How is Group Therapy Used in Addiction Therapy?

How is Group Therapy Used in Addiction Therapy?

We all know that therapy is a large part of the recovery process when a person enters treatment for addiction. Most of the time, though, when we think about therapy, we think about one-on-one sessions where a person discusses their lifestyle and the factors that led up to their addiction. While this is true and is a part of addiction treatment, there is another type of therapy that is also vital to recovery, group therapy. Group therapy is typically divided into two types, group psychotherapy, where a group discusses their issues and struggles with addiction, and support groups.

Hillside Mission believes that having the right type of therapy available will make all the difference in whether a client’s recovery succeeds and whether or not they relapse and begin using drugs or alcohol again. In this post, we will discuss group therapy, what it is, how it’s used in addiction treatment, the benefits, and how to find programs near you. 

What is Group Therapy?  

Group therapy can either be for psychological purposes or as a means to support other therapy efforts, but in both cases, it is central to treatment and recovery. Group therapy involves people with similar circumstances, such as a group of addiction sufferers, to be together with a therapist and discuss the reasons for their addiction, share stories and interact with like-minded individuals. 

This process is intended to allow the participants to feel safe in a social setting while discussing their problems with addiction. While one-on-one sessions are effective, group therapy can reveal details and other facets of a person’s struggle with addiction that may not come out under normal circumstances. 

In cases where the group is a support group, it gives the person a place to belong and get help with dealing with the effects of addiction.  

How is Group Therapy Used in Addiction Treatment? 

Group therapy is used to judge a person’s interactions in a group setting and help facilitate a feeling of belonging and support. In some cases, it is used actively to treat addiction by allowing the person to dive into the reasons behind their addiction while relating with other addiction sufferers, and in other cases, it is a support tool to help further the use of other treatments. 

Being in a group tests a person’s social skills and ability to cope with day-to-day situations while still under the care of a therapist, something that is vital to the long-term recovery process. By dealing with the struggles of addiction in a group setting, the person can move one step closer to returning to a normal life free of addiction. 

What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy? 

There are numerous benefits of participating in group therapy; here are some examples. 

Feelings of Camaraderie and Not Being Alone 

Addiction can be a long and lonely struggle, and part of the problem of dealing with it is not having anyone to relate your struggles to or to help you move past issues that you may have. By engaging in group therapy, it is possible to gain a sense of community and belonging with people that are going through similar issues. 

Slowly Returning to Social Settings 

Getting back into the world after addiction treatment can be a scary prospect. Group therapy makes it possible to engage in social situations in a controlled environment, making it easier to transition back into day-to-day life once treatment ends. 

More Feedback and Support 

While talking with a therapist is important, real-world feedback and support from other addiction sufferers can go a long way in the healing process and letting someone know what life is like post addiction and how best to adjust to changes in lifestyle—having someone who is in a similar situation can make the process less difficult. 

Practice and Help Identifying Flaws 

Being in small groups with a therapist present gives you the safety and freedom to practice interacting socially without worrying about making mistakes. It also makes it easier for the therapist and other members of the group to identify problems and mistakes that are made so that the person can work on them. This gives people a chance to correct past behavior and work towards a better future. 

How to Find Group Therapy Programs Near Me

You could search for any old treatment facility near you, or you could come to Hillside Mission Recovery. Not only do we offer group therapy as part of our treatment process, but we also do so in a safe, calming, and relaxing luxury inpatient facility that designs treatment plans tailored to the individual. 

We give each client an evaluation when they enter our treatment facility, and once their initial detox is complete, they begin a treatment plan that is meant to address their specific needs and addiction. 
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and may benefit from group therapy, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today!

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Most of us know that alcohol addiction is a serious problem that millions suffer from every day. While it is relatively well known what constitutes alcohol addiction and when a person has a problem and needs professional help, it is much more difficult to know when someone has quit drinking on their own and is going through withdrawal. No matter how long or short a person has been drinking, once they become addicted, it is never a good idea to quit alone. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we know that recognizing the signs of alcohol withdrawal can help a person get the treatment they need to truly recover from alcohol addiction and get on the path to sobriety. In this post, we will look at alcohol, whether it is addictive, whether alcohol can cause withdrawal, answer the question “what are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and how to find an alcohol detox center in Mission Viejo. 

