Twilight Recovery Center > Articles by: Harrison Sidney

Author: Harrison Sidney

Post-recovery Care

Planning for Post-recovery Care

There are many components to the rehab and recovery process. Most individuals and families concentrate on the rehab aspect of recovery, but that is only the beginning. The second step is planning for post-recovery care. Twilight Recovery can help with this process.

What Is Involved in Post-recovery Care Planning?

Post-recovery care can seem just as insurmountable as the concept of rehab. Individuals and families may find themselves overwhelmed with the various aspects that need to be covered. However, the process can be made easier by breaking it down into its separate parts.

Community Outreach

There are few things more important in recovery than community. This can include:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Fellow recovering addiction

There may even be other people that can be of assistance following rehab. The goal is to surround oneself with a security network that is willing to support them during the good and bad times ahead. People may believe that since they were able to get through rehab, they can do the rest on their own. This could not be further from the truth.

A recovery center will make sure that individuals are aware that nobody can exist in a vacuum. The purpose is to show people that their go-it-alone mindset may have contributed to their ongoing substance abuse due to rejecting the assistance of others.

Finding Groups Post-recovery

While having a social community is important, it is also necessary to continue attending groups post-rehab. While in rehab, residents benefit from group therapies, where they have the opportunity to interact for the first time with others about their shared condition.

The benefits of these programs cannot be overstated. Therefore, it is only natural that they continue in the post-rehab world. Much like developing a community, some people do not see the benefit in joining groups because they feel they have “done their time” in rehab.

Without these continuing groups, people have a higher propensity for relapse due to losing that connection with others going through the same issues. For example, they may find it difficult to talk to family and friends about their addiction issues because they feel they’ll be judged. However, there is no judgment in these groups, as people understand the pain and conflicting emotions that come with recovery.

Recovery programs will aim to instill these ideas in their residents as they proceed through the rehab process. They will be shown how helpful and necessary group therapy can be and why groups are so beneficial post-rehab. Since this has been proven to be one of the best ways to stay sober, recovery programs will stress groups not as an option, but as a necessity.

Finding Continuing Post-recovery Care From Trustworthy Professionals

Recovery centers have three things they will attempt to do as thoroughly as possible:

  • Help a person through detox
  • Engage individuals in dialogue about their disorders and allow them to confront their issues in a safe and engaging environment
  • Assist in post-recovery planning to prevent relapse

Part of this process, which begins in the recovery facility, is finding medical professionals that the person trusts and that can be trusted. These professionals must be ready for whatever the post-recovery process brings to those attempting to heal. People leave rehab with many questions and need people to help them find answers.

A recovery center can assist residents in finding these caring professionals. This gives people a better chance of attending regular sessions. Without guidance to find professionals, people may choose the first option that appears or abandon their search altogether. This can lead to disastrous results.

A recovery center that can include assistance in finding professionals for residents to partner with can see a lower relapse rate. They can also ensure that residents feel more comfortable starting different forms of therapy within the facility to prepare them for dealing with medical professionals post-recovery.

How Twilight Recovery Can Help

Twilight Recovery Center offers a robust program that can start people on the most important path of their lives. This is the path that will take them through the rest of their lives. It all starts with their facility and the various therapies they can present to their residents. However, Twilight Recovery understands that their job does not stop when a person leaves the facility.

In fact, the individual’s journey has only just begun at that stage. Twilight Recovery is proud to show residents that their commitment begins in rehab. That can prepare them for what comes next.

When a person engages in the programs at Twilight Recovery Center, they will be shown how important they are and how much they are valued by those around them. In this way, Twilight Recovery Center can explain why post-recovery care is important and how to prepare oneself for the journey.

One of the core tenets of a remarkable recovery program is its ability to assist with post-recovery care. Twilight Recovery Center is proud to offer a program whose mission does not end in rehab. In fact, we are dedicated to our residents and their ability to further their recovery process past their time in our facility. That is why we make sure that there is a plan that has been created with them and their loved ones to make sure they know what steps come next. To learn more about the Twilight Recovery Center program and what it can offer you or your loved one, call us today at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Depression

Depression Linked to Substance Abuse?

Depression affects many people in a variety of settings. However, it can be even more detrimental to those with substance abuse issues. If it is not the direct cause of these problems, what role does it play? And how can it be dealt with and mitigated?

What Is Depression?

Depression is a common mental health issue. However, clinical depression is characterized by a severe and persistently depressed mood and a loss of interest in activities. This mood will often lead to a significant impairment in a person’s daily life. Though there are a variety of reasons for a person to suffer from clinical depression. The most persistent causes include the following:

When a person suffers from depression due to one or both of these reasons, they may also have other added issues that create lasting problems within the brain. These may need specific treatment, which may include prescribed medication. There may also be other side effects that can introduce a litany of issues to the person, both mentally and physically.

  • Insomnia
  • Lack of appetite
  • Decreased energy
  • Lack of concentration
  • Low self-esteem

In some of the worst cases, there may even be a prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. However, dealing with these issues is possible, especially when they are linked to other problems.

Trauma, Depression, and Substance Abuse

Untreated trauma can often be linked to depression. A person who has been unable to deal with trauma may experience a variety of different side effects, one of the most prevalent being depression.

