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Long Term Drug Rehab October 27, 2010 No Comments

Long Term Drug Rehab is a term that can mean many different things to many people, and Long Term Alcohol Rehab is similar in that respect.   The reason there is no blanket definition for these terms is that rehabilitation is an overall term for treating those addicted to any substance, from illegal drugs, to alcohol, to prescription medications.  This treatment is absolutely necessary for an addict to get off drugs or alcohol, and often quite literally saves his or her life.  The only alternative to this type of treatment is to go on using, which will almost undoubtedly lead to a wide range of physical, social, legal, and psychological problems, or even death.  So, of course, the primary goal of any detox or rehab program is to help the addicted person to live without the need for the addictive substance to which they have become dependent, but the methods of getting to that point vary widely.

Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California, and throughout the United States, offer a broad range of treatment methods and recovery philosophies.  Some are faith based; some have a “tough love” approach; and others are gender specific, such as those specializing in drug rehab for women.  Some programs offer short term or outpatient care, others offer only Long Term Drug Rehab, and still others offer both short and long term care.  Most experts agree that the most effective Long Term Alcohol Rehab and drug rehab programs are those providing long term residency programs that address the root causes of drug and alcohol dependency, including the psychological and physiological factors surrounding addiction.

Drug detox and rehab are the first steps in the Long Term Drug Rehab process, but there is much more to attaining a sober lifestyle beyond the initial detoxification and treatment.  Many people think primarily of the withdrawal from drugs and alcohol when considering entering a rehab program, but the truth is, even though the physical and psychological pain that can be experienced during this time is often severe, it is relatively short lived.  So to think of this relatively minor period of time as being what Long Term Alcohol Rehab or a drug rehab program is all about is short sighted.  The reason behind a person’s addiction has a lot to do with the body’s building of a tolerance for the offending substance.  The more an addict uses a particular drug or drinks alcohol, their brain adapts to the substance, which causes the addicted individual to need more of whatever drug they are taking to feel the effects of it.  This cycle can be a deadly one, as it leads to heavier use, often to the point of overdose or serious physical damage to the body’s organs and nervous system.  This is why it is so important for anyone with a drug or alcohol addiction to seek out Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California, or wherever they can find a quality, long term, gender specific program.  It is the breaking of this cycle of dependence that is the goal of any Long Term Drug Rehab program, and the initial detox period is, again, only the first step in the process.

Another factor that quality Long Term Alcohol Rehab and drug rehab programs take into consideration is the element of psychological dependency.  Rehab centers focus on this aspect of treatment in order to teach patients ways to interact in an atmosphere free of drugs and alcohol.  Part of this approach is to help addicts through the challenges associated with living without contact with family or friends who are abusing drugs and alcohol.  Individual and group counseling, often including former addicts, has been found to be very helpful in this regard.  Counseling sessions after initial treatment are also recommended, and sometimes required by the court, if the addict was referred to treatment though the legal system.  Through these counseling sessions, people suffering with drug and alcohol addiction are also taught to look at the habits they have surrounding their addictions as well as methods for changing those habits.  We know that much of the cycle of addiction is somewhat ritualistic.  In other words, people get into patterns that include the use of drugs or alcohol, and breaking these patterns is critical in getting sober.

Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California offer the programs and treatment methods mentioned above, and they offer something else as well.  Sothern California in particular, is known for its sunny climate and carefree beach living.  And while a person attending a Long Term Drug Rehab program is obviously not in a position to feel carefree (yet), just being in such an environment is conducive to healing, and a great place to begin a life of sober living.  There is something therapeutic about being close to the Pacific Ocean, and waking up to sunny skies almost every day.  It lifts the spirit and helps to create a mood of positive energy, which is important during treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.  It makes sense, even to anyone not trained in alcohol or drug treatment, that the better one feels about the environment they are in, the less stress they feel, and the more they can focus on the task at hand; which, in this case, is getting off drugs or alcohol.  For women especially, feeling as though they are in a safe, comfortable environment helps them to relax and open up more, which is critical for counseling and treatment to progress at a healthy pace.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is an encouraging, relaxed, safe haven for women who want to overcome addictions to drugs or alcohol.  Located in Costa Mesa, California, Safe Harbor is one of the preeminent Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California.  Safe Harbor offers programs for a wide range of drug addiction, and their drug and alcohol detox and rehab programs are designed specifically for women.  For more information on Long Term Drug Rehab programs in California, please visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or email us today.

Drug Rehabs for Women October 26, 2010 No Comments

There are a number of quality Drug Rehabs for Women throughout the United States, Canada, and worldwide.  These programs exist to help women overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol, and they provide an opportunity for women with addictions to find sobriety and begin living a better life.  Drug Rehab Programs in California are no different in that respect, but they do offer certain other advantages over rehab programs in other states.  For example, Drug Rehab Centers in California can offer a warm, sunny atmosphere, next to the Pacific Ocean.  This might not seem like something that is very important when speaking of helping an addict recover from drug addiction, but the implications of location are well known to have a significant effect on the success rates of long term recovery.

For starters, the ocean has been revered for centuries as a source of calm and healing.  Just being close to the ocean can have a positive effect on one’s psyche and emotional wellbeing.  It is thought by some that the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore are therapeutic, which is why you can buy sound machines with recordings of the melodic noise of the ocean playing over and over.   While there are obviously other states that have an ocean shoreline, Drug Rehab Programs in California are an excellent choice for other reasons as well.  It often happens that depression accompanies drug and alcohol addiction.  For this reason, a sunny climate is more conducive to recovery.  Several respected studies have shown that moods tend to be affected by the amount of sun a person gets, and most people can back this up with their own personal experience.  Feeling down or “in the dumps” on a cloudy, gloomy day is something most of us have felt at one time or another in our lives.  It is no coincidence that suicide rates are higher in the cloudy northwest region of the country.  Drug Rehab Centers in California cannot promise sun every day of the year, but in Southern California particularly, there are more sunny days each year than in most areas of the country.

