mindset, let them know that they can feel free to share their thoughts and concerns without worrying about backlash. Do this even if no one has opened up yet about their addiction or mental health issues. Whatever comments they make, always lend an open ear, ask more information about them if necessary, and ask what can be done to resolve them.

Eventually, your employees will see your company at a positive light and feel happier working there.

Talk to them more often as friends, not as employees

It’s a common phenomenon for people to act or talk professionally in the workplace and prefer a more formal approach over a casual one. This has become appropriate in only a select few circumstances, like if an employee is new to the company and is trying to get a feel of the culture. However, this can also be alienating, since speaking professionally usually feels unnatural for some people. This is especially because of the expectation to filter out anything considered unnecessary — including personal feelings or concerns.

Of course, boundaries should always be set when it comes to what should be shared in a professional setting. However, when it comes to conversational style, tone it down to a more casual, friendly one. Believe it or not, this simple change can be substantially beneficial to employees. Instead of spending their energy on trying to sound formal, they can feel free and comfortable to express themselves.

In other words, as the leader of the workplace, the way you speak influences how your employees speak. So, if you speak in a friendly, casual, and comfortable tone, so too will your employees.

Be more considerate with turnaround

Those who struggle with substance abuse in the workplace or mental health issues are more likely to have a hard time submitting their work on time. Often times, missing the deadline can contribute to their stress, especially since they’ll usually imagine your disappointment.

If an employee does miss a deadline, ask them how they’re feeling and if they need help with their project. You can also offer to extend the deadline to a later date in order to give them more time to work on it.

Most of all, assure them that it’s alright if they missed the deadline and that they’re free to ask for support whenever they need it. It won’t guarantee that they’ll eventually submit their work on time more often, but it does make them feel more motivated to work by removing the fear of disappointment. Plus, this is a great first step towards improving their performance by encouraging them to collaborate with their teammates in order to produce more high-quality work.

Formulate a corporate wellness program

Most of the time, “medical benefits” usually refer to financial support for medical procedures and treatments in hospitals and clinics outside the workplace. This is great, but have you considered having a corporate wellness program for your employees?

A corporate wellness program is your company’s way of looking after the well-being of your employees. This involves formulating a list of activities and protocols that are built towards improving and maintaining the physical and mental welfare of the staff.

It’s a fantastic way of supporting your employees by actively providing opportunities within the company to find ways to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. This is especially a great way to improve your employee’s mental health through, for example, activities that reduce stress through team-building games or help out substance use victims through support groups.

Consider treatment for your employees

The best kind of help you can give to employees struggling from issues with mental health or substance abuse in the workplace is to provide them with proper treatment from professional recovery facilities. At California Recovery Center, we help professionals recover from substance use and mental health issues while balancing their lives at home and at the workplace. Reach out to CRC and give your employees the help they need.

Recovery at Home with California Recovery Center

Why is recovery at home important? For most, recovery begins when you decide that you’re ready. This decision can come about in a number of ways, but when that choice has been reached, you’ll begin looking at options to help you on the path to recovery. However, sometimes even when you decide you’re ready to begin your substance abuse recovery, the timing may not feel right.

Many of us hold jobs we can’t simply walk away from for a month or more. Some are caretakers of children, parents, or elderly relatives who need us to remain at home. Whatever the reason may be, sometimes we are not able to take the time for ourselves to enter an inpatient program at a recovery center.

This is where one of California Recovery Center’s newly introduced outpatient programs can come in and help with recovery at home. Our founder and the team realize that the road to recovery is different for everyone, and no one should have to put their goals on hold because of a busy schedule. This is why our certified healthcare specialists have put together a new series of programs to serve those who can’t join us at our Roseville, California location.

Now, you can recover remotely with CRC by enrolling in one of our outpatient programs. You no longer need to choose between your work and family time and recovery; now, you can have both simultaneously! Our programs allow you to maintain your daily schedule while receiving treatment.

Depending on which program you select, you’ll join us onsite for 1-3 hours per week and remain at home the rest of the week, allowing you to continue your normal life. You will still receive access to 24/7 support from our healthcare technicians without staying onsite.

California Recovery Center’s goal is to expand our reach to as many people as possible. Now we’re able to serve individuals within our Roseville and Greater Sacramento communities, as well as those outside of CRC’s surrounding area. We’re excited for you to grow with us!

Benefits of Outpatient Rehab Programs

caucasian male chatting with physician doctor during online telemedicine consultation

When choosing a recovery program, it is important to find one that suits your specific needs. Not all programs are the same and some can vary greatly from a center. Now, there are programs that offer a new option for patients outside of traditional inpatient treatment. Outpatient recovery programs offer different benefits and can serve those who wouldn’t be able to attend an inpatient program.

