adjusting to life online
Posted on

Adjusting To Life Online: How Technology Can Help and Hinder

COVID-19 has made us all aware of how essential our social connections are for our health and well-being. Many of us are now facing a reality where we are disconnected from our support system and even our daily routines have been disrupted. Technology has been the proposed answer to help us overcome and cope with the social distancing that is needed to control the spread of COVID-19. Technology can indeed help us stay connected to our family, friends, and support networks during this time. However, technology also has its downsides in that it can also make us feel more isolated and when we allow it full rein, we may become consumed with fear. While of course, social media platforms have numerous benefits, especially now, they have also been linked to a number of challenges including contributing to an increase in anxiety, depression, and addiction. Although technology may be our ‘savior’ during this time, it is also important to remember its place in our lives, and the balance needed for optimal mental health.

A Social Creature

As humans, we are wired for connection. We depend on others from the moment we are born to the day we die. In our evolutionary past, being separated from our community could actually lead to death and thus understandably, the idea evokes great anxiety and depression, the roots of which remain in us today. However it seems at times that we live in a culture that willingly denies this need for connection in favor of individualism and the belief that the way to happiness is through materialistic wealth.

We continue to try to fill the hole that results from a true disconnect from our tribe.

How does this relate to technology? Technology allows us to believe in a fictional world. We may have connections through social media on platforms like Facebook and Instagram but often we have no living connection to the people whom we “like” and “follow”. This connection is constructed in a false reality and thus does not actually fill the hole we feel inside. Not surprisingly, we try to fill it with substances and possessions.

A Wake Up Call

COVID-19 has made us even more aware of our need to connect as many of us are no longer afforded the opportunity to overlook its presence and power in our lives. There is a way that we can utilize technology during this time to form true relationships, but it takes being willing to be vulnerable and reach out to connect. We are all suffering right now from social connection deficiency, and the antidote is fostering genuine connections.

Here are some ways you can use technology to form genuine connections which will help you reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and the desire to numb.

Gain Inner Knowledge:

Whether it’s watching a new TED talk, or re-watching your favorite, use the time you have to invest back into areas of interest or self-discovery.  This is especially important while you may have this time to consider your role in many relationship conflicts, and to practice new ways of being with one another.   Instead of scrolling through fear-mongering news, harness the power of the internet to enlighten yourself with courses on mindfulness, health, and well-being, or even seek out a therapist to begin online sessions.

Reach Out:

Take this time to connect to people either online or on the phone. Send them a message inviting them to connect. Send this message to people you know in real life or would like to get to know.  Often we are all waiting for the other person to make the first move, as it takes a great amount of vulnerability to suggest something so courageous. Reach out to people not just through text messages, but move to have a conversation either on the phone or through a video chat platform. They even have apps now that allow you to have a “house party” with different people with technology. 

Have an Actual Conversation:

Challenge yourself to call a few old friends or maybe work to connect with some acquaintances you would like to get to know better. Work up to an actual conversation topic about something of interest to you both, rather than re-hashing the latest breaking news about the virus.  It’s important to know how those in your life are reacting and feeling about what’s going on, but it’s equally vital to try to break out of the monotony of day-in and day-out. Perhaps share the knowledge from your online class, or share about what you’re gaining from your new mindfulness practice.
steps to recovery
Posted on

Back to Basics: What Are the Steps to Recovery?

Recovering from addiction is a continuous process of not only maintaining sobriety, but pursuing overall wellness and creating a life worth living.  Although the path may feel unclear, it’s important to acknowledge where you are at in your journey, and focus on the next step to recovery ahead.

Steps to Recovery

For those in active addiction, recovery may seem impossible. Many do not know where they can receive help, or feel they have failed by not being able to remain free from substances on their own. While recovery will require help, hard work, and overcoming many challenges, it is possible and worth the effort.  The following steps to begin recovery include:

Recognize Addiction Exists

It is important to accept the reality that alcohol or drug use has become out of control, life has become unmanageable, and you are suffering from addiction.  Of course, the first step to solving any problem and receiving help is to acknowledge that there is a problem. This might come from a moment of clarity, criminal or child protective services involvement, or loved ones intervening on your behalf to show you the harmful effects of addiction.

Learn About Addiction

Addiction is not a moral failing. It is not easily explained away as a choice of substances over all other priorities: family, friends, work, and life. It is a disease of the brain where the brain is quite literally hijacked by the substance, and in the process, you become physically, emotionally, and mentally dependent on them. This rewires the brain so that the substance is interpreted as the primary need for survival – more than food or water.  While the first step begins with understanding that there is a problem, the next steps require you to educate yourself on the choices that you are making that support your habit, and what you could be doing instead to support your recovery. 

Prepare for Recovery

This includes sharing with trusted individuals about your difficulty with addiction and asking for support, researching treatment options, and coming up with some goals for recovery. This can also include finding a new place to live, changing employment, and cutting off potentially detrimental relationships.

Seek Treatment

There are multiple pathways to recovery and various treatment options to address addiction. Typically, treatment may progress through a series of stages, beginning with detox to allow the body to safely withdraw from substances, and create a clear-headed foundation upon which to build your recovery. You may be appropriate at this point for some combination of residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), as well as daily or weekly support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Your recovery will involve therapy (both individual and group), medication management (or medication-assisted treatment), and help getting set up with community supports. As you move throughout treatment, you’ll gain new insights about yourself and learn how to create a life for yourself that is supportive of your ultimate goal: recovery. 

