Category: Addiction Treatment

What comes to your mind when you think of Japan? Good food? Rich culture? Traditional medicine? If you are thinking along those lines, then it is safe to say you have an idea of what Japan represents.

Amongst all those mentioned above, let’s look at one of Japan’s traditional medicine approaches that have, over time, become an international export – Reiki therapy.

After years of contradicted validity, Reiki’s therapy, a holistic energy treatment, is obtaining new respect within the medical community. Highly renowned medical facilities in the U.S. are not just giving patients alternative healing treatments like Reiki. 

Those facilities are examining the benefits of the therapy and presenting them for evaluation and compilation. And the outcomes of these Reiki studies are absolutely remarkable.

What Is Reiki Therapy?

Reiki therapy is a Japanese form of alternative medicine that helps promote healing by channelling energy. The therapy also works holistically; on the entire body, spirit, and mind. Japanese culture are firm believers of how the spiritual affects the physical, and this approach models that belief.

Reiki therapy practitioners believe that there are energy blocks in some parts of the body, especially injured areas. Reiki aims to target those blocks and release the energy from those parts to other parts.

In essence, Reiki is pretty much a relaxing therapy where natural healing vibrations are conveyed through the Reiki practitioner’s hand (acting as a conduit) to the recipient’s body.

A quiet environment during a Reiki session lets both the practitioner and patient to access their energies. Some practitioners may play a soothing ambient tune or keep the session peaceful to set the mood.

The Benefits of Reiki Therapy for Mental Health

Reiki is believed to help speed up healing, reduce pain, and aid relaxation. According to research, it was found that Reiki was more effective than the other treatments for reducing pain, depression, and anxiety in chronically ill patients.

Reiki therapy has many benefits, and practitioners boast an individual will have a more peaceful mind, show improved personal awareness, increased creativity, and experience relief from anxiety and depression.

To understand what Reiki is for, as it relates to mental health, keep reading!

Now, it will be very untrue to claim Reiki, on its own, could help improve one’s mental health. If you’ve read our blogs on mental illnesses, you’d know an interplay of approaches is required to help the patient get better.

Reiki, as you may already know, is a complementary technique that works best when applied with other medical techniques.

For people suffering from mental illness, the course of treatment usually involves counseling and medication. Alternative treatment approaches like Reiki are applied as extras to boost the efficacy of other treatment options.

Reiki may also help immensely in keeping stressors at bay. When a person is less stressed, the symptoms of mental illness are reduced.

So, invariably, we can say that Reiki therapy can help improve your mental health. However, Reiki therapy for mental health may be successful if applied with other recovery treatments, like treatment at an inpatient treatment center.

Heal From Your Addiction at Anchored Tides Recovery

Anchored Tides Recovery offers holistic approaches to healing and recovery from addiction. While offering holistic healing options, we also offer more traditional approaches that include support groups, medications, and behavioral therapies. 

Now you know what Reiki therapy is and what Reiki is used for. Contact us now, and we will help you or your loved one live a healthy life through our holistic approaches for mental health.

Anchored Tides Recovery is a premiere outpatient rehab program located in Huntington Beach, CA. We help women recover from different forms of substance abuse and mental health issues, with the common goal of attaining full, lifelong, recovery.

Is heroin addiction a disease? Or could it be a choice? Too many people have asked themselves these questions as they struggle to come to terms with a loved one’s addiction to heroin. This is the type of drug that is extremely consuming and will take over someone’s life. Heroin can be injected or snorted, and is purchased illegally. It’s an opioid made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia.

Outsiders often see heroin addiction as a bad choice, one that the addict keeps making over and over again. Even heroin addicts themselves struggle with the shame of seeing themselves as incapable of making “the right choices”. 

But addiction isn’t a choice; it is a disease, which is why addicts can’t “seem to help themselves”. There are many facts about addiction being a disease, and in this article, we’ll be discussing a few. 

But first, what is addiction? 

Addiction Defined

According to the new definition adopted by the Addiction Society of Addiction Medicine, ASAM board of directors in September 2019, “addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People suffering from addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.”

And like any other chronic disease, addiction can progressively worsen without treatment. Early detection and treatment also have a higher chance of being effective in the long run. 

A Heroin Addiction Isn’t a Choice

So, back to the question… Is heroin addiction a disease? 

Although it is clear that heroin addiction or any other form of addiction is a disease, many still feel that it should be classified under the effects of “bad choices.” 

It’s difficult for people who don’t understand addiction to classify heroin addiction with other chronic diseases like cancer because of addictions’ self-destructive nature. 

Individuals who suffer from any form of addiction, including heroin addiction, always search for reward or comfort in repeated substance use. This repeated dependency on a harmful substance is what others perceive to be a choice. 