Being able to receive treatment without disrupting a patient’s work life or time with their family makes it easier for more people to take that first step in improving their lives. Our goal at California Recovery Center is to make recovery possible for everyone ready to start that journey and we are happy to now offer outpatient programs as part of our services.

Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

There are numerous benefits to going through recovery in an outpatient program. Some major benefits include:

Flexibility

Outpatient programs allow patients to receive the care they need while maintaining their daily lives. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) are more flexible and can fit into patients’ schedules, which is ideal for working professionals.

Remote

Some IOPs are completely remote, which allows patients to recover from home. This makes treatment more accessible to those who would otherwise not be able to commute to a treatment center.

Affordability

IOPs and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) tend to be less expensive than traditional inpatient programs.

Comfort

Patients are able to remain home during treatment, allowing patients to go through difficult portions of recovery in a familiar and comforting environment.

Recovery with Flexibility

Unlike traditional inpatient programs, outpatient programs have a lot more flexibility depending on which program you choose. Some require patients to come onsite for therapy sessions 4-5 times a week, while some are entirely remote through telehealth services. The primary goal is to help those with demanding schedules meet their recovery goals, whatever that may look like.

Finding Outpatient Recovery Programs

At California Recovery Center we offer various levels of care in outpatient programs to best serve our patients. We believe in finding the right program for each individual to fit into their specific schedules. If you’re ready to learn more about the outpatient programs, or one of the many other programs we offer at our recovery center, call us today.

The Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Programs

Ponder man finding way to solve his problems.

When beginning the search for a recovery program, it’s important to know the differences between the programs a recovery center offers. Not all programs are the same and can differ greatly from center to center. At California Recovery Center, we offer both inpatient and outpatient programs for our patients, but what are the differences between these two options?

The main difference between inpatient and outpatient programs is right in the name. An inpatient program requires the patient to remain onsite, in the center, through the duration of their treatment, including detox and therapy or group therapy sessions.

Inpatient Recovery Programs

Inpatient programs are carried out onsite at recovery centers. Patients reside and fulfill the duration of their treatment with the guidance of the center’s healthcare providers. Actives vary from center to center but usually include a form of group therapy, as well as individual therapy. Some centers also provide assisted detox when entering the facility and sober living environments for patients’ post-treatment.

Outpatient Recovery Program

Outpatient programs offer a variety of options to this style of treatment depending on programs, telehealth. While these outpatient programs require patients to come onsite for their therapy sessions, but still some offer virtual sessions and are entirely remote.

An outpatient program allows patients to seek treatment remotely and remain home, out of the center. There are different types of outpatient programs with varying requirements. For example, a partial hospitalization program, or PHP, is more demanding and requires patients to attend onsite sessions 4 to 5 times a week. Intensive outpatient programs, IOPs, require less time onsite.

Finding the Right Recovery Program

At California Recovery Center, we are proud to offer both inpatient and outpatient options for our patients. Our qualified staff are skilled in helping each client find the best program for their situation and recovery needs. Get in touch with California Recovery Center here.

Recreational Therapy

Typically, when we think of what a therapy session looks like, we conjure an image of a face-to-face meeting with a therapist in the confines of a private and calming room. While there are undoubtable benefits to utilizing one-on-one therapy sessions with a licensed healthcare professional, it is not the only form of therapy available to patients. There is also what is called recreational therapy.

What is Recreational Therapy?

It is a form of treatment that is administered through a series of recreational activities and physical engagement to treat emotional and behavioral issues. This treatment is utilized to engage the patient to improve their emotional and physical well-being. The goal of recreational therapy is not only to treat the illness, but to improve the patient’s overall health.

How Does It Work?

Recreational Therapy includes activities that engage the patient both mentally and physically. While some may immediately attribute this to sports or other similar outdoor activities, providing recreational treatment can utilize a variety of techniques including arts and crafts, performance-based recreation such as dance, theater, and music, as well as community outings.

In order to treat and support their patients’ physical, mental, and emotional health, recreational therapists work to lessen their clients’ anxiety, tension, and depression as well as assist them regain their basic motor and cognitive abilities, gain confidence, and socialize more successfully. Recreation workers, who plan recreational events purely for pleasure, should not be mistaken with recreational therapists.

Benefits of Recreational Therapy

A major benefit is how accessible it is for most patients. Therapeutic tools learned while practicing this form of care can continue once the client leaves the rehab facility. Patients can continue to use these tools once they return to their daily lives.

Recreational Therapy at California Recovery Center

California Recovery Center is proud to offer recreational therapy as one of the modalities we feature at our center. We believe in leading our patients towards the best and healthiest version of their life. Find your best self with us today!