When a person tries to avoid dealing with trauma, bouts of depression will occur, even if they are not extensive. This depression may seem so overwhelming that they believe themselves to have two options. They may resort to physical self-harm or utilize illicit substances in an effort to dull their senses and push away their mental anguish.

More often than not, these people will turn to substance abuse as a way of self-medicating. This is often a double-edged solution as many substances can lead to decreased mood and, therefore, an increase in depression. People may find that their addictions have become too ingrained to stop, and at the same time, their depression has worsened, which creates a challenging situation.

When Depression Worsens Substance Abuse.

Substance abuse is a spiral. Once a person has started abusing illicit substances, they are most likely going to continue using. Not only that, but their addictions will get worse as they require more in an attempt to get the same effects. This tolerance will only build until the person is able to confront their problem or they reach a level where they overdose.

When you add depression to the mix, things can worsen much more quickly. In fact, a person’s realization that they need to rely on these substances to numb themselves can lead to depressive thoughts. These will work alongside the existing substance abuse spiral to bring a person further into their problems.

They may see how substances have helped numb certain thoughts and assume they will work to combat their depression. Unfortunately, this does not happen, and substances that do provide momentary highs often leave people in even lower lows than they were in before using.

It is important for people to not only understand that they have a substance abuse issue but for them also to realize the cause and effect of their depression. Once they are aware of how things are linked, they may have more of a drive to seek assistance from the self-perpetuating problems caused by their substance abuse issues.

Twilight Recovery Center’s Approach

When an individual arrives at Twilight Recovery Center, the staff will conduct an initial assessment on them. This assessment will determine their initial issues and what the facility can do to help. A person entering with a substance abuse problem will often be experiencing side effects such as depression. With this in mind, the individual may be provided with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in an effort to help combat this type of oppressive side effect.

Often, when someone presents this option to a person, it may look like they would rather not have another substance in their body when they are already trying to get rid of others. However, in this case, it is a prescribed medication from a medical professional. They have either administered or spoken with the individual who has administered the assessment, and are acting accordingly.

People will find that with the overarching depression taken care of, they are able to relax more and focus on the larger issues that may be causing the depression. Following detox and intensive group and individual therapy, they will learn to understand their condition, what has caused it, and ways to deal with it going forward.

There are a number of factors that contribute to substance abuse.

In fact, each person has a variety of personal issues that can lead them to engage in dangerous habits. One of the main causes can be depression. This depression does not need to come from one particular source but often stems from previous trauma. At Twilight Recovery Center, we are well aware of these connections. We are prepared to use a variety of techniques to assist our residents. For people who are just discovering their mental health issues, our program can bring things to light that may not have been previously understood. To learn more about our program, call us at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Mediterranean Location

Why a Mediterranean Location Can Help With Recovery

The purpose of a recovery program is to help individuals understand their issues and find ways to deal with them. This process can be done in any location, but to truly experience all it can offer, there is no place more accepting than a Mediterranean locale.

For many people, the idea of going to rehab can be frightening. That is why the location should be as inviting as possible. When someone is ready to begin working on themselves, it will be easier to do so when ensconced in subtropical luxury.

What Does a Mediterranean Location Offer?

In a world with many environments, a recovery center can be placed anywhere. However, that does not always mean it is in the right place. That is why becoming a resident in a Mediterranean location can be far more beneficial than in other areas.

Consider what the word Mediterranean evokes.

  • Sun with cool breezes
  • The sound of waves at night

These are all highly relaxing concepts. Each of them would be fine on their own, but they are far beyond satisfying when put together. In fact, a Mediterranean location evokes one word in almost every person: Vacation.

And what does a vacation bring to mind but beach activities? A recovery center in a Mediterranean space can offer a variety of activities:

Not only are they offered, but unlike other places, they are offered either in or beside the ocean. These are activities that belong in this environment. It was made for them and is therefore ideal for someone who is looking for a place to deal with their personal issues. The importance of relaxation and extra activities or non-traditional therapies in the recovery process cannot be overstated.

How Can a Location Make a Difference?

This relaxing locale brings people into a different state of mind. There is a freedom that a typical rehab facility may not seem to have. For people who can wake up and see the ocean from their window, the world seems a bit brighter. This is the mentality that a Mediterranean location fosters in people and one that all recovery centers hope their residents have while at their facilities.

Health and Overall Wellness

People not only have a better outlook when it comes to Mediterranean locations, but they also have the added benefit of physical benefits as well. Consider that when individuals feel a sense of relaxation and have access to fresh weather and ample sunlight, they are also treated to these benefits:

  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Strengthened immune system
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Increased blood flow
  • Lower joint pain

These are all benefits that a person going through substance abuse recovery can use on their path to wellness. Part of the difficulty of getting through treatment is the physical aspect wherein individuals must train their bodies for a healthier style of living. In any location, this begins as an uphill struggle, but in a Mediterranean  location, the environment is assisting the person on their journey.

When a person is attempting to overcome both substance abuse and mental health issues, it is important that they be in the best possible state of body and mind. Any facility will do whatever it can to bring a person to a better baseline and beyond, but the more help they can get, the better. That is why a facility located in a Mediterranean environment may have better odds of preparing a person for recovery.

