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LA Sober Living Lifestyle

Many people new to recovery wonder what life will be like now that they are living a clean and sober lifestyle. Sober living is often a next step for people who have completed a treatment program. What will a sober living lifestyle be like for you?

Building a Recovery Foundation

Lasting sobriety is the top goal for everyone new to recovery. Building a foundation, of course, is what strengthens your sobriety on the way. One of the first steps to building this foundation is creating a healthy, safe support system. Going to 12-step meetings in the LA area, attending any therapy and work, family, and friendship-related commitments are also important. You’ll learn a lot about time management while you’re in sober living in Los Angeles, among others in recovery. You’ll also be able to meet some great people at meetings and build out your support network. A sponsor, sober friendships, and new hobbies and interests can help you create a healthy support system to fall back on. You’re never alone in recovery. A sober living arrangement can help you develop lasting friendships and live in a structured, safe environment where everyone is working towards the same goals. You’ll also learn more about how to maintain healthy relationships, taking responsibility for your behavior and obligations. Living with others who are in sobriety can help you build strong bonds and build confidence. A recent study on sober living programs revealed that long-term outcomes of recovering alcoholics/addicts who participate in these programs are more likely to achieve lasting sobriety/clean time. Transitioning to a reside in a local LA sober living environment is a powerful way to commit to your long-term sobriety and forge new bonds as you build confidence and a foundation for your life after treatment.

Building a Life in Recovery While in LA Sober Living

Stay sober will always be your top priority, no matter what is going on in life. As you begin living a life substance-free, you’re going to grow and change. Preoccupation with getting and using your substance of choice often got in the way with living a fulfilling life. Once you have been sober for a while, you’ll find that there’s a lot of time for fun, relaxation, and reflection in your life. Living in the Los Angeles area provides a lot of opportunities for these things during your “me” time. Some outings will be done with others in the program and the companionship of a chaperone. You’ll bond with your fellow house-mates and make new friends. You might even discover that you find new, healthy activities that you join and interests to pursue. You’re in a perfect location to explore your surroundings and find new passions and return to a safe and supportive home aftwewards. Some of the activities that clients enjoy in Riviera Recovery’s Los Angeles location include:
  • Swimming
  • Meditating
  • Spending time with pets (live-in pets allowed)
  • Running
  • Jogging
  • Gyms
  • Cooking
  • Playing an Organized Sport (such as baseball or soccer)
  • Surfing
  • Running
  • Hiking
  • Meditation
  • Attending Local University Classes (Santa Monica College and UCLA)
Our Western LA Sober Living home is a great place to build your foundation in recovery.  You’ll be in a living situation where everyone is working towards a goal. You’ll have the guidance from a trained staff that wants to help you move forward. Transportation is provided for most outings. Your aftercare treatment will be coordinated with other professionals you see. For example, we may keep in touch with your doctors, therapist, or psychiatrist. If your family is part of your treatment plan, we may talk to them sometimes as well. While you’re working your program, you’ll still have rules and structure in your life. But you’ll also learn to be comfortable in your own skin and learn to enjoy the freedom that a life in recovery provides for you. You can explore your hobbies and passions.

Building a Strong, Sober Life

Living in a sober home can help you build a fulfilling, inspired lifestyle. At both our Malibu and West LA sober living homes, there are amenities and opportunities to learn more about yourself. Transportation is available to 12-step meetings, scheduled activities and appointments. Sober living allows you to build a lifestyle in a home that has structure but also helps move you towards freedom. You’ll have responsibilities, but you’ll also be in a place that’s comforting. You’re in a home away from home and with awesome weather with beautiful places to explore, hike. There is also a vibrant, artistic vibe Life after drugs is a different type of life. A life of purpose and fulfillment awaits if you’re ready to put the work in. Getting sober and working a recovery program can help you approach life differently. Early recovery is a great time to begin confronting your issues. It’s also a great time learn how to work, play, and live a lifestyle that brings you inspiration.

Want to Learn More?

