Many people suffer from mental illness and are unsure as to where to go to get help. In fact, some people turn to substance abuse as a means to cope with mental illness. In other cases, mental illness results from substance abuse. We here at Hillside Mission Recovery know that it is a struggle to deal with mental illness. In this post, we will help to explain what a mental health facility in Orange County is and how it can help with mental illness. 

What Is a Mental Health Facility in Orange County? 

A mental health facility in Orange County is essentially a medical facility that specializes in treating behavioral and mental health issues. The treatment in one of these facilities is focused on dealing with the behaviors associated with the mental health issue and the reasons behind them. 

Treatment can come in many forms and is tailored to the individual and their unique case. Most will require a combination of medical treatment and therapy to diagnose and treat the disorder. This usually requires inpatient care that is administered by licensed therapists and medical professionals. 

What Is Treated at a Mental Health Facility? 

A mental facility in Orange County is designed to treat a range of mental health disorders and issues. Many times the mental health issues treated are quite severe, such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, changes in social behavior such as emotional outbursts of anger or sadness, and other mental health problems. 

A typical treatment plan will begin with an inpatient stay at the facility where the person is treated for their mental illness by medical staff and their condition is assessed. Once the initial stay is complete, treatment can be continued in a number of ways from outpatient therapy to peer support groups, counseling, and more. 

Reasons to Go to a Mental Health Facility in Orange County

For anyone who may need treatment, here are four reasons to get a mental health facility in Orange County: 

Reason #1: They Are the Best Way to Deal With Your Mental Health Problems

Mental health issues require treatment. Things like self-medicating with drugs and alcohol will only worsen the problem and can lead to more complicated problems as a result of addiction coupled with mental health disorders. 

Reason #2: Monitoring and Comprehensive Care 

People suffering from mental health issues often need to be monitored due to the side effects of mental illness. They often feel out of control of their lives when dealing with mental and behavioral issues. 

Reason #3: Removal From the Current Situation 

Life stressors can sometimes compound the symptoms of mental health issues making the person’s issues even worse. Going to a mental health facility gives that person a chance to escape from that situation and get treatment

Reason #4: Getting Aftercare 

Beyond the initial treatment, setting up aftercare is one of the most important parts of proper treatment of mental illness. A mental health facility will be able to help clients with different aftercare programs so that they can continue on the path to wellness. 

Can My Addiction and Mental Health Be Treated at the Same Time? 

Yes! Many facilities offer what is known as dual diagnosis treatment for those with both addiction and mental health issues. The goal of this treatment is to treat both illnesses concurrently so that clients can deal with both the effects of mental illness and the effects of addiction at the same time. 

Treating just one of these will likely only lead to a relapse in addiction and ongoing mental health issues. 

Hillside Mission Recovery Is Here for You 

If you know someone who is dealing with mental health and addiction-related issues, it is important to get them the help they need. Our programs are comprehensive and deal with both the addiction through detoxification and inpatient treatment, and we have aftercare plans ready to help clients stay on the path of wellness. 

Contact Hillside Mission Recovery and get the help you or your loved one need today. 

Alcoholism is a chronic illness that can have devastating consequences, both for the person addicted to alcohol and their family. It is important to know what alcoholism looks like so that you know when a person may be suffering from alcoholism and how best to help them. Alcohol addiction can cause many problems in a person’s life – from physical health issues like liver disease or heart failure to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

The only way to safely beat alcoholism is with professional help through alcohol rehab programs in Orange County like Hillside Mission Recovery. In this post, we will explain alcoholism, its effects, and how getting help at an alcohol rehab in Orange County can make all the difference to the life of the person addicted and their family and friends.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a disease. It is most commonly called alcohol use disorder (AUD) by health professionals to identify the fact that it is a health-related issue and not something that should be handled out of a proper treatment facility.

Part of the reason that alcoholism is difficult to deal with without proper medical treatment has to do with the fact that the person addicted becomes dependent on the substance in order to manage daily life activities. Even mild alcohol use can lead to addiction

Common Signs of Alcoholism

Understanding the signs of alcoholism can help you get the help you or a loved one needs to start recovering from alcoholism.

Psychologists and other experts agree that an alcoholic is someone who exhibits at least two of the following symptoms:

• Withdrawal after stopping heavy drinking
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop using alcohol
• Spending a lot of time obtaining drinks or recovering from their effects
• Interference with normal activities due to drinking habits like giving up social engagements
• Neglecting work responsibilities
• Participating in high-risk behaviors when under the influence 
• Continued use despite physical problems caused by excessive consumption

Withdrawal is one of the most severe side effects of alcohol addiction. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and shaking. The key difference between withdrawal (which typically occurs outside of formal treatment settings) and going to an alcohol rehabilitation center is that one provides medical supervision while the other does not. Detoxing also helps with cravings during inpatient drug rehab.

It’s natural to be concerned when someone you know has a drinking problem or is addicted to alcohol. They may have changed their appearance by not showering, forgetting appointments, neglecting responsibilities at work or school.

When a person with alcoholism slips from sobriety back into addiction even for one day the probability of relapse increases dramatically because it becomes easier for them to justify continuing their unhealthy behavior in the future. They may justify drinking as a means to cope with daily life or due to other outside forces.

The most difficult part about being addicted to alcohol is that there are no quick fixes. Alcoholism is a chronic condition that needs to be treated as such and it cannot be dealt with alone without professional help or at least the support of others who have been through it themselves.

There are many resources available for those suffering from alcoholism, including an alcohol rehab in Orange County where people can go to get sober and start living life again on their own terms instead of letting addiction dictate how they live day-to-day.

What Happens When You Go to an Alcohol Rehab in Orange County?

An alcohol rehab in Orange County like ours here at Hillside Mission Recovery is a place where people can go to get sober. We offer many different services, including treatment for other mental health issues like anxiety and depression that often coincide with alcoholism. The first step toward recovery starts when you walk through the door of our rehab center. You will be given an evaluation to determine your specific needs for your individual case. No two alcoholism diagnoses are the same. 

Treatment at our facility typically begins with detoxification in a safe medically supervised environment. Here we can manage the symptoms of withdrawal and ensure that our clients are well looked after throughout the process. 

The next step is to move on to inpatient treatment, where clients will begin a treatment plan that is tailored to their unique case. 

Once treatment ends we will help set up aftercare options such as peer support groups, 12 step programs, and other community services.

Hillside Mission Recovery is dedicated to getting our clients on the path to sobriety and helping them stay there with high-quality treatment options and care and compassion. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcoholism, contact us today! 

Many of us have likely heard of an intervention. You’ve likely seen them on TV or in movies, maybe you’ve been to one before for a person you know. The trouble is many people don’t know where to turn when it’s time to stage an intervention. Knowing how to stage an intervention can be the key to saving the life of a loved one and getting them on the path to recovery. 

The staff here at Hillside Mission Recovery want to give our clients every possible chance at living a safe, drug, and alcohol addiction-free life. To help with that process, we’re going to dive into the details of what an intervention is and how to stage an intervention to get your loved one the help they need. 

Dealing with someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can be a scary time for both the person suffering from addiction and the family and friends that surround them. 

What Is an Addiction Intervention? 

Understanding what an addiction intervention is, its intent, and purpose is key to staging a successful one. So we’re here to first answer the question, what is an addiction intervention? 

As we said, dealing with a person suffering from addiction is a difficult process. Oftentimes, simply having a conversation and telling them they have an addiction is not enough. In these cases, it takes a carefully organized approach and concentrated effort from family and friends to convince a person struggling with addiction to get the help they need. It doesn’t matter what kind of substance they are addicted to, getting help is the right choice for a person suffering from addiction 

The goal of an intervention is not to force an addicted person to get help. A person who is suffering from addiction is already in enough pain. Instead, the goal is to convince them to get the help they need by pointing out how much they are loved and valued and how the addiction has negatively impacted their lives. Rather than focus on confrontation, an intervention provides a safe space where friends and loved ones can bear their emotions. 

By being open and honest in a safe environment, a person is more likely to see that they have a problem and can move forward to seek the help they need. 

How to Properly Stage an Addiction Intervention

An addiction intervention can be staged by anyone that knows someone struggling with addiction. The important thing is to make a plan and have space where the person for whom the addiction is being held can feel safe. 

It usually involves an intervention team consisting of all the members of the intervention that will speak and try to convince the person addicted to getting help. Messaging is highly critical to a successful intervention. Each person should state reasons why their loved one should get help with their addiction and what will happen if they don’t in a non-threatening manner. 

An intervention can be a very emotional experience. If you feel unsure as to how to proceed, it is wise to get help from a professional addiction counselor who can help set up an intervention on your behalf and provide support to make sure that your loved one gets the help they need. 

How Hillside Mission Recovery Can Help with Addiction

Once your loved one has agreed to seek help, the next step is to find a place where they can get the help they need in a medically staffed facility with treatment options that are right for their unique case. At Hillside Mission Recovery we treat all our clients like the unique individuals they are and provide treatment plans to suit their needs. 

From the moment they step through our doors, they will be taken care of by our highly qualified medical staff. From detoxification all the way through aftercare, we work hard to get our clients off the road of addiction and onto the path of recovery. If you or a loved one are ready to get the treatment necessary to beat addiction, contact Hillside Mission Recovery Today. 

Most of us have at least heard of heroin and know that it is one of the most dangerous addictive substances that exist. What many may not know are the signs that someone is on heroin. 

Like many addictive substances, the signs that a person is using or addicted to heroin can be hard to detect. We hope to help by explaining some of these signs and how to get help for your loved one if they are on or addicted to heroin. 

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is an illegal drug that is derived from some forms of the poppy plant. It is processed from morphine and was previously routinely used as a standard pain reliever up until. In terms of classification, it is an opioid that is designed to relieve pain by inhibiting the pain receptors in the body’s nervous system. 

While heroin is illegal, it is still a highly sought-after pain reliever that is sometimes still rarely used in medical procedures. Beyond the typical addictive properties of most prescribed opioids, Heroin is known to be incredibly strong and to produce other side effects that most opioids do not. 

Heroin was used for many years in the United States until 1924 when it was banned for its addictive qualities. Since then, various forms of heroin have been created and it is now only found as a street drug. 

What Does Heroin Look Like? 

In its purest form, heroin is a white powder, somewhat resembling sugar. Most often though, the purity is much lower and heroin powder is mixed with various substances. 

In some cases, the heroin is “cut” or diluted with similar colored substances like sugar or powdered milk. In more extreme cases it can be cut with other drugs and harmful substances which changes the color to a brown or black color creating a substance known as “black tar heroin. 

The purest forms of heroin are usually snorted through the nose or smoked. Other forms are typically heated into a liquid and injected. Because of the dilution of heroin with other substances, there is often no way to tell the amount a person is using, which leads to frequent overdoses, one of the main dangers of the drug. 

The Signs That Someone Is On Heroin 

Like most addictive substances, there are signs when a person is actively using the substance. To help you determine if someone you know is using heroin, we will describe some signs and symptoms of both when they have used the drug, and when the drug has worn off. 

Signs Someone Has Just Used Heroin 

In general, they feel feelings of comfort and happiness followed by a sense of euphoria. They often claim to be in a dream-like state. Some users claim to feel like time has slowed down or that reality is in slow motion. 

In people who have just used the drug, the pupils shrink and they may feel sleepy initially. Those that inject the drug may have markets in their arms and other areas. 

Signs of Heroin Use When It Has Worn off 

The symptoms of heroin use once it has worn off are very similar to those of people going through withdrawal after detoxification treatment. 

Fatigue, insomnia, sweating, pain, itching, and vomiting are all common symptoms after heroin has worn off. 

Typical behaviors can include paranoia, changes in mood, and changes in social circles, as well as a constant need for the substance. Like other opioids, heroin is addictive because it acts on the body’s nervous system, creating a chemical dependence over time that can result in cravings. 

How to Get a Loved One Help With a Heroin Addiction 

If you have a loved one that you believe is addicted to heroin, it is important to get them to seek treatment at a licensed treatment facility like Hillside Mission Recovery. We believe in helping clients get on the path to sobriety and providing the treatment and tools they need to live a clean and sober life once treatment ends. 

We’ll help clients and family members through the process by providing only the best in inpatient treatment and support. For clients addicted to heroin, we can help them to get sober and to help loved ones identify detox symptoms so that they know if their loved one is suffering from heroin withdrawal. It is always best to seek help from medical professionals in a safe and secure environment when trying to overcome drug addiction. 

Hillside Mission Recovery is dedicated to clients well being in a comfortable and stress-free environment surrounded by caring professionals. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today and let us help you get and stay sober.  

 

Understanding different drugs and how they work is crucial to getting the help you or a loved one need to get clean of the addiction. We here at Hillside Mission Recovery want to give you the best information and advice possible to help you get the treatment you need. 

To do that, we’re going to explain MDMA, what it is, how it’s used, answering the question “is MDMA addictive?”, and how to get help. 

What Is MDMA? 

Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) is a combination of a stimulant and a hallucinogen that alters a person’s mood and behavior often in the form of arousal. If you haven’t heard of the name MDMA, then you may have heard of the common names, Molly or Ecstasy. 

MDMA was originally a drug that began in the club scene but has gradually found its way out to broader use. Many users report experiencing a boost of energy, emotional warmth, pleasure, and a distortion in their sense of time. The effects of MDMA can be fairly broad and behaviors can change accordingly. 

How Is MDMA Used? 

The most common form of MDMA is a capsule or tablet. The drug also comes in powder or liquid forms as well. Most users will swallow the capsule or tablet and wait for the drug to take effect, though some prefer a different method. 

Long-term users may drink the liquid form for rapid absorption or take the powder, either in its natural state or from crushing the tablets or opening the capsules. In this manner, it may be snorted instead of being ingested orally. Some users have reported issues when trying to acquire the pure powder form of MDMA as it is often replaced with other drugs such as bath salts. 

This can lead to wildly different behavior and even death. There is a danger that other unknown drugs could become suitable replacements for MDMA, though these will likely be drastically different from the intended use. 

Is MDMA Addictive? 

Unfortunately, answering the question “is MDMA addictive?” is not as simple as with other drugs. Because of the way in which it is used, MDMA is less likely to be abused in the same way as other drugs. 

However, many people who use MDMA regularly report many of the same symptoms and effects of other addictive drugs. Also, MDMA is a drug that can be and most often is, self-administered, meaning you have to purposely take it for the desired effects. This is one of the key markers of a drug that has the potential to be addictive. 

Because MDMA is such a different type of drug, it may be difficult to determine if someone is addicted. If you find that someone you know is using the drug regularly and exhibiting symptoms like depression, inattentiveness, and fatigue when not on the drug, then they may be addicted. 

The Best Way to Get Help With Drug Addiction 

Now that we’ve answered many of the questions surrounding MDMA, including “is MDMA addictive?”, we hope you’ll have the information you need to get help for you or your loved one. 

If you feel that someone you know is addicted to or abusing MDMA, it’s important to get them the help they need. Getting sober from drug addiction is not something that anyone should attempt alone. 

The first step once a person decides to get treatment is to go through detoxification. At Hillside Mission Recovery, we believe in a luxury approach to addiction treatment that begins with detox and continues with inpatient treatment options in our clean, peaceful, and comfortable treatment center. Our goal is to give patients a home-like environment while they get the treatment they need for their addiction. 

We truly care about the outcome of our clients and we will work with you to not only get you on the path to recovery but to keep you there for the long term. MDMA doesn’t have to become a life-destroying addiction. It’s possible to get clean with Hillside Mission Recovery. 

Millions of people struggle with addiction every day. Part of dealing with addiction is understanding that addiction is not a medical disorder or problem that can be treated temporarily and goes away. Addiction is a disease. Treatment and recovery is a continuously ongoing process that patients will deal with for a lifetime. 

We here at Hillside Mission Recovery are dedicated to helping our clients and others understand addiction. We’ll begin by explaining addiction and how it affects the person’s body and mind. Next, we’ll answer the question “how is addiction a disease?” Understanding that addiction is a disease is key to getting proper treatment and staying on the path to sobriety. 

Lastly, we will cover how treatment can help if your loved one is struggling with addiction. 

What Is Addiction? 

Addiction, at its core, is the repeated use of a substance or the continuation of behavior even though it is harmful. To be more specific, it is a complex disease that affects the body, the brain, the emotions, and the social well-being of the individual who is addicted. 

Addiction can come from many places. A person may become addicted to a prescribed substance thanks to prolonged use. In other cases, a person may seek out a substance or behavior because they like the feeling that it produces for them. Others may turn to addictive behavior as a coping mechanism for physical or mental trauma, mental disease, or other outside factors that push them towards abuse. 

Because of the way that it affects multiple parts of the body, addiction can come in many forms and can affect each individual very differently. This makes finding treatment and staying sober after treatment a potentially difficult journey. Having professional and individualized care is crucial to getting onto the path to sobriety. 

How Is Addiction a Disease? 

The reason why addiction is a disease and not simply a medical problem is due to the fact that it impacts many areas of the body at once, and the compulsion to abuse a substance or behavior persists even after treatment. The purpose of treatment is to get the addicted client clean of the substance or behavior and confront the physical, emotional, mental, and social factors that led to the behavior. 

There is no cure for addiction. Addicts need proper treatment to overcome the addiction, combined with aftercare and support to continue on the path of sobriety. Like we talked about, the effects of addiction can range from physical symptoms to emotional problems, mental disease, and even trouble in social circles. The longer a person is addicted, the more damage the substance can do to their overall health and their lives. 

Understanding “how is addiction a disease?” is the first step to getting the proper treatment your loved ones need. It’s not just about getting the drug out of their system, it’s about teaching life skills to cope with the root causes of the addiction and giving patients the tools to cope with day-to-day life and the stresses and patterns that lead to abuse. 

What to Do if Your Loved One Is Struggling With Addiction 

Now that we’ve explained “how is addiction a disease?” we hope you have the information you need to get help for your loved ones. 

The first step to getting your loved ones the help they need is getting them to accept that they need treatment. Addiction won’t go away or get better on its own and the only right way to get treatment is with trusted medical professionals at a place like Hillside Mission Recovery. 

There are three stages to treatment at Hillside Mission Recover: detox, inpatient treatment stays, and aftercare. At Hillside Mission, we’re focused on your individualized recovery in an environment that is calm and stress-free. 

Detox is the process of getting the addictive substance out of the body in a medically supervised space that is safe for the client.

This is followed up by an inpatient stay at our luxury treatment center where we focus on getting to the root of addiction and giving clients the tools they need to stay sober after treatment ends. 

Aftercare is the final piece of the treatment puzzle. Aftercare involves connecting clients with resources and services that provide continued peer support, counseling, and other services that last long after treatment ends. 

When it’s time to get your loved ones the treatment they need, trust Hillside Mission Recovery to be there for you. Contact us today.