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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.
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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.
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Why Naloxone Should Be a Part of Your Relapse Prevention Plan

There are two fundamental questions that bear answering in exploring this topic: “What is Naloxone?”, and “What is relapse prevention?” If you have been around those in recovery, been to treatment or have ever experienced a non-lethal overdose, you are likely familiar with these concepts. 

What is Naloxone?

Put plainly, Naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan or Evzio, is an FDA-approved medication introduced in the early 2000’s that reverses opioid overdoses. Packaged either as a nasal spray or auto-injectable, advances in technology and litigation have gotten this so-called “miracle drug” into the hands of lay people (friends and family of those who struggle with addiction) who in some studies, claimed to have successfully reversed 25,000 opioid overdoses in the eighteen years between 1996 and 2014.  Naloxone works by restoring breathing to individuals experiencing the depressive effects of high doses of opioids, where breathing slows, and lack of oxygen to the brain causes the body’s organs to begin shutting down. Through a process of binding to the opioid receptors, thus blocking the further effects of any other dosage, naloxone provides individuals with a 30 to 90 minute window of time where they are able to receive further emergency treatment.  Naloxone is now readily available at all major pharmacies, and the associated education of learning to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose takes only about five to ten minutes. Both of these figures contributes to the widespread success of this product, and explain the importance of including naloxone distribution and education to close family members and friends as a vital aspect of your relapse prevention plan. 

What is a Relapse Prevention Plan?

This brings us to the second important question of the post: what is the purpose of a relapse prevention plan? In essence, it is the aim of verbalizing or drafting a plan to avoid relapse; to be fully prepared for future cravings, or when facing triggering situations. A good relapse prevention plan will help you to identify your triggers ahead of time, remind you of healthy coping skills to employ, as well as contain a list of supportive people that you can call when in need. Not only should it focus on people or places important to avoid, it should also help to define what you are like when you are “well”, and the self-care maintenance practices to use on a daily or weekly basis that will help to keep you there.  While a large portion of the plan may require individual motivation and effort, the participation and education of close family and friends of the best ways to support you in your recovery journey should not be overlooked. Teaching them communication strategies to help point you in the right direction, giving them permission to help keep you accountable, and arming them with a life-saving tool like naloxone are key aspects of setting yourself up for success in recovery.  This is just a brief overview of the key contents of a relapse prevention plan, and far from conclusive. For further information and assistance in your recovery journey, consult one of our admissions specialists today!
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Stay on Track in a Sober Living Community in Los Angeles

6 Ways Quality Sober Living Strengthens Recovery From Addiction

With your 30, 60, or 90-day stint in drug and alcohol rehab now under your belt, the next step in your recovery journey will be a stay in a sober living community.  Since the objective of addiction treatment is to achieve life-long sobriety, the decision to spend some restorative time in a sober residence is a wise one.  Re-entering normal life before your new sober and healthy habits have become routine will likely set you up for a relapse.  Therefore, sober living provides those new in recovery the opportunity for a safe transition back to regular life.   When considering where you want to spend a few months living in a sober environment why not make the best of it?  You know the saying, “Location, location, location,” right?  So why not enjoy the amazing benefits of a sober living community in Los Angeles—specifically, in the spectacular hills of Malibu, California?  Enjoy the beautiful vistas that rim the Pacific Ocean as part and parcel of your recovery journey. 6 Ways a Quality Sober Living Helps Keep Recovery on Track Yes, getting clean and sober is very hard.  Even more challenging, however, is staying clean and sober.  In early recovery, the brain hasn’t fully healed and old addiction reflexes and responses still threaten to undo all the hard work of getting sober.  This is where a quality sober living community can make a real difference in solidifying your recovery.  
  1. A drug and alcohol-free safety zone.  This is huge.  Although triggers come in all forms and variations, one universal trigger for potential relapse back into addiction is the very presence of drugs or alcohol.  Reduce the risk of this potential landmine and live in a drug and alcohol-free environment for a while.
  2. Replace bad habits with new, healthy ones.  Most addicts and alcoholics acquire increasingly destructive and unproductive habits along the way.  Intrinsic to a full recovery is the healing of the mind, body and spirit following a long period of self-abuse.  Taking up a new sport, daily exercise, and new hobbies enhances recovery by replacing poor former habits with invigorating new ones.
  3. Become part of a supportive community.  Many in recovery have left damaged relationships in their wakes and need to develop some new friendships.  Living in a quality sober living community provides a built-in support system, with both other recovering residents as well as the support staff offering encouragement and friendship.
  4. The benefits of a pet-friendly environment.  Much research confirms the many health benefits of pet ownership, and to the alcoholic or addict in recovery the benefits are many.  Having your dog present makes you feel less alone in an unfamiliar environment, as well as enhances feelings of self-worth, accountability, and reduced anxiety.  This can help prolong the stay in sober living, reinforcing recovery before re-entering the real world.
  5. Holistic therapies enhance recovery.  Without getting to the core issues beneath the addiction and learning new coping techniques, recovery will be short-lived.  Mindfulness training, yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, and ongoing psychological therapy all help with self-discovery, living in the moment, and assisting with stress reduction.
  6. Learning how to enjoy the sober lifestyle.  A common hurdle for the newly recovered is viewing life without their substance as empty and boring.  A sober community learns the joy and fulfillment of experiencing cultural events, sports events, and outdoor activities without drugs and alcohol.
Riviera Recovery a Quality Sober Living Community in Los Angeles Riviera Recovery is a high quality, pet-friendly sober living community in Malibu, California that provides an exceptional environment to foster healing and recovery.  By offering a wide array of life-enhancing activities and therapies, its residents are afforded a unique opportunity for embracing a new, healthy lifestyle.  Riviera Recovery provides top-notch amenities and services in addition to trips and local activities that allow this sober living community in Los Angeles to experience the renewed spirit that they deserve.  For more information about our program, please call us today at (866) 478-8799.