If you or somebody you love, a client or a friend, are looking for sober living options, we’re here to help. Find a peaceful place to live and grow. Get in touch at 1-855-207-2798 to learn more about sober homes in Western Los Angeles, Malibu/Palisades.  
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An Important Tool: The Recovery Compass Workbook

In recovery, you are always working on improving yourself and your life. Sometimes it’s not easy, but it’s still worth it. Research shows that it takes about 20 to 30 days to establish a new physical or emotional habit. In recovery, you’re learning all the time. It can feel overwhelming at first to get your bearings as a newly sober person. That’s why we provide you with a Recovery Compass as a tool to help you along the way. The Recovery Compass workbook was created as a guide to help you navigate your way through early recovery. The book enables you to schedule your time, create and achieve goals, and learn more about living a healthy, satisfying life without the use of alcohol or drugs.

How the Recovery Compass Workbook Works

The Recovery Compass is a guidebook that helps you learn more about what to expect as you acclimate yourself to living in recovery and sober living. Your time at Riviera Recovery can help you grow, heal, and begin the work that will help you stay substance-free for life. How you spend that time is essential. You’ll have structure, meetings, and support throughout the journey. The Recovery Compass workbook is a tool that’s unique to our sober living program. A staff mentor will be your partner in this journey as you make your way through the exercises in your workbook. If you have questions, need motivation, or need to talk to somebody about your recovery, your staff mentor can help you. The workbook can help you focus, learn new life skills, and learn about what makes you happy and what you want to do with your life when you’ve graduated. You’re never “alone” when you’re in recovery, and you’re not limited to what you learn while using the book.

Living With Purpose

Living with purpose means finding inspiration, direction and working toward new goals. Goals can be short-term or long-term. Having these goals is a great thing! However, when you’re new to recovery, living life one day at a time is crucial. Short-term goals help you concentrate on what you want to get done every day. Longer-term goals help you look forward to the future and truly work toward what you want most in life. Your first goal should always be to maintain your recovery. Don’t drink or use drugs! Many of your daily tasks will revolve around this goal. Attending 12-step meetings, connecting with your sponsor, and meeting other commitments will help you build on your recovery. Other goals you create may be new or goals that got interrupted. Many people take time to pursue new career goals,  continue their education, and learn other new skills once they feel secure in their recovery.

Becoming a Better You in Recovery!

The workbook that you receive will also take you through some exploratory exercises. It’s hard to think of the future if you’re sitting around feeling inadequate. Recovery can lift you out of the guilt, shame, and pain of addiction. You’re taking action by staying sober and working on becoming a better person – a better YOU! – every day. You’ll learn how to plan your finances, work on relationships with family or friends, and become responsible for your actions in recovery. Doing groundwork like the exercises in the Compass Workbook will help you learn more about yourself and set a trajectory for your life after drugs and alcohol. Every day you stay sober is another day that you can take time to work on yourself. There’s no way that you can “fix” everything about yourself overnight. It’s okay to take some parts of your recovery in “baby steps.” Know what those steps are, and approaching them with the right attitude and a spirit of acceptance can help you achieve new things in your life. Not sure what your next step is? Ask your staff mentor or your sponsor for help.

Finding Happiness and Passions

Recovery is in no way limited to hard work, therapy, and meetings. When you’re feeling more stable in your recovery, you may find yourself antsy. Even with your scheduled recovery program, you’ll probably find you have a lot of time on your hands. How you use your time at Riviera Recovery is essential. There are some goals you must meet to continue to the next phase of the program and earn new privileges. Getting out and about, learning self-care and taking time to exercise are all ways you can enjoy your downtime. Clients of Riviera Recovery love to go to the gym, get some surfing time, and to participate in relaxation like yoga and meditation.  Exploring what makes you happy, learning new hobbies, and pursuing new interests along with your goals are hallmarks of living a healthy, substance-free life.

