Many people are familiar with opioid drugs and the rising rate of addiction throughout the United States stemming from their use. Another term related to substance use and addiction is opiate. It is not uncommon for the terms opioid and opiate to be used interchangeably. However, it is essential to note that the terms mean different things. Opioids are all-natural, synthetic, and semisynthetic opioids. The term opiate refers to natural opioids. Perhaps, it is best to understand the term opiate as a subcategory of opioids. 

Someone with an opiate addiction may be addicted to prescription pain medications such as oxycodone or codeine or illegal opioids like heroin. When someone struggles with opioid addiction, the disease will eventually lead to significant physical and psychological changes to the brain and body. The only safe and effective way to overcome an opiate addiction is at an addiction treatment center like Cal Recovery Center. 

What Is an Opiate Treatment Center? 

At an opiate treatment center, a team of highly skilled medical and mental health providers will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals. Addiction is a disease unique to the individual, and everyone will experience different symptoms and struggles as they detox and work towards sobriety. The best opiate treatment centers offer treatment programs that address the physical and psychological challenges of overcoming addiction. Also, the treatment providers are skilled in addressing co-occurring disorders or dual-diagnosis conditions. This means your treatment program will not only help you get sober but also learn to safely and effectively manage symptoms related to an underlying mental health condition that, without treatment, may hinder your ability to achieve sobriety. 

Signs You Need To Find the Best Opiate Treatment Center

Millions of Americans struggle with a substance use disorder. Opiate drugs, whether prescription or illicit, are highly addictive. Getting sober and maintaining lasting recovery is difficult without the help of a treatment center. Data shows that early and comprehensive treatment provides the best opportunities for recovery. But, how do you know if you need to seek help?

The first sign that you need to find the best opiate treatment center is if you are asking if you need help. Chances are if you are concerned about your substance abuse challenges, it is time to contact the team at Cal Recovery Center for support. Other signs you need to seek help for opiate addiction include not taking your medications as prescribed, drug-seeking or doctor shopping, developing a tolerance, new or worsening financial or legal problems, choosing drugs over essential responsibilities, physical and mental health problems (related to drug use), trying to quit but relapsing and experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you reduce or stop using. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it provides a starting point of signs to look for. 

How Cal Recovery Center Is One of the Best Opiate Treatment Centers 

At Cal Recovery Center, we understand acknowledging a struggle with addiction is difficult. Deciding to leave behind your “normal” life at home with family and friends to seek addiction treatment is one of the most challenging decisions someone struggling to overcome opiates will ever make. However, comprehensive and evidence-based addiction treatment is the safest and most successful way to put addiction in the past and start your journey to lasting recovery. 

At Cal Recovery, we will work with you to ensure the elements of your treatment plan address your needs and goals. We strive to ensure each of our program alumni leaves with the tools needed to safely and successfully cope with triggers and relapse challenges in the future. If you would like to learn more about how Cal Recovery Center is one of the best opiate treatment centers, contact our admissions team today. 

Mindfulness practice can be beneficial for a wide range of reasons. People understand mindfulness in different ways. However, in short, mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of them now. The goal is to focus on what we are doing and how we are feeling while not paying attention to what is happening around us. Although everyone possesses the ability to be mindful, not everyone practices mindfulness. 

Although mindfulness can be beneficial for everyone, it is especially helpful for someone who is newly sober or in addiction treatment recovery. Mindfulness-based recovery techniques can help addicts in recovery decrease the power of cravings, improve communication with others, enhanced the ability to cope with stress (without turning distances), and learn new and safer relapse prevention techniques to use after treatment has ended.

What Is Mindfulness for Relapse Prevention? 

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention is a type of addiction treatment program that focuses on ensuring adequate coping mechanisms are in place for the period after treatment ends. This is the time in which relapse is often the most common. Addiction is considered a chronic, relaxing disease, and as many as 60% of individuals who have completed an addiction treatment program will experience at least one incidence of relapse. There are many different types of relapse prevention techniques; however, mindfulness, when learned as a part of addiction treatment, is something that can be used as a lifelong means to reduce stress and reduce the power of relapse triggers.

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention helps someone who is newly sober develop the skills to use mindfulness to manage unhealthy reactions to relapse triggers. Mindfulness for relapse prevention teaches recovering addicts how to be present in the moment and consider the possible outcomes of a situation. It encourages them to realize there are multiple ways to react to a relapse trigger, some of which are beneficial, whereas others are harmful. 

