Sometimes life just sucks. I was desperate for something different. I grew up in a broken home, with a schizophrenic mom. As far as I can remember I was always asking myself why can’t I be like others. By others, I mean having both parents in the home and a mother that either didn’t have […]

Balboa Horizons is a proud sponsor of the 10th annual REEL Recovery Film Festival & Symposium going on October 24th-30th at the Laemmle’s Royal Theater in West Los Angeles. This year opening night will feature an extraordinary documentary on the late former professional surfer Andy Irons entitled Andy Irons: Kissed by God, directed by Steve Jones and Todd […]

Self-care in addiction recovery can be mood stabilizing. Whether you read a book, play a sport, or practice meditation, self-care is necessary. Self-care can include anything that helps you relax, enjoy life, or improve your mood. It can be as simple as getting a manicure, going to the spa, surfing, or even yoga. Whatever the […]

Overcoming a drug and alcohol addiction calls for some serious celebration! Many in recovery choose to honor their birthdays each year by taking a chip at an A.A. meeting and celebrating with friends and family. For those new to recovery, celebrations sans alcohol may sound boring. Not true! A lot of fun can be had […]

Some people refer to recovery as a re-birth. The metamorphous of changing from one thing (an addict) into another (a sober person.) It may be helpful to remember that the birthing process is long and messy. It takes a mother 9 months to grow a baby in her womb and the deed of birthing that […]

As humans we eventually learn that things don’t always go according to plan. As kids we don’t anticipate becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, nor does anyone expect their child to develop addictions. Yet, these difficult things happen to many of us. Part of the process of healing from them is to grieve the loss […]

Q: How do addiction recovery meetings help? A: Meetings help in a many ways. For one, it helps people to see they are not alone. Often the disease of addiction is filled with shame so the person struggling and their family feel isolated in their struggle. Meetings are a place to anonymously connect with people […]

The holidays can be a stressful time of year for all families, but especially for those affected by alcohol and drug addiction. Often there are many unresolved wounds that come up when engaging with one another. When it comes to the holidays it’s important to remember that everyone who shows up wants to build connection in […]

According to the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25% of those who seek treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) also have a substance abuse disorder. OCD is the overwhelming need to do a task repetitively; such as, hand washing, checking locked doors, updating a calendar, counting calories, etc… Doing these tasks temporarily relieves anxiety. In some cases […]

Sometimes therapy can feel like a carousel ride. You show-up. Pay a quarter. Have a seat. Take a spin around the mind. Return in a week. Do it all over again. What you may not be aware of is that the carousel ride on the couch is not the main attraction. What happens between the […]