Category Archives: Continuing Care In BC

Family Aftercare And Continuing Care: Bringing People Together In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Family Aftercare: Bringing People Together in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Addiction has an impact on everyone, including the loved ones of the addict. It creates a very stressful situation, where family members struggle to understand how to deal with the addiction and what it is doing to everyone involved. Traumatic situations are not unusual in these cases; for example, the police may have been called to the home before. The addict may have become physically aggressive. He or she may have become verbally or mentally abusive. The loved one involved may find themselves consumed with worry but powerless to alter the situation. The addict may lie to the people that are trying to help him the most. The loved ones may find that they are being blamed for situations that are out of their control. All in all, it is a very negative situation that takes its toll on everyone that is involved in the addict’s life.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Addiction leads to problems for everyone in the family. Studies show that the loved ones of the addict are more likely to receive a diagnosis of depression or other mental illness than people whose loved ones suffer from asthma or diabetes. Clearly, it is a difficult situation for everyone, not just the addict.

If you have a loved one with a drug or alcohol issue, you know how difficult it is to watch as they spiral out of control. You want to help. You want to do the right thing. Unfortunately, helping that loved one sometimes overtakes your own life. The owner of Options Okanagan, Doug MacKenzie, believes that some people simply don’t see what is happening to their own life because they are consumed by what is happening to the addict. These people try and try again to help in situations that are beyond their control. They want to “make it right” for the addict. However, often the situation spirals into isolation and resentment, and boundaries slowly slip away.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Loved Ones Need Support Too

In order to truly help someone that is dealing with addiction, you need to be patient, provide support and get them professional treatment. What many people do not realize is that the loved ones of the addict also need these same three things. Trying to help an addict is a frustrating and unpredictable process. Therefore, it makes sense for the loved one to also attend a professional program aimed at helping them better understand addiction. The program can also inspire the loved one, as it helps them see that change can happen. It gives them hope, which they need in order to move forward.

Loved ones also need to start a journey toward recovery, and a professional program is a great way to begin that process. It helps the loved one learn, gain new skills and set goals. There is also aftercare available to help the healing continue.

Doug at Options Okanagan thinks that the loved ones of the addict need to get support after the conclusion of the addiction treatment program. Loved ones were embroiled in a difficult situation as well; they were exposed to many of the worst parts of addiction. The pain does not go away overnight, and everyone needs to receive support so that they can work to rebuild their relationship.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Studies indicate that loved ones need certain things to deal with their experience and to come out on top in the end. These things include positive social support and solid information. Some treatment programs have always offered family aftercare services, believing that it has a very positive impact on the healing process for all involved. The addict has to be the one that takes control of their addiction and fights to get better. Loved ones can help, however, by not becoming enablers and encouraging the right behaviors. These things do not come naturally to most people, though, and they need to be given the right information in order to succeed.

Setting Up The Right Environment

A healing environment is made up of many components. In the aftercare process, loved ones are educated on addictions and negative choices. They start to see what their role in the negativity was. Basically, loved ones figure out what they should and should not do during the recovery process.

It is valuable to be around others that have gone through what you have gone through. Loved ones truly benefit from group aftercare for a number of reasons. First, you are with others that know what you are going through. You can talk openly; there is no need for shame or secrets. No one in the group judges you, because they have been where you are. In addition, you will hear about what others have been through and may be able to learn from their experiences. You feel hopeful. You feel confident. You even start to feel good about yourself again. Finally, you realize that your needs are important and that you have a voice, too.

Joining Family Aftercare

For the most part, you can go to a family aftercare program regardless of whether your loved one was involved in a treatment program at the facility or not. Some aftercare programs may last as long as two years. After that, there are often self-facilitated groups available. Typically, the amount of money you pay goes down every year that you are in the program.

Support programs are crucial to helping you recover from what is often a traumatic situation. These programs also help you learn how best to help your loved one going forward as well.