What Are Additional Relapse Prevention Methods? 

Most drug and alcohol rehabs provide relapse prevention education as part of an individually designed addiction treatment program. There are many different relapse prevention tools one can use as part of their day-to-day lives to prevent relapse after completing an addiction treatment program at Cal Recovery Center.

Addiction is a disease unique to the individual. For this reason, it is sometimes necessary to try a range of treatment models and relapse prevention techniques before you find what works best for you. Some of the most common relapse prevention techniques include self-care skills, HALT (hungry, angry, alone, and tired) inventory practice, mindfulness meditation, grounding techniques, continued participation in peer support groups, deep breathing, understanding, and listing your triggers and having an emergency contact list. Keep in mind, this is a shortlist, and what works for you may be something entirely different or a combination of several different skills. 

Relapse prevention education is a vital part of any comprehensive addiction treatment program. During therapy, you will learn and have the opportunity to practice a variety of skills in a safe and supported setting. Many addiction treatment programs also encourage ongoing participation in peer support groups and alumni programs as part of ongoing relapse prevention. Interacting with a group of like-minded individuals who support your sobriety and are focused on maintaining lasting recovery from drug and alcohol abuse can go a long way in preventing relapse. 

If you or a loved one struggles with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, seeking help at an addiction treatment center like Cal Recovery Center is the first step on your journey to lasting recovery. To learn more about how our programs can help you get sober, contact our admissions team today. 

Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnoses, are closely connected. Many of the twenty-one million Americans who struggle with a substance use disorder also struggle with one or more mental health conditions. Depending on the individual, they may be aware of one diagnosis or the other (either their addiction or mental health concerns) before realizing that they have a dual diagnosis. Statistics show as many as half of those who seek treatment for mental illness or addiction also experience substance use disorder.

Although there is little evidence to point to one causing the other, struggles with addiction can lead to new or worsening mental health symptoms and ongoing struggles with mental health often lead to drug or alcohol abuse to dull the emotional and psychological symptoms of the illness. Without treatment at an addiction treatment center specializing in dual diagnosis treatment, it can be challenging to fully recover from addiction. 

What Is Dual Diagnosis? 

Dual diagnosis conditions are common. When someone has a dual diagnosis, it means they have both a mental health disorder and a problem with alcohol or drugs. Dual diagnosis conditions often share overlapping symptoms and similar root causes. Co-occurring conditions are significantly intertwined, making the concept of treating one condition without acknowledging the other very difficult and less than beneficial for you. When you choose a dual diagnosis treatment center, you receive treatment in a facility where treatment professionals are trained to address both mental health and addiction-related concerns. Dual diagnosis treatment programs ensure all areas of your diagnosis are addressed, providing the most comprehensive opportunity for recovery.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in the Bay Area Treat Addiction & Mental Illness 

The best option for someone with a dual diagnosis is to complete a program at a treatment facility where treatment professionals are trained to address co-occurring disorders. 

Dual diagnosis treatment programs at Cal Recovery allow the individual and the treatment team to focus on all areas of the problem providing the most comprehensive opportunity for recovery.

As part of a dual diagnosis treatment program, you will work with your treatment team to identify and address particular mental health conditions that you might struggle with and the emotional and psychological factors that may have led to maladaptive and addictive behaviors. Often, substance abuse develops out of using drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication. Dual diagnosis therapy can help you learn more about how substances are used to self-medicate and then learn healthier, safer coping strategies to use throughout treatment and recovery.

A specialized dual diagnosis treatment center in the bay area will utilize evidence-based, holistic treatment such as yoga, massage therapy, meditation, and nutritional counseling in conjunction with traditional therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to ensure the most comprehensive treatment program possible. During counseling, you will participate in one-to-one (individual), group, and family support sessions that address both your addiction and mental health treatment needs.

If you struggle with a mental health condition and a substance use disorder (addiction), dual diagnosis treatment is essential to a safe and successful recovery. Unfortunately, not all addiction treatment programs are equipped to address the unique needs of dual diagnosis treatment. Our highly skilled treatment team at Cal Recovery will work with you to design a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your specific treatment needs and goals. Our team of addiction treatment and mental health professionals are here to provide support and guidance as you begin your journey to recovery. 

Contact our admissions team at Cal Recovery today if you would like to learn more about dual diagnosis treatment in the bay area and how our programs can help you. 

