Addiction is a complex condition that affects millions of Americans. It’s a chronic disease that isn’t easy to navigate or manage, especially without professional help. When you are in the depths of substance abuse, it’s hard to recognize that you need help at all. Once you do come to terms with seeking help, it will be the bravest decision that you make. Choosing to enter addiction treatment rehab and give recovery a chance takes massive courage.
What is Addiction and How Does it Affect Your Life?
Understanding Addiction as a Medical Condition
Addiction is a brain disorder, which is chronic and characterized by compulsive substance seeking even with adverse consequences. Whether it be alcohol, illicit substances, or prescription drugs, when you develop a substance dependence, your brain chemistry begins to change. The more you use the substance, the more your natural level of chemicals in the brain changes. Your brain is a muscle that will adapt to changes like spikes in dopamine and serotonin, which means it will continue to crave more.
Many misconceptions exist when it comes to substance abuse. Some believe it’s a moral failing or simply a lack of willpower. It is neither of these things, substance dependency is a disorder. It is not something a person can control or choose to change without help.
Related: What is Drug Addiction — and How Can it be Treated?
How Addiction Impacts Your Life
Your physical health can decline when you are abusing substances. The way your body reacts differs with each substance, but across the board, you can have cognitive decline, various organs can be affected in irreversible ways, and your mental health can decline.
Additionally, it can cause strain on relationships due to any stressors that it creates and social isolation to avoid confrontation of your issues. Addiction can affect you professionally, so you might have conflicts at work or can no longer perform well, which can lead to you losing your job.
You can also have financial difficulties, either from the cost of buying the substances constantly or not being able to hold a job due to your drug abuse [2]. You may run into legal issues due to using substances or the illegal activity you turn to obtain the substance. This can impact your personal goals by derailing them, affecting your life and satisfaction in it.
We are the leading experts in addiction treatment in the Los Angeles, California area. Call us today to get started.
Am I Addicted? Signs You May Need Professional Help
Key Warning Signs of Addiction
It’s important to notice the warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse. This can indicate that you need to seek out professional help. If you notice any of the following [1]:
- An increased need for the substance, which means your tolerance is growing.
- When you are not using substances, you experience withdrawal symptoms.
- When trying to cut down the use of the substance you are unsuccessful.
- If you notice you are spending a lot of time trying to obtain the substance, use it, and recover from it.
- Neglecting your responsibilities, relationships, health, and activities.
What are the Benefits of Addiction Treatment at Clear Behavioral Health?
A Safe and Supportive Environment for Recovery
At Clear Behavioral Health, our inpatient treatment facilities are comfortable, home-like environments. When you are comfortable, you are more likely to engage in treatment. Being moved to an environment that is strictly about your recovery is also beneficial to your healing. Separating yourself from any distractions, triggers, or access to substances is key for solid recovery.
When you strip away all those things and enter a structured and dedicated program, healing can truly begin. You’ll also have 24/7 care from dedicated medical professionals and staff. While utilizing different therapy modalities.
The entire treatment program is designed to promote your overall well-being and reduce stress. Since this is a stressful transition for most, we want to be sure we build an environment that can alleviate that.
Related: What’s it Like Day-to-Day in Addiction Treatment Rehab?
Professional Medical Supervision
During detox from your addiction, you will have 24/7 professional medical care so we can safely and effectively manage your withdrawal symptoms. If your withdrawal symptoms are severe, we may administer medication to manage your symptoms through detox.
During this time, we can assess any other physical health conditions that you may possess, which will help further prevent any medical emergencies. Understanding your medical history and being able to pinpoint any medical issues you may be having will save your life during detox.
Comprehensive Mental Health Services
It’s imperative to have proper mental health support when going through recovery. This is to evaluate and pinpoint any co-occurring mental health conditions that contribute to your substance abuse [3].
It’s not only important to get diagnosed with any mental health condition you might be battling, but to have proper ongoing care as well. This is why having a psychiatrist to offer medication management and a therapist for ongoing therapy is helpful. They are trained to approach sessions through a trauma-informed lens, which helps them understand and acknowledge how trauma, culture, and upbringing can change how you experience everyday life. They also know different types of therapy to help with emotional processing.
Related: What is Individual and Group Therapy Like in Addiction Treatment Rehab?
Full Continuum of Care at Clear Behavioral Health
Clear Behavioral Health offers a full continuum of care for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Starting from the detoxification phase with a seamless transition to rehab and then stepping down to intensive outpatient treatment. This makes the unpredictability of treatment much more comfortable and manageable. With medical professionals assisting you 24/7, every step is easier with the support from our program.
Rebuilding Relationships Through Family Involvement
Family therapy is an important component of treatment in order to heal and strengthen the familial bond. Substance abuse and mental health conditions can heavily impact familial ties. Working through them and having the family show up authentically to support you improves treatment outcomes. Developing good boundaries, proper communication skills, and resources for your family will help in the long run. It also strengthens the support system that you’ll need after treatment.
Building a Sober Support Network
In addiction treatment, you can build a sober network through group therapy, heal relationships within your family, and build more sober connections with outside group meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous. Having these spaces to foster healthy communication and social skills in a safe learning environment will contribute to long-lasting support networks. It also helps to create authentic friendships within these meetings.
Related: How Peer Recovery Support can Sustain Lasting Recovery from Alcohol and Drugs
What Happens After Rehab?
Continuing Care Planning
Once you’ve exited a drug and alcohol treatment program, it’s also good to remember that you are not just pushed out into the world with no support. There are more options if you don’t feel ready to be completely away from a program, like outpatient addiction treatment programs. You can keep attending therapy and have ongoing recovery support while living at home. This helps you maintain your routine while still getting the support and real-life coping skills that you need.
Related: Aftercare in Substance Abuse Treatment: What it is and How it Helps
Contact us today to learn more about addiction treatment and rehab programs in the Los Angeles, California area.
How Do I Get Started with Addiction Treatment?
If you think addiction treatment in rehab is the next step for you, call Clear Behavioral Health today. We offer a comprehensive approach to recovery while focusing on managing any co-occurring mental health concerns. From our detoxification services, including drug detox and alcohol detox, to inpatient rehab and outpatient programs, we have support at every level.
There is hope in finding recovery, and we are here for you every step of the way. Call Clear Behavioral Health today to get started on your sober journey at one of our drug and alcohol detox facilities and rehab centers in the Los Angeles, CA area, including Redondo Beach and Gardena, CA. Take that brave first step today.
References:
- Addiction. (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6407-addiction
- Drug addiction (substance use disorder) – Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112
- Substance use and Co-Occurring mental disorders. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health