Structure and Time Management

  Time management is one new way to maintain focus in your life. When you were using substances, you probably had trouble sticking to a schedule. After all, cravings seem to have a plan of their own. There were perhaps days, weeks, or months lost to using your drug of choice. Addiction does this to people. You’re not alone in this. As a disease, addiction is powerful and insidious. It captures and hijacks your goals, causing you to deprioritize things that once were important. It generally makes it impossible to stick to things you’d promised yourself you’d get done. And there are few goals that you can achieve while you’re feeling trapped in a vicious cycle. Now that you’re sober, there’s a lot of time on your hands. But that doesn’t mean you’re left to your own devices. Recovery requires structure. Sticking to your recovery goals, meetings, and appointments is vital to setting a foundation that can help you throughout life. Knowing what time you plan on doing things can also give you something to look forward to every day. You don’t have to deal with fear of the unknown. Being able to plan, prepare, and show up for things when you say you will can help you build character and self-esteem.

Interested in Sober Living?

Riviera Recovery presents a great opportunity for people in early recovery to continue to build their foundation, learn to live a fulfilling life, and begin living responsibly in the “regular world”. Are you looking for a place to land after treatment? Or simply want to explore your sober living options? We have homes in West LA and Palisades/Malibu that offer time and space to grow. Give us a call at 1-855-207-2798 to learn more about your options.  
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What are the Benefits of Living in a Sober Living Home?

Many people enter sober living homes, or “halfway houses,” after completing addiction treatment. But, what are sober living homes and what role do they play in addiction recovery?

What Are Sober Living Homes?

A serious obstacle to sustained sobriety is lack of a stable, drug-free living environment. A destructive living environment can derail anyone attempting to abstain from drug and alcohol use—it can even derail individuals who are highly motivated to maintain their sobriety. Sober living homes are residential homes that offer drug and alcohol-free environments where people in recovery can live before returning to their homes and responsibilities. In these homes, peers in recovery encourage and support each other as everyone becomes used to navigating the world sober. Individuals in recovery typically enter one of these facilities after completing an addiction treatment program or intensive outpatient program

Benefits of Sober Living Home

After completing treatment at an addiction recovery center, some may be at a loss as to what the next step on their journey to recovery should be. For many of those who struggle with substance abuse, the benefits of a period of time at a sober living facility are innumerable. A sober living facility can support a person during the essential transitional period that occurs between a structured rehab program and their return to their day-to-day lives. While the demands and responsibilities of one’s family and career are certain priorities, it is important to remember that it is essential to maintain recovery in order to achieve every other goal. A period of time at a sober living facility can provide clients with the tools they need to sustain their recovery after leaving a substance abuse treatment clinic.

Invaluable Support of Peers

Any client who has completed addiction treatment knows that one’s peers can be an invaluable system of support during recovery. One of the primary benefits of spending time in a sober living facility after graduation from an addiction recovery program is that the client continues to benefit from the support of peers who are facing similar challenges. Knowing that someone who understands your struggle is close at hand and undergoing their own journey to recovery can prove to be an essential component in retaining recovery. At a sober living facility, clients know that others who are also working to overcome addiction are always close at hand to provide their support.

Group Therapy Sessions

Upon graduation from an intensive inpatient or outpatient program at an addiction recovery clinic, a client is often presented with a plan for aftercare treatment. Frequently, this aftercare treatment plan will include an ongoing group therapy component. Group therapy is an invaluable support tool that allows people who are struggling with addiction to share their stories, wisdom, and triumph.  Clients at a sober living facility are able to take advantage of regular group sessions that take place on-site. These convenient and consistent group sessions can help an individual transition from the more rigid treatment schedule of the drug rehab center and adjust to attending group sessions while also taking part in activities and responsibilities off-site.

Can a Sober Living Homes Prevent Relapse?

For individuals who struggle with substance abuse, the first year of recovery can be the most challenging, with statistics indicating that up to three out of four people who enter recovery will relapse within the first year. Spending time in a sober living facility can help avoid this unfortunate eventuality in a number of ways. By providing an environment where illicit substances and alcohol are not permitted, the client can be assured that they can avoid temptation. Furthermore, a halfway home can provide a community of people in recovery who can help the client keep their recovery goals in mind as they navigate this sometimes difficult but completely essential transitional period in their personal recovery journey. The support that can be found at a sober living home can prove to be a key component in a client’s recovery journey.

