Our Blogs
Substance Abuse Skyrocketing among Older Americans
The latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveals that Americans who are past the age of 60 may be at increased…
How to Keep Your Job While You Go to Rehab
Per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 3 out of 4 substance abusers have a job, but only…
Facebook Ads Can Boost the Desire to Drink
“There is more information on social media than just a post or a message. We are exposed to how other users respond to…
Resolutions for Recovery, Part 1
“Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous New Year by believing. Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a…
Dry January in Orange County
“Dry January should be seen as the impetus to change people’s relationship with alcohol forever.” ~ Judi Ryh, Executive…
The Top Six Benefits of Sobriety in 2019
“I wouldn’t have been able to have access to myself or other people, or even been able to take in other people, if I…
What Are the Criteria for a Medical Diagnosis of Addiction?
Many struggling substance abusers deny their problem—and delay getting help—because of the stigma attached to…
Christmas in Recovery: The 12 Gifts of Sobriety
Real recovery is the best Christmas gift you can give yourself and your family. While active addiction is all about…
Sober Thanksgiving: Gratitude During Recovery
True recovery means regaining joy and receiving the blessings that addiction threatened to take away forever. When you…
Destroying Lives: The Dangers of GHB
“(GHB) is the most addictive drug I’ve ever seen. People are desperate to get off of it because it’s destroying their…
Teenagers and Young Adults Who Give Up Marijuana See Improved Cognition
“We were pleasantly surprised to see that at least some of the deficits that we think may be caused by cannabis appear…
Overcoming Cravings During Recovery
A craving or longing for alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs is very common, especially in the early weeks and months of…
Watching What You Eat During Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder
“All of the foods which are used to produce alcoholic beverages by themselves can cause many of the symptoms of…
Jamie Lee Curtis on Sobriety: ‘Halloween’ Star Nearing 20 Years in Recovery
“If you had to pinpoint one thing that will be important at the end of my life, it would be my sobriety.” ~ Jamie Lee…
Overcoming Stigma: Coming Out as an Alcoholic
"I always drank, from when it was legal for me to drink. And there was never a time for me when the goal wasn't to get…
Surrender, Don’t Give Up
"Surrender to what IS. Let go of what WAS. Have faith in what WILL BE." ~Sonia Ricotti, author of The Law of Attraction…
Prescription Drug Take Back Sites in Orange County
This October 27 marks the 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Orange County law…
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in Orange County is October 27
Observing the 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day means that it is time for Orange County residents to clean…
Olympian Ryan Lochte Getting Help for Alcoholism after Newport Beach Incident
After a drunken incident at a Newport Beach hotel, Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte has announced that he will seek…
Recovering Well: Practical Ways to Take Your Life Back from Addiction
Overcoming an addiction is one of the most difficult trials you can face in life. With such high rates of relapse, how…
News for Mothers Who Use Marijuana
According to a brand-new study from Harvard’s School of Public Health, when a mother uses marijuana during the first 12…
NAS: The Increase in Newborn Drug Withdrawal
In the midst of the ongoing opioid epidemic, there is a group of defenseless victims that has gone largely unmentioned…
What Are the Differences Between Alcohol and Drug Detox?
"Addiction isn't about substance – you aren't addicted to the substance, you are addicted to the alteration of mood…
Different Types of Alcoholics
"In order to differentiate alcoholism not just…along a timeline, but also… across groups of people, thus distinguishing…
Why Do People Use Drugs?
This is a question that has confused and grieved family members for as long as there have been people who use drugs.…
Senior Citizens and Women Are at Higher Risk for Alcohol Abuse
According to recent study published in the Journal of American Medicine, alcohol abuse is on the rise in the United…
Sleeping Pills: The Downside
“After controlling for several factors, we saw the risk rose in tandem with the more doses that people consumed. The…
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day in Orange County
Each August 31st, people in every country have observed International Overdose Awareness Day. First organized in…
Benzodiazepines: The Drug Epidemic You Don’t Know About
“I absolutely believe [benzos] have a place. Benzodiazepines are a fantastic medication to deal with and to cope with…
Meth in Orange County—What You Need to Know
Methamphetamine – a.k.a. crystal meth – is one of the most dangerous drugs in America. According to the National…
Medication-Assisted Treatment: The Drugs That Help Addiction Part 2
This is the conclusion of a two-part series listing the drugs that help addiction and are used in Medication-Assisted…
Medication-Assisted Treatment: The Drugs That Help Addiction
“With medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is using a medicine to treat a disease, success rates are over 70…
The Cocaine Threat in Orange County
According to the 2017 Drug Threat Assessment 2017 released by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the availability and use of…
Can’t I Just Quit Drugs on My Own?
One of the most frequently-asked questions from someone new to recovery concerns the need for drug rehab. When faced…
How Effective Is Drug Rehab?
