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Published In: Substance Abuse | April 07 2023
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Psyclarity Health is an inpatient addiction treatment center specializing in both men and women health and wellness. We offer confidential, evidence-based detox and rehab programs that are designed with your safety, comfort, and health in mind, with clinical stabilization services, acute detox services, mental health treatment programs, short-and long-term rehab programs, each individualized to each person’s unique needs. All care is provided by licensed, accredited, and experienced doctors, nurses, therapists, and addiction specialists, using trauma-informed methodologies.
We Help People Struggling With Dual Diagnosis (Addiction To Drugs & or Alcohol as well as Mental Health Issues) Beat Addiction
Mental health issues and substance use disorders are two issues that are often closely connected within a person with dual diagnosis, often causing feelings of being trapped in the cycle of substance abuse and mental health symptoms. Many individuals who have a mental illness may turn to substance use to “feel better”. For example, a person with clinical depression may use stimulants to simulate artificial happiness and energy, while a person with social anxiety may turn to alcohol abuse or drug use to cope with their discomfort.
At the same time, substance abuse can make pre-existing or underlying mental health conditions worse. Depending on drugs & alcohol can inhibit the development of healthy coping skills, creating a reliance on the substance to function normally.
Drugs & alcohol only work to mask symptoms, and when you quit the substances, these mental health symptoms will return, which is why at Psyclarity Health, we believe that treating both issues in a comprehensive dual diagnosis program will provide the best possible chance for long-term recovery.
At Psyclarity Health, we utilize trauma-informed therapies throughout each patient’s treatment program, working hard to ensure every one of our patients feels safe, listened-to, and supported as they heal the underlying causes of addiction and gain new strategies for living life free from addiction. We foster open communication and answer all questions thoroughly, empowering our patients to make decisions regarding their own treatment. Some of the trauma-informed therapies we offer for Los Angeles and California residents include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps teach healthy coping skills, focusing on the way thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes affect your feelings and actions. In CBT for addiction treatment you will learn to identify and manage triggers and unhelpful thoughts, as you work to recognize and make changes to your behavioral patterns.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that is delivered by a trauma-informed therapist. It is used to reduce symptoms of PTSD, by teaching how to evaluate and change upsetting thoughts that you have had since your trauma. These changes can affect the way you feel and behave as you learn to understand trauma-based triggers and reactions.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps patients learn to interact with the world in more positive ways, introducing stress management skills, core mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation. These healthy coping mechanisms can empower you to make healthier decisions for a better quality of life.
Psychoeducational groups are similar to a classroom in some ways, providing information on a particular topic or teaching skills to a group of patients. Some examples include cognitive behavioral therapy, anger management, life skills, and communication skills training. These groups are led by an effective leader, using discussion, seminars, and problem-solving exercises to encourage group learning. At Psyclarity, our clientele is made up of both men and women patients, so we also incorporate gender-specific concerns into treatments.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an effective type of treatment for those with PTSD, helping patients process and view traumatic memories objectively. By stimulating bilateral eye movements a trained therapist will ask patients to evaluate their emotional responses as they relive events from the past. This technique, combined with visualization techniques, helps patients reprocess memories to minimize negative emotions like fear, panic, and sadness.
Addiction affects every aspect of a person’s life, taking a toll on the body while affecting mental and emotional health, impacting your social life and support system, and taking a toll on your overall sense of well-being. Incorporating holistic treatments into a comprehensive treatment plan can strengthen the mind-body connection, while reducing stress, improving mood, and gaining a deeper understanding of yourself. At Psyclarity we integrate acupuncture, exercise programs, yoga practice, meditation, and stress management techniques into our patients’ programming for a whole-patient approach to healing.