In addition to the advantages California brings, location in general is very important when considering various Drug Rehabs for Women.  It is, for example, critical for a woman attempting to recover from an alcohol or drug addiction to enroll in a facility that is not in her home area.  It doesn’t take a clinical psychologist to see that attempting to overcome an addiction while still in the midst of the stresses and temptations that lead to drug or alcohol use and addiction in the first place is going to be far more difficult.  Removing an addict from such an environment provides the best chance for a faster recovery, and long term sobriety.  Drug Rehab Programs in California offer the chance for a woman with addiction challenges to work on her sobriety away from her home environment.   Many such women have professed that they could never have gotten off (and stayed off) drugs or alcohol without having left their home area to do so.  These women say that while leaving their state to attend Drug Rehab Centers in California was a scary proposition for them in the beginning, any apprehension they felt was well worth the end result.

Women who have gone through the drug or alcohol addiction recovery process also report that Drug Rehabs for Women specifically, are the best choice for recovery.  They confirm over and over again, the research that shows that treating female addicts in a program designed exclusively for women is the most effective approach to long term drug and alcohol rehab.  There are a number of factors that make this the case.  First, women tend to rely on and express emotions more than men.  While we cannot generalize entirely, there is no doubt that this dynamic does tend to be the case.  What this need to communicate from an emotional perspective means for treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, is that women under treatment need to feel comfortable expressing emotions.  And women often report being far more comfortable expressing emotions to and around other women, more so than when in the company of men.  This is especially true when the woman going through addiction treatment has experienced any sort of physical or sexual abuse by men in her past; and studies have shown that as many as 70% of women with drug and alcohol addiction have endured such an experience.

So Drug Rehabs for Women that employ an all-woman staff to care for those going through recovery are an excellent choice for any female addict.  In fact, there are some outstanding Drug Rehab Programs in California, which are staffed entirely by women, and also introduce those who are new to the treatment center to alumni of the program.  Women who have completed these programs say that meeting other women who had gone through the process successfully, at the beginning of their stay, made a significant impact on their ability and willingness to continue with the recovery process.  They have said that meeting someone else who had been where they were, and had achieved sobriety, was a great inspiration, and proof that it can be done.  Meeting another person who has completed treatment also serves to lessen the fear of the unknown that naturally comes with entering a drug detox or rehab program.  A new patient is able to ask questions of the alumnus of the program without feeling they are getting answers from the program’s staff that might be biased in some way.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is a nurturing, comfortable, safe haven for women struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.  Located in Costa Mesa, California, Safe Harbor is one of the premier Drug Rehab Centers in California.  Safe Harbor treats many types of drug addiction, and their drug and alcohol rehab programs are designed specifically for women.  For more information on Drug Rehabs for Women, please visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or email us today.

Drug Addiction and Intervention Services for Women October 24, 2010 No Comments

Drug Addiction and Intervention Services for Women are available from a number of qualified facilities throughout California and the United states.  These programs typically offer intervention services, detox (including, in some cases, rapid detox), and short or long term Drug Addiction Programs for Women.  While the first steps in most programs include intervention and detox, these truly are only the first steps on a long road to Drug Addiction Recovery, for Women with drug or alcohol addiction.  Even though the initial process of getting off addictive substances is often thought of as “the hard part,” the real work begins after the offending substances are out of the drug addicted woman’s body.  Hollywood tends to portray the awful affects of withdrawal from addictive substances, such as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol, and there is no doubt that withdrawal symptoms can be quite difficult to get through.  Still, even after the withdrawal symptoms have passed, qualified Drug Addiction Programs for Women know that the fight far from over.

Drug Addiction Recovery for Women must involve getting to the root of a woman’s addiction, if she has any hope for living a sober, healthy lifestyle.  Time and time again, Drug Addiction and Intervention Services for Women see women go through a detox period and perhaps a short term stay in a drug addiction recovery center, only to see them return six months or a year later, needing another detox or intervention.  Why is this so?  Until a woman is able and willing to work through the reasons she uses and abuses drugs and alcohol, she is likely doomed to the life of an addict.  Drug Addiction Programs for Women that only include quick detox, without proper, comprehensive counseling and follow up, are not effective, because they treat symptoms, not causes.  It is akin to taking headache medicine for a brain tumor.  It might appear as though everything is better for a short while, but the cause of the pain has not been addressed, so it is destined to return.

Drug Addiction and Intervention Services for Women, that fully understand the concept of treating the whole person, provide Drug Addiction Programs for Women that are far more effective for helping women overcome their addictions for good and go on to live happy, sober lives.  These programs offer a wide range of drug counseling and psychological counseling services, job training, group therapy, and continuing education opportunities.  Women are nurtured and cared for in a low stress, positive environment, where they feel comfortable sharing and working through their addictions and the factors that led them to their current lifestyle.  One key for success when it comes to Drug Addiction Recovery for Women is helping women to share freely, without the stress and worry of home.  Many women come into addiction through the use of drugs or alcohol as a means to cope with a very stressful home life.  Everything from job pressures and parenting, to dealing with an abusive partner or financial difficulties can play a role in leading a woman to begin using addictive substances.  So it is important for Drug Addiction and Intervention Services for Women to provide an atmosphere that allows a woman the necessary time and comfort to work through her addiction issues in as stress free a way as possible.