If you want to find out more, simply go online and search for information. You can call or email a program that you are interested in.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Comprehensive Recovery From Alcohol And Drugs In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Comprehensive recovery from alcohol and drugs in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Addiction disorders bring a lot of difficulties into a person’s life. One of the biggest such difficulties is the idea that an addict can resolve their troubles simply by getting a change of scenery, having different relationships, or being involved in situations other than their current ones. This is further compounded by a general societal attitude of immediacy, and that need for fast results often interrupts the long-view attitude that recovery necessitates. A far-horizon perspective is essential to anyone trying to recover from an addiction disorder, considering that such disorders are often progressive as well as chronic. When attempting recovery from anything, addiction or otherwise, there are no hot patches or first aid remedies that cure the ailment immediately.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Getting treatment for any addiction disorder dictates getting treatment for more than just the physical symptoms. Our psyches have serious undertows of both attitudes and underlying behaviors. Individuals attempting recovery must have their needs met on multiple levels, so any approach must be made in a multifaceted manner that incorporates the spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects of the patient in addition to the physical. Recovery must not revolve solely around alcohol and drugs, but must also help the individual create their entire system of operation. With increasing and fresh awareness, individuals learn to identify their specific cycles of addiction as well as learn their maladaptive coping techniques so that they can start establishing new connections with their genuine emotions.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Recovery is not something that happens for a little while; it is in fact a lifelong journey that mandates a regular regimen of constructive and positive actions. Any treatment for addiction disorder must make a goal of transmitting these tools so that recovering addicts can start making good decisions not just in terms of addiction-related matters, but across life in general. When someone invests in themself, they can make the changes that lead to lifestyles which prove happier and healthier. Fresh starts help individuals find the new paths they can take, especially ones where they get encouragement from love, serenity, connection, and meaningful relationships. The more time someone can spend free of addiction’s dark corners, the better they are going to be. There is a world larger than addiction, a world worth living in, a world free of loneliness, despair, guilt, rage, and worthlessness.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

The Dangers of Fentanyl Laced Heroin or Cocaine In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

The Dangers of Fentanyl Laced Heroin or Cocaine in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl and alcohol addiction.

A heroin epidemic has swept across the US and Canada, faster than with any other substance the amount of North American’s abusing this drug is rapidly increasing. In the United States, the estimated amount of heroin addicts range between 350,000 to 550,000, from only five years ago, this is a 75% increase. The harsh and devastating consequences associated with heroin addiction, have affected many people from the suburban housewife to celebrities and the endless individuals in between.

Fentanyl addiction and Fentanyl abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

The ‘SuperDrug’ Sudden and Catastrophic Emergence of Fentanyl in Heroin

Although there is a greater awareness about this heroin epidemic, underground there is another type of drug abuse growing, it could be far more dangerous than a heroin addiction. There is new drug mix called ‘SuperDrug’, fentanyl laced heroin which has killed quite a large amount of people in many cities across Canada and the USA, including: Toronto, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

What Is Fentanyl and Why Is This Drug Combination So Lethal?

Originally fentanyl was manufactured in the 1960s and in the 1990s was when it was first introduced on the consumer market for palliative reasons. The painkilling powers that this drug contains are eight to one hundred times more potent than those in morphine, in hospital settings, fentanyl is commonly used as an anesthetic, for example in operating rooms or intensive care units.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Fentanyl is also used to manage long-term pain in chronic conditions, for example cancer. This powerful drug is opiate based and works by binding itself to the opiate receptors in the body´s brain this increases the dopamine levels and provides a feeling of euphoria and relaxation.

The “Ultimate High” With Fentanyl

When a physician gives fentanyl as a prescription drug, it is administered via various forms, for example a transdermal patch, a lozenge or an injection. However when fentanyl is used recreationally, it is generally synthesized in illegal laboratories, here they are often mixed with heroin or cocaine in a powder from.

Heroin or cocaine that is laced with fentanyl, which means the drugs are combined is a popular item that addicts search for on the black markets hoping for that “ultimate high” even though when taken together, these drugs are probably the most lethal. When combined, the dangers of fentanyl laced with heroin or cocaine can result in consequences that are deadly, for example:

a) Cardiovascular Complications
b) Drowsiness, Disorientation or Confusion that ins Increased
c) Respiratory Depression or Arrest
d) Gastrointestinal Distress
e) Disruption of Normal Mental Functions
f) Unconsciousness, Sedation or Coma
g) Death

Men Living with Fentanyl addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

A Drug That Is Unpredictable

Perhaps what makes fentanyl laced cocaine or heroin so dangerous is the it is highly unpredictable. There are no rules or regulations when it comes to illegal drug combinations which have been synthesized on the black markets. Those who actually consume these mixtures of drugs, have no real idea of what they are putting in their bodies.

On the black markets, fentanyl may also be sold as heroin, this often causes the individuals to use it to overdose. A single overdose episode could be an incident that is fatal and costs a life. Though due to the amplified euphoric effects, addicts are drawn to this combination, they could be paying the ultimate price which is their lives.

