Prescription drug addiction is endemic to our society. With the recent rash of celebrity overdose deaths, Americans are becoming increasingly aware that prescription drug addiction is ravaging this country. When beloved celebrities like Michael Jackson and Heath Ledger lose their lives to prescription drug overdoses, the epidemic makes headlines. But you don't have to be rich and famous to support a dangerous prescription drug habit. Millions of suburban moms, dads, teachers, nurses and teenagers are becoming addicted to prescription drugs.

Because prescription drugs are legally manufactured and prescribed by physicians, people often incorrectly assume they are less addictive or damaging than street drugs. For this reason, many individuals find themselves in the middle of a severe addiction without ever having realized the danger of what they were doing. This is particularly true for individuals that were first prescribed the drugs by a doctor for treatment of a particular medical condition.

Some prescription drugs can become addictive, especially when they are used in a manner inconsistent with their labeling or for reasons they were not prescribed. Those include narcotic painkillers like OxyContin or Vicodin, sedatives and tranquilizers like Xanax or Valium, and stimulants like Dexedrine, Adderall or Ritalin. Because the use of prescription painkillers are so prevalent, so too are the drug rehab programs designed to treat them - and for good reason.

If you have questions about prescription drug addiction or would like to learn more about how Creative Care located in Malibu, California can help you or your loved one break free from prescription drug addiction, please contact our call center 24 hours a day.

Labels: Adderall, Drug-Rehab-Programs, Oxycontin, Prescription-Drug-Abuse, Prescription-Drug-Addiction, Ritalin, Valium, Vicodin, Xanax

Increasingly horses are becoming trauma healers through the fast growing profession of equine assisted therapy. Trauma responses are the human mind’s attempt to cope with the unimaginable. In some survivors, trauma can produce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with symptoms ranging from depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol abuse to rage, dissociation and thoughts of suicide. These occur because the stress accompanying traumatic events demands coping strategies of the individual that far exceed their capabilities. Equine assisted therapy offers hope and encouragement for trauma survivors.

Equine assisted therapy is an emerging form of therapeutic intervention in which horses are used as tools for clients to gain self-understanding and emotional growth. Equine assisted therapy is a type of animal assisted therapy, a field of mental health that recognizes the importance of the bond between animals and humans and the potential for emotional healing that can occur when a relationship is formed between the two species.

Equine assisted therapy pairs horses with people to overcome emotional issues, conditions, & physical trauma - similar to traditional psychological counseling. Horses are perfect for this work because they are teachers of self-awareness. Horses give us immediate and honest feedback about ourselves by reading our verbal and non-verbal communication. They often "mirror" back to us our feelings of anxiety, sadness, happiness, trust and a variety of other feelings. For many clients, working with horses can help them to discover and overcome unhealthy patterns and behaviors.

Horses offer hope and encouragement to those who interact with them. The benefits of using equine assisted therapy in combination with other therapies give the clients the opportunity to actively process, learn and practice the necessary tools so they are able to work through issues, break free from destructive life patterns and build a strong foundation of emotional and physical sobriety.

Whether your trauma stems from past or present experiences, one-time or prolonged events, you shouldn’t have to face your trauma alone. You are a survivor. Now let us help you learn how to thrive. Contact us now to learn more about how Creative Care helps trauma survivors reclaim their lives.

Labels: Anxiety, Childhood-Trauma-And-Abuse, Depression, Drug-And-Alcohol-Abuse, Equine-Assisted-Therapy, Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, PTSD, Suicide, Trauma-Survivors

Bipolar disorder does not mix well with drug and alcohol addiction. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder, is a mental illness that often occurs alongside drug and alcohol addiction. The effect of drug and alcohol abuse on the severity of bipolar disorder has become an area of concern in recent years; prompting more research on the relationship between bipolar disorder and addiction.

