Blog posts

Heroin Isn't What it Used to Be : Don't Wait to Get Help

In recent years, a silent and insidious pandemic has been sweeping across the globe, claiming countless lives and leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Unlike the familiar viruses we've battled in the past, this pandemic doesn't spread through coughs or sneezes, nor does it discriminate based on age, gender, or geography. Instead, it hides in plain sight, masquerading as something else entirely – a prescription painkiller, a recreational drug, or even a counterfeit medication. We're talking about the fentanyl pandemic, a crisis that has been quietly escalating, often overshadowed by the more widely publicized health emergencies of our time.

The Benefits of Journaling in Sobriety : Tips for Getting Started

Amid all the challenges of life, recovery from addiction is perhaps the most daunting. It demands resilience, introspection, and a toolbox of effective strategies. In the quest for sobriety, where each step forward is a triumph, there exists a hidden gem that has proven to be a beacon of strength for countless individuals: journaling. This seemingly simple act, the union of thought and ink, has the power to catalyze profound change.

Why Choosing the Right Recovery Program Matters

Every person's journey to recovery is deeply personal, shaped by their unique experiences, challenges, and aspirations. Often, this journey is a mosaic of emotions - hope, fear, determination, and moments of self-doubt. Recovery goes beyond overcoming a specific issue or obstacle; it's about rediscovering oneself, rebuilding confidence, and reclaiming life. It’s a transformative phase where individuals strive to create a balanced life, navigating past trauma and building resilience for the future.

How to Curate a Sober Lifestyle When Living in a Big City

Living in a big city is like surfing a wave of endless possibilities. Bars on every corner, parties that stretch into the morning, and a "FOMO" culture that never sleeps. But what if you're seeking a different path that sidesteps the alcohol and late-night escapades? Opting for sobriety can feel like a daunting shift, but it's also a game-changer. Instead of recovering from your night out, picture yourself rising with a sense of purpose, engaging in relationships that nourish your soul, and diving into experiences that leave a lasting imprint.

What to Expect in Detox - The First Step to Recovery

Detoxification, commonly referred to as detox, is a crucial first step in the journey to recovery for many people who have been living with substance use disorders. This medically supervised process is designed to help individuals safely navigate withdrawal symptoms and cleanse their bodies of harmful substances. Detox is often conducted within the structured and supportive environment of a rehabilitation facility, where medical professionals can closely monitor the individual's physical and mental health status.

The Growing Threat of Fentanyl and How to Recover

The past few years have witnessed an unnerving rise in a menacing public health crisis, the fentanyl epidemic. This synthetic opioid, which is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, has infiltrated our streets, neighborhoods, and homes with devastating consequences. Countless individuals and families across the globe find themselves entrenched in a battle against this potent, lethal substance, shaking communities to their core and redefining our understanding of substance abuse and addiction.

A Sober Guide to Wedding Season

Wedding season is upon us - that time of the year when we celebrate love, friendship, and family. There's usually a lot of drinking at weddings, but being sober doesn't mean you'll miss out on the fun. In fact, staying sober can help you celebrate more, connect deeper with people, and make great memories, all while keeping a clear mind and heart.

How to Celebrate Your Soberversary

The path to sobriety is a unique and deeply personal journey punctuated by milestones that deserve recognition and celebration. Among these milestones, one is particularly significant : your "soberversary". This special anniversary marks another year free from the shackles of addiction, a beacon of resilience and self-improvement.

Herbs And Superfoods That Support Recovery

Herbs and superfoods can support you on your road to recovery and well into the future. Some are proven to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and even curb cravings while also offering beneficial nutrients and adaptogens to support both mind and body during a stressful time.

How to Live a Fun and Sober Lifestyle

Living a sober lifestyle is gaining in popularity, and for good reason. Younger people are realizing the more negative effects of alcohol and choosing alternatives like mock-tails and "dry" bars. Living a sober lifestyle can be fun and fulfilling. In fact, many people start to realize their lives become more fulfilled when they stop drinking and choose to connect with others in more meaningful ways.

Why Co-dependency and Addiction are Closely Linked

The relationship between co-dependency and addiction is a fascinating, if somewhat distressing, area of study within the field of mental health. Despite their individual complexities, these two conditions seem to be drawn together like magnets, each reinforcing and escalating the other. Today, we're going to delve into the heart of this relationship, understanding what binds co-dependency and addiction so tightly together.

Tips to Overcome Social Anxiety in Sobriety

Social anxiety disorder can have a significant impact on someone's ability to overcome substance dependence and maintain sobriety. Fear of judgment, isolation, triggers and cravings, limited support system, and underlying mental health conditions can all hinder an individual's progress on the path to recovery. At Hollywood Hills Recovery we offer personalized treatment to help you overcome addiction and the underlying causes that led to it from the beginning.

Rolling The Dice: A Deep Dive Into Gambling Addiction

Pathological gambling (PG), the medical term for gambling addiction, has been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), where it is listed there as an impulse-control disorder. In effect, that raised gambling addiction from a purely social problem to a medical one.

The Negative Health Effects of Vaping

Vaping was introduced as a safer substitute for the traditional smoking of cigars and cigarettes. It involves inhaling and exhaling aerosols produced in an e-cigarette or similar device. Flaunted by celebrities and touted as a ‘harmless’ alternative to cigarettes, vaping soon found a vast audience across the globe and became an instant hit.

Treating Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders in Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Mental health and addiction are closely linked, and those who struggle with addiction often have underlying mental health issues that contribute to their substance abuse. While recovery from alcohol addiction is a multi-step process that involves detoxification, counseling, and ongoing support, addressing mental health concerns is a critical piece of the puzzle.

What to Expect When Going to Rehab

Your interest in reading this information serves as an indication that maybe you or someone you love is struggling with a substance abuse problem. Furthermore, it's an indication that someone, perhaps you, might be ready to wave the white flag and seek help. We're here to support you every step of the way.

The Role of Peer Pressure in Addiction

It’s said everybody is the average of the five people they spend the most time with. That should be enough to understand just how impactful peer pressure can be! The people we surround ourselves with not only influence our thoughts, behaviors, and choices but can shape the very trajectories of our lives. It’s normal to crave peer acceptance and want to fit in with the people around you at any age, however, If you’re not mindful of the company you keep, you can quickly find yourself in bad situations and circumstances.

Overcoming Common Obstacles in Sobriety

For some, the gift of sobriety can take huge amounts of perseverance and courage to come by. Anyone privy to the ravages of addiction knows it is still worth fighting for. The pitfalls on the road to recovery can trip up even those most determined to change their lives for the better. Knowing how to avoid a relapse and negotiate temptation are key to lasting sobriety.

Why Addiction and Mental Health Disorders Often Occur Together

Mental health disorders and addiction often go hand in hand. Understanding mental health disorders and how to identify pre-cursers can help get ahead of related issues before they have time to develop. However, often times addiction treatment leads to the discovery of pre-existing conditions, when some damage has already been done. Identifying the root cause of your addiction and understanding how mental health plays a role can make all the difference in your lasting recovery.

What are Behavioral Addictions and How do they Present?

Behavioral addictions begin the same way that drug or alcohol addictions do; neurotransmitters and other natural chemicals flood the brain when an individual engages in a particular activity in an addictive nature. While behavioral addictions don’t cause a physical dependence like substance abuse, people with a behavioral addiction will experience similar adverse consequences and neurological withdrawal symptoms.

How Seasonal Affective Disorder Can Impact Your Recovery

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more common than you might think, especially for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere due to long, dark, and rainy winters. Some people experience very mild symptoms of SAD, so mild in fact that people tend to disregard them as simply being in a funk, but recognizing the symptoms of SAD can mean the difference between getting out of that funk or letting it progress.

March is National Disability Month - Disability and Addiction

People with intellectual or developmental disabilities who develop substance abuse problems often face more severe consequences when they abuse drugs and alcohol such as lower impulse control and severe social isolation. By understanding developmental disabilities, we can better understand a fairly large demographic of addicts and how to help them.

10 Reasons Why Quitting Cold Turkey Usually Doesn't Work

Quitting Cold Turkey can be dangerous for a multitude of reasons from a medical standpoint, but it also doesn't address the root cause of your addiction which usually lends to relapse down the road. Attending a rehab facility such as Hollywood Hills Recovery helps you address the mental and emotional behaviors or trauma that lead you to use, and work past them to facilitate a lasting recovery.

10 Tips For Returning To Work After Rehab

As part of the addiction treatment process, there will come a time when residential patients will need to leave rehab and resume living their lives on the outside. It's a time for the addiction sufferer to be proud, but it's also a time that many addiction sufferers view as stressful. To make sure things go as smoothly as possible for newly recovering addiction sufferers, there are a few aftercare resources available to help them through the recovery process.

How to Navigate Relapse and Continue With Your Recovery Journey

Experiencing relapse can be incredibly emotional and hard to recover from, especially if this is your first time. Unfortunately, relapse is a common stage of recovery that a majority of addicts experience at least once in their life but it does not mean your sobriety is ruined or that you need to start from ground zero. Here, we'll walk you through how to navigate relapse and continue on your recovery journey.

Tips For Dating In Recovery

Getting back into the dating world might be intimidating. You can expect ups and downs like dating before recovery. However, you'll also likely discover that dating when sober can be much more gratifying and genuine.

The Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Society considers alcohol a way to destress, relax, and connect socially. While this is true for some, the effects of alcoholism are far-reaching. Regular alcohol abuse can cause many issues that effect memory, judgment ability, coordination skills, motivation, and more.

How To Know When A Medical Detox Is Necessary

A medically assisted detox is often necessary for people battling addiction to substances such as Opioids, Heroine, or Fentanyl, or for those who have tried to detox on their own unsuccessfully. A medically assisted detox is monitored by health professionals such as doctors or nurses who prescribe medication to limit the severity of withdrawal symptoms that could potentially pose a risk to your health.

10 Delicious Go-To Mocktail's To Order Next Time You're Out

Everyone deserves to feel special and enjoy a delicious drink, even those on the road to recovery. While alcohol-free bars have steadily risen in popularity, mocktails are still a relatively unknown option for many. This drink can offer the same taste sensation as traditional cocktails without any of the booze. This is also a great deterrent for those of us who choose not to drink and would like to avoid the “why aren’t you drinking” questions that come with attending an event with a glass of water in hand.

Manifesting Positivity for the Best Year Yet

Every New Year is an opportunity for new beginnings, planning for how you want your future to pan out, and taking some time to reflect on what you want from yourself. With a clear focus, it’s easy to attract into our lives everything we need to make it happen – primarily if we’re guided with positivity.

How Exercise Supports Addiction Recovery

Exercise is a great way to help you feel better about yourself. It helps you feel more confident, productive, and relaxed. In addition, exercise can be an excellent tool for helping you stay focused on your recovery goals as an effective way to meet people, find support, stay motivated and feel better about yourself. People with addictions have lower self-esteem levels than non-addicts, making it hard for them to accept their addiction as part of who they are.

Tips For Staying Sober During The Holidays

Anyone who has been able to maintain sobriety during the past year or any portion of it should be commended. It's not an easy thing to do as indicated by the reality that nearly 45% of the people who go through treatment for the first time will relapse.

How To Practice Self-Love

As you begin your journey towards recovery from your addiction, you are going to have to deal with yourself in a way you have likely not experienced as of yet. That includes coming clean and being brutally honest about yourself and who you have become in your daily life.

The 10 Stages of Relapse

At Hollywood Hills Recovery, we treat hundreds of clients every year. We get much satisfaction by sending newly sober people out the door with hopes of a new life tucked in their pockets.

How to Find the "Right" Therapist

There is nothing easy about recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction. Mental health professionals agree that addiction requires a treatment plan that focuses on better mental health care.

Stress and Addiction: Can Stress Lead to Drug Abuse?

It's hard to imagine anyone would wake up one day with the goal of becoming an addict. It's not something to which people will aspire.

It's A Thankful Month: 10 Ways to Express Gratitude

Having the chance to recover from an addiction problem is nothing short of a blessing. As a top West Coast rehab facility, Hollywood Hills Recovery is grateful for the opportunity to help addiction sufferers like you get through the recovery process.

LUXURY REHAB CARE IN CALIFORNIA FOR Michigan RESIDENTS

As an addiction sufferer, you probably realize that your addiction behavior is without boundaries. That would certainly be true if your addiction has gotten a strong hold on your body and mental health.

LUXURY REHAB CARE IN CALIFORNIA FOR Virginia RESIDENTS

At a time in U.S. history when substance abuse and alcohol addiction is at an all-time high, it's been difficult for the addiction treatment community to stay up with treatment demand.

You are What You Eat: Your Diet Is Apart Of The Recovery Puzzle

There are certain aspects of addiction that often go largely ignored. Sure, a lot of focus is put on the damage addiction does to the lives of addiction sufferers.

Luxury Rehab Care in California for New York Residents

As a New York resident with a drug abuse/alcohol addiction problem, you certainly have access to some pretty good full-service rehab facilities.

Luxury Rehab Care in California for New Jersey Residents

Despite several hard attempts over the previous 10 years, the drug addiction issue remains a substantial burden in New Jersey. The good news is that experienced drug treatment programs may help with drug abuse issues.

October Is Depression & Mental Health Awareness Month

Far too often, we (collectively) neglect the fact that far too many Americans are suffering every day from depression and other significant mental health issues.

Luxury Rehab Care in California for Missouri Residents

As you contemplate what to do about your drug or alcohol addiction, your primary focus should be on admitting you have a problem.

Preventing Substance Abuse in Adolescents

Is substance abuse among adolescents really a significant problem in America? At Hollywood Hills Recovery, we see far more clients than would like who happen to be under the age of 17.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

As a reputable addiction treatment center, we work with a lot of addiction sufferers who are also dealing with significant mental health, behavioral health, and or psychological issues.

Connections Between Work Stress & Substance Abuse

Study shows that work stress is correlated with increased alcohol consumption and drug abuse.

Building Self-Esteem After Recovery

Relapses will generally occur within the first 90 days of the recovery process after initial addiction treatment. With that being the case, it's vitally important that each person in recovery puts forth extra effort to stay clean during those most crucial days.

10 Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol use disorder can manifest itself in detrimental ways to both physical and mental health.

Yoga During Rehabilitation Improved Healing and a Stronger Body

People often think of yoga as a way to relax and de-stress, but it can also be an incredibly effective tool for rehabilitation.

10 Ways to Say No to Alcohol in Any Scenario

After successfully establishing a meaningful amount of sobriety while in rehab, you have every right to be proud of what you have accomplished. At the same time, you will now face the task of maintaining your sobriety when hit with temptation or your personal triggers.

Binge Drinking vs. Alcoholism: What's the Difference?

There’s a wide spectrum of excessive alcohol use which easily blurs the line between having a problem, or simply having fun. After going on a "binder" or two of drinking alcohol, you might start to wonder if perhaps you might have a problem.

The Pink Cloud: What Is It and How Long Does It Last?

It's a tricky proposition, trying to recover from alcohol addiction. What most addiction sufferers fail to understand is substance addictions are diseases.

July is Minority Mental Health Month

It's hard to imagine the unique struggles that minorities in America have to face on a day-to-day basis. It's even more difficult to understand the struggles and challenges minorities are facing when they are suffering from mental health issues.

The Hidden Signs & Effects Of Prescription Drug Abuse

In the hands of most patients, prescription medications provide the exact benefits they were intended to provide. That's exactly why pharmaceutical companies create prescription medications.

What Are Luxury Rehab Centers?

The term "luxury rehab" can be a little misleading. In the minds of most people, luxury rehabs are hotel-style facilities that only cater to the rich and famous as high-end treatment centers.

Tips for Traveling While in Recovery and Staying Sober While Traveling

During the summer and upcoming holidays, people will be out traveling and taking vacations.

10 Tips for a Sober Summer

As challenging as the holidays can be for people in recovery, summertime offers just as many challenges.

What Does Addiction Do To Your Body?

The trials and tribulations that addiction sufferers have to endure are well-documented. That includes everything from financial problems to lost relationships and employment.

5 Tips To Hold An Intervention

Far too often, the addiction sufferer is the last one to realize they are caught in the cycle of addiction. As we can testify as addiction treatment professionals, addiction treatment can only start in earnest when the addiction sufferer is willing to admit that they might have a problem.

5 Tips For Dealing With Isolation During Recovery

One of the saddest things about the addiction cycle is it leaves addiction sufferers in a constant state of isolation. They are either lost in the stupor caused by drugs or alcohol or isolating themselves from family and friends out of the shame caused by their addiction behavior.

Vaping & Addiction: What You Need To Know

According to recent surveys, only 14% of the American adult population smokes cigarettes. That's down from the 21% reported in 2005. While that might sound great from a health concern perspective, it doesn't tell the whole story. e-Cigarette (vaping) use has been increasing by double-digit percentages year-over-year for close to a decade.

10 Mantras To Start Your Day Off Right

When someone is caught up in the cycle of addiction, they tend to live in a world of despair and without hope. The key to helping addiction sufferers get past their addiction is to get them closer to feelings of hope and serenity.

Celebrate National Month Of Hope This April

There is no denying that we are all living in difficult times. As bad as things might be for "normies," it's hard to imagine how difficult life must be for someone who is struggling with addiction or battling to stay sober. That's why we strongly believe that we all need something that will give us hope.

Dealing With Depression During Recovery

After becoming a drug addict, you may assume that everything will progress normally during and after recovery. However, that's not the case.

What to Do When You Are Losing Hope in Recovery

No matter how committed you are to lifelong sobriety or meticulously following your recovery, there’s always a chance of relapse at some point. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that 40% to 60% of recovery relapse.

Tips For Going To Rehab With Your Spouse

Spouses are an important part of families. They provide support and advice during tough times. However, there are also good times to have friends and family members who are available when we go to rehab.

The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation During Rehab

10% of people in the US struggle with substance abuse at one point in life, and 75% don't receive treatment. Note that drug addiction is a treatable disorder. If you are willing to commit to sobriety, you can regain your freedom.

The Value of Affirmations in Addiction Recovery

Words carry a huge significance in life, more than anyone wants to admit — especially the words we tell ourselves.

Detoxing from Alcohol and Drugs – Why Detox Is a Necessary First Step

Detoxing from alcohol and drugs is the process of removing these substances from our bodies. For some people, detox can be a scary word. They may think that it means they are addicted to their substance of choice, or that withdrawal symptoms will be unbearable.

Nutrition Tips For Better Mental Health

Did you know that what we put in our bodies can affect how we feel? If you feel stressed, anxious, or depressed, it is worth paying attention to your diet.

Why Pain, Panic, and Anxiety Are Closely Tied to Addiction?

Some of the common side effects of withdrawal include pain, panic attacks, and anxiety. They form the most difficult parts of dealing with withdrawal, and most substance abusers start abusing alcohol and drugs to get rid of them.

10 Questions to Ask Before Entering Rehab

Congratulations on making the difficult decision to step back from everyday life for a bit to focus on self-care by entering a rehabilitation facility. Prepare yourself for rehab before you pack your things by asking yourself these 10 questions.

7 Signs of A Functional Alcoholic

Alcohol abuse is a destructive force that can have lasting effects on people of all ages. Not only can it ruin lives, but it also poses serious health risks.

How Healthy Eating and Exercise Help with Addiction Recovery

While going through the addiction treatment process, clients are given opportunities to learn about things they don't already know.

5 Tips To Manage Stress While Sustaining Sobriety

Stress is hard on anyone experiencing it. However, dealing with stress and, at the same time, trying to recover from an addiction is a challenging experience.

September Is National Recovery Month

Practicing mindfulness throughout the recovery process and beyond

Mindfulness helps you to be mentally aware of your surrounding and be present in the moment. It means acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations. It involves learning and nurturing cognitive and behavioral skills. Practicing mindfulness can help to achieve internal peace and teach gratitude.

Setting boundaries with your friends and family while you're in recovery

After doing all the necessary hard work during treatment for your addiction issues, there will come a time when you have to leave rehab. With your recovery underway, it will be your responsibility to protect your recovery and avoid relapses by any means necessary. Of course, that will not always be an easy thing for you to do. There are many ways you can trip and fall but only one way to stay sober, don't drink or use drugs.

Coming to Terms with Addiction and Learning Healthy Coping Habits

Addiction can arise from various things, including external pressures, stressful situations, trauma, and many more.

What does it mean to have an addictive personality?

When someone has an addiction issue related to drugs or alcohol, they often want to know what is serving as the source of that addiction. It's like they are looking for an explanation to a question they don't know how to ask.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Getting Clean from Drugs and Alcohol

Abusing drugs and excessive alcohol use can cause you to withdraw from social activities or hobbies you once loved. Getting clean will give you time to rediscover those passions and lead a new and exciting sober life.

From just casual to a problem: the progression of addiction

There are people who end up in rehab without fully understanding how they got there. One day, they took a drink or a pill, and weeks, months, or even years later, they find themselves in a detox program, getting ready to start therapy. It's a big leap from the first exposure to drugs or alcohol on the way to full-blown addiction.

Preparing yourself for rehab - don't worry we don't bite

One of the biggest obstacles you might face as an addiction sufferer is being in denial about your addictive behavior. While your pretending everything is okay, the reality might be quite different as the people around you can see. We hope you can finally come to grips with what's going on so you can get the help you need.

10 Sober Activities - Yes You Can Do These without Alcohol

Many sober people return to the bottle in moments of boredom, causing them to take a step back in their progress.

Helping a loved one that has struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol

It isn’t always easy asking for help. It can be even harder getting the right help we truly need, especially when we need it most.

Staying Sober in The Toughest of Times

Even though the desire might feel overwhelming, it is possible to stay sober during tough times.

Famous Quotes About Sobriety and Finding Addiction Help

Use these famous quotes about sobriety and finding addiction help to get you where you want to be in your recovery.

Fellowship - Having support in a community committed to you

In a drug and alcohol rehab environment, people who don't use drugs or abuse alcohol are often referred to as “normies.“ The fact rehab clients would use such a term indicates they are aware of the distinction between those who abuse drugs/alcohol (themselves) and those who don't. In a roundabout kind of way, that creates kind of a fellowship among clients. In a lot of ways, that is a good thing both during the treatment process and after treatment has concluded.

You can learn to love yourself again

One of the hardest parts of confronting your addiction is looking yourself in the mirror when you become sober. You can see the pain you've caused other people and feel the guilt of your actions and selfishness more clearly than ever before. The guilt can weigh on you heavily to the point that it exasperates any preexisting depression and anxiety. It may even become debilitating or increase the desire to relapse. In order to move forward with your life and your recovery in the best way, you need to learn how to forgive yourself and love yourself again as part of the healing process.

Believe us - we've been there, and we'll get better together

The road one travels when living in the cycle of drug or alcohol addiction tends to be very lonely. Either the substance abuser has shut themselves down from meaningful relationships, or family and friends have decided to keep their distance. Either way, the substance abuser tends to find themselves on the outside of life looking in.

Second chances: Take it from us - you can bounce back from this

About 20% of people who struggle with mental illness develop an addiction problem. When the drugs and alcohol are gone, the mental illness is still there. It can make things very difficult for someone who is trying their best to change their life for the better. Unfortunately, the internal pain can even lead someone to hate themselves or turn back to substances to numb the pain. However, we know that second chances really do exist. No matter what you have done during the lowest point of your addiction or how bad you feel about yourself, you can bounce back from this. It just may take some time and a little help from the professionals.

Knowing when it's time to find addiction help

Denial is the cloak that drug addicts hide behind when in the throes of their substance abuse. They cant justify their addictive behaviors if they believe those behaviors are wrong or harmful. It's simply a matter of human nature that we protect ourselves from the bad things in life by denying they even exist.

Luxury Rehab Care in California for Ohio Residents

When the time comes for you to wave the white flag regarding your drug/alcohol addiction, it will be time to start thinking about getting treatment.

Perfectionism and the Link to Addiction

Perfectionism and addiction share some traits, like negative thinking patterns and unrealistic expectations. Understanding how the two are related can help you avoid cycles of self-sabotage. Here, we’ll explore the roots of perfectionism, how it shows up and connects with addiction, and how to rewire the thoughts and habits that keep you in self-sabotaging patterns.