Life After a Drug Rehab Center

You have a lot to be proud of when you’ve completed addiction treatment at a drug rehab center. However, it is important that a client does everything necessary to sustain recovery after leaving formal, structured treatment. The sober living homes at Riviera Recovery can offer you all the tools needed in order to overcome substance abuse once and for all.
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Pet Friendly Sober Living in Malibu

Riviera Recovery has always been a champion of pet-friendly sober living, and we have believed in this since the days we first opened our doors. We are pet lovers ourselves, and we have seen how the bond between owner and pet can help the patient recovering from addiction make it through the roughest parts. Maybe it’s a California thing, maybe it’s being so close to the beach, but we just love our furry friends! Dogs lovers, we have just the spot for you. Bring your sweet boy or girl to stay with you at either one of our two houses – the original Riviera house or our new Surfview home, and you are just a short walk from the beach, where plenty of water activities await. Animals have been proven to have a positive impact on drug addiction and treatment. You are undoubtedly familiar with concepts like equine therapy, and there is good reason, Animal Therapy has many proven benefits, including helping patients with:
  • Interpersonal interactions
  • Mood
  • Stress-related variables such as cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure
  • Fear and anxiety
  • Cardiovascular diseases
We understand the calming effect pets can have on our patients. Additionally, pets force patients to care for something other than themselves, which can be a power motivational tool! Pet’s are a win-win. If you or your loved one needs comprehensive addiction therapy monitored by an expert staff at an extremely healthy, positive location in Malibu, call Riviera Recovery today. We are Pet Friendly, and can’t wait to help you begin your path to happiness! About Riviera Recovery Sober Living Our spacious sober living residence offers you or your loved one the chance to embark on a healthy and vibrant sober lifestyle with guidance from our highly qualified and experienced staff. Among the many addiction issues we treat are: Heroin addiction Opiate addiction Meth addiction Alcohol addiction Drug detox And more… The staff at Riviera Recovery will help you or your loved one take advantage of a strong drug addiction treatment program while we teach new skills to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. This new lifestyle includes healthy, rejuvenating practices such as diets rich in organic food, our private meditation room, far infrared sauna, our saltwater pool and spa, plus healthy exercise options such as yoga, Pilates, surfing, or paddle boarding. For more information on how Riviera Recovery can help you or a loved one embrace a new life through lasting sobriety, or for a tour of our center, please call (866) 478-8799 or click here to send a confidential message.
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Men and Womens Sober Living Los Angeles

One of the most crucial stages of addiction recovery is the period following the completion of a rehab program.  This early stage of recovery is when the huge adjustment from a life defined by addictive behaviors to a sober lifestyle is firming up.  It takes time to solidify all the new coping skills and relapse prevention techniques learned in rehab, making the early days in recovery a vulnerable time. By choosing to reside for a few months in a men and women’s sober living Los Angeles, the newly sober individual is investing in their recovery and their future.  Sober living offers an important opportunity to fine-tune the new healthy habits while in the company of others who share the same goal of lifelong recovery.  While many are aware of sober living homes for men, womens sober living Los Angeles offers the same amazing benefits for gals.

How Does Sober Living Work?

Sober living residences can be utilized while going through an outpatient rehab program for an extra layer of safety during treatment or following completion of an inpatient program.  Sober living housing usually consists of a small number of residents who will share a home or living space while in early recovery. While each sober living home varies slightly in the mission or ambience they seek to provide, most will combine mentoring and social support with structure and accountability.  The idea is to support the sober lifestyle with not only companionship, but also with oversight to help deter relapse and help residents develop new healthy habits.  A sober living residence is either gender specific or will offer separate living spaces for men and women.