Across the United States and Canada, many health care officials are concerned that heroin abuse which is problematic and a trend seen in North America will result in epidemics of overdose as more drug abusers start to combine these dangerous substances together.

It is Critical to Seek help

If someone you love or if you are abusing fentanyl or a combination of cocaine or heroin with fentanyl, it is crucial that you immediately seek help. The intensity of this kind of addiction which could result from abusing drugs can be extremely overpowering and without professional guidance, recovery will not be possible.

If you have become addicted to heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or any combination of these drugs, you will have to safely detoxify from them, this way withdrawal complications can be avoided. This means the assistance of drug addiction specialists such as a physician, therapists and psychiatrists who can help you to address the various factors which are involved.

It Is Important To Be Aware of The Risks

Combining prescription medications with illicit street drugs, for example fentanyl, is lethal, it can cause your life to turn for the worse. Whether you, yourself are searching for it to satisfy your personal addiction or if you are being pressured by others into taking these substances, it is important to be aware of the risks that you are taking.

Although one of the most difficult task you will ever take on is the recovery from an addiction, this is the path that can help you in overcoming the dangerous addiction to fentanyl laced cocaine or heroin.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

What Is Continuing Care And Aftercare Treatment In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

What is aftercare and continuing care treatment in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Recovering from addiction and drug abuse doesn’t stop at the end of treatment. Aftercare, at its core, should be considered as a kind of continued treatment that immediately follows a fairly shorter addiction treatment care period, like intensive outpatient treatment or inpatient rehab.

It is critical to pay very close attention to the post-treatment time interval for a patient. It is during that critical period that progress that was made during the recovery period are reinforced. Many different types of aftercare treatment options are available, which can help with preventing relapse and expanding on the coping strategies that have been learned during the rehabilitation process.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

They including the following:

– Outpatient treatment: The person lives at home and attends treatment a couple of times a week whenever it is convenient.

– Group counseling: The individual will share and listen to experiences that relate to addiction and work on developing coping and social skills within a group setting.

– Individual therapy: The person meets with a therapist one-on-one to build on the progress that was made during the initial treatment process.

– 12-step programs: Various fellowship programs,like Narcotics Anonymous (NA)and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), provide encouragement and support for people during their recovery process.

Clinicians may prescribe various lengths of aftercare or extended care depending on what the person’s disposition and needs are after the initial treatment is completed. It is critical that the patient critically follow her or his aftercare plan, since it is estimated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse that substance relapse rates are 40 to 60 percent. Frequently, participating in a 12-step program on a continuous basis is strongly encouraged and actually required in some cases. It is also common to outpatient follow-up appointments scheduled on a regular basis at a clinic or hospital.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Recovery is a lifelong process. Call Options Okanagan today at 1-855-335-0331 to get the support that you really need.

Aftercare and continuing care typically involves much less frequent contact with the patient’s treatment personnel compared to during the acute treatment phase. It is therefore much ore like a real-life self-sufficiency situation, where hard work and individual determination are required for maintaining one’s sobriety.

Transitioning from acute treatment into self-sufficiency, in many cases, is monitored at different time intervals each week. This provides the patient with a strong incentive for avoiding trigger situations and resisting the urge to once again use drugs. Monitoring, as part of an individual’s comprehensive aftercare plan, can also help to detect a recent or impending release which allows for re-evaluating a treatment plan, which promotes patient safety and health ultimately.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

How To Develop An Aftercare And Continuing Care Plan

A series of aftercare goals and requirements will be set by a quality inpatient rehab program for every patient, based on the specific needs of the patient and discharge evaluation. In some cases, like with some employment/work alcohol and drug assistance programs, diversion or court-ordered treatment, aftercare participation is closely monitored and is mandatory. Although in some cases it might be involuntary, aftercare and treatment are not any less effective due to it.

Some examples of components that involve and lead up to numerous aftercare plans include the following:

a) Relapse prevention strategy that is drafted and rehearsed before the initial treatment ends.

b) Prescription for participating on a consistent basis self-help or addiction support groups (often these are 12-step meetings like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous)

c) Outpatient follow-up appointments scheduled on a regular basis for continued therapy with a clinician or counselor

d) When necessary, arrangement for a post-treatment controlled living environment such as sober living, halfway house, etc.

e) Required or recommended drug testing

f) Monitoring: may be done via email or the hone or at scheduled appointments. The information age has introduced various new continued patient care methods, including text message check-ins, video appointments and various other tracking and support apps.