It is also important for centers providing Drug Addiction Recovery for Women to maintain an environment specifically focused on the needs of women.  Nearly everything about a woman’s addiction is different from that of a man.  From the reasons for initially using drugs or alcohol, to the speed and severity with which they become addicted, to the physiological and psychological affects these substances have on a woman, their experience is unlike what men experience.  Life history also plays a different role in addiction for men and women.  For example, close to seventy percent of women addicted to drugs or alcohol have lived through some form of physical or sexual abuse.  This and other causal agents differ in men and women.  Because of this statistic alone, Drug Addiction Programs for Women must provide a safe haven for female addicts.  As mentioned previously, a key element of recovering from addiction is being able to open up enough to explore and work through past issues that might have led to or intensified the use of drugs or alcohol.  If a woman does not feel comfortable and safe in her environment, she is highly unlikely to share and explore feelings.  So, if, for example, a woman is assigned to a male therapist at a facility providing Drug Addiction and Intervention Services for Women and men, and if she was abused by a man in her past, the chances of her making meaningful progress toward recovery are severely diminished.  For this reason, many such facilities are staffed by women only.

When considering the possibility of entering one of the many available Drug Addiction Programs for Women, another factor that is important to keep in mind is location.  Because a goal of the program should be to provide a safe environment, free from home pressures, considering a drug treatment center in California might make a lot of sense.  Not only can removing an addict from her current environment help to deal with stress from her everyday life; it also has the benefit of removing her from a routine that includes using whatever substances she is addicted to.  As an example, if it is part of a woman’s routine to go to a particular bar each day after work, being far removed from that option takes the temptation out of play and allows the addict and those dedicated to Drug Addiction Recovery for Women to focus on her getting sober and healthy.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is a warm, inviting, safe haven for drug and alcohol addicted women. Located in Costa Mesa, California, Safe Harbor specializes in Drug Addiction and Intervention Services for Women. Safe Harbor treats many types of drug addiction, and their drug rehab programs are designed specifically for women. For more information on drug rehab centers in California visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or email us today.

Drug Abuse No Comments

Drug Abuse affects millions of Americans every day.  The effects of this issue are not confined to those actually suffering from Drug Addiction, or even just to the families and friends of the addicts.  People have a tendency to see news stories on the television or Internet about drug issues, and keep the problem at arm’s length, thinking it does not affect them.  But the truth is the problem of Drug Abuse is something that truly affects us all.  We all pay the cost of Drug Addiction, whether in higher medical costs associated with providing care to addicts who are not financially able, higher taxes from government entities tasked with caring for a population of addicts, or higher crime rates as a result of the drug trade and illegal drug use.  Yes, this is a problem that deserves everyone’s attention, not just those directly involved in drug addiction treatment.

In fact, Drug Addiction Treatment Centers in California, and throughout the United States, are fighting a battle that is in everyone’s best interests to win.  These centers focus on long term recovery, helping addicted individuals turn their lives around and begin living a sober lifestyle.  While drug intervention and detox are first steps in Drug Addiction treatment, the goal of detox and treatment centers is not to simply get a person addicted to alcohol or drugs to stop using for now.  The goal is for them to realize true sobriety and change their lives in a positive, meaningful way.  And every time a drug treatment center accomplishes this, they are helping to win the battle against drug addiction, making our society safer, and more sane.  These treatment centers are often, literally, an addicted person’s last hope, and they very often save the lives of people who would otherwise have succumbed to the devastating affects of Drug Addition.  They also help our communities and society in general by transforming addicted individuals into more productive, fulfilled members of society.

Drug Abuse in women is particularly on the rise. So, a number of Drug Addiction Treatment Centers in California have focused their programs on women addicted to alcohol and drugs.  Many of these treatment centers provide treatment for women, by women.  In an atmosphere of caring and nurturing, women addicted to drugs and alcohol find a place where they can share their experiences and open up about the factors that led them to use illicit substances in the first place, and ultimately to Drug Addiction.  It is critical for any drug detox or treatment center for women to understand the different challenges and issues facing women battling addiction, versus those experienced by men.  Clearly, both men and women are susceptible to Drug Addiction, and both genders suffer dire consequences as a result of alcohol and Drug Abuse.  And it should not be thought for a moment that any center with a woman focused program does not recognize the need for men to seek and find effective treatment.  The reason that these centers cater to women specifically, is that it has been shown that women trying to recover from an addiction to drugs or alcohol find better, longer lasting results in such an environment.

Thinking about why this might be the case, it becomes very clear.  Some facts about women struggling with Drug Abuse need to be kept in mind:  For women, emotions play a very important role in their communication and inner feelings.  In order for recovery to be most effective, a woman must feel comfortable expressing and exploring her emotions surrounding her Drug Addiction.  Studies have shown that as much as 70% of women who abuse drugs or alcohol have experienced a history of physical or sexual abuse.  Very often, this abuse was committed by one or more men in the woman’s life.  Because of this, it is common for a woman attending Drug Addiction Treatment Centers in California to feel a distrust of men in general.  Taking all of these factors into account, we can see why a mixed gender treatment program might not be as effective.  For example, in a group counseling scenario, if a woman does not feel comfortable sharing in front of men, and one or more men is part of the group, she will not be able to fully explore her reasons for beginning and continuing a life of Drug Abuse.  The more she holds back out of fear of exposing her feelings to male participants, the less likely it is that she will attain sobriety long term.

