Month: February 2017

Starting Over After a Relapse

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date February 22, 2017

One thing that we always stress to everyone trying to overcome addiction—recovery is an ever-evolving and growing process. It does not end when your treatment ends or when you walk out the doors of the facility. Overcoming addiction begins with small steps that accumulate in a larger path towards bettering your life.

Here are some examples of ways people choose to rise above in their recovery:

Refusing a drink while you are visiting at a friend’s house
Avoiding a location or staying home, instead of going somewhere where you know there will be alcohol or drugs
Being unafraid to seek treatment or counsel again when a slip-up occurs

We understand. Relapse is frustrating and often, very frustrating for those who believe that they are on the right track towards recovering. By reinforcing the feelings of “guilt” and punishing yourself for relapsing, it makes it easier to simply give up on recovery. This is why between 40 and 60% of individuals who have completed a substance abuse program have a chance of relapsing.

Our Chico substance abuse counselors at Therapeutic Solutions want to help you reformulate some of those negative thoughts that you are currently struggling with or facing. Half of the battle with addiction and recovery is believing that you can fight it. Success and the will to succeed is a feeling that you will find offers a much stronger reward than any craving or “high.”

What Should I Do if I Have Relapsed?

If you have relapsed, remember—do not guilt yourself, punish yourself, or give up because of a “mistake.” Take those thoughts and channel them towards motivating thoughts. Focus your energy on rising above, not on what went wrong.

Here are some other suggestions:

Think of relapse as just another step on your road towards recovery
Reach out to your network or support system—positive influences that have been there during your ongoing struggle will continue to be there
Enter into a treatment or rehabilitation program—there is absolutely no shame or disgrace in returning to treatment, only strength.

Find support any way you can. Whether it is from your friends, your spouse, your loved ones, or even counselors and group mates in a treatment program. Therapeutic Solutions and our Chico behavioral solutions team has helped people fight some of the toughest addictions. We want to ensure that your future looks bright from here on out, no matter what setbacks you might face.

To discuss our substance abuse intensive outpatient program, please give Therapeutic Solutions a call at (530) 899-3150.

Uncategorized

Pregnant Women and the Fight Against Addiction

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date February 21, 2017

At Therapeutic Solutions, we understand that many pregnant women are currently dealing with addiction in many forms. We know that kicking an addiction is one thing, but it becomes necessary when one is carrying life inside of them.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found the following statistics for women between the ages of 15 and 44:

11.6% drank alcohol while pregnant
17.3% consumed tobacco while pregnant
4.3% used illicit or illegal substances while pregnant

Unfortunately, we are also aware that many women do not always seek the medical care or treatment for their addiction. We hope that our program at Therapeutic Solutions can touch many, and bring about a positive change in others’ lives. Our Chico behavioral health center can offer a helping hand to many women who need treatment for their addictions.

What’s the First Step?

The first step is to detox carefully from the drug or alcohol, which must be done carefully and while under a doctor’s supervision. This is only for the mother and the child’s well-being. If you have any questions about our program, and what types of benefits that you can get from our substance abuse treatment options, you can read about our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program here.

This program includes the following:

Introduction to recovery
Medication support for relapse prevention
Outpatient detoxification services
Individualized treatment planning
Individual and group therapy
Family education and family therapy
Aftercare

Some mothers might feel more comfortable in a group setting, as they will be able to talk and interact with others who are going through the same emotions and stresses. We also understand that other mothers prefer to retain their privacy, such as teen mothers. The primary focus of our Chico substance abuse counselors to help you get set on the road towards recovery.

Contact Us Today!

Therapeutic Solutions and our substance abuse program is fully certified by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. When you come to us, we are happy to work with you to find the treatment option that is right for.

Please do not hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our therapy and treatment program.

Uncategorized

Is a Diet Pill Addiction an Eating Disorder?

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date February 20, 2017

Diet pill addiction has become a serious issue in recent years, particularly for those who are suffering from an eating disorder. This is because most of us do not realize that diet pills can become a source of addiction for some. It may be due in part to the fact that diet pills also have chemicals that can have some people hooked, become tolerant to the drug’s effects, and require larger or more frequent doses just to feel any effects.

Some of the known side effects of diet pill addiction include:

Fatigue
High blood pressure
Vomiting
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Labored breathing
Hallucinations
Chest pains
Seizures

There is some evidence that shows individuals who are dealing with an eating disorder might also suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, in about 50% of cases. This is a high percentage, in comparison with the rest of the population on cases of drug dependency or addiction.

Where Are Diet Pills Found?

