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How to Support a Loved One During Recovery

Substance use problems are often a sensitive subject among friends and families, and most people aren’t sure how to talk about it, much less provide practical support for the affected person. Encouraging a loved one to undergo behavioral health treatment or residential treatment is a great start, and it can make a big difference. However, their full recovery requires your full support.

How to Help Your Loved One Stay Sober

Most people view recovery from an addiction or other substance use problem as something that the affected person must handle alone. They are unaware of the ways they can help their loved ones break free from addiction and maintain their sobriety in the years that follow treatment. In addition to encouraging them to undergo behavioral health treatment, there is much you can do to provide support and encouragement that makes all the difference in the life of someone struggling with substance use.

Here are 3 key ways you can support your loved one on their recovery journey:

  • Make your home a safe, nurturing, sober environmentIf you live with your loved one, you can play a direct role in minimizing temptation and reducing stress. Many people who struggle with substance use problems find that their desire to drink or use drugs is especially heightened in the evening or when they are spending idle time at home, especially if their home is a chaotic, stressful environment. Even things as simple as remaining organized and reducing the level of noise in your home can help your loved one view it as a stable, safe environment.
  • Help them create a system for faithfully continuing and/or completing their treatment. Sometimes a little bit of accountability goes a long way, and this is certainly true when it comes to encouraging loved ones to follow through with substance use treatments and support. Whether these treatments involve medication, group therapy, meetings, or any combination of the above, you can help your loved one by putting together a calendar, setting reminders, or otherwise making sure they do not increase their risk of relapse by forgoing continuation of important recovery services.
  • Be a willing, available, and nonjudgmental listener. You may never truly understand what your loved one is going through as they fight for recovery, but you have what it takes to be a great listener. Letting your loved one know that you hear them and that you accept them may give them a sense of connectedness and belonging, providing them the courage they need to press on in their journey toward sobriety and renewed health.

We Can Help You Encourage Your Loved One in the Right Direction

At Therapeutic Solutions, we understand that true recovery cannot happen without the help of loved ones. Those who come to our Northern California behavioral health center are not expected to recover in isolation. We provide resources and services for family members of people dealing with substance use problems, so that you can be a stable, nurturing, and supportive presence in your loved one’s life, which is critical to their recovery. Reach out to us today to request your assessment and learn about our programs.

Call (530) 899-3150 today or send us a message to speak to a member of our behavioral health team in Chico.

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When Substance Use Becomes Problematic (And What to Do About It)

Drug and Alcohol Use Can Quickly Become a Life-Threatening Problem

Many people use substances occasionally or in small amounts. However, it is not uncommon for use to increase over time and escalate to a form of dependency, or even addiction. It is important to continually check in with your substance use and if it could be creating problems for you and your loved ones.

Your substance use may be cause for concern if any of the following are true:

  • It is negatively interfering with your family life, job performance, schooling, or friendships.
  • It is causing you to become more isolated, depressed, or withdrawn.
  • It is causing you trouble with the law.
  • It is causing you to endanger your own life or the lives of others by engaging in dangerous or risky behaviors.
  • It is increasing and/or growing more frequent over time.
  • You have unsuccessfully tried to cut back or stop using a certain substance.

At the point you realize your substance use is hurting you or your loved ones, what you do next is incredibly important. We encourage you to reach out and connect with a behavioral health professional so you may receive guidance and support in your process, even if you are unsure whether your substance use is creating problems worthy of professional intervention.

Compassionate Behavioral Health Treatment in Northern California

At Therapeutic Solutions, we believe in the power of personalized support. Everyone who walks through our doors receives individualized help in overcoming the challenges they face, and everyone who participates in our services has access to various programs and treatments designed to make sobriety possible. If you or someone you love is struggling with using or abusing drugs or alcohol, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help.

We have the support you need. Call (530) 899-3150 today to speak to a member of our staff and schedule a program assessment.

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How Group Therapy Supports Recovery

Common Misconceptions About Group Therapy

You’ve probably seen at least one sitcom or movie in which group therapy is depicted as awkward, perfunctory, and less than helpful. Such misrepresentation may hinder you from getting the support you need and confuse you when you are trying to determine whether or not group therapy is right for you. There are a handful of common misconceptions about group therapy that drive many people away and cut them off from the benefits of working through the healing process with others.

If you are considering group therapy, don’t be derailed by any of the following myths:

  • You will be forced to talk about your struggle.
  • Group therapy is only for people who have no one else to turn to.
  • Sharing your struggle with a group will bring judgement, gossip, and criticism from other group members.
  • You will never see anyone from your group after therapy is complete.
  • Group therapy is only about processing your feelings.