What to Expect at Men and Womens Sober Living Los Angeles

Choosing to live in a sober living residence can offer immense benefits in early recovery, but there are certain expectations.  The manager will expect the housemates to honor the house rules and their responsibilities for keeping the home neat and clean.  A typical list of sober living house rules might include:
  • A zero tolerance policy for alcohol or drug use, possession, or distribution
  • Required drug and alcohol testing
  • No weapons allowed in the home
  • A curfew for weekdays and weekends
  • No violence or threatening behavior
  • No lewd behavior
  • No unauthorized absences
  • No theft
  • No loitering
  • No destruction of property
  • Must attend weekly house meeting
  • Must participate in recovery community meetings
  • Must perform housekeeping duties
  • Must allow room searches by house manager
A sober living home will only maintain its integrity as an alcohol and drug-free zone if there are clearly articulated house rules.

How Sober Living Helps Shore up Recovery

It is not easy to transition from a life of addiction to a sober lifestyle.  This process takes time and effort and must be committed to.  By living in a sober living community, the exposure to drugs and alcohol in one’s living space is eliminated, making it easier to remain clean and sober.  With a common goal of a sustained recovery, housemates can offer support for each other, especially when recovery is threatened. Social support is an essential component in addiction recovery.  Forming new friendships with others who are equally committed to sobriety is a significant asset in recovery.  In most cases, many prior friends and acquaintances will have to be left behind as the newly sober individual stakes out a new healthy lifestyle.  Making new friends through sober living and 12-step meetings can provide opportunities for socializing without the need for substances, thus experiencing life in a whole new way.

Riviera Recovery Men and Women’s Sober Living Los Angeles

Riviera Recovery offers the finest sober living program available in Los Angeles, with accommodations for men and women.  Riviera Recovery provides the structure and boundaries needed in early recovery, customized case management, transportation to meetings and appointments, and an emphasis on nutrition and fitness.  Riviera Recovery hosts recreational activities, such as baseball and softball games, hiking, surfing, kayaking, swimming, and yoga.  In addition, Riviera Recovery is pet-friendly, so you don’t have to leave poor Fido at home while you are taking care of your recovery.  For more information, please contact Riviera Recovery today at (866) 478-8799.
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Sober Living California

Coastal Sober Living California

Early recovery is not a bed of roses.  It can be hard. REALLY difficult. Even after the detox, focused therapy and recovery work accomplished at an inpatient treatment program, making the transition from a life revolving around alcohol or drugs to sobriety is challenging.  You know intellectually that you had to give up your precious substance of choice in order to stay alive, but you may still long for it. Like breaking up with a lover, it is bound to hurt for a while. Imagine trying to go straight home right after treatment.  In this vulnerable state, with that sometimes-ambivalent attitude poking its head in and testing your resolve, is it really the smart thing to do, to go back home right away?  Recovery exists on a continuum. It isn’t a single point in time you can point at and say, “See there, on April 9th I completed the program and now I am safely in recovery.”  Recovery is a slog, beginning in fits and starts and gaining traction as the months pass and you hang in there.   The very best chance of achieving that dream of lasting recovery, of being free from the substance that nearly choked the life out of you and everyone around you, is to plan on spending 3-6 months in a sober living community.  Surrounding yourself with like-minded sober people motivated to stay that way is key to surviving those early months of recovery. A diverse selection of sober living California options are out there, so why not find one in the most edifying location for healing and serenity, the coast.

About Sober Living California

An excellent aftercare plan following treatment includes outpatient counseling, recovery support, and a sober living environment.  Living in a drug and alcohol-free space that provides the structure and support needed during early recovery offers the best opportunity for avoiding relapse.  In a well-managed sober living home there is a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use or possession, meaning residents are tested regularly. This acts as a powerful deterrent to remain strong in sobriety so you don’t get kicked out and can truly enjoy all that the sober living home has to offer. A sober living house will have clearly stated rules and responsibilities that residents must adhere to.  This keeps the living space safe, sober, and supportive. It provides an opportunity to develop new healthy dietary and fitness habits, to gain employment or return to school, and to be accountable to people other than yourself.  Required participation in a 12-step program reinforces social support in recovery.

Benefits of Coastal Sober Living in California

Selecting a coastal sober living home California creates the very best of both worlds.  You will form new friendship and lifestyle habits in a safe and supportive sober environment while also enjoyed all the gifts of nature in a coastal location.  At your fingertips will be an array of outdoor activities to participate in that can stoke newfound energy and soul-level joy. Coastal sober living communities feature such activities as surfing, sport fishing, cycling, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, and more.  Even just jogging along the shoreline is invigorating. If your life story has taken you through addiction and into recovery, why not make the most out of this new life chapter and get the aftercare you need at a sober living community near the beach.

Riviera Recovery Provides the Finest Coastal Sober Living California at Malibu

Riviera Recovery is a beachside sober living community located in Malibu, California.  With striking ocean views and rolling hillsides to nurture your newfound sober lifestyle, Riviera Recovery can enhance your early phase of recovery with activities such as surfing, stand up paddle boarding, hiking, fishing, rock climbing, and kayaking.  Being sober does not mean life isn’t fun—on the contrary, in your new sobriety you will experience authentic joy for the first time in probably years. For more information about our sober living community, please contact Riviera Recovery today at (866) 478-8799.  
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Recovery Residences

How Recovery Residences Enhance Addiction Recovery

After investing sometimes months in treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, too few give much thought to the potentially difficult transition back to regular day-to-day living.  It is understandable that after being in a treatment environment for an extended period of time one would clamber for the familiarity and comfort of home. But, alas!, that is exactly the place where a relapse could be triggered.  Family members who actively use substances, or memories of cultivated habits like using alcohol or drugs in a particular room or at a certain time of day, or lingering interpersonal issues at home can all trigger a return to substance use. Recovery residences offer a kind of safe retreat that act as a transitional living environment that bridges the super structured days in treatment and the full freedom of normal life. Sober living allows the needed time to develop new sober lifestyle habits and friendships.  Spending a few months in a sober living home can help the newly sober individual rediscover the benefits of living an orderly existence versus the chaos in active addiction, and embrace it.

Why a Recovery Residence is Beneficial to Addiction Recovery

It is no secret that the individual new in recovery is particularly vulnerable to relapse.  Following the completion of an inpatient program, the newly sober individual is still emotionally fragile and still in the process of restoring overall health following active addiction.  By spending some time in a sober living recovery residence, they will be surrounded by other adults in recovery who share the same goal. This social support is essential to developing a fulfilling sober lifestyle. Going hand in hand with the fellowship found in sober living is the newfound sense of responsibility to others, of getting outside of self and learning how to be of service and also accountable to the other housemates.  Establishing a healthy daily routine is supported in a recovery residence, where the house schedule usually sets a time for rising as well as a curfew in the evening. This helps prepare the individual for returning back to normal daily responsibilities and obligations by establishing a daily routine.

What to Expect in Sober Living

In most sober living environments there are posted house rules that are expected to be abided by, the most important one being the zero tolerance policy for the use or possession of drugs or alcohol.  Adherence to the house rules provides a sense of safety and order for all residents during the early phase of recovery. A well-managed sober living home will provide regular drug and alcohol tests to deter substance use, and enforcement of the house rules. When looking for a sober living recovery residence it is advisable to seek a program that offers mentoring toward reestablishing a productive life.  This might involve support for seeking work or teaching life skills and goal setting. The expectation or requirement that residents actively participate in both the weekly house meetings and regular 12-step meetings is also an important feature in sober living.

Different Types of Recovery Residences

Recovery residences run the gamut when it comes to varying philosophies, structure, and amenities offered.  Some sober livings are pet-friendly, some are faith-based, some are high-end luxury facilities, and some offer regular group outings and trips, to name just a few examples.  Because of the wide variety of sober living accommodations available, things like personal preferences, lifestyle, and financial resources will help narrow down the best match for the individual. As far as what services are offered, that can also vary from house to house.  The support services all revolve around the essential mission to help residents achieve stability in their new, sober life.  Most will offer transportation to and from 12-step recovery meetings, and other services might include assistance with legal matters, transportation to court dates as well as to outpatient counseling services and doctor’s appointments.

