Please call one of our admissions coordinators to take the first step at 877-673-4225.  We await your call to begin your Journey to a new found freedom that respects your dignity as a person.

   What causes a relapse?

Relapse often occurs when certain difficult emotional events happen to the individual. Whether it is relationship problems, issues in the home, anxiety, anger, poor eating habits, or depression, our treatment team at Journey Malibu will provide the support needed in order for our clients to live a healthy life. At our Malibu rehab we address these issues so that our clients are prepared to handle difficult situations when they arise.

How does relapse prevention work?

Relapse prevention techniques involve the addicted individual, and the people around them including family, friends, and therapists. The addict must have a plan and a good support system, which is provided for them at Journey Malibu. At our Malibu rehab our main focus is to make a plan with our clients and assure that when they leave they will have the support system they need to live a healthy clean lifestyle and maintain their sobriety.

What to do if you have relapsed.

Often times if individuals relapse they feel ashamed and guilty. The individuals need to know that there is hope even after a relapse. Despite how many times a person has been to treatment before, Journey Malibu’s rehabilitation treatment center is always willing and able to help. Our clients’ individualized treatment plans are based on the specific needs of each client in order to tackle any issues that may have caused a relapse, and address the problems that caused the initial use of drugs or alcohol.

Reaching out for help is the first step. Journey Malibu’s treatment team is always prepared to help those battling addiction and prevent future relapses. For more information on how to get the best help available, visit www.JourneyMalibu.com or call 877-673-4225.

Cocaine can be snorted, smoked, or injected. If snorted, the drug is absorbed through mucus membranes. If it is smoked, it is inhaled into the lungs, and if it is injected, the drug is forced directly into the bloodstream. The short term effects of Cocaine use can include an increased heart rate and blood pressure, a decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, severe anxiety, convulsions, breathing problems, nose bleeds, and the loss of the sense of smell. Long term effects of Cocaine use can include heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, seizures, chest pain, breathing failure, and death. Besides physical complications, Cocaine produces negative consequences that spread throughout the user’s life.

Cocaine forces its users, abusers, and addicts to go through life physically incapable of being happy while sober. The drug prevents the brain from being able to naturally producing the hormone Dopamine, which is the chemical in the brain that makes people feel happy. Without the presence of Dopamine in the brain, Cocaine users, abusers, and addicts must continue the use of the illegal drug in order to be happy and feel pleasure. The drug is highly addictive because it becomes an unnatural substitute for dopamine, and the only thing that allows users to be happy. When Cocaine is not longer put into the body, the user will fall into a deep depression due to the absence of dopamine in the brain.

When a user, abuser, or addict feels as though (s)he has been buried by blow, and life has become unmanageable, entering a drug addiction treatment facility may be the only option for survival. The safest way to detox from any drug is to do so under the supervision of trained professionals at a drug detox center, such as Journey Malibu’s holistic, luxury drug rehab. The staff will ensure a safe, comfortable detoxification process that is specific to each individual’s needs. Clients detoxing from Cocaine are closely monitored due to high levels of depression that become prevalent as a result of the lack Cocaine presence in the body. The clients at Journey Malibu’s drug detox center are often medicated in order to stabilize the levels of Dopamine in the user’s brain and subsequently minimize their levels of depression. However, if the user, abuser, or addict chooses to go through the detoxification process without the use of medication, entering a holistic drug detox program such as Journey Malibu’s, is still crucial in the recovery process. People going through the detoxification process, with or without the assistance of medication, need to be supervised and monitored by trained professionals.

Detox is only the first step in the recovery process. Cocaine users, abusers, and addicts need further treatment and therapy in order to cease the presence of Cocaine and other drugs in their lives. Journey Malibu’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation center provides the best treatment options available and vows to create individualized treatment plans for each client based on their own specific needs. For more information, and to receive the best possible care, visit www.JourneyMalibu.com

While most people are aware that drugs and alcohol damage the body, it is relatively unknown exactly how the major areas of the body are impacted and impaired by drugs and alcohol. Understanding what these substances take out of you is important so that you can restore what has been depleted. The following is a short overlook of how the body can be damaged by drug and alcohol abuse:
The liver is the first line of defense in filtering out poisons and toxins, and is hugely taxed by drugs and alcohol. The liver is worked overtime whenever an outside toxin is introduced, and after being subjected to drugs and/or alcohol, it has a reduced capacity to store and appropriately use vitamins and minerals. The liver eventually becomes unable to perform its primary, crucial filtering operations, and as it slows down and swells up, toxins accumulate in the rest of the body. The kidneys are also affected by the use of drugs and alcohol, and are subject to inflammation, infections, and loss of nutrients.