Twilight Recovery Center’s Promise

At Twilight Recovery Center, the location has always been key. The founders had the ability to choose where to put the facility, and they chose this beachside area in an effort to give their residents all the possible benefits.

It takes an innately brave and strong person to confront their substance abuse issues. Twilight Recovery Center believes that the more that can be done to boost these already strong people, the better. That is why they have taken into account the health and wellness aspects of a Mediterranean location. Medically, mentally, and physically this is the best place for those willing to confront their issues head-on. The recovery process is not easy, but it can be made easier.

Twilight Recovery Center not only boasts a fabulous location but has amenities that only add to the overall experience. Consider:

  • Private suites
  • Chef-inspired meals
  • Family-style dining
  • Spacious communal spaces
  • Rooftop lounge

These are just a few of the wonderful amenities that come with a stay at the facility. Not only that, but the staff is also highly regarded, well-trained, and prepared to assist residents with whatever they need to make their stay more comfortable. When people approach the program with the power to commit, they leave prepared for what comes next.

There are a number of well-known rehab facilities, but none compare to the Twilight Recovery Center. One of the main reasons for this is our spectacular location. We have the pure joy of being located directly on a subtropical beach. In this place, the waters are warm and clear, the air is sweet with a slight tinge of salt, and the sun shines on everyone. The recovery process feels easier here, as if the beachside location itself allows a person to breathe deeper than ever and in a way that takes in the positive vibes. We want to share that luxury experience with you. Learn more by calling us today at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Aqua Therapy

How Aqua Therapy Affects Treatment

There are many different types of therapy that can help a person get through substance abuse and mental health trauma. One of these is a group of alternative therapies known as aqua therapy.

What Is Aqua Therapy?

Aqua therapy aims to immerse people in water to give them access to its benefits. This can include therapies such as Ai Chi, a method of physical meditation undertaken while partially submerged in water. Aqua therapy can also be any activity that takes place in water as a means of healing.

How Does Aqua Therapy Assist in Healing?

Something people forget is that we are creatures of liquid. We are born into it, and some say it is the first place we begin making memories. There is an innate need that people feel for the evocative safety and security that warm water provides. But what does this mean for healing?

When a person is safely submerged, even partially, in water, they will begin to show physical changes to their body. This appears in a variety of ways:

  • Lowered heart rate
  • Even body temperature
  • Allowances for joint extension

These all have the bonus of calming a person with certain symptoms by removing a handful of the physical side effects that come with mental health issues and substance abuse withdrawal.

There are also major health benefits to swimming. Rather than simply floating and relaxing in the water, people can use their time to fully exercise their bodies in a zero-impact sport. Though there is no need to compete against others, there are numerous benefits to the act of swimming:

  • Breathe control
  • Stretching
  • Extensive motion
  • Limb control

These may seem like the kind of things that can be accomplished through other activities, but many people will not achieve all four with something like jogging without having the heavy impact and effects on their bones and joints.

Often, people who have been abusing substances will have been leading a sedentary lifestyle. This means that they will not be immediately fit to partake in most forms of exercise. Swimming and aqua therapy provide a bridge from complete inactivity to high-impact, sustained physical activity. However, people who may not want to end up there may find that swimming is the form of consistent exercise they are looking for.

How Beachside Rehabs Offer the Best Aqua Therapy Options

There are a number of benefits to entering a recovery program with a beachside location. One of the most important is quite literally the fact that it is right beside the ocean. This fact, coupled with the needs of someone going through the rehab/recovery process, can have extensive effects on their entire experience.

The aqua therapy offered at these locations can be transformative to the overall program. Due to the location, these facilities are able to not only offer aqua therapy but incorporate it seamlessly into their overall program. Whereas some programs will occasionally offer a sauna or pool experience, there is nothing like the ability to slip directly into the ocean.

The ocean also provides more buoyancy thanks to its salt content. It also allows people to try things they have never tried before, such as snorkeling and SCUBA diving. These activities provide the physical benefits of other aqua therapy programs.

The Twilight Recovery Center Difference

There are considerable benefits to spending time at Twilight Recovery Center. First and foremost is the dedication to the recovery process. The staff is prepared to assist all residents individually, allowing them to get to know people as they are and not as simply numbers on a bed count.

Also, the fact that Twilight Recovery Center is located on a Mediterranean beach where the waters welcome residents and invite people to truly be at peace with themselves and the world around them.

A luxury environment is only added to by the personal accommodations, gender-separated living spaces, and private chef. It is understood that each person who enters the facility has their own issues that they bring with them. These issues are handled according to the individual with their input. Nobody is forced into activities, and the program exists to not only begin the rehab process but to prepare residents for what comes next in recovery.

When you visit Twilight Recovery Center, you are admitting to your own issues and accepting the fact that it is time to take the next steps. This promise to self is only the beginning. However, with the assistance of Twilight Recovery Center, you can be sure that the process will be that much easier.

In a typical rehab setting, a person will visit a therapist and engage in group therapy. These are two vital pieces of any recovery process. However, at Twilight Recovery Center, we are able to offer additional programming and alternative therapies. Thanks to our singular location, a number of our one-of-a-kind therapies can take place on the beach and in the beautiful blue ocean. This environment, one associated by many with relaxation, can put people in a state of mind they cannot find anywhere else. In fact, our aqua therapies transport residents to a new level of self-awareness and discovery that only the ocean can bring. To learn more about this program, call us at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Entire Person

Focusing on the Entire Person

Many rehab facilities present themselves as the best, even if they only offer the most basic care. That is why it is important to find a facility that focuses on the entire person rather than a spot-treatment approach.