Beginning in the 1970s, the United States government began to utilize the Controlled Substance Act. The Controlled Substances Act or CSA established federal policy regulating the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain drugs. The goal of the act is to protect the public from drugs that could be dangerous and addictive. Drugs are categorized based on various factors, including their addictive potential and ability to cause harm when used or misused. Currently, controlled substances are divided into five different classes. 

The Five Classes of Drugs Explained

The Controlled Substance Act categorizes drugs into five classes or “schedules.” The schedules range from one to five, and drugs are placed in each category based on their use, addiction potential, and typical medical use. Some drugs are also categorized based on how their chemical compounds interact with the brain and body of the user. 

Schedule 1 Drugs

Schedule 1 drugs are those that have no official (or legal) medical use in the United States. There are over 100 schedules 1 drugs, including opiates, opium derivatives, hallucinogens, and some depressants and stimulants. Schedule 1 drugs are considered the highest risk drugs and can put users at high risk for developing a substance use disorder (addiction). Drugs that are considered schedule 1 include Heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, and Peyote. Although legal in many states, Marijuana also remains categorized as a schedule 1 drug. 

Schedule 2 Drugs

Schedule 2 drugs are also high risk. Unlike schedule 1 drugs, which are generally illicit (illegal), schedule 2 drugs may be prescription or illicit. Although your risk for developing a substance use disorder is reduced if a prescribed medication is taken as directed, your risk for developing an addiction to a schedule 2 drug is enhanced when the drug is misused or taken for an extended time. Some well-known schedule 2 drugs include Morphine, Cocaine, OxyContin, Fentanyl, Demerol, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Ritalin, and Adderall. 

Schedule 3 Drugs

Schedule 3 drugs are not without addiction risk; however, the risk level is lower than that of schedule 1 or schedule 2 drugs. Your medical provider often prescribes schedule 3 drugs to manage illness, injuries, and other medical conditions. Commonly prescribed schedule 3 drugs include Ketamine, Anabolic steroids, Buprenorphine (Suboxone), and Codeine. 

Schedule 4 Drugs

Schedule 4 drugs are medications typically prescribed to treat various medical and mental health conditions. These drugs are categorized as schedule 4 due to a low risk for developing a substance use disorder. Drugs that are a part of this class include Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam (Klonopin), and Alprazolam (Xanax). 

Schedule 5 Drugs

Schedule 5 drugs have the least addictive risk. In general, these medications are also prescribed by your primary care provider. The most well-known drug in this class is cough medications that contain codeine. 

How to Get Help With a Drug or Alcohol Addiction

If you or a loved one struggles with a drug or alcohol addiction, it is essential to seek help from a professional addiction treatment facility like Cal Recovery. Depending on the severity of your addiction, and the substance or substances you use, you may experience withdrawal if you try to reduce or stop using. Choosing a treatment center like Cal Recovery can help you detox safely and successfully. Once detox is complete, you can transition into a therapeutic treatment program to begin your journey towards overcoming addiction. 

Contact our admissions team today if you would like to learn more about our Roseville, CA treatment center and how our addiction treatment programs can help you get well. Let us work with you to design a comprehensive treatment program that focuses on your unique treatment needs and goals. 

When people think about “addictive” drugs, the first to come to mind are opioid pain medications and various other street drugs. Benzodiazepines or “benzos” do not receive the same level of attention. Like prescription pain medications, benzodiazepines are legally prescribed by your healthcare provider. When used as indicated, they are highly beneficial in helping reduce the intensity and severity of symptoms associated with various health conditions. They share another unfortunate characteristic with opioids as well. Benzodiazepines are often misused and highly addictive. 

What Are Benzos?

Benzos or benzodiazepines are the name of a broad class of drugs prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders and difficulties sleeping, muscle relaxation, seizures, and as part of a treatment plan for alcohol use disorder recovery. Known for their tranquilizing effect, well-known benzos include Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium.

When used as directed by your medical or mental health provider, benzos can help reduce the symptoms of illness. However, because the chemical properties of the drug work in the brain and body in similar ways to opioids, these drugs are frequently abused. Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system producing sensations of relaxation and sedation. Because of their sedative effects and helpful ability to reduce (and often entirely remove) feelings of panic and anxiety, it does not take long for someone to become addicted to “feeling good” and therefore addicted to the drug that produces those feelings. 

