If you are struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) and are seeking help, you may be intimidated by the idea of starting therapy in a treatment program. Talking to a stranger about your feelings can seem frightening and overwhelming at first, but knowing what to expect can help ease the anxiety. Many different types of therapy could be used in your treatment program. The goal of many of these treatment modalities is to change your behavior and the way you think. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one modality that is used in addiction treatment.
ACT is a form of behavioral therapy that combines mindfulness skills with the practice of self-acceptance. It is a type of therapy that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings. In ACT, clients practice noticing and observing their thoughts and feelings without passing judgment. ACT encourages individuals to face their problems head-on rather than try to avoid stressful situations in their lives. The ultimate goal is to help individuals release unhelpful thoughts and feelings and instead take action that will make their lives better.
ACT is based on the concept that suffering is a natural and inevitable condition that all humans experience; it’s part of everyone’s life. Through ACT, individuals learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions and instead accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations. Part of the basis for ACT is that much of our emotional pain comes not only from the experience we went through but also from trying to ignore or struggle against our thoughts and emotions that arise as a result of negative experiences that we have gone through.
In addition, individuals will learn what some practitioners refer to as “psychological flexibility.” In ACT, psychological flexibility is described as being fully in the present and changing or continuing with behavior that is in keeping with their values.
According to an article published on Psychology Today’s website, ACT is based on six processes that help clients become more flexible in their view of themselves and their behavior. Each of these core processes is considered a positive psychological skill:
According to the Psychology Today article mentioned above, “It is counterproductive to try to control painful emotions or psychological experiences; suppression of those feelings ultimately leads to more distress.” You may not even realize that by trying to control these emotions, you’re actually causing more to come to the surface. As you begin to change behavior that is not getting you any closer to what is actually important to you and stop trying to avoid painful emotions and experiences, your outlook on life can gradually change.
ACT is effective in addiction treatment. The inability to cope with negative thoughts and feelings can lead to SUD, as oftentimes, people turn to drugs or alcohol to alleviate these negative feelings.
By strengthening the psychological flexibility of individuals struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, ACT helps them learn to accept and handle discomfort and pain without turning to substances to help ease their discomfort.
Using alcohol and drugs as a way to escape from painful thoughts and feelings is a time-honored solution. However, if people rely on drugs and alcohol to feel better too often, this can turn into SUD. When using ACT, individuals with SUD learn different strategies to cope with painful emotions and resist the cravings to use their substance of choice. After a person finishes treatment, these same strategies can help avoid them avoid relapse. These strategies are also helpful beyond their usefulness in attaining and maintaining sobriety. Using these techniques can help an individual figure out what is really important to them, and they can then work to create a life filled with purpose and meaning.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with an addiction that interferes with day-to-day life, it may be time to look into treatment. While it can be overwhelming at first, the realization that so many treatment options are available that can help should be comforting. At Bella Monte Recovery Center in Desert Hot Springs, California, we use acceptance and commitment therapy in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities to treat substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues. We use a holistic or “whole-person” approach to treatment, and we tailor an individualized treatment plan for each client in order to increase their chances for a successful recovery. Other treatment modalities that we offer include CBT, DBT, psychodrama, and experiential therapy. To learn more about what we have to offer at Bella Monte Recovery Center, call (800) 974-1938 and start your recovery journey today.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine, but it is 50 to 100 times more potent. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was originally developed for pain management treatment in the form of a patch, particularly for cancer patients. As a result of these origins, many individuals don’t believe fentanyl has significant addictive potential like other street drugs such as heroin. Therefore, fentanyl has a higher likelihood of accidental abuse. The misconception surrounding fentanyl can lead to serious consequences, contributing to increased fentanyl overdose risks in communities. Education about the dangers associated with this opioid is crucial for prevention efforts. Health authorities are emphasizing the importance of recognizing the signs of overdose and ensuring access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.
Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the United States are linked to illegally made fentanyl. Very little fentanyl needs to be consumed to get a high, so illegal drug dealers are known to cut fentanyl into other drugs like heroin and cocaine, thereby creating a lethal substance that someone can take by mistake and easily unintentionally overdose on.
Fentanyl can have alarming effects on one’s body. This drug impacts the central nervous system to a significant degree, causing excess amounts of dopamine to flood and chemically alter the brain. In other words, as fentanyl fills the opioid receptors in the central nervous system, it changes the way some of the brain’s neurotransmitters move.