Recovery From Alcohol and Drug Addiction Isn’t Easy

It is essential to have a supportive environment that helps you on a continuous basis to avoid temptation. That involves support system members taking any mind-altering substances out of the avoid, avoid using any intoxicating substances in the presence of the recovering person,and encouraging the patient to fully comply with his or her aftercare plan.

It is very important to have aftercare and continuing care programs involving a sponsor or someone else who is available at all times to talk. An aftercare program often involves individual, group and family therapy as well as other protocols that are created to meet the individual needs of the recovering patient.

Recovery From Drug And Alcohol Addiction Is A Never Ending Process

The recovery process is a life-long one, and doesn’t end when therapy or rehab is completed. Find an aftercare treatment program to get the assistance you need. Give Options Okanagan a call at 1-855-335-0331 to receive the confidential guidance that you need. We have treatment admissions specialists that are available 7 days per week and 24 hours per day to give you the information you need to determine the best aftercare treatment that will meet your individual needs.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Continuing Care And Sustaining Recovery After Treatment In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

Sustaining Recovery After Treatment; Aftercare and continuing care in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Formal treatment administered by professionals to addicts seeking to recover from drugs and alcohol can prove a great start down the path to recovery, but just a month or so of rehab shouldn’t be assumed to be a permanent solution.

If you suffer from serious drug or alcohol problems, then you need to know that in order to recover successfully, you have to invest in making substantial changes to your life over the long term. They include:

a) How you identify personally as well as your individual beliefs
b) Your social and familial relationships
c) Your day to day lifestyle

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

It boils down to things like where you physically live, how you play and work, what individuals are a part of your life and which ones are not, and how exactly you deal with daily stresses in life. Recovery isn’t just avoiding drugs and drinking; it’s about manifesting a meaningful existence that has no room for drugs or drinking. Recovering from addiction isn’t like recovering from an infection, where you lay up for a week or two and then just go back to normal. Those who treat rehab like that go back to their normal addictions. Addiction recovery is more like how sufferers of heart disease adapt to their condition or how people learn to live in peace and health with diabetes. These conditions demand constant decision and certain actions to maintain life.

Good News Regarding Continuing Care And Aftercare Following Addiction Treatment

a) Addiction treatment has positive effects, and they are notable. A full third of those that get treatment achieve sustained sobriety, with the rest seeing decreases in their use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.

b) You can boost your life expectancy and quality of life, as well as general chances of recovering permanently if you participate in aftercare support like AA.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

c) Recover support groups and professional treatment are both options for addiction recovery, but a combination of the two is the more effective than either one on its own.

d) The lifetime rates of recovery for addicts who seek treatment are over half of all individuals. Millions of people have recovered from substance abuse, even at severe levels, only to see fulfilling and productive lives.

e) There are a variety of ways and paths to pursue permanent recovery, be they secular, religious, or spiritual.

f) Recovered individuals often go on to lead lives of service and achievement within their communities.

Why Continuing Care Or Aftercare?
Sobering Statistics About What Happens To Addicts Following Rehab Treatment

1) Most individuals that complete addiction treatment programs are at a fragile balance, having an equal chance of landing in permanent sobriety or lapsing or relapsing within a year of their treatment discharge.

2) The first 90 days are the period of greatest vulnerability of lapse or relapse following treatment.

3) Up to a third of those that finish addiction treatment are going to be readmitted within the next year, and half get readmitted within five years.

4) Recovery of any individual is not considered fully stable for almost half a decade of sustained recovery. Fully stabilized recovery is defined as the point in which the risk of future relapse drops under 15 percent likelihood.

5) Sustained addiction can kill. Relapses after professional treatment can create high rates of death thanks to problems like homicide, AIDS, cancer, unintentional overdose, accidental poisoning, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and suicide.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Five Steps Addicts Can Take To Improve Chances Of Aftercare Recovery With Continuing Care

1) Never use drugs or alcohol under any circumstances.
2) Pick a treatment regimen that gives you a diverse spectrum of continuing care options, and then actively use them.
3) Locate a recovery support program or group, and then get involved. Meetings should be a priority, and you should find a sponsor. Establishing a sober social network and application of recovery program principles into your daily lifestyle work in great conjunction with involving your loved ones in your recovery.
4) If your current living circumstances are not conducive to your recovery, look into the budding network of available recovery homes.
5) Be an authority and expert about your individual recovery, and then own it.

Five Things Your Family And Loved Ones Can Do To Support You

Addiction strains and stresses families. There are a number of things your loved ones can do for you if you are recovering, so share these with them to see if they can help.

Authorities in the field have known for a while that addiction is a negative influence on entire families and the relationships within a family. However, recent research has also indicated that addiction recovery is also quite stressful on families right when a recovering addict could use some help as everyone adjusts to a recovery reality.

These are five things families can do speed things up:

1) Loved ones of an addict should get educated about the recovery program and process that someone is going through.
2) If you live with a recovering addict, make the environment a sober one.
3) Get support from both professionals and peers through options like Al-Anon so that you can be mindful of your own health, physically and emotionally. Support your loved one in their own meetings and support groups.
4) Help your loved one find sober housing, transportation, employment, and child care or other needs.
5) Assert yourself and intervene in any potential or actual episode of lapse or relapse.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Learn 5 Reasons You Should Have Continuing Care After A Drug Rehab Program In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

Finished a Drug Rehab Program? Learn 5 Reasons you should have Continuing Care in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Have you recently finished an addiction treatment program? If so, then congratulations to you and good job! You have given yourself the chance to start over fresh and create a new lifestyle for yourself. Did your therapist recommend enrolling in any continuing care program? You might assume that your therapy is finished, but continuing care is named appropriately as it is for after a primary program of treatment. If you are wondering more about it, then you are not the only one.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

A lot of the clients we serve have a serene sense of peace and even gratitude once they finish a residential treatment program for addiction, and that is a good first step. However, the world after is much different. You might have begun altering your behaviours, but the rest of your world is likely just as you left it. A lot of folks are intimidated by the idea that they must face people they have hurt or strained relationships at work due to addiction. It is critical that any recovering addict keep working on freshly developed coping skills acquired through treatment, so that the ongoing challenges can be faced with dignity and poise. Having an appropriate support network can also prove a good foundation for anyone wanting to remember why they are in a state of recovery as well as to find the strength to remain sober.

Continuing care can happen a lot of ways and take many different forms. Either alone or in combinations, you might use outpatient services, sober living houses, group therapy, and online aftercare. Group therapy often provides the strongest element of continuing care. Here, you can work through issues and then flesh out an action plan to cope with the very real and risky circumstances that fresh sobriety can challenge you with.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

As a great number of addiction counselors will tell you, keeping with continuing care if critical to keeping sobriety maintained properly. People are able to find many things within their primary treatment, including perspective, self-esteem, efficacy, self-worth, knowledge, and awareness. On the other hand, these can all suffer once they are put back into their usual surroundings and face their old stressors. Without the consistent support of co-clients and a treatment team of professionals, then it is easy to let those gains slip away. Individuals quickly find themselves back in familiar ground, doing familiar things.

There are not one or two but in fact five huge reasons why continuing care is so very essential for individuals that have already completed a residential-based treatment program for addiction. Keep reading to learn what they are:

1) Get Some Support: If your pre-residential life did drive you to addiction, it might have been short of emotional and personal support you could rely on. Continuing care programs give you environments that are supportive and safe where you can talk about the difficulties and rewards that recovery bring. This setting is often free of judgement since everyone else involved is also going through recovery.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

2) Keep A Spark Of Hope: There will be times that recovery gets tough, and relapsing might seem like the easier and even better option at times. Continuing care is not just a maintaining strategy but a source of hope and motivation that keeps you moving in a positive direction. Listening to the stories of others can be an inspiration as well as a reminder of just why you decided on recovery to start with.

3) Personal Accountability: A lot of recovering addicts find continuing care to be a step back from the rigid structure of residential care. This transitional phase helps you move from a very structured environment to the total chaos that life can seem like. Continuing care is a support network that engenders honesty and accountability. Random drug testing and weekly group therapy often make for a good program. Group setting help keep people stay inspired and in check with their feelings, as honesty and self-awareness are critical to coping with the daily rigors of life. Counselors and fellow recovering addicts in group therapy can call you out on anything you say that is not honest or appropriate and give you a dose of cold water medicine and honesty that you might need in order to stay grounded. Sober associates and acquaintances can rub off on you in a very good way, as well as help you learn, avoid, and managed warning signs for relapse.

