California Recovery Center

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.

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!

What is PTSD?

PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is a type of mental health affliction that develops after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening, traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can start off as mild stress, but unlike a normal occurrence, it will not subside or will come and go. Over time, the intensity of the symptoms usually grows and can even become debilitating for the individual without proper care.

How Does PTSD Develop?
Most forms of PTSD develop through a traumatic accident. This can be from an experience the patient. This can develop at any stage in life and can be from a recent or past experience. Some elements that can increase the chances of developing PTSD are an injury occurring during a traumatic event or a traumatic event that is ongoing or lasts for an extended period of time.

The most common events that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops from are from combat and assault. Outside factors can affect the severity of PTSD, such as a high stress environment, exposure to triggers, or a lack of support.

How PTSD can Affect Addiction

When someone goes through a traumatic episode. One of the main ways people deal with trauma on their own is through coping mechanisms. These coping mechanisms help people with trauma, or other mental health issues, handle the effects of this event through their daily lives.

However, sometime an individual doesn’t develop healthy coping tools. Those suffering from PTSD can become linked to addiction through developing negative coping skills. “The daily struggle to keep trauma-related memories locked down and out of mind is exhausting. Over time, a person can develop skills to cope.” This does not make the person incapable of recovery and through counseling and recovery, healthy coping tools can be established in place of an SUD.

What should I do if I have PTSD?

As with all mental health issues, it is important to reach out and seek treatment for PTSD. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, a proper support system can ease the intensity of PTSD symptoms. California Recovery Center is a licensed treatment facility for substance abuse and co-occurring mental or behavioral condition in Sacramento area that allows individuals the opportunity to work towards sobriety while creating minimal impact on both their personal and professional lives. When you’re ready to start your recovery, reach us today at (866) 864-1986.

Mental Health and Addiction

The damage done to an individual’s physical health after years of substance abuse is no mystery. It can be seen not only in scientific reports but plastered in magazine articles, billboards, movies, and television. In addition to physical health, it is important to recognize the effects addiction can have on an individual’s mental health as well — not just from the effects of the substance itself, but the residual issues addiction presents.

Mental Illness and Addictive Tendencies

It’s not hard to imagine the negative effects substance abuse can have on an individual’s mental health, but sometimes the reverse is true as well. Those with preexisting mental health disorders tend to have a high correlation to alcohol and drug abuse. Studies have shown significant relationships between substance abuse and anxiety, such as panic attacks, PTSD, and general anxiety disorder. Around one in four patients with a preexisting existing diagnosis of a serious mental illness, also suffer from drug abuse.

Isolation and Addiction

When an individual becomes heavily dependent on drugs, it tends to raise concerns among friends and family. Sometimes, to avoid judgement or pressure to go to rehab, those with addiction become avoidant of those once in their close circle. This form of isolation brings on feelings of helplessness and loneliness, which can cripple an individual’s mental health. This combination of emotions can create negative thoughts, making recovery feel impossible.

Reach Out

Struggling with addiction can feel like a mountainous battle in itself, but when paired with a severe mental illness, it can seem insurmountable. Those already battling depression can have difficulty summoning the energy to take on this battle. When dealing with a preexisting mental illness and addiction, an individual will best benefit from a counselor who is experienced in dual diagnosis. At California Recovery Center, we are equipped to offer dual diagnosis counseling. When you’re ready to start your recovery, reach out today at (866) 864-1986.

Addiction Mental Health

Recovery and Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is a condition where a person suffering from mental health issues also suffers from substance addiction. This is sometimes uncovered when a patient seeks treatment, as health care providers try to get a deeper understanding of the patient’s life. It was originally believed, and still is in some medical circles, that mental health disorders are unrelated to alcohol and drug addiction.

However, many health care providers have changed their stance on this issue and now believe both afflictions must be treated simultaneously. Patients labeled with this are generally considered to be more difficult to treat, but that shouldn’t discourage those individuals from seeking the help they need.

How to Define Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis does not have one set combination, which is another part that makes it more difficult to treat. There is no set definition for dual diagnotion, other than the combination of mental health affliction and addiction. This can vary widely, which is why it is so important for healthcare professionals to get a more personalized understanding of each individual. This allows them to treat each patient’s specific combination of needs.

How to Treat Dual Diagnosis

For dual-diagnosis patients to be successful in their recovery, both issues need to be treated simultaneously: their addiction and their mental health affliction. This can be a challenge not only for the health care provider but for the client as well. Simultaneous therapy can be draining to the individual, which is why it’s important to find a facility that is versed in handling these types of procedures.

If you or someone you love is seeking treatment and has received a dual diagnosis, you’ll want to seek a center with a skilled health care professional with a specific background in treating these types of patients. California Recovery Center is uniquely equipped to treat dual-diagnosis patients. If you’re looking to begin your recovery journey and treatment, reach out to us today!

Dual Diagnosis