Drug Addiction Treatment Centers in California for women often staff their entire facility with women for the same reasons.  Additionally, many of these programs introduce current and past recovering addicts to new patients for a couple of important reasons.  First, when entering a Drug Addiction treatment program, many women experience a fear of the unknown.  They do not know what to expect in treatment and are often hesitant to participate fully due to this fear.  Introducing these new clients to others who have gone through, or are going through, the program allows them to relate and ask questions to lessen their fears.  Another important reason for introducing patients to those who have struggled with Drug Abuse as they have, is to give them hope and encouragement that they too can beat their addictions to drugs or alcohol.  Seeing that someone else with similar background and challenges has found and maintained a sober lifestyle is often what an addict need most to know that she can do it too.  The women who have gone through treatment serve as mentors and inspiration, and they are able to empathize with women who are new to treatment.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is a warm, inviting, safe haven for addicts, located in Costa Mesa, California.  Safe Harbor specializes in Drug Addiction treatment for women. Safe Harbor is one of the most respected Drug Addiction Treatment Centers in California and treats many types of drug addiction. For more information on drug rehab centers in California visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or email us today.

Rapid Detox No Comments

Rapid Detox, or rapid detoxification, is a technique through which a drug or alcohol addict is able to quickly eliminate the offending substance from his or her system without experiencing extended periods of withdrawal symptoms usually associated with quitting substance abuse.  Alcohol Detox typically takes place over a period of time when the alcohol addict is supervised by medical staff while they are aided in overcoming their physical dependence on alcohol.  The goal of any type of Drug Detox, whether from alcohol or another drug, is to help relieve and reduce the symptoms addicts feel during the withdrawal period.

During Alcohol Detox, most (95% approximately) alcoholics experience withdrawal symptoms, ranging from mild to moderate.  These symptoms can be treated fairly easily by a physician or other healthcare professional with outpatient treatments.  The remaining 5% of alcohol addicts have severe symptoms of withdrawal, requiring inpatient care at a detox center that specializes in Rapid Detox or other trusted detoxification methods.  The long term objective of any alcohol or Drug Detox is, of course, life-long sobriety.  The best way to accomplish this goal is through admission into a long term drug treatment program at a drug and alcohol treatment center.  These facilities are staffed with specially trained professionals who are well qualified to guide patients through the recovery process with the least possible discomfort.

The advantage of Rapid Detox versus traditional detoxification methods is the reduction in side effects experienced due to withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.  In general, detox can cause a wide range of physical and psychological side effects, ranging from minor to major. As stated before, 95% of patients experience minor to moderate symptoms, which can include: headaches, perspiration, vomiting, insomnia, loss of appetite, tremors, and restlessness.  Those who are unfortunate enough to be among the 5% of patients for which severe symptoms are present will experience many or all of the moderate symptoms mentioned, but will also often face: convulsions or seizures, and delirium tremors.  Fortunately, there are several medications and medical procedures that are available in the right medical environment, which can be used to aid in the Alcohol Detox and Drug Detox processes and help to reduce these symptoms.  Tranquilizers, such as Librium and Valium are among the medications commonly used in this regard.

Rapid Detox is quite different from other detox methods in a few significant ways.  Unlike “normal” detox methods, which can even take place at home (with somewhat limited long-term results), rapid detoxification must be performed in a clinical environment.  During a rapid Drug Detox procedure, an anesthesia is used to aid in the detoxification process, and the active, opiate based, addictive drugs are actually removed from the patient’s nervous system.  In a traditional detox scenario, an addict will typically experience days or even weeks of often debilitating withdrawal symptoms.  Through Rapid Detox, however, these symptoms are usually reduced to just a few hours.  Additionally, much of the time during which symptoms would be experienced is spent under anesthesia or in a medically induced state which makes it possible for the patient to “ride out” the withdrawal with relatively little discomfort.

As with any detox method, Rapid Detox is but the first step on an addict’s road to recovery.  While many of the withdrawal symptoms often experience while going through Alcohol Detox or Drug Detox are lessoned or avoided, the issues surrounding why the addict became addicted to drugs or alcohol have obviously not been address, and the desire to drink or use drugs has not been eliminated.  For this reason, it is important for anyone going through any detox procedure to follow up the detox treatment with long term drug rehab.  Drug rehab centers don’t just perform Drug Detox.  They help patients take the next steps in the process of beginning a new life of sobriety.  In fact, many studies have shown that detox by itself has little effect on drug addiction long term.  This is why quality drug rehab programs endeavor to treat all the needs of an addicted person, not just their drug abuse. By following this “holistic” approach, patients feel cared for in a way many have never experienced.  This goes a long way toward building self esteem and confidence, traits that are often lacking in those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.  Also, it is common to see clients with other medical and mental health challenges in addition to their addiction, and these must also be properly addressed.  Counseling programs and behavioral therapy treatment are therefore often part of the overall program offered by well qualified Drug Detox and treatment centers, as these are critical to effective rehabilitation.

Another aspect of a quality treatment program is that it is customized to meet the needs of each client, and it is adaptable to change as the patient’s needs change.  Because it is difficult to accomplish all of this in a short term program, long term drug treatment programs are strongly encouraged for anyone addicted to drugs or alcohol.  It is understandable that many people think only of the clinical side of treatment and the patient-clinician interaction that takes place during and the subsequent treatment program.  The fact is – long term alcohol treatment actually offers a more comprehensive resource channel for an addicted person to draw from.  Obviously, well trained counselors, administrators and medical staff are a large part of any long term treatment program, but another integral part of the process is other patients and former patients who have struggled with the same challenges as the addict in treatment.  This is particularly true of those programs specializing in treating women suffering with addiction.  The feelings of being overwhelmed and discouraged during recovery can be significant.  So, when a woman is able to witness and hear the stories of other women who have beat their addictions, it serves as inspiration and motivation for her to take the steps necessary for her to overcome her own dependence on drugs and alcohol.   This is why, whether considering a Rapid Detox program or any other method of beginning recovery, it is important for women addicted to drugs or alcohol to seek out a facility specializing in women with substance dependence.