What Makes an Entire Person?

The purpose of treating the entire person is to make sure that every facet of treatment focuses on a specific area of care but comes together for well-rounded healing. People need to know that their treatment will uncover even the smallest piece of their issues. This can only be accomplished by working on every part.

The actual pieces of a person break down into the following parts:

  • Current mental state
  • Physical ailments
  • Prior trauma
  • Personal likes/dislikes
  • Effects of family and friends
  • Need for personal growth
  • Spirituality
  • Emotional balance

These are only a few of the various pieces that make up a whole person. Ultimately, each person deserves to go through treatment as an individual. Their initial assessment will determine their course of care. This plan will make sure that they are treated the way they need to be treated and not in the same way as others.

No two people are the same, and no two situations are the same. It is important for caregivers to acknowledge these facts and make sure that they proceed accordingly. When every part of a person is treated, nothing gets left behind.

How People Fall Apart

People with substance abuse and mental health issues often find that they begin to unravel in ways they hadn’t previously expected. They may have been able to hold things together for a sustained period of time. However, after a while, they can begin to lose touch with certain aspects of themselves. This is when their entire being breaks down piece by piece.

The first piece that people lose is their connection to themselves. Through a lifetime of dealing with trauma, people might section off pieces of their mind in an effort to distance themselves from their pain. Some may ask why these individuals have not sought treatment for their problems. The main reason is that confronting their trauma and mistakes can seem like a massive and scary undertaking. This then leads to the second piece.

People often get into  a cycle of substance abuse. It may seem minor, but over time it erodes both the psyche and the physical body. Unfortunately, many people find that after prolonged use of these substances, they need more to get the numbing sensation they require. This then further erodes how they think and feel.

These substances can have a dire effect on the body, causing any number of issues. Many of these may be irreversible regardless of when they stop. That is why it is so important to get help as soon as possible.

Over time, the toll these practices take on the person becomes exponential. Family and friends are pushed away, beloved activities are disregarded, jobs are lost, and money rapidly dissipates. These are all vital to what we think of as the bedrock of being an active individual in society. Often, a person is unable to accept treatment until they have reached this point.

The Goal of Treatment

When a person enters a treatment facility, they have one goal in mind: getting better. This is a goal shared by the individual as well as the facility itself.

For the people going through treatment, this goal is achieved through a variety of treatments, including:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Alternative therapies

These treatments work in tandem to benefit the entire person. They look at the individual as a collection of mental and physical conditions. The idea of bringing together mind, body, and soul has never been more prevalent than when someone is in a top-notch treatment center.

Twilight Recovery Center’s Approach to Treating the Entire Person

When a person arrives at Twilight Recovery Center, they are given the treatment they require and deserve. These individuals will receive an initial assessment that will determine their course of treatment while at our facility.

They will also be given a full rundown of the various amenities Twilight Recovery Center can offer them. Thanks to our tropical beachside location, residents will be given the opportunity to try new and relaxing activities that do not exist anywhere else.

Treating the entire person is paramount, and the offerings are abundant. We offer individual and group therapy like many facilities, but we also present alternative beachside therapies. This means that residents can utilize the fact that they are in a relaxed environment to begin healing their broken psyches.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a productive individual therapy session followed by a meal prepared by a professional chef and then taking part in a meditative tai chi class on a sandy beach. This is what Twilight Recovery Center has to offer. An experience that addresses every part of the individual so that they can enter recovery with a clear mind, strong body, and overall self-fulfillment.

The rehab and recovery process is never one-size-fits-all.  In fact, for many people, the entire concept of rehab can be frightening because they believe it is simply group therapy. However, this is only a piece of the puzzle. Rehab and recovery are about finding all the broken pieces and bringing them together to work on the entire person. Whether it is helping to deal with substance abuse, bipolar disorder, or a dual diagnosis, each person has their own reasons for being in a facility. Twilight Recovery Center believes that without understanding and treating the whole person, no one can truly be healed. Learn more by calling us at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Creates Staffing Excellence

Staffing Excellence

There are a number of reasons why rehab facilities focus on staffing excellence. An educated staff is the best way to achieve excellent patient care.

Empathy Education Is the Key to Staffing Excellence

One of the first things that people are taught is how to interact with patients. Individuals come to recovery centers in the most fragile state and must be treated with warmth and respect. They have made a decision to change their lives for the better. Staff must provide encouragement and proper communication to help achieve their goal of a better life.

One of the more interesting aspects of recovery staffing is just how many of them have been through the rehab/recovery process themselves. This lends a huge hand not only to the program but to the residents themselves. Consider just how much these individuals understand the system from the inside. They have had the experience of being both patient and staff. This insight allows them to present their knowledge to other staff members who have not had this firsthand experience.

Education can come from a variety of different places. Not every lesson can be learned in a classroom, and not every test involves a piece of paper. Empathy is something that people must learn to use, and there is no better teacher than those who have the background to educate.

Continuing Education for Staff

The idea of continuously improving one’s knowledge is a cornerstone of any rehab/recovery staff member. Each individual that steps through the doors of their facility provides another lesson in how to treat people. This applies to two places:

Medical Model

All facilities must follow certain medical models in order to provide care to individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues. This means hiring individuals who have completed specific training and obtained degrees or certificates.

Formal education is essential for these employees as new techniques, emerging medications, and treatment options are introduced. This applies not only to the moderation of certain therapies but also to their implementation.

Social Model

The staff of any rehab/recovery facility must be able to interact with their residents on an individual basis. This means anticipating how different people will act and behave before they do anything to harm themselves or others.

Often, staff will enter a facility with a certain level of knowledge in direct patient care. As they spend more time around their residents, they will grow as caregivers. This is done by creating pathways based not only on their own experiences but on those of their coworkers.

One of the best ways for a staff member to continue their social education is by having boots on the ground. This means that there is nothing quite like being immersed in the actual day-to-day of a rehab/recovery facility.

Each moment brings new lessons, and each resident brings their own personality, problems, and solutions. It is important that staff members take in this information, share it in staff meetings, and help new staff members acclimate as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Employing the Best

As with any medical facility, there are always people attempting to apply for employment. However, being staffing a rehab/recovery center is not suitable for everyone. It is not an easy position to fill, and facilities are wary of who they bring on board.

Each facility goes through a rigorous process to weed out those simply looking for employment and those who are qualified and dedicated to the well-being of their residents. One of the best ways to do this is to hire a mix of industry veterans and those new to their careers.

The right mix at a facility can create magic. Inexperienced staff can learn life lessons that school cannot teach, while veterans can acquire new techniques beyond their initial schooling.

Ultimately, when these groups come together, residents will discover that the facility possesses a particular flow and ease that is unmatched elsewhere. From the moment they wake up to the moment they go to sleep, they will feel loved, monitored, and taken care of in a way that treats them as adults who have a specific mission.

Caregivers should avoid treating them like children, coddling them, or telling them that they are perfect. In fact, sometimes what people need is the truth, and educated staff will know how to present that truth in a way that is digestible and anything but harsh.

The Twilight Recovery Center Difference

At Twilight Recovery Center, the staff has been vetted, educated, and monitored to make sure that they are not stuck in a caregiving rut. In fact, education is not only encouraged but rewarded. Staff members know that without constant education, they will become stagnant, and no facility wants stagnant employees.

The Twilight Recovery Center’s goal is, first and foremost, to assist residents with their journey into recovery. Only educated staff members can accomplish that.

With countless rehab and recovery centers across the country, how can a person choose the right one? The first thing to consider is the education and training of the facility’s staff. Regardless of their purpose, they should be the best at what they do in an environment that they trust. When a person enters a facility, the staff reflects on how the experience will be. At Twilight Recovery Center, an educated staff member will not only greet you but will conduct your initial intake assessment. This is only the first step and with each next step, you will meet and learn from people whose only purpose is to help. Learn more at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Better Level of Patient Care

Establishing a Better Level of Patient Care

There are many parts to the rehab and recovery process. However, it is important for people to find the right level of care that will best benefit them. When it comes to direct patient care, there are highs and lows depending on which facility a person ends up in.

What Is Baseline Care?

For a rehab facility to be considered licensed, it must provide a baseline of care. This means that the minimum amount of care must be provided that a person needs to navigate the recovery process. For many facilities, this means that people are given the following:

  • A bed to sleep in
  • Meals to eat
  • Group therapy
  • Meetings with a therapist
  • 30 Days of inpatient care

Having these does not make a facility better or worse than any other. However, at its most basic, the rehab system does not always look out for the individual to the degree that helps the most. That being said, there are other options available.

How Has Patient Care Evolved?

Patient care in the United States has evolved quite a bit in the past century. Before that, people were often seen as being unfixable. This was especially true for those with what we now refer to as a dual diagnosis.

When someone was mired in addiction, they were often blamed, shunned, and even jailed for the crime of what amounted to passive forms of self-harm. Those who were not placed in jails were placed in homes for the mentally ill and given medications to physically subdue them in an effort to “save them from themselves.”

Thankfully, the system has evolved.

We now have a regulated system whose main concern is the health and well-being of the patient. This means that facilities exist that are neither prisons nor long-term homes for the mentally ill. In fact, the entire concept of treatment has gone from a wild west mentality to an ordered, well-run suburb where people follow rules and obey laws.

For people with substance abuse and mental health issues, this means that their fears can be assuaged. Once a person has decided to do something about their issues, they are no longer going it alone. In fact, patient care has created a niche for people who want to help. It has made the well-being of the patients the top priority, with the baseline of care having moved up to a degree that there is now relief and satisfaction upon entering a program.

Why Great Patient Care Matters

There are many reasons for facilities to take extreme measures to assist in proper patient care. The first is that they want people to succeed. Although substance abuse has a high relapse rate, people are never turned away if they need to return. Facilities want their patients to find the right path and take their time to get through the program because it is not about rushing, and it is not about numbers.