This idea stems from the assumption that an individual with strong morals can choose to stop. But addictions don’t work like this. Many addicts would have stopped using a long time ago if it worked that way. 

Addictions are classified as diseases because they affect the brain and leave an individual unable to stop. Just as cancerous cells take over the body, heroin alters the brain’s receptors in ways that make the individual unable to function without it. 

When a person becomes addicted to a substance, it ceases to become a “conscious choice” to continue. The individual cannot stop on their own. They might have good days, weeks, or even months where they might be in remission, but ultimately, they get sick again. 

When you consider these facts about addiction being a disease, you’ll realize that addicts are struggling as any other sick individual. Now is heroin addiction a disease? Of course it is. 

How to Get Help With a Heroin Addiction

What can be done for individuals who want to get better? 

Thankfully, there are many addiction treatment centers spread across the United States. You can find one close to home or very far away. Look for one that suits you best and reach out to them.

Our facility Anchored Tides Recovery located in Huntington Beach is an excellent addiction treatment facility for women, run by women. 

We offer a ton of treatment options, including partial hospitalization, as well as a comfortable environment to help you focus on your healing process. Reach out to us today for help with your addiction. 

Substance abuse treatment programs are increasingly adopting more individual-centered approaches to treating substance abuse. This comes on the heels of a deeper understanding of how substance abuse affects people differently, especially as it concerns women. 

You might be surprised to know that women have a different experience with substance abuse. 

Research has shown that substance abuse affects women in a significantly different way than it does men. Therefore, if women are to be fully treated for substance abuse, they need a treatment program designed to tackle the peculiar differences they face. 

This is why one of Anchored Tides Recovery founding principles is treatment for women by women.

What Is a Substance Abuse Program?

A substance abuse program is a treatment process designed to help people with substance abuse problems. Substance abuse programs have two major components:

• A medical component 
• Therapeutic component

Both components, when combined, make for an effective treatment for substance dependence or addiction. In the medical aspect of substance abuse treatment, drugs are used to manage detoxification symptoms, especially in cases of certain substances like opioids. 

The therapeutic aspect of the treatment process aims to teach recovering addicts how to understand themselves and understand their triggers to prevent a drug or alcohol relapse. 

Different Types of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

There are various substance abuse treatment programs, but there is no one-size-fits-all program. This is because the effects of substance abuse differ amongst individuals differ, and so treatment programs must be as individualistic as possible to cater to peculiarities. 

As a result of that, there are various treatment programs designed to cater to everyone’s needs. 

• Inpatient Treatment Program 

Just like its name implies, people in an inpatient treatment program have to stay within the facilities to receive treatment, and it typically lasts between a few weeks to a few months. 

• Outpatient Treatment 

In an outpatient treatment program, the patient commutes to the treatment center from his home. Also, an outpatient treatment program lasts a few weeks and costs less than inpatient treatment.

• Individual Counseling 

Individual counseling provides an opportunity for the patient and the therapist to discuss strategies that help them reintegrate into society and maintain sobriety. It is during individual counseling that the patient learns techniques that help them manage their triggers. Individual counseling occurs at both inpatient and outpatient treatment. 

• Group Counseling 

As important as individualized counseling is to a patient’s continued sobriety, group counseling is equally important. Group counseling reinforces the techniques learned in individualized counseling. Group counseling also provides a community of sober individuals the patients can fall back to. 

Why Seek Addiction Treatment at Anchored Tides Recovery?

Choosing an addiction treatment program can seem quite daunting. There are so many programs available, and they all may seem like they’re right for you. 

The biggest thing that sets us apart at Anchored Tides Recovery from other treatment centers is we provide addiction treatment for women, by women. Our staff truly understands how substance abuse affects women specifically and how to treat it properly. We also know the importance of harnessing the power of women recovering together. 

Aside from getting help from people who understand your addiction as much (or maybe even better than you do), we’re located in beautiful Huntington Beach, CA. There is plenty to do in the surrounding area during and after treatment. 

Reach Out to Us Today

Anchored Tides Recovery is a substance abuse treatment program located in Huntington Beach, that focuses on treating only women. We offer various types of outpatient treatment programs to ensure our clients are set up for long term sobriety. Reach out to us today for help with your addiction!  

Have you ever had a rough night and wondered why you feel so down? You wake up feeling a little sad or uncomfortable. Someone may even say to you “sounds like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed today”. Generally speaking, there can be several reasons that explain why you feel the way you do. One option to explore is the food you’re eating; food indeed can affect your mood! 

If you’ve never heard this before, then you may not suspect your diet when you feel ‘off’ or a little blue. In today’s health-conscious world, it’s common to see or read about foods that help keep you physically and mentally healthy. Just like how healthy foods affect the body positively, they can also affect your mood and emotional well being. 