Safe Harbor is a treatment facility that is geared specifically for the drug addicted woman. It offers not only a 90-day treatment program but is also one of the most well regarded long term drug and alcohol rehab centers in California. If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol please visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or call 877-660-7623.



PTSD Symptoms for Women October 22, 2010 No Comments

PTSD Symptoms for Women include a wide range of specific neurobiological and physiological issues.  Overcoming PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is made more complicated than many disorders, as the changes to the brain caused by PTSD often result in significant changes to brainwave activity.  Issues relating to memory, and a heightened (or, in some cases, reduced) fear response are also common in PTSD patients.  These symptoms are associated with changes in two parts of the brain: the hippocampus, which is often decreased in size in PTSD patients, and the amygdala, which coordinates the body’s fear response.  Hyper-arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, sleep irregularities, and an increase in the sensitivity of the startle reflex are other known PTSD Symptoms for Women.  Many of these symptoms can be kept under control using Medication for PTSD.  As women with PTSD typically exhibit higher than normal levels of the hormones that control the stress response in the body, these medications are designed to affect those hormones, among other things.

Healthcare professionals who help women with Overcoming PTSD are also aware that a PTSD patient’s thyroid can also become hyperactive, and that levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body can be higher as well.  Natural opiate levels are often higher than normal in these patients too, which is another characteristic of the overall distinctive PTSD profile, and can often be managed with Medication for PTSD.  Unfortunately, because many of the symptoms of PTSD are common symptoms of less serious (or at least very different) conditions (headaches, chest pain, upset stomach, immune system problems, dizziness, and discomfort in other parts of the body, for example), doctors do not always think to screen patients for PTSD and treat these other symptoms instead.

PTSD Symptoms for Women very often accompany one or more other psychiatric disorder, in addition to the PTSD itself.  In fact, a recent wide scale study showed that as many as 79% of women working on Overcoming PTSD met the criteria for at least one other psychiatric disorder.  About half the women in the study who suffered from PTSD also exhibited major depressive disorders, and around 28% of the women were struggling with alcohol addiction or abuse.  Additionally, social disorders were found to be very common in women with PTSD, particularly those who had not yet begun a course of Medication for PTSD.  Family and other close relationships, as well as employment relationships, commonly suffer in PTSD patients, and instances of run-ins with the law are also more common.

While there is no “cure” as such for PTSD, treatment centers for women use a range of treatment methodologies to help patients struggling with Overcoming PTSD.  Psychotherapy in various forms is typically used in conjunction with Medication for PTSD, working together to help the patient move past her condition.  Drugs commonly used include those to help the patient sleep, calm anxiety, and deal with depression.  Zoloft and Prozac are two examples of drug therapies often used in these cases.  Cognitive therapies, such as group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and exposure therapy have been very effective in helping move past PTSD Symptoms, for Women suffering from them, as well.  Working through the trauma that initiated the patient’s PTSD is critical in these cases, and the therapies patients participate in help them to do that in a controlled, safe environment.  This kind of an environment is especially vital when working with women Overcoming PTSD.

PTSD treatment programs for women can differ extensively in their methodology as well as in the long term results they generate.  More than anything else, any PTSD treatment program expressly intended for women needs to distinguish the fact that PTSD Symptoms for Women are often not the same as those encountered by men.  Women tend to deal with emotions and traumatic events in a different way from men, and a facility helping women who are Overcoming PTSD has to take these differences into account.  In fact, a number of trauma treatment centers have dedicated a part of their facility exclusively to the treatment of women suffering from PTSD.  Other centers have dedicated their entire program to trauma treatment for women and do not offer services for male patients.

Wile women dealing with the effects of PTSD do not always resort to drugs or alcohol to cope with their issues, as stated above, it is not unusual.  For this reason, PTSD treatment programs for women are especially effective when presented by rehab centers that provide addiction recovery programs in addition to PTSD treatment.  Because alcohol and drugs can seriously interfere and react with Medication for PTSD, drug detox is often necessary in these cases prior to any PTSD treatment beginning.  So, a rehab treatment center providing both drug and alcohol treatment programs as well as trauma treatment for women is very often the best choice for Overcoming PTSD.

To fully address PTSD Symptoms for Women and get a woman moving toward recovery, a quality rehab treatment center will develop a comprehensive therapy plan, uniquely customized to the needs and life experiences of each woman.  The plan that the patient’s treatment team devises will include a detailed exploration of the memories of her trauma, which will help her to cope with the reminders of those memories.  For this process to work effectively, it is important that the therapeutic work being done takes place in a comfortable, relaxed, nurturing atmosphere.  The more comfortable the woman Overcoming PTSD feels in the environment in which she is getting treatment, the less overwhelmed she is likely to feel while thinking and talking about thoughts and feelings related to her experience.  Certain types of Medication for PTSD can help with this process as well.

Another consideration when working with women and PTSD is, because the original trauma experienced by women suffering from PTSD so often relates to abuse or violence by one or more men, the environment most conducive to recovery can often only be achieved through a program in an all-woman facility.  This is not in any way a sexist approach.  An all-female atmosphere is simply best because of the necessity for the woman to open up entirely, and the common unwillingness to do so in front of males – especially an original trauma involved men.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is respected as one of the top PTSD treatment and drug rehab centers in California. If you or a loved one is in need of help Overcoming PTSD, please visit our website or call for more information today: 877-660-7623

