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Carrying guilt associated with your past will undoubtedly put your sobriety in jeopardy. So how do you deal with lingering guilt in recovery?

Becoming a sponsor is one of AA’s final steps, but it’s about more than just “paying it forward.” The role of becoming a sponsor also plays heavily into one’s own recovery. Here are a few of the many benefits you’ll find when you become a sponsor. The Inspiration Goes Both Ways It’s a sponsor’s job... View more

Was NXIVM Created to Feed Keith Raniere’s Sex Addiction?Keith Raniere has made headlines recently with more details surrounding his sexual exploits coming to light. Speculation has come about as to whether he suffers from a legitimate sexual addiction, and while many would agree this is the case we seem to be looking at a more... View more

Many of us are spending a lot of time at home. So what kind of online resources are available for those in recovery?

If you're someone asking, "Do I have a drinking problem," then we're here to help... Here's how to identify a drinking problem.

Since heroin addiction is an ongoing nationwide crisis, so we've put together a list of 7 things you should know about heroin addiction.

We know that alcohol and drugs are powerfully addictive. But many people don't know why, so we're answering why drugs are so addiction.

Do you have unanswered questions about sober living homes? Well, we've got the answers... Find out more in this sober living Q&A.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment can be an asset. Here's everything you should know about IOP with answers to your biggest questions.

Twelve-step programs have helped millions to get sober. What kind of role do twelve-step programs play in addiction recovery?

MDMA is typically associated with partying, but are we underestimating this drug? Should MDMA addiction be a real concern, or is it fiction?

Getting sober is only the first step to recovery. So we've made maintaining your sobriety easier with these 10 tips for living a sober life.

All substances are dangerous and addictive to a degree, but some are more addictive than others. Which are the most addictive substances?

All addicts benefit from the support of their loved ones. But how do you help without enabling? This is our helping vs enabling breakdown.

Sober living has become a major asset to recovery for many people. If you have reservations, here are 8 things to know about sober living.

Many drugs are prone to abuse, but Kratom is one that many people are unfamiliar with. This is Kratom explained: What is it? Is it addictive?

Are anxiety disorder and panic disorder the same thing or different? Find out in our anxiety disorder vs panic disorder breakdown.

Is there a difference between halfway homes, sober living homes, and transitional living homes? Or are they the same? Let's find out...

Sober companions are becoming a common tool for sustaining one's sobriety. But what is a sober companion? Does having a sober companion work?

A number of emotional disorders have been associated with addiction... But what about anger? Are anger disorders and addiction related?

Sober living is a common follow-up to addiction treatment. But do sober living homes actually work? Are they necessary? Let's find out...

Most health insurance providers cover addiction treatment, but what about sober living homes? Will my health insurance plan cover a sober living home?

Addiction is a complex illness. However, the four Cs of addiction allows us to distill addiction to its most basic tenets. So let's break them down.

Addiction is a brain disease that has many profound effects on the brain. To give you a better understanding, let's break down the psychology of addiction.

There are many things that can lead to addiction, including mental disorders. So let's look at the top mental health disorders that can lead to addiction.

Tolerance. Chemical dependence. Addiction. These are common terms, but it's not easy to know which is right in each situation. So let's break them down.

Many brilliant creatives have had lifelong struggles with substance abuse... Why? Is there a connection between creativity and addiction? Let's find out.

Addiction comorbidity is when someone suffers from addiction as well as a co-occurring disorder... and we're taking a look at this concept in more detail.

Many people assume that crime and substance abuse go hand-in-hand, but is it true? Let's take a look at some real data and facts to answer this question.

Alcohol and holidays often go hand-in-hand in our minds. But what if you're in recovery? Here's how to have fun while sober during holiday celebrations.

The "27 Club" is infamous for its many talented, well-known members who were taken before their times. But what is the 27 Club? And who are its members?

Where does modern addiction treatment come from? How did it develop? These questions — and more — are answered in this brief history of addiction treatment.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, it's important to separate the facts from the fiction. So this is COVID-19, explained.

All addiction treatment programs are either inpatient or inpatient. But what's the difference? This is our inpatient vs. outpatient breakdown.

Case management is often an essential part of addiction rehabilitation. But what is case management? Why is it beneficial?