The Benefits of Group Therapy During Behavioral Health Treatment

In reality, group therapy is very different than most people believe. When you undergo group therapy at Therapeutic Solutions, you will never be called on to participate or forced to share more about your challenges than you would like. Group therapy is merely an opportunity for you to glean support and reinforcement from others who are dealing with similar issues.

The group therapy model offered at Therapeutic Solutions includes opportunities to process feelings and ongoing struggles. Additionally, our outpatient therapeutic programs are specifically focused on developing skills and tools to help you manage behavioral health symptoms. The combination of processing and curriculum-driven learning allows our patients to leave treatment with: a better understanding of their symptoms and the source of those symptoms; communication and relationship skills that will allow them to have more harmonious and positive connections with others; resources that can support recovery long after treatment has ended; and a deeper sense of self-worth and self-awareness.

Our programs are designed to create stability, relational support, and a safe place for you to be honest about what you are thinking and feeling at every stage of your recovery from behavioral health concerns. Participants agree to a set of rules regarding confidentiality, respectful communication, and trust, and all group members are expected to keep all shared information private.

Disregard the myths. When you are working to overcome behavioral health challenges, group therapy provides a number of terrific benefits, including:

  • Instruction on how to share information about your thoughts and feelings in a constructive manner;
  • Meaningful relational support and accountability;
  • A sense of being known and understood, rather than alone and isolated;
  • An opportunity to practice skills and tools learned during the therapeutic process in a safe environment with a licensed professional.

Personalized Behavioral Health Services in Northern California

At Therapeutic Solutions, we cater to the needs of individual participants, even during group therapy. We rely on evidence-based methods when helping you overcome mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges, and we seek to facilitate lasting recovery through meaningful relationships and honest communication.

When you come to our behavioral health treatment center in Northern California, you will have access to group therapy, as well as a variety of additional treatment options. You will receive the support you need to achieve long-lasting victory and healing. Click to learn more about our current programs:

 

Call (530) 899-3150 today to speak to a member of our team or click to request a program assessment now.

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Signs You May Be Struggling with Alcohol Use

Behavioral Health Care & Therapy in Northern California

If you’re reading this, it may be time to get help. Many people wait until their alcohol consumption spirals out of control to admit they have a problem, which is often detrimental to their family life, health, work, and finances—but that doesn’t have to be your story.

By reaching out early on, you are making a decisive move to take your life back into your own hands, and our team at Therapeutic Solutions is here to provide you with the compassionate, effective behavioral health treatment and support you need to make it happen.

Call (530) 899-3150 to speak to a member of our team today.

Warning Signs of Harmful Alcohol Use

Many people who drink on a regular or semi-regular basis are at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol or developing a substance use disorder. Being honest with yourself is the first step to getting the help you need and avoiding the devastating consequences of alcohol addiction. Your life may depend on your willingness to admit that you need help.

Reach out to our team at Therapeutic Solutions right away if any of the following are true:

  • You drink heavily when you are sad, stressed, or otherwise upset.
  • You find yourself blacking out or unable to remember things you said and did while you were drinking.
  • You hide the amount of drinks you have had.
  • You feel uncomfortable at parties and events where there is no alcohol available.
  • You find yourself in a hurry to begin drinking at the end of the day.
  • Your drinking habits are a source of guilt or shame for you.
  • Someone you love has mentioned that they are worried about you because of your drinking habits.
  • You have found yourself in trouble with the law for things you have done while drinking.
  • You drink throughout the day.
  • Your doctor has suggested you decrease your drinking.
  • You are trembling and shaky in the morning and calm your symptoms with medication or more alcohol.
  • You have family members who have struggled or are struggling with alcohol use.
  • Your work, family life, finances, health, and/or social life have suffered as a result of your drinking habits.

Alcohol Use Disorders

If you have developed a habit of problematic alcohol use, you have no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that approximately 17 million adults in the United States in 2012 suffered from a diagnosable problem with alcohol use. Alcohol use disorders manifest themselves differently for everyone, but they all involve a variety of contributing factors such as family life, personality, personal history, biology, etc., and they all require professional intervention.

Allow us to help and be your partners in recovery. We provide behavioral health services for adolescents and adults throughout Northern California, and we know what it takes to help you achieve victory or alcohol use disorders. Please connect with a member of our team in Chico as soon as possible and allow us to guide you through the healing process.

Contact us to request your assessment and find out how we can help.