The pancreas is another vital organ which is highly affected by drug and alcohol use. The toxic substances irritate the pancreas, which swells and blocks the flow of enzymes into the stomach. Over time, this is likely to result in digestive difficulties, and can contribute to diabetes. The stomach itself is immediately affected by drugs and alcohol, resulting in inflammation, ulcers, and gastric distress. After the stomach, the intestines become blocked in their ability to absorb nutrients. Based on the type of drugs used, the intestines may either slow down or speed up their processes, resulting in constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and certain types of cancer.

All of the vital systems in the body are affected by drug and alcohol usage – other specifically affected areas include the heart and the circulatory system (leading to fatty deposits, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and a host of other issues), the central nervous system (affecting memory, concentration, and the overall ability to think), the hair, skin, and nails…all of the major and minor functions of the body are eventually compromised because of the effects of drugs and alcohol, and the resulting nutritional depletion.

The good news is that with abstinence from drugs and alcohol and a solid nutritional program, these systems can be rebuilt and restored.

In early recovery, it is crucial to develop a regular schedule of eating highly nutrient dense foods, and to make a point to incorporate the vitamins, nutrients, and protein which has been lost throughout the period of abuse. Adequate amounts of water and a limited caffeine intake are vital to maintaining nutrition. Vitamins A, C, and the B vitamins are crucial at this point in time. Making sure to eat foods high in B vitamins, and possibly supplementing with additional B Vitamins, can even prevent brain damage and long-term memory impairment. In the early weeks and months of sobriety, a multivitamin and a B complex vitamin can be great supplements to your nutritional program, and contribute to faster well-being as well as reducing the risk of long-term damage to the brain, hypothalamus, and central nervous system.

When you choose a course of treatment for your recovery from drugs and alcohol, it is important to remember that your entire body has been affected by your usage. Find a treatment provider that can incorporate nutritional counseling or refer you to a dietician to address the real and unique restorative needs your body has to recover from your addiction. Nutritional counseling, organic foods, low sugar and high protein, and an adequate amount of vitamins, water, and rest go a long way in enhancing recovery and overall well-being. Don’t sell yourself short – what you put in your body (in terms of high quality nutrition) is just as important as what you don’t put in it. Now that you no longer want to poison your system with drugs and alcohol, you can fuel and rejuvenate yourself with the right type of nutrition.

In the course of treatment and recovery from drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behaviors, whenever someone makes the choice to make a change, it is a great step towards overall health and well-being. However, with all of the options for treatment, it can be very confusing to determine what course of treatment to take – which path is right for you.
Many people believe that holistic treatment means focusing entirely on “alternative” methods of treatment – such as yoga and meditation – and has no focus on necessary medical or psychopharmaceutical aspects of recovery. This is a common misconception which has no basis in true holistic treatment modalities and which, unfortunately, has dissuaded a great many people from getting a higher-quality and more comprehensive treatment experience in a holistic treatment center.

Holistic treatment can be most simply understood by sounding out the word “holistic” slowly. Holistic treatment is “whole”-istic – it takes into account the entire person, including their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. In this way, holistic treatment is more comprehensive than either traditional treatment (which commonly relies on a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies with medical detoxification and stabilization meds if necessary) or alternative treatment (which can take into account supplements for optimal physical and emotional well-being and includes other therapeutic modalities) – holistic treatment takes the best of both of these worlds and “custom fits” the treatment to the client’s unique needs. Choosing a holistic treatment center is almost like going to a tailor for customized clothing – in both of these instances, the individual is working with professionals, drawing from a multitude of different options and possibilities, to design something that fits their particular needs. In both of these cases, the end result is something which “fits” much better than the mass-produced alternative.

In this way, holistic treatment can (and frequently does) include medication management with a doctor who specializes in addiction and recovery, and a licensed psychiatrist. It also frequently includes individual psychotherapy. However, holistic treatment draws on a variety of alternative options as well, to supplement traditional treatments, and to ensure that the entire person, all of their needs, and all of the underlying components of the addiction are being taken into account for the most thorough and effective treatment possible.