The Dangers of Quitting Benzos Cold Turkey

Taking benzos as part of a therapeutic treatment plan is generally safe; however, withdrawal can be dangerous. It is highly recommended that those looking to detox from benzodiazepines do so in a controlled environment under medical supervision. When you reduce or stop taking benzos, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Most acute withdrawal symptoms begin within 24 hours of your last dose and, depending on the severity of your addiction, last a few days to several weeks. Acute withdrawal symptoms often include anxiety, difficulty sleeping, muscle spasms, gastric disturbances, hallucinations, seizures, cognitive difficulties, etc. For some, suicidal thoughts and actions may also emerge.

The Benefits of Going to Benzo Detox in California

Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and difficult to manage without medical supervision. Quitting benzos cold turkey (without help) could mean medical assistance is not available if needed. During medically supervised Detox at Cal Recovery Center, medical and mental health treatment professionals will provide support and guidance throughout Detox. Depending on your needs, they will monitor your vitals continuously throughout the detox process and, in some cases, give medications to help reduce the intensity and severity of your withdrawal symptoms.  Ongoing medical supervision increases your safety should life-threatening withdrawal symptoms occur.

Another benefit of detoxing in California is the ease of transition into a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Although vital to starting your recovery journey, detox itself is not a standalone treatment for benzo addiction. To achieve and maintain lasting sobriety, it is essential to complete a treatment program focused on helping you understand and overcome an addiction to benzos. Here at Cal Recovery Center, our treatment team works with you from the beginning to design an individualized treatment plan focused on your physical and psychological needs. 

If you or a loved one struggle with benzo addiction, going to a benzo detox in California is vital to successfully and safely detoxing. Stopping cold turkey may mean medical intervention is not available should you need help during Detox. Cold turkey detox can quickly become overwhelming and challenging to manage, leading to relapse instead of sobriety. If you are ready to overcome an addiction to benzos, reach out to our California admissions team today to learn more about our detox and addiction treatment programs. 

Each year, more than twenty-one million American’s struggle with addiction. For many, there are often barriers to seeking treatment. One of the primary obstacles for working professionals is concern about leaving or taking time off from employment to seek treatment at an alcohol rehab center. While some may be concerned about losing their job if they take time off for rehab, others worry about how their business will function if they are not available. Professional rehab programs allow working professionals to begin their journey to sobriety while creating minimal impact on both their professional and personal lives. 

What Is Alcohol Rehab? 

Alcohol use disorders impact millions of Americans. Contrary to unfortunate stigma, an alcohol use disorder is not a moral failing or a choice. It is a disease. When someone struggles with alcohol, they cannot stop drinking or control how much and how often they drink. Although they may understand alcohol has a significant negative impact on family, employment, and other areas of their life, they cannot quit drinking without seeking professional addiction treatment. 

Alcoholism or alcohol use disorders are the most common addiction in America. Fortunately, this means there are many treatment options available to help you overcome an alcohol use disorder. Alcohol rehab programs provide a safe and supported environment where you can learn more about the roots of alcoholism and how exposure to triggers can lead to relapse. At an alcohol rehab, a highly trained team of treatment professionals will work with you to design a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. Beginning with detox and continuing through therapy and comprehensive aftercare planning, our treatment team is here to ensure you are supported as you start working towards sobriety and long-term recovery. 

Is There Alcohol Rehab for Professionals Who Still Need to Work? 

Addiction is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of their professional background or education level. Statistics show that Americans with a college education and fall into the upper-income category are more likely to drink alcohol than other Americans. In fact, 78% of those who earn more than $75,000 annually struggle with problem drinking, whereas only 45% with an income lower than $30,000 share the same difficulty. Many working professionals may choose to forego or postpone seeking addiction treatment out of fears regarding stigma or worries about their company’s success. This is where professional rehab options are so essential. 

Professional rehab programs allow working professionals to seek and receive potentially life-saving addiction treatment while remaining connected to their employment and home environments. It is essential to do your research when looking into professional rehab programs to ensure the program offers the features that are most important to you. Many professional rehab programs offer program options not often found in traditional rehab facilities. Typical examples may include computer access, private bedrooms, meeting spaces, and gourmet meals. Professional rehab programs offer treatment models designed to meet the needs of working professionals. In addition to comprehensive, evidence-based care, professional rehabs provide other amenities, including business amenities, high-end treatment services (spa treatments, yoga, etc.), and a higher staff-to-patient ratio. 