4) Boost Your Self-Efficacy: Keeping regular participation in a continuing care program means you get growing confidence and a strengthening commitment to your sobriety as well as an overall healthier lifestyle. When you see that others around you and before you have faced similar circumstances and kept their sobriety up, you can find the mettle to do it yourself too. Every week that you go back to a group session is another week that you pay attention to the growth you have already undergone and a chance to see where you still need to grow, but you’ll also face what’s left with increasing determination.

5) Coping Mechanisms When Faced With Higher-Risk Circumstances: Knowing your own personal behavior and patterns guides in you making wiser decisions, and this is something you learn in residential treatment. However, you do not really practice it until released back into the world when you only have continuing care to rely on. Here is when you learn how to both identify and then manage circumstances that might drive you to relapse. Work concerns, health issues, and divorce are all common triggers for anything from fatigue to stress to mood swings. Having an appropriate and robust plan of action for managing your triggers helps you to be sensitive to your own feelings so that you can be prepared for what the future throws at you.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Aftercare And Continuing Care – Alcohol And Drug Rehab In Vancouver, BC : Part 03

Drug, opiate and alcohol rehab continuing care and aftercare in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Part 03
Transitional Communities (Preventing relapse following rehab)

Many individuals who have a Dual Diagnosis, after they are discharged from their inpatient treatment facility, find that a more comfortable transition can be made if they spend some time residing in a sober living home. A secure and structured environment is offered by these communities to residents wanting to focus on their recovery without having to worry about the stressors and temptations from the outside world.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

A transitional residential community may provide the following during the aftercare time period:

1) An environment that is free of alcohol or drugs

2) A living situation that is affordable for recovering addictions who are looking for a job

3) Encouragement and emotional support from fellow residents who have a clear understanding of the challenges that involved with a Dual Diagnosis recovery process.

4) House meetings for reinforcing a sense of community and fellowship

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

A majority of addiction treatment centers are more structured than transitional communities are, however enough supervision is still provided to offer a sense of security for individuals who are still might feel too new in their sobriety to be able to cope with the pressures of daily life. It is expected that residents with participate in chores, attend household meeting and comply with house curfews. In addition, they are expected to contribute to the expenses of the house to cover their living expenses through doing community jobs or paying rent.

Integrated Recovery Services

Mental health disorder treatment should be integrated within addiction treatment through the entire recovery process to ensure that the best outcome is achieved. During aftercare, addiction counselors and mental health professionals need to keep working together as your treatment team members.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Like arthritis, diabetes and hypertension, severe psychiatric disorders are a kind of chronic condition that tends to require lifetime treatment. In order to manage the symptoms of major depression, generalized anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder requires pharmacological support and long-term therapy in addition to encouragement that is provided by support groups, friends and family members. Numerous psychiatric associations say that addiction is a relapsing, chronic disease that might not ever be cured completely, but instead managed from day to day. The more resources that are at your disposal, the more likely it is that you will successfully make it through the initial challenging few months of your recovery and be able to build a fulfilling and lasting life in sobriety.

In Canada and British Columbia, there are dual diagnosis treatment facilities that understand how important aftercare is. We assist those who are leaving our facilities with finding programs that will fit their needs the best. The education and care that people get at our centers helps them with breaking their addiction cycle and get started on a new life.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Continuing Care And Aftercare – Drug And Alcohol Rehab In Vancouver, BC : Part 02

Drug, opiate and alcohol rehab aftercare and continuing care in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Part 02
Assistance For The Family

An aftercare and continuing care program provides family members of a recovering addict with instruction and support. There is often a lot of tension between the recovering addict and the family, which is due to events that took place during the drug use period. At other times, the person is struggling to blend into having a “normal life” which can be stressful for family members. In both of these situations, an aftercare program and provide advice and counseling for family members to help them cope with this difficult time.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Family members may be provided with some or all of the following aftercare services:

a) One-on-one counseling sessions for children, spouses or partners
b) Group therapy meetings for members of the family
c) Educational programs that provide information regarding the nature of mental illness and addiction
d) 12-step programs such as Nar-Anon or Al-Anon for members of the family of recovering addicts

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Mental illness and addiction may create financial instability and emotional conflict within a household. Some families might need help with practical matters such as transportation, childcare, nutritional counseling and job placement. Others might need education to help prevent younger members of the family from falling victim to substance abuse. One of the main goals of family aftercare is to create a healthy home environment for every household member.

A Place To Talk

The channel of communication that is opened up for a recovering addiction is another very valuable component of aftercare and continuing care programs. After going back home following rehab a person has a lot that they go through. New habits need to learned, they have to stop hanging out with their old drug friends, and must rebuild their careers and relationships. That’s a lot to deal with, and an aftercare program provides a place to talk about all of these issues with individuals who can provide guidance and understand what they are going through.