Riviera Recovery Offers Luxury Recovery Residences

Riviera Recovery has created a sober living environment that is a unique blending of order and fun. Yes, a certain degree of structure is needed for the overall health of the recovery residence and its occupants, but Riviera Recovery’s program emphasizes the joy discovered in embracing an active, sober lifestyle by offering a wide range of healthy activities.  These include swimming, yoga, group sports, surfing, and hiking the local Malibu hills. Riviera Recovery is also pet-friendly. For more information about Riviera Recovery, please contact us today at (866) 478-8799.
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Addiction Treatment with Acupuncture

Alternative Addiction Treatment with Acupuncture

To rid themselves of a drug addiction some people will be willing to bring on the pins and needles.  Yes, that’s right, acupuncture is now becoming a common alternative treatment element in many addiction programs.  Right along with yoga, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises, acupuncture offers a new approach to ending one’s addiction. Addiction treatment with acupuncture is not new.  Though acupuncture has been in practice for thousands of years, it was first introduced for aiding detox and withdrawal symptoms in 1974.  It was initially used to help people ease off of methadone using the ear/lung point, and the results were encouraging.  Reduction in opiate withdrawal symptoms and improved program retention resulted, which led to continued developments in using acupuncture for addiction.  Currently, a five-point acupuncture protocol is the norm, which includes ear point combinations with other major organs.

Opiate Addiction Treatment with Acupuncture

Acupuncture originates from ancient Chinese culture where it has been used for millennia to re-balance the flow of energy in a sick person.  It is based on the belief that the body has a life force that passes through pathways called meridians.  Acupuncturists place the tiny needles in specific spots on the body that are believed to help unblock or re-balance the energy flow. To date, as a complimentary treatment, acupuncture appears to help most with heroin or opioid addicts detoxing from the substance.  Those who have used acupuncture have reported increased relaxation, anxiety relief, improved sense of well-being, and a decrease in the desire to use opiates.  There is some evidence that acupuncture can interrupt the dopamine response when the drug is used, diminishing the reward mechanism and therefore the desire to use again.

How Acupuncture Aids in Detox and Withdrawal

Drug detox is a grueling process that many people cannot successfully complete without relapsing back to drug use.  Acupuncture, as one of several holistic treatments, can reduce the withdrawal symptoms as well as the cravings through restoring the balance between the nervous system and the endocrine system.  Acupuncture is said to release endorphins, which can aid withdrawal by producing a sense of calm and well-being. Withdrawal usually features a sense of agitation, anxiety, and irritability.  Acupuncture can reduce those emotions, aiding in relaxation during the detox phase of recovery.  Acupuncture has no adverse side effects and is well tolerated by most individuals.

Addiction Treatment with Acupuncture and other Holistic Methods

 The concept of alternative, holistic treatments has caught on in the US, with more people embracing such methods as a complimentary form of treatment or as a stand alone treatment.  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2008 more than a third of the adults in the country utilized complementary and alternative medicine. The trend is also present in the field of addiction treatment.  Acupuncture is just one of several holistic and experiential therapies that are being accessed during detox and addiction treatment in recent years.  Because of the strong correlation between relaxation and well-being, acupuncture can be a helpful tool in treatment, as can yoga, mindfulness training, meditation, massage therapy, art therapy, and equine therapy. All of these holistic activities enhance relaxation and reduce stress, as well as allow for exploration of self.  Coming to terms with the underlying factors—emotional pain, past traumas, dysfunction in family or marriage—can be a powerful tool in addiction treatment and attaining a sustainable recovery.  Treatment that provides nourishment to all dimensions of the person, the body, mind, and soul, will eventually be what leads to a lasting recovery and a newfound joy in life.

Riviera Recovery Offers Access to Addiction Treatment with Acupuncture

Riviera Recovery is a sober living community based in the beautiful Malibu coastal hillside.  The lush natural surroundings make Riviera Recovery a perfect spot for healing the body, mind, and spirit in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.  Riviera Recovery encourages residents to partake of acupuncture or any of a wide-ranging menu of adjunct holistic therapies by coordinating these services to enhance recovery.  For more information about our recovery community, please contact us today at (866) 478-8799.
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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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Sober Living Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Malibu

Location, Location, Location!