Sober Living in West LA

While you’re in IOP or PHP or transitioning to even fewer hours of treatment a week, you may want to take advantage of a sober living community such as Riviera Recovery.  As a sober house in Los Angeles, we provide support to those dealing with alcohol and drug use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. We offer holistic services such as nutritionist meetings, weekly mentor meetings, sponsor contacts, weekly social activities, and more to help you find long term recovery.  Call us today at (855) 207-9708 and let us help you live a healthy, fulfilling life.
finding friends in addiction recovery
Posted on

Finding Friends in Addiction Recovery

The path of recovery can be challenging for our friendships. Many people will lose or have to let go of a number of their friends in order to live a sober life. The idea of this is often enough for many people to stall on going to treatment, as friends in addiction recovery are a huge part of our support system and life after treatment. For many people, their friendships revolve around alcohol and drugs and they often feel their friendships cannot survive without it. Knowing that you will eventually leave treatment and need to find new friends can be daunting.

Healthy Friends in Addiction Recovery

It is important that as you make new friends you bring people into your life that support you on your journey. Many people fall into toxic relationships that do not actually serve you and drain you instead. There are, however, some important elements to a good friendship.

You Respect Each Other:

Respecting your friends’ boundaries is an important part of a good friendship. We are each unique in what makes us feel cared for and loved. Finding this balance takes communication and respect to understand and negotiate.  Instead of allowing resentment to build when a friend has done something to hurt us, it would be better addressed from curiosity and compassion, as often it is a misunderstanding. In all our relationships, we have to teach people how to treat us, what we’ll allow from them, and what we need.

You Are Real and Honest With Each Other:

Good friends make you feel accepted and comfortable being yourself. You never have to feel like you have to pretend to be someone you’re not. They know your shortcomings and love you anyway. They bring out your best version and celebrate your successes and empathize with your challenges.

You Can Disagree In A Healthy Way:

We all have different points of view, experiences of things, and have different opinions on matters that come up throughout life. It is important to feel safe enough to be able to voice this with your friends and those you trust most. It is healthy to have debates with friends and not be afraid to disagree and talk things through. Conversations where two people disagree don’t have to end in an argument, especially when you’re willing to hear the other person out, and they’re willing to do the same for you. There are healthy communication skills that can help move through disagreements that include compromise, agreeing to disagree, and forgiving and letting go of negativity.

You Trust Each Other:

It’s important to feel safe with our friends. A solid foundation of trust allows us to share and be authentic without fear of being rejected or shamed. When we have trust we feel comfortable sharing our feelings and details of our life without the fear of them sharing it with others. Having trust in friendships also means that we have faith that our friends have our best interests at heart. It is this sort of trust that helps us navigate the differences in opinions we may have, and allows you to be your most authentic self with one another.

You Put in Time and Effort:

Good relationships take work, but it doesn’t mean it has to feel like a chore. We do need to make a conscious effort to reach out and make plans by getting together, talking on the phone, or experiencing new things together. We also need to make a conscious effort to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to share the details of our life, and let others be there to support us. Depending on the friendship, it may take a different amount of effort, but it is important that both people take time to nurture the relationship. Obviously friendships are a huge source of support in anyone’s recovery journey, and make a huge difference as you journey throughout the process. When it comes to the friendships you had when you were in active addiction, it’s important to ask yourself, “Were they really looking after my best interests?” or “Were they pushing me to be my best self, or were they just echoing the voice of shame?”

Sober Living West LA

In recovery, and especially at a Sober Living home, you will have the potential to meet many new friends and others who can help you to find your way again. At Riviera Recovery, our dedicated structured living and can help you create life-changing patterns, and friends in addiction recovery for life. Learn more about the unique atmosphere here at our sober living in West LA, where you can build solid relationships and a solid foundation for the next stage of your life.
what is powerlessness
Posted on

What Is Powerlessness and How To Accept It.

The first “step” in Alcoholics Anonymous or its 12-step brother and sister programs is “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” But what does this mean? Am I really powerless when it comes to alcohol and drugs? What it is within my power, and what am I responsible for to change? What is powerlessness and what does it exactly mean? Many people can become easily hung up on this first step in treatment, never truly diving into what it means, or how it relates to their story. For some, it feels like a great relief to be reminded of their powerlessness over this all-consuming impulse, and helps them to make sense of their behavior that is not ultimately in line with who they want to be. For others, especially those who may have been victimized in the past, the weight of powerlessness feels impossible to bear, especially when they’ve built our lives on never feeling that way again. However, admitting you are powerless when it comes to overcoming your addiction does not mean you have lost your innate power in all things. Rather, it meant that you’ve exhausted the options immediately available to you, and are in need of some new strategies.

Admitting Powerlessness

Losing yourself in substance abuse often results in losing a sense of control and agency. However counterintuitively, when you are able to admit you have lost your power you can begin to get it back again. Admitting that you are unable to overcome your substance abuse on your own is a very difficult and vulnerable thing to do. Reaching out for support can feel challenging due to the shame and guilt associated with addiction. It is important to be compassionate with yourself and know you are not alone in these struggles. No human is meant to go through life alone without support, we all need others. The sooner you can realize this and accept help the stronger you will be. Seeking support includes allowing others to help you and possibly trusting in a “Higher Power.” Once you admitted you have a problem you can begin from there and learn how to come back into alignment with yourself, so you no longer need substances to cope with life.

The Power of Surrender

Step One on your recovery path is surrendering into the reality of the situation that you have lost your power and are willing to get help. We cannot start to change what is happening unless we can admit to what is going on. When you surrender to the reality that you have become powerless over the substance then change is possible. From this point, you are able to accept the situation as it is. Carl Rogers, a famous psychologist explains that. “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am then I can change.” When you can accept that things have gotten out of hand and you do not have the control you thought you might have then you can actually overcome it. It is the resistance to what is that causes the most suffering. It’s important to remember you are not your addiction, you are more than this and you just need to get back to yourself. Here are some things you can do to help you through step one:

Make A List of Consequences

To help shed some light on your addiction it can be helpful to create a list of all the consequences related to the behavior. Ask yourself:
  • How has this addiction affected me physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Financially? Relationally? Spiritually?”
  • Have I used alcohol or drugs to control or suppress my emotions?
  • What have I lost out on due to my addiction? What has been the cost?