Once dependence is built, the brain stops making these neurotransmitters at necessary levels on its own and instead begins to rely on the drug’s interference to function properly. Once an individual develops a tolerance to fentanyl’s narcotic properties, they can depend on it just to feel normal, so the use of fentanyl can quickly escalate to full-blown addiction.
Realizing one’s recreational drug use has turned into an addiction can be a very scary process. It’s important to keep tabs on how one’s drug use affects them so they can get the proper treatment. Some signs that an individual may be addicted to fentanyl are:
Fentanyl rehabilitation centers provide a safe space for individuals suffering from fentanyl addiction to break free from their habit in a comfortable and supported environment. In most fentanyl addiction recovery programs, trained addiction specialists, medical professionals, and mental health experts will help guide clients through the recovery process. The first step in any addiction recovery process is intake and assessment.
During the intake stage, professionals at the treatment center will try to learn as much as possible about each individual’s situation. They may ask questions about their physical and mental health. They will also ask questions about family history, what age fentanyl use started, how long they’ve been using, and potential barriers to recovery to determine the best, individualized course of treatment.
Following intake and assessment, individuals will jump right into the detoxification process. One can expect the fentanyl detoxification process to last several days. Detox serves as the beginning of longer-term treatment that retrains the brain and body to function naturally without drug interference. During the detoxification process, individuals may experience intense withdrawal symptoms. In many fentanyl addiction cases, medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is often recommended to help ease these withdrawal symptoms. Individuals will be supervised throughout their detoxification process to ensure their safety at all times.
After detoxification, most recovery programs transition clients into a counseling or therapy program that may include traditional therapy modalities and holistic treatments. The counseling program will most likely consist of both daily individual therapy sessions and group therapy sessions. Holistic treatments one may partake in may include art therapy. Ongoing assessments will be given to individuals as they progress through the recovery process to ensure their needs are being met. Understanding drug addiction recovery processes involves continuous evaluation and adaptation of treatment plans to cater to individual needs. This approach helps to empower clients by involving them in their recovery journey and building on their strengths. Additionally, drawing on community resources can provide valuable support and enhance the overall recovery experience.
Individuals struggling with fentanyl addiction should seek help at a rehabilitation center if they want to break the cycle of fentanyl use and put an end to the horrible toll addiction takes on their bodies. If you or a loved one needs help, you may be wondering where to start; Bella Monte Recovery Center may be the answer you’re looking for.
There is no quick and easy fix for fentanyl addiction. Bouncing back won’t happen overnight or on your own. Here at Bella Monte Recovery Center in Desert Hot Springs, California, we take a personalized and caring approach to treating fentanyl addiction that will help you or your loved one overcome their dependency over time and return to a healthy and productive lifestyle. At Bella Monte Recovery Center, we will stand by your side through the detoxification process and make you as comfortable as possible. We also incorporate individual and group therapy as well as holistic treatment modalities. We even provide step-down programs to ensure sobriety is maintained after the initial treatment process is over. If you are looking for support for every step of the process, Bella Monte Recovery Center may be the right fit for you. To learn more about what we have to offer, call (800) 974-1938 today.
Microaggressions are daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental slights (that may or may not be intentional) that communicate negative or derogatory attitudes to a marginalized or stigmatized group. Microaggressions can negatively impact self-esteem and the ability to trust others, which directly affects an individual’s mental health.
Experiencing repeated instances of microaggressions can be traumatic and contribute to the development of PTSD. Those in a position of privilege might not be aware of the lasting harm that microaggressions can cause and the toll they can take on individuals’ lives over time. This article discusses what microaggressions are, how they are a form of trauma, and what you can do to ensure that you are not showing microaggressions toward others.
If you are a marginalized person, you likely move through life feeling like an outsider to the dominating culture. To be marginalized means to be treated as insignificant compared to others in society. The dominating cultures in America are white, male, cis-gendered, straight, and Christian. If you aren’t any of those identities, you are more likely to face discrimination, subtle bigotry, and rejection from large organizations, strangers, and even friends.
The ignorant things people say or the assumptions people make might often seem small and harmless. After all, wasn’t it just a joke? Weren’t they just ignorant? They meant well, right? You may be afraid to bring up these small slights because you don’t want to make others uncomfortable. Or better yet, you don’t want to stick out and become a target or a threat. However, your choice to stand down is what enables microaggressions in the future.
Even though these constant reminders that you are different are small, they can stack up quickly. They can affect your personal image, your self-esteem, and how you move through the world. They can cause you to feel depressed, anxious, and less likely to want to reach out to others who are different from you because, deep down, these tiny instances hurt.
