You wake up, hit the gym, close a deal, smile for the camera, go home—and pour yourself a drink so large it could be called a “coping mechanism.” From the outside, your life looks exceptional. But inside, it’s anything but. This is what high-functioning addiction and mental health struggles look like. You may still show […]

Substance use doesn’t happen in a vacuum. In many cases, it’s one branch of a larger, more complex tree—one whose roots include anxiety, trauma, depression, or bipolar disorder. These are called co-occurring disorders, and they’re not uncommon: over 9 million adults in the U.S. experience both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. […]

Methadone has been a cornerstone in opioid addiction treatment for decades. Used responsibly, it can help reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and stabilize the lives of people struggling with opioid use disorder. But what happens when methadone itself becomes part of the problem? At our rehab center in Los Angeles, we offer medically supervised methadone detox […]

Vacations can be one of the biggest tests—and biggest joys—in sobriety. The idea of travel might bring up worries: Will I be tempted? Will I feel left out? What if I go alone? Will a sober vacation even be fun? But the truth is, travel can be a powerful tool for recovery—not against it. It […]

Summer in Los Angeles is vibrant, sunny, and full of opportunity. But for men in recovery, it can also be filled with triggers: beer at barbecues, rooftop parties, and the pressure to “cut loose.” The good news? LA has plenty to offer that aligns with your sober lifestyle. Whether you’re newly sober or years into […]

Everyone needs support in recovery, and one of these supports can be hobbies that you enjoy and leisure activities. Key Part of Aftercare is Having Healthy Hobbies During the process of recovering from addiction and substance abuse disorders, a treatment center can become a safe and supportive space for those who are early in the […]

Addiction and Leisure Activities Spring and summer are times of renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings. With the changing weather, outdoor and leisure activities are more appealing than ever. But activities associated with leisure are often a sticky topic for those recovering from substance abuse and those newly committed to sobriety. For these folks—and maybe you’re […]

What Is Kratom? Kratom, whose proper name is Mitragyna, is a plant from Southeast Asia. It belongs to the same family of plants as coffee and gardenias. Kratom has been used as an herbal medicine in Thailand and nearby countries for hundreds of years for various ailments. It is most commonly used for energy boosts […]

Substance Abuse of Opioids The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis in the United States. Overdose deaths from opioids have been slowly on the rise for more than a ten years, and opioid-related hospitalizations have reached dangerously high levels. But what are opioids and how does one avoid their misuse? Moreover, what do opioid […]

Addiction is a chronic condition that can have severe and long-lasting consequences on an individual's health, relationships, and quality of life. Addiction programs can be an effective way to treat addiction, to be sure. But what about in the long run? Recovery doesn't end after completing a program. That's where aftercare programs come in. Aftercare […]

What is Black Tar Heroin? Like other heroin substances, black tar heroin is extremely addictive, It can be used in a way that leads to severe addiction, painful withdrawal, mental health problems, and even fatal overdose.  In general, heroin has a long history in the United States and comes from diverse geographical locations. It’s called “black tar” […]

For those who have just started their recovery journey, it’s important to be aware of what are called “triggers.” Triggers are types of reactions that can push someone back into their addictive cycle, or even a full-blown relapse. Triggers in addiction look different for everyone but they all share common patterns that you can learn to […]