Is Alcohol Addictive? 

Not only is alcohol a highly addictive substance, but it is also one of the most readily accessible and available substances in America. Essentially anyone over the legal age of consumption can purchase alcohol from a number of different outlets. 

One of the primary reasons why alcohol addiction is so pervasive throughout the country is due to the fact that it is so easily acquired. A key concern with alcohol use is that it does not take long for a person to become addicted. Once a person first tries alcohol, they may begin to drink excessively, or binge drink and become fully dependent on the alcohol to function on a daily basis. 

Many people use alcohol due to the effects that it has on the body. It is known to lower inhibitions and reduce worry and anxiety, leading to a feeling of happiness. The downside to this effect is that the body becomes more resistant to the effects of alcohol over time, and a person must drink more to obtain the same feeling. This, combined with dependency on alcohol to cope with day-to-day situations, ultimately leads to addiction. 

Can Alcohol Cause Withdrawal? 

Yes, even in light drinkers, if a person decides to stop drinking suddenly and to “detox” without medical supervision, they will most likely experience withdrawal, and in some cases, the symptoms can be deadly. 

The reason why alcohol causes withdrawal is because, like most other drugs, over time, the body becomes dependent on having the alcohol to function normally. If the body does not get the alcohol it needs, it begins to react in various ways and causes what we know of as withdrawal. 

It is never a good idea to attempt to stop using any type of substance on your own or quit “cold turkey” as the side effects can be dangerous, especially when coupled with existing health issues. 

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal? 

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can start within hours of stopping drinking. The initial symptoms are typically considered mild but can include: shaky hands, anxiety, sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, and insomnia. 

Within 24 to 48 hours of stopping drinking, the symptoms can get much worse and may include: confusion, hallucinations, heart palpitations, racing heart, seizures, tremors, fever, and high blood pressure. These symptoms can easily aggravate an existing heart condition or neurological condition and lead to serious complications if not supervised by medical personnel. 

How to Find an Alcohol Detox Center in Mission Viejo

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction or have been through alcohol withdrawal before, then it is important to find a licensed treatment facility that offers a detox program for alcohol. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend hours searching for a treatment center near you; you can come straight to us at Hillside Mission Recovery. 

We not only offer a full detoxification program for drugs and alcohol but it is also supervised by our well-trained and caring staff so that you are kept safe throughout the entire process. Once detox ends, you can begin treatment in our residential inpatient treatment facility, where we offer a wide array of treatment options to get you clean and sober. 

Once treatment ends, we offer aftercare services that allow the care to continue. Our clients have the highest chances of maintaining sobriety and leading a successful, alcohol-free life. 
If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today!

What is the Difference Between Alcoholism and Problematic Drinking?

What is the Difference Between Alcoholism and Problematic Drinking?

In the United States, alcohol is one of the most widely available and widely abused substances. For anyone over the age of 21, it is possible to obtain alcohol. The problem is that alcohol is addictive, and over time, occasional drinking can become problematic drinking. Most people, however, don’t know the difference between when drinking has become a problem and when a person has full-blown alcoholism. This makes it difficult to get proper treatment and to give the person the proper help and support they need to recover from their addiction. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we know that problem drinking and alcohol addiction goes hand in hand, and that’s why we want to do everything we can to give our clients and their families the tools they need to not only recognize the difference between alcoholism and problematic drinking, but how to know when you need help, and how to get alcohol addiction treatment near you. 

What is Alcoholism? 

Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder is defined as a chronic disease wherein a person cannot control the urge to drink alcohol or is preoccupied with thoughts of alcohol. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a lifelong battle that many people struggle with every day. Alcoholism is not characterized by a specific number of drinks per day, but rather a compulsion to continue drinking or to drink despite the potential consequences. 

A person with alcoholism may exhibit severe withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking, even if they have only been drinking for a short time. For these reasons, alcoholism can affect different people differently, with some individuals developing alcoholism after only a few drinks. 

The primary factor that determines if someone is suffering from alcoholism is their dependency on alcohol. Once a person has become dependent on alcohol in order to function on a daily basis, they are likely addicted to the point that they will need professional treatment. It is important to look for the signs like drinking every day or going out of the way to obtain alcohol if you suspect that a loved one may have alcoholism. 