The Importance of Family Therapy

young-family-with-their-little-son-home-having-fun

The road to recovery begins with an individual deciding they are ready to start their journey. Though it is dependent on each person to decide when they are ready to start the recovery process, they have a higher chance of success with a support team beside them. This includes the healthcare professionals at a recovery center where the patient is detoxing or seeking treatment, but it also includes friends and family. This is called family therapy and recovery.

Family and Recovery

Family therapy and recovery go together when treating people with addiction. The recovery process can be a difficult time not only for the individual experiencing the substance use disorder, but for their family and loved ones as well. Recovery can take an emotional toll on everyone affected by addiction. Thankfully, there are ways for all individuals to feel supported and support each other during this time.

Goals of Family Therapy

Family therapy can be especially important when treating adolescents with addiction issues. Relying on parents, siblings, or peers can play a huge role in overcoming addiction at a young age. It’s the same for other age groups as well; creating an open and supportive network can be the key to long-term recovery.

Family therapy’s main goal is to make sure everyone has the tools they need to overcome this difficult period. While a daunting time for the addict, it can also be a very stressful and emotional time for their loved ones as well. Therapy works towards strengthening healthy communication practices and bonds to make sure all parties feel heard and supported.

Seeking Help Together

Having a support team before entering into recovery is a priceless resource. California Recovery Center is here to make sure everyone on your team feels supported by ours. We believe in not only educating our clients, but their family as well, to ensure everyone has a happier, healthier life. When you’re ready to begin your journey through addiction recovery, reach out to us!

Trauma Informed Care

When going through the recovery process at an individualized treatment center, such as California Recovery Center, the health care providers work to find the best approach for each patient. There are numerous approaches a therapist can choose and one of these options is trauma informed care. This process requires detailed knowledge of the client’s history in order to facilitate the best treatment.

What is Trauma Informed Care?

Through trauma informed care, a patient’s life history is examined. According to this method, the health care professional must have a complete understanding of the client’s condition, both in the past and the present, in order to fully comprehend the source of the behavior. This provides a more detailed picture of the client’s life and allows the provider to deliver a diagnosis and treatment plan that is more accurate to their specific needs.

What are the Benefits of Trauma Informed Care?

One of the primary benefits is that it allows the health care provider to offer care based on each individual’s specific needs. Likewise, it allows patients to be more involved in their own recovery, by offering insight into their life. They become the expert at what traumas, experiences, and events have occurred and offer input into how these have shaped their behavior. Through this extensive knowledge, it presents the opportunity for the provider to approach the client with more empathy.

The Six Principles of Trauma Informed Care

There are six main principles at the foundation of trauma informed care: safety, transparency, support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural/historical issues. These principles help guide the providers in their care of the patient, as well as establish processes and systems for treatment.

Seeking Treatment

At California Recovery Center, we offer individualized treatment, including trauma informed care. Our practitioners work to get to know each patient that comes through our door in order to offer the best treatment for the individual. If you are looking to start your recovery journey, reach out to California Recovery Center today!

The Link Between Depression and Alcohol

Addictive substances can be broken into two different groups known as stimulants (or “uppers”) and depressants (or “downers”), depending on how they interact with the body and mind. From these descriptors, it’s pretty easy to decipher what the effects of these substances do. Despite the fact it is so often consumed in social settings and is marketed as a product to enjoy at parties and other lively events, alcohol is considered a “downer.” From this, the consumer can experience a state of sedation, dulled senses, and suspended inhibitions. This can create a temporary feeling of relaxation, but too much can present an entirely different outcome, which is why some links depression and alcohol.

Depression’s Link to Alcohol Addiction

About one-third of individuals experiencing depression will develop an addiction or abuse alcohol. Teens who experience major depressive episodes are twice as likely to develop an alcohol addiction compared to their peers. “Women are more than twice as likely to start drinking heavily if they have a history of depression.” They are also more likely to “overdo it” than their male counterparts when going through a depressive period.

Can You Develop Depression from Drinking?

Because of its suppressant qualities, it is very common for people to turn to alcohol to help them unwind after a stressful day at work or difficult other difficult experiences. This is perfectly acceptable, as long as a glass doesn’t turn into a bottle. When an individual begins to use alcohol to help them cope with every issue that arises, this can reflect the start of an alcohol addiction.

Also, if drinking becomes excessive, it can damage the brain and lead to depression. It can also cause you to develop depression inadvertently, through careless actions carried out during a state of intoxication (poor decisions, DUIs, etc.).

Seeking Help for Addiction and Depression

A preexisting condition of depression combined with a substance addiction is what is considered a dual diagnosis. When seeking recovery for a dual diagnosis, it is important to seek qualified, experienced help. At California Recovery Center, our team of certified care technicians are not only here to assist you in your recovery, but help you build a foundation and healthy coping mechanisms so you can live your best life.