Can what you eat affect your mood? We’ve got answers for you. Keep reading to know! 

How Food Affects Your Mood

Do you remember when you were in a bad mood, but felt better after eating something? 

While that is a great example, there is more to this than feeling better because you’ve satisfied a craving. The brain is the powerhouse for all activities in the body. And like all powerhouses, it needs to be fueled. The type of fuel you give your brain determines how efficient it will be. 

Certain foods are harmful to your mood because of how they affect your body’s daily activities. For instance, foods that contain a high concentration of refined sugars can mess up insulin regulation. When everything isn’t working as it should, your brain struggles to function well, which can affect your mood. 

But how exactly does this happen? Is there scientific proof that shows how food affects your mood? Yes, there is.

Remember that your mood at any given time is dependent on what chemicals are produced in your body. The chemical/ hormone that controls mood, pain, appetite, and sleep is known as serotonin, and it is produced in the gut. 

Furthermore, serotonin functions better with higher numbers of good bacteria. What does good bacteria do? Good bacteria helps the body digest food and absorbs nutrients from the intestinal walls. 

Guess what helps control the number of good bacteria in the body? Food that contains large quantities of high fructose corn syrup reduces the number of good bacteria. Conversely, foods that contain tryptophan have the opposite effect. 

How Being in a Good Mood Affects Your Overall Wellness

Can you remember your most painful breakup? Not just any breakup but the one that made you watch The Notebook (or any movie similar) while consuming scary amounts of ice cream and rubbing your chest because you could feel your heart breaking. That’s proof enough that how you feel can affect you physically. 

Knowing how food affects your mood is the first step in determining how it affects your overall wellness. Your mood manifests itself physically – not just in your health but also in your decisions.

Good moods beget good feelings and ethical decisions. When you are happy, you’ll be more energetic, more productive, and make better decisions. 

The same goes for a negative mood. It begets tiredness, less productivity, feelings of illness, and bad decisions.

Mood-Boosting Foods

You already know that you should avoid processed foods and foods that contain refined sugars, these foods can negatively affect your mood and health. But, are there foods that you can eat to improve your mood? 

Of course! When you feel bad, resist the urge to eat high-calorie snacks. Go for any of the foods listed below. 

• Dark Chocolate 
• Nuts and Seeds 
• Fatty Fish or Foods containing Omega-3 Acids. 
• Whole Grains 
• Green Vegetables 
• Coffee

If your triggers as an addict are linked to your moods, you may want to take what you eat seriously. Eating the right foods for you will not only preempt your triggers; it’ll make you feel healthy again.

Seek Overall Wellness at Anchored Tides Recovery

At Anchored Tides Recovery, we encourage our clients to understand their triggers. Knowing how food affects your mood and the things you can do to boost your mood is essential to the healing process. 

Anchored Tides Recovery is a female-only addiction treatment center located in Huntington Beach, CA. We believe that healing from addictions requires a holistic approach tailored to suit women specifically. We also offer a variety of treatment options like our outpatient treatment. Contact us today; let us help you fight your addiction.

Alcohol is a powerful and addictive drug. Unfortunately, most people think of alcohol as a social tool, but like anything else, if abused it can turn into a serious issue. According to the NIAAA, women are more likely to encounter problems due to their substance abuse, but are less likely to seek professional help. At  Anchored Tides Recovery, we’re dedicated to helping any and all women overcome their addiction, whether it’s with alcohol or a different substance. 

When considering sobriety, it’s helpful to think of the journey as a marathon, not a sprint. For most people, the recovery process includes multiple steps. Some women start their journey at inpatient treatment, and others start an intensive outpatient treatment center.  It’s important during your recovery journey to have a safe, stable environment to live in, such as a sober living home. 

What Are Sober Living Homes for Women?

Sober living homes for women are a safe living environment where everyone who lives there is sober. A sober living home is a great transitional tool for anyone looking to maintain long term sobriety. While sober living homes do not provide addiction treatment therapy, most people living in one attend outpatient addiction treatment programs. 

Aside from a safe environment, sober living homes also provide structure, a crucial component to sobriety. Most sober living homes have a set of rules and guidelines people have to follow. For example, certain sober living homes make attending some type of 12-step support group mandatory. Other homes require its residents to complete a certain set of chores. While it can be extremely beneficial for someone’s sobriety to live in a sober living home, it’s benefits are most effective when coupled with outpatient addiction treatment. At Anchored Tides Recovery, we offer three types of outpatient options for women: partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient. 