Dual Diagnosis support groups have been designed to meet the needs of individuals with co-occurring psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Specific challenges can be posed by having a co-occurring disorder, like anxiety over social situations, having difficulties focusing for longer periods of time and low motivation levels.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Members that are part of a Dual Diagnosis aftercare group are provided with advice and support on various issues they are facing in recovery, including:

a) Finding resources within the community
b) Locating and maintaining employment
c) Building stronger relationships with family members and friends
d) Developing coping strategies for mental illness and addition
e) Taking psychotherapeutic medication

The stronger the support system you have, the better your chances are of having a long-term recovery. A key part of a Dual Diagnosis treatment plan are aftercare self-help programs.

12-Step Programs

A 12-step program offers hope, strength and experience from the very first day when you seek help with your addiction program until well after you have graduated. Many aftercare programs, and Alcoholics Anonymous in particular, make use of a 12-step program structure to help you stay clean and move forward with your life. A 12-step program is not beneficial for every single person. However, for millions of individual all over the world, the program’s guiding principles of “giving into one’s higher power” and peer group interaction have provided accountability and relief for individuals who are in recovery.

Opiate addiction - Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

A 12-step recovery program offers the following benefits:

1) The chance to make connections with other recovering addicts at events and meetings all over the world

2) Access to motivational literature and speaker to help with achieving recovery goals

3) Practical strategies and guidelines for coping with addiction’s daily challenges

4) A sponsor’s guidance for working through the 12 steps, as well as providing motivation and strength

In 12-step programs there is a strong emphasis on spirituality as part of the recovery process. Every member is strongly encouraged to identify with their choice of a higher power and that surrendering to this higher power is an important part of their healing process. In addition to being seen as a physical disease, addiction is also viewed as a spiritual condition that is characterized by there being lack of a meaningful connection with a divine purpose. Some potential members might be discouraged by the focus on spirituality and may prefer a more secular viewpoint. However, it has been noted by Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research that longer rates of abstinence for recovering addicts is associated with increases in spirituality.

Programs such as Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous have various programs that they offer, including meetings for Dual Diagnosis recovery. There is also the Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) group that is dedicated to providing education and support for individuals struggling with co-occurring conditions. 12-step meetings in larger cities are available in several locations at various time of the day. In-person meetings might be held less frequently in smaller communities. However, telephone services and online chat groups can help get in contact with other members at any time.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton Red Deer and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Drug And Alcohol Rehab Aftercare And Continuing Care In Vancouver, BC : Part 01

Drug, opiate and alcohol rehab aftercare and continuing care in Vancouver, Victoria and
Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

It is a major accomplishment to complete alcohol or drug rehab. However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t more work that needs to be done. During the weeks, months or even the years after rehab is completed, people in recovery still are at risk to relapse. The risk of falling into self-destructive patterns and returning to addictive behaviors in increased when the person has a co-occurring disorder – which is a mental health condition that is present alongside with a substance use disorder. An aftercare program can help with minimizing this risk and help you to continue to move forward towards a life that is completely free of drugs.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

According to research that Psychiatric Services conducted, the quality of the specific aftercare that you receive may have a major influence on what your chances are for staying sober once you have finished your treatment. For any Dual Diagnosis recovery process, an aftercare plan should be integrated into a comprehensive treatment program. From the time that you first enroll in rehab for treating drug addiction, alcoholism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar, or depression, your treatment team needs to be prepared to help you in the days that follow your graduation. If you receive the right kind of therapeutic support and assistance, you have a good chance of maintaining your hard-earned sobriety and the opportunity for building a solid foundation for a full recovery.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Preventing Relapse

It is now recognized by addiction specialists that relapse is one of the hallmark symptoms of addiction. Also, if you happen to have a re-occurring disorder such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression, there can be an even stronger temptation to revert back into substance abuse in order to manage your symptoms. Aftercare’s main goal is preventing a relapse into alcohol or drug use. By providing group sessions, continuing counseling and other types of scheduled meetings, an added level of accountability is provided by aftercare and continuing care programs which helps to ensure that the patient doesn’t turn back on their old habits.