Create A Powerlessness List

Make a list of the moments when you felt powerless over drugs or alcohol. Be as honest as you can, starting with early examples and then going to the most recent.
  • Have I started and not been able to stop?
  • Have you blamed other people for your addiction?
  • Shed some light on the ways that your addiction has created destruction and chaos in your life.
  • What does unmanageability mean to you?
Once you accept step one, you do something about this feeling of powerlessness and gain back your power. Recovery is about gaining the insights, tools and skills so you feel empowered and able to understand and overcome your need for substances. We are not meant to go through this life alone and we need other people so we can be healthy, strong and independent. What is holding you back from taking the first step to empowerment?

Sober Living West LA

Riviera Recovery offers luxury sober living in West LA for individuals who are struggling with alcoholism, drug dependence, and other co-occurring disorders and looking to integrate new skills to a structured sober living environment. Our amenities include 24/7 supervision and local sponsorship opportunities to begin the process of accepting powerlessness and beginning a life full of possibilities. Call us today at 855-207-9708 for more information.
photo of a smiling woman reading,co ed sober living near me, coed sober living near me, sober living housing near me
Posted on

Clear Path to Sober Living & Recovery

Relapse is one of the major challenges people face while recovering from substance use disorder. They need to overcome triggers and cravings almost daily. Medical detox and inpatient treatment are effective, but they are part of the recovery system. You will need outpatient services and programs to help you gain full recovery.  Moving directly from the inpatient routine to your normal routine is a huge challenge, and many individuals will relapse. 

Sober Living

You will need to understand a sober living house and how it works to be able to comprehend sober living itself. A sober living house/home is a facility that acts as a bridge inpatient treatment and normal life. Thus, sober living is a transitioning phase and place that individuals use to adjust to normal life.  Most sober living facilities are not run by licensed medical professionals like doctors or therapists. It makes it a simple but highly useful and effective form of treatment.  Some sober living facilities are operated by medical professionals, which makes it an added advantage. Most individuals in recovery need the help of sober living. closeup photo of smiling woman,co ed sober living near me, coed sober living near me, sober living housing near me

Rehab Vs. Sober Living

Rehab or inpatient treatment is quite different from a sober living house in terms of structure. Some of the major differences between rehabs and sober living homes include:
  • Cost: Rehab centers are more costly.
  • Rules: Rehab facilities have more rules than sober living homes. For example, one cannot leave a rehab facility during treatment, but a sober living house allows such movements.
  • Duration: Rehab centers limit the patients’ stay to 30-day or 90-day periods. 
  • Professionals: You will surely find professionals in mental health, medication, and addiction. 

Sober Living Houses Vs. Halfway Houses

People also often confuse sober living houses and halfway houses. Halfway houses are intended to help rehabilitate people who have committed crimes. The differences between the two include:
  • Operator. Halfway houses are funded by the government. Sober living homes are operated by individuals or organizations. 
  • Physical structure: sober living houses are private residences while halfway houses resemble dorms. 
  • Attendance: People go to sober living houses willingly while the court orders force individuals to go to halfway houses. 
  • Cost: Halfway houses are funded by the government, which makes them cheaper. However, they have fewer amenities than sober living houses. 

What To Expect In A Sober Living Home

You should expect a combination of support, structure, and freedom in sober living homes. In structure, there are some rules you need to adhere to. Some of these rules include curfew rules and compulsory group meetings. The regulations of sober living houses vary with the sober living institution.    Sober living houses also offer freedom. You will use this freedom to ease back into your normal duties. They also offer support, which is very important. Some individuals go into isolation after rehab, and this easily triggers relapse.  You will get to interact with other members of the sober homes, and in 12-step support meetings like Narcotics Anonymous. You will make new friends and also mend your relationships with your family. 

How Long Should I Stay In Sober Living?

Your needs will influence the time you spend in sober living. These needs can be summarized into factors like:
  • Your recovery stability. To be stable, you will need to appropriately manage your cravings, coping skills, and co-occurring disorders. You will need cognitive skills from cognitive therapy to achieve this. 
  • Your level of comfort. How comfortable are you with resuming back to your normal life?
  • Your safety at home. Is your home a fully safe environment? Are you prone to triggers, cravings, and eventually relapse?

How To Recover While In Sober Living

Apart from the support, structure, and freedom in sober living, you can use other approaches to ensure a full recovery. They include:
  • Stay busy. 
  • Get housing after sober living
  • Find a job
  • Make amends with friends and family. 
  • Carry the sober living principles back to your normal life. 

Sober Living and Addiction treatment at Riviera Recovery. 

You can access sober living in Los Angeles at Riviera Recovery Sober Living Homes. Riviera Recovery is a wellness community. We help men and women to overcome substance use disorder, mental health issues, and co-occurring disorders.  Unlike other sober living homes, our residents are under the care of trained and registered nurses. Our team of professionals offers personalized attention to ensure comfort for you and your loved ones. We also have on-call doctors who will provide the necessary help during your recovery process.  man and woman playing by the beach, sober living communities near me, female sober living near me, couples sober living near Our services are based on support empowerment and safety. Some of the services we offer include transport to and from support group meetings, nutritionist support, random drug test & breathalyzers, case management, and more.  We have facilities in two locations. One facility offers coed residence, and the other is men-only residence. The coed residence is called the Pacific Palisades House. It has separate bathrooms for each gender. You can access the beach after a short walk. The facility offers a beautiful view of the beach and the Santa Monica mountains. You can access 12-step meetings in Santa Monica, Malibu, and the Pacific Palisades.  The Barrington House offers men sober living. You can access multiple parks after a short walk. Moreover, you can get to Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and LAX after a short drive. Residents can also access yoga & meditation studios, museums, and gyms.  Contact us now to book sober living for you or your loved ones. 