The seemingly tiny moments where a person says something that makes you feel uncomfortable or hurt are known as microaggressions. They are different than macroaggressions, which are larger forms of bigotry. Microagressions are a more covert form of discrimination. It isn’t always obvious to the person committing a microaggression why the things they say or do are harmful. This can make it difficult to call out this behavior because you are the only person who’s realized it’s happened.
The truth is, microaggressions are often unintentional. They are often unconscious words or actions that come from a person’s unconscious bias about your identity. In the perpetrator’s life, they were taught stereotypes either from their family members, friends, or the media. However, regardless of the intent, the impact of microaggressions is still intense and damaging to others’ mental health.
Covert bigotry and discrimination are more common these days than overt bigotry. Covert bigotry might be making an inappropriate joke about a stereotype or making an assumption based on preconceived notions of your identity. Overt bigotry involves hate crimes, verbal abuse, and physical threats. Both overt bigotry and covert bigotry can cause trauma, though the impact of overt bigotry is a lot more obvious.
Being subjected to violence can cause trauma. People might not think of microaggressions as a form of violence because these actions are so small, but their overall impact becomes more obvious over time. Those that are a part of a minority identity move through life being constantly reminded that they are an outcast to the dominating culture. Violence isn’t just physical. Violence is also mental, verbal, and emotional. The perpetrators of violence should not be recognized as single individuals, but rather recognized as society itself and the system as a whole.
Microaggressions can lead to what is called identity-based trauma. This is a specific type of trauma that is the result of existing as “the other.” This type of trauma isn’t included in the DSM-5, but it is still a very real experience for people of marginalized identities. Identity-based trauma can happen to anyone who has one identity that isn’t a part of the dominating culture.
This trauma is compounded when a person has intersecting marginalized identities, such as a Black woman or a person who is gay and Asian. The Black woman is likely a victim of sexism and racism, and a person who is gay and Asian is likely a victim of racism and homophobia. They are also likely to experience discrimination within their own minority culture. A Black woman might experience sexism within the Black community, and a person who is gay and Asian might experience racism within the gay community. Those who deal with this trauma might find themselves feeling less confident and ashamed of their identity.
Microaggressions are negative and derogatory attitudes shown towards a marginalized group. Repeated instances of microaggressions can contribute to identify-based trauma. Identity-based trauma can take a significant toll on people who aren’t a part of the dominant culture. It’s important not to push the entire responsibility and blame onto the person experiencing the trauma. Those who are a part of a minority identity should seek trauma-informed therapy so that they can receive the healing that they deserve. Bella Monte Recovery Center is a treatment facility that specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders, addiction, and underlying or co-occurring mental health problems. We believe that compassion and education are necessary for providing culturally-sensitive treatment for our clients. We are dedicated to helping our clients overcome the impact of trauma, including identity-based trauma. To learn more about our treatment options, call us today at (800) 974-1938
Rehabilitation facilities like Bella Monte Recovery Center provide a wide range of treatment modalities to ensure everyone has the opportunity to achieve and maintain long-term recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and related conditions. Essential program services like medication-assisted treatment (MAT), psychotherapy, trauma therapy, and holistic treatments make it possible for our clinicians to provide personalized care for every client. The clinical team enhances each program and therapy by using incidental medical services (IMS) to create a safe and comfortable environment for lasting change. what is medicationassisted treatment is a crucial component of recovery, as it combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to address substance use disorders effectively. By leveraging this innovative approach, rehabilitation centers can help individuals reduce cravings and improve their chances of sustaining recovery long term. The integration of medicationassisted treatment within a comprehensive care plan is pivotal for fostering resilience and promoting overall well-being in clients.
According to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), “IMS means optional services provided at a facility by a health care practitioner, or staff under the supervision of a health care practitioner, to address medical issues associated with detoxification, treatment, or recovery services.” Bella Monte Recovery Center is certified by DHCS and offers a range of IMS, including:
IMS supports core treatment services by filling in essential details and providing necessary support to ensure your progress while monitoring the aspects of physical and mental health. Participating in certified programs that provide IMS can improve your treatment outcome and decrease stress.
Incidental medical services create safer treatment programs by ensuring clients have access to effective, high-quality care. Other ways it improves treatment outcomes include:
In addition to making a difference in treatment outcomes, IMS also ensures that prospective clients and their families know the high-quality services offered by Bella Monte Recovery Center and other facilities certified to provide IMS. You can trust the clinicians to provide compassionate care with your best interest in mind.
IMS positively affects many aspects of rehabilitation and aftercare. However, many people have not heard of these services and are unaware of their importance. Below are some commonly asked questions about IMS.
Rehabilitation facilities are not required to provide clients with IMS. Bella Monte Recovery Center values and respects the individuals participating in our programs. We support them using evidence-based methods and the highest quality services that have been reviewed and approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
IMS does not include primary medical care or any medical service that requires specific training and certification. If you or your loved one needs specialized treatment that must be administered by a trained professional, Bella Monte Recovery Center will work with you to find a safe option. We provide referrals, and under certain circumstances, we can work with outside professionals to ensure our clients stay safe and healthy.
According to DHCS, “All residential treatment facilities authorized to provide IMS must ensure that each resident that requires IMS is medically appropriate to receive such services.” To determine whether someone qualifies or not, “A screening and assessment must be performed by a licensed professional or certified/registered counselor face-to-face within 24 hours of admission, and reviewed by an approved [healthcare provider] acting within the scope of their license or certificate, no later than 72 hours after admission.” By ensuring that clients quickly and efficiently receive an assessment screening, our facility makes sure that clients have access to the right level of care in a reasonable amount of time.
IMS benefits clients, their families, clinicians, and facility support staff. A few ways IMS can improve mental and physical health include the following:
In addition to making treatment programs safer by providing personalized care, IMS can also improve your mental health and ensure you receive the necessary services to remain on track during treatment and ongoing recovery.
IMS allows clients to receive helpful services they may otherwise have to get through outside sources. In addition, the invaluable information provided during IMS questioning can help you make safer choices during treatment and recovery. Clients at Bella Monte Recovery Center collaborate with their care team to develop a comprehensive aftercare plan. IMS can decrease the risk of relapse by bringing any potential problem areas to the attention of the client and care team.
Bella Monte Recovery Center is certified to offer our clients valuable treatment features, including incidental medical services (IMS). Case managers and the clinical team at our facility use IMS to ensure that everyone participating in our programs receives personalized care and access to all the resources they need to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety. Recovery from substance misuse often requires a variety of medical and therapeutic services. IMS ensures you receive the best support. Various IMS-related services, including gathering a personal medical history, gives our team the details they need to tailor treatment to your unique circumstances. We prioritize the healing process and ensure our clients have access to high-quality holistic care. The team at Bella Monte Recovery Center uses every resource at our disposal to provide the best possible outcome. Contact us today to learn more about IMS we offer by calling our office at (800) 974-1938.
After Care / Alumni refers to the additional steps a client’s treatment may require after departing Bella Monte Recovery Center™ inpatient care facility. Our recommended “step-down” programs offer intensive outpatient, sober living, and outside therapy options to support a smooth client transition into a sober life. Successful alumni programs in recovery play a crucial role in maintaining the progress clients have made during treatment. By fostering a sense of community and providing ongoing support, these programs help individuals navigate the challenges of sober living. Engaging with fellow alumni can significantly enhance motivation and accountability, ultimately leading to better long-term outcomes.
Understandably, each client has individual needs in relation to family, children, employment and extenuating circumstances. The Bella Monte Recovery Center™ team assists in accommodating and tailoring each plan to fit a client’s needs in supporting a healthy future.
Over-the-counter medications encompass a wide range of non-prescription drugs readily available in pharmacies and stores without a doctor’s prescription. These medications include pain relievers, cough suppressants, antihistamines, and sleep aids, among others. While OTC medications are generally considered safe when used as directed, misuse or overuse can lead to addiction and adverse health effects.
Addiction to OTC medications, though less recognized than addiction to illicit drugs or prescription medications, presents a significant challenge characterized by compulsive use despite its detrimental consequences. This affliction arises from a multifaceted interplay of genetic predispositions, psychological factors, and environmental influences. Gaining insight into its genesis, progression, and available avenues of recovery is paramount for individuals and their support systems seeking effective assistance.
The root of OTC medication addiction can be attributed to diverse influences:
OTC medication addiction typically follows a progressive path:
Timely recognition of OTC medication addiction signs is pivotal for effective intervention:
Recovery from OTC medication addiction necessitates a comprehensive approach:
At Bella Monte, your well-being takes precedence above all. Our empathetic team comprehends the tribulations of detoxifying from OTC medications and is committed to supporting you through every phase of the process with tenderness and expertise.
Comprehensive Care for Lasting Results:
