MHS - Next Steps

Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is defined by alcohol dependence. This is a state the body reaches when it experiences withdrawal symptoms in the absence of alcohol. A person who has AUD craves alcohol and continues to drink despite adverse consequences. Because withdrawing from alcohol can pose health risks, individuals with AUD should seek professional alcohol rehab in California to overcome their alcohol addiction. This process typically involves medical detox, rehabilitation, and maintenance.

Drug rehab in California teaches participants constructive ways to stay clean and sober. Treatment revolves around helping individuals stop using the substance they are addicted to and learn healthy habits to avoid relapse.

California drug and alcohol rehabs also provide dual-diagnosis treatment for individuals seeking help for both mental health and substance abuse. These programs are usually offered on an inpatient or outpatient basis. You can usually expect a mental health assessment and personalized treatment plan, evidence-based therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), experiential therapies like equine therapy, skills groups, and counseling to simultaneously address both mental health and substance abuse and drastically increase your chances of long-term sobriety.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Clients receiving treatment at an outpatient rehab typically do not require hospitalization or intensive supervision and support. Outpatient addiction counseling and recovery education are often offered during the morning, evening, night, and weekend, allowing clients to tailor treatment to their own schedule. Partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs are the most time-intensive and are designed for clients who are at an increased relapse risk and/or who need more robust therapeutic support.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) support clients’ sustained sobriety as they exit detox or step down from inpatient programs. They are also designed for clients who are at an elevated risk of relapse. Intensive outpatient treatment typically requires clients to engage in a minimum of nine hours of therapy per week, but clients may receive up to 20 therapeutic hours weekly. IOP treatment modalities often combine psychotherapy, recovery-focused life skills training, and medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Participants engaged in 12 step programs receive intensive peer coaching (sponsorship) and community support. Spiritual development as a means of achieving psychological and emotional healing and growth is the cornerstone of 12 step recovery, but religious affiliations are not required. Meetings are free, anonymous, and open to the public, though specialized formats are available, including groups for seniors, teens, and family members. Evening, night, and day meetings are conducted year-round in most communities.

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Sober living homes in California offers an intermediate sober environment that has less structure than inpatient rehab but more than typical home environments. This makes it a good option for those who have concerns about transitioning back to the “real world” after treatment. Residents can typically live at the halfway house as long as they want, if they are willing to follow house rules. These may include a curfew, chores, and maintaining a job.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.