Benefits of Sober Living for Women 

• Overcoming Communication Barriers

According to NIH, the National Institute of Health, verbal communication is vital to making progress in any substance abuse recovery program. When you reside in a sober living home, you’re surrounded by other sober people. You’ll have a chance to speak freely about your addiction to like minded individuals. Engaging in dialogue about sobriety is crucial during recovery. 

• Focus on Gender-Specific Issues

Addiction impacts women differently than their male counterparts. Women also have different life experiences than men, such as pregnancy and motherhood in recovery. By living in a sober living home for women, you’ll be surrounded by people who at one time have, or will, experience similar life events as you. 

• Stability and Accountability

Stability and accountability are often two things that are lacking in an addicts life. It can be difficult to establish a routine while in the throws of an addiction. Because of rules and guidelines, sober living homes for women help all of their residents establish routine. Early sobriety can be a particularly vulnerable time for women, especially when they feel like they’re starting their life over. Having a group of people hold you accountable for your actions (i.e. make sure all the dishes are cleaned after dinner) will not only give you a sense of purpose, but help you create a new sober routine. 

Get Help With Addiction at Anchored Tides Recovery!

At Anchored Tides Recovery, we’re focused on helping all of our clients find sobriety, but more importantly, maintaining sobriety. Our comprehensive addiction treatment programs and aftercare services can set you up for long-term recovery. We currently offer partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment programs, as well as aftercare services such as sober living. Contact us today to see how we can help you or someone you love with addiction! 

Substance abuse and addiction is indeed a terrible disorder that affects the lives of addicts and their loved ones.  When you are ready to get help, finding a rehab center is a life-changing decision, and the first step in your recovery journey. Luckily, many treatment centers are committed to helping addicts recover from addiction and give them coping skills to take home with them.

But not all treatment facilities are created equally, plus the sheer number of treatment facilities available makes choosing one difficult. And the fact is that some treatment centers are more reliable than others. So how do you find a treatment center that suits you? 

With many rehab facilities in the United States, the right fit for your treatment needs does exist. Anchored Tides Recovery feels if you take the steps below, they will help you pick the right facility! 

How to Find a Rehab Center

Define Your Goals

The ideal treatment center offers various treatment programs that target specific behaviors that you would like to change. So take some time to define your goals and determine what behaviors you’ll like to change in your life. Once you’ve figured that out, you will want to know the timeline to attain those goals during your recovery.

Also, understand that the treatment facility you choose will measure your success in achieving their goals. 

Can you accept the rehab’s goals? Does it align with yours? You should consider your needs with respect to the recovery centers’, and then will you find a treatment center that can help you reach your goal.

Is It Accredited?

When looking for an addiction treatment center, another thing to consider is what accreditations do they have? 

Licensed and accredited rehab centers show that they are committed to providing the best care to addicts. Before enrolling in a program, determine if the rehab center is licensed to treat addiction.

Treatment Programs 

There are many treatment programs and therapy options available to help addicts get the help they seek. Some of these treatment facilities specialize in treating mental addiction, while others focus on treating co-occurring disorders. 

You probably won’t want to end up in a rehab center that doesn’t offer programs that are best suited for you. Make sure you research the available treatment before signing up for a program.

Location

Depending on your situation, you may fancy a rehab center close to your home, especially if you want to stay close to your loved ones.

However, choosing a rehab center that’s far away might be highly beneficial, since it breaks the link between you (the addict) and your previous life.

Cost

Before you find a rehab center, you will want to consider the cost. The truth is that prices vary greatly depending on the facility, the length of stay, the program’s intensity, and so on. A good program for you should feel financially feasible.

Commonly used options to help pay for rehab include:

• Reduced cash pay rate
• Medicare and Medicaid
• Private health insurance
• Personal loans

Gender Preference

Some addiction treatment centers are gender-specific, and deciding to go to one is completely dependent on your preference. Success rates of mixed gender & gender specific treatment centers can be the same, it’s really up to you whether or not you’d like to be surrounded by the same gender. There is a sense of safety and security that women feel when attending a women’s only treatment center, especially if they’ve experienced past trauma. 

Outpatient, Inpatient, and Specialty Programs

If you are in an inpatient program, you will live at the facility for a particular period, and this allows you to focus solely on your recovery for the duration of your stay.

Outpatient programs are available after the inpatient program and also act as stand alone treatment. You don’t need to live at the rehab center during this program. Outpatient programs allow for more flexibility in your schedule while seeking recovery. 

Begin Your Recovery Journey With Anchored Tides Recovery 

Anchored Tides Recovery center is a female-only addiction treatment center dedicated to helping women find recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues, and past trauma. We incorporate mental, physical, academic, emotional, and vocational needs into each client’s treatment plan.

If you need help with drug or alcohol addiction, contact us today and let’s get started on your journey towards recovery.