Final Thoughts

Anyone who moves directly from rehab to normal life has a very high risk of relapse. In rehab, you will have only discussed the triggers and cravings. However, you will get to experience all these in real life, and you need to get support when dealing with them. Furthermore, most individuals need time to readjust to their normal lives.  Sober living offers addicts the chance to readjust. Individuals will reside in sober living homes during these periods. Sober living homes are quite different from rehab. In rehab, there are medical & health professionals, the rules are stricter, the cost is higher, and the duration shorter. People also often confuse halfway houses with sober living houses. Halfway houses are usually funded by the government, and people use them under court orders. Moreover, the amenities in halfway houses are not as good as those in sober living. They are meant for reformed convicts.  The duration you spend in sober living will depend on your needs. It depends on how comfortable you are, how stable your recovery is, and how safe home is for you. To make the best out of sober living, we advise that you find a job as you readjust, make amends with friends and family, and live by the sober living principles.  Get sober living help from a facility with professionals such as Riviera Recovery. 
woman wearing frame sunglasses standing by the sea, couples sober living, sober living facilities near me
Posted on

What Is A Halfway House?

The quest for sobriety can be a lifelong journey for most individuals undergoing recovery. It begins from seeking help from detox or rehabilitation facilities, depending on your addiction or disorder type. The facilities aim to help you recover and overcome your problem and attain sobriety as an individual. After your stay in a detox or rehab center, you may long to have your freedom from the restricted environment, but it may not be a smart move for you. You may be afraid to go back to the environment and friends whom they engaged in addictive behavior together as it may trigger relapsing. This can be a stressing factor, and since your care providers are concerned about your recovery, they may suggest going into a halfway house.

What Is a Halfway House?

A halfway house is a transitional living facility that grants you the freedom to start living your life after recovery, and it holds you accountable during your stay. It gives support to individuals committed to living after addiction and is new to the recovery phase. The term ‘halfway house’ is because the residents are living independently, and at the same time, they are also restricted in the behavior by the care providers at the facility. girl in pink shirt using a tab, couples sober living, sober living facilities near me, sober housing near me A halfway house enables the residents to familiarize themselves with each other and synchronize around their neighborhood. Some people go to halfway houses after leaving prison, after court orders or due to homelessness. In most halfway houses, individuals take drug screening tests since they need to ensure the safety of the other residents, and also, they are rarely equipped to handle withdrawal symptoms.

Duration Taken While Living in a Halfway House

The time taken by each individual’s stay depends on several factors since people are different, but the majority of the residents stay between three months to a year. This duration allows an individual to get back on track, get a good job, and gain control of their life again. Halfway houses decrease the chances of individuals relapsing back to alcohol and substance use. Some halfway houses encourage residents to get a steady job and pay rental arrears at the facility to enable an individual to acquire a balance between recovery and work and be responsible. Other halfway houses may have a 12 step mandatory meeting schedules, a set of chores or curfews for the residents. Mandatory meeting schedules can be specified according to an individual’s former addiction. For instance, an individual whose former addiction is alcohol is required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and one whose former addiction is drugs to attend Narcotics Anonymous ones. This is because they can easily associate with those with similar recoveries and thereby makes them feel motivated to achieve recovery.

Is a Halfway House Different from a Sober Living House?

Most individuals in a halfway house are addicts seeking transition while undergoing recovery, and it is sometimes referred to as a sober house. However, there is a difference between a sober house and a halfway house. Some of the halfway houses in the United States may offer treatment alongside rehabilitation, which mostly happens during the day, and it involves individual and group counseling among residents. The costs at the halfway house are halfway catered for by the federal government. On the other hand, in a sober living house, residents are expected to provide for their expenses during their stay. This is because they are owned by an individual or a private entity. Sober living houses have strict rules and regulations, and they don’t tolerate drug and substance abuse or possession. Residents can also have some privacy since the rooms are private and individualized, unlike halfway houses, which are dorms mostly. close up photo of a woman sunbathing, sober living transitional housing, men's sober living near me, sober living communities

Recover Residence Levels

A halfway house may have monitoring levels which are as follows;
  • The first level monitoring whereby the residents keep an eye on each other’s well being. There are also no services offered, and there is no paid staff at this level.  It lasts from three months to a few years.
  • The second level involves a community-based approach. This level also has close supervision from a member of staff or a senior resident who keeps an eye on the residents and makes sure the guidelines are followed.
  • The third level involves a set of life-skills provided to the residents and is best suitable for residents who need higher support levels.
  • The fourth level entails clinical programs alongside life skills. The program is conducted by a licensed professional, and it’s majorly preparing a resident for the next step, like living as a person. At times, care plans may cater to this stage if they don’t cater to other phases.

Riviera Sober Living

Riviera Sober Living is a facility for health and wellness that offers services to people seeking recovery from drug and substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and mental health disorders. Riviera’s sober living has locations in Pacific Palisades, Southern California, and West Los Angeles. The Pacific Palisades house is coed with separate bathrooms for each gender while the Barrington house is an all-male house. We also offer couples sober living services and upscale sober living facilities in Southern California and West Los Angeles. The Pacific Palisades has oceanic views by the Santa Monica Mountains while the Barrington house is close to parks, shops and has a BBQ at the outdoor patio and a cozy lounge area. Being centrally located in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and LAX, residents can go to yoga classes, meditation classes, and museums. a group of friends cycling by the sea shore, sober living transitional housing, men's sober living near me Our team of experienced hospice professionals will make sure that your loved one receives personalized care and is comfortable throughout the recovery journey. We have well trained and registered nurses who ensure and guide an individual through the emotional turmoil that may be encountered during the period of recovery. The nurses have access to on-call doctors whenever required to facilitate a smooth recovery for you.