Substance abuse can cause issues not only with your mental and physical well-being, but it can also cause you to miss out on learning important life skills that could help you live a healthier and more independent life. Rehab programs may offer help learning about topics like personal hygiene, cleaning your house, cooking healthy meals, finding a job, time management, organizational skills, and more. You will work with your case manager or therapist to identify knowledge gaps you want to work on, gaining important knowledge that will help you live a self-reliant life, get a good job, or achieve more goals that you want to set for yourself.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs are an important part of many people’s initial weeks in substance use disorder programs. Incorporating medical care from board-certified doctors and licensed nurses, along with dual diagnosis treatment (if needed) and using prescription medications can make all the difference in your experience. Detoxing does not need to be frightening or painful, and a MAT treatment plan will utilize short-term medications to help you avoid pain, insomnia, dehydration, nausea, cravings, and more.
At Psyclarity Health, we utilize a variety of medications in a customized treatment plan designed to help you overcome the initial phases of recovery. Your detox may include Zofran for nausea, Baclofen to treat muscle pain, or Clonidine for cramps, anxiety, muscle aches, and sweating. Chlordiazepoxide HCL may be used to treat insomnia and anxiety, and benzodiazepine medications may be provided short-term to regulate the nervous system and manage emotional instability.
Those detoxing from an alcohol use disorder may be given Acamprosate to reduce cravings and normalize brain activity, and those with an opioid use disorder may begin a longer-term treatment plan that uses prescription doses of buprenorphine (Suboxone) or methadone to help with opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Usage of these medications is tapered off slowly, over weeks or months.
Art and music therapy are often used as forms of self-expression for patients. Through painting, drawing, playing music, or otherwise creating, you may be able to resolve emotions, explore feelings, and with the help of a therapist discover ways to find resolutions to life’s issues. These are also treatments that some patients find enjoyable, keeping engagement and interest high.
There are many different types of family therapy, but they are all designed to involve two or more family members who want to work through difficult feelings and issues together, with guidance from a professional therapist. In the case of addiction, family members may wish to open up better communication with the addicted loved one, or they may wish to come to therapy on their own to resolve their feelings around addiction. There are also family programs that provide education on the topic of addiction, teaching family members how to support their loved one without creating a codependent relationship or enabling unhealthy habits.
Group therapy is any type of therapy in which a group of patients are led in discussion or educational programming by one or more qualified therapists. By discussing specific topics or themes and working together in a supportive environment, patients can learn new strategies, perspectives, social skills, and communication skills. By working together and employing empathy, group therapy you may take comfort in the fact that you are not alone in your struggles. You will be surrounded by peers who understand where you are coming from, and who may be able to provide advice, support, or friendship.
One-on-one therapy (individual therapy) is a private conversation between patient and therapist. You will speak with them about anything that is bothering you or that is interfering with your happiness. Your therapist will listen, provide tools you can use, and through a productive conversation you will gain new coping skills and work to identify and heal the underlying causes of addiction, and overcome anything that is preventing you from living your best life.
In neurofeedback therapy, your brainwaves will be measured using an electroencephalography (EEG) machine. You will see the brain waves on the screen and learn to control them consciously by learning to recognize patterns and how they feel in the body. This can help you to learn to effectively reduce stress, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and a variety of other mental health issues by consciously changing brain wave patterns.
Somatic therapy is used to treat PTSD, along with other mental health disorders. By incorporating physical sensations into therapy, you will learn to identify the physical sensations that come from mental health issues (like a tense jaw, faster heart rate, or rapid breathing), and use somatic therapy techniques to release tension. Common somatic techniques include breathwork exercises, exercise, massage, grounding exercises, and sensation awareness.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an advanced form of depression treatment. An electromagnetic coil is placed near the forehead and a magnetic pulse stimulates nerve cells in the region of the brain responsible for mood control. Although it is not completely understood, this treatment has been effective for many people with otherwise treatment-resistant depression, whose symptoms were not improved by therapy and medication.
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most common types of addiction in the United States. Because alcohol is legal for anybody over the age of 21, it may be surprising to learn that it is also one of the most dangerous substances to quit on your own, especially if you have been drinking for a long time or drinking large amounts. A fully supervised medical detox program, followed by short- or long-term rehab is the best way to stop drinking for good.