Some of the specific treatment approaches which can be used as an adjunct to traditional therapies in a holistic treatment modality include yoga and meditation, both of which have had multiple studies done proving their effectiveness in improving recovery rates, length of sobriety, and overall sense of well-being with individuals recovering from addictions. Bodywork (including massage) is another type of holistic treatment which helps facilitate a deeper connection to and appreciation of the body, reduce physical pain, stress, and tension, increase energy and relaxation, and improve sleep. Many Eastern medicine practices can also be brought in when customizing one’s holistic treatment regimen, and acupuncture, acupressure, tai chi, qi gong, and other options are available to help optimize your particular treatment. Neurofeedback and biofeedback are newer holistic treatment methods which use your body’s own signals, brain waves, and auditory/visual processing centers to fine-tune the way you

According to a 2009 study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 20% of teens report having taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription. This number has continued to rise in recent years, and with the increasing number and types of prescription drugs available, poses a great threat every time a young adult takes a prescription drug without being under the care and supervision of a qualified doctor.
Many of the prescription drugs on the market appeal to young adults – stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall promise to help you focus (which may be appealing for studying, test-taking, and other late-night high school or college school preparation) and intrigue the younger generation with a guarantee of appetite reduction and weight loss. Painkillers (opiates) such as Vicodin and Oxycontin lure young adults to help them relax and to kill any pain issues they may be having. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Klonopin can be seen as appealing to young adults because of their association with reducing anxiety (common in this age group) and assisting with sleep. All of these categories of drugs are also abused to get high – they each produce a sense of euphoria in the user which is likely to be highly reinforcing and make the user want to continue to use the drug again and again – at higher and higher doses. This is not only illegal but highly dangerous when ANY of these prescription drugs is used without a prescription and careful medical supervision. These drugs are likely to have interactions with other medications, a scary fact that is likely to not be considered when the drug is used without the care of a physician. These drugs are also incredibly addictive, leading to the same physical, psychological, emotional, and legal consequences that illegal drugs do. One of the most frightening things about prescription drugs – especially when used in the teenage and young adult population – is that they are likely to be combined with alcohol, a potent cocktail which produces devastating and sometimes lethal consequences.

The same young adults who think they are simply “experimenting”, “out to have a good time”, or “living it up at the party” most likely do not understand all of the consequences or interactions of prescription drugs, especially when combined with alcohol. “A few drinks” can turn very serious very quickly whenever prescription drugs are involved. The fact of the matter is that all prescription drugs – stimulants, opiates, central nervous system depressants, benzodiazepines, even the lesser used barbiturates such as Nembutal – when used with alcohol, have far greater effects than either of the two chemicals on their own would. Some of the MORE LIKELY side effects are intense intoxication, inability to function, marked increase or decreased blood pressure and heart rate, and potential for serious addiction. Other side effects include seizures, tremors, slowed breathing, heart attack, and death. Now that’s a party gone seriously wrong.

It is imperative that young adults become aware of the serious dangers of using prescription drugs at ANY time in ANY form, if it is not prescribed by a doctor. Even if medications are prescribed by a doctor, one must be aware of side effects, and remain under close care. Alcohol should never be taken with prescription drugs, as it is guaranteed to produce an additive (greater than either drug taken on its own) reaction. This is not a party, it is not fun, and it is not a cheap high – it is scary and life-threatening. If you or a loved one is using prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription and supervision – and especially if alcohol is involved as well, there are places you can go to get help. And please, for your own sake, don’t wait to have “one last party” before you do it. That one last party could tragically very well be THE last party – ever.

Or perhaps it’s not so innocent a pathway. Perhaps one of your friends gives you a pill at a party and tells you that taking Vicodin will be “lots of fun”. You’ll get a bigger high, and get drunk faster. It can be a “party drug” too. This is even more dangerous because of the addition of the prescription grade opiate (yes, Vicodin is an opiate drug) to alcohol. You try it, and it DOES intensify your high. You think to yourself “What’s the problem with this? Doctors prescribe it, it must be safe”.
In both of these cases, you’re not stupid, but you are wrong. The prevalent misconception of prescription drugs being safer than their illicit counterparts is dangerous misinformation. As a matter of fact, prescription drugs can be just as addictive, if not more so, than some other illicit drugs, and not being completely aware of this leads more and more people down the path of addiction and dependence every day. Vicodin is one of the more powerful prescription drugs available on the market, and one of the ones that is most widely abused.
Vicodin works to halt the production of substances called prostaglandins which alert the body to the sensation of pain, while concurrently binding to pain receptors in the brain to numb the pain. This makes it a potent painkiller. However, it also induces senses of relaxation and euphoria. The combination is highly reinforcing, and likely to make the user want to continue and increase use of the drug. With any type of long-term intake, whether or not you were prescribed Vicodin for legitimate reasons, you may develop a Vicodin addiction and become physically dependent on it.