Conclusion

Addiction is a disease, but the good news is that it’s treatable and manageable. Once you are ready to go back into society, you may require a set of guidelines to maintain your sobriety. This can be through the help of your house care providers who will avail an after-care plan suitable for you.  After leaving the facility, it’s important to keep track of your network of support to boost each other’s morale and remind each other of recovery by engaging in activities that keep you from addictive substances. Ensure that you have proper nutrition daily and have some rest too to aid your inappropriate decision-making ability. Regular exercising is essential also, as it enables the brain to release endorphins that give a ‘feel good’ state in a person’s body.
Women sitting beside each other, sober living for women, sober living homes for women, sober living homes for women near me
Posted on

The Best Sober Living for Women in Los Angeles, California

Many women go back to their normal lives after addiction treatment. However, the risk of relapse is still high. This is because they are vulnerable to triggers, emotional imbalances, cravings, and they may take time to cope. Medical professionals advise both men and women to go through sober living before they resume their normal healthy lives. 

What is Sober Living?

Sober Living or sober houses are a bridge between inpatient addiction treatment and normal healthy lives. There are various types of sober living houses. The best sober living houses for women in Los Angeles like Riviera Sober Living feature staff available 24/7, conduct drug tests, and enforce house rules.  We also encourage our residents to engage in further treatment, such as intensive outpatient programs, support groups, recovery meetings, therapy, and more. The sober living will offer appropriate structure and support to facilitate long-term addiction recovery. For example, they let you go to work, attend school, and visit with family, as you receive treatment. 

What It’s Like to Be in Sober Living 

Sober living and sober houses are all about support. They focus on community living, which provides the support and skills necessary to ease back into your normal life. You will be able to build relationships with your housemates. There will be listening and sharing valuable insights, experiences, and the chance to build your self-esteem.  You will be able to learn that a supportive environment is necessary for ongoing and long term addiction recovery. Moreover, you will acquire skills like understanding, tolerance, and patience when dealing with yourself and others.  happy young woman standing by the door, sober living for women, sober living homes for women, sober living homes for women near me

Gender-Specific Sober Living

Gender-specific sober houses are premises that facilitate sober living for one given gender. This means that there are those sober houses for women and those for men. Such sober houses help individuals to avoid distractions, feel comfortable, and tackle issues unique either to men or women.  The rules of sober living will depend on sober houses. Some allow visits from opposite genders and those that do not. Some allow full weekend or overnight visits for spouses and family.  photo of women talking, sober living for women, sober living homes for women, sober living homes for women near me

Sober Living vs. Halfway Houses 

Many people often confuse sober houses with halfway houses. They similarly do function but are not entirely similar. Halfway houses are used by the criminal justice system to help individuals transition from prison life to normal life. Individuals who go to halfway houses are under court orders as they are either on probation or parole.  On the other hand, sober living in Malibu is voluntary and meant for individuals undergoing addiction recovery. They provide a safe environment, structure, and support for addiction recovery.  

Rules of Sober Living

Some rules govern sober living in sober houses. The most basic rule is that the premises are alcohol-free and drug-free zones. These rules ensure the safety of all the residents from relapse. There are measures to enforce this rule. They include the presence of breathalyzers, random & mandatory drug tests, and the right to search your premises for alcohol, drugs, and paraphernalia.  Curfew is another major rule. The availability of curfew and curfew time varies with the facility. Some require you to have a support group or appointments with licensed therapists, psychiatrists, or counselors.  Other rules in sober houses include dress code, in-house conduct, tidiness requirements, visitors, household chores, noise levels, and more. 

Get Help at Riviera Sober Living – West Los Angeles Sober Living Homes

Riviera Recovery is a health and wellness community in Los Angeles. We focus on getting men and women help to recover from substance use disorder, co-occurring disorders, and mental health. Riviera Recovery tries to maintain its admissions at a possible minimum to enable our team to offer individual treatment, mentoring, counseling, and more. Our women’s sober living residence offers services and comforts that are uniquely essential to women in addiction recovery.  We also have other sober living facilities for men and coed. Our Pacific Palisades facility is a coed facility at the foot of Santa Monica mountains with excellent ocean views. It has separate bathrooms to support coed residents. The Barrington House facility offers sober living for men only. You can take a short drive from Beverly Hills, LAX, and Santa Monica to arrive at the facility.  We offer numerous other services to promote safety, empowerment, and support for recovery. Examples of these services include nutritionist meetings, weekly mentor meetings, sponsor contacts, weekly social activities, referrals to outpatient programs, and more.  woman in black swimsuit playing with water, sober living for women, sober living homes for women, sober living homes for women near me Our services are more effective with the help of our staff and available amenities. Such amenities include housekeeping, private suites, semi-private suites, weekly family updates, recovery compass book, meditation area, library, and more.  Our locations make it possible to engage in healthy activities such as hiking, surfing, rock climbing, horse riding, and more. 

Conclusion

Sober Living offers a chance for a smooth transition from inpatient addiction treatment to your healthy life. In sober living, you will reside in sober houses with other residents. These facilities have rules to ensure the safety of the residents. The rules regulate, visit, curfew, restrict substance abuse, and more.  Sober living is mainly about support and community that will help you gain long term recovery. You will build relationships with your housemates, friends, and family to create a strong support system that prevents relapse. Individuals in sober living pick up skills such as listening, sharing, understanding, patience, and tolerance.  While living in a sober house, you will take part in an intensive outpatient program, support groups, therapy, counseling, and mentorship. Most individuals begin to transition back to their work and school activities.  Gender differences call for unique needs when it comes to addiction recovery. There are sober houses uniquely for men, women, and coed. Some people confuse halfway houses and sober houses.  A halfway house is mandatory for its residents as they are referred by the department of justice. Their main goal is to help ex-prisoners to transition back to their lives. Sober houses are voluntary for its residents. They go to these facilities to get a safe space to ease back to their lives after rehab.  Riviera Recovery offers sober living houses for men and women in Los Angeles. There are facilities uniquely set for men, women, and coed. We offer services such as nutritionist meetings, weekly mentor meetings, sponsor contacts, weekly social activities, and more. Contact us to book a residency. 
woman wearing black sunglasses, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles, sober living homes in los angeles
Posted on

What Is Narcotic Anonymous

Relapse prevention is an ongoing activity for anyone who is recovering or has recovered from substance use disorder. There are various approaches to help individuals sustain their sobriety. Examples include continued family therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy.  Group therapy entails meetings with your peers or individuals facing similar struggles. It is a place where you can motivate one another towards long-term sobriety. Furthermore, you will find activities to engage in here to keep your mind of substances.  People over time have come together and formed various groups with various goals and to help various individuals. One of them is Narcotics Anonymous.