Methamphetamine (crystal meth) is a highly addictive stimulant drug, which, due to its fast highs and quick comedowns, often results in users binging the drug for days at a time. These binges can cause serious physical health problems like severe dehydration and malnutrition, insomnia, and heart issues. Meth is also related to a variety of psychiatric issues like depression, anhedonia, paranoia, and depression. Recovering from meth addiction will often require spending time inside a medically assisted treatment program with strong mental health care, followed by inpatient rehab with therapy, health care, behavioral health treatments, and psychiatric services.
Benzodiazepine medications are often prescribed for anxiety, panic, and insomnia. Even when used as prescribed they can cause a physical dependence that may result in serious health issues if you were to quit cold turkey. A benzodiazepine taper program in a MAT plan, along with therapy and help for the underlying anxiety will help you overcome this addiction.
Opioid drugs like heroin, as well as prescription pain medication like codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and oxycontin cause serious addictions that often take months or years of medication assisted treatment, along with therapy, support, and relapse prevention programming to overcome. Learning stress-reduction techniques, building a strong support network, and knowing when to seek extra help will improve the chances of recovery.
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that causes fast and intense addiction. Recovery from cocaine use disorder may require a stay inside a medical detox facility to help you with the insomnia, restlessness, high blood pressure, and other health issues that come with the initial phases of recovery. Cocaine is a psychologically addictive substance, so an integrated rehab program with plenty of therapy, peer support, group counseling, behavioral therapy, holistic treatments, and more will give you the tools you need to stay sober after rehab.
Some prescription medications have a potential for being abused. This includes benzodiazepine drugs, opioid drugs, sleeping pills, and stimulants. Your substance use treatment program will be customized to help you with the symptoms and issues caused by prescription medication addiction, so that you have the tools you need to deal with the corresponding physical and mental health symptoms.
When speaking about addiction, a co-occurring disorder is any combination of two or more mental health disorders and substance use disorders that are affecting an individual. These issues must be treated concurrently, within an integrated treatment plan that may include therapy, behavioral health care, and prescription medications. Some examples of common co-occurring disorders are:
Substance use disorder and bipolar disorder
Alcohol use disorder with depression and anxiety
Drug addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Sleeping Pills Addiction
Sleeping pills cause sensations of relaxation by affecting the GABA neurotransmitters in the brain which control alertness and relaxation levels in the central nervous system. Common sleeping pill brands are Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata. These medications should only be used short-term along with lifestyle changes, as the body quickly begins to depend on them to fall asleep and you may experience rebound insomnia that may be even worse than it was before you began taking the pills. A medically assisted detox can minimize this effect and reduce any withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
Crack is a type of cocaine that has been converted into “rocks”, which are then smoked, producing an immediate, intense euphoric effect. It is a highly addictive substance that is associated with several health risks including cardiac arrest, seizures, lung issues, and paranoid behavior. An integrated treatment program with medical care, mental health treatments, and relapse prevention education will provide the best chance at long-term recovery after crack use.
Stimulants include amphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, meth, and prescription drugs like Ritalin or Adderall. These are drugs that produce an overabundance of dopamine, which gives immediate sensations of pleasure, energy, and self-confidence. These feelings are short-lived, which causes stimulant users to binge the drugs in order to keep the feeling going. Over time, the brain stops producing dopamine on its own, resulting in withdrawal symptoms that may require professional management to overcome. An inpatient detox program, followed by relapse prevention education and therapy is the best course of action for most people with an addiction to stimulant drugs.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may cause people to act impulsively, have difficulty paying attention or be overly active. It is theorized that people with ADHD may have lower amounts of dopamine in their brains, which may cause them to be more inclined to abuse drugs and alcohol.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable recurring thoughts and behaviors that they feel the need to repeat over and over. People who have OCD are at higher risk of developing a substance use disorder than people without this condition.