Addiction and dependence work with prescription Vicodin the same way they work with any other drug. The person taking the drug want to use it more and more, and the body becomes physically dependent on having that substance in its system, causing painful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when the user stops taking the drug. More often than not, this will result with the user going back to Vicodin over and over again, despite side effects, concern from family and friends, and the user themselves wanting to stop. They become unable to stop using Vicodin. At this point, it is time to seek help.

Trying to stop using Vicodin on one’s own if incredibly difficult, and can be dangerous in and of itself. Remember, Vicodin is an opiate drug, and has the same symptoms of other opiate withdrawals, including pain, cold sweats, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, aches and pain, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and bodily reactions such as sensations of skin crawling or tingling. Many long-term Vicodin users need to be medically supervised during their detox to make sure that they are stable. Moreover, as with any addiction, treatment for the addiction is necessary to treat the emotional, physical, psychological, and other components (from familial tensions to spiritual concerns) which may go hand in hand with the addiction or contribute to underlying causes. Whatever your concurrent issues with prescription Vicodin may be, they are treatable and a full recovery is possible. You can live a life without addiction to Vicodin. Don’t waste another day in the excruciating cycle of addiction and dependence. Make the call and get help today.

Between 1991 and 2010, prescriptions for stimulants increased from 5 million to nearly 45 million and for opioid analgesics from about 75.5 million to 209.5 million. The prevalence of these drugs is widespread. Pain management is a national health concern and it is killing our nation. It was reported by the L.A Times that Drugs exceeded motor vehicle accidents as a cause of death in 2009, killing at least 37,485 people nationwide, or claiming one life every 14 minutes. It is the first time that drugs have ever counted for more deaths than motor-vehicle accidents since the government has been tracking drug induced deaths in 1979.

Physical Health

Addiction causes more severe impairment in some of these areas than others. The effects of addiction on physical health are often the last aspect of health to deteriorate. However, physical health also heals much quicker than the other areas that have been impaired by substance abuse.  At Journey Malibu Rehab, we provide our clients with the best care and strive to make our clients as comfortable as possible. Our Malibu Rehab offers a nutritional program that provides our clients’ bodies with nutrients that were lost during the period of extensive alcohol and drug abuse. Once the body is replenished with these crucial nutrients, the physical healing process can begin. Another crucial part of the physical healing process is detoxification. One benefit of undergoing detoxification at Journey Malibu’s alcohol and drug treatment center is the safe, controlled environment provided for our clients. During the detoxification phase, clients are often prescribed regulated medication in order to decrease their discomfort level. Our clients’ withdrawal symptoms are minimized if and when they are given cross-tolerant prescription medication. They are then slowly tapered off of the medication until it is no longer needed as deemed by their physician. Physical health issues outside of those associate with detoxification are also treated at Journey Malibu’s Recovery Center by our highly experienced medical staff and physicians. Physical recovery after detoxification leads people to believe that they are freed of their addiction, when in fact, they are far from it. A strong support system is necessary for a full recovery from all aspects of the addiction, not just the physical ones. This is why an inpatient treatment program such as the one at Journey Malibu Rehab is an essential component in the recovery process.

Cognitive Health

Cognitive health refers to a person’s reasoning, memory, judgment, intuition, and perception.  There can be both short and long term effects of substance abuse on a person’s cognitive health. When a person abuses substances, his or her cognitive health is almost immediately impaired. This includes intoxication, amnesia, short-term memory loss, neurological malfunctions, and a vast deterioration of the person’s ability to concentrate. Their perception of what is occurring around them is likely very different than reality. Poor judgment and inaccurate perception often lead the user to believe that he or she does not have a problem or an addiction.  This explains why some users are reluctant to enter treatment. The corrosion of a person’s cognitive health often leads to legal and social issues for that person as well. Deterioration of cognitive health has a wide variety of negative effects on the lives of substance abusers, which is why at Journey Malibu Recovery Center we understand that it is important to treat each individual’s specific needs.