It has been well documented that bipolar disorder and addiction commonly co-occur. The feelings of depression and anxiety associated with bipolar can be a factor that leads to addiction. Experts say that some bipolar patients are known to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol - although it's not recommended. In fact, they say, it does more harm than good. Bipolar patients who use drugs or alcohol have more frequent mood swings, more hospitalizations, longer hospitalizations, and higher rates of suicide attempts.

Drug and alcohol addiction co-occurring with bipolar disorder is especially dangerous because the combination can create more complications and dangerous symptoms than either disorder on its own. Therefore, it is important that specialized programs, like those at Creative Care, be available for individuals who are struggling with bipolar disorder and drug and alcohol addiction.

If you suspect that you or someone you know are suffering from bipolar disorder and/or a drug and alcohol addiction, seek help right away. The earlier you catch both disorders and begin treating them at a dual diagnosis treatment center, the better your chances of getting and staying well. If you have questions about how Creative Care can help you or your loved, or questions about bipolar disorder treatment, please contact us today. Hope starts with a phone call. 1-800-832-3280.

Labels: Alcohol-And-Drug Addiction, Anxiety, Bipolar-Disorder, Bipolar-Disorder-Treatment, Depression, Manic-Depression

Addiction affects one in five people in the United States, putting families through a heartbreaking cycle of recovery and relapse. In his book, Free from Addiction, Creative Care’s founder Dr. Morteza Khaleghi empowers you to take positive steps toward recovery. Drawing on over 20 years of experience healing patients, Dr. Khaleghi’s insightful, nurturing and - above all - breakthrough book is geared to anyone looking for help with dependency. Dr. Khaleghi’s book also provides direction for spouses, parents, children, and friends, who bear the brunt of the damaging disease of addiction.

Here is an excerpt from Free from Addiction, Chapter 4 ‘Recognizing Addictive Behavior’:

How do you know if someone you care about is addicted? There are a great many misconceptions about addiction, and they often form the basis for excuses to not enter treatment. One of the most common misconceptions is: “I’m not an addict because I have a home and a family.” But drug addiction and alcoholism are hardly phenomena relegated to skid row. If anything, there are probably many more addicts who are virtually indistinguishable from everyone else – save that they drink or continue their drug use no matter how adverse the consequences.

“But I go to work every day” is another popular excuse. Behind it lies the common belief that you can be a “functioning alcoholic” or “social drug user” – the idea that as long as you’re still employed and bringing home a paycheck, you can carry on with your “vice.” In fact, even if your drinking or drug use isn’t impacting your work attendance, it is doubtless causing a host of other problems – or it will soon. Many recovering individuals will tell you that it’s a short path from managing to get by to finding it difficult to get to the office at all.

“I’m not an alcoholic/drug abuse because I don’t use around the clock. Sometimes I don’t use every day.” That’s another common excuse. The reality is that some alcoholics really don’t drink very often. They can go days, weeks, or even months without having a drop of alcohol – feats they brag about, as if abstaining for short periods underscores that they aren’t addicts. The problem, as those close to them (and, ultimately, as they themselves) know is that they have zero control over their alcohol consumption or drug use once they return to it.

Another common excuse for not seeking treatment is: “It’s my business if I drink; it’s only my own life that I’m screwing up.” It’s essential for addicts to understand that their behavior affects the lives of their loved ones as well as their own. Talking with family and friends can help here. Eventually, every addict must acknowledge that addiction is at the root of his or her problems, not bad luck or abuse by others (although these may play a role, of course).

Taking responsibility is liberating, because if people can accept that they have the power to create a bad situation, they can grasp that it’s within their power to change the situation.