Professional rehab programs offer treatment in a variety of possible settings. Depending on your unique treatment needs, you may experience either inpatient (residential) or outpatient treatment. Regardless of the treatment delivery environment, professional rehab centers typically follow a similar process to traditional rehab. Most programs include detox from alcohol or drugs, group and individual therapy with a highly trained substance abuse counselor, and alumni programs (aftercare programs) so alumni can continue to receive support.

Call Us Today at Cal Recovery Center

If you struggle with alcohol addiction but concerns about your professional obligations have hindered your ability to seek treatment, alcohol rehab for professionals can help. To learn more about rehab for professionals and how Cal Recovery can help you begin your sobriety journey, contact our admissions team today. 

The idea of mindfulness practices often invokes visions of yoga classes, meditation, or groups of people sitting in a room with lit candles and hypnotic music. Although yoga and meditation are indeed important elements of mindfulness, there is so much more to mindfulness that can help you on your road to sobriety and recovery from substance used disorders. Mindfulness is a state of mind and a more profound sense of awareness of self. When someone is mindful, they are more aware of their external surroundings, inner experiences, and their responses to external triggers. Understanding what mindfulness is can help you learn more about how mindfulness-based recovery can help you as part of your addiction recovery. 

What Is Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery?

When mindfulness practices are incorporated into or mentioned as part of an addiction recovery program, many wonder how mindfulness will help them overcome addiction. As previously mentioned, mindfulness can help you develop a deeper understanding of self which, in turn, can help you better understand how substance use may be a reaction to negative triggers in your environment. Many studies have shown that mindfulness practices as part of a substance abuse treatment program effectively prevent relapse and reduce the frequency of substance use. 

Mindfulness practices such as meditation can help strengthen parts of the brain that are vital to behavior and self-regulation. These are the parts of the brain that are adversely affected when someone has a substance use disorder. When one regularly drinks or uses drugs, the parts of the brain that govern decision-making, pleasure, and reward response are altered. Mindfulness meditation can help to “rewire” these parts of the brain, which can change your response to triggers. 

Mindfulness can also improve your ability to respond to unpleasant emotions. Mindfulness practice helps you become more aware of what is happening in your mind and in the environment around you. This leads to significant and beneficial changes in how you think about unpleasant experiences that once lead you to drink or use. Mindfulness can help you learn and practice safer, healthier ways to respond to stressors. 

Research has shown that mindfulness reduces reactive behaviors and encourages thoughtful responses to addiction relapse triggers. Actively incorporating mindfulness practices into your addiction treatment recovery program may lead to the improved ability to react to relapse triggers in a way that significantly reduces relapse potential. Similar research studies indicate there are many benefits to mindfulness addiction treatment, including reduced pain, stress reduction, improved focus, decreased emotional reactivity, increased emotional resilience, and enhanced cognitive flexibility. 

How CRC Treats Addiction

At Cal Recovery Center, our team of treatment professionals will work with you to design a comprehensive addiction treatment program focused on your unique treatment needs and goals. Addiction is a personal struggle. Although two people may struggle with addiction to the same substance, the symptoms and difficulties they will experience on their journey to recovery will inevitably be different. For this reason, it is essential to utilize treatment models and methods specifically selected for the person, not the addiction. 

Mindfulness-based addiction recovery is “whole person” addiction recovery. Long-term recovery and relapse prevention depend on one ability to reduce habitual behaviors. Mindfulness practices enhance your ability to understand and focus on your thoughts and impulses without acting on them. 

Reach Out to Cal Recovery Center Today 

If you would like to learn more about how mindfulness-based addiction recovery can help you create healthy, safer habits and responses to rely on in the face of relapse triggers, reach out to the admissions team at Cal Recovery Center. Our holistic, whole-person recovery programs can help you or your loved one take the first steps on their journey to sobriety and lasting addiction recovery. 

When people think of Silicon Valley, they think of technology, the internet, and money. Silicon Valley is the birthplace of tech giants, including Facebook, Apple, and Google. While Silicon Valley is often equated to apps, social media networks, and pioneers of the tech world, it is not as frequently linked to drugs. But, if one pulls back the curtain of tech success, they will find a culture of drugs and excess that all too often leads to addiction and overdose. 

What Is Silicon Valley?

Silicon Valley is not technically a town or city. Instead, it is a region in Northern California that encompasses many cities, including Cupertino, Santa Clara, San Jose, Palo Alto, and Mountain View. Although several miles to the North and not part of the Silicon Valley region, San Francisco is often bundled into conversations about Silicon Valley happenings and the greater Silicon Valley “mindset.” 