Psychological Health

When a person’s psychological health deteriorates due to substance abuse, symptoms include irritability, frustration, suspiciousness, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, and paranoia. This is why people on drugs often view their environment inaccurately, which ultimately results in violent behavior.  When a person is abusing substances, his or her dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine levels are significantly altered.
Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that controls pleasure and stimulation. People often use substances in order to heighten the levels of dopamine in their brain, which results in an increase of pleasurable feelings. After prolonged amphetamine use, people often experience psychosis as a result of the varying levels of dopamine in their brain. Other substances, however, can decrease the levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause a person to become unconscious and/or experience amnesia.
Serotonin, another important chemical in the brain, manages a person’s mood, appetite, and sleep.  When serotonin levels are decreased as a result of prolonged drug use, the user becomes more irritable, anxious, and depressed. The user will experience scattered thoughts, inability to focus, and memory loss.
Norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter in the brain that keeps people alert, focused, responsive and motivated. When the body needs to react quickly to a stressor, norepinephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate, which gets the muscles ready to escape or fight. When substances decrease the levels of norepinephrine, the person using becomes lethargic and sleepy. The user will have difficulty staying awake, focusing, and completing tasks. When substance use increases the levels of norepinephrine, the users blood pressure will increase, he or she will experience nervousness, racing thoughts, and cold hands and feet.
After a person discontinues the use of substances, levels of these brain chemicals are often unable to completely recover from the previous damaged caused by substance use. This is why at Journey Malibu many of our clients are prescribed antidepressants and mood stabilizers to regulate their levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Once a person’s psychological health is stabilized, he or she will be able to gain a full understanding of every crucial aspect in the recovery process.

Social and Emotional Health

Substance use and abuse causes a rapid decline in the user’s social and emotional health. The user’s socialization skills decrease as substance use increases. Drug using acquaintances replace the user’s old friends. Problems with friends, family, work, finances, and the law progressively worsen as the person becomes more engulfed in the lifestyle of substance abuse. Substance abusers often experience social isolation. The abuser will lose almost full contact with society, outside of the substance use subculture. When the user’s life revolves around obtaining and using drugs, they lose themselves in the drug use, and become disconnected with all other aspects of life. The user will soon feel that without drugs, his or her life has no meaning or purpose. Users do not realize that there are other people and things they can turn to for support and guidance. As a result, a person’s emotional health will also worsen. When a user isolates him or herself from society, he or she will feel lonely. Loneliness leads to depression, anger, resentment, and hate. Over time, isolation will often cause the user to lack love, joy, intimacy, and warmth. Because the user has not experienced hope in a long time, at Journey Malibu, we know it is important to instill the idea that there is hope in recovery.
Social relationships benefit a person’s health via social control that others exercise over that person.  Strong, positive social relationships often discourage behaviors that damage the person’s health, such as drug and alcohol use and abuse. These positive social relationships can result in the users increased accessibility to others that are also struggling with addiction, and resources that support a healthy lifestyle. At Journey Malibu our clients’ social and emotional health are nursed back to life during the treatment process. Aftercare and referrals are provided by Journey Malibu Rehab because we know that having a strong, positive social support system, even after the completion of treatment, ensures a long-lasting recovery.

Because addiction is a biopsychosocial issue, all aspects of a user’s life need to be taken into consideration during treatment planning and throughout the entire rehabilitation process. The most effective treatment for addiction combines education, relapse prevention, various forms of counseling, psychotherapy, group interactions, neurofeedback, a healthy diet, exercise, physical health therapy, and pharmacological adjuncts.  At Journey Malibu Rehabilitation Center we offer not only the previously mentioned treatment techniques, but additional forms of therapy proven to boost our clients’ recovery.  The comprehensive, individualized treatment plan offered at Journey Malibu Rehab warrants a successful recovery for our clients. After our clients complete their individualized treatment program at Journey Malibu, they are encouraged to partake in our aftercare program. The aftercare program and referrals presented to our clients make certain that our alumni will have the ability to continue to live a clean, positive, and healthy life.

The following is a public service announcement being run on national TV networks cautioning against the dangers of prescription medication addiction:

A message from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services :

“Addiction, brain damage, even death. Yes, misuse of prescription pain relievers can kill
you. If you, or someone you know, are abusing or are addicted to prescription
medications, get professional help. Remember, the “buzz” takes your breath away,
permanently.”

Journey Malibu offers a Prescription Medication Addiction Recovery track that specifically address the inherent problems of being prescribed medication for an existing medical condition but also becoming addicted to it.

Contact us today. Journey Malibu – “The Way Out.”