People avoid addiction treatment for many reasons, so we put together a list of the most common excuses people avoid rehab and how you can overcome them.

Despite having a better understanding of this deadly disease, addiction remains highly stigmatized. So what's the deal with the addiction stigma?

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” The Serenity Prayer The Serenity Prayer’s AA History The serenity prayer holds particular significance in the recovery community, especially in 12-Step groups. In fact, some refer to it as “the... View more

Going to rehab for treatment doesn't mean you're done with recovery. In fact, drug rehab is the first step of many in the recovery journey.

Completing addiction treatment is just the first step of recovery, so here are some of the best relapse prevention strategies for maintaining your sobriety.

Addiction treatment helps people to get sober, but loved ones' support is how they stay sober... So here's how to give loved ones support in recovery.

Outpatient rehab allows patients the opportunity to stay in their environment, while providing a structured therapy regime consisting of peer engagement.

Now that you've completed an inpatient rehab facility what happens next? As many as 60% of people relapse after treatment making outpatient so important.

The thought of attending rehab can be intimidating. However, more than anything attending inpatient rehab is similar to going to summer camp.

Anybody can become addicted. But who is most at risk of drug addiction? Let's break down which demographics have above-average addiction rates.

Here are three tools you can use if you find yourself in a situation where a loved one is battling a substance abuse disorder and needs help with addiction.

What causes addiction? Although there's not a definitive answer, we do know the most common risk factors for addiction. And we're breaking them down...

Here are three tools you can use if you find yourself in a situation where a loved one is battling a substance abuse disorder and needs help with addiction.

Silicon Beach Treatment Center offers excellent sober living options for those enrolled in our outpatient programs. To learn more call us at 833-LA-REHAB!

We can look at all the things we go through as blessings because they got us to where we needed to be, or we can let our past demoralize us from regret.

The use of powerful prescription stimulants, Adderall abuse, has been rapidly rising across the nation. Adderall sales increased 3135.6% from 2002–2006.

Social wellness is determined by the people we spend time with and our community. It is the relationships we have and our interactions with others.

Occupational wellness is the level of fulfillment we find in work and feelings that our work makes a difference. Additionally it looks at work-life balance.

Financial wellness is the act of understanding how to positively handle your finances. Poor finances impact both your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Environmental wellness motivates us to remember to be considerate of everything around us. t's knowing the role of your ecological footprint.

Intellectual wellness is associated with how we use our mind: how often we actively pursue new endeavors, our creativity, and our critical thinking.

Spiritual wellness goes far beyond religious practices. One of the most important aspects to this is finding a greater purpose in our lives.

Emotional wellness helps prevent us from becoming a slave to our emotions by evaluating how well we’re handling our feelings. Life becomes more balanced.

Physical wellness (regular exercise and a healthy diet) is important to living your best life and regaining your identity after a substance abuse disorder.

Mindfulness. It’s a fascinating concept and one that can greatly help a person on their road to recovery. As the word implies, mindfulness is the ability to objectively interpret events without influence of your own personal bias. It’s a person’s impartial, conscious understanding or awareness of the world around them in the present moment. One... View more

Cravings are an unavoidable part of entering into sobriety. Here are three easy to use ideas to help cope with cravings along with 20 ways to overcome them.

You might be looking ahead and thinking, “this year I get my life back”. Why wait? Here are three reasons spending the holiday in rehab is your best option.

To continue maintaining sobriety after being involved in a program can be extremely difficult. An addict going back to the environment in which they were in before can be very triggering.

The time it takes to withdraw from heroin, like many other drugs, depend on the length of time that one used, frequency and dosage.

The detoxification symptoms from marijuana vary from each person and they can cause serious discomfort.

For someone to admit they a problem and them being open to seeking help is just the beginning, but an extremely important step towards maintaining sobriety.

Our lives run on the habits we create. Just about everything we do in life is based off a habit we’ve developed at some point in time. Some habits help us in life, while others hold us back. Some bad habits, like an addiction, can negatively impact your ability to live your best life.