Why Does Silicon Valley Have a Drug Culture? 

This is a question without a clear, singular answer. However, given the resources, freedoms, and lifestyles of many of Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurs, there could be several reasons for the continued drug culture in the area. 

In 2013, Google executive Forrest Hayes died of a heroin overdose. While there were several underlying circumstances surrounding his death that had little to do with drugs, his overdose pointed to a broader problem within the tech industry and greater Silicon Valley environment. It also led many to ask why? If there is so much money and, in theory, so much education and knowledge, why is there such a lack of understanding or concern around the consequences of drug use, drug abuse, and addiction?

One of the first reasons could be work-related stress and burnout. To get anywhere in what is notably a competitive environment, executives, entrepreneurs, and those who dream of being either of the above are required to “put in their time.” This often leads to long days, short nights, excessive stress, and eventual burnout. Without healthy coping mechanisms, it is easier to have a drink or consume a stimulant like Adderall. That is often enough to keep them “up” long enough to finish a project, impress their boss and even get the promotion they were hoping for. It’s a vicious cycle that often has dangerous and sometimes fatal outcomes. 

Another possible cause is boredom. Many tech execs didn’t start out as part of the party scene. They put in the effort, got the grades and subsequent degrees to make a name for themselves among their competition. Fast-forward a few years, and they have landed the job, the car, the house, and the lifestyle. They have achieved their goals, and boredom sets in. Boredom can be hazardous in these cases as it leads to the desire to “try new things” or “seek new adventures.” When money and time are not an issue, experimentation can lead to problems with drugs and alcohol that are difficult to overcome without help from a rehab like Cal Recovery Center. 

Substance use is not new to the tech industry. Giants of the industry from Sean Parker to Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and (depending on the interview you watch), likely Elon Musk, have all discussed or at the very least alluded to the role that drugs once played in their lives. Although Silicon Valley tech giants from Apple to Yahoo indicate they have rigorous substance use policies in place, they decline to provide details, and there seems to be more of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in place. This seems even more applicable in instances where many tech start-ups offer everything from keg refrigerators to whisky night. 

Whatever the reason may be, there remains a prevalent culture of drug use throughout Silicon Valley. Unfortunately, what often begins as experimentation devolves into significant difficulties with substance use disorders and relapsing addiction. Seeking help at a Northern California drug and alcohol rehab to work on overcoming drug and alcohol dependency is often the only way to put the difficulties of addiction behind you. 

The disease of addiction impacts the lives of millions of people and their families every year. It is a disease that does not discriminate and knows no bounds. Although the risk factors for developing a substance use disorder vary from person to person, there are specific circumstances, life events, or career paths that elevate one’s risk for turning to substances to cope with trauma, chronic pain, or mental health symptoms. 

The experiences of our nation’s veterans are not always pleasant or lighthearted. Many will witness the trauma and emotional turmoil that results from a tour of duty in active combat or experience physical, sexual, or emotional trauma during their time in service. After successfully completing the tour of duty, others struggle with the difficulties of adjusting to civilian life post-discharge or adjusting to being at home when they’re used to the rigors and stressors of being on the front lines. Regardless of the root cause, as many as one in fifteen United States military veterans (from all Armed Services branches) abuses a controlled substance. As many as 76% of veterans who struggle with substance use disorder meet the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.

What Is Rehab for Veterans?

The rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction are high for veterans. These veterans may also experience other mental health and physical health issues related to the trauma they experienced during active military service. Unfortunately, serving in the U.S. military can potentially lead to a higher risk for developing substance use and mental health disorders, making it increasingly difficult to manage day-to-day tasks and expectations after leaving military service. 

Rehab for veterans specifically focuses on the unique treatment needs experienced by veterans who choose to seek treatment. Our health care professionals at Cal Recovery understand the requirements for specialized treatments and unique recovery programs for those with a military background. At a rehab for veterans, you will receive evidence-based treatment designed around the needs of you as a person. Your treatment program may include family therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, relapse prevention, detox, wellness services, and life skills training. Therapies used in a veteran-specific rehab program are designed to focus on the complex addiction and mental health needs of veterans seeking sobriety. 

Are Veterans Prone to Addiction? 

