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Transitional Living Malibu

5 Important Things to Look For in Transitional Living in Malibu

One of the most important steps an individual who has completed an inpatient addiction treatment program can take is to spend a period in sober living, also referred to as transitional living.  Taking up residence in a home that is drug and alcohol free, where new healthy habits and lifestyle choices can be practiced and reinforced, is one of the most effective aspects of aftercare in recovery.   In the early days of newfound sobriety an individual is still vulnerable to triggers that could spark a relapse.  Even the most iron clad relapse prevention plan can wither if one is promptly replanted into a trigger-infested environment that could tempt someone to use again.  The time spent in transitional living Malibu allows an opportunity to fortify recovery by making new sober friends, becoming involved in a recovery community, learning new life skills, and learning how to be accountable and responsible again. That said, there is a wide spectrum of quality among transitional living housing.  Pick the wrong one and not only is your money wasted, but the house itself could trigger a relapse if not sufficiently managed and monitored.  Knowing what features to seek in transitional living Malibu is key to shoring up sobriety and launching a new, fulfilling life.

5 Things to Look For in a Sober Living Environment

  1. Commitment to enforcing substance-free house.  A sober living home that isn’t sober is of no value to anyone.  To ensure the drug and alcohol-free living space, the transitional home must have on-site management.  The active presence of a house manager is a powerful deterrent to using, selling, or purchasing drugs or alcohol, as the majority of sober living homes feature a zero tolerance policy for substance use or possession.  Regular or random alcohol and drug testing adds another layer to maintaining the sober environment, and must be administered consistently.  
  2. Structure.  The transitional house needs to have clearly posted and articulated house rules. A clear set of rules and expectations helps keep the sober home from devolving into chaos, filth, or becoming unsafe.  Rules and responsibilities should include provisions regarding personal safety, such as prohibiting any violence, threats of physical harm, weapons, and physical or sexual harassment.  House rules are an important element in recovery, as it helps foster accountability to the group, as well as integrate normalcy back into the daily obligations of life.
  3. Enforcement of house rules.  Choose a sober living home that is committed to having its residents actually follow the house rules, that the rules have teeth. The residents must be expected to abide by the house rules or face probation or expulsion from the house. Enforcing house rules will protect the safety, cleanliness, and integrity of the sober home for all the residents.  
  4. Attendance in house meetings and activities.  Transitional housing works best when the housemates have a sense of ownership in operations and policies.  A quality sober living home will hold mandatory weekly house meetings where the residents are free to share grievances in a safe space, and also suggest improvements to the operations of the house.  The meetings also allow for planning and organizing group activities and events for the residents.  Group activities are an intrinsic social element that helps promote a sober lifestyle.
  5. Participation in recovery group.  It is important for sober living residents to continue to actively participate in their recovery, both during treatment and in aftercare sober living.  For this reason, quality sober living homes require attendance in a 12-step program like A.A. or N.A. or a non 12-step program such as SMART Recovery.  The house must provide transportation to and from the meetings for those with no access to a car.

Riviera Recovery Offers Quality Transitional Living Malibu

Riviera Recovery provides sober living accommodations in Malibu, California for individuals in treatment and those having completed a treatment program.  Riviera Recovery provides a unique sober living community where residents can explore their new sober lifestyle in a safe, supportive environment. Riviera Recovery offers a wide assortment of activities, including team sports, hikes, surfing, paddle boarding, and group trips.  For more information about the best in transitional living Malibu, please contact Riviera Recovery today at (866) 478-8799.
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Alcohol Rehab with Animals

The Benefits of Alcohol Rehab with Animals On Board

By the time you reach the point of seeking treatment for an alcohol problem, you are probably pretty beaten down in spirit.  Alcohol abuse and addiction can take a heavy toll on both the individual with the substance use disorder and anyone in his or her trajectory.  A wake of broken promises, disappointment, and decimated trust bonds may have caused a great deal of disruption in personal relationships during the illness.  In fact, sometimes it may seem as if the only friend you have left on the planet is your trusted pet. A beloved dog or cat does not judge you for being an alcoholic.  Animals may actually represent the ultimate judgment-free zone.  Now that many addiction treatment centers are pet friendly, those in early recovery can benefit from alcohol rehab with animals on board.  Pets provide unconditional love and support, and an overall boost in general well-being.  For this reason, many rehabs are now accommodating these furry friends right along with their humans in recovery.

How Alcohol Rehab with Animals Can Benefit Recovery

The process of healing and recovering from an alcohol use disorder can be enhanced with the presence of your loyal pet.  There are numerous health benefits associated with pet ownership, supporting both physical and mental well-being.  In fact, according to research out of Miami University and St. Louis University reported by the American Psychological Association, pet ownership can go a long way toward improving overall feelings of belonging, staving off feelings of rejection, and providing a happier, healthier existence than those without a pet in their life.  “The present work presents considerable evidence that pets benefit the lives of their owners, both psychologically and physically, by serving as an important source of social support,” the authors of the study wrote. For individuals in treatment for alcohol use disorders, having one’s dog or cat on board can provide a conduit for increased social interactions with others in rehab, as well as many other advantages.  The benefits of alcohol rehab with animals include the following:

Emotional Benefits of Alcohol Rehab with Animals

Overcoming a dependency on alcohol is incredibly difficult emotionally as well as physically.  Having one’s loving pet along can help provide a distraction from the internal struggle of early sobriety.  Owning a pet entails certain responsibilities.  The pet being with you at rehab relies on you to take care of it, forcing you to get outside of your own head for the benefit of another being.  Pets in rehab can offer several emotional benefits, including:
  • Decreased depression
  • Providing companionship
  • Reducing stress
  • Relieves boredom
  • Improving overall mood
  • Battling loneliness
  • Receiving and expressing love

Physical Benefits of Alcohol Rehab with Animals

Having a dog along in rehab can also promote physical health benefits.  Dogs need to be walked regularly, so by taking your dog to rehab you will be getting regular exercise.  Cardio has abundant benefits for physical well-being, including:
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Lowers heart rates
  • Promotes better sleep quality
  • Improves overall fitness
  • Releases endorphins, improving mood
The many benefits of rehabs that are pet friendly on board make seeking out a pet friendly treatment program and sober housing environment quite advantageous to recovery.  Not only does having one’s beloved pet with them in treatment benefit the individual on many levels, but it also adds to the enjoyment of others with you in rehab.

Riviera Recovery Provides Alcohol Rehab with Animals

Riviera Recovery offers luxury pet-friendly sober living and recovery support in the beautiful hillsides of Malibu, California.  The team at Riviera Recovery understands the value of pet companionship in recovery and makes accommodations for your furry friends to accompany you.  Riviera approaches recovery with an emphasis on discovering the joys found in living a sober and healthy lifestyle, offering a wide array of activities and day trips.  For more information, contact Riviera Recovery today at (866) 478-8799.