To learn more about recognizing addictive behavior or to learn about the drug and alcohol treatment programs available at Dr. Khaleghi’s rehab facilities, Creative Care, please contact us today. 1-800-832-3280

Labels: Addicted, Addicts-Alcoholics, Alcoholism, Drug-Abuse-and-Addiction, Drug-And-Alcohol-Treatment, Free-From-Addiction, Functioning-Alcoholic, Recognizing-Addictive-Behavior, Social-Drug-User

Every year when New Year's rolls around, countless Americans make seek resolutions to change their drinking habits and seek alcohol treatment. Alcoholism is a disease that affects many people, and many don’t realize just how addicting alcohol can be. This makes it hard for a person to realize that they need alcohol rehab. For some, it may be the let down of the holidays that prompts them. For others, it may take someone in an alcoholic’s life to bring it to their attention. Whatever the reason, the New Year is an excellent time to make a decision to seek alcohol treatment.

Although some people may succeed in changing their alcohol habits just by making a resolution, most will fail unless they do a bit more. According to a recent study, nearly 14 million men and woman in the United States have drinking problems. But, only about 4 million people received treatment for their disorder, it means millions upon millions of U.S. residents needed help, but did not get it. For these people alcohol rehab is an option that they cannot afford to overlook. For those dealing with alcohol addiction, the turn of the calendar can mean so much more - an opportunity to finally get clean before it’s too late.

If you feel that you can’t control your drinking problem and you need help, alcohol rehab can be a beacon, showing you the way to a sober life. At Creative Care, we are prepared to provide the support you need to keep your New Year’s resolutions. Just as those who make a resolution to lose weight will have a better chance if they get some help and support, it is the same for those with alcohol addictions or drug addictions.

Make the commitment this New Year to get help. It is never too late. For more information on alcohol addiction treatment, please contact us at Creative Care today.

Labels: Alcohol-Addiction-Treatment, Alcohol-And-Drug Addiction, Alcohol-Rehab, Alcohol-Treatment, Alcoholism, Drinking-Problems, New-Year's-Resolutions

To our Friends and Alumni,

The staff at Creative Care would like to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Holiday Season and a safe and healthy New Year. As we enter our 20th year of serving our clients and alumni, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and friendship over the years.

As 2009 draws to a close, we would like to emphasize our continuing commitment to helping those individuals and families, who seek recovery from addiction, mental health issues, and other co-occurring disorders. Our goal has been and will continue to remain to help our clients achieve their maximum potential for a healthy sustainable lifestyle.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and our warmest wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,

The Staff at Creative Care

Labels: Addiction, Co-Occurring-Disorders, Creative-Care-Inc, Mental-Health-Issues

Arrests for driving under the influence during the holiday season don't just happen to people with a drinking problem. As we inch closer to the start of a new calendar year, state and local law enforcement will begin to ratchet up the emphasis on DUI patrol and enforcement. For many years, law enforcement has allocated extra resources to patrolling the streets and highways in an attempt to crack down on holiday drunk driving. This year will be no different.

Obviously, increased pressures and stress are often placed on many people during the holiday season. A drink or two to relax may ease the stresses, but the chances of getting arrested for a DUI should give you pause. More DUI arrests occur during the holidays than at any other time of the year. In 2008, there were 1,029 people who died in drunk-driving related crashes in California, as well as an additional 28,457 who were injured, according to state officials.

You don't have to have a drinking problem to get a DUI. Far too often people try to play the numbers game and assume they're fine to drive. People believe that given enough time, plus the amount of drinks consumed, they can get themselves under the "legal limit" and able to drive. However, we're all capable of exercising bad judgment.

That's where alternative sentencing comes in. The facts show that the majority of those arrested for DUI are not alcoholics. In fact, more than half are first offenders who are not going to repeat the experience. However, if you are arrested for DUI, having someone on your side that can make this case in court is vitally important. It can mean the difference between jail time and treatment.

If you, your client, or someone you love has received a DUI during the holidays, you should seek help. Creative Care may be able to help reduce DUI sentences and drug sentences. We serve as client advocates to the court systems, helping clients fight for addiction treatment instead of jail time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Creative Care for more information. 1-800-832-3280

Labels: Addiction-Treatment, Addicts-Alcoholics, Alternative-Sentencing, Driving-Under-The-Influence, Drunk-Driving, DUI