From the outside, recovering from an issue like substance abuse might seem like a process that has somewhat of a beginning and end. However, the end of treatment is only the beginning of the journey to recovery. Because of this, many treatment centers maintain an open line of communication with program alumni, acting as a... View more

Effects of Binge Drinking on the Brain In America, alcohol is an integral part of the social scene. A 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that an estimated 52.2 percent of Americans aged 12 or older were current alcohol users. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the U.S., despite the... View more

Triggers and Cravings Triggers and cravings can be one of the most difficult aspects of recovery from alcoholism and drug abuse. A trigger is anything that brings back painful thoughts, feelings, or memories having to do with your addiction. This could be your drug of choice, a location you frequented or even a person you... View more

Dangerous Doses for Prescriptions Dropping A recent federal analysis found prescriptions for higher, more dangerous doses have dropped the most sharply, by 41 percent since 2010. In 1999 the nation’s problem with opioid addiction was just starting. An analysis by the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention also found that the rate for prescriptions... View more

Abuse vs Addiction While the terms abuse and addiction are often used interchangeably, the reality is that they are each describing a different type of person. The terms do have some similarities in that they both negatively impact their lives. We’ll take a closer look at these two terms to better distinguish the difference between... View more

Drug Relapse in Addiction Relapse, in the context of drug use, involves the recurrence of pathological drug use after a period of abstinence. There are various types of substances that may cause addiction or dependence, such as depressants, stimulants, or nicotine. Relapse is now often viewed as the rule rather than the exception in addiction... View more

Warning Signs of Alcoholism If you are concerned that a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, there are warning signs that you can look for to determine if they are addicted to alcohol. While many signs are easily recognizable, others may be more difficult to identify. The severity of the abuse can also play a... View more

About Women and Addiction The approach used to treating addiction is different for each individual. This same idea applies to the treatment approach used for men and women. Until the 1990’s the majority of addiction studies focused on men. It wasn’t until women were required to be added to the studies that significant differences were... View more

Maintaining Positivity in Addiction Recovery While there is really no way to avoid negativity completely in life, you can make the commitment to focus on positivity instead. In addiction recovery, there will be extremely difficult days where you will struggle and won’t want to leave the comforts of your bed, these are the times where... View more

Tips for Students Choosing to Stay Sober in College According to the Wall Street Journal, students between the ages of 18 and 24 represent the largest-growing demographic of individuals seeking treatment for drug abuse. Some students may be coming to college already having been sober in high school. Others may develop alcohol or drug addiction while... View more

Carfentanil Poses New Threat Over 53 deaths have occurred due to the intake of carfentail in South Florida, and most users are blind to what they are ingesting. Commonly used as an elephant tranquilizer, carfentanil is approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine. Hollywood police say many people who ingest the drug do not know... View more

Addiction Recovery and the Holidays There is no doubt that the holidays present recovering addicts and their families with a number of challenges. The holiday season can be full of stress and everyone could use a little extra support during this time. Those in active recovery are faced with challenges when it comes to temptation... View more

Tips for Having a Happy and Sober Holiday Season The holidays can be a challenging time for those in recovery. Between holiday parties and gatherings with family and friends, you could find yourself in a few uncomfortable situations when it comes to alcohol and other substances. Not to mention the added stress that can creep... View more

Making Sobriety Top Priority Following Election As one of the most turbulent presidential elections in history comes to an end, countless Americans are finding themselves overwhelmed with anxiety, terror, panic, and anger. While some find themselves relieved that the dramatic election is finally over, there are millions of people struggling with the aftereffects of this... View more

Maintaining Sobriety Following the Election Millions of Americans are finding themselves overwhelmed with fear, stress, panic, and anger as one of the most turbulent presidential campaigns in history comes to a close. While some find themselves relieved that the dramatic election has finally reached its end, there are countless people struggling with the lingering effects... View more

Rapper Kid Cudi Checks into Rehab for Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Thoughts Rapper Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi checked into rehab last week for depression, anxiety, and suicidal urges. The hip-hop star shared the news in an emotional letter posted to his Facebook page, revealing “I am not at peace. I haven’t been since you’ve known... View more

Life After Addiction Recovery Many people do not realize that recovery is a long and continuous journey that does not end after “getting sober.” While getting sober is the most important step in the recovery process, in actuality it’s just the beginning. It is important to make smart, deliberate decisions in order to stay sober... View more

What You Should Know About High-Functioning Addicts A high-functioning addict is defined as someone who is able to hide their excessive use of alcohol or drugs from others. This person may have a good job, a secure home life, and be respected in the community despite their addiction. Statistics show that of the nearly 17... View more

What is a High-Functioning Addict? A functioning addict is often defined as someone who is able to hide their excessive use of drugs or alcohol. This person may have a good job, a secure home life, and be respected in the community despite their addiction. Of the nearly 17 million adults in the this country... View more

The journey a person takes during addiction recovery is both unique and complicated, but there are several tips that can be used to help make the journey to long-term sobriety a little easier. Addiction recovery can be an extremely challenging time in your life and is often better to be done while being surrounded by... View more

Opioid Addiction The United States is currently caught in the grip of an opioid overdose epidemic. Opioids are often prescribed by doctors to treat acute pain in patients. Opioids, also known as opiates, include hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and other related drugs. These drugs work to reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain... View more

Opioids, also called Opiates or Narcotics, are found in certain prescription pain medications including hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl, morphine, and illegal drugs such as heroin. Doctors will prescribe Opiate painkiller medications to treat acute pain. Prolonged use of Opiates can lead to a lessening of the pain relieving effects causing pain to become worse. As... View more

ADHD Medication Addiction Leading to Increases in Crystal Meth Use What is ADHD? ADHD or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is diagnosed in children, adolescents, or adults and is treated with prescriptions for stimulant medications including amphetamines and methylphenidate. The prescription drugs given to patients for the treatment of ADHD include Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta. Individuals diagnosed... View more

National Recovery Month National Recovery Month is recognized every September. It is a national observance help to increase awareness of mental and/or substance use disorders, celebrate individuals in long-term recovery, and acknowledge the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery services. The lives of millions of Americans have been transformed through recovery, but these successes will... View more

Recognizing National Recovery Month Every September National Recovery Month, a national observance held to increase awareness of mental and/or substance use disorders, celebrates individuals in long-term recovery, and acknowledge the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery services. There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery, but these successes often go unnoticed by... View more

Tips for Being Supportive of a Loved One Starting Their Sober Life Returning to everyday life can be an overwhelming experience for some in recovery. Leaving the safety and structure of treatment and returning to their everyday life will come with its own set of challenges. There are a number of things that you can... View more

Why choose sober living? You’ve taken the first steps in recovery, which are often the most difficult, and detoxed in an addiction treatment program. Now you may be wondering, ‘What’s next?’ This is a daunting question that many in addiction recovery are faced with. Leaving the safety and security of inpatient treatment to return to... View more

Tips for Living a Sober Life Getting help for addiction is the first step and an extremely crucial one at that. After leaving rehab people can be bombarded with the fact that the real challenge is to now live a sober life. The idea of sober living can be daunting for someone just out of... View more

The Benefits of Continuing Treatment in an IOP Treatment for drug and alcohol addiction often begins at an inpatient facility for detox. The amount of time spent at an inpatient facility will often vary depending on a number of factors. Following inpatient treatment some patients may choose to continue their recovery journey at an IOP... View more

Mending Relationships in Addiction Recovery Relationships undergo a great deal of damage when it comes to addiction. The people that we love are often the ones that are most deeply impacted by our addiction. Once initial steps are taken to begin the journey to recovery, it is usually a good time to reflect on and invest time... View more

Repairing Relationships in Addiction Recovery Substance abuse takes a toll on every aspect of your life, including your relationships. While escaping addiction and beginning your journey to recovery is a momentous achievement, it does not mean that everything if your life will repair itself. In order to repair the relationships that were damaged during active... View more

What is addiction? Drug addiction can be a difficult thing to understand for many people. How do people become addicted to drugs? Why do people become addicted to drugs? This lack of understanding of addiction can cause people to think that addiction is due to a lack of morals or willpower to stop using drugs.... View more

Myths About Addiction People often have the idea that everyone who is suffering from addiction falls into a certain stereotype, that they are “all the same.” Common misconceptions such as these have a direct impact on addicts and how people perceive them in day to day life. The way that addicts are portrayed on t.v.... View more