What is Narcotic Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous, better known as N.A., is a non-profit organization where men and women recovering or have recovered from substance use disorder meet and motivate one another to stay sober.  You need to meet only one requirement for you to join Narcotics Anonymous. This requirement is simply the desire to quit substance use. There are no upfront fees, pledges, promises, or affiliations to anyone or organization. Furthermore, they are not interested in your past, but how they can offer help to help you overcome substance use disorder.  man sitting in front of his laptop working, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles

A little History on Narcotic Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a spinoff of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was created to try and mirror the success of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was officially founded in 1953 in Los Angeles, California. Currently, Narcotics Anonymous is available in more than 129 countries.

Narcotic Anonymous Meetings

Meetings facilitate giving and receiving help. They offer a place to learn coping skills and to get help regularly. There will be meetings with your peer’s counselor sponsor or even a guest speaker.  The meetings usually take place in a rented facility in most cases owned by churches, NGOs, the government, and more. Moreover, you can have fun while keeping your sobriety as you can engage in activities to help you maintainer light mode and avoid stress or depression. These meetings are free.  There are two types of Narcotics Anonymous meetings. You need to identify which meeting works for you best. You should try out a few meetings and groups to identify one that is best for your needs in terms of aspects like personality disorder problem schedule and more.  The NA meetings can either be open or closed. 
  • Open meetings are the ones that are accessible to anyone. The main purpose of public meetings is to include interested parties such as families and even future Narcotics Anonymous members.
  • Closed meetings are NA meetings, which are only accessible individuals recovering from use disorder.

What to Expect from a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting?

1. 12 Step Meetings

Twelve steps meetings are borrowed from Alcoholics Anonymous. They are set of guidelines or principles but help you overcome substance use disorder. Narcotics Anonymous uses these steps to help individuals struggling with various types of substance use disorder. However, Alcoholics Anonymous only used it to help individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.

2. Non-Judgemental Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous meetings are non-judgemental. This helps to create an environment that is safe for members to share their personal experiences with addiction. Members of NA are welcoming and caring to each other and two new members. You will feel comfortable to share and also get to learn from what others share.

3. Anonymity

Some individuals failed to attend as the hair social with legal repercussions. However, Narcotics Anonymous has high regard for anonymity. The anonymity not only protects each individual but also creates an atmosphere that promotes equality. In case you join the organization is new to uphold the anonymity. This includes:
  •  You should not acknowledge our members by name or through photos to show they are NA members. 
  • You should not describe the details of any member’s circumstances that could reveal his or her identity.

4. Non-religious 

Some meetings may take place in buildings owned by churches, but this does not mean Narcotics Anonymous belongs to that religion. However, they do focus on grounded spirituality, which involves reference to a good orderly Direction or higher power. This ‘Higher Power’ is simply a guide of strength and morality rather than an acknowledgment of any religion. This encourages you to focus on individual understanding.

5. Meeting Terminology

You need to familiarize yourself with some of the terminologies as you attend these meetings. Some of the common Narcotics Anonymous terminologies used and their meanings include:
  • Sponsor. This refers to an individual with experience in the 12-step programs and helps others advance through them.
  • Sharing. This means offering other members your personal experience with substance use disorder.
  • New Comers. Refers to new members.
  • Basic Text. This is the Narcotics Anonymous book that covers their core ideas. 
  • IPs. These are Information Pamphlets that cover more on NA.
two women running at the beach, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles, sober living homes in los angeles

Get Help at Riviera Sober Living

Riviera Sober Living is a wellness center that has two locations one in Pacific palisades and the other in West LA. We offer various services to help you overcome substance use and co-occurring disorders. Examples of these services include:
  • Transportation to 12 step meetings and back 
  • Weekly mentor meetings 
  • Random drug testing 
  • Weekly social activities 
  • Sponsor contacts 
  • Referrals to outpatient programs 
  • Nutritionist meetings and more. 
carefree concept of a woman doing a jump shot, recovery homes in santa monica Our facilities have amenities that make us one of the best addiction treatment centers in Century City, Los Angeles. Examples include private and semi-private suites, a self-help library, a grocery card, weekly family meetings, and more. We offer all levels of treatment which include:
  • Recovery homes in Santa Monica 
  • Affordable sober living in Los Angeles 
  • Alcohol rehabilitation in Hollywood Hills Los Angeles and; 
  • Addiction rehab in LA 90067.
Our treatment centers and programs are also pet friendly, which lets you bring your pets, which could be useful for a stable recovery.