After completing an addiction treatment program for a substance use disorder, some may mistakenly believe they are good to go.  However, because this early phase of recovery is fragile, returning to normal life too soon can trip up even the most committed person.  To give oneself the best chance of succeeding in achieving sustained sobriety, spending a few months in a sober living environment is a critical next step in the recovery journey. When deciding on the location for sober housing there are many factors to consider that can help influence the final sober living destination.  Location is an important deciding factor when contemplating the type of surroundings and services available during a stint in sober living.  Why not maximize the experience by healing and recovering in the beautiful Los Angeles region.  Sober living in Malibu, near Santa Monica and L.A. offers abundant natural and recreational assets, as well as job opportunities and recovery support resources to compliment this important step in building a sober lifestyle.

Sober Living Malibu

Located 30 miles west of downtown L.A., Malibu is a stunning 21-mile long strip of California coastline and rugged hillsides with a community of 12,000 residents.  Famed beaches such as Surfrider Beach, Zuma Beach and Malibu Beach offer ample opportunities to enjoy surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.  The local bluffs feature a large network of hiking trails featuring beautiful vistas of the coastline. Sober Living in Malibu offers a unique opportunity to convene with nature while moving forward in recovery.  Local parks, sports parks, and nature conservancy offer plenty of outdoor recreation to enhance and restore health and fitness.  As an added interest, the nearby Getty Villa provides a museum dedicated to arts and culture.  Malibu offers SMART Recovery and 12-step meetings, as well as intensive outpatient programs (IOP) to support the local recovery community.

Sober Living Near Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a beach enclave of 90,000 residents located west of Los Angeles.  The spectacular beaches, including famed Venice Beach to the south, draw visitors from all around.  The Santa Monica pier is the centerpiece of the town, constructed in 1909, and features a roller coaster, ferris wheel, and historic carousel.  The charming Third Street Promenade offers an eclectic mix of shopping and restaurants, and a continuous social vibe in the pedestrian-only 3 block zone.  The Santa Monica civic auditorium offers concerts and sporting events, and Santa Monica has assorted art galleries, including the Santa Monica Museum of Art as well. Imagine how residing in a sober living near Santa Monica is enhanced by the natural healing properties of the sea, sun, and fresh air of this beautiful beach community.  Outdoor activities to promote physical and emotional wellness are abundant, such as cycling, surfing, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, and just walking or jogging the boardwalk.  Abundant addiction treatment resources are available to individuals in sober living Santa Monica, including outpatient programs and 12-step meetings.

Sober Living Los Angeles

Some may prefer a more urban environment for a sober living destination, so Los Angeles is a perfect fit for people seeking the busy city vibe.  With nearly 4 million people, the sprawling city offers abundant employment opportunities to those in the large L.A. recovery community.  Los Angeles features a multicultural population, with segments of the city dedicated to various ethnicities where interesting cuisines, arts and music representing the locals add rich layers to the city. Sober Living in Los Angeles offers a multitude of activities, landmarks, and recreational opportunities to provide an endless array of interesting outings that enhance this phase of recovery.  This populated city also offers respites to local mountains, lakes, and beaches within an hour’s drive.  An extensive network of meetings and IOPs are available to provide continual support and fellowship in the ongoing recovery journey.

Riviera Recovery Offers Quality Sober Living Community in Los Angeles Region

With the expansive backdrop of Malibu as its canvas, the sober community housing at Riviera Recovery offers the perfect setting for restoring health and well-being in recovery.  Offering two luxury residences, high quality amenities, and organic foods, Riviera Recovery creates an environment that promotes a desire to live a new, healthy lifestyle.  Its focus on intensive, personalized counseling and monitoring offers the high level of support its residents need to succeed in achieving a sustained recovery.  Group activities and local trips help the residents bond, reinforcing a mutual commitment to sobriety.  For more information about our sober living community, please contact us today at (866) 478-8799.