What Defines Problematic Drinking? 

Problematic drinking occurs when a person goes over what is considered safe drinking standards on a continual basis. Depending on gender, it is typically considered safe to have one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Any more than seven drinks per week for women and 14 drinks per week is considered problematic drinking. 

Problematic drinking usually occurs as a gradual step up from usual or “safe” drinking. Problematic drinking can also occur if a person binge drinks, such as going out one night a week and consuming large amounts of alcohol. 

What is the Difference Between Alcoholism and Problematic Drinking? 

The difference between alcoholism and problematic drinking is that problematic drinking occurs as a person is on the way to developing alcoholism. In other words, problem drinking is the stepping stone to full-blown alcohol addiction. As the amount of alcohol increases, the risk of dependency increases, and the individual ultimately develops the addiction. 

The process can be gradual, or it can happen immediately, which is part of what makes alcoholism so difficult to detect.  

How Do I Know if I Need Help With My Drinking? 

As we’ve discussed, alcoholism is different for everyone, and it is not always easy to tell if you or someone you know has a problem with drinking, but there are some signs to look out for that act as early warning signals of a problem. 

If you notice yourself drinking more heavily as time passes, moving from one or two drinks to several when you go out, binge drinking instead of drinking naturally, or craving alcohol even when you wouldn’t normally be drinking, these are all signs that you are developing alcoholism. 

How to Get Alcohol Addiction Treatment Help Near Me

If you realize that you have a drinking problem, then the first thing to do is find a licensed treatment facility like HIllside MIssion Recovery. The only true way to get sober and stay that way is to get professional treatment. 

Hillside Mission is a luxury inpatient treatment facility that works with clients to deal with the root problems of the addiction rather than just treating the alcoholism itself. Through a variety of therapy options and medically supervised detox, we can put clients on a stable path of sobriety that they can continue long after treatment at our facility ends. 
If you or someone you know is suffering from alcoholism, contact us today!

What Are The Signs of Opioid Use?

What Are The Signs of Opioid Use?

We all know that millions of Americans struggle with drug addiction every day. One of the most prevalent addictive drugs out there today is the drug category known as opioids. Widely prescribed for all sorts of conditions, it is easy for a person to acquire them and subsequently become addicted to them. In order to deal with this addiction problem, part of the solution is knowing the signs of opioid use and, ultimately, the signs of opioid addiction. That way, it is possible to get your loved one the treatment they need to recover and go back to a life free of opioids with the best chances of success. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we know how powerful and addictive opioids can be and what a struggle it is for both clients and their families to deal with an addiction. That is why we’ve prepared this post to give you the information you need to get the proper type of help if you or someone you know has an opioid addiction. In this post, we will discuss what opioids are, whether they are addictive and why, as well as what are the signs of opioid use and how to get help from an opioid addiction treatment center. 

What Are Opioids? 

Opioids are a class of drug otherwise known as pain killers. They work by attaching to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system to create a feeling of pain relief that can be either instantaneous or happen over time, depending on the form of opioid taken. 

Some opioids not only relieve pain but induce a sense of euphoria, leading to varying side effects when taken in a manner that was not prescribed. Most opioids are derived from the poppy opium plant, such as the illicit drug heroin, but several synthetic variants have also come about, which makes misusing opioids incredibly dangerous. 

Are Opioids Addictive? 

Like most substances, all opioids have the potential to become addictive. In fact, depending on the specific drug, some opioids, like heroin, are so addictive that they have been made illegal. However, the most common forms of opioids are prescription pain relievers that are readily available almost anywhere. 

The primary reason opioids are so addictive is due to how the drugs interact with the body. Opioids interact with cells in the brain and central nervous system. Over time these cells change, and the body becomes resistant to the effects of the opioids, leading to a person having to take more and more to reach the desired effect. 

This leads to prolonged use, chemical dependence, and eventual addiction. Part of the struggle of addiction is that a person may not be able to function on a daily basis without the drugs after a period of time, making it difficult or nearly impossible for them to stop using the drugs. This is why treatment at a licensed addiction treatment facility is necessary in order to stop using opioids safely. 

What Are The Signs of Opioid Use? 

