How to stop using drugs when you’ve been using every day. Whether you are taking prescription medication or using illicit drugs every day you may have tried to stop using on your own at some point. Drugs in most forms take their toll on individuals often leaving them without hope and with the same symptoms […]

Substance abuse is hard on the wallet, the brain, the spirit, and the body. The human body will not sustain the poison of substance abuse. While the high is temporary, the effects can be lasting. The harmful effects of substance abuse overtime can kill. It is imperative if someone who is using drugs that they […]

For those new to recovery the idea of taking an hour out of ones day to attend a recovery meeting sounds like a total downer. Who would want to listen to other people talk about their problems? Funny thing is, a lot of people find it incredibly effective in helping tthemselves emotionally and supporting their family […]

The initial treatment for drug and alcohol addiction traditionally includes medication. The individual symptoms a person is experiencing will determine the type of pharmaceutical and/or supplement prescribed. Here are a few of the most popular types of medications that treat addictions and their co-occurring disorders: Antidepressants Many who struggle with addiction also battle depression. Antidepressants […]

Drugs and alcohol are not the source of the problem for an addict. The inability to feel and weather the pains of human emotion are. An addict runs from these emotions by numbing through drugs, alcohol, food and disassociation. Recovery is a process of incorporating many tools in order to help an individual get through […]

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been used to treat those struggling with addictions, self-harm and borderline personality disorder. Many clients in addiction rehabs battle all three. One common denominator in them is the struggle in handling intense emotions. Someone with borderline personality disorder may become angry and in the effort to calm themselves use drugs […]

You have probably heard the expression, “Trust your gut.” At one time or another, we have all had the experience of not trusting and having things go south. What explains this phenomena? Part of it can be understood through vagus nerve which connects the gut lining to the brain. The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) lives […]

Many people who complete addiction rehab programs continue their recovery process in therapy. Working with a therapist post-treatment allows one the opportunity to continue combing through triggers and build upon strengths. One benefit of rehab is that a therapist that specializes in chemical addiction and co-occurring disorders is assigned to you. When you return home […]

For some of you this may be your first holiday sober from drugs and alcohol. Though the habits of addiction may be absent seeing old places and faces can be triggering. In addition, there is a learning curve for your family getting acquainted with the new person you are; someone with different values and interests. […]

By definition a tribe is a distinct people, dependent on their land for their livelihood, who are largely self-sufficient, and not integrated into a national society. In many ways Balboa Horizons is a tribe on the recovery battlefield. Addiction recovery provides the space for people to take a step back from their everyday lives and  […]