LA is known for celebrities and Hollywood but for all too many of us who live here addiction is also part of our daily lives. There are numerous reasons we might fall into bad habits like many of the Hollywood stars of the golden era. It might be because we keep reaching for that second or third drink to unwind each night. It might be because we were in pain, so we got addicted to painkillers. It might be because we have untreated mental health struggles and want to feel something. No matter why we struggle with substance misuse, finding the right rehab program can help us turn our lives around. Rehab is one of the most effective ways to ensure we get our time in the spotlight for all the right reasons.
The Addiction Situation In LA
No matter what our background, our struggles with addiction are not unique and we are not alone. For example, drug usage in California is at an all-time high, with 50% of residents over 12 drinking alcohol and 9% matching the threshold for drug abuse. In addition, fentanyl is a nationwide problem that has impacted us close to home, with deaths increasing 1,200% in Los Angeles County alone between 2016 and 2021.
This means that many of our friends, families, and neighbors are also struggling. If we are addicted to illegal substances, seeking drug rehabilitation is the most effective approach to stay alive. California has become the first state to pay addicts to stay sober, with 27 counties participating in various phases of a pilot program. Substance misuse must be taken seriously. Understanding the warning signs of addiction and seeking help for ourselves or a loved one is crucial.
What Is a Detox Anyway?
Detox is the process of ridding the body of impurities and toxins to create balance and healing for long-term recovery. While we might think of trendy juice cleanses when thinking about detox, they won’t help us detox from a serious addiction. Only a thorough and compassionate detox program can help. When weaning the body off alcohol after long-term usage, a medically supervised detox is helpful to alleviate the discomfort associated with removing alcohol or drugs from our system. For many women, psychiatry and medication management are critical parts of rehabilitation.
What Treatments Are Available?
Understanding and camaraderie, knowing we are not alone, and a therapeutic approach are all part of a rehab program. Treatment might look like experiential therapy, a type of psychotherapy that involves the use of expressive tools and activities to re-enact and re-experience emotional circumstances from previous and current relationships. We might try BreathWork at a program such as Casa Capri to help us find our center. For those who are more adventurous, we might try equine therapy. Finding the most appropriate treatment program in LA often comes down to understanding what we struggle with and how we can thrive.
What Mental Health Care Is Available In LA?
Another contributing factor to addiction and alcoholism is untreated mental health struggles. If we can deal with our underlying trauma, we can kick our addiction to the curb. The challenge is that we often do not receive mental health care because we do not know where to begin. If we are depressed, having difficulty functioning at school, work, or at home, experiencing drastic changes in our sleep and eating, or considering harming ourselves or others, we need to speak openly with the health care team at a nearby clinic.
One of the most challenging and most critical steps may be starting the conversation. If we need immediate assistance because we are having a mental health crisis, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) can help. The LACDMH assistance line at (800) 854-7771 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide mental health support, resources, and referrals. We can text 741741 to reach a qualified crisis counselor and receive free crisis assistance through text messaging. And we should always call 911 if we are a danger to ourselves or others. There is no need to feel ashamed that we are struggling, instead we should feel proud that we are starting to care for ourselves.
