Adolescents who use alcohol heavily and early in life have a greater likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder than those who don’t, which can cause long-term impairment to their growth and development. Screening tools for substance abuse can help identify and intervene at the earliest possible stage to disrupt this progression. Effective screening and prevention … Read more
Embarking on the road to recovery is an exciting time, but it can also be intimidating. The thought of returning to everyday life means at some point you’ll likely run into situations that may trigger your desire to re-engage with substances. The key is to intentionally prioritize sobriety when engaging in social activities in your … Read more
If you have a teen child who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you may want to find all the supportive resources for your child that you can. Many parents feel lost, confused, or concerned when it comes to incorporating a 12-Step program into their child’s recovery. It is widely known that the 12-Step … Read more
Do you often experience negative self-talk in your mind? Are you tired of blaming yourself? Self-blame is common among people who have substance use disorder (SUD) because, after years of substance use, you may believe that you are in some way destined to fail and therefore only focus on the negatives of life. It is … Read more
Many people consider the end of detox and rehab as finishing recovery. Due to this mindset, relapses happen frequently during early recovery. However, recovery is a life-long process, so developing a long-term relapse prevention plan following detox and treatment gives you a higher chance of success. What Is a Relapse Prevention Plan? When you enter … Read more
Addiction affects the whole family, which means each person in a family unit plays a role. Attending family therapy is a great way to educate families about addiction and provide tools for how to manage challenges like substance use disorder (SUD) together. At Laguna Shores, we believe in the power of family unity. With the … Read more
Stress is a well-known risk factor in the development of addiction and in relapse vulnerability. Even after completing residential treatment and achieving sobriety, stress and depression can make it difficult to manage your job in recovery. As recovery is all about continually adapting and growing, you can learn specific skills to deal with stress and … Read more
Do you know the difference between diet and nutrition? Many times, these two terms are used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A diet is something temporary to either achieve temporary results or a necessity based on circumstances. Nutrition is a healthy lifestyle choice that should be practical and sustainable. Negative Effects of … Read more
Now that you are sober and are no longer under the influence of drugs and alcohol, you might wonder why you continue to feel unhappy. Your emotional struggles may even make you second-guess whether sobriety is worth it. While there is no quick fix to train yourself to be happy, understand that, after years of … Read more
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is necessary in most cases of substance addiction. MAT combines FDA-approved medications to help with detox with various behavioral therapies to achieve sobriety. The pharmacological approach has been shown to effectively increase survival rates, rehab retention rates, and individuals’ ability to maintain a good quality of life. Detoxification is perhaps the most … Read more