Doctors can either prescribe diet pills, as well as over-the-counter options. Many of them have different remedies; some act as appetite suppressants, some are metabolism boosters, and some block the body from absorbing fat. Some of the chemicals used in diet pills are known to work in a similar way as amphetamines; for example, one of the most widely known of these is benzphetamine. If the individual combines the use of diet pills with exercise, the effects are magnified.

In turn, people might need to rely more and more on the pills to notice a difference, as they begin building a tolerance to their effects. For those who are also suffering from an eating disorder, it becomes all the more critical for them to seek help for addiction and any other form of drug abuse.

Overcome Addiction—Contact Us!

If you or a loved one are suffering from abuse or addiction, please contact us today to discuss your case further. Therapeutic Solutions offers a substance abuse intensive outpatient program and together, we can help you fight addiction and seek a better quality of life moving forward.

Uncategorized

How Do Drugs Alter the Brain?

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date February 13, 2017

Most of us are already aware that drugs have a tremendous effect on the brain. Many people feel a “rush” from drugs, of course depending on the type of drug and the individual. Those same chemicals that make us feel good, however, also send signals to the brain to essentially alter and rewire our chemistry. We all want to feel a boost of confidence or a rush of endorphins, but with drugs, it can come at a significant cost to the makeup of our brains.

How Are Drug Cravings Created?

The medical community has uncovered some interesting research as of late on how drugs can alter the brain. One of the ways it does this is how our brain processes the drugs to create “cravings.” According to these recent studies, that craving is stored in the brain as a function of memory. The more a person takes drugs, the more the brain has to process the chemicals that enter the the body.

The drugs are continuously stimulating the proteins in the brain to become accustomed to it, causing dependence and thus, the “cravings.” Some of the research has further shown that this mechanism is so strong that it can be detected for months after the individual no longer suffers from withdrawal symptoms. It can even be detected in the brains of individuals who have passed away as well. In short, drug addiction can be so powerful so as to affect the brains of even the deceased—imagine just how powerful they can be while we are living.

Get Help Today—Call Us!

That is why it is so important to have guidance when seeking treatment for drug addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can be so severe so as to make a person feel physically ill, that it is all too easy to turn back to the drug just to find relief. Proper detoxification will require some care over the long-term, as well as follow-ups and other care from a knowledgeable team who can offer guidance for substance abuse and rehabilitation.

Therapeutic Solutions has a substance abuse treatment program that is one of the few that are certified by the California Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs. To get started please contact us at (530) 899-3150.

Uncategorized

The Use of Marijuana & Rehab

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date February 6, 2017

Undoubtedly, the 2016 election brought to light many controversial issues that face our nation. One of those matters involved the discussion of whether or not marijuana should be decriminalized. California was one of the more than 25 states that passed laws to legalize the drug for recreational use. Our state had legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes in the last few years as well.

Many questions have arisen as to whether or not marijuana can become habit-forming. At Therapeutic Solutions, we have seen first-hand many patients who have suffered from marijuana addiction.

With our substance abuse intensive outpatient program, we assist many patients who dealing with substance abuse. If you would like more information on our services, please contact us at (530) 899-3150.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Our Chico behavioral therapy clinic understands just how crippling an addiction can be. To move away from addiction and into a cleaner, substance-free lifestyle may be a difficult adjustment. Many individuals will need to undergo detox to wean themselves from the effects of the drug. This may require medical supervision, as the individual might experience intense symptoms. The doctor might prescribe some medications to help ease some of the patient’s discomfort.

Some of the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:

Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Chills
Headaches
Decreased appetite
Cravings for marijuana
Insomnia or other sleep troubles

This also helps the individual develop healthier habits, as it breaks the cycle of addiction. As an example, some people will use marijuana as a stress reliever, or as a relaxing way to unwind. Over time, however, dependence can form to the point where relaxation and marijuana become inextricably linked. Our Chico behavioral therapy team can offer education and resources to accomplish an improved life moving forward without relying on drugs to relieve stress or accomplish both without relying on the drug.

Contact Therapeutic Solutions

Marijuana can cause many individuals to become physically dependent on the drug. While we understand that not every person’s case will be the same, we are here to help those whose lives have become turned upside down because of marijuana usage. Those are the individuals who have become too reliant on the drug and have a desire to break the habit.

If this sounds like your case, please contact us right away to discuss your options or to make an appointment!

What Should I Do if I Have Relapsed?

What’s the First Step?

Contact Us Today!

Where Are Diet Pills Found?

Overcome Addiction—Contact Us!

How Are Drug Cravings Created?

Get Help Today—Call Us!

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Contact Therapeutic Solutions

Menu

About Us

Chico

Spokane

Contact Us Today!

Our Locations:

Our Chico Office

Our Spokane Office