Every person hoping to overcome an addiction eventually asks themselves – “Is drug rehab REALLY effective?’ That is a…
The US Drug Epidemic by the Numbers
“This epidemic is a national health emergency. Nobody has seen anything like what is going on now. As Americans, we…
Determining a Medical Diagnosis of Addiction
When does a drinking or drug habit turn into a problem or an illness that can be verified by a medical diagnosis? For…
Moving Past the Stigma of Addiction, Part 2
In Part 1, we examined the problem of social stigma during addiction. We also touched on the effect this stigma has on…
Moving Past the Stigma of Addiction, Part 1
Many people struggling with an active addiction deny that they even have a problem because of the stigma attached to…
Patients Who Receive Chiropractic Services Use Less Opioids
“We think this is a significant finding, especially as we work to find new ways to address our state’s opioid addiction…
The Best Reasons to Get Sober NOW
Are you considering getting help for your problematic drinking or drug habit but haven’t quiiite made the personal…
Marijuana Use Increases the Risk of Alcoholism
“Our results suggest that cannabis use appears to be associated with an increased vulnerability to developing an…
Dependence versus Codependence
“Codependency can be defined as any relationship in which two people become so invested in each other that they can’t…
Dual Diagnosis: Addiction and Mental Illness
Did you know that dual diagnosis – the co-occurrence of a Substance Use Disorder with a mental condition – complicates…
Stop Enabling the Addict in Your Life!
What is the difference between loving and helping versus enabling and hurting someone struggling with addiction? Loving…
Is My Spouse Abusing Prescription Drugs? Part 2
In Part 1, we discussed the abuse of prescription painkillers and tranquilizers, as well as the warning signs of abuse…
Is My Spouse Abusing Prescription Drugs? Part 1
by Albert Fontenot While the misuse of opioid painkillers has received a lot of attention during the ongoing US drug…
Am I Addicted? When to Ask for Help for Your Substance Use
At some point, every substance abuser wonders if their recreational alcohol and drug use has crossed a line and become…
Drinking Costs More Than You Think
Most social drinkers probably never give much thought about how much money they spend on alcohol. But the fact is, they…
Why California Needs More Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment
“The government is talking about treatment and medication-assisted treatment in a way that the government has never…
What California Cities are the Hardest-Hit by Opioid Deaths?
In 2016, the most recent year for which data is available, nearly 2000 California residents died after overdosing on…
Addiction: Men Versus Women
While research has shown that there are differences in how and why opioid addiction manifests in men and women, a 2017…
The Abuse Potential Difference Between Immediate-Acting and Extended-Release Opioids
Depending upon the injury or condition, physicians routinely prescribe either immediate-acting or extended-release…
Amphetamines – The Biggest Drug Problem in California
Did you know that amphetamines are the most-abused drugs in the state of California? Amphetamines are the class of…
Drug Rehab in Orange County: Finding the Best Fit
Finding the right drug rehab can be confusing. Admitting that you have a substance abuse problem is the most important…
How to Support Someone New to Recovery
“Despite the challenges, families who understand the inevitable ups and downs of early recovery put themselves in a…
Are You a Functional Alcoholic?
An alcoholic looks just like everyone else. Even a seemingly-“successful” person can secretly struggle with alcohol.…
Exciting News about Vivitrol
According to a brand-new study published in The Lancet, a once-a-a-month injection of Vivitrol is equally effective at…
Anxiety and Addiction – the Close Connection
“… Research suggests that socially anxious people may be less likely to participate in group therapy or seek a sponsor.…
Staying Sober During the Holiday Season
“I don’t know if there’ll be snow, but have a cup of cheer.” ~Holly Jolly Christmas, one of the Top-25 most-performed…
7 Healthy Habits That Will Bring You Joy in Recovery
“In recovery, recovering addicts do more than lose their addictions. Usually, they regain enjoyment of life… Most…
Anaheim Police to Drug Addicts: We Will Help You
“Drug addiction plays far too large a role in criminal activity, and we must collectively do everything that we can to…
Comparing Inpatient and Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
Inpatient or Outpatient? When you begin searching for an alcohol or drug rehab treatment facility for yourself or…
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Affect Us ALL
"Drug use is on the rise in this country and 23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. That's…
5 Signs You Are TRULY Ready to Get Sober
“Achieving true sobriety goes beyond abstinence. It's also about healing your soul, apologizing for damage you did to…
Mending Broken Relationships During Recovery
“Staying sober one day at a time is a non-verbal message of, “I am serious and want to be sober and a better person.”…
Can I Keep My Job While I Recover from Addiction?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 75% of people with substance abuse…
California Women Face Unique Challenges During Recovery
“There is no single point in a woman’s life when a discussion of substance use or abuse is not relevant. Each stage of…
Is Alcohol Detox REALLY Necessary?
If you have finally decided to get professional help for your uncontrollable drinking, you probably have one huge…
Exercise Is Pivotal During Recovery
“… these studies have provided convincing evidence to support the development of exercise-based interventions to reduce…
Addiction Recovery in Southern California—One Day at a Time
“Recovery is built one day at a time, one moment at a time, one event at a time, one relationship at a time...” ~Dr.…
Blog 002 — Reaching New Heights in Recovery Treatment
What does it mean to hail clout in the addiction and behavioral health treatment industry? Many rehabs claim to have…
One More Drink Before I Go
Ted is a thirty-nine year old father and husband. He owns a small home building business and with interest rates at…