For staff members, the idea of leaving a patient without proper care is unthinkable. In some facilities, staff members will stay late or come in early just to help a patient that they know could use a little extra assistance to get them past certain rehab hurdles. This attention to patient care can mean the difference between someone trusting a program and someone who wants nothing but to leave.

What Is a Luxury Rehab?

When great patient care is extrapolated out, it must have a topping-off point where the care has been taken to a level that can only be described as luxurious. In a luxury rehab, every baseline need is covered. However, they are covered in a way that takes away any of the guesswork as to whether the patient’s best needs are in mind. Consider what a luxury rehab offers over a typical baseline-care rehab facility:

  • Smaller number of residents
  • Private rooms or suites
  • Executive chef on the premises
  • Additional and alternative therapies
  • Small group therapy sizes
  • Extra activities
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Calming locales

These are only a sampling of what a luxury rehab can offer. The overall goal is to put a person not just in a rehab facility, but in a place where they can concentrate on themselves and the idea of assessing and healing their entire being. Staff is able to assist with this in every aspect due to their higher numbers and their extensive training.

When a person is able to become a resident at a luxury rehab, they will find that not only can they put their fears away, but they can breathe easier and sleep better knowing that they are in the best hands possible.

The Twilight Recovery Difference

At Twilight Recovery Center, the level of patient care is almost immeasurable. Between the staff, programs, and location, it is the farthest from baseline care a person can get. Every resident is treated as the individual they are, with no one-size-fits-all mentality.

There is also the added bonus of being located in a tropical setting beside the ocean. This only adds to the level of relaxation, which puts residents at ease and allows them to focus on what really matters. Recovery is never an easy process, but at a luxury rehab like Twilight Recovery Center, it certainly is easier.

When it comes to rehab and recovery, there are many different options. Twilight Recovery Center is proud to offer a luxury rehab experience. This means that our residents receive a better level of patient care. In fact, our tropical location allows not just for a better rehab but a better overall recovery. In order to establish this level of care, we make sure to employ only the best and brightest members of the medical community. We also provide an experience. This means individual and group therapy but also has added amenities to make it a singular moment in time dedicated to your recovery. To learn more, call us at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Bipolar Disorder

Addressing Co-occurring Issues in Bipolar Disorder

Though there are many people affected by bipolar disorder, many do not display extreme symptoms. However, there are many who do. When this becomes an issue, there are a variety of co-occurring disorders can arise. The good news is that these can be treated and, for the sake of the person, should be attended to.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

When a person suffers from bipolar disorder, they have extreme swings between depression and mania. A common issue is that bipolar disorder is often exhibited through prolonged periods of both mood swings. Though many people have short periods of feeling down, or periods of feeling energized, these are not sustainable for long periods and especially when experienced back-to-back.

Symptoms of Depression:

  • Loss of interest in everyday activities
  • Feelings of despair
  • Decreased appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Disturbed/illogical thinking
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Suicidal thoughts

Symptoms of Mania:

  • Insomnia
  • Extreme energy
  • Easily irritated/agitated
  • Extreme joy
  • Self-importance
  • Feeling delusional
  • Poor decision making
  • Extreme actions with overreaching consequences

When a person has these symptoms, they will often become exhausted, and their bouts of mania will last longer. This often causes an extreme lack of sleep, with some people staying awake for days. They may believe they are solving problems or having amazing ideas when they are, in fact, slowly burning out their minds.

Bipolar disorder can lead to such overtly negative behavior because the mind is unable to regulate normal sleep patterns and dopamine, meaning that emotions are in a constant state of flux. For most people, when they are sad, it takes them some time to return to their baseline.

Also, when they are extremely happy, they will eventually tire and return to their baseline. However, when they go from their lowest emotions straight to their highest, the brain is unable to cope, and the sudden shift can cause even more issues with brain chemistry.

What Are Co-occurring Issues?

Co-occurring issues are also known as dual diagnosis. This means that a person has two or more issues that are happening at the same time. A bipolar diagnosis is an example of this type of condition.

Another issue for people with bipolar disorder is that it may lead to drastic behavior such as substance abuse. People may feel they need something to calm their minds or may have times of mania where they feel invincible and will use illicit substances because it simply feels like a great idea.

When this happens, they are left with even more co-occurring issues. These people may find that substances such as alcohol are able to depress some of the manic behavior, however, it will have the added issue of increasing the levels of depression.

Once a person is addicted, they may not stop at just one substance. For example, they may attempt to counter the effects of alcohol with something like cocaine. These two should not be mixed regardless of the situation, but with bipolar disorder, they can be even more disastrous as they will throw people’s erratic behavior into sharper relief.

Available Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

There are a variety of treatments for bipolar disorder. Due to the fact that it is a chemical imbalance within the brain, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is often utilized. Due to the co-occurring nature of bipolar disorder, there will often be a cocktail of multiple medications used to treat the various aspects of the disorder. This course of treatment will start with lower doses of medication, and a medical professional will monitor the person’s behavior to adjust levels and decide on the right mix.

Often, the treatment involves mood stabilizers. These can include:

  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • Lithium (Lithobid)
  • Divalproex sodium (Depakote)

These are only three examples, as there are a number of different medications that can be taken. However, these medications are often used primarily to deal with mania. There are also medications to treat depression. These are called Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and much like mood stabilizers, there is a variety for a medical professional to use and see which works best. Often included are:

  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil)
  • Sertraline (Zoloft)

There are a number of others that can be used. It is important to know that there may be other medications involved in an effort to find balance and deal with any additional side effects that the initial medications can bring. Should people become frustrated with the amount of time it takes to find the right balance, there are many different combinations to try, and the medical professional wants nothing but to get the mixture right. Patience is necessary for this process.

Twilight Recovery Center’s Approach

At Twilight Recovery Center, you can be guaranteed that you will get the assistance you need to deal with your bipolar or other co-occurring disorders. Upon arrival, a full assessment will be conducted by a medical professional to determine what issues need to be dealt with.

For people experiencing multiple issues, MAT will be used to assist with any initial issues and will be adjusted going forward. Individuals will be provided with individual care that is crafted for them so that they know they are not simply going through a cookie-cutter assembly line.

Your care is paramount, and Twilight Recovery Center is here to provide the highest quality care available.

Bipolar disorder is a condition that many people face without understanding it. In fact, many people assume that their co-occurring issues have nothing to do with having bipolar disorder. However, those with this condition may be confused by what they are experiencing and how to deal with it. At Twilight Recovery Center, we believe in addressing the whole individual through a variety of treatment options. When you enter our doors, the staff is ready to help diagnose your particular issues and develop a plan to treat them. For those without a diagnosis, we can walk you through the process and show you that things can improve for you. Call us today at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Depression Physically Affects

Depression Physically Affects Individuals

When people are depressed, there can often be physical side effects. Depression may have its roots in a variety of places and could, in fact, be linked to other co-occurring disorders. However, these will only serve to bolster the already deprecating mental and physical side effects.

The Roots of Depression

Depression can come from many different sources. However, it is often linked to two particular areas:

Brain Chemistry

This is a critical piece to think about. A number of individuals will look at their lives and see nothing but positivity. They will see that their family is great, their job meets their needs, and they make enough money to afford fun vacations with the kids.

However, they find themselves depressed. Often, they are depressed for no apparent reason, and it makes them feel awful that they could possibly allow themselves to feel this way. They may feel selfish and berate themselves for having depressive thoughts.

In these cases, the problem may be a matter of simple brain chemistry. People with clinical depression often have low levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. This is often due to an increase in the levels of monoamine oxidase A.

Though it may sound extremely technical, the bottom line is that there are chemicals the brain needs to stay balanced, and people with clinical depression are not getting enough of them. The solution is actually quite simple. Often, a person will want to attend therapy sessions, but the main solution can be medication. These can often include:

Each of these is a category of medication, as there are quite a number of them specifically made to treat symptoms of depression. Once a person has found the right balance of medication and therapy, they will often feel quite a bit better.

it is important to remember that this type of depression can have a variety of physical effects. These can include:

  • Insomnia
  • Lowered sex drive
  • Inability to engage in physical activities

There are other examples as well, but when someone is depressed, they will often shut down mentally, which leads to a severe decrease in normal physical activity.

Trauma

The other cause of depression is trauma. This trauma can come from any event in a person’s life or any combination of events. When this happens, individuals have been through something that has so affected them that they cannot get rid of the memories or the residual feelings.

A person who has suffered from trauma may not only feel depressed but may, in fact, have multiple issues associated with their depression. These co-occurring disorders can result in a decrease in activity and an increase in the use of illicit substances. Should a person reach this stage, they will have far more physical issues to deal with as a tangential result of their initial depression.

For people with trauma-related depression, the best way to deal with it is to seek therapy as soon as possible. Individuals may be feeling depression due to unaddressed childhood trauma and have therefore been suffering for decades. These people should be encouraged to find a medical professional that they trust as they may have exponentially worse mental and physical side effects due to the amount of time that has passed since their traumatic event.

Early Detection

Depression is insidious. It can strike at any time and sit in someone’s system for any length of time. Often, individuals are unaware that they are experiencing long-term clinical depression until others point out their lethargy and reticence to participate in activities.

Therefore, early detection is important. Unfortunately, one group that often gets left behind in this type of treatment is teenagers. People forget just how stressful it can be to be in their teens, and when someone has clinical depression mixed into the pot, the results can be disastrous. The rate of suicide among young people remains high, and in 2022 the group with the highest increase (8%) was males between 15 and 24.

One of the best types of early detection comes from the outside. Friends and loved ones are often the first to notice changes in an individual and should not feel awkward about bringing them up. If someone who is typically happy suddenly becomes morose, it’s important to speak up or ask a few questions. Nobody wants their friends or loved ones ignoring symptoms, especially when they may be subconscious cries for help.

Facilities such as Twilight Recovery Center are keenly aware of the issues that come with depression and how they can lead to substance abuse. Twilight Recovery Center is ready to work with those who need help, tackling overarching and underlying issues.

When a person begins experiencing depression, it may come as a surprise. Depression has many origins, but for some people, the idea seems to be that the condition is only mental. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, those with depression, especially prolonged depression, may find that the physical side effects make things even harder. At Twilight Recovery Center, we understand that individuals need assistance. Depression is not something to be swept under the rug. We are firm believers in discussing personal issues, how they have affected people’s lives, and what to do to make things better. Call our facility today for more information at (888) 414-8183.

 

 

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney
Treat Repressed Childhood Trauma

Treat Repressed Childhood Trauma

There are many varieties of trauma that cause people to experience mental and physical issues later in life. For people who have experienced childhood trauma, the repercussions can be devastating.

One of the main issues is that they may not realize just where their issues stem from. This is often due to their trauma being repressed.

What Is Trauma?

When asked to identify trauma, medical professionals discuss the fact that there are two types of trauma:

  • Physical
  • Mental

These two types of trauma can exist independently or in tandem. However, more often than not, if a person has experienced physical trauma, they will also have some mental trauma associated with it.

What Is Childhood Trauma?

Many people suffering from substance abuse have some level of trauma in their past. This trauma can be categorized as abuse. Unfortunately, this abuse is often at the hands of a close relative, such as a parent.

Childhood trauma may stem from a variety of abuses:

  • Physical
  • Sexual
  • Verbal
  • Emotional

Again, these often exist in tandem rather than on their own. One of the hallmarks of trauma is just how insidious it can be and how it never affects just one part of a person’s psyche.  When it comes from abuse, especially from someone a child should be able to trust, the damage is compounded.

An issue that can come up is that the abuse can be so severely traumatic that it becomes repressed. This means that the child buries the issues in a way that they may not remember what happened to them.  It may even happen while the trauma continues to be perpetrated upon them.

What Happens With Repressed Trauma?

When a person represses trauma, it may have the effect of compounding the side effects the person goes through later in life.

Many people will find themselves experiencing mental health problems without realizing their origins. These may include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Nightmares
  • Problems with personal relationships
  • Insomnia
  • Unexplained anger

Most people will not seek professional treatment even when these issues become commonplace. Even those who have repressed issues may be afraid of what these feelings and emotions could mean. They may see themselves as broken and do not want a stranger “looking inside their heads.”

Others may turn to illicit substances in an effort to self-medicate. This substance abuse may even start at a young age with experimentation. The person will find that when they use these substances, they experience numbness that can calm and blank out their minds, even for a little while. While this can be cathartic, it will quickly turn into a habit and an addiction.

When these addictions take hold, people may be functionally addicted, working and living in a way that others remain in the dark about their problems. However, it will only become worse as they progress. Many substances require a person to consume more as they find themselves (getting used to) certain amounts.

A person’s reticence to speak with a medical professional or enter a program often does not end until their loved ones reach a breaking point or the individual overdoses. The hope is that these people get help before this happens. Either way, recovery centers are ready to help.

How a Recovery Center Can Help

The first thing a recovery center will do is a full assessment of the individual. This will include a rundown of what they have been going through, both mentally and physically. For many people, this assessment will simply identify what immediate needs the individual has. This often means discussing the level of detox they will be going through. It is important that the person have their system purged of any substances that are causing problems. Without this step, there is no reason to continue treatment.

Once detox is complete, the individual will be given another assessment. They will take a deeper dive into their issues to determine the types of therapeutic treatments they require. This will always include some type of individual therapy as well as group therapy. However, if a person is given a dual diagnosis, they will often require some type of medication-assisted therapy.

This means that they will be given specific medications under strict supervision to assist with some of their overarching mental health issues in an effort to give their mind space to deal with the deeper problems.

How Individual Therapy Can Begin the Healing Process

Quite a number of addicts have never set foot in a therapy session. Therefore, when they enter recovery and begin discussing their repressed issues, it is a pivotal moment in treatment. They must be with a medical professional they trust and are comfortable talking with.

In these sessions, they will be heavily encouraged to take down the walls they have put up around themselves. These protective shields have existed for decades to stop the person from having to deal directly with the issues that have placed them in the position they find themselves.

Sessions may feel combative at first, perhaps emotionally draining, and definitely cathartic. They will act as a way to begin the process of unburdening oneself from the chains that others placed upon them years ago. People will begin to understand that although treatment and recovery have become their responsibility, the roots of their issues were not their fault.

Though they have been put in this position by the neglect and abuse of others, there are better ways to deal with these problems than substance abuse.

Twilight Recovery Center’s Approach to Trauma

At Twilight Recovery Center, we focus on the individual and their continued care. Our approach is to give individuals a new beginning and set them up for future recovery. We are proud to say that our program is the first step on a long road, but one that we are proud to offer.

There are many problems rooted in childhood trauma. Some people with mental or substance abuse issues may not even realize where their issues stem from. Twilight Recovery Center is prepared to assist individuals in their attempt to find the origins of their problems. Often, this means making considerable headway into understanding and confronting situations that may feel uncomfortable and frightening. Our caring staff is on call to make sure that you are cared for every step of the way. We will make sure that each moment of your time with us is utilized to assist you in confronting your past while looking forward into your recovery. Call us today at (888) 414-8183.

in Recovery Posted by Harrison Sidney

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Twilight Recovery Center

Receive the highest level of care at our upscale recovery center. We offer world class treatments to ensure the finest road to recovery.

MENU

Treatments

Areas We Serve

Facebook Instagram

Contact

Address

Farallon #9751, San Antonio del Mar, Baja California Mexico CP 22560

Phone:

(1)888-414 81 83
+52 664 80 58 882 

Email

info@twilightrecoverycenter.com

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