Conclusion

Narcotics Anonymous can be part of aftercare treatment for individuals on the recovery path or those struggling with substance use disorder. It is a non-profit organization which was founded in 1953 in Los Angeles. This organization was formed after the success of Alcoholics Anonymous. However, unlike Alcoholics Anonymous that helps individuals with alcohol use disorder Narcotics Anonymous allows individuals who are struggling with substance use disorders. It is absolutely free to join Narcotics Anonymous, just like with Alcoholics Anonymous. You only need to bring one requirement, which is your desire to stop using it. Narcotic anonymous helps individuals through various meetings. It can be an individual meeting with a counselor, group meetings, or meetings with a speaker. These meetings can either be open or closed. An open meeting is where the Narcotics Anonymous meeting is accessible to interested parties like family members. A closed meeting is a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, or that is only accessible to individuals struggling with or recovering from substance use disorder.  There are various aspects of these meetings you should know or anticipate before you attend. They include:
  • There are 12-step meetings 
  • The meetings will be non-judgmental 
  • Members are Anonymous 
  • Narcotics Anonymous does not favor any religion 
  • There are some meeting terminologies you should know, for example, sponsor, which refers to an individual who helps others advance through 12 step programs.
    • Narcotic Anonymous meetings are accessible for you during your treatment. You can get help from Riviera Recovery, which is one of the top recovery homes in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. We offer various treatment programs and services, for example, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and sober living.
    Protected by Copyscape
stay home corona posta, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles, sober living homes in los angeles
Posted on

Addiction Treatment and COVID-19: Sobriety in Isolation

The COVID-19 disease has resulted in turmoil all over the world. The economy has dipped and continues to decline each day; industrialization has drastically come to a halt, and it’s no longer normal to be outside in some parts of the world. It’s easy to look at the effects of the virus on major aspects of human life like the economy and forget about the small extra battles that people have to face as a result of COVID-19. It’s easy to assume that ‘Everyone is fine as long as we’re all at home’ or that ‘It’s nice that everyone finally gets a break from the daily hustles of life.’ One of the main directives from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that people should maintain social distancing at all times, wash their hands frequently and practice self-isolation as much as possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  a man washing his hands as a coronavirus preventive measure, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles While directives from the WHO are in everyone’s best interests, people suffering or recovering from addiction have to deal with a whole new set of problems. Addiction treatment has been proven to be most successful when conducted together with other members of the community battling the same addiction.

How to Stay Sober During Self-isolation 

1. Talk to People 

A lot of people are going through the same harrowing experience just like you. Call your loved ones and tell them exactly what you’re going through, and you’ll feel better by the end of the phone call. Most addiction treatment centers also have on-call professionals who are available 24 hours a day, every day, for over the phone counseling services.  People on social media platforms have even formed forums for people recovering from addiction where they talk just like they would during the support group meetings. It may not compare to face to face interactions, but it’s a great place to start.

2. Seek Help Online 

With everything coming to a halt, organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have made most of their services available on the internet. Alcoholics Anonymous has made use of applications such as Zoom and Google Hangouts, where you can browse through and find options that are best for you. Narcotics Anonymous also has a similar website. Being able to talk to someone is better than just sending a text as you end up feeling better and stronger from an encouraging and soothing voice rather than just a text with emojis. It’s just like one on one meetings but over the Internet.

3. Try Something New 

It’s easy to get into your head during self-isolation. Boredom is the ultimate breeding ground upon which addicts who have been sober for years, suddenly relapse. Find a new hobby, like reading books or painting. Adopt a pet so that you have someone to take care of and think about other than yourself. Whatever it is, don’t be alone with your thoughts. woman reading a novel, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles, sober living homes in los angeles

4. Design a Structured Recovery System 

A recovery system is a set of activities that you take part in to ensure that you remain sober. This focuses more on sobriety as a journey rather than a goal. Everything you do from the point you wake up should be geared towards remaining sober. An efficient system is one where every part of your day is planned, such that you know exactly what you’re going to be doing at 6:59 pm on Tuesday. It also ensures that there is no room for boredom or zero activity.

5. Consider a Sober Living Home 

This is a sure method of ensuring you avoid relapse, especially if you’ve just left rehab recently. It is a residential place where individuals who are in recovery reside and live normal lives but in a more controlled environment. It reduces the chances of coming across triggers, and you have support from people just like you. Living with people going through the same thing as you encourage especially during stressful and tempting times such as these. Most sober living homes have requirements such as you should pay rent just like a normal home, no drugs, support meetings are generally encouraged, and you just do your share of household chores.  Visiting numerous homes is ideal for you to find a place that is exactly like your actual home.

Riviera Recovery Sober Living

Riviera Recovery is not only a sober living facility, but it’s also a community. Our facilities are found all over the coast so that you can practice sober living in Los Angeles and sober living in southern California. They are designed to meet everyone’s preferences with numerous services and programs available for everyone who walks through our doors. We realize that home, or at least an environment like home, is the best place for recovery, and thus we have designed our facilities for the best sort of upscale sober living just like home. Our sober houses in Los Angeles include:

Barrington House

This is a high-end facility for sober living in West Los Angeles. Barrington house was specially made to make patients undergoing drug and alcohol treatment in the Los Angeles area and its environs. It is truly made to suit the home environment with social amenities found within a walking radius of the facility. You are sure to be in a cozy environment where you can relax on the facility’s outdoor patio or play ping pong indoors as you recover. The 12 step community is also found in numerous neighboring areas with meetings taking place both during the day and at night. There are also gyms and schools nearby plus a farmer’s market once a week!

Palisades House:

This facility is a co-ed residential sober living house in Los Angeles found in an affluent neighborhood between the Santa Monica mountains and the Pacific Ocean. There’s nothing quite healing like the sound and feel of the ocean, making it the perfect location. Men and women here have different bathroom facilities and can live normal lives, all the while getting treatment. Activities such as hiking and swimming at the beach will probably make up most of your time here, and what’s not to love about that?  This facility also allows you to take part in 12 step recovery programs found in the Malibu and Santa Monica area. woman doing yoga exercise on a beach, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles

Final word 

While the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 are top on the list of priorities in the health sector, addiction treatment isn’t any less important. In any case, you’re more likely to suffer to a greater extent if you keep an addiction problem to yourself.  Reaching out to those who are going through the same thing will always go a long way in encouraging you. Addiction treatment in isolation may not be an easy task, but it can be done with discipline and determination. Things are probably going to change once this virus has passed; don’t let it be the only thing. Protected by Copyscape
an image of a man writing on a notepad, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles
Posted on

What Does Living in a Sober House Mean?

