Mental Health Articles

Understanding the Behaviors of an Enabler

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

When working to overcome an addiction, it is important to surround yourself with people who know your commitment to becoming healthier and support your decision to change for the better. Whether they are friends, family members, or coworkers, they should be aware of your plans and what you need to achieve success.

This video is an interview with two women who have had their own experiences with addiction. Watch to learn more how those who feel like they are supporting a loved one with addiction may actually be enabling the problem. If you have any questions about addiction, call Las Encinas Hospital of Pasadena at (888) 348-2165.

Methods to Manage Your Stress to Prevent Relapse

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

Recovering from substance abuse can be a significant challenge. Withdrawal is almost always excruciating, and in the presence of stress, symptoms of withdrawal can get even worse. Keeping your stress under control on a daily basis can help keep substance-seeking behaviors at bay and may even improve the efficacy of other behavioral health therapies. If you are worried that your everyday stresses are keeping you from recovering from addiction, consider the following tips for managing stress on a daily basis:

Change Your Situation

Chronic high levels of stress can harm your whole system. When confronted by a stressful situation in your everyday life, use problem solving to change the situation. An overwhelming to-do... Continue reading →

Roadmap to Recovery: Beating Addiction

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

Recovery from substance abuse isn’t something that just happens in one day. It’s a process that is filled with ups and downs, slip-ups and saves. If you embrace the long-term nature of recovery, however, you can triumph over chemical dependency and reclaim your health and your life. The first step is deciding that you’re ready for addiction treatment. When you decide you want to stop using, recovery is within your reach. This infographic from Lac Encinas Hospital, a substance abuse treatment center, offers some insight into succeeding at recovery. Please share this vital information so that everyone who needs it can find it.

Prescription Drug Abuse in College 101

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

Among the homecoming games and pledge weeks on college campuses, a new tradition is taking hold: prescription drug abuse. A startling number of college students admit that sharing prescription drugs is common in their peer groups, and many rely on these drugs for everything from study help to weight loss. In addition to the dangers that come with mixing prescription medication with binge drinking, misusing these medications often leads to indulging in other recreational drug use, including cocaine abuse. This infographic from Las Encinas Hospitaloffers an eye-opening look at prescription drug abuse among college students. If you’re concerned about your prescription drug use or that of a friend, contact our treatment facility to learn about our substance abuse program. Please share this... Continue reading →

Understanding the Potential benefits of Exercise in Your Substance Abuse Recovery

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

While most adults are well aware of the health advantages of getting regular exercise, its benefits for addiction recovery are not as commonly known. Physical activity can help adults overcome their addiction and may even improve the efficacy of other substance abuse treatments. Below are some of the ways in which getting regular exercise may help you overcome your addiction.

Stress Reduction

When trying to recover from an addiction to alcohol, nicotine, or another addictive substance, even a small amount of stress can worsen cravings and create a huge obstacle to remaining healthy. Exercising regularly can help reduce feelings of stress while improving your overall health.... Continue reading →

A Look at the Problem of Prescription Drug Abuse in America

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

Prescription drug abuse occurs when a prescription medication is acquired and taken without a doctor’s approval. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this form of substance abuse is so common that it is second only to marijuana in popularity among illicit drug users. Pain medications, anxiolytics, and amphetamines are common medications targeted for nonmedical use and are causing an increasingly serious problem in the United States. Read on to find out just how pervasive this problem is.

Who Is Most at Risk?

In 2010, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 2.4 million Americans first began using prescription medications for nonmedical use. According to this data, women, teenagers, and older adults seemed to be at the highest risk of... Continue reading →

How Long Will You Need to Receive Care for Substance Abuse

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

If you are considering getting treatment for a substance abuse problem, one of your biggest concerns is likely to be how long you will need to stay in a facility and under care. Understanding the scope of your commitment to treatment may make the decision more manageable.

There is no specific amount of time that it takes to help someone overcome addiction. Some people may only need treatment for a few days as they detox, while others will benefit from staying in a treatment facility for a few weeks. At Las Encinas Hospital, we will work with you to develop a personalized plan to fully address your issues so you can understand how long your care should last.

Aurora Behavioral Health Care at Las Encinas Hospital is committed to finding a treatment planthat works for you in... Continue reading →

What Is a Functioning Alcoholic?

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

Alcoholics are not always easy to spot. Although it’s sometimes clear when a person has a problem with alcohol, this is not always the case. Functioning alcoholics drink every bit as much as people who have more obvious struggles with alcohol, but they are able to conceal the signs so that few are aware that they are heavy drinkers.

Functioning alcohols are able to maintain most daily routines that slip away from other people who abuse alcohol. They may excel at work, and their relationships don’t usually suffer from their drinking. Functioning alcoholics are able to deny their drinking problems because they haven’t experienced any of the stereotypical consequences. However, being a functioning alcoholic is dangerous. Usually, such people can function while drinking heavily... Continue reading →

Substance Profile: Heroin

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

Heroin is a highly addictive opiate. It is a derivative of morphine and acts as a depressant. Heroin varies in appearance depending on type. It comes in white and brown powder forms and as a brown, tar-like paste. It can be smoked, injected, or snorted.

Heroin produces an intense high that initially lasts a few hours, though heavy users may build up tolerance to the drug such that the high lasts only minutes. After the initial high, a period of sleepiness and slow mental functioning sets in. With short-term use, heroin causes vomiting, constipation, and slurred speech. Long-term use causes collapsed veins, cardiac infections, abscesses, and liver problems. Heroin users are also at increased risk of communicable diseases when they share needles.

Kicking heroin on your own is... Continue reading →

Can You Inherit Alcoholism?

March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press Release

Does alcoholism run in families? Doctors and scientists have long suspected that there is a genetic component to alcoholism, and a growing body of work suggests that they are right. Scientists have yet to identify the specific gene, but it is important to note that having a genetic risk for becoming an alcoholic does not mean that you will become one. In fact, knowing that you have an increased risk can help you make informed decisions about drinking.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children of alcoholics are four times more likely to become alcoholics themselves. A landmark study in Sweden chronicled alcohol use in twins who were raised in separate adoptive families. The twins born to alcoholic fathers had much greater incidents of... Continue reading →