The signs of opioid use and abuse can vary by person and depending on the drug being used, but there are some common signs to look out for if your loved one is misusing opioids. There are three types of symptoms to look out for: physical, emotional, and psychological. 

Physical symptoms include shallow breathing, lack of energy, listlessness, or other signs of function loss. Emotional side effects include mood swings, general irritability, anxiety, and depression. Psychological signs include poor decision-making, abandoning responsibilities, usually in favor of taking or acquiring more drugs, and lowered motivation to perform day-to-day activities. 

How To Get Help From an Opioid Addiction Treatment Center 

The first step to getting you or a loved one the help needed to battle an opioid addiction is admitting there is a problem and finding an addiction treatment facility. Once this decision has been made, the next step is to come to a facility like ours here at Hillside Mission Recovery. 

We begin each client’s stay with an individualized evaluation, followed by medically supervised detox to remove the drug from the person’s system. Once this is done, the inpatient treatment plan at our luxury facility can begin. We focus on treating the root causes of the addiction and not the drug itself so that our clients have the tools they need to return to yourl life and have the highest chances of success. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid addiction, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today!

How to Detox From Cocaine

How to Detox From Cocaine

Millions of people deal with addiction every day. Part of the reason that many of them continue to struggle with their addiction is that they cannot safely stop using drugs or alcohol. For drugs like cocaine, it is difficult to know without proper help how to detox from cocaine safely. Knowing what cocaine detox looks like and the cocaine detox signs to watch out for will help prevent a negative outcome. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we know how important it is to safely detox when using a drug like cocaine; it’s a large part of the recovery process. To help with that, we want to give our clients and their loved ones all the help and information they need to safely detox from cocaine and get the addiction treatment they need to get and stay sober for the long term. 

In this post, we will discuss what cocaine is, whether cocaine can cause withdrawal symptoms, What the common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal are, and how to detox from cocaine safely.

What is Cocaine?  

Cocaine is in a class of drugs known as stimulants. It is found in a naturally occurring form from the leaves of the coca plant. It has been used for centuries as a form of herbal medicine due to the properties found in the drug. In more recent times, cocaine was administered by doctors and even used as an anesthetic due to its numbing properties. 

When it enters the body, cocaine blocks reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which leads to an increased feeling of pleasure called euphoria and a whole host of other side effects like reduced appetite, increased alertness, and hyperactivity. 

Because it interacts with the brain, cocaine can have varying effects on different people, meaning no two addictions are the same. Over time, a person will need to take more and more cocaine to reach the desired effect, which eventually leads to dependence and then addiction. 

Can Cocaine Cause Withdrawal Symptoms? 

Cocaine can cause withdrawal symptoms. As with most drugs, when someone detoxes from cocaine, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. The severity of those symptoms will depend on how long the person has been using cocaine and their overall health condition. 

For users with mild addiction symptoms, they may experience fatigue, depression, and problems with concentration. More chronic users may experience more severe symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, paranoia, hallucinations, and seizures. 

What are Common Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal? 

Again, the severity of withdrawal symptoms will depend on a person’s individual use, but some common symptoms include: 

  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Problems with concentration
  • Increased appetite
  • Paranoia 
  • Hallucinations  
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety 
  • Restlessness 
  • Tremors or shaking

These physical and behavioral signs of cocaine detox and withdrawal may also be accompanied by other more general drug addiction symptoms such as disassociating from family and friends, neglecting daily responsibilities in favor of seeking drugs, and changes in appearance or hygiene. 

In many cases, they may become withdrawn from family and society when using and exhibit other behavioral changes like a lack of motivation, an increase in secretive behavior, and irritability. 

How to Detox From Cocaine Safely 

It is important to understand the dangers of trying to detox from cocaine at home. Detoxing at home or without medical supervision can cause serious health complications. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we provide detox services in a safe and medically monitored environment. Our team of specialists understands how to detox from cocaine safely and the entire detox process and will work with you to make sure it is as comfortable as possible. We offer different detox programs that can be tailored to your individual needs, so you can safely detox from cocaine and begin your journey to recovery. 

Once detox is complete, we can begin you on the path to recovery in our luxury inpatient rehab facility. Our treatment programs are focused on finding and dealing with the underlying causes of addiction and not just dealing with the drug itself. We offer individual and group counseling as well as other treatment options that are designed to give clients the tools they need to get through their addiction and return to everyday life. 
Afterward, we provide additional aftercare services so that clients can continue on their road of sobriety with the highest chances of success. If you or someone you know is struggling with a cocaine addiction, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today!

How to Talk to Someone Who Needs to Go to Rehab

How to Talk to Someone Who Needs to Go to Rehab

If you have a family member or loved one struggling with addiction, you likely know how difficult it is for them to ask for help. There is a ton of shame and anguish that comes with having an addiction, and many people suffering from addiction will try to hide their problems, especially from their loved ones. This makes getting them to accept that they need help even more difficult. 

Knowing how to approach your loved ones and talk to them about their addiction and the importance of going to rehab in order to get sober can be very tricky because it is such a delicate situation. It’s important to understand the feeling of your loved ones and the situation they are in, and the nature of the addiction they are struggling with. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we know that it’s difficult to talk to someone about rehab, but that rehab is the best way to get the help needed to beat addiction and get on the road to recovery. That’s why we want to give families the help and support they need. In this post, we will discuss the signs that your loved one has an addiction, how to speak to an addict, particularly a loved one, about their addiction and going into rehab, and how to get your loved one the help they need today. 

What Are the Signs a Loved One is Addicted? 

Before you can know how to get a loved one help, you have to first recognize the signs that your loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Dealing with a loved one with an addiction can be much different than interacting with anyone else. While many of the signs remain the same, there are additional elements that go into dealing with the situation. 

Typical signs of addiction include changes in behavior, distancing oneself from friends and family, choosing to use drugs or alcohol over once favored activities, poor hygiene, and lack of interest in day-to-day responsibilities. 

In addition to the usual signs that go along with addiction, when dealing with a loved one, they will often go to great lengths to hide the addiction out of embarrassment or shame. This may mean lying, behaving erratically, pretending they are only using a small amount (especially with prescription drugs), and going to great lengths to conceal the extent of their addiction. 

For the family of the person with the addiction, it is difficult for them to recognize the addiction as well because they want to believe their loved one does not have a problem or that everything is under control. This is why paying attention to all the signs is so important, even if it is a loved one. 

How to Talk to Someone Who Needs to go to Rehab 

Talking to a loved one about going to rehab is not an easy thing to do. You want what’s best for your loved one, but sometimes getting them to accept that they have a problem and need help is very difficult, and they can feel confronted. 

It is important when talking to a loved one about rehab to remain calm and compassionate and to stress the importance of their well-being over trying to place blame or remind them of the harm that the addiction has caused. In some cases, an intervention is necessary, but the premise of the conversation remains the same, that they are loved and that everyone simply wants what is best for the person addicted. 

Using positive language and encouraging them to move forward and make a change that will benefit them is more likely to result in a positive outcome and get the person to agree to go into rehab. 

How to Get a Loved One Help Today 

Once you’ve gotten your loved one to accept that they have an addiction and need help, the next step is to contact our addiction treatment facility at HIllside Mission Recovery and begin discussing what a treatment plan will look like for your loved one. 

We are a luxury inpatient rehab facility that offers a wide range of treatment options for clients struggling with addiction. Our calming and relaxing environment is the perfect backdrop to let clients focus on the root causes behind their addiction and work on developing the tools they need to stop using drugs and go back to a normal and happy life. We offer medically supervised detox, inpatient rehab, and aftercare to continue the support once treatment ends. 
If you suspect your loved one is in need of rehab, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today and let us see how we can help.

How Does Depression Affect Addiction?

How to Detox From Cocaine

While most of us know that addiction is a disease that millions of Americans struggle with every day of their lives, what most don’t know is just how complex addiction truly is and how mental health can also impact addiction. One of the most common mental health conditions that many people suffer from that can affect addiction is depression. In order to get the right kind of help for your addiction, it helps to know just how your depression is impacting your addiction and what can be done about it to improve both your mental health and your odds of getting sober and staying that way. 

At Hillside Mission, we know that your mental health is just as important as your sobriety and that the two often go hand in hand, where mental illness can cause addiction and vice versa. That’s why we want to give all our clients and their families all the information we can, so that they can get the help they need. In this post, we discuss how depression is related to addiction, the nature of each, how they interact with each other, and how to find dual diagnosis treatment in Mission Viejo, CA. 

What is Depression? 

In order to understand how does depression affect addiction, it’s important first to understand what exactly depression is. In the most basic sense, depression is a mood disorder that causes a person to feel persistent and often unexplainable sadness and loss of interest in day-to-day life activities as well as responsibilities and even things that once made the person happy. 

There can be several contributing factors to depression, including social, environmental, and psychological stressors that impact the person’s mental health. Depression is not something that will typically go away on its own and requires specialized treatment and medication to mitigate. 

The most distressing part of having depression is that it can onset out of nowhere and can last for months or even years with no real known reason or cause. This makes it challenging to treat effectively without proper counseling and support. This is made even more complicated when depression is coupled with addiction. 

What Causes Addiction? 

Addiction can be caused by a wide array of different factors such as home environment, social factors such as circles of friends, day-to-day stress factors, genetic makeup, and psychological condition. The trouble is that there is no one specific cause for addiction; it is instead a result of all of the factors put together. 

However, addiction is not something that has to exist on its own. In fact, co-occurring disorders are quite common amongst those who abuse substances. This is because the co-occurring disorders often feed off one another and perpetually make each other worse. This can make getting treatment and getting sober nearly impossible. 

How Does Depression Affect Addiction? 

Depression that occurs alongside addiction is considered a co-occurring disorder. The depression may end up being caused by other outside factors, or it can be caused by the addiction. In either case, though, it will cause the individual to continue to abuse drugs or alcohol as a means of coping with the depression. 

In this way, both the addiction and the depression feed off of one another to the point where it is impossible to treat one problem without addressing the other. This is why dual diagnosis care is necessary to deal with these types of disorders. Only by treating both at the same time can a person begin to heal and get on the path to sobriety. 

Finding Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Mission Viejo, CA

The best way to find the dual diagnosis treatment needed to treat depression coupled with addiction is by coming to our treatment center at Hillside Mission Recovery. We provide all of our clients with individualized treatment plans at our luxury inpatient treatment facility. While there, our highly trained staff will work with you to identify the causes of both your addiction and your mental health issues and work on providing you with the tools to fix both of the issues. 

We work with our clients to find the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms, and once treatment is done, we provide access to aftercare services to make the transition back to an everyday life that much smoother. 
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and depression, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today.

What Are the Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose?

What Are the Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose?

There are thousands of different drugs that are on the market or that are prescribed to patients. In recent years there have even been new developments where stronger drugs can be made. In some cases, these drugs are made to combat specific ailments, and in other cases, the improvements are made just to put new drugs on the market. One such drug that is extremely powerful that has now come onto the scene is Fentanyl. In fact, Fentanyl has become so pervasive in the American market, that it has found its way out into the broader drug community, going so far as to be laced into other drugs. This makes it even more challenging to maintain proper use of the drug. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we know how serious new drugs like Fentanyl are and how the potential of an overdose can be scary and deadly. That’s why we are determined to help our clients and their families by providing them with what they need to know about drugs like Fentanyl; so they can get the help they need when they need it. In this post, we focus on the drug Fentanyl, what it is, why it’s dangerous, the signs of a fentanyl overdose, and how to seek treatment for a fentanyl addiction in Mission Viejo, CA.

What is Fentanyl?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that is highly potent, ranging between 50 to 100 times more potent than Morphine. It is typically prescribed to treat severe pain such as post-surgery pain and patients who suffer chronic severe pain, such as cancer patients. 

Synthetic opioids like Fentanyl are much more widely available than in previous years, and the number of people using or overdosing on these drugs has gone up dramatically in the last decade. For this reason, the potential for abuse and addiction is also much higher with Fentanyl and similar drugs. 

Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous? 

While it may seem like a powerful pain-relieving drug would be very good for patients in recovery or suffering from specific illnesses, the problem is that Fentanyl is so strong that it can easily lead to addiction. Stopping use can lead to Fentanyl withdrawal, yet it is also incredibly easy to overdose on Fentanyl. 

In fact, in the case of many of the street variants of Fentanyl, such as the powder or liquid forms that are spreading across the United States, it is possible to face a lethal overdose just by touching the drug with one’s bare hands. Fentanyl and similar drugs now account for more than half of all opioid-related overdose deaths. The combination of how easily the drug is available, both legally and illegally, coupled with how toxic the drug can be, and how easy it is to overdose make it very dangerous. 

What Are the Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose? 

In order to protect yourself and your loved ones from a potential overdose of Fentanyl, it is essential to know both the signs of a Fentanyl overdose and the physical fentanyl overdose symptoms to look for when it is happening. 

Here are some of the signs to look out for: 

Nausea and vomiting, limpness of the body, dilated pupils, cyanosis, slowed breathing or heart rate, loss of consciousness, and coma. As you can see, the signs of a Fentanyl overdose are quite severe. If you notice that someone you know is overdosing from Fentanyl, it is important to seek medical attention immediately in order to prevent death. 

How to Seek Treatment For Fentanyl Addiction in Mission Viejo, CA

If you or someone you know has a Fentanyl addiction, the first thing to do is to find a treatment facility near you, such as ours here at Hillside Mission Recovery. We have a trained and caring medical staff to help you or your loved one get clean of this incredibly dangerous drug and return to a life of sobriety. 

We are a luxury inpatient rehab facility dedicated to getting our clients off drugs and back to their day-to-day lives. We provide detox, inpatient treatment, and aftercare services to continue recovery once treatment ends. 
If you or someone you know is suffering from Fentanyl addiction, contact HIllside Mission Recovery today to get help right away.

Is Addiction Genetic?

Is Addiction Genetic?

Though most of us know what addiction is, many still don’t know how pervasive addiction is, that it is a disease, or for those that suffer from addiction that it is a lifelong struggle. This leads many of us to question the nature of addiction and ask questions like “how does someone become addicted?” “Can you be predisposed to becoming addicted?” Even the question “is addiction genetic?” The truth is, there are many factors that go into whether or not a person will become addicted, and to truly understand how addiction works and how to get you or your loved one the help they need with an addiction, it helps to understand the many different facets of addiction. 

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we understand the scope of addiction, that addiction is a disease, and that for anyone suffering, it is a lifelong battle. To help our clients and their loved ones, we want to provide them with all the information we can to understand addiction and why getting help from a professional treatment center is always the best option over trying to go it alone or quit cold turkey. In this post, we will examine what an addiction disorder is, what causes addiction, and whether addiction is genetic, and what to look for in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. 

What is an Addiction Disorder? 

Addictive disorders, such as substance abuse, are chronic recurring disorders in which a person continues to use a substance, such as drugs or alcohol, due to a compulsive need, regardless of its harm to the person or their loved ones. Addictive disorders are primarily defined by a need to continue the behavior above all else, making them difficult to break, as time goes on, the compulsion and the need to use grow stronger and stronger. The reason for this can vary by drug as well as by the individual as each case of addiction is unique. 

There are essentially three stages that define an addiction. They are: substance use/abuse, substance dependence/chemical dependence, and full-blown addiction. The amount of time it takes to move from one phase to another is difficult to determine as each case is unique, but almost all cases of addiction and relapse follow this pattern. 

What Causes Addiction? 

One thing that many people wonder about is if there is such a thing as inherited addiction. There are actually several causes of addiction, and it helps to understand them in order to deal with addiction and get the right kind of help. 

The leading causes of addiction include social factors, environmental stressors, personal and psychiatric characteristics, including any associated trauma and genetic factors. This means that a person who is never exposed to substance abuse may quickly become addicted. However, the reverse is also true as multiple factors often combine to determine whether or not a person will become addicted. 

Is Addiction Genetic? 

While several factors determine susceptibility to addiction, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), a person’s genetic makeup is responsible for at least half of their susceptibility to addiction. In other words, even if other factors were not present, genetic makeup could make someone more likely to become addicted than not. 

While more research is needed to determine if specific genetic markers can determine addiction or if addiction is indeed “inherited addiction,” there is strong evidence that genetics play a significant role in a person’s susceptibility. In this way, the answer to the question “is addiction genetic” is yes, even if it’s not directly tied to a specific gene. 

What to Look For in Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs 

The main things to look for in drug and alcohol treatment programs are a calm and relaxing environment, an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific addiction, and the experienced and well-trained staff to provide all the tools and treatment necessary to get back on the path to sobriety. 

Hillside Mission Recovery is a luxury inpatient rehab facility that focuses solely on giving our clients the best treatment possible in a relaxing atmosphere. We don’t just treat the addiction; we work to find the root cause of the addiction and help give clients the tools and techniques to deal with it on a daily basis. After the initial evaluation, clients start off with medically supervised detox before entering treatment. Once treatment is concluded, we offer aftercare services to help with continued sobriety. 
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, contact us at Hillside Mission today.

What is Upscale Addiction Rehab?

What is Upscale Addiction Rehab?

Most of us have dealt with addiction firsthand or know someone struggling with addiction. When it comes to getting sober and staying that way, most people can agree that the best way to do that is by getting professional help. The best type of professional help that you can get is by going to a licensed addiction treatment facility and entering a rehab program designed specifically for you or your loved one. Not everyone may know that you have options when it comes to the type of rehab you enter and the quality of the accommodations.

At Hillside Mission Recovery, we believe in giving our clients the very best in care and accommodations. Part of doing that is explaining what it is we have to offer to them. In this post, we will discuss upscale addiction rehab, what it is, the benefits of upscale rehab, and how to find an upscale rehab in Mission Viejo, CA.

What is an Upscale Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center?

It’s tempting and easy to believe that all drug and alcohol rehab centers are the same, provide the same level of care as any other, and have equal amenities and treatment options. While in some ways you may be able to get good quality treatment from a traditional rehab center, the truth is, an upscale addiction rehab center is able to provide more benefits to the client than your average center.

In general, an upscale rehab center will have access to more types of treatment than usual, including specialized treatment for various types of addiction. For this reason alone, many people may choose to seek out an upscale rehab to be certain that the needs of their addiction can be met and they can return to their typical life clean and sober, with the lowest chances of relapsing. It requires specialized treatment for things related to drug and alcohol use, like mental illness, anxiety disorders, and physical health problems.

Benefits of Upscale Rehab

As we discussed, there are many things that differ between standard rehab and an upscale addiction rehab center. These differences come in the form of the many benefits that come from upscale treatment centers. We will detail some of them now.

More Privacy and Seclusion

For clients that don’t want the world knowing about their business and who want to be able to receive treatment in peace and quiet, away from the world, upscale treatment offers much more in the way of control of the environment. Upscale rehab centers are often situated away from major population centers, and in serene and tranquil settings so that clients can focus solely on getting the help they need for their addiction.

Better Quality of Life While in Treatment

Having to stay at an inpatient facility can seem uncomfortable for some, but at an upscale facility, the amenities and personal accommodations will make the treatment center feel like a home away from home. Things like personal living spaces with luxurious furnishings, access to the internet, and other services so that clients can still handle responsibilities and extra amenities to make life more comfortable and relaxing are all available at an upscale addiction rehab center.

More Treatment Options

Another thing that is often overlooked about upscale rehab is that they have access to a wider array of treatment options than your typical clinic. This is because many clients have issues outside of just addiction that may need to be dealt with, such as co-occurring disorders, underlying health problems that are exacerbated by the addiction, and even family or life obligations that prevent them from being able to get treatment just anywhere.

Personalized Care

Upscale rehab also offers something that your average rehab center can’t, and that is the ability to personalize treatment to the individual rather than using a cookie-cutter treatment plan to tackle drug and alcohol addiction. This means that clients get care specific to their own addiction and thus have a better chance of getting and staying sober for the long term.

Finding an Upscale Rehab in Mission Viejo

The easiest way to find an upscale rehab is to contact us here at Hillside Mission Recovery. We have a full range of services and accommodations for our clients in a calm and relaxing environment that will take away all the worries of the world so that you or your loved one can focus on getting clean. Sure, you could try any old rehab near you, but Hillside Mission is dedicated to getting people sober and helping them stay that way for the long term.
We offer medically supervised detox, followed by a custom-built treatment plan in our inpatient rehab facility for all of our clients. We also offer aftercare services to continue the journey of recovery once treatment has ended to help maximize the chances of long-term success. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today.