Life after rehab or inpatient treatment can be a little challenging. Just detoxification of some drugs involves the use of tapering. Getting back to your life needs the same principle. In the late 1800s, prisoners in England transitioned from prison life to civilian life with the help of halfway houses. These houses were later used to serve various purposes, for example, to shelter the homeless or use disorder patients.  If you need help transitioning back to the community and your life, you will need to understand what a sober house is, how it works, and how it benefits you. You may also use sober house living if or you need rehab for a while longer as an outpatient. 

What is a Sober House?

sky blue couch with a pillow, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles A Sober house is a residence specially designed to host individuals discharged from use disorder inpatient treatment. People often confuse sober houses with halfway houses. Sober houses belong to individuals or private addiction treatment organizations and centers. Halfway houses, on the other hand, are owned by government agencies. Sober houses do not receive any funding from the government, which means you have to pay rent for your stay. You will have access to various programs to help you maintain sobriety. The sober house will equip you with the skills necessary to function as a sober individual. You will be able to learn skills like responsibility, how to compromise accountability, and cooking and cleaning for yourself. Sober house living is also covered under addiction rehab licenses, which makes it possible to offer various programs to help continue with treatment after treatment in an inpatient rehab clinic.

How Does it Work?

You will begin at the intake process, where you are expected to provide adequate information that will be used to support you during this. We will ask for details on your general health, mental health condition, and addiction history. The medical professionals will want to know the last time you used any substance if you are under the care of a physician or have any existing medical conditions.  Treatment consultants in sober houses are always non-judgemental, so you should be straight forward when they ask standard questions such as your education, occupation, and criminal background. Addiction consultants also take part in the intake to help prescribe the right program for your use disorder.

What Does Living in a Sober House Mean?

Living in a sober house means that you will undertake daily operations with house managers overseas. Sober houses have evolved to try and offer the best care for their residence. For example, residences like Riviera Recovery have an entire staff that is ready to assist the residents at any time. They have overnight staff or resident managers who will support you when you face cravings, and your sponsor is unavailable.  Some of the staff may not be medical professionals; however, they are well trained in addiction and recovery. Other sober houses rely on community fellowship for support counseling sessions and daily therapy.

Types of Support Available 

a smiling chef holding a cup, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles Most community based sober living Homes focus on peer recovery and support. They help establish these bonds through wellness classes outdoor excursions group therapy and 12-step meetings to stop sober houses highly recommend 12 step meetings as they have a high recovery success rate.  The use of group therapy helps residents find solutions for anxiety loss stress from addiction to depression and more. Individuals will feel less lonely when they exchange experiences and relate to what the members are going through. It helps to increase a sense of understanding, empathy, patience, support, and more, which will benefit the community as a whole. The availability of support is important in a sober house. It is a criterion you should consider when selecting which sober house to go to.

Day to Day Life in a Sober House

Rules routine and structure will have a significant impact on your sobriety. They will help you reduce seclusion feelings and outside influences that may trigger a relapse. A healthy routine will not only help with addiction treatment, but it is also used to help with mental health illnesses. The routine in a sober house will include choosing house activities or group activities. There are those residences that the residents attend a school or go to work. This is an outpatient treatment program for such facilities.  Typical activities in a sober house routine include 12-step meetings and house activities such as yoga adventure therapy or holistic treatment. Most residences have a strict visitor policy and a curfew which the residents must abide by. All the treatments and activities you partake in have proven to have a positive effect on the body mind and spirit of residents. There is also a significant emphasis on sobriety healing and self-care as they are recurring aspects of your daily life, even outside the sober house. These activities and routines prepare you for believing when you leave.

How Successful Are Sober Houses?

The biological components make it hard to maintain sobriety after a chemical dependency, but Sober Houses have high success rates. The success depends on the period you stay at the Residence. Most people spend 3 to 6 months in the facility. However, you have an increased chance of sobriety if you visit longer, especially if you have been struggling with use disorder for years. This gives your brain ample time to reset itself.  During this time, you will deal with emotional problems and their underlying causes. Time is also necessary for those struggling with mental illnesses such as depression who are chief stability. The strict house rules and peaceful environment help you to stay sober. There will be random drug tests that will discourage you from relapse.

Riviera Recovery Sober Living

The Riviera recovery sober house helps you in sobriety general wellness and independence. Our health community offers multiple services, including referrals to other outpatient programs, weekly social activities, nightly check-ins, personal trainers, 12-step meetings, food management, random drug testing, and more.  We are a team of medical professionals and non-medical professionals trained with Addiction and recovery. Our organization has two main facilities; the Palisades house and the Barrington house. They are equipped with amenities such as housekeeping private security suites, self-help library weekly family updates participation in outpatient programs weekly mentoring, and more.  a person lying on a sofa while reading a book, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles The Palisades House overlooks the Pacific Ocean from the foot of the Santa Monica mountains. You have access to various activities within the local eating places like Malibu Pacific palisades and Santa Monica. Contact us to start rehab today at this high-end facility for long-term sobriety. The Barrington house residence is an all-male location that has access to a couple of Parks and shops within walking distance. It is located in West La with easy access to Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. We offer a thriving 12-step program with daily meetings.

Final Thoughts

You can get help to help you lead a sober life in Sober houses. A sober house is a residential facility that enables you to transition back into your life after rehab. You will participate in Multiple activities to help you gain sobriety skills. Such activities include outdoor excursions group therapy, individual therapy 12-step meetings, and more. Sober houses have a high success rate, which makes them trust me.  You can start sober living today in a top facility like Riviera recovery, which is run by medical professionals who know how to handle transition. You may expect to stay in this residence for 3 to 6 months. However, the longer you stay, the better chances you have to lead a sober life over a long time.
Protected by Copyscape