Anxiety disorders cause people to worry, with distress, intrusive thoughts, or panic attacks, even when there is not a logical reason for these feelings. Symptoms include irritability, dread, rapid heart rate, dizziness, shaking, and anticipating the worst case scenario. People with an anxiety disorder are at higher risk of developing addiction as they may use substances to self-medicate.
Phobias are intense fears or aversions to specific objects or situations, with responses that are out of proportion to reality. They may worry about encountering what they fear, and will experience intense and uncontrollable anxiety when faced with the phobia, even if they know it is irrational. Common phobias are Arachnophobia (fear of spiders), Aerophobia (fear of flying) and Acrophobia (fear of heights).
A person who has bipolar disorder will experience prolonged episodes of depression and mania, which are unusual shifts in mood and energy that affect their daily lives. When they are manic, they may have lots of energy, with racing thoughts, a sense of euphoria, and jumpy or agitated feelings. They may also make grandiose plans and have difficulty sleeping. During a depressive episode, the mood may shift to sad and empty, with sleep issues and low energy.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a disorder that develops in a person who has experienced something traumatic, dangerous, or shocking. This disorder goes beyond normal fear or shock, lasting at least one month after the event. A person with PTSD may experience the stress and fear of the body’s “fight or flight” response, even when they are not in danger. They may have flashbacks or experience frightening thoughts and dreams, feel distorted emotions or anger, or be “on edge”, and they may avoid situations that trigger these responses. PTSD symptoms can affect a person’s life and mental well-being.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that impacts the way a person can regulate their emotions. It affects the way they feel about themselves and others, causing mood swings, a shifting identity, a fear of abandonment, and serious problems in interpersonal relationships. A person with BPD will often have intensely unstable relationships with others, and have difficulty making genuine connections. This can result in impulsive behaviors that could become dangerous, including substance abuse.
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness that affects thoughts, mood, and behavior. A person with this disorder may have symptoms of mania, depression, and psychosis, with hallucinations, impaired communication, or unusual behavior. This disorder is often triggered by stress or traumatic life events, as well as a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Clinical depression is different from everyday sadness. It is a disorder that interrupts daily life with prolonged feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, low energy, difficulty concentrating, anger, and changes in appetite and sleep habits. A person with depression may feel hopeless or empty, and may experience suicidal thoughts.
Sleep deprivation is what it is called when you don’t get enough sleep. Some symptoms include yawning often, feeling sleepy or groggy throughout the day, dozing off, feeling irritable, and having difficulty concentrating. People need to sleep to survive, so sleep deprivation can become dangerous to your health.
Dual diagnosis is what it is called when a person has a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. Common mental health issues that are found alongside addiction are anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, codependency, eating disorders, and impulse control disorders. Treating these issues at the same time, in an integrated treatment plan will give the patient the best possible chance of remaining sober long-term, as drugs and alcohol are often used to self-medicate for symptoms of mental health issues.
When a person dies of suicide, this means that they have ended their own life. There are many options for mental health treatment and therapy that can help people experiencing thoughts of suicide. People who abuse drugs and alcohol are at greater risk of suicide than those who do not use these substances, and for many, entering a licensed and safe rehabilitation program can ease stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems. It is always worth exploring any option available, as sometimes medications and therapy can make a huge difference in the way you feel.
The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). These all cause a negative impact on a person’s health. Restricting food intake or eating too much can impact the way the body gets nutrition, and can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, and mouth. Many times, eating disorders are rooted in anxiety or trauma, and require therapy for treatment.
Psyclarity Health is an inpatient addiction treatment center specializing in both men and women health and wellness. We offer confidential, evidence-based detox and rehab programs that are designed with your safety, comfort, and health in mind, with clinical stabilization services, acute detox services, mental health treatment programs, short-and long-term rehab programs, each individualized to each person’s unique needs. All care is provided by licensed, accredited, and experienced doctors, nurses, therapists, and addiction specialists, using trauma-informed methodologies.