Several factors lead to increased vulnerability to addiction among veterans. The first (and likely most influential) is exposure to trauma. Military service is demanding and sometimes dangerous. Men and women with a history of multiple deployments, especially to active combat areas, are at a high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues that can lead to unbearable symptoms. Some veterans who develop these conditions will turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate and reduce the intensity of symptoms such as nightmares and sleeping difficulties.

Another factor that may increase addiction risk in veterans is the incidence of co-occurring mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. It is believed as many as 30% of veterans struggle with PTSD and associated symptoms. Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression frequently co-occur with substance use disorders among both male and female veterans. When struggling with a co-occurring disorder (both mental health and substance use), veterans may use substances to alleviate the more intrusive symptoms of their mental health. While using drugs or alcohol to dull symptoms may work in the short-term, over time, self-medication often leads to worsening mental health and addiction-related struggles leading to the need for comprehensive, dual-diagnosis care to manage and overcome symptoms. 

Reach Out to Us Today at Cal Recovery Center

At Cal Recovery Center, we understand the unique experiences of our veterans and how those experiences relate to an increased risk for addiction. These challenges are unlike the struggles faced by most American’s every day. Although all addiction treatment programs address addiction, not all are equipped to manage dual diagnosis or the unique needs of veterans facing mental health and addiction struggles. If you would like to learn more about how our veteran program can help you begin your journey to sobriety and recovery, contact us at Cal Recovery Center today. 

Opioid drugs typically come in two different forms. On the one hand, they are found as prescription painkillers legally prescribed by members of the medical community to help alleviate issues of chronic pain. On the other hand, they are illegally manufactured illegal substances which provide similar sedative and euphoric effects to legal prescription medications. Whether legal or illegal, opioids are highly addictive and potentially dangerous when misused or abused. Without comprehensive treatment, opioid misuse often leads to addiction and overdose, and death in the most severe cases.  

Opioid Addiction Defined

When you develop a dependence on an opioid, it is known as an opioid use disorder. Addiction treatment professionals use several diagnostic criteria to diagnose opioid addiction properly. Some of the most notable criteria include developing a tolerance to the drug, cravings, drug-seeking behaviors, and withdrawal symptoms if you try to reduce or stop using. Opioids are highly addictive. Even when taken as prescribed, it does not take long to develop a physical addiction to opioids. In some cases, dependence and addiction can develop in as few as four weeks. Physical and psychological dependence on opioids can be extremely difficult to overcome without professional detox and addiction treatment services. 

Are Opioid Addiction and Mental Illness Related?

Opioid use among those struggling with a mental condition is very common. In fact, only about sixteen percent of Americans have mental health disorders yet receive more than half of all opioid prescriptions.  Those with mood and anxiety disorders are twice as likely to use opioid drugs to reduce the severity of symptoms than those without mental health problems. They are also three times as likely to misuse opioids when prescribed for symptom management. 

Opioid use can also contribute to new or worsening mental health symptoms. Some studies have shown that individuals who received prescription opioids for various conditions have gone on to develop mental health conditions within weeks or months after taking the drugs. The longer they continue to take opioids, the greater their risk for developing a mental health condition. Mental health and opioid use are highly connected. In 2018, as many as half of the adults who suffered from a substance use disorder also struggled with a mental health disorder. 

How to Get Help With an Opioid Addiction and Mental Illness

When used as prescribed, opioids are very beneficial in helping to reduce chronic pain. However, due to their powerful effects and the way in which they impact the structure and function of the brain, dependence, and addiction among those who use opioids is common. On its own, opioid addiction is difficult to overcome without professional assistance. If you struggle with opioid addiction and a mental illness (a dual diagnosis), it is essential to seek help at an addiction treatment facility specializing in medically assisted detox and dual diagnosis treatment. In a medically assisted detox environment, highly trained staff will help you navigate the challenges often experienced during detox and withdrawal from powerful opioid drugs. 

Your treatment team will provide support to help you manage, sometimes severe, withdrawal symptoms. They will monitor your vital signs to ensure your safety and, if necessary, provide medications to help reduce the intensity and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Once your body is cleansed of substances, it is possible to transition into a comprehensive, evidence-based addiction treatment program. During therapy, you will learn more about the root causes of your addiction and how addiction and mental health symptoms are related. 

If you struggle with opioid addiction, today is the day to seek help. Reach out to the addiction treatment staff at Cal Recovery Center to learn more about how our detox and dual-diagnosis treatment programs can help you begin your journey to recovery.