Affordable Drug Rehab for Women No Comments

Affordable Drug Rehab for Women isn’t as difficult to find as one might imagine.  There are a number of very high quality Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers for Women that offer the kind of treatment needed by women addicted to drugs and alcohol, which provide services on a sliding scale or on payment plans.  In fact, some Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California, providing the very best care available anywhere, are among those willing to work with women whose finances do not allow them to pay the entire treatment bill up front.  If this was not the case, it would be virtually impossible for most women addicted to drugs or alcohol to enroll in and complete a drug treatment program.  After all, the costs of addiction can be measured in many ways, and when a woman is in need of drug detox and treatment, it is very often the case that she has hit bottom with regard to health, social standing, and finances.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers for Women present an opportunity for women with drug and alcohol addiction to overcome their illnesses and begin down the path of recovery without the stressors of everyday life at home.  Affordable Drug Rehab for Women is a critical component in this recovery journey.  Replacing the stress of daily life with the stress of paying for treatment would not allow the woman going through treatment to focus fully on getting well.  And a vital part of finding success with drug and alcohol treatment is having the ability to progress through the program unencumbered by outside stresses, to the greatest degree possible.  A comfortable, largely stress-free environment allows an addict to relax and open up about her addiction and the factors that led her to begin using drugs or alcohol in the first place.  The more the patient is able to share feelings and work through the core issues behind her addiction, the easier recovery is, and the higher the chance that recovery will be lasting.  Whether in a group setting, during one-on-one counseling, or during quite reflection time alone, the more at ease a client is, the more therapeutic her time in Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California - or anywhere else – will be.

The vast majority of women with a drug or alcohol addiction are not able to conquer this deadly illness on their own.  Seeking help from qualified Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers for Women is the very best way to get the help needed.  The key to long term success is clearly treatment, and one can only fully understand this after understanding the nature of the disease of addiction.  Even once this fact is realized, it is important to note that programs vary widely, and there is no one program that is best suited for all individuals.  A good rehab program will address all the needs of each individual, make sure the addict remains in treatment for a sufficient length of time, provide counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication as needed, and address any mental disorders that coexist with the patient’s addiction.  The best programs will also offer a quality, consistent after care program to follow up with the recovering addict once her primary treatment has ended.  So it is clear that Affordable Drug Rehab for Women is about so much more than price. Treatment is about much more than the proper management of physical withdrawal symptoms as well.  Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers for Women focus on helping the addict take the steps necessary for taking control of her life.   A part of this process is learning to manage cravings for addictive substances as well as understanding the factors related to why she acts out and uses drugs or alcohol.

Without intervention from family, friends, or sometimes the law, most women suffering from drug and alcohol addiction would not seek treatment on their own.  It is often a result of some traumatic effect of the addiction that an addict or her family finally looks to outside help for her problem.  The loss of a job, a legal entanglement, divorce, or physical issues can be some of the reasons a woman ultimately turns to Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California for help.  In other cases, a family or legal intervention forces a woman into treatment.  Whatever the reason for entering a drug or alcohol rehab program, treatment typically means an extended stay at a residential treatment facility, which can last from one month to as long as a year.  Short term facilities typically cap stays at 90 days.

Upon entering Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers for Women, patients go through a comprehensive evaluation.  This evaluation assesses the patient to determine her personal and medical history so that a plan can be devised to help her achieve a new sober lifestyle.  During a period of drug detox or alcohol detox, and for the remainder of her stay in the facility, the patient will usually attend group and individual therapy sessions, as well as 12 step meetings.  Mental health counseling, lectures, and exercise time is also incorporated into the client’s schedule at the center.  Another important aspect of treatment is education.  Educating the patient about addiction and alcoholism is critical for helping to determine her own reasons for using and abusing drugs or alcohol.  It also helps her to finally see the impact her use of these substances has had on her and those around her, like family, friends, co-workers, and society in general.  All of these components are designed to work together to help the addict live a life free of drugs and alcohol after the program has concluded.

Again, finding an Affordable Drug Rehab for Women is not only very possible – it is quite necessary for any woman in the grips of alcohol or drug addiction.  Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is a warm, inviting, safe haven for addicted women, located in Costa Mesa, California. In fact, Safe Harbor is considered one of the premier Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers for Women.  For more information on drug rehab centers in California visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or email us today.

Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation No Comments

Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation programs offer those addicted to drugs and alcohol an opportunity to first detox from these substances, and then work toward long term recovery from their addictions.  Alcohol and Drug Recovery Programs provide a structured method by which addicts are coached and counseled to help themselves break free from the bonds of their disease.  And make no mistake, alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases.  An addict can no more simply decide to be sober for the rest of his or her life any more than a diabetic can decide to produce more insulin.  The disease of addiction is complex and difficult to overcome, but it can be conquered through Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation.

Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California are a great option for anyone ready to triumph over addiction.  These programs are designed to help deal with past, current, and future emotional aspects of a drug or alcohol addict’s life.  Many of the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Programs available in California serve women only.  It is well understood in the addiction treatment community that a women-only recovery program is the best solution for a female addict to achieve long term sobriety.  This is particularly the case when the addicted woman is dealing with past emotional, physical, or sexual abuse issues – and even more important when the abuse was perpetrated by a male.  A facility offering Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation that is staffed by women only is a better choice for women with addiction problems, as they tend to feel more at ease in such an environment.  These rehab centers provide a wide range of programs designed to help a woman obtain and maintain a lifestyle of sobriety.  For example, many such programs offer family counseling, job training, classes on parenting, continuing education, and a lot more.

Another common offering at Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California specializing in women addicts is a program that introduces new clients to women who are currently going through, or have achieved, recovery from addiction.  These women stand as examples to new patients who often need to see that sobriety is possible.  To a woman not sure of her own ability to quit using drugs or alcohol, encouragement and inspiration can be found in the stories of women much like her.  Many people struggling with addiction and attending Alcohol and Drug Recovery Programs feel, at first, as though  they are the only ones in the world who have gone through experiences similar to their own, and knowing that others have felt the same pain and were able to overcome it, is sometimes what is needed most.  In fact, meeting and speaking with another woman who shares her life struggles is often an important turning point in an addict’s process of recovery.

A fear of the unknown is a very common concern among women first entering Alcohol and Drug Recovery Programs, because they don’t know what to expect during treatment, and they are often apprehensive about what will happen at home while they are gone, as well.  Their inability to care for their children or to keep their employment are common, and very understandable, concerns.  A fear of rejection, from their spouse or significant other, or from friends and peers, is also a frequent fear that is voiced. In fact, when it is a husband, boyfriend or friend who introduced the addict to drugs or alcohol in the first place, and when that person is still using, they might indeed feel rejection at the very idea of entering a detox and rehab program.  Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation centers that cater to the specific needs of women struggling with addiction recognize these issues and provide a caring, nurturing, comfortable environment.  This atmosphere allows women with drug and alcohol addiction issues to feel relaxed, which helps to lower stress levels associated with the fears of entering rehab, making these women less defensive and more willing to share.  It is through sharing and talking through past and current issues that recovery begins to take place, so providing this environment of safety and comfort is critical.

It is also vital that all Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California recognize the specific needs of women entering their programs.  While men and women are both susceptible to addiction, and both can find recovery through Alcohol and Drug Recovery Programs, the stressors and factors that lead men and women to use and become addicted to drugs and alcohol are typically quite different.  To illustrate this point, consider that as many as seventy percent of women addicted to alcohol or drugs have experienced physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives.  This fact points to this unfortunately common occurrence as being a possible root cause of addiction in many women and must be addressed as such.  In an environment that treats both men and women, this and other unique factors that contribute to addiction in women cannot be focused on fully, in a way that promotes meaningful progress toward recovery.

When choosing a long term Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation program, it is critical to keep all of these factors in mind.  It is a fact that not all rehab programs are created equal, and no one program is right for everyone.  That said, the goal of every drug or alcohol recovery program should be to help addicts achieve long term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.  This goal can only be accomplished by Alcohol and Drug Recovery Programs that understand and adhere to the principles outlined above.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is a warm, inviting, safe haven for addicts, located in Costa Mesa, California.  Safe Harbor is one of the leading Long Term Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in California. Safe Harbor treats many types of drug addiction, and their drug rehab programs are designed specifically for women. For more information on drug rehab centers in California, visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or email us today.

Drug Rehab in Los Angeles October 17, 2010 No Comments

Is Drug Rehab in Los Angeles different from Drug Rehab Recovery for Women anywhere else?  The fact is, the goals of Drug Centers for Women in California are the same as those for rehab centers everywhere.  Every quality detox or rehab program, whether based in California or elsewhere, is dedicated to helping patients achieve long term sobriety.  So why would someone choose to enroll in Drug Rehab in Los Angeles versus another area?

Drug Centers for Women in California offer something few other locations can.  With the warm California sun and the Pacific Ocean in close proximity, Drug Rehab Recovery for Women becomes a way for women suffering from drug or alcohol addiction to get away from the life that lead them into addiction, and to live in a setting that is conducive to breaking free from the chains of substance dependence.  The presence of the ocean alone is often a compelling factor in deciding to attend drug treatment in California.  For centuries, the ocean has been seen by many throughout the world as a source of healing and harmony.  This is important, because where a woman chooses to complete her detox and recovery is a decision that is second only to the decision to take that step in the first place.  Once she has decided that she no longer wants to live the life of an addict, it is critical that an addicted woman find the right atmosphere in which to carry out her recovery.  For many women, Drug rehab in Los Angeles is the answer.

Reasons for a woman becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol vary from person to person, but the reasons can almost always be tied back to environmental stressors.  These stressors contribute to initial use, and ultimately addiction, in significant ways.  Therefore, it is ideal for any treatment program to be far removed from these environmental factors.  In fact, if the factors that triggered the addiction in the first place are still present on a daily basis during treatment, it is very difficult for any addict to achieve sobriety, and nearly impossible for sobriety to be the basis for a new lifestyle that does not include drugs or alcohol.  For these reasons, taking part in a recovery program that is based somewhere other than the addict’s home area becomes critical.  This is one factor that makes Drug Centers for Women in California ideal.

Some of the environmental stressors we’re speaking of include the pressures of balancing work and family, expectations of peers and the community, and very often, abusive or otherwise unhealthy spousal relationships.  It is a fact that, while men and women both obviously deal with stress in daily life, women experience different stressors, and they handle that stress differently than men.  The factors that lead women to addiction are, in fact, often quite different from those which push men toward addictive behavior.  For example, studies point to the fact that up to seventy percent of women suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol have experienced some form of physical or sexual abuse in their past.  In many cases, this abuse is ongoing, in the form of spousal or partner violence.  In these cases, it becomes obvious that removing a woman from that environment is the only way to initiate any sort of meaningful drug recovery program.

Drug Rehab Recovery for Women is also more effective in a drug rehab center outside an addict’s home region because the distance between her home and the rehab program makes it impossible for her to continue with a routine that might support her pattern of drug or alcohol abuse.  For example, if a woman addicted to alcohol has a habit of consuming alcoholic beverages at a particular bar after work each day, attending recovery in another city or another state eliminates the temptation for her to continue with this routine.  Especially with alcohol (as it is a legal substance), ready accessibility is an issue for addicts attempting recovery without admission into a long term rehab program.  If another drink or another fix is as close as the nearest liquor store or corner dealer, temptation to use is often too great to resist.  On the other hand, if the temptation is removed entirely, by admitting the addict into one of the many long term Drug Centers for Women in California, the woman receiving treatment can comfortably focus on recovery without continually thinking about whether or not she should drink or take drugs.  This experience of living without the temptation of drugs or alcohol is not only useful during treatment.  Having experienced what it feels like to live without the option of taking drugs or alcohol, women can draw upon this time when they finally return home after treatment.  Sometimes, “going to that place” in their mind where life did not include addiction brings strength to their current struggle with temptation.

Thankfully, there are a number of centers that offer Drug Rehab Recovery for Women specifically.  The gender-specific nature of these programs is of great importance, as women have unique needs when it comes to substance abuse recovery.  While men and women both become addicted to the same substances, and many face similar life challenges, the nature of their addictions can be quite different between the two genders.  Additionally, the factors that initially lead the addict to use and abuse substances tend to differ a great deal in women versus men as well.  Unless a drug or alcohol addict is treated as a distinctive individual with her own unique history and triggers for abusing alcohol or drugs, her hopes for long-term recovery are considerably reduced.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women is revered as one of the top drug rehab centers offering Drug Rehab in Los Angeles. If you or a loved one is in need of help, please consider choosing a drug rehab center in California for recovery. Visit our website or call for more information today: 877-660-7623

Women and Drug Addiction October 16, 2010 No Comments

When we speak of Women and Drug Addiction, we must first acknowledge that we are talking about a very serious health issue that affects millions of women throughout the United States (and the world).  Centers offering Drug Rehab for Women know that the problem of drug addiction, in general, is a chronic one, as addicts are prone to relapse, and it affects both men and women of most every age range and background.  But while the issue of drug addiction spans both genders, it presents unique challenges for women in terms of both psychology and physiology.

Drug Rehabilitation Centers for Women know that drug addiction often affects men and women in very different ways.  Studies show, for instance, that women tend to move into dependence on certain substances more rapidly than men.  And this isn’t only the case for Women and Drug Addiction to illicit, “hard” drugs or alcohol. Even cigarette use is driven by different factors.  Whereas men tend to become addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes more readily, women’s dependence has more to do with what we call the psychosocial aspects of cigarette use.  Furthermore, studies have been presented showing that the very biology of men and women, and the differences their biologies present, are strong factors in how men and women begin and progress through addiction.  A good example of this is a study that showed that eating played a significant role in how nicotine influenced body weight in women and a far less important role in men.  While centers that provide Drug Rehab for Women are obviously concerned with human subjects, studies on animals have also provided some interesting insight into how women specifically are affected by drug use.  For example, females have been shown to be more responsive to stimulant induced activity than their male counterparts, and this responsiveness varied with the menstrual cycle.  The amount of stimulant ingested, when female rats were allowed to self administer the intoxicant, also varied greatly from male rats, and also changed with the changing of their estrus cycles.

While all of this is very interesting, what does it have to do with Women and Drug Addiction?  The point is that, on a very fundamental level, men and women take drugs for different reasons, their bodies handle the drugs differently, and therefore their recovery process must be gender specific.  This is why when it is time to look for a treatment program for a woman who is addicted to drugs, it is critical that she and her family seek out Drug Rehabilitation Centers for Women specifically.  These detox and treatment centers focus on the very unique needs of women addicted to drugs and alcohol, and they are staffed with people who know how to address those needs in a way that more often leads to long term sobriety.  Whether it is the statistic that shows that up to seventy percent of women addicted to drugs or alcohol have a history of physical or sexual abuse prior to age 11, or the fact that, while drugs like cocaine are more frequently used by males than females, the use of these drugs presents a far more substantial risk factor for victimization for women than for men, understanding the significant differences between male and female drug users is critical.  So while there are certainly quality, well meaning centers that are run as co-gender programs, those specializing in Drug Rehab for Women are the choice of those who have done their research.

Unfortunately, while there are some outstanding Drug Rehabilitation Centers for Women, there is an overall lack of women-oriented services in the United States and worldwide.  This should not discourage those dealing with Women and Drug Addiction though, as the centers that do specialize in treating women with drug and alcohol addiction tend to provide just the environment needed to help these women get back on their feet and moving toward a life of sobriety.  An atmosphere of caring, nurturing, and safety can be found in these programs.  This relaxed environment is essential to recovery, as the more comfortable a woman feels in a treatment program, the more readily she will be able to attain a sober, healthy lifestyle.  This is because it is critical that a woman struggling with addiction and going through treatment be able to open up in group and one-on-one sessions.  This ability to share feelings and experiences is a cornerstone of treatment and can only be fully achieved when a woman feels completely safe.  Environments where there are both men and women often present a challenge in this regard.  As many women in the grips of drug addiction have experience either violent or sexual abuse at the hands of a male, these women may, understandably, be less trusting of men.  So in a group setting, for instance, that includes both men and women, a woman might find herself reluctant to share completely, for fear of exposing her inner feelings to the men in the group.

Centers providing Drug Rehab for Women only – especially those staffed only by women – provide an environment where the above scenario is not an issue.   These centers also often incorporate time with current and former patients who are women recovering from drug addiction in the treatment process.  This gives current patients hope and encouragement.  When they see that someone else who is having, or has had, the same struggles as they are having is able to overcome drug addiction, they see proof that it can be done.  At times, this provides the extra push needed to stay on the path to recovery.  While Women and Drug Addiction is a complex issue, programs designed specifically for women are well equipped to properly care for women in need of this type of care.

One of the many highly regarded Drug Rehabilitation Centers for Women is Safe Harbor Treatment Center, Located in Costa Mesa, California.  Safe Harbor’s approach is to design a specific and unique treatment program that allows for a higher recovery rate. Do you or a loved one have a drug or alcohol problem and need a long term drug rehab specifically for women? If so, please visit http://www.safeharborhouse.com or email us for more information.

If you or a loved one is suffering from drug or alcohol abuse, We encourage you to seek help now by calling 877-660-7623
or send us an email at info@safeharborhouse.com