The following components have been identified by Alcohol Research & Health as being essential for effective relapse prevention programs:

Identify and learn about your triggers. Substance abuse can be triggered by many different psychological, social and environmental factors. A stressful public events, marriage conflict, flashback to an abusive situation or episode of depression can drive you to revert back to using alcohol or drugs. Learning how to identify your stressors should be part of your relapse prevention process.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Learn how to cope with cravings and stressors. After you graduate from rehab, you will be facing many situations that you might not have considered while you were in treatment. Things like moving into a new house, beginning a new relationship or getting a new job can all result in you being in an emotionally vulnerable state of mind. Support groups and counseling sessions can help you deal with these kinds of high-risk situations that you may encounter.

Think through a relapse’s outcome. Many recovering addicts revert back to alcohol or drugs expecting that the chemicals will help them feel better. Drugging and drinking in fact usually result in dangerous or unpleasant outcomes, like incarceration, losing a relationship, emergent medical treatment or an overdose. Participants are taught by a relapse prevention plan to evaluate possible outcomes of a slip up before any drugs are picked up or the first drink is taken.

Learn how to prevent a lapse from becoming a relapse. Having a minor slip doesn’t need to end up turning into a major relapse as long as you immediately seek help and take the necessary steps for getting back on track with your program. Since the chances of having a relapse are very high, it is critical to learn how to deal with an occasional slip if one does occur.

If a person does end up relapsing into their old behaviors, their aftercare program can help them to better assess and cope with the situation. The professionals and peers who are part of the aftercare support team can help to ensure that if a slip does occur that the individual doesn’t necessarily need to start all the way back to the beginning of rehab process once again.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

The Importance Of Aftercare And Continuing Care – Helping People With Treatment In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

The importance of Aftercare and Continuing Care – Helping people with drug and alcohol treatment in Vancouver, Victoria or Kelowna, British Columbia what aftercare program is needed for a potential relapse back in addiction – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Overcoming an addiction is difficult for most people. They must make many significant changes in their life, from who their friends are to becoming financially stable. If treatment is needed, they may have difficulty with getting time away from their job without risking being fired. Transportation may also be an issue. They will have to be confronted with family or personal issues that may be emotionally painful. Besides the many social and psychological issues, many substances will also cause physical withdrawal symptoms that must be dealt with as well. This means a recovering addict will be bombarded with many different and uncomfortable experiences as they work through their addiction. Many find it so difficult, they wonder if they can survive treatment, or if it is worth all the pain they are dealing with.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Therapy is a key factor in helping people stick with their plan of recovery. Specialists in addiction know what individuals are going through during their recovery, and may be able to recommend replacement medications and other methods of making it through the process. However, it is important to remember that replacement drugs are meant to be a temporary tool. Sustained recovery will mean eventually weaning off of even the recovery medications and sustaining sobriety without them.

Another essential element of a successful treatment program is a support system that includes family and other household members of the person in treatment. This is not a simple prospect.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Dealing with a family member or friend with an addiction problem means that they have likely dealt with abusive behavior, stealing, and many other issues as the person struggled. They may have done or said things that are very hurtful, especially when they are struggling with the feelings and emotions that come up during withdrawal and subsequent treatment.

Nevertheless, having emotional support in the form of counselors, doctors, friends, and family, is essential for a successful recovery from addiction.

The first thing to do is find the right form of treatment for the person who is in recovery. The treatment plan should correspond to the substance the patient has had a problem with. The treatment plan should also be able to address any mental disorders that may contribute to or worsen the addiction. Counselors should be sympathetic to the patient’s situation and supportive in nature. The program should also be sensitive to any special needs the patient has regarding age, gender, race, or anything else. For example, a program that specializes in LGBT patients may be of great help to someone whose sexuality has had an impact on their life. You should also find out if the doctors in the program are aware of the most current prescriptions available that may be able to help the person, especially at the beginning of their treatment when withdrawal is the most difficult.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Some other important facts that should be considered when a person is getting treatment include:

1. How involved are the family? This is one of the biggest indicators of success.

2. Does the person have a therapist or counselor? This is especially important for people who may not have the most supportive home environment. A good counselor can provide support and advise to the recovering addict.

3. What type of treatment is needed? There are many different approaches when it comes to treatment. Some include prescription drugs, therapy, medical intervention, or any combination. If a particular type of treatment doesn’t seem to be fitting, it is important to not give up. Instead, consider trying again with a different approach until something works well.

4. How motivated is the person recovering? A person must be willing to change if they hope to see success.

5. Is the patient experiencing stress or pressure from outside sources? Contrary to some beliefs, being forced into treatment is not always a good thing.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331