Wednesday 29 April 2015

Exercise an Effective Treatment

We all know that exercise benefits both the body and the mind. Robust exercise enhances circulation, helps maintain weight, strengthen the heart, sharpens the mind, relieves stress, and helps in sweating toxins out of the body. It can mimic the effects of addictive substances helping to reduce the cravings. Researchers keep on exploring how exercise can precisely help those individuals enrolled in a substance abuse rehabilitation programs.


The benefits of exercise for those individuals recovering from drug or alcohol addiction are radical. Recovering from an addiction requires total healing both physically and mentally. By including exercise into the treatment programs, patients can speed their improvement time and incorporate life-long healthy routines into their lifestyle. Physical benefits include improved circulation, more peaceful sleep, boost energy, enhanced muscle strength, and weight loss and management. Psychological benefits include reduced anxiety and depression, improved mood, enhanced self-concept, and sharpens mental skills.

Exercise is a natural way to heal, recover, and strengthen the body and mind. It can also reduce the risk of relapse. For quality alcohol treatment in San Diego, visit Ranch Creek Recovery now.


Saturday 25 April 2015

Dangerous Myths About Drug Addiction Debunked

Drug addiction is a serious issue currently gripping the society. It’s pretty justifiable to rebuke the thought of addiction itself, though not a lot of people really know about its inner workings, much to the peril of addiction sufferers themselves. Here a few dangerous myths about drug addiction debunked.

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Reducing the Chances of a Relapse

Relapsing is probably a recovering addict’s biggest concern. The temptation to go back to drug or alcohol dependency is one that is hard to avoid. With the various triggers that can surround a person in their environment, taking extra precautions to decrease the chances of relapsing is necessary. Staying in a drug rehab in San Diego will help in the recovery process, but the recovering addict should also be able to turn to his or her support system (family and friends) outside of the facility.


Different Approaches

There are three general classifications of approaches that can aid in reducing the likelihood of relapse.

  • Medical Therapy – This aims to reduce the initial drug use and stabilize the user to prevent future relapses. Medical therapy helps in correcting the long-term changes in the brain caused by prolonged drug abuse. 
  • Psychological Therapy – This type of approach identifies triggers and makes the user understand the consequences of a relapse. The purpose of this approach helps the user conquer their triggers and prevent themselves from engaging in drug-seeking behavior.
  • Contingency Management – This type of treatment uses a reward system. The users are rewarded when they are able to abstain from drugs or alcohol.

Seeking Professional Help

Although many family members and friends will do their best to help a recovering loved one, it is sometimes not enough. A center for drug and alcohol treatment in San Diego can serve as a sanctuary for those battling the woes of addiction and relapsing. A facility can give users the therapy that they require to make a full recovery. It is through the caring hands of holistic treatment centers that drug users and alcoholics are given a chance at a better and sober future.


Friday 17 April 2015

Alcoholism and Families

You’ve probably seen a lot of movies and TV shows, and read about stories on books and magazines about the problem drinker and his deteriorating family life. Sadly, the situation presented in those media are true, if a bit overblown.

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Triggers: The Truth behind Relapses

In the effort to recover from addiction, there are many trials an ex-addict will encounter. The most challenging of these struggles is perhaps a relapse. This is the moment where a sober person “falls off the wagon” and reuses one of the vices they have worked hard to overcome. The causes or the triggers of a relapse are often similar regardless if the dependence is with alcohol or drugs. The addictive potential of drugs and alcohol are very dangerous, most especially for someone who is recovering. Avoiding triggers and staying in a secure place like a drug rehab in San Diego will provide comfort and safety.


The Factors for Triggers

One relapse can undo months, or even years of hard work for a recovering addict. There are factors involved that increase the probability of a relapse.

  • Dosage – Those who have built a higher tolerance and have resulted to higher dosage are more likely to seek the drug again.
  • Drug-taking history – People who have had several relapses in their history are more likely to repeat history.
  • Environment – Recovering addicts need a place that is clean and healthy.

Trigger Classification

Triggers for relapses are classified as follows:

  • Environmental Triggers – The surroundings play as major triggers. If an addict does not find a place that offers treatment and addresses their condition, they will be tempted to return to their old habits.
  • Re-Exposure Triggers – Being subjected to places where drug and alcohol consumption is common will most likely trigger an addict.
  • Stress Triggers – Drug and alcohol dependency is usually an escape for many addicts. If they are exposed to stressful situations, they will seek the comfort provided to them by the lull and high of substance.


Help is the best thing to offer a recovering addict who is on the verge of a relapse. Drug rehab and alcohol treatment in San Diego can be a safe haven for them. They will get the treatment they need in a place where they can slowly overcome their addiction at their own pace.


Thursday 9 April 2015

A Different Face of Addiction: Co-Dependency

When you hear the word “addiction”, what comes to your mind? Most people immediately think of substance abuse. Dependencies on narcotics, alcohol or nicotine are the three most publically recognized addictions in our society. Because of the great number of people who are depending on these substances, we are able to see the psychological and physical effects of these addictions in our daily lives. But, there is another kind of addiction that can arouse from an extended relationship with a substance abusing addict: relationship addiction or co-dependency.


What is Co-Dependency?


Co-dependency can happen to anyone: parents, spouses, siblings and friends—anyone who experienced a relationship that started in another’s chemical dependency. Before, this term referred to individuals who were locked together in similar substance-abusing behaviors. Now, it describes those who place their attention on an addict’s behavior and well-being instead of their own. Co-dependents have a difficult time maintaining their happiness and maintaining a productive lifestyle due to the constant burden of the relationship scheme, which is one-sided on the side of the dependent. They often feel the lack of identity, as their lives become drawn towards compulsively serving the addict’s needs.

Thursday 2 April 2015

What Equine Therapy is All About

When it comes to overcoming addiction and providing a well-rounded mental health, there are various types and ways of therapy that can be used. One of these therapies is the Equine Therapy. Equine Therapy is one of the therapies that offer holistic treatment. There are times when a traditional route in recovery does not work and requires a more intensive and progressive style of rehabilitations. Out of the many therapies we offer at Ranch Creek Recovery, one of the most interesting and well-known programs has been equine therapy.



The Charm of Equine Therapy

Equine therapy was seen as an amazing tool for recovery. This therapy helps individuals rebuild themselves with a much greater sense of self-worth. Equine therapy uses horses or large animals in their sessions. This therapy also uses proper head protection as well as other gear to secure everyone’s well-being. Even though equine therapy is relatively new in the field of psychoanalytic practice, horses have been used for hundreds of years for therapeutic purposes. This therapy involves instruction in horse care, saddlery, grooming procedures and basic equitation. What this therapy promotes is the connection between the individual and the horse, showing how being